Films we’re Hungry for this December

We won’t lie, December is a bit of a weird time for films — all the Netflix Christmas crap (*cough cough* Hot Frosty) has already been out for ages, while cinemas are filling their screens with festive classics. Of course, there’s the odd blockbuster that you’ll probably watch with your parents on Christmas Eve (last year it was Mr Chalamet prancing around in Wonka), but – in the words of Sabrina Carpenter – it’s slim pickins. We’d never leave you Hungry, though, so we’ve put together a list of the festive and non-festive films you won’t want to miss this month.

Queer

Kicking things off, we have Queer. Anyone who managed to nab a spot at one of its film-festival premieres hasn’t shut up about it, and now it’s finally time for us mere mortals to have a watch. If you live under a rock, Queer is set in Mexico City in the ’50s and follows an American expat (Daniel Craig) as he becomes infatuated with a younger man (Drew Starkey). And if the dulcet tones of Craig and the, well, everything of Starkey isn’t enough to convince you, Omar Apollo and Lesley Manville – to name just a couple more celebs – also feature in the cast. Expect some wallowing steamy scenes and dreamy colourscapes in this Luca Guadagnino adaption of the eponymous novella.

On Becoming a Guinea Fowl

Next on our list we have On Becoming a Guinea Fowl. Written and directed by Rungano Nyoni – who nabbed the prize for Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival – the film explores the aftermath of a family death in a middle-class Zambian family. Essentially, protagonist Shula (Susan Chardy) finds her uncle’s body on an empty road in the middle of the night and, as some pretty hefty funeral arrangements take place, the younger generation begin to unpick some dark family secrets. Though described as a ‘dark comedy slash drama’, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl doesn’t make for light viewing, so maybe give this one a miss if you’re after some Christmas cheer.

Mufasa: The Lion King

Remember when we mentioned that Christmas Eve blockbuster? Well, this year, everyone’s family-cinema-trip film of choice has to be Mufasa: The Lion King. Starring our Issue 33 cover star, Aaron Pierre, in the titular role, Mufasa: The Lion King is both a prequel to the 1994 Disney classic and the origin story of Simba’s dad. Unlike the ’90s original, though, it’s a live action version (much like the 2019 The Lion King remake) and its star-studded cast includes everyone from Donald Glover to Beyoncé — and even the latter’s daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. Going off what Pierre told us, the soundtrack is (unsurprisingly) top notch, and it’s probably going to make us cry.

Carol

Obviously, we can’t have a December film list without any Christmas movies. But, equally, we simply cannot promote this year’s offerings. Instead, we’re pulling this one from the archives. If you’ve not seen it before, Carol is set in ’50s New York and tells the story of a forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer (played by Rooney Mara) and an older divorcée (Cate Blanchett). It’s – sadly – one of the only queer Christmas films that’s any good, but that’s not the only reason it keeps us coming back to it every year. Plus, for anyone London-based, it’s showing at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square this month, along with other Christmas classics like Die Hard.

Gremlins

Ending this month’s ‘Films we’re Hungry for’ is another one from the archives. For those who don’t live in the capital, Gremlins is showing at Odeons throughout the country this December and the Steven Spielberg classic is as hilarious as ever with its Furby-lookalikes running around and wreaking havoc. If imp-like monsters aren’t your thing though, the cinema chain also has screenings of Love Actually, It’s A Wonderful Life and Elf to name a few of the festive films we actually approve of.