IMDb Editors' Picks: Best Movies and TV for December

Ex-MythBusters Tory Belleci, Kari Byron, and Grant Imahara are back in Netflix's rather "MythBuster"-y series "White Rabbit Project." The new A-Team will be ranking and recreating history's greatest inventions, escapes, heists, and more and doing what they do best, building and destroying lots of things. This one looks like a lot of fun. I really missed those guys. — Vanessa

Airs Friday, Dec. 9, on Netflix

After faithfully watching "ANTM" for its entire run, I was content when I heard the 21st season would be the last for Tyra's opus. But I did squeal with joy to hear it would return with a new look and new host, Rita Ora. I can't imagine ANTM without #tyramail and #bootytooch but trust Ms. Banks found a fierce new host to take the show to a new level. — Michelle

"America's Next Top Model" premieres Monday, Dec. 12, on VH1.

REJOICE! Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are reunited once again! La La Land is a musical that follows Sebastian (Gosling) a jazz pianist and Mia (Stone) an aspiring actress following their dreams in Los Angeles. Need I say more? Take my money. — Akimi

Opens in theaters Friday, Dec. 16.

There's way too much for a diehard Star Wars fan to get excited about with the release of the first standalone film in the franchise. But let me just briefly mention a couple of things we can all look forward to: Felicity Jones as the central protagonist, a supporting cast that looks ever more diverse, a new villain to hate (with a white cape, to boot), and, of course, the return of Darth Vader. — Bret

Opens in theaters Friday, Dec. 16.

Who is The Man in the High Castle? I have to know! In Season 2, we will find out. — Lance

Season 2 premieres Friday, Dec. 16 on Amazon Prime.

Passengers is the perfect date movie. It’s a sci-fi romance starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt. What more could you ask for? Two beautiful humans are stuck in space after waking up 90 years too early. Obviously they fall in love — but the true mystery is why did they wake up in the first place? Find out on December 21. — Akimi

Opens in theaters Friday, Dec. 21.

I'm a Pedro Almodóvar completist, and though the script and its execution haven't earned the strongest reviews in Almodóvar's career, I'm intrigued by the fact that he has adapted short stories by Alice Munro and teamed with a new cinematographer, Jean-Claude Larrieu, whose work has received perhaps the best notices here. — Arno

Opens in limited release on Wednesday, Dec. 21

Just like Pedro Almodóvar, I will follow Michael Fassbender anywhere, even if it's back in time to the Spanish Inquisition for a video game movie that has a giant, expensive question mark hanging over it. The first two trailers have been massively entertaining, and this is certainly one of the finest casts to appear in a video game adaptation. Plus, Justin Kurzel directed Fassbender in the underrated Macbeth two years ago, and I think the duo will bring something new and unexpected to the genre. — Arno

Opens on Wednesday, Dec. 21

Any movie capable of marrying our ongoing fascination with singing competitions and hapless, lovable animated animals seems worthy of an extra look. And to be honest, I've loved every one of the film's trailers. Here's a title to enjoy with viewers of any age this holiday season. — Bret

Opens in U.S. theaters Wednesday, Dec. 21

A Monster Calls, the third film from Spanish director J.A. Bayona, looks like the best kind of escapist fantasy. Childhood is a tough time and too many children are asked to cope with life-changing loss very early in their lives. During dark times, I think we all wish we had a monster to call. — Lance

Opens in limited release Friday, Dec. 23, before a wide release in U.S. theaters Friday, Jan. 6

When I first saw the trailer for Denzel Washington's new movie, my first thought was "this is the scene they will play just before he wins the award for Best Actor." They may sound like an exaggeration but from the reviews I've read recently, Denzel and Viola give such raw and emotional performances, they will be sure contenders i noted awards season. Regardless, I can't wait to see the film if I was that moved by the trailer. — Michelle

Opens in theaters Sunday, Dec. 25

Another transformative role for Matthew McConaughey with shades of The Wolf of Wall Street make this a must-see ahead of awards season, in which this will almost certainly be a contender. — Michael

Opens in limited release Sunday, Dec. 25, before a wide release in U.S. theaters Friday, Jan. 27

For Whovians the wait has been long and hard, though not as long and hard as it's been for BBC Sherlockians. (Am I right?) We haven't had a visit from the Doctor since the 2015 Christmas special: "The Husbands of River Song," but thankfully the wait is almost over. Peter Capaldi returns this Christmas in "The Return of Doctor Mysterio." Watch it a couple of times as it will have to tide us over until April when we finally get to meet the newest companion Bill (Pearl Mackie), and get the adventures of space and time going again. — Vanessa

Airs Sunday, Dec. 25, on BBC America

For me, Adam Driver is one of the greatest actors of his generation and any opportunity to see him on screen is worth taking. This film is also notable for winning the Palm Dog at Cannes, rewarding the performance of Driver's canine companion, Marvin, played by the late Nellie. — Michael

Opens in limited release Wednesday, Dec. 28