In November and December the movies that the studios feel have the best chance at Academy Awards are brought out on a weekly basis. But along with dramatic works from the likes of Quentin Tarantino and David O. Russell, there are also big budget titles like "Spectre," "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2," and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
In short, it's a fun time of the year.
Here are 27 titles you shouldn't miss this holiday season.
"Brooklyn" is about an an Irish immigrant caught in a love triangle.
Release Date: November 4
Saoirse Ronan ("Hanna") gives a powerful performance as an Irish immigrant who, in dealing with the loneliness of living in 1950s Brooklyn, begins a romance, but soon finds herself having to choose between a man in the new world and a man in her homeland.
"The Peanuts Movie" features the whole lovable gang and Charlie Brown is smitten with a new girl.
Release Date: November 6
The lovable Peanuts gang embark on their greatest adventure yet as Charlie Brown is smitten with the new girl who just moved into the neighborhood and Snoopy takes on his nemesis, the Red Baron.
"Spectre" is Daniel Craig's fourth James Bond movie.
Release Date: November 6
Daniel Craig returns as James Bond for the fourth time. In this edition, 007 faces the diabolical organization, SPECTRE, with Christoph Waltz playing its leader, Franz Oberhauser, who has history with Bond.
"Spotlight" follows The Boston Globe's investigative reporting divisionas it uncovers child molestation within local Catholic churches.
Release Date: November 6
Considered a shoe-in for a Best Picture Oscar nomination, this ensemble drama follows The Boston Globe's investigative reporting division, Spotlight, as it uncovers the child molestation within the local Catholic Archdiocese. The film highlights incredible performances from Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Shreiber, John Slattery, and more.
"Trumbo" is about 1940s screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was famously blacklisted by Hollywood.
Release Date: November 6
Bryan Cranston plays 1940s screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was famously blacklisted by Hollywood after refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee during their investigation of Communist influences in the movie industry. Trumbo would go on to win two Oscars for Best Screenplay under pseudonyms.
"The 33" is based on the 2010 mining disaster which left 33 miners trapped underground in Chile for 69 days.
Release Date: November 13
Based on the 2010 mining disaster which left 33 miners trapped underground in Chile for 69 days, Antonio Banderas leads the ensemble cast in the retelling of this inspiring story of perseverance.
"By the Sea" stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt as a couple whose marriage is disintegrating.
Release Date: November 13
Directed by Angelina Jolie, she and her husband Brad Pitt star as a couple whose marriage is disintegrating as they travel the French countryside, set in the 1970s.
"Carol" is about two women who begin a relationship that society thinks is wrong.
Release Date: November 20
The latest look at love from Todd Haynes ("Far From Heaven," "I'm Not Here") is set in 1950s New York and stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as two women who begin a relationship that society deems wrong. Blanchett and Mara give incredible performances as their characters struggle to find better lives.
"The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" is the final installment of the series that put Jennifer Lawrence on the map.
Release Date: November 20
The final installment of "The Hunger Games" franchise, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) inspires many to join her in liberating war-torn Panem.
"Legend" is about two of the most feared gangsters in Great Britain in the 1960s.
Release Date: November 20
Tom Hardy stars as both notorious London gangsters, Reggie and Ronnie Kray, who in the 1960s were the most feared gangsters in Great Britain.
"The Night Before" stars Seth Rogen who plans an extreme night out with his two best friends on Christmas eve.
Release Date: November 20
Three lifelong friends (played by Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie) embark on their traditional Christmas Eve night out. But when they realize this might be their last hurrah, the trio decides to seek out the mother of all holiday parties.
"Creed" follows Apollo Creed's son who becomes a boxer, just like his dad.
Release Date: November 25
Giving the "Rocky" franchise a shot in the arm, Michael B. Jordan plays Apollo Creed's son, Adonis Johnson, who follows his father's footsteps by becoming a boxer. But to get to the next level, Johnson finds himself being trained by his father's old rival/friend, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone).
"The Good Dinosaur" is the latest from Pixar and imagines what the world would be like if dinosaurs hadn't gone extinct.
Release Date: November 27
The latest film from Pixar looks at a world where dinosaurs never became extinct, as we follow an Apatosaurus and a cave boy on a grand journey.
"The Danish Girl" is the story of transgender pioneer, Lili Elbe.
