Holiday movie preview 2015: The Force is strong with this one

Unless you’ve been living in a galaxy far, far away, you already know that there’s a new “Star Wars” movie coming. To say it will be the biggest movie of the holiday season is like saying Darth Vader was just a little cranky.

But if you prefer silliness instead of stormtroopers, you’re in luck. There’s something for just about everyone through the end of the year. Here’s a look (dates are subject to change):

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2” – The bazillion-dollar-earning teen franchise comes to an end, as war escalates in Panem and ever-reluctant leader Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) gets through it all without ever messing up her hair. (Opening Friday)

“Creed” – The “Rocky” story gets a reboot, as Sylvester Stallone returns as the former world heavyweight champion who this time serves as trainer to Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), the son of Rocky’s former rival Apollo Creed. (Nov. 27)

“Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens” – Yes! It’s finally here! And it’s really happening! Original series stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford return with old pals Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2. They’re joined by newcomers Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac. Let’s hope that the Force is indeed strong with them. (Dec. 18)

“The Night Before” – Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie star as lifelong friends who meet in New York City for their annual tradition of Christmas Eve debauchery. This looks like “Neighbors” meets “Elf.” (Friday)

“Sisters” – Ever-funny Tina Fey and Amy Poehler star as sisters (we’ll just pretend they look alike) who decide to throw one last house party before their parents sell their family home. (Dec. 18)

“Daddy’s Home” – A mild-mannered stepdad (Will Ferrell) must fight for the affection of his wife’s two children when their freeloading birth father (Mark Wahlberg) arrives. (Dec. 25)

“The Good Dinosaur” – Pixar’s second offering this year takes place in the ancient world of dinosaurs where an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. (Nov. 27)

“Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip” – There’s probably a plot of some sort, but who cares? Just bring on the singing Chipmunks! (Dec. 18)

“Secret in Their Eyes” – Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor star in this revenge tale of a mother who goes after the murderer of her teenage daughter. (Friday)

“Joy” – David O. Russell continues his streak with Jennifer Lawrence (after “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle”) in this tale of real-life Joy Mangano, a struggling single mom who invents the “Miracle Mop.” (Dec. 25)

“Concussion” – Will Smith is getting awards buzz for his performance as real-life Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic neuropathologist who makes the first discovery of football-related brain trauma in a pro player. (Dec. 25)

“Victor Frankenstein” – Everyone gets an origins story! Even Igor (Daniel Radcliffe), who becomes the assistant to young medical student Viktor Von Frankenstein (James McAvoy) and helps him … well, you know the rest. (Nov. 27)

“Krampus” – This dark comedy follows a boy who accidentally summons a Christmas demon. Way to kill the holiday cheer. (Dec. 4)

“In the Heart of the Sea” – Ron Howard directs and Chris Hemsworth stars in this epic tale based on the 1820 event that inspired the story of “Moby Dick.” (Dec. 11)

“Point Break” – This remake of the Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze-starring original follows a young FBI agent who infiltrates a team of extreme sports athletes suspected of masterminding a string of heists. (Dec. 25)

(These dates are mostly tentative.)

“Spotlight” – Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton lead a powerhouse cast in this chronicle of the real-life story of how the Boston Globe uncovered a massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the Catholic Archdiocese. Early word is this is the one to beat for the best picture Oscar. (Friday)

“Brooklyn” – Saoirse Ronan is getting raves as an Irish immigrant in the 1950s who lands in Brooklyn and falls into a new romance until her past catches up with her. (Nov. 25)

“Room” – This has come out of nowhere but is suddenly the “it” indie of the year, about a mother and son who are being held captive in a solitary room and plan their escape. (Dec. 4)

“The Danish Girl” – Last year’s best actor Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne is again getting Oscar buzz as artist Lili Elbe, a transgender pioneer. (December)

“Youth” – A retired orchestra conductor (Michael Caine) on vacation in the Alps receives an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to perform for Prince Philip’s birthday. (December)

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Holiday movie preview 2015: The Force is strong with this one."