Upcoming shows and movies you cannot miss this December
From the final chapters of OTT gems like 'Stranger Things' and 'Emily in Paris' 5, to theatre releases like 'Ikkis', December is packed with a little bit of something for everyone
December is always a delicious mix of cosy nights in, celebratory nights out, and the irresistible urge to start something new before the year ends. Fittingly, the month is packed with long-awaited finales, buzzy premieres and cinematic releases designed to pull you straight out of your year-end haze. From the highly anticipated Stranger Things 5: Volume 2, which promises a final descent into Hawkins’ darkest hour, to the Parisian whirl of Emily in Paris Season 5 and the sleek, high-octane glamour of F1, the lineup feels designed for long winter nights spent indulging in well-earned drama.
On the big screen, films like Ranveer Singh's highly anticipated Dhurandhar and the wartime intensity of Ikkis anchor December with stories that feel both intimate and grand. It is a month that caters to every mood, whether you are chasing adrenaline, yearning for comfort, or ready to be swept away.
Here’s what’s making it to Harper’s Bazaar India’s must-watch list as the year comes to an end.
Stranger Things 5 (Volume 2)
The final chapter closes in with a darker, more urgent tone as Hawkins prepares for its ultimate reckoning. Expect high drama, emotional goodbyes and the kind of explosive finale that defines an era of television. Nostalgic yet terrifying, this last ride is poised to be the cultural moment of the month.
When: December 25
Where: Netflix
Dhurandhar
Starring an ensemble cast of some of the biggest names of Bollywood—Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal, among others, Dhurandhar is said to have been inspired by real-life incidents. It is based on India's covert operations in Pakistan, particularly the crackdown on crime syndicates in Karachi.
When: December 5
Where: In theatres
F1
Fast, impossibly sleek and dripping with competitive glamour, F1 offers a look into the world of motorsport. The storytelling mirrors the sport itself—tense, stylish and fuelled by ambition. Starring Brad Pitt, the film enjoyed a successful run in theatres and is now set to rule the OTT world.
When: December 12
Where: Prime Video
Emily in Paris Season 5
Emily returns with more couture-fuelled chaos, emotional crossroads and the kind of aesthetic escapism that has become the show’s signature, but this time, she is in Rome. Expect new romantic entanglements, power plays and fashion moments that are impossible to ignore.
When: December 18
Where: Netflix
My Secret Santa
A festive romance wrapped in cosy charm, this holiday film dials up the sweetness without ever tipping into cliché. A single mom