2018 may be coming to a close, but Hollywood is showing no signs of slowing down. From blockbuster spectacles to family pleasers and dramatic award contenders, December 2018 is filled to the brim with films worth time and money. Here are 10 of the most noteworthy movies being released this month.

“Mary Queen of Scots” (12/7)

The first major release is “Mary Queen of Scots,” a historical drama by newcomer Josie Rourke, starring Saoirse Ronan (“The Seagull”) as the titular character and Margot Robbie (“Terminal”) as Queen Elizabeth. There are many elements going for this picture, including a stellar cast that includes two of the most acclaimed actresses in Hollywood and some possible traction for Oscar season. Could “Mary Queen of Scots” be this year’s “Shakespeare in Love”? The film will indeed face stiff competition, and fans of “The Tudors” or “The Borgias” will most likely find enjoyment here.

“Mortal Engines” (12/14)

Based on the 2001 novel by Philip Reeve, “Mortal Engines” comes to us from producer Peter Jackson, best known for his “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The film takes place in a world where entire cities have become gigantic, motorized vehicles. The adaptation stars Robert Sheehan (“Bad Samaritan”) as a young man from London who gets tangled in an assassination plot with Hester Shaw, a fugitive assassin played by Hera Hilmar (“The Ashram”). Overall, the film’s trailers have been underwhelming to say the least, and having Peter Jackson on as only a producer says a lot about the project. Needless to say, the villain is being portrayed by Hugo Weaving (“Black ’47”), and that man can do no wrong (unless it is “The Matrix” sequels).

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (12/14)

Tom Holland (“Avengers: Infinity War”) may be web-slinging in the MCU, but that does not mean Sony is down for the count. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is Spider-Man’s first full-length animated film, and it definitely looks to be one of the more interesting superhero films of the year. Our main hero is not the iconic Peter Parker rendition, but Miles Morales, an Afro-Latino teenager voiced by Shameik Moore (“The Get Down”). As Morales struggles with teenage life, he finds out that he is not the only Spider-Man in the universe. With an impressive voice cast that includes Mahershala Ali (“Green Book”), Liev Schreiber (“Isle of Dogs”) and Hailee Steinfeld (“Pitch Perfect 3”) and a truly unique artistic style, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is shaping up to be an interesting descent into the Spider-Man mythos.

“The Mule” (12/14)

Whether it be behind or in front of the camera, Clint Eastwood (“Trouble with the Curve”) is a Hollywood legend. The two-time Academy Award winner returns with “The Mule,” a crime drama focusing on a World War II veteran who becomes associated with a drug cartel. This is Eastwood’s first acting project since 2012’s “Trouble with the Curve” and his first film following the disaster known as “The 15:17 to Paris,” a film more banal than a post-’90s U2 album. Eastwood has indeed directed some bland misfires in the past, but with Bradley Cooper (“A Star is Born”) and Michael Peña (“Extinction”) on board, “The Mule” will hopefully be more like “Million Dollar Baby” and less like “J. Edgar.”

“Mary Poppins Returns” (12/19)

“Mary Poppins” is one of Disney’s most beloved movies, a classic that will be revered for years to come. “Mary Poppins Returns” takes place a few decades after the original with the Banks children all grown up. Poppins herself is played by Emily Blunt (“Sherlock Gnomes”), and, if the trailers are any indication, the film will be stuffed with the magic only Disney could provide. With a director like Rob Marshall (“Into the Woods”) at the helm, “Mary Poppins Returns” could succeed where other Disney movies have failed. With a gap of 54 years between the 1964 film and this, audiences of young and old will hopefully be enchanted.

“Aquaman” (12/21)

DC’s cinematic universe is all but dead as “Aquaman” swims into theaters this December. After the disappointment of last year’s “Justice League,” the newest film by horror auteur James Wan (“The Conjuring 2”) looks to be an aquatic epic featuring Jason Momoa (“Braven”) as the titular King of Atlantis and Amber Heard (“London Fields”) as the obvious love interest. Many fans may feel burnt out by DC films at this point, but if the trailers are any indication, “Aquaman” is looking to be anything but fishy. Warner Brothers is also demonstrating confidence with the project by allowing Amazon Prime members to watch the film a few days early. “Aquaman” is definitely poised to make a big splash.

“Bumblebee” (12/21)

A “Transformers” movie not directed by Michael Bay (“Transformers: The Last Knight”)? What sorcery is this? After terrible robot flick after terrible robot flick, Travis Knight (“Kubo and the Two Strings”) takes the reigns away from Bay to craft “Bumblebee,” a spin-off centered around the popular “Transformers” character. The film stars Hailee Steinfeld (“Pitch Perfect 3”) as Bumblebee’s companion and John Cena (“Blockers”) as a secret agent. Despite the damage done by the previous “Transformers” movies, “Bumblebee” looks to be a fun ride full of thrills and some ’80s nostalgia.

“Welcome to Marwen” (12/21)

Robert Zemeckis (“Allied”) has directed his handful of classics, including “Back to the Future,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and the Oscar-winning “Forrest Gump.” After spending the 2000s experimenting with motion-capture, it was a pleasant surprise to see Zemeckis return to live-action filmmaking with 2012’s “Flight.” “Welcome to Marwen” is shaping to be one of the most unique films of December. Not only does the film feature the versatile Steve Carell (“Beautiful Boy”) as the main lead, but the motion-capture visuals are also a definite upgrade over his former projects. It is hard to tell whether the film will be a huge Oscar contender, but with Zemeckis on board, all we can do is hope.

“Holmes & Watson” (12/25)

Throughout his acting career, Will Ferrell (“Daddy’s Home 2”) has produced comedy gold like “Elf,” “Anchorman” and “Step Brothers” and comedy mold, such as “Kicking and Screaming,” “Land of the Lost” and “The House.” “Holmes & Watson” is looking to follow the latter. A comedic take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes” novels, it does not take a detective to see the problems with this film. Judging by the trailer, the jokes spewed by Ferrell and co-star John C. Reilly (“Ralph Breaks the Internet”) look more unfunny than a rejected SNL sketch. “Homes & Watson” looks like another subpar comedy movie in a year of subpar movies.

“Vice” (12/25)

Coming this Christmas is “Vice,” the newest film by Adam McKay (“The Big Short”), who has certainly been on a roll. After splitting the sides of audiences with his comedy films starring Will Ferrell (“Daddy’s Home 2”), McKay turned his attention toward the realm of drama with 2015’s “The Big Short,” where he won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. His newest film, “Vice,” chronicles the political rise of Dick Cheney as he became the most powerful vice president in American history. Everything about this film screams Oscar gold, including the stellar cast, which includes Oscar winners like Christian Bale (“Hostiles”) and Sam Rockwell, (“Blue Iguana”) as well as the beautiful (and constantly snubbed) Amy Adams (“Justice League”). “Vice” is looking to be a home run in a year devoid of home runs.

Image from Warner Bros. Pictures via YouTube