Holiday preview: 'Wicked: For Good,' 'Zootopia 2,' 22 more great flicks coming to theaters

If you’re excited to see Disney’s animated sequel “Zootopia 2” or Universal’s musical adaptation “Wicked: For Good,” you’re not alone. In fact, when both movies play in theaters over Thanksgiving weekend, you may have trouble getting tickets.

At the Sayville Theater, reservations for birthday parties over that weekend sold out months ago, according to property manager Devin Fickling. That’s a good sign, in his experience. Last year, he says, a similar one-two punch of the first “Wicked” and Disney’s “Moana 2” generated more revenue for the Sayville on Black Friday than any average weekend in October. “Actually, 50% more,” Fickling adds. He predicts sold-out showings nationwide for “Wicked: For Good” (opening Nov. 21) and “Zootopia 2” (Nov. 26) during the holiday weekend.

That would certainly give the movie business a reason to be thankful. The movies just had their worst October in 27 years (not counting 2020), according to The Hollywood Reporter. The month’s overall take: $428 million, according to BoxOfficeMojo, a steep drop from the all-time high of $832 million in the pre-pandemic October of 2018 and even from the $463 million of October 2024. It seems that A-listers like Dwayne Johnson in “The Smashing Machine,” Channing Tatum in “Roofman” and Julia Roberts in “After the Hunt” simply couldn’t bring in audiences. One bright spot was the promotional film “Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl,” which boosted October by $34 million.

So what’s next? Another parade of star-powered movies, of course. Sydney Sweeney will turn in her fourth film of the year, the psychological thriller “The Housemaid,” and Glen Powell will take over for Arnold Schwarzenegger in a remake of “The Running Man.” Hugh Jackman and Timothée Chalamet will star in the dueling Christmas biopics “Song Sung Blue” and “Marty Supreme,” respectively. And we’ll see at least one potential blockbuster, “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the third episode in James Cameron’s sci-fi franchise.

Here are 24 big movies coming this holiday season.

NOV. 14

JAY KELLY A Hollywood star (George Clooney) and his faithful manager (Adam Sandler) take a soul-searching trip through Europe. Director Noah Baumbach wrote the screenplay with Emily Mortimer, who also stars alongside Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Greta Gerwig and Stacy Keach.

NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T The bank-robbing magicians known as the Four Horsemen team up with four younger ones to bring down a corrupt diamond empire. The third film in the series reunites Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and the gang alongside new addition Rosamund Pike. Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland") directs.

THE RUNNING MAN

 Glen Powell plays a working-class dystopian citizen who enters a deadly game show in this remake of the not-so-classic 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. With Colman Domingo and Michael Cera. Edgar Wright (“Baby Driver”) directs.

NOV. 21

RENTAL FAMILY A down-and-out actor (Brendan Fraser) living in Tokyo is hired to play roles in other people’s lives. Directed and co-written by Hikari, whose credits include the Netflix comedy “Beef.”

WICKED: FOR GOOD

Jon M. Chu’s sequel picks up where last year’s “Wicked” left off, as enemies-turned-besties Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) once again become rivals in the Land of Oz. With Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh.

NOV. 26

ETERNITY Newly deceased Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) must decide how to spend the afterlife: Stay with her husband (Miles Teller) or reunite with her lost first love (Callum Turner). Directed and co-written by David Freyne.

HAMNET An adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel about the death of William Shakespeare’s 11-year-old son. Starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley. Directed by Chloé Zhao (“Nomadland”), who co-wrote with the author.

ZOOTOPIA 2

The animated sequel to Disney’s wryly allegorical “Zootopia” (2016) brings back Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman as two detectives — a rabbit and a fox, respectively — now tracking an elusive reptile.

NOV. 28

THE THING WITH FEATHERS Benedict Cumberbatch plays a widowed father whose grief begins to manifest as a sinister, taunting crow. Writer-director Dylan Southern adapts Max Porter’s 2015 novella. Also starring David Thewlis.

DEC. 5

DUST BUNNY A little girl (Sophie Sloan) asks a friendly hitman (Mads Mikkelsen) to kill the monster under her bed. Sigourney Weaver co-stars in this unusual-looking horror film from writer-director Bryan Fuller (NBC’s “Hannibal”).

FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S 2 Josh Hutcherson returns as Mike, a guy who once worked at a haunted theme restaurant (think Chuck E. Cheese with chain saws). The 2023 original, based on a cult video game, was a surprise hit with nearly $300 million. Starring Mckenna Grace and Skeet Ulrich.

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez starred in a Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical last year; this movie captures them across multiple performances. It’s a story of three friends navigating the world of show biz, told in reverse chronological order.

DEC. 12

ELLA MCCAY A young politician (played by the harmoniously named Emma Mackey) juggles work and family in this comedy from writer-director-producer James L. Brooks (“Broadcast News,” “The Simpsons”). Also starring Woody Harrelson and Jamie Lee Curtis.

SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT A boy traumatized by his parents’ murder on Christmas Eve grows up to become a spree-killing Santa. Writer-director Mike P. Nelson reworks the 1984 trash classic that was picketed by protective moms, quickly pulled from theaters and still spawned an ongoing franchise. Starring Rohan Campbell and Ruby Modine.

DEC. 19

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH

Disney’s 20th Century Studios isn’t revealing much in terms of plot, but trailers suggest former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his Na’vi family are caught between their old nemesis, Col. Quaritch (Stephen Lang), and a ferocious new tribe. With Zoe Saldaña and Sigourney Weaver.

THE HOUSEMAID

The omnipresent Sydney Sweeney plays a young woman who takes a job as helper to a wealthy and (seemingly) perfect family in Great Neck. Director Paul Feig (“Bridesmaids,” “A Simple Favor”) shot the film in New Jersey, though. Based on Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel.

IS THIS THING ON? On the brink of divorce and sharing custody of two boys, financier Alex Novak (Will Arnett) begins processing his emotions onstage at a Manhattan comedy club. Director Bradley Cooper wrote the screenplay with Arnett and Mark Chappell; it’s inspired by a true story. Also starring Laura Dern.

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS The fourth animated feature film in the series finds our man SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) chasing a mysterious pirate known as the Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill). Also with Ice Spice and Regina Hall.

DEC. 24

FATHER MOTHER SISTER BROTHER The latest from writer-director Jim Jarmusch (“Mystery Train,” “Broken Flowers”) explores family dynamics with a stellar cast that includes Adam Driver, Tom Waits, Cate Blanchett, Charlotte Rampling and Vicky Krieps. It was the surprise winner of the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion in September.

DEC. 25

ANACONDA

Two filmmakers (Paul Rudd and Jack Black) begin shooting a remake of the 1997 camp classic “Anaconda” in the Amazon rainforest, only to find themselves hunted by a very real snake. Tom Gormican (“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent”) directs.

THE CHORAL When Yorkshire’s choral master signs up for The Great War, the committee turns to the legendary Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes). Just one problem: He’s been living and working in Germany. It’s the fourth collaboration between director Nicholas Hytner and writer Alan Bennett (“The Madness of King George,” “The History Boys”).

MARTY SUPREME

Timothée Chalamet plays an eccentric table tennis player (reportedly inspired by real-life champ Marty “The Needle” Reisman) in this sports dramedy from director Josh Safdie (“Uncut Gems”). With Gwyneth Paltrow and Fran Drescher.

SONG SUNG BLUE

Musicians Mike and Claire (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) fall in love and blend their families while playing in a Neil Diamond tribute band. Based on a true story. Written and directed by Craig Brewer (“Hustle & Flow,” “Dolemite Is My Name”).

THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE The story of the young woman who founded the Shakers. Amanda Seyfried takes the title role; also starring Thomasin McKenzie and Lewis Pullman. Mona Fastvold directs from a screenplay written with her husband, Brady Corbet, both of last year’s best picture Oscar winner, “The Brutalist.”