Options for Christmas Day Opening Movies

After Thanksgiving comes and goes, we still have one big holiday that the family can get together and spend time doing stuff.  Some of that stuff might include going to the movies or renting/buying movies for the entire family to enjoy.

But what are the options for everyone on this biggest year-ending holiday?  To be honest, there are not that many family oriented options.

(ALL?) Ender's Game MIGHT still be out in some theater by the time Christmas rolls around, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.  For the older skewing family outing.

(ALL?) Thor 2 could still be around, considering the punch his hammer packed at the box office.  But at the time of writing this, that's more than a month away.  For the older skewing family outing.

(ALL?) I'm betting The Hunger Games Catching Fire will still be out in theaters.  Again, for the older skewing family outing.

(FAMILY) Will the animated cute film, Frozen still be around?

But those are November movies.  I should probably focus closer to the target date for a better picture of what will be available for holiday movie-goers.

And I'm trying to focus on family oriented movies as or close to it!

(NOT FAM) Out of the Furnace opens Dec 6 and looks like a nice blood bath movie that you don't want to take the kids to see.

Opening on Friday, December 13th:

(FAM?) Despite the fantasy violence, is The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug could be a potential family flick?

Opening on Friday, December 20th:

(NOT) Let me go out on a limb and take a guess that  Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is NOT going to be family friendly?  The first movie was PG-13.

(NOT) Not sure kids will take to this PG-13 movie called Saving Mr. Banks.  It's more biographical than kid-entertaining.

Author P. L. Travers reflects on her difficult childhood while meeting with filmmaker Walt Disney during production for the adaptation of her novel, Mary Poppins.

Opening Wednesday, December 25th:

We have

•  The Wolf of Wall Street
•  47 Ronin
•  The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

(NOT) The 165 minute film (that's what IMDb shows) The Wolf of Wall Street, from Martin Scorsese seems a touch dour.

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

(NOT) 47 Ronin, Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, and thematic elements, with Keanu Reevesas wielding swords and killing things, I'm thinking not family oriented.

A band of samurai set out to avenge the death and dishonor of their master at the hands of a ruthless shogun.

(???) The Secret Life of Walter Mitty starring Ben Stiller is rated PG.  But this PG is for crude language and violent action.  I'm not sure this will be the kid friendly movie we hope it will be.

A day-dreamer escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action. When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, he takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined.

-

Opening on Friday, December 27th:

(NOT) The Insomniac does not seem to be family oriented.

After someone breaks into John Figg's home and takes all of his material and sentimental possessions, he develops a severe case of insomnia and learns that the people around him are not as trustworthy as they appear to be.

= = =

So looking at opening movies this month, you have a few choices that open weeks ahead of Christmas.  If by the sheer luck of box office success, you might stand a chance of having something to take your kids to see!

-- -- -- -- --

As far as what new rentals that will be on the market, you at least have these new stay-at-home options for spending quality time with the family.

Title, (release date)

Planes (11-5)

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey  (11-26)

Turbo (11-26)

The Smurfs 2 (12-3)

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (12-10)

Despicable Me 2 (12-17)

-

Going back a bit for more family titles

The Croods (10-4)

- - -

Amazon Instant Rentals

- - -

It's interesting how limited family titles can be, especially around this time of year.  But there are a few options, even if choice is minimal.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

You can follow Cinema Static on Google+, - Facebook, or Twitter.

-