Christmas time is a time for families to be together and celebrate annual traditions. Some families like many in the United States have a tradition of going to the movie theaters to sit down in the cinema with their families and watch a movie to finish off the Christmas day and I am here to direct you to picking a good movie to watch this holiday season by telling you some movies that will be in theaters for many to enjoy. There are many films that come out at this time of year and most of these films are primarily released for the awards season. Most award films are dramas that usually are about hard subjects and can at sometimes be too much and depressing. So in the spirit of the holidays I will showcase films that will leave you in a good mood for the holidays.

1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Christmas is a time where one feels like a kid again, and what better movie franchise to feel like a kid again than Star Wars. The eighth entry to the Star Wars saga is actually a prequel to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope as well as a sequel to Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The film stars Felicity Jones, as a member of the Rebel Alliance who is recruited to help a team get to fight against the Empire and retrieve plans for their ultimate weapon, the Death Star. Parents and children will enjoy going back to the galaxy far far away, bringing the Christmas spirit of being a child again.

2. La La Land

The holidays can be a musical time, and with the film La La Land, there is no exception to that. Already being called a modern classic by many people, La La Land is a musical that tells the love story about a waitress who dreams to be an aspiring actress, and a jazz pianist, who fall in love while falling their dreams. The film showcases the golden days of cinema paying homage to classic like West Side Story and The Wizard of Oz and their classic styles that will put wonder in your heart for the holiday season. The film stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as the two individuals who fall in love.

3. Office Christmas Party

Everybody likes their Christmas to be a little edgy, and Christmas Office Party can deliver. The new comedy by the hilarious TJ Miller, is about coworkers who work for a no nonsense boss, played by Jennifer Aniston, who go and throw the wildest office Christmas party ever for their most valuable client, with all the insane funny and insanity included.

4. Passengers

Set in the distant future, Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, who wake up 90 years too early from induced hibernation on their bound trip to a new planet and fall in love. The film is a love story in space many are calling it, with two of the hottest names in Hollywood, making this film a must see that everyone can enjoy.

5. Patriots Day

I know that I stated in the beginning of this article that I will be excluding films that may leave a troubling feeling, but I feel that Mark Wahlberg’s film, Patriots Day can be an exception. The film tells the story about citizens, police and other emergency workers coming together after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, and their plans to bring justice to those involved. Christmas time is a time to come together so I felt that a film that showcases that will be a good movie to view over the holiday to show everybody can come together, even after the darkest of times.

6. A Monster Calls

Based on the book by Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls tells the story of a young boy named Conor who deals with being bullied at school and the illness that his mother is suffering from. He goes on to befriend a “monster” in the form of a humanoid tree, who comes to tell stories and help him cure his unhappiness. The film stars Liam Neeson as the monster, and Felicity Jones as the mother.

7. Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures, tells the story about mathematician, Katherine Johnson, who is an African-American woman who along with two other African-American colleagues, help NASA and the United States catch up in the Space Race, and launch the first American into Orbit. The film is sure to be a feel good true underdog story, in a time when race was the ultimate barrier in this era of the country. The film stars Taraji P. Henson, of Empire fame, Kirsten Dunst, Kevin Costner, and Kevin Costner, who lead a great cast.

8. The Founder

Another true underdog story, The Founder, is the biographical story of Ray Kroc, who is the struggling milkshake machine salesman who launched a little burger restaurant into a multi-billion dollar franchise called McDonalds. The film is led by Michael Keaton, who plays Ray Kroc and is directed by John Lee Hancock, who directed The Blind Side, and Saving Mr. Banks, which leads me to believe will be a for sure heartwarming story.

9. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

A magical film for the magical time of the year, a prequel to the Harry Potter franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them stars Eddie Redmayne who is a wizard who comes to New York City, bringing magical beasts with him, that run amuck and must be captured as well was stopping an evil wizard. The Harry Potter movies are constantly shown on television during the holiday season and here is the chance to witness the newest addition on the big screen.

10. Moana

And to finish off the list with films to watch during this magical season, is a film from the most magical film production company of all time, and that is of course Disney. The film I am referring to is the insanely growing in popularity, Moana. The film is about a young Hawaiian princess to a chief who must journey with the demigod Maui, played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, to return a magical item that Maui stole that has been effecting the island greatly. The latest from the “House of Mouse”, Moana will sure be another animated classic that Disney can add to their collection, and will entertain the whole family as well as pulling their heartstrings.

There are many more films that will be released or have already been released that can be checked out, but these are the films that are more than likely to put you in the good and romantic mood that the holiday season regularly brings many around the world.