By Moira Macdonald
The Seattle Times

Coming right up, in this year’s holiday movie season: a sure-to-be-blockbuster musical, a comedic murder mystery, a return-to-Pandora sequel, a drama involving William Shakespeare and a comedy involving a Neil Diamond tribute band.

Something for everyone, to be sure. Read on for more details; note that all dates are for theatrical releases unless otherwise specified, and are subject to change. Pass the popcorn!

“Jay Kelly”

Noah Baumbach’s comedy/drama stars George Clooney as a famous actor (now there’s a stretch) and Adam Sandler as his manager, which sounds like a potentially interesting pairing. The strong supporting cast includes Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Jim Broadbent and Emily Mortimer. (Netflix, Dec. 5)

“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”

The third film in the delightful “Knives Out” murder-mystery series brings back Daniel Craig as dapper Southern detective Benoit Blanc, this time investigating a mysterious murder at an old stone church in a small New York town. As always in Rian Johnson’s series, the supporting cast is a dream, this time including Josh Brolin, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington and Andrew Scott. (In theaters this weekend, Netflix, Dec. 12)

“Hamnet”

Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s heartbreaking 2020 novel, Chloé Zhao’s drama follows William and Agnes Shakespeare (Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley) as they cope with the death of their 11-year-old son. The film won the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this fall, often a harbinger of Oscar buzz. (this weekend)

“Ella McCay”

James L. Brooks, whose lengthy film and television career encompassed such hits as “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Terms of Endearment” and “Broadcast News,” is still making movies at 85. This one’s a political comedy, with an idealistic young woman (Emma Mackey) juggling family and work life as she prepares to become her state’s governor. Also with Kumail Nanjiani, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson and Rebecca Hall. (Dec. 12)

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants”

SpongeBob is back! OK, so the title isn’t as good as the 2020 movie “Sponge on the Run,” but if you’re in the SpongeBob SquarePants demographic, it’ll likely be good fun. What else could you ask of a series with a character named Squidward Tentacles? (Dec. 12)

“Avatar: Fire and Ash”

Writer/director James Cameron, whose 2009 science-fiction epic “Avatar” remains the highest-grossing film of all time, returns with the third of a planned five-film saga, following 2022’s much-delayed “Avatar: The Way of Water.” In the film, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his family are at war with an enemy Na’vi tribe on Pandora; other returning cast members include Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet. (Dec. 19)

“The Housemaid”

Should you be in need of a holiday thriller, here’s one based on a bestselling Freida McFadden novel in which a young woman (Sydney Sweeney) takes a job with a wealthy family whose picture-perfect life may not be what it seems. Sounds pretty basic, but Paul Feig is the director, so we may well have another “A Simple Favor” on our hands? Amanda Seyfried co-stars. (Dec. 19)

“Is This Thing On?”

The third feature from actor/director Bradley Cooper (following “A Star Is Born” and “Maestro”) is a comedy/drama in which a man (Will Arnett) in the midst of divorcing his wife (Laura Dern) finds meaning in the world of stand-up comedy. Andra Day, Sean Hayes and Cooper himself co-star. (Dec. 19)

“Father Mother Sister Brother”

Jim Jarmusch’s tale of a group of estranged siblings who find themselves unexpectedly reuniting won the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year. Its cast looks more than promising: Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling and Cate Blanchett. (Dec. 24)

“Song Sung Blue”

If you are familiar with the ’70s Neil Diamond hit song from which this rom-com takes its title, I apologize in advance for the way it’s going to stick in your head for the rest of the day. Anyway, this one stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as a Diamond tribute act, and the trailer looks pretty darn adorable. Craig Brewer (“Dolomite Is My Name,” “Hustle & Flow”) directs. (Dec. 25)

“The Testament of Ann Lee”

Amanda Seyfried is getting raves in early reviews for this film biography of Lee, the British leader of the Shakers religious sect founded in the 18th century. Mona Fastvold directs, from a screenplay co-written with Brady Corbet; the two previously collaborated for the Oscar-winning 2024 film “The Brutalist.” (Dec. 25)

“Marty Supreme”

Inspired by the story of American table tennis champion Marty Reisman, this sports comedy/drama required Timothée Chalamet to spend months training in what most of us call pingpong. Josh Safdie (“Uncut Gems”) directs; Gwyneth Paltrow co-stars. (Dec. 25)