LIST: Movies and TV shows to watch this December 2024
Movies and series locally and internationally in 2024 have been interesting. Apart from numerous K-dramas and international films that caught our attention, there was an obvious rise in must-watch local releases.
For the holiday season, there are several films and TV shows on streaming services and in cinemas that are worth watching. Are you looking for something new to watch this month? Here are our top picks for December!
Gladiator II
Status: Showing in Philippine cinemas beginning Dec. 4
Starring: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, and Fred Hechinger
After his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people.
Lightshop Keeper
Status: Streaming on Disney+ beginning Dec. 4
Starring: Ju Ji-hoon, Park Bo-young, Seolhyun, Uhm Tae-goo, Kim Min-ha, Kim Ka-hae, Shin Eun-soo, Bae Seong-woo, Lee Jung-eun and more
Lightshop Keeper is a mystery horror series about a man who runs a quaint light shop. On the outside, the store looks like any other ordinary light shop. In reality, the store is visited by dead spirits who are seem lost and not yet ready to go to afterlife.
RM: Right People, Wrong Place
Status: Showing in cinemas from December 5 to 8
Starring: RM (Kim Namjoon of BTS)
BTS leader Kim Namjoon a.k.a RM shares his personal experiences in this genuine documentary titled RM: Right People, Wrong Place. Presented in a candid manner, the film unveils the K-Pop idol's thought process whilst working on his second solo album Right Place, Wrong Person, which was released last May 2024. Currently serving in the military, the documentary is a must-watch for the ARMY (fans of BTS) especially those who loved his critically-acclaimed album. Namjooning time!
Black Doves
Status: Streaming on Netflix beginning Dec. 5
Starring: Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, Sarah Lancashire Creators: Joe Barton
Have you been naughty or nice this year? Whatever your answer is, Black Doves is a must-see series for thriller fans. Helen embarks on a passionate affair with a man who has no idea what her secret identity is. Caught in the crosshairs when her lover falls victim to the dangerous London underworld, Helen's employer calls in Sam to protect her.
Mary
Status: Streaming on Netflix beginning Dec. 6
Starring: Noa Cohen, Ido Tako, Anthony Hopkins
A retelling of the timeless classic about a miraculous conception. Discover Mary's journey to give birth to Jesus unfolds in this biblical coming-of-age epic story.
The Sticky
Status: Streaming on Prime Video beginning Dec. 6
Starring: Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos, Guillaume Cyr
Looking for a comedy-drama series you can stick to until the last episode? The Sticky is a series about Ruth Landry, a maple syrup farmer who, in defiance of a heartless system, assembles a team to undertake the Canadian heist of the century. Their target: the country’s multi-million dollar maple syrup surplus. Will they succeed though?
Secret Level
Status: Streaming on Prime Video beginning Dec. 10
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Keanu Reeves, Kevin Hart, Heaven Hart, Temuera Morrison, Ariana Greenblatt, Claudia Doumit, Ricky Whittle, Gabriel Luna, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Merle Dandridge, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Élodie Yung, Emily Swallow, Brenock O'Connor, Raffey Cassidy, Leah Harvey, Clive Standen, Gideon Emery, Michael Beach, Steven Pacey, Lily Cowles
Secret Level is an adult animated anthology series featuring fifteen standalone short stories based on several video games and franchises.
Heretic
Status: Showing in cinemas starting Dec. 11
Starring: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East
For millennials, Hugh Grant is the ultimate romcom king of the 90’s. In Heretic, he plays the role of Mr. Reed, a mysterious man who lives in reclusion. Two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church) approach him, not realizing he is a dangerous man. If you’re in the mood for a psychological thriller film, watch this!
No Good Deed
Status: Streaming on Netflix beginning Dec. 12
Starring: Linda Cardellini, O-T Fagbenle, Abbi Jacobson, Lisa Kudrow, Denis Leary, Poppy Liu, Teyonah Parris, Ray Romano, Luke Wilson
Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano star in the black comedy No Good Deed as a couple who decides to sell their picture-perfect LA home. While they prepare, they're forced to face painful family secrets.
Carry-On
Status: Streaming on Netflix beginning Dec. 13
Starring: Taron Egerton, Sofia Carson, Jason Bateman, Danielle Deadwyler, Theo Rossi, Logan Marshall-Green, Dean Norris, Sinqua Walls, Gil Perez-Abraham, Tonatiuh
Carry-On is a thriller film about an airport security officer who races to outsmart a mysterious traveler forcing him to let a dangerous item slip onto a Christmas Eve flight.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Status: Showing in cinemas beginning December 18
Starring: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr. John Kani, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Tiffany Boone, Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton
Were you one of the kids who loved The Lion King in the 90’s? This film will surely make you feel nostalgic. Told in a series of flashbacks, orphaned cub Mufasa meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destinies.
Squid Game season 2
Status: Streaming on Netflix starting Dec. 26
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Gong Yoo. With Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-uk, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, Jo Yu-ri, and Won Ji-an
Who’s excited for Squid Game 2?! The first season of this award-winning show gave us the chills and excitement. With a new batch of interesting characters played by some of the most loved K-drama actors, Squid Game will surely not disappoint!
Three years after winning Squid Game, Gi-hun, a.k.a. Player 456, gave up going to the States and came back with a new resolution in his mind. Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion won.
Metro Manila Film Festival 2024
Status: Arriving in cinemas on December 25
For Filipino moviegoers, the holiday season is incomplete without watching at least one film included in the Metro Manila Film Festival lineup with their families and friends.
This year, we have a pretty solid list of movies including And The Breadwinner is… (Vice Ganda and Eugene Domingo), The Kingdom (Vic Sotto and Piolo Pascual), Green Bones (Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid), Hold Me Close (Carlo Aquino and Julia Barretto), My Future You (Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin), Espantaho (Judy Ann Santos and Lorna Tolentino), Isang Himala (Aicelle Santos and Bituin Escalante), Topakk (Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Sid Lucero and Kokoy De Santos), Strange Frequencies: Haunted Hospital (Enrique Gil, Jane De Leon and Rob Gomez) and Uninvited (Aga Muhlach, Nadine Lustre and Ms. Vilma Santos).
