A potential Oscar contender by director James Cameron, Allentown’s Amanda Seyfried, SpongeBob and the Biblical David await you at the movie theater for the Dec. 19 weekend.

Unreel, Dec. 19:

“Avatar: Fire and Ash,” MPA rated PG-13; 3 hours, 15 minutes

James Cameron (eight-time Oscar nominee; three-time Oscar recipient, “Titanic,” 1998) directs Kate Winslet, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington, Edie Falco, Giovanni Ribisi and David Thewlis in the Action Adventure Science-Fiction Fantasy film.

The synopsis states: Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri’s (Zoe Saldaña), Jake’s wife, and their family grapple with grief after Neteyam’s death, as they face a new, aggressive Na’vi tribe, the Ash People, led by Varang, when the conflict on Pandora escalates.

It’s the sequel to “Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022) and “Avatar” (2009). Two more sequels, “Avatar 4” and “Avatar 5,” are scheduled to be released in 2029 and 2031.

Performance capture and computer-generated imagery combine to create a world that warrants a trip to the movies.

“The Housemaid,” MPA rated R; 2 hours, 1 minutes

Paul Feig (five-time Primetime Emmy nominee, including “The Office,” 2009) directs Allentown native Amanda Seyfried (“The Testament of Ann Lee,” 2025; “Les Misérables,” 2012; “Mamma Mia!,” 2008; “Mean Girls,” 2004; Oscar nominee, supporting actress, “Mank,’ 2021), Sydney Sweeney, Elizabeth Perkins, Brandon Sklenar and Michele Morrone in the Psychological Thriller.

The synopsis: A struggling woman starts over as a housemaid for an affluent, elite couple.

The screenplay is based on the 2020 best-selling novel of the same title by Frieda McFadden.

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” MPA rated PG; 1 hour, 36 minutes

Derek Drymon directs the animation and the voice talents of Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, George Lopez, Ice Spice, Regina Hall and Mark Hamil (Flying Dutchman) in the Swashbuckler Comedy.

Synopsis: SpongeBob journeys to the ocean’s depths to face the Flying Dutchman’s ghost.

It’s the fourth SpongeBob feature movie, after “Sponge on the Run” (2020), based on the TV series.

“Is This Thing On?,” MPA rated R; 2 hours, 4 minutes

Bradley Cooper directs Will Arnett, Laura Dean Andra Day, Sean Hayes, Amy Sedaris, Christine Ebersole, Peyton Manning and himself in the Comedy Drama.

Synopsis: As their marriage unravels, Alex faces middle age and divorce, seeking new purpose in the New York comedy scene.

“David,” MPA rated PG; 1 hour, 55 minutes

Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes direct the animation and the voice talents of Phil Wickham, Brandon Engman, Asim Chaudhry, Lauren Daigle and Adam Michael Gold in the Family Drama Musical distributed by Angel Films.

Synopsis: From his mother’s songs to his clash with Goliath, David’s journey from humble shepherd to anointed king tests the limits of faith, courage and love.

Movie opening dates from Internet Movie Database as of Dec. 14 are subject to change.

Theatrical Movies Domestic Weekend Box Office, Dec. 12-14: “Zootopia 2” moved up one place and returned to No.1 with $26.3 million in 3,835 theaters, $258.9 million, three weeks.

Internationally, “Zootopia 2” has grossed $1.13 billion, the second Hollywood movie to do so in 2025, surpassing the “Lilo & Stitch” live-action remake, which grossed $1.03 billion in 2025.

2. “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” dropped from its one-week stay at No. 1, with $19.5 million in 3,579 theaters, $95.4 million, two weeks. 3. “Wicked: For Good” stayed in place, $8.5.million in 3,480 theaters, $312.1 million, four weeks. 4. “Dhurandha” moved up five places, $3.5 million in 377 theaters, $7.9 million, two weeks. 5. “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” stayed in place, $2.3 million in 2,411 theaters, $59.3 million, five weeks. 6. “Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution” dropped two places, $2.1 million in 1,935 theaters, $14.5 million, two weeks. 7. “Ella McCay,” starring Emma Mackey, Woody Harrelson and Jamie Lee Curtis in the Comedy, Drama, $2.1 million in 2,500 theaters, opening. 8. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” $1.8 million in 2,250 theaters, re-release opening. 9. “Eternity” dropped two places, $1.7 million in 2,067 theaters, $12.9 million, three weeks. 10. “The Shining,” $1.5 million in 400 theaters, re-release opening. 11. “Hamnet” dropped three places, $1.4 million in 749 theaters, $7 million, three weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Dec. 14 is subject to change.

At The Movies: reviews by Paul Willistein: “Hamnet,” “Zootopia 2,” “Wicked: For Good,” “One Battle After Another,” “Bugonia,” “Nuremberg,” “Frankenstein,” “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” “Tron: Ares”: https://www.lvpnews.com/