The Best Films Coming to UK Cinemas December 2025

Film Feature by Chris Olson

As the nights draw in and the first dusting of festive cheer settles across Britain, the film industry traditionally saves its heaviest hitters for December. It is a period when the multiplexes transform into a crucial battleground, hosting both the big-budget tentpoles designed to dominate the Christmas box office and the prestige dramas aiming for Oscar glory.

For those of us at UK Film Review, this is arguably the most exciting month of the calendar, offering a staggering wealth of choice for every cinematic palate. December 2025 looks set to be a truly spectacular affair, combining beloved franchises, high-concept original thrillers, and serious, thoughtful fare guaranteed to spark spirited debate around the dinner table. So pour yourself a hot drink, grab a mince pie, and let us walk you through the very best films demanding your attention in UK cinemas this Yuletide, with some of the most epic film trailers on offer too.

The biggest news dominating the pre-Christmas schedule, and frankly the global film discourse, is the long-awaited return to Pandora. James Cameron unleashes the latest chapter in his epic saga on the 19th of the month with Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Following the colossal commercial success of The Way of Water, expectations are astronomically high. While plot specifics remain cloaked in secrecy, we anticipate Cameron once again pushing the technological boundaries of filmmaking, delivering an immersive 3D experience unlike any other.

The title alone suggests a darker, more volatile turn for Jake Sully and Neytiri, potentially forcing them to confront new and devastating environmental or military conflicts. For sheer spectacle and jaw-dropping visual majesty, this is the undisputed cinema event of the year, providing a perfect, transportive escape from the damp British weather.

Arriving a week earlier, on the 12th, is a film that offers a very different kind of blockbuster thrill, one defined by dialogue and deception rather than explosions. The return of writer-director Rian Johnson’s super-sleuth Benoit Blanc is here in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

The previous two instalments proved that contemporary whodunnits can be both fiendishly clever and supremely entertaining, and this third chapter promises to maintain that deliciously witty tone.

With an entirely fresh, star-studded ensemble cast trapped in a new, luxurious location, we are eager to see the sartorial detective, with his idiosyncratic drawl, dissect another complex web of lies and privilege.

The Knives Out franchise has become the gold standard for modern mystery cinema, and this is a sure-fire hit that offers the perfect antidote to traditional festive schmaltz.

Beyond the behemoths of franchise cinema, December also gifts us a host of genre entries that look set to keep us on the edge of our seats.

Kicking off the month on the 5th is Five Nights at Freddy's 2.

The surprise success of the original demonstrated the massive appetite for video game horror adaptations, and the sequel is poised to continue that dark, animatronic nightmare. It lands perfectly for younger audiences on their school holidays, seeking a sophisticated, jump-scare-laden thrill.

Later in the month, around Boxing Day, look out for The Housemaid, a psychological thriller that appears to follow a young woman taking a seemingly fresh start in a new, high-status job, only for the environment to become increasingly oppressive and terrifying. Directed by a filmmaker with a surprising pedigree in comedy, this adaptation is generating considerable buzz for its claustrophobic tension and chilling atmosphere.

The heart of December, however, is always dominated by the films designed to impress the major voting bodies. This year, the awards contenders are particularly strong, mixing literary adaptation with true-life musical drama.

Leading the charge is Hamnet, scheduled for release on the 12th. Based on the acclaimed novel, the film presents an imagined, poignant story of Agnes Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, as she navigates the crushing loss of their young son, Hamnet.

Set against the backdrop of late sixteenth-century England, this promises to be a deeply moving, beautifully shot historical drama, exploring themes of grief, creativity, and the hidden lives of women in history.

Expect stellar performances, meticulous period detail, and the kind of quiet emotional power that lingers long after the credits roll.

Towards Christmas Day, a pair of biopics and dramas should be on your radar. Marty Supreme, which lands on the 25th, is said to be loosely inspired by the life of the flamboyant and legendary pro ping pong player Marty Reisman. While the sport itself may seem an unlikely subject for big-screen drama, the film is described as a character study rich in period detail, exploring the drive, showmanship, and personal complexity behind an unorthodox sporting career.

Simultaneously, Song Sung Blue offers a captivating music-focused drama, based on the true story of two down-on-their-luck musicians who unexpectedly find harmony by performing the works of Neil Diamond. With high-profile stars attached, this film looks set to be the sort of feel-good, yet grounded, musical offering that the Christmas holidays often thrive on—a perfect blend of melancholy and joyous performance.

Finally, Christmas simply isn't complete without a dose of pure, unadulterated escapism. The 26th of December sees the UK release of The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.

The animated adventures of the residents of Bikini Bottom are always a treat, offering ludicrously surreal humour that manages to entertain children and adults alike. It’s an ideal outing for a foggy post-Christmas afternoon.

Equally, while the notion might raise an eyebrow, the reboot of Anaconda, described as a comedic adventure, offers another piece of festive, schlocky fun on Christmas Day.

The original film has achieved a cult status, and if this new take can lean into the inherent absurdity of chasing the world's largest snake, it could be a highly enjoyable piece of escapism.

December 2025 looks to be one of the most creatively and commercially vibrant months for British cinema in years. Whether you crave high-octane fantasy, cerebral mystery, sensitive historical drama, or an all-out family cartoon, the offerings this month are exceptional. Do make sure you support your local cinema and experience these films where they belong: up on the big screen.

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