The holiday season is here, and there are many new movies that will get you in the holiday spirit. This November will be a good one for movie watchers, with many new films debuting over the next few weeks. These new movies should be great to enjoy the theatergoing experience watch with the people you love this Thanksgiving break.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, the sequel to Moana will be out for families to enjoy on Nov. 27. The original 2016 movie, starring Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson and Auli’i Cravalho, was the most streamed film of 2023.
Moana 2 promises a thrilling story with cultural depth and positive messages about self-discovery and courage. Jacob Lunny (UHS 2025) said, “I’m very excited for Moana 2. It gives a great insight into native Hawaiian culture. The first Moana, was a amazing production and I loved the look of the animation. I wish for them to continue this into the second Moana movie.”
The musical will have a new director from the first one with David Derrick, Jr. in his directorial debut, but retains the same screenwriter. Despite these changes from the first movie to the second, the iconic cast should still deliver an excellent soundtrack as memorable as the original. Moana’s music was one of the film’s most praised aspects, and “You’re Welcome” became an instant classic, so there’s high hope that the sequel will have more unforgettable tunes.
Also, this month, the movie remake of the Broadway blockbuster musical Wicked will come out on Nov. 22, and people are eagerly awaiting its release.
Wicked is a movie for all movie lovers, steering away from the plot of the original Oz films. The plot follows two girls whose friendship represents the conflict between wickedness and normality as their lives begin to take different paths after meeting the Wizard of Oz. The story is meant to resonate with viewers of all ages, with a theme about personal growth and defying expectations.
The Wizard of Oz movie from 1939 does not do justice to the story of the Wicked Witch. Mr. Stephen Ward, film studies teacher, says, “Personally, I hate the movie The Wizard of Oz. I always thought that Dorothy was a whining child and I found that I could resonate more with the witch. Wicked does a much better job of characterizing the Wicked Witch. Also the fact that Wicked takes place before, during, and after the Wizard of Oz puts a whole new perspective on the movie.”
For those looking for some nostalgic films from the past, movies like Elf and Polar Express will be out in theaters this month. These holiday favorites are perfect for getting into spirit with the Christmas memories that they hold for people around the world.
One of the most anticipated films of the month is Red One, a Christmas action movie starring J.K. Simmons as a swole Santa whose sleigh looks more like a spaceship with reindeer. After Santa is kidnapped, a special task force assigns the Rock and Chris Evan’s characters to help.
Lucas Monteiro (Class of 2025) is among many students excited for the holiday movies this year. After watching the trailer for Red One, Lucas said, “I am excited to see the scene of the Rock fighting that giant snowman monster; it looked super cool.”
The film blends the classic holiday spirit with an action-packed plot, perfect for viewers looking for something different this holiday season.
For a more traditional holiday movie experience, you should look for tickets to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. It is a fun comedy/drama about six youngsters whose troublesome behavior ruins the town’s Christmas pageant. It is up to them to show their hidden goodness and save the pageant.
Whether you’re in the mood for a family film, thrilling holiday action, or a heartwarming drama, there’s something to enjoy for everyone. So grab some popcorn, gather your friends, and prepare for a month of movie magic!
