For many people, moviegoing and the holiday season go together like turkey and stuffing. It’s the time of year when the studios release some of their proudest achievements and most likely blockbuster candidates.
This holiday season is no exception. Big releases on tap include Steven Spielberg’s new version of “West Side Story,” new entrants in the "Spider-Man" and "Matrix" franchises and a Shakespeare adaptation starring Denzel Washington and directed by “Fargo” filmmaker Joel Coen.
Holiday event:Hanukkah and Christmas traditions explored at Ohio Village
It’s also a time when many film fans revisit their favorite flicks, particularly those with holiday themes. Numerous theaters throughout Greater Columbus will screen beloved Christmas movies of days gone by.
So, sit back, relax, and be sure save some popcorn for decorating the Christmas tree.
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CROSSWOODS
200 HUTCHINSON AVE.
Admission: $5
• “A Christmas Story” (1983): Those who became familiar with the classic comedy thanks to repeated airings on TNT may relish revisiting the film on the big screen. Directed by Bob Clark, the film stars Peter Billingsey as Red Ryder BB gun-obsessed youngster Ralphie; Darren McGavin and Melinda Dillon as his frazzled but loving parents; and is narrated by author Jean Shepherd, who wrote the script.
Showtimes: 3:25 and 9 p.m. Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 7
• “Elf” (2003): Close to 20 years have elapsed since the premiere of the comedy starring Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, but that’s time enough to enshrine it as a holiday classic. Jon Favreau directed the film, which co-stars James Caan and Zooey Deschanel.
Showtimes: 6:40 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 7; 5:50 and 8:35 p.m. Dec. 8
• “The Grinch” (2018): The 2018 animated film version of Dr. Seuss’ children’s tale features the vocal talents of Benedict Cumberbatch, Kenan Thompson and Rashida Jones.
Showtimes: 1:40 and 4:10 p.m. Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 7
• “White Christmas” (1954): Singer and actress Rosemary Clooney — sister of Nick Clooney, a longtime Cincinnati television anchor and aunt of actor George Clooney — sings “Sisters,” “Snow,” “Count Your Blessings” and the title song in the holiday-themed musical, co-starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen.
Showtimes: 12:25 and 6 p.m. Dec. 3-5; 1:15 and 4:20 p.m. Dec. 6; 12:25 and 6 p.m. Dec. 7
COVIDpolicy:masks required
Contact: 614-436-9818, www.marcustheatres.com
GATEWAY FILM CENTER
1550 N. HIGH ST.
• Holiday Classics film series: The film center will show a variety of seasonal favorites, including “It Happened on Fifth Avenue” (1:30 p.m. Dec. 3; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5); “The Shop Around the Corner” (4:30 p.m. Dec. 3; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 4; 4:30 p.m. Dec. 5); “Christmas in Connecticut” (7:30 p.m. Dec. 3;4:30 p.m. Dec. 4;1:30 p.m. Dec. 5); “Elf” (1:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11; 4:30 p.m. Dec. 12); “A Christmas Story” (4:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 11; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12); “Meet Me in St. Louis” (7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 4:30 p.m. Dec. 11; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 12); “White Christmas” (1:30 p.m. Dec. 17; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and Dec. 25); “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (4:30 p.m. Dec. 17-18; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19); “It’s a Wonderful Life” (7:30 p.m. Dec. 17; 1:30 p.m. Dec. 18; 4:30 p.m. Dec. 19).
Admission: $9 to $12
• “Saturday Morning Cartoons”: Holiday-themed retro cartoons and commercials will be presented in the 90-minute children’s program.
Showtime: 1 p.m. Dec. 18
Admission: $5
COVIDpolicy:masks required
Contact: www.gatewayfilmcenter.org
More:Holiday cheer is in full bloom at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
PICKERINGTON
1776 HILL ROAD N.
Admission: $5
• “A Christmas Story” (1983)
Showtimes: 6:35 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 3-5; 7:15 p.m. Dec. 6; 6:35 and 9:15 p.m. Dec. 7; 7:15 p.m. Dec. 8
• “Elf” (2003)
Showtimes: 5, 7:35 and 10:10 p.m. Dec. 3-4; 5 and 7:35 p.m. Dec. 5; 5:50 and 8:35 p.m. Dec. 6; 5, 7:35 and 10:10 p.m. Dec. 7
• “The Grinch” (2018)
Showtimes: noon and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3-5; 12:55 and 3:15 p.m. Dec. 6; noon and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7; 12:55 and 3:15 p.m. Dec. 8
• “White Christmas” (1954)
Showtimes: 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Dec. 3-5; 1:15 and 4:20 p.m. Dec. 6; 12:30 and 3:35 p.m. Dec. 7; 1:15 and 4:20 p.m. Dec. 8
COVIDpolicy:masks optional
Contact: 614-759-8616, www.marcustheatres.com
STUDIO 35 CINEMA AND DRAFTHOUSE
3055 INDIANOLA AVE.
• “A Christmas Story” (1983)
Showtimes: 10:30 a.m. Dec. 4, 11 a.m. Dec. 5
Admission: free
• Beer tasting and screening: “Elf” (2003)
Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5
Admission: $40
COVIDpolicy:masks required
Contact: www.studio35.com
WEXNER CENTER FOR THE ARTS
MERSHON AUDITORIUM, 1871 N. HIGH ST.
Admission:free
• Zoom: Family Film Festival: For the latest edition of the festival, three programs of short films from the New York International Children’s Film Festival will be shown free of charge. Individually wrapped snacks and take-home origami kits will be handed out, too.
Time:Starting at 10 a.m. Dec. 11
COVIDpolicy:masks required
Contact: www.wexarts.org
MAJOR HOLIDAY RELEASES
Numerous major films are set for releases in theaters throughout Greater Columbus in the coming month, including:
• “Being the Ricardos,” in theaters Dec. 10, streaming on Amazon Prime Video Dec. 21: Nicole Kidman stars as Lucille Ball and Javier Bardem as Desi Arnaz in the new biopic from writer-director Aaron Sorkin.
• “West Side Story,”in theaters Dec. 10: Director Steven Spielberg’s new version of the 1957 Broadway musical stars Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose and, in the role of Riff, Gahanna native Mike Faist.
• “The Lost Daughter,” in theaters Dec. 17, streaming on Netflix Dec. 31: Olivia Colman stars as a professor revisiting episodes from her life in the directorial debut of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal.
• “Nightmare Alley,”in theaters Dec. 17: Director Guillermo del Toro directs the remake of a nifty 1946 film noir, starring Bradley Cooper as a carnival worker and Cate Blanchett as a psychiatrist (and likely femme fatale).
• “Spider-Man: No Way Home,”in theaters Dec. 17: The ongoing "Spider-Man" series starring Tom Holland will continue with a story also featuring Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch).
• “The Matrix Resurrections,”in theaters Dec. 22: Nearly 19 years after “The Matrix Revolutions,” Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Laurence Fishburne star in this resumption of the franchise.
• “The Tragedy of Macbeth,”in theaters Dec. 25, streaming on Apple TV+ Jan. 14: Director Joel Coen — one half of the Coen Brothers, makers of “Fargo” and “The Big Lebowski” — directs the Shakespeare adaptation starring Denzel Washington in the title role.
