Movies Not to Miss: December 2019

Writer: Casey Lee

Which of these are you going to watch?

It has been a relentless year of anticipated releases one after another, and it looks like 2019 isn't ready to stop even as we reach the final month of the year. While there are some of the traditional year-end blockbusters, the action doesn't stop as there are more Asian and action titles to help end the year with a bang.

So if you are looking for a Christmas movie to enjoy with the family, here's our recommended movies not to miss for December 2019 and we will see you next year!

Jumanji: The Next Level

One unexpected outing from the winter months is the action-packed blockbuster, but it's alright as long as it is family-friendly. And if there is one franchise that seem to be checking those boxes is the rebooted Jumanji. Releasing two years exactly since the Rock, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillian became video game characters in the reboot, "The Next Level" finds new participants entering into the world of Jumanji with different stakes. Expanding beyond the jungle world to a whole new adventure that takes places across different terrains, Jumanji is fast becoming that simple and silly adventure franchise that will be marking many Decembers to come.

General Release Date: 5 December

Shaun the Sheep Movie 2: Farmageddon

It has already been a very rewarding year for animation, whether it's from the animation giants of Hollywood, the studios in Japan, and even the record breakers from Malaysia. To really tie the bow on our gift of animation, we are glad to see there is still one more form of animation to cap the year off. Animation might be inundated with cutting-edge 3D graphics and visuals, but we still hold high regard and appreciation for the more traditional forms of animation where "Shaun the Sheep Movie 2: Farmageddon" fills. Aardman Studio brings a sequel of its trouble-making sheep to let everyone know that claymation isn't going to be left out of the animation race, even if they have to go up against our own "Upin dan Ipin".

General Release Date: 12 December

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

It is another year with an entry to the mainline of the Star Wars saga, bringing an end to the new trilogy that has had a rocky reception since its long-awaited return. Even after two movies, there still remains many mysteries of the Force to be solved in this upcoming installment that will undoubtedly put the franchise into wholly new and unexpected directions. Taking an army of screenwriters and directors led by J.J. Abrams to write and direct the climatic end between the Jedi and the Sith, the full force of the Star Wars franchise are brought back for "The Rise of Skywalker". Aside from Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Issac, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, the members of the original trilogy from Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, even Ian McDiarmid, and once again the late Carrie Fisher will live on, heralded by the score of John Williams.

General Release Date: 19 December

Ip Man 4: The Finale

It has been a year since we last saw an Ip Man movie around this time of the year, and once again we are greeted by another movie about the grandmaster, bringing another close to a series that made the eponymous grandmaster as known as he is today. Donnie Yen returns as the grandmaster in this fourth and final entry, as he travels to San Francisco, after a notorious student of his has stirred up trouble in the martial arts community there. Director Wilson Yip completes his duties with his fourth directorial for the series, but having first collaboration with screenwriter Hiroshi Fukazawa. Choreographed by Darren Leung and directed by master action director Woo-Ping Yuen who were behind the stunts and fight coordination that branded fighting style of the series, Donnie's guest opponent this time will be action star Scott Adkins, for possibly a faster and harder showdown.

General Release Date: 20 December

Spies in Disguise

This year might not have been the perfect year for Will Smith, but it is definitely a year when he has shown real effort to make his name as recognisable (and respected) as it was during the prime years of his career. Say what you will about his digitally altered outing in "Gemini Man", Smith is once again becoming a voice in the animation sphere with his first animation role since the unspoken "Shark Tale" 15 years ago. This time as the world's most awesome spy who is turned into a pigeon by Tom Holland's inept scientific genius, this new property from the studio that is best known for "Ice Age" might not put a dent in animation race, but does have its entertainment value with Karen Gillian, Ben Mendelsohn, Rashida Jones, and DJ Khaled in the voice cast as well.

General Release Date: 25 December

Cats

It's almost a Christmas tradition to have a musical, and this year may give us one of the best there is. Based on the mega musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this Broadway smash hit about everyone's favorite feline friends and their search for eternal life receives its long awaited big screen adaptation directed by Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper, who hasn't made a musical since "Les Miserables". CG-cat fur aside, we think the cast is close to pur-fect with James Corden, Jude Dench, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, and Rebel Wilson, while also featuring (and needing) the vocal performances of Taylor Swift.

General Release Date: 26 December