Holiday movie season is here, which means cozy nights in, big screen outings, and a crowded slate of premieres. To keep it simple, here are five standout picks that feel worth your time, including a Hallmark highlight, a new Christmas themed theatrical release, and one very important classic that still sparks debate.

1. Christmas Above the Clouds
(Hallmark Channel / Hallmark+)

This one belongs at the top of your list. Erin Krakow stars as Ella Neezer, a high powered executive who tries to dodge the holidays on an international flight, only to end up seated near an old flame and nudged along by a trio of unexpected “guides” at 30,000 feet. It is a playful nod to A Christmas Carol, with glossy visuals, a great cast, sharp banter, and Hallmark’s signature cozy payoff.

Save it for a night when the tree is lit, the snacks are lined up, and you want dependable, feel good romance.

2. Oh. What. Fun.
(Prime Video)

Michelle Pfeiffer leads this smart, soul warming holiday dramedy about a meticulous Christmas planner whose carefully choreographed traditions finally snap. A spur of the moment escape forces her family, and her, to rethink what “home for the holidays” really means.

It is witty, grown up, and heartfelt without being syrupy. Ideal for an adults only movie night with real food, real conversation, and a movie that actually has something to say.

3. A Merry Little Ex Mas
(Netflix)

For messy, modern, crowd pleasing chaos, this one delivers. A divorcing couple teams up for one last “perfect Christmas” under the same roof, surrounded by kids, relatives, new partners, and a house full of unresolved feelings.

Expect bright visuals, fast dialogue, romantic tension, and a reassuringly soft landing. This is a strong pick for group viewing when you want laughs, low stakes drama, and plenty of festive atmosphere.

4. A Snowy Christmas Miracle
(In Theaters, Early December)

If you want a Christmas themed trip to the cinema, keep an eye out for this theatrical release. A Snowy Christmas Miracle leans into everything people love on the big screen at this time of year: small town charm, twinkling lights, a community in trouble, and an unexpected act of generosity that pulls everyone together just as the snow starts to fall.

Make it an evening: tickets, hot chocolate afterward, maybe a walk past the neighborhood lights. Simple, sentimental, and ready to become a new tradition.

5. Die Hard
(Streaming / On Demand)

If your household holiday debate starts with “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie,” here is your answer: put it on the list. Set during a Christmas Eve office party that goes violently sideways, Die Hard delivers sharp writing, iconic action, a perfectly weary Bruce Willis, and one of cinema’s great villains in Alan Rickman. The holiday backdrop is not just decoration, it is baked into the mood, the music, and the stakes.

Call it the ultimate Christmas action movie, queue it up after the cozy pick, and let it balance out all that seasonal sweetness with broken glass, walkie talkies, and improvised heroics.

How To Use This Shortlist

Start with Christmas Above the Clouds as your guaranteed cozy win. Add one streaming pick that fits your mood, grab A Snowy Christmas Miracle for a night at the theater, and lock in Die Hard as your late night classic. Mix in your own forever favorites (Home Alone, A Christmas Story, Elf, etc) and you have a watch list that feels intentional, fun, and easy to enjoy all season.

Are people coming back to theaters? The signs look good.

After a few choppy years, moviegoing is finding its rhythm again. Surveys and industry reports point to a clear rebound. Roughly seven in ten Americans went to a movie in 2023 and 2024, a big jump from the early post-pandemic period. The share of frequent moviegoers has about doubled since 2021, and most people say they plan to go as often or more this year. Premium formats are booming, with IMAX reporting record box office this summer and strong year-over-year growth. Forecasts for 2025 call for another step up in global box office, with the U.S. tracking higher than last year. Canada is seeing the same energy, with about six in ten people saying they saw at least one film in theaters in 2024 and the strongest turnout among under-35s. Theater subscriptions are growing, too. AMC’s A-List is approaching the one million member mark, a good signal that regular moviegoing is back in the routine.

Bottom line. People are putting the big screen back into their week and they are choosing higher quality screens, better sound, and reserved seats when they do. That makes late summer a great time to pick an End of Summer Movie (or two) and make a night of it.

End of Summer Movies to put on your list:

Splitsville (Comedy)
A friendship between two couples gets messy when a newly separated friend tests the boundaries of his pals’ open marriage. Starring Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin, and Michael Angelo Covino, Splitsville  opened in limited release in late August and expands wider in early September.

The Conjuring: Last Rites (Horror)
The mainline Conjuring saga reaches its finale. If you want a packed house and jump-out-of-your-seat energy, opening-weekend horror delivers. U.S. release is early September.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (Drama)
The Crawleys return for a final big-screen chapter set in the early 1930s. Expect elegant scandal, shifting fortunes, and a graceful goodbye for a beloved ensemble. In theaters mid-September.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (Comedy and Music)
The loudest band returns for one last concert documentary that promises familiar mayhem, new riffs, and plenty of deadpan. Theatrical release is mid-September.

The Long Walk (Thriller and Horror)
Francis Lawrence adapts Stephen King’s dystopian gauntlet about a deadly endurance contest. Lean, tense, and tailor made for post-summer chills. In theaters mid-September.

Him (Sports Horror)
From Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw, a young football phenom trains with a legendary quarterback and finds something much darker under the surface. U.S. release is late September.

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (Romance and Fantasy)
Kogonada pairs Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell in a tender, high-concept story about second chances and the paths we do not take. In theaters late September.

Holdovers worth catching
If you missed the late August openers, Darren Aronofsky’s New York crime caper Caught Stealing and Jay Roach’s marital melee The Roses are still playing and make a sharp double-feature.

Every year brings a wave of books worth talking about. Stories that grip, inspire, or spark big ideas. Whether you’re looking for a page-turning thriller, a deeply human novel, or a guide to level up your mindset, this season’s new releases offer something for everyone. Here are five standout titles to add to your reading list now.

1. Desert Storm by Michael Falkow

Political Thriller
Falkow’s Desert Storm is more than a novel. It is a dive into a shadow world where power, loyalty, and survival collide. This high-stakes political thriller blends covert operations with raw human tension, taking readers from Washington’s corridors of power to the chaos of the Middle East. The story unravels through intersecting timelines, revealing secrets that could change the course of global events. If you love books that keep you guessing until the last page, this one deserves a spot at the top of your list. Available on Amazon and Audible.

2. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Speculative Fiction
This buzzworthy debut bends genres with a mix of time-travel adventure and romantic drama while remaining entirely original. Set in a near-future Britain, the novel explores what happens when people from the past are recruited to work for a government agency. It is witty, smart, and layered with themes about history, identity, and belonging.

3. My Life, My Way by Usher

Memoir
Fresh off the heels of his headline-making Super Bowl performance, Usher delivers an unfiltered look at his life and career. From childhood dreams to global stardom, his memoir dives deep into personal victories, struggles, and lessons learned along the way. For music fans and anyone fascinated by the art of reinvention, this is a must-read.

4. The Code: The Power of “I Will” by Shaun Tomson

Self-Development and Inspiration
Surfing legend and leadership expert Shaun Tomson shares a simple yet powerful framework for living with purpose. The Code distills life lessons into twelve promises you make to yourself. Each one is a call to action for resilience, integrity, and courage. Part memoir and part guidebook, it is the kind of book you will want to keep close for a quick dose of inspiration whenever life throws a wave your way.

5. The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden

Psychological Thriller
For fans of twisty domestic suspense, McFadden’s follow-up to The Housemaid delivers another dark and addictive read. Secrets lurk behind every door, and nothing is as it seems in this fast-paced psychological thriller. It is the perfect guilty-pleasure page-turner for a long weekend.

Why These Books Matter

From adrenaline-fueled fiction to thought-provoking insights, these releases reflect what many of us crave in 2025: escapism, truth, and practical wisdom to live better. Whether you are drawn to geopolitics, personal growth, or mind-bending suspense, this list has your next great read.