November
'A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas'
Release Date: Nov. 4
Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris
The Scoop: Where do you go with a franchise after you've already based an entire hit movie around lampooning the war on terror? Why, to the North Pole, of course! Yes, John Cho and Kal Penn are back with their follow-up to "Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay" and this time they're in the holiday spirit. We're not sure whether or not they will run into jolly St. Nick or not, but we can report that Neil Patrick Harris is back on board, meaning that this threequel is an early Christmas present for everyone to enjoy.
'J. Edgar'
Release Date: Nov. 9
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts
The Scoop: Leonardo DiCaprio take a break from his unofficial job as Martin Scorsese's muse, but don't worry, he's still in good hands: Multiple Oscar winner Clint Eastwood is behind the camera for this biopic starring Leo as the infamous head of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover. "The Social Network's" Armie Hammer plays Hoover's close -- really, really close -- friend, Clyde Tolson in this story scripted by "Milk" writer Dustin Lance Black. A must see, especially if you want to win this year's Oscar pool.
'Immortals'
Release Date: Nov. 11
Starring: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, John Hurt
The Scoop: You know what we haven't seen enough of this year? Oiled up men in leather straps hacking each other into itty-bitty pieces. Problem solved, because "Immortals" brings all the visual thrills of "300" combined with all the magic and mayhem of "Clash of the Titans." Plus it features Henry Cavill -- soon to be Superman in "300" director Zack Snyder's superhero reboot "Man of Steel" -- as a mythic hero of antiquity fighting back against the gods and, of course, Mickey Rourke. Now if only we can find a theater that encourages cosplay…
'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1'
Release Date: Nov. 18
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner
The Scoop: Forget William and Kate, the real wedding of the century take place this November -- and unlike the royal wedding, this time around everyone is invited to attend. The most anticipated movie nuptials in years are here as Edward and Bella tie the knot and live happily ever after. Except, of course, the happily ever after part. You know how the saying goes, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a monster baby that threatens to upset the fragile balance in the vampire world. C'est la vie.
'Hugo'
Release Date: Nov. 23
Starring: Chloe Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Asa Butterfield
The Scoop: In her young career, Chloe Moretz has already gained a reputation for her butt-kicking/blood-sucking roles in films like "Kick-Ass" and "Let Me In." This time around, though, Moretz finally gets to show off her girly side; she plays the young friend of an orphaned kid (Asa Butterfield) whose inheritance consists of a weird steampunk automaton. Together, the two of them try to repair their clockwork man and in the process discover a secret, magical world underneath the streets of Paris. Martin Scorsese takes a break from breaking faces for this offbeat fable.
'The Muppets
Release Date: Nov. 23
Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper
The Scoop: After far too long an absence, "The Muppets" are back on the big screen in a big way thanks in part part to big fan Jason Segel, who has set out to do no less than introduce a whole new generation to the magical charms of Jim Henson's beloved creations. And he's got a classic, old-school Muppets plot as well: Teaming up with his roommate, who happens to be a muppet himself, Segel sets out to help Kermit and the gang save their theater from imminent closure. Having fun is the easy part; catching the dozens of Hollywood cameos is going to be the hard part. At last, it's once again time to play the music and light the lights.
'The Descendants'
Release Date: Nov. 23
Starring: George Clooney, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard
The Scoop: It's been seven long years since writer/director Alexander Payne's last film, "Sideways." And considering that film and his previous efforts "About Schmidt" and "Election" were all massively popular with critics and fans alike, that's about seven years too long. But the wait will all be worth it once "The Descendants" arrives, especially since it stars George Clooney as a man who has to reassess his life when his wife slips into a coma after an accident -- and he discovers that she was having an affair. You'd have to be in a coma to miss this one.
December
'The Sitter
Release Date: Dec. 9
Starring: Jonah Hill, Sam Rockwell, Ari Graynor
The Scoop: One of the most important things a parent can do is pick the right babysitter. And one of the worst choices we can think of would be, say, Jonah Hill. That's pretty much the premise behind "The Sitter," which stars Hill as a slacker who decides to become a caretaker to earn a little extra payola. But when he gets invited to a big party while watching the kids, he decides to bring them along for a wild night of girls, gunplay and ganja. Imagine "The Hangover" with pre-teens.
'Young Adult'
Release Date: Dec. 9
Starring: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Patton Oswalt
The Scoop: Despite an impressive cast, it's the behind-the-scenes talent that makes "Young Adult" one of the most buzzed-about films of the season. That's because the film, which stars Charlize Theron as an author of YA books who embarks on a quest to prevent her girlhood crush from marrying someone else, reunites the "Juno' team of writer Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman. Will they catch lightning in a bottle again? We wouldn't bet against it.
'The Iron Lady'
Release Date: Dec. 16
Starring: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent
The Scoop: Let's see… Meryl Streep is starring in a high profile biopic about the life of one of the most famous politicians of the 20th century, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. We're going to go out on a limb here and suggest there's a pretty good chance Streep might earn her 17th Oscar nomination. You heard it here first. But if the subject matter sounds a bit stuffy, don't worry; Streep's "Mama Mia!" director, Phyllidia Lloyd, is behind the camera -- and as that film showed, these two know how to have a good time.
'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'
Release Date: Dec. 16
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace
The Scoop: You don't have to be the world's greatest detective to figure out that "Sherlock Holmes 2" is going to be one of the biggest hits of the holiday season. After all, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are back as Holmes and his trusty partner Watson. And this time around, they've upped the ante, with international superstar Noomi Rapace (the original "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo") helping track down Sherlock's arch-enemy, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). Deciding whether or not to see this epic is elementary indeed.
'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo'
Release Date: Dec. 21
Starring: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer
The Scoop: Hardcore fans of Stieg Larsson's smash hit novel "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" have been wondering for months why Hollywood would want to remake the film when the original Swedish version was so good. Here's why: because the original didn't star Daniel Craig and it wasn't directed by David Fincher ("Fight Club," "Seven"). Add in breakout star Rooney Mara in the already iconic role of Lisbeth Salander and you have one remake that could very well eclipse the original.
'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol'
Release Date: Dec. 21
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton
The Scoop: For all of you who have been shouting "Help me, Tom Cruise!" for the past few years, well, your prayers have been answered; Cruise is back in full-fledged action hero mode with "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol." This time around he's joined by "The Hurt Locker's" Jeremy Renner as the two try to find out why they've been cut loose, Jason Bourne-style, to fend for themselves. Plus they blow s**t up left and right and wear some awesome rubber masks. Good to have you back, Tom.
'The Adventures of Tintin'
Release Date: Dec. 23
Starring: Andy Serkis, Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig
The Scoop: The dream team of director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson takes on one of the biggest characters in pop culture history: Tintin. Okay, so if you're not from Europe you may not be quite as familiar with Tintin, but trust us, tor tens of millions of people, this is as big as it gets. And with cutting-edge, motion-capture CGI and a cast that includes Daniel Craig (the guy is everywhere!) and CGI expert Andy Serkis, we have no doubt that Spielberg and Jackson will convert stateside audiences.
'We Bought a Zoo'
Release Date: Dec. 23
Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church
The Scoop: Usually when you think about impulse purchase it's, you know, a pack of gum from the grocery store line or maybe that cute pair of pumps that keep staring at you from the department store window. And then there's Matt Damon's impulse purchase in this Cameron Crowe-directed dramedy -- a zoo. Damon plays a real-life guy who, when his wife falls ill, decides to buy a zoo in an attempt to change their lifestyle. Matt Damon + a bunch of random zoo animals = one film we just have to see to believe.
'In the Land of Blood and Honey'
Release Date: Dec. 23
Starring: Zana Marjanovic, Goran Kostic
The Scoop: For a "starless" film about forbidden love set against the anguished backdrop of The Bosnian War, you'll notice "Land of Blood and Honey" arriving in theaters with an impressive amount of interest. That's because the war drama marks the directorial debut of Angelina Jolie, who continues her global village ways by bringing to light the unspeakable atrocities committed during combat while also focusing the narrative on an ill-fated romance between a Serbian military officer (Goran Kostic) and Muslim-Bosnian civilian (Zana Marjanovic). This one packs more than star (behind the camera) power.
'The Darkest Hour'
Release Date: Dec. 25
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella
The Scoop: You know how when you were a kid your parents told you that you shouldn't be afraid of the dark? Well, obviously they had never been eaten by invisible aliens. Unfortunately for Emile Hirsch -- and fortunately for fans of creepy sci-fi horror -- there are millions of Moscow residents who won't be able to say the same thanks to the fact that in "The Darkest Hour," those aliens blow them up. Half-survival story and half science-fiction creepout, "The Darkest Hour" is all kinds of awesome. Just remember to have a nightlight ready so you can get some sleep afterwards.
'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'
Release Date: Dec. 25
Starring: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn
The Scoop: A decade later, making a movie about the terrorist attacks on September 11 is still a very dicey proposition, but if anyone can pull off this adaptation of the Jonathan Safran Foer novel, it's Stephen Daldry, who previously adapted "The Reader" and "The Hours" to critical acclaim. And the cast doesn't hurt: Newcomer Thomas Horn plays a kid whose father (Tom Hanks) is killed in the attacks, leaving him alone with his mother (Sandra Bullock) and a mysterious key. A final Christmas present from Hollywood to you.
'War Horse'
Release Date: Dec. 28
Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson
The Scoop: Steven Spielberg is known for his intense war movies (see: "Saving Private Ryan") and his touching family films (see: "E.T."). So what happens when he puts his chocolate in his own peanut butter? "War Horse," that's what. Just reading this one line plot synopsis will probably be enough to have you bawling: Jeremy Irvine plays a teen who heads to the front lines of World War I to find out the fate of a beloved horse that was conscripted into the army. Told you.
