If your holiday plans involve hitting the theater, you're sure to have plenty of choices once you reach the box office.

The holiday movie season this year has so far given moviegoers plenty of reason to celebrate, thanks to such hits as Martin Scorsese's historically-themed fantasy "Hugo," the latest "Twilight" installment "Breaking Dawn, Part 1" and acclaimed films such as George Clooney's "The Descendants" and Michelle Williams' "My Week with Marilyn."

The great thing is, there's much more to come. Whether you are looking for the biggest, best blockbuster entertainment or the latest Oscar-bait films, there's something for everyone.

But before we take a look at the big releases in store for moviegoers in December, let's revisit one more must-see movie released this past Thanksgiving weekend ...





No. 5: "The Muppets" (in theaters now)

Sure, "Breaking Dawn, Part 1" beat "The Muppets" in its opening weekend at the box office, but given the huge fan base of late creator Jim Henson, the long-awaited big-screen return of Kermit, Miss Piggy and company is going to have some huge (frog) legs this holiday season.

The film introduces a new Muppet named Walter, who, together with his human brother (Jason Segel) and girlfriend (Amy Adams), tries to get the disbanded Muppet troupe back together in order to save the Muppet Theater from near-certain destruction.

The most family-friendly film among the current releases, "The Muppets" succeeds because it plays to kids of all ages. Not only does it appeal to the big kids who loved the classic "Muppet Show" from the late 1970s and early 1980s, it presents to new generations the same optimism that made it such a big hit all those years ago.

Next, everybody's favorite sleuth is back on the case ...





No. 4: "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" (Dec. 16)

Two years after Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and director Guy Ritchie injected fresh blood into a classic franchise with the visually stylistic "Sherlock Holmes," the trio is back on with another case that's anything but elementary.

This time around, Sherlock Holmes (Downey) and Dr. Watson (Law) have met an intellectual match in Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) -- whose propensity for evil could not only lead to the destruction of Europe, but the collapse of Western civilization.

Jared Harris (son of late screen great Richard Harris) isn't the only new, notable cast member in the "Sherlock Holmes" sequel. Noomi Rapace (the Swedish version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo") also stars as Holmes' ally, Sim.

But if that's not your speed, how about a joint effort by two iconic filmmakers?





No. 3: "The Adventures of Tintin" (Dec. 21)

No, Steven Spielberg's and Peter Jackson's motion-capture adventure has nothing to do with the iconic American film dog (that would be Rin-Tin-Tin), but instead a character featured in one of the most celebrated European comic book series in the 20th century.

Jamie Bell stars as Tintin, a young and intrepid newspaper reporter inadvertently thrust into a whole new world of adventure after he discovers a vital clue to a mystery that's gone unsolved for generations.

With Spielberg at the helm, it shouldn't come as a surprise that "The Adventures of Tintin" has a rip-roaring "Indiana Jones" feel.

Helping Spielberg and Jackson realize their combined visions are Andy Serkis, who stars in the pivotal role of Captain Haddock, and Daniel Craig as his chief nemesis.

You want to go big this holiday season? Try this next blockbuster franchise on for size ...





No. 2: "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" (Dec. 16 in IMAX, Dec. 21 everywhere)

Five years after his last assignment, Tom Cruise is back for his fourth "Mission: Impossible" film as IMF agent Ethan Hunt for "Ghost Protocol" -- and he's enlisted Pixar Animation Studios filmmaker Brad Bird ("The Incredibles") as the film's director.

In this installment, Hunt and his team of IMF operatives (Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton and Simon Pegg) are forced to go rogue in an effort to clear their organization's name after it is implicated in a terrorist bombing of the Kremlin.

The film promises all the action, explosions, intrigue and adventure of the previous "Mission: Impossible" films, and when all is said and done, Cruise is reportedly done with the series.

Look for Renner -- the Oscar-nominated star of "The Hurt Locker" and "The Town" (and Hawkeye in Marvel's upcoming "The Avengers") to step up into the lead role should there be a fifth "Mission."

If you want something a bit darker this holiday season, our last movie may be right for you ...





No. 1: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (Dec. 21)

While the long hiatus between James Bond films has been a downer for 007 fans, it's been nothing but a bounty for actor Daniel Craig, who's been able to nab roles in high-profile films like "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" in the interim.

In the American adaptation of late author Stieg Larsson's novel of the same name (the Swedish version came out in 2009), Craig plays journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who enlists the help of young computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Mara Rooney) to help him find a woman who has been missing for 40 years.

The film's dark subject matter is a perfect fit for the sensibilities of "Seven" filmmaker David Fincher -- who's returning to the crime thriller genre after directing the Oscar-nominated dramas "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "The Social Network."

Given Craig and Fincher's track records, the success of the film will ride largely on the shoulders of Rooney in her first major lead role.



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