The 10 best films to see in cinemas in December: from ‘Better Man’ To ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’

Shakespeare set inside the legendary video game Grand Theft Auto? What madness from yonder computer window breaks? Courtesy of British actor-directors Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls comes this proof that not every idea born of the pandemic was a dud. The pair’s attempt to stage the Bard’s great tragedy inside the violent world of GTA is captured in the year’s funniest documentary. To misquote Arnie misquoting Shakespeare: To be or not to be? To be! 

In cinemas Dec 6

Amy Adams plays a struggling mum who turns into a dog after dark in a motherhood movie that will appeal to anyone who has lost their mind during all those sleepless nights. Director Marielle Heller (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) promises to explore all the knottiness of family life through the eyes of Adams’ mummy/mutt. The Oscar buzz has hushed a touch since it premiered at Toronto, but Adams is always essential viewing – even when pooch-ified.

In cinemas Dec 6

JRR Tolkien gets the anime treatment in a movie produced by Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings cohort Philippa Boyens and directed by Japanese animator Kenji Kamiyama (Blade Runner: Black Lotus). The story, set 183 years before The Fellowship of the Ring,  follows a rebellious young warrior called Hèra who must find her inner hero when civil war breaks out in Middle-earth. It’s been compared with Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaä, which is high praise in these parts.

In cinemas Dec 13

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (it’s a thing) has offered a mixed bag of movies in recent years, including the wildly popular Venom movies, and the shonky Morbius and Madame Web films. A Sinister Six movie – surely the masterplan – seems a long way off at the moment, so Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s titular superhero feels like he’s rocking up at a party after everyone else has left. Still, the cast isn’t too shabby, with Russell Crowe playing Kraven’s villainous dad and Ariana DeBose and Fred Hechinger also aboard. Could Kraven be the deep-cut Marvel hero the world needs this Christmas?

In cinemas Dec 13

Daniel Craig goes from hard-drinking Brit abroad in the James Bond movie to, well, the American equivalent in Luca Guadagnino’s take on William S Burroughs’ 1985 sun-and-sex-soaked novella. Although the difference couldn’t be starker: Craig, whose mid-career flex is a joy to behold, is Lee, a ex-GI who gives rein to all his most self-destructive impulses in Mexico City bars and fleshpots. Love, Simon’s Drew Starkey is the handsome younger man who joins his boozy, druggy odyssey, 

In cinemas Dec 13

Lancashire’s finest double act are back for the first time since 2008 short A Matter of Loaf and Death and with a new voice for Wallace – Ben Whitehead taking over seamlessly from the late Peter Sallis. Feathers McGraw, the evil penguin foiled by the pair in The Wrong Trousers, is nursing plans for terrible revenge after his failed jewel heist. Meanwhile, Wallace has a new invention, smart gnome Norbot (voiced by Reece Shearsmith). What could go wrong? Aardman’s latest stop-motion delight is in cinemas for a few days ahead of its telly bow on Christmas Day. 

In cinemas Dec 18. On BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day

The prequel to Disney’s live-action(ish) The Lion King takes us back to the Pride Lands of Tanzania and the backstory of Mufasa (voiced by Rebel Ridge’s Aaron Pierre) and Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr), the sibling who will go rogue and turn into psychotic furball Scar. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Donald Glover are both back to voice Nala and Simba, so expect a whole flashback structure. The first movie remains one of the biggest family films of all time. Expect this one to roar too.

In cinemas Dec 20

Yes, Robbie Williams is a monkey in a unique – and uniquely entertaining – musical biopic that leaves Bohemian Rhapsody and the like in the dust. The Stoke pop star is represented throughout by a CGI simian version of himself – the inner chimp – as The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey takes us on a tour of his life and career. Expect a thrilling roller coaster of highs and lows, lit up with great songs and a soundtrack of Williams’s many hits.

In cinemas Dec 27

Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult go head-to-head in this topical thriller set in and around 1970s America’s violent neo-Nazi underground. Hoult plays Bob Mathews, the charismatic but poisonous leader of a racist sect that funds itself through armed robberies, and Law is the seasoned FBI agent on the case. Based on a non-fiction book, The Silent Brotherhood, it’s the handiwork of Justin Kurzel, a filmmaker who brings a thrilling edge to the darkest stories. 

In cinemas Dec 27

The first two Sonic movies grossed a cool $725 million so don’t expect this one to deviate from the quippy, high-paced formula too much. Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz), Tails (Colleen O'Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Idris Elba) are the animated trio who team up with once-evil human Dr Robotnik (Jim Carrey) to take on a frisky new antihero: Shadow the Hedgehog. Perfect for a spiky post-Christmas outing for the little ones. 

In cinemas Dec 27