Year-round, new movies are released into cinemas to be seen by audiences. In December, a new batch of films will hit theaters before the year closes out. 

The long awaited Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker will be released into theaters on December 20th. This film will conclude the nine part Skywalker saga. The journey continues for Rey, Poe Dameron, and Finn as the surviving resistance faces the First Order once again. With the older, knowledgeable, and powerful, generations behind them, the final battle ensues. The cast of actors includes Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Issac (Poe Dameron), and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren). Fans of the popular franchise can watch the journey unfold before the decade ends. 

In regards to the film, sophomore Hayden O’Brien said, “They want a lot in the new movie and the story looks interesting, but if one of my theories is correct, I’ll be kind of disappointed. As long as the movie pays respect to the rest of the films, actors, artists, and George Lucas, I think I’ll enjoy it.”

The well known of musical Cats has been adapted for film, which will premiere in cinemas on December 20th. The story is centered around a tribe of cats called the Jellicles who make ”the Jellicle choice,” which decides which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer, is their version of Heaven. After this, that chosen cat will come back to a new life. The film takes place only over the span of that single night. Many celebrities involved in the project are Taylor Swift (Bombalurina), Jennifer Hudson (Grizabella), James Corden (Bustopher Jones), Idris Elba (Macavity), and Judi Dench (Old Dueteronomy). Any fans of the musical or readers who are interested in the flick can watch it over the holiday season.

Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel Little Women will have another film adaptation, which will debut on December 25. The film follows the lives of the March sisters Jo, Beth, Amy, and Meg after the Civil War. Each sister may be individually unique, but they will stand together through the trials and tribulations they experience in life. The cast for includes Saoirse Ronan (Jo March), Emma Watson (Meg March), Florence Pugh (Amy March), Eliza Scanlen (Beth March), and Timothée Chalamet (Laurie). 

In regards to the movie, sophomore Cynthia Matos said, “I’ve wanted to read the novel Little Women for some time, so this gives me the motivation to read it. Even if I don’t read it before the movie comes out, I’m still excited to go and watch it. The cast looks like a perfect fit for the classic characters, which makes me all the more thrilled to see it.”

As the decade concludes, audiences can travel to their nearest theater to watch any of the movies mentioned. New films will surely usher audiences into the new decade, but audiences can reflect on the last decade of cinema as well.