OPENING

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” — (Action, PG-13, 195 minutes). While Jake and Neytiri’s family mourn Neteyam’s death, the conflict on Pandora escalates when they encounter an aggressive Na’vi tribe named the Ash People.

“The Case for Miracles“— (Documentary, not rated, 107 minutes). Reflects on Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection as faith’s foundation while examining the credibility of modern miracles.

“David” — (Animation, PG, 115 minutes). Follows David’s journey from a humble shepherd to an anointed king and the tests he faces that challenge the limits of faith and courage.

“The Housemaid“— (Thriller, R, 131 minutes). Millie takes a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy couple to try to get away from her past, but her dream job soon becomes dangerous.

The Royal Ballet: “The Nutcracker” — (Stage, not rated, 130 minutes). An annual festive production at the Royal Opera House.

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” — (Animation, PG, 96 minutes). SpongeBob encounters challenges and uncovers mysteries on his journey to the ocean’s depths to face the Flying Dutchman’s ghost.

ONGOING

“A Christmas Story” (1983) — (Comedy, PG, 83 minutes). Movie is set in the 1940s about a boy named Ralphie who tries to convince his parents, teacher and Santa Claus to get him a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun for Christmas.

“Akhanda 2 – Thaandavam” — (Action, not rated, 170 minutes). As Akhanda battles forces threatening peace, his twin brother confronts a new adversary.

“Christina Aguilera: Christmas in Paris” — (Music, not rated, 85 minutes). To celebrate 25 years of “My Kind of Christmas,” Christina Aguilera performs a live show in Paris.

“Christmas in Connecticut” (1945) — (Comedy, not rated, 101 minutes). When her boss and a war hero invite themselves to her home for a traditional family Christmas, a food writer has to find a way to cover her lie about being the perfect housewife.

Dr. Suess’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000) 25th Anniversary — (Comedy, PG, 104 minutes). A green, revenge-seeking Grinch who lives on the outskirts of Whoville plans to ruin for all the people living in Whoville.

“Dust Bunny” — (Horror, R, 106 minutes). Grade: C, Katie Walsh. A young girl asks a neighbor for help in killing the monster that is under her bed, which she believes ate her family.

“Ella McCay” — (Comedy, PG-13, 115 minutes). Grade: C-, Katie Walsh. As a young woman juggles her family and work life, she learns how to survive the people she loves.

“Elf” — (Comedy, PG, 97 minutes). Buddy is a human who was adopted by and raised by elves in the North Pole. After finding out he was adopted, Buddy goes to New York to find his real father who doesn’t know he exists.

“Eternity” — (Comedy, PG-13, 112 minutes). Grade: B, Adam Graham. In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan has to choose between the man she spent her life with or her first love.

“Fackham Hall” — (Comedy, R, 97 minutes). While the Davenport family deals with the disaster of their oldest daughter’s wedding to her cousin, a new porter forms a bond with their youngest daughter.

“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” — (Horror, PG-13, 104 minutes). Anyone can survive five nights, but this time, no one should expect a second chance.

“Hamnet” — (Drama, PG-13, 125 minutes). Grade: B-, Katie Walsh. The story of love and loss that inspired Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

“It’s a Wonderful Life” — (Drama, PG, 130 minutes). A classic Christmas movie about George Bailey, who wants to commit suicide on Christmas Eve until an angel appears and shows him what life would have been if he never existed.

“Jay Kelly” — (Comedy, R, 132 minutes). Jake Kelly, a famous movie actor, along with his manager Ron, embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

“Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution” — (Anime, R, 90 minutes). During Halloween, a veil descends over the Shibuya area, trapping civilians inside and transforming colonies across Japan into dens of curses.

“Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” — (Action, not rated, 275 minutes). After a bride is left for dead and her unborn child stolen, she must hunt down the four members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad before she can confront Bill himself.

“Merrily We Roll Along” — (Musical, not rated, 150 minutes). A filmed version of the Broadway production, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez.

“National Lampoon’s Vacation” — (Comedy, R, 97 minutes). The Griswold family’s well-planned cross-country trip to Walley World theme park turns out to be a lot more stressful than they could have ever imagined.

“Not Without Hope” — (Drama, R, 119 minutes). After their fishing boat capsizes off the coast of Mexico, a group of friends stranded at sea struggle to survive.

“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” — (Thriller, PG-13, 112 minutes). Grade: B-, Katie Walsh. Retired Horsemen illusionists join new performers to catch dangerous criminals during a diamond heist.

“Nuremberg” — (Drama, PG-13, 148 minutes). Grade: B-, Katie Walsh. As a WWII psychiatrist forms a disturbing bond with Hermann Göring, he begins to become obsessed with understanding evil.

“Predator: Badlands” — (Sci-Fi, PG-13, 107 minutes). Grade: B, Mark Meszoros. While on his journey to find the ultimate adversary, a young Predator outcast finds an unlikely ally.

“Rebuilding” — (Drama, R, 96 minutes). Dusty ends up in a FEMA camp after wildfires destroy his ranch. 

“Rental Family” — (Comedy, PG-13, 103 minutes). Grade: A-, Katie Walsh. A struggling American actor living in Tokyo rediscovers purpose, belonging and the beauty of human connection when he takes a gig at a rental family agency and plays stand-in roles for strangers.

“The Running Man” — (Action, R, 133 minutes). Grade: B, Katie Walsh. Ben Richards joins a game show where the contestants, called Runners, try to survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins for a large cash prize.

“The Secret Agent” — (Drama, R, 158 minutes). A technology expert returns to his hometown of Recife and realizes that the city is not the refuge he seeks.

“Scrooged” — (Comedy, PG-13, 10 minutes). After firing an employee on Christmas Eve, a successful, but cold television executive is visited by three spirits who offer lessons and a chance to right the wrongs of his past.

“Sentimental Value” — (Drama, R, 133 minutes). An exploration of memories, family and the healing power of art.

“Silent Night, Deadly Night” — (Horror, not rated, 95 minutes). Years after he saw his parents murdered by a man in a Santa suit, a man goes on a violent quest for revenge for those responsible while donning a Santa suit himself.

“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” — (Comedy/Drama, PG-13, 140 minutes). In this sequel to “Glass Onion,” Benoit Blanc returns for his most dangerous case to date.

“Wicked: For Good” — (Fairy Tale, PG, 138 minutes). Grade: C, Katie Walsh. Elphaba and Glinda are driven further apart when Glinda attempts a conciliation between Elphaba and The Wizard of Oz.

“Zootopia 2” — (Animation, PG, 108 minutes). Grade: A-, Katie Walsh. Rabbit cop Judy Hopps and the fox Nick Wilde try to crack the most intricate and perilous case of their careers.

Editor’s note: Please contact individual movie theaters for showtimes and other movies added after this list was compiled.

Carlotta Olson, The Denver Gazette