Release Date: November 27
Eddie Redmayne follows up his Best Actor Oscar-winning performance as Stephen Hawking in last year's "The Theory of Everything" with another top-notch performance as transgender pioneer Lili Elbe. The film looks at Elbe's relationship with follow artist Gerda Wegener, played by Alicia Vikander, who is quickly becoming one of the top young actresses in Hollywood.
"Killing Them Safely" examines the Taser craze in US law enforcement.
Release Date: November 27
Director Nick Berardini looks at the creation of the Taser craze in US law enforcement, which was sold as a game changer in how to serve and protect without using deadly force but has led to a climbing death toll.
"The Big Short" stars Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt as the group of outsiders who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse in the mid 2000s.
Release Date: December 11
Based on the book by Michael Lewis of the same title, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt star as the group of outsiders who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse in the mid 2000s. The film's director is an unlikely choice: Adam McKay, who is known best for directing Will Ferrell comedies like "Anchorman" and "Talladega Nights."
"In the Heart of the Sea" is the true story of a whaling ship in the 1820s that is split in half by a sperm whale.
Release Date: December 11
Ron Howard's latest film looks at the true story of a whaling ship in the 1820s that is split in half by a sperm whale, leading the shipwrecked crew at sea for 90 days (and must do unspeakable acts to survive). Cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, and Brendan Gleeson.
"Sisters" stars Tina Fey and Amy Poehler who play grown siblings who decide to throw a final house party at their childhood home.
Release Date: December 18
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler play grown sisters who decide to throw a final house party at their childhood home, which their parents are about to sell. Fey plays Katie, the childish one. Poehler is Maura, who is more uptight and is divorced. Co-stars include Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Samantha Bee, John Cena, and Ja Rule.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" takes place thirty years after "Return of the Jedi."
Release Date: December 18
The saga finally continues with director J.J. Abrams at the helm as we check in on the Rebels and the Empire thirty years after "Return of the Jedi."
"45 Years" looks at a couple in the week leading up to their 45th wedding anniversary when they receive shocking news that will test their relationship.
Release Date: December 23
With standout performances by its leads Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay, we follow a couple in the week leading up to their 45th wedding anniversary when they receive shocking news that will test their
relationship like nothing else ever has.
"Where To Invade Next" is a Michael Moore documentary that's an eye-opening glimpse at what other countries can offer the US.
Release Date: December 23
Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Michael Moore takes an eye-opening glimpse at what other countries can offer the US. From universal healthcare to better school lunches, Moore uses his unique brand of comedy to show that, with a little more effort ,we can have many of the things that other parts of the world see as obvious rights.
"Concussion" is about a doctor who first notices a correlation between brain trauma and football players, and his battle with the NFL.
Release Date: December 25
Will Smith stars as Dr. Bennet Omalu, the first to discover football-related brain trauma in a pro athlete. When Dr. Omalu attempts to alert the public of his findings, the NFL does everything they can to suppress what he knows.
"Daddy's Home" is a Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg comedy about a step-dad and the biological dad.
Release Date: December 25
After starring in the 2010 comedy "The Other Guys," Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg reteam for a new comedy. Ferrell plays the button-down stepfather who strives to be a role model for his wife's two children, Wahlberg is the freeloading biological father. The two begin to go too far for the kids' affection.
"The Hateful Eight" features a group of bounty hunters who find shelter at a lodge during a blizzard. The lodge houses betrayal and deception.
Release Date: December 25
Quentin Tarantino's latest film is set in post-Civil War Wyoming during a blizzard as a group of bounty hunters find shelter at a lodge leading to betrayal and deception, Tarantino style. Cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, Walton Goggins.
"Joy" is a family story about a single mother who launches a business dynasty.
Release Date: December 25
Director David O. Russell follows a family over four generations, highlighted by Jennifer Lawrence, who stars as a single mother who launches a business dynasty. The film also stars Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper.
"Point Break" is about a young FBI agent who infiltrates a group of extreme sports athletes who are suspected of pulling off corporate heists.
Release Date: December 25
A reboot of the classic 1991 movie of the same title, in this version a young FBI agent infiltrates a group of extreme sports athletes who are suspected of pulling off corporate heists.
"The Revenant" stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a frontiersman who has been left for dead after a bear mauling.
Release Date: December 25
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a frontiersman who has been left for dead after a bear mauling. Surviving the incident, he becomes obsessed with having revenge on the people who turned their backs on him. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu's next film after a Best Director Oscar win for "Birdman" last year (and Best Picture for the film), expect a unforgiving look at vengeance.