There's a reason December is especially magical when it comes to movies. On one hand, the concentration of holidays yields quite a lot of free time. On the other hand, big movie studios are pulling out all the stops to delight audiences, just in time for award season! There are some seriously huge movie releases on the horizon, from the sweeping grandeur of La La Land [1] to Jennifer Lawrence [2] and Chris Pratt's onscreen romance, Passengers [3], to the highly anticipated new Star Wars film, Rogue One [4]. We're doing you one better: not only are we going over each of the month's most exciting films, but we're giving sound advice on who you should or shouldn't bring with you.
Hidden Figures
- Who to take: Anyone in your life who is a science, math, and history nerd. They'll likely all enjoy the various aspects of this NASA story.
- Who to leave: Anyone who's just tired of 1960s films about space travel.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Who to take: I mean, you have to have at least one Star Wars buff in your life, right?
- Who to leave: That one person who didn't even see The Force Awakens.
La La Land
- Who to take: Literally, everyone. Anyone! La La Land is one of the most beautiful films of the year, and I can't imagine who wouldn't enjoy it.
- Who to leave: OK, maybe your dad, if he's the kind of dad who loves sports and strongly dislikes musical theater.
Sing
- Who to take: This is the delightful children's movie of the holiday season, so bring the whole dang family. The kids will love the songs, and there's plenty of good humor in there for adults too.
- Who to leave: Listen, not everyone will willingly go to an animated movie, if they can help it. The curmudgeons can stay at home.
20th Century Women
- Who to take: That person in your life who won't rest until Annette Bening wins a damn Oscar.
- Who to leave: That person who thinks Annette Bening is just OK.
A Monster Calls
- Who to take: This one packs a punch, so bring your friend who's always down for a good cry.
- Who to leave: With tough subject matter focused on bullying and cancer, some people might just find this one too sad.
Passengers
- Who to take: This one's going to be a big people pleaser, so you've got a wide range of guest options. Since there are romance, action, and comedy elements, most people should walk away with something to say.
- Who to leave: Anyone who says space movies aren't their "thing." And anyone who was just never really on board with Jennifer Lawrence [8], for whatever weird reason. Also, that science nerd in your life who'd be all like, "That would never happen!"
Silence
- Who to take: The biggest movie buffs in your life will surely want to see Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson, and Adam Driver in a Martin Scorsese [9] movie. How could they resist?!
- Who to leave: This movie is inching toward three hours long, so you might want to ditch those people who lose interest at the two-hour mark.
Office Christmas Party
- Who to take: Anyone who loves a solid holiday comedy. Who could resist a cast packed with Jennifer Aniston [10], Jason Bateman [11], Kate McKinnon, and T.J. Miller?!
- Who to leave: Chances are this one's going to get pretty raunchy, so maybe Grandma and the kids should stay home.
Collateral Beauty
- Who to take: There are so many stars in this film, from Helen Mirren [12] to Keira Knightley [13] to Will Smith [14], you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who didn't like at least one person in the cast.
- Who to leave: This one seems pretty heavy, and on the edge of cheesy. Chronic eye-rollers will have a lot of complaints.
Fences
- Who to take: That friend or parent who gets allll up in award season and treats the Oscars like the Super Bowl. This one's going to get some serious recognition.
- Who to leave: Anyone who's looking for more of an escape (along the lines of a sci-fi or superhero film) might just fall asleep, honestly.
Assassin's Creed
- Who to take: We've got one that's especially perfect for the avid gamer in your life! Seeing as Assassin's Creed is based on the epic, wildly popular video game, you can finally find common ground.
- Who to leave: Your aunt, who insists video games are "a waste of time."
Solace
- Who to take: That one friend/parent/cousin who picks up a good mystery book and doesn't put it down. We've got a gripping murder/crime thriller on our hands, folks.
- Who to leave: This movie stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and The Walking Dead [15] fans might still be holding a grudge about the whole Negan thing.
Why Him?
- Who to take: Another crass comedy! This one's more Meet the Parents than The Hangover, from the looks of it. You know what to do.
- Who to leave: Those haters who don't "get" James Franco [16]. He's an acquired taste, y'know?
Live by Night
- Who to take: That person who loved The Great Gatsby, but thought it needed more explosions.
- Who to leave: Your comic-book-nerd friend who refuses to forgive Ben Affleck [17] for Batman v. Superman.
Gold
- Who to take: Anyone who always loves watching Matthew McConaughey [18] in any movie, no matter what. That applies to a lot of people, so you'd be surprised!
- Who to leave: Anyone who doesn't fit the description above and, likely, is fed up with seeing Matthew McConaughey in any movie, no matter what.