The 11 Must-See Movies of December

Still from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailer. Image via Disney/Lucasfilm.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (December 16th)

Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) leads a ragtag group of rebels in a mission to steal the plans for the Death Star.

One of the biggest fandoms out there, Star Wars fans have it pretty good. After last year’s juggernaut that was Star Wars: The Force Awakens, there wasn’t a long wait before the next installment was announced. The wait for Star Wars Episode VIII is still hanging over fans heads, but until then they’re receiving the first of two announced spin-offs. Rogue One will show how the Death Star plans were stolen…by a woman. Really what’s attractive to many is the Walt Disney Studios dedication towards celebrating diversity in cinema. After Force Awakens’ Rey (Daisy Ridley) inspired young girls, Rogue One has the rebellious Jyn Erso (Jones in one of two films she stars in this month).

There is a lot riding on this spin-off. Trouble started brewing during a few fan events when confused audience members assumed Rogue One was Episode VIII. Question have popped up over lengthy reshoots and LucasFilms President Kathleen Kennedy landed in hot water after saying women directors “weren’t ready” to direct a Star Wars feature. However, Star Wars fans are sure to eat this up, particularly since Disney is the studio to beat this year (with Captain America: Civil War, Zootopia, Pete’s Dragon and Moana leading a packed year for the Mouse House). Fandango crashed outright when tickets went on sale a few days ago, so no matter the film’s internal problems, audiences will descend upon it.

Next: Passengers