As 2025 draws to a close and holidays slowly approaches, December promises to be a landmark month for cinema for movie lovers across Africa.

The cinematic landscape of December is uniquely positioned, capturing the collective desire for both reflection and celebration that defines the holiday season. It is a time when families gather, friends reconnect, and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on the big screen becomes a central part of the festivities.

This year, the selection of films reflects a particularly dynamic moment in global and African cinema, where local narratives stand proudly alongside international titans, offering a diverse palette for every type of moviegoer.

Here is a breakdown of the must-see movies for the coming holiday month;

The Avatar Empire Rises Again: Avatar 3

Release Date: December 19, 2025

Director: James Cameron

No December release carries more weight or anticipation than the third chapter in James Cameron’s groundbreaking Avatar saga. Officially subtitled Avatar: Fire and Ash, this film promises to expand the universe of Pandora in profound and potentially darker ways.

What We Know: Picking up after the events of Avatar: The Way of Water, the film will continue the story of the Sully family, Jake, Neytiri, and their children, as they navigate both the dangers of their world and the complexities of their own dynamics.

The title, Fire and Ash, hints heavily at a central role for the Tree of Souls and the ecological and spiritual essence of Pandora. Cameron has also teased the introduction of the "Ash People," a new Na'vi clan representing the element of fire..

Why It Is Unmissable: Beyond the guaranteed visual spectacle and technological innovation (prepare for more stunning underwater and, now, volcanic biomes), Avatar 3 is the crucial midpoint of Cameron’s planned five-film cycle.

It is where the overarching narrative will truly deepen, setting the stage for the conflicts to come. For anyone invested in the future of blockbuster filmmaking and world-building on an epic scale, this is THE movie.

​A Nollywood Queen's New Chapter: Behind The Scenes

​Release Date: December 12, 2025

Director: Funke Akindele

​This is the first of the major Nollywood holiday releases. After breaking all-time box office records three years in a row, Funke Akindele is back for her traditional (though slightly earlier) December slot.

​What We Know: As the title suggests, Behind The Scenes is a drama that explores the "untold struggles and realities hidden from the spotlight." In a major strategic shift, Akindele has announced she will not be the lead actor, focusing instead on her role as producer and director to elevate a new generation of talent.

​Why It Is Unmissable: Funke Akindele's December release is a Nigerian cultural tradition. By releasing a week before the big-budget competition, she gets a critical head start to capture the holiday audience.

The film is a fascinating test: can her brand break the box office record for a fourth consecutive year without her as the lead? This is the must-see Nollywood event of the season.

The conversation surrounding Behind The Scenes will undoubtedly extend beyond its plot. It will be analyzed as a case study in brand power, a commentary on the evolving role of women in film production, and a testament to the maturity of the Nollywood audience, whose loyalty is given to compelling stories and trusted creators, not just individual stars.

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The People's Champion Enters the Ring: Over Sabi Aunty

​Release Date: December 19, 2025

Star/Producer: Toyin Abraham

​You cannot have a Nollywood Christmas conversation without "World Best" Toyin Abraham. In one of the boldest moves of the year, her blockbuster,Over Sabi Aunty is being released on the exact same day as Avatar: Fire and Ash.

​What We Know: While plot details are closely guarded, the title alone tells audiences what to expect. "Over Sabi Aunty" (a popular pidgin phrase for a "know-it-all" aunt) perfectly signals the high-energy, high-drama, and deeply relatable family comedy that is Toyin Abraham's signature. The film is positioned as the ultimate local crowd-pleaser.

​Why It Is Unmissable: This is the box office showdown of the year. It is a direct battle between a beloved local superstar and a global Hollywood giant.

For audiences seeking pure, unfiltered entertainment and a guaranteed good time with the family, Over Sabi Aunty is the prime ticket. Watching this David-vs-Goliath (or, more accurately, Titan-vs-Titan) fight unfold is what makes the December cinema season so exciting.

The success of Over Sabi Aunty will be closely watched as a barometer for the strength and preferences of the modern African cinema audience. Its performance against a behemoth like Avatar 3 will provide invaluable insights into market dynamics, proving whether audiences will split their time between both films or demonstrate a decisive preference for homegrown stories during the peak holiday season.

​The Wild Card: What Happened to the Other Movies?

​You may have seen older, speculative lists that included many other films. Due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes and major studio shifts, that information is now factually incorrect. Here is a breakdown of what is not coming this month.

​What We Know:

​Untitled Super Mario Bros. Sequel: This was long rumored for 2025, but it is now officially scheduled for release in April 2026.

​Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse: This film was removed from the schedule and is delayed indefinitely. It is not releasing in 2025.

​Jordan Peele’s Next Film: His fourth directorial film was also delayed and is now slated for October 2026.

​Untitled David O. Russell Project: This project is not on the official 2025 release schedule.

​A Month of Cinematic Extremes

​The December 2025 movie lineup is a testament to the new face of cinema. The narrative is no longer just about Hollywood.

​This month, audiences in Africa can travel to the alien world of Pandora, but they will do so while a massive, direct box-office battle rages between Avatar 3 and Over Sabi Aunty. And all of this happens after Funke Akindele's Behind The Scenes has already set the pace.

​It is a month that offers something for every kind of moviegoer, proving that local and international blockbusters can stand side-by-side. So, mark your calendars, start planning your theater trips, and get ready. The end of 2025 promises to be an unforgettable season at the cinema.