Hollywood for the holidays

The holiday season typically comes with an array of highly anticipated blockbuster film debuts at movie theaters. With family-friendly comedies, action-packed thrillers and hard-hitting dramas, this year's lineup of releases seems certain to deliver.

The final installment of the Hunger Games Trilogy, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part II," which recently opened, promises viewers an action-packed finale. Heroine Katniss Everdeen teams with other familiar characters Gale, Peeta and Finnick, among others, to fight against the tyrannical President Snow in hopes of freeing the "slaves" of war-torn Panem.

With a 96 percent rating on the movie-review website Rotten Tomatoes, "Creed" brings together Michael B. Jordan as boxer Apollo Creed's son, Adonis Johnson, and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. In true "Rocky" form, "Creed" presents the story of a young fighter working toward a title championship, although this time around, the retired champion Balboa trades in his boxing gloves to help train the next generation.

"'Creed' has actually been picking up a lot of momentum here lately," Kevin Dillon, manager of Cape West 14 Cine in Cape Girardeau, said. "Previews on it look fantastic, and evidently people that have watched it for film screenings have been giving it very good reviews."

For sci-fi lovers, Dillon said "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is likely the most anticipated film release of the season and will draw audiences of all ages. Opening Dec. 18, Episode VII introduces new lead characters Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron, along with crowd favorites Han Solo, Gen. Leia Organa and Luke Skywalker, about 30 years after the Galactic Empire is defeated. With familiar faces and a new foe touting an army of Stormtroopers, the first installment in Disney's "Star Wars" sequel trilogy likely will be a favorite among moviegoers of all ages.

Daisey Ridley as Rey, left, and John Boyega as Finn are shown in "Star Wars: Episode VII -- The Force Awakens," directed by J.J. Abrams. The movie will be released in the U.S. on Dec. 18. (Film Frame/Disney/Copyright Lucasfilm 2015 via AP)

Disney-Pixar's computer-animated movie "The Good Dinosaur" delivers the story of a young dinosaur named Arlo who meets a Neanderthal boy named Spot when Arlo is washed downriver during a rainstorm. The two become friends and embark on a journey to help reunite Arlo with his parents and two siblings.

Dillon also expects "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip" to be a family favorite for the season. When Alvin, Simon and Theodore think Dave has plans to ask his girlfriend to marry him and give them away, they begin a three-day road trip in an attempt to stop him.

With popular stars such as Justin Long, Christina Applegate, Anna Faris and Kaley Cuoco, the film is set to release Dec. 18.

Also set for release Dec. 18 is "Sisters," featuring the comedic duo of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler as sisters.

When the two hear their parents are selling their childhood home, they decide to throw a final party in an attempt to relive their glory days and make some lasting memories.

A scene from "The Good Dinosaur." (Pixar-Disney via AP)

"Daddy's Home," featuring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, will debut Dec. 25. With taglines such as "Dad vs. Step-Dad" and "Choose Your Daddy," the film highlights a comedic competition between the two fathers for the affections of the children in their lives.

For those looking for a bit of horror around Christmas time, "Krampus" will debut Dec. 4. A typical family Christmas runs awry when familial fighting causes the young son, Max Engel, to lose the spirit of Christmas. Consequently, the anti-Saint Nicholas, a horned beast called Krampus of European folklore, is released, and the family must come together to save themselves and the holiday.

Christmas Day dramatic releases include "Concussion," a film featuring Will Smith about the National Football League's efforts to downplay research about concussion-based brain damage among professional football players, and "Joy," the story of a woman named Joy, played by Jennifer Lawrence, who becomes the founder of a family business empire. Encompassing four generations of the family's trials, tribulations and successes, "Joy" shows a woman's growth and determination in a world seemingly against her.

Cape West 14 Cine also will provide a holiday series featuring family-friendly favorites, including "Arthur Christmas" Dec. 21 to 23, "The Grinch" Dec. 28 to 30 and "The Polar Express" Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and Jan. 4. All showings begin at 10 a.m., excluding the Jan. 4 showing of "The Polar Express," which begins at 11:30 a.m. All showings cost $6 per person and include the movie ticket, a promo bag of popcorn and a 16-ounce drink.