December Watchlist: 27 New Movies and Shows You Can’t Miss on OTT and in Theaters

This is your full guide to everything landing in theatres and on OTT through December. Read it like a checklist, mark your dates, and prepare for very little sleep.

Published: Sunday,Nov 30, 2025 06:30 AM GMT+05:30

Kunal Kothari

December Watchlist: 27 New Movies and Shows You Can’t Miss on OTT and in Theaters — December Watchlist

November felt like an overstuffed buffet, yet December has arrived with an entire second round of surprises. This month is stacked with theatrical giants, returning icons, long awaited sequels, star heavy ensembles, and streaming titles that can easily consume your evenings. From noisy mass entertainers to quirky indie flavours to Hollywood behemoths, December 2025 is the month where every week feels like a fresh festival.

This is your full guide to everything landing in theatres and on OTT through December. Read it like a checklist, mark your dates, and prepare for very little sleep.

Dhurandhar (December 5, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKOVzHcjEIo

December kicks off with one of the loudest entries of the year. Aditya Dhar brings a mighty ensemble with Ranveer Singh leading the charge. The cast is stacked with Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt and Sara Arjun. With a lineup like this, the film practically announces itself. Dhar has already proven he knows how to mount a story on a massive canvas courtesy URI. This one is poised to set the month on fire.

Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (December 5, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSDpoobO6yM

The jump scare factory is back for another round. Josh Hutcherson returns along with Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Matthew Lillard and Theodus Crane. The sequel promises new animatronic nightmares and expanded lore for fans of the original game series. If spooky chaos is your thing, this one might check all the boxes.

Akhanda 2: Thaandavam (December 5, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbQLosW0AmE

No, this isn't Daaku Maharaj which was reminded of to us about a gazillion times by Urvashi Rautela. But instead, Nandamuri Balakrishna is back and the energy already looks volcanic. The first Akhanda became a cult favourite and the sequel is carrying the same stormy momentum. The teaser has drawn strong reactions across the board, which usually means Balayya’s fans are ready for another dramatic spectacle.

Kalamkaval (December 5, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvUnF8oApaM

Mammootty continues to surprise with his choice of roles and Kalamkaval might turn into another addition to his late career revival. A neo noir crime story set against a shadowy world of consequences, the film promises a moody tone that blends style with grit.

Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (December 5, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SzkFgEqB6Y

Quentin Tarantino’s legendary two films come together in a single four hour cut. This event release lets audiences experience the complete saga in one uninterrupted ride. For cinephiles, this is pretty much a bucket list theatrical moment, and relive that iconic whistle tune.

Jay Kelly (December 5, Netflix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8GbcVkqZwQ

George Clooney and Adam Sandler teaming up under Noah Baumbach’s direction is a wild combination you did not expect but instantly want. The film lands on Netflix and brings its offbeat humour and emotional beats straight to your living room.

Real Kashmir Football Club (December 9, Sony LIV)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w-o9woJNwA

Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub and Manav Kaul headline this drama about the formation of a football club built by a Kashmiri Pandit and a Kashmiri Muslim. It promises tension, grit and the kind of interpersonal dynamic that thrives in long form storytelling.

Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 (December 12, theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecNk4KFwxNY

Kapil Sharma returns to the big screen for a sequel loaded with four different women and many wrong moves that spiral into chaos. Hina Warina, Parul Gulati, Tridha Choudhary and Ayesha Khan join the ensemble. The film might become December’s big comedy break.

Christmas Karma (December 12, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5oUiS1Qkmg

Gurinder Chadha brings a festive story built around a selfish man forced to confront his choices with the help of the classic trio of Christmas visitors. It blends humour, heart and a bit of moral reflection. A warm watch for the holiday build up which stars Kunal Nayyar in the titular role.

Saali Mohabbat (December 12, Zee5)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7KeuqFmCGU

Divyenndu and Radhika Apte headline this story which marks Manish Malhotra’s second film as a producer. The tone is very different from Gustaakh Ishq and the early glances suggest a film trying to find a more unpredictable rhythm. And the film is directed by actor-director, Tisca Chopra.

Single Papa (December 12, Netflix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D8o7P-1FIE

Kunal Kemmu, along with Prajakta Koli, Manoj Pahwa and Ayesha Raza leads a story about a man balancing parenting with chaotic life choices. His timing has always been sharp and the series seems designed to let him lean into that strength.

Wake Up Dead Man A Knives Out Mystery (December 12, Netflix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hc8yz5-d5Y

Detective Benoit Blanc is back with another case and Daniel Craig slips into the role like he never left. This is a direct sequel to Glass Onion and brings the signature blend of humour, intrigue and ensemble madness.

Emily in Paris Season 5 (December 18, Netflix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML3J2T21afY

Emily returns for more career leaps, messy love equations and fashionable chaos. The fifth season promises bigger decisions and more drama in the streets of Paris with several entries and maybe a few exits as well.

Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders (December 18, Netflix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLycmGPzRGM

Nawazuddin Siddiqui returns as Jatil Yadav in the sequel to the 2020 thriller. Another maze of secrets and suspects awaits him as Honey Trehan steps back into the director’s chair. Radhika Apte also returns as Chitrangada Singh and Deepti Naval join the cast.

Is This Thing On? (December 19, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4jx0Xgc_Pc

Will Arnett and Laura Dern star in a comedy drama directed by Bradley Cooper. It is Cooper’s third directorial venture and the film seems to carry his signature blend of emotional depth and dry humour.

Durlabh Prasad Ki Dusri Shaadi (December 19, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQiU13Kq7A0

Sanjay Mishra and Mahima Chaudhary headline this comedy of errors that leans into awkward coincidences and escalating misunderstandings. Actors Vyyom and Pallak star in key roles too.

Love Insurance Kompany – In Theatres December 19

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOhXss1zQLk&list=RDBOhXss1zQLk&start_radio=1

Pradeep Ranganathan’s streak is in the spotlight. With three back to back 100 crore performers behind him, his next film directed by Vignesh Sivan arrives with some curiosity as Love Insurance Kompany arrives next month.

Avatar Fire and Ash (December 19, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb_fFj_0rq8

James Cameron brings the third chapter of the Avatar saga. After nearly fifteen years of technical leaps and evolving storytelling, this chapter arrives carrying heavy expectations. It may open the gateway for more or it may close the trilogy.

Mrs. Deshpande (December 19, JioHotstar)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJuumxowti8

Madhuri Dixit Nene returns in a thriller where she plays a complex character inspired by the French series La Mante. Watching her shift into a darker space adds a layer of intrigue on its own.

45 (December 25, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsZxyyEmGlk

This Kannada fantasy action film unites Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra and Raj B. Shetty. The scale seems ambitious and the ensemble adds weight to the release, and might just be another exciting Kannada release after Kantara Chapter 1 to look forward to as the year ends.

Tu Mera Main Teri Tu Meri Main Tera (December 25, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tunE9m6Capc&list=RDtunE9m6Capc&start_radio=1

Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday bring a festive romcom timed perfectly for the holiday window. With Christmas falling midweek, the film enjoys an extended run to pull in families and young viewers.

Ikkis (December 25, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebAznVtYY84

Dharmendra’s final screen appearance and Agastya Nanda’s second film arrive under Sriram Raghavan’s direction. Set during wartime and inspired by real events, the film has the weight of legacy and craft behind it.

Anaconda (December 25, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az8M5Mai0X4

A meta reboot featuring Jack Black and Paul Rudd brings a wild comedic twist to the creature franchise. This new version leans more into absurdity than straight horror.

Vrusshabha (December 25, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5JiXJjsgWA

Mohanlal leads a fantasy drama that was originally planned for November. Now landing on Christmas, the film carries expectations from fans who have followed its updates closely. It has a huge scale but mostly has a whole lot of expectations riding on itself too.

KD The Devil (December 25, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFmgarVBY1s

Dhruv Sarja returns after Martin with a rugged mass entertainer that also stars Sanjay Dutt and Shilpa Shetty. The film looks bigger, louder and more grounded than his previous outing.

Sarvam Maya (December 25, Theaters)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HBv_zRTMYw

Nivin Pauly stars in a Malayalam horror comedy fantasy that has already drawn interest for its quirky interactions between the lead pair.

Stranger Things Season 5 Vol 2 And Finale – On Netflix December 25 And 31

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib9AmJTujH4

The phenomenon continues with Vol 2 dropping on Christmas and the full series finale arriving on December 31. The break between Vol 1 and Vol 2 has allowed theories to explode online. The final episode closes not just the season but the entire cultural journey that began nearly a decade ago.

So, there you go! That is a hugely stacked month indeed and a whole lot of shows and films to close the year and brings things to a close. One wonders if December might jolt up what has been a mid year overall with some good ones. It might just be.

TL;DR

December is stacked with fresh films and buzzy shows across theaters and OTT. Big star spectacles, long awaited sequels, Hollywood heavyweights and cosy holiday releases all land in the same month. From Dhurandhar to Avatar Fire and Ash and even Stranger Things closing out the year, the calendar is filled with one tempting title after another. Here is the full watchlist.