As the holiday season approaches, the film industry gears up with a slate of major releases. Here’s a look at the most anticipated films arriving in theaters this November and December:

November 15 – Red One
Red One from MGM/Amazon opens the holiday season with a family-oriented adventure, expected to appeal to broad audiences and generate mid-20s millions at the box office.

November 22 – Gladiator II & Wicked
This weekend showcases two major releases, each appealing to different demographics. Gladiator II, a likely Best Picture contender, will attract male audiences, especially older males, while the presence of Denzel Washington may also draw African American viewers. In contrast, Wicked is set to captivate female audiences and fans of musicals, potentially making this the biggest Broadway adaptation since Les Miserables (2012). Combined, these films are projected to gross around $100 million.

November 29 – Moana 2
Disney’s Moana 2, a highly anticipated sequel, is positioned for a strong performance, projected to surpass $100 million during the five-day Thanksgiving weekend. As one of Disney+’s most popular titles, it is expected to attract large family audiences.

December 6 – A24 Horror Comedy & Interstellar Re-release
This typically quieter weekend offers a horror-comedy from A24, Y2K, which is likely to open in the high single digits, and a re-release of Interstellar targeting sci-fi fans, expected to generate mid single digits.

December 13 – Kraven the Hunter & The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
The box office welcomes Kraven the Hunter, a Marvel title expected to draw younger male audiences with an opening in the 20-30 million range. Also debuting is The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, an animated entry with a style close to anime, projected to open in the teens.

December 20 – Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Mufasa
The holiday season sees two high-profile releases: Sonic the Hedgehog 3, expected to open at $50 million or more, and Disney’s Mufasa, a prequel to The Lion King, forecasted to reach $30 million in its opening weekend.

December 27 – The Golden Week
During the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day, often referred to as ‘the golden 7’, theater attendance surges. Popular releases such as Red One, Gladiator II, Moana 2, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will continue to drive significant box office returns during this period, ensuring a strong close to the year.

Contact Brett Resnick, brett.resnick@CENmediagroup.com, to reserve exclusive advertising placements in movie theater lobbies