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| Author | DCM |
December is a big month for cinema. Over the past three years, Christmas has been dominated by Star Wars but, this year, we've got something different - the return of one of the most famous of all film characters. There's also big superhero action - both animated and live action, and a charming looking spin-off that could send a popular franchise in interesting directions.
Mary Poppins Returns
Could this be the biggest film released this year? Set in depression-era London, a now-grown Jane and Michael Banks, along with Michael's three children, are visited by the enigmatic Mary Poppins following a personal loss. Through her unique magical skills, and with the aid of her friend Jack, she helps the family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Emily Blunt looks like a great casting, it has songs, animated sequences and charm to spare. It's going to be huge,
Target audience: Women
Release date: 21 December
Est. DCM admissions: 5.5m
Available premium spots: Gold, Silver and Bronze
Aquaman
Wonder Woman was DC Comics' best film of the last few years and showed that focusing on a single character is the way forward. In Aquaman, Arthur Curry (Jason Mamoa) learns that he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis and must step forward to lead his people to be a hero to the world. James Wan has directed the seventh biggest film of all time worldwide, so should be able to turn Aquaman into a hit.
Target audience: 14 December
Est. DCM admissions: 1.8m
Available premium spots: Bronze
Bumblebee
The most exciting thing about Bumblebee is director, Travis Knight, the creative spark behind stop-motion studio Laika (The Boxtrolls, ParaNorman). For his live-action debut, he takes on the story of the best Transformer. Set in 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie, on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken.
Target audience: 16-24 men
Release date: 26 December (previews 15,16, 20, 24 Dec)
Available premium spots: Gold, Silver and Bronze
Spider-Man: Into The Spider Verse
One of the most striking looking animated titles of recent years, this new Spider-Man story sees the webslinger cross parallel dimensions and team up with the Spider-Men of those dimensions to strop a threat to all reality. Written by Phil Lord (21 Jump Street, The LEGO Movie), this should be a spectacular animated joy.
Target audience: 14 December
Est. DCM admissions: 1.2m
Available premium spots: Gold, Silver and Bronze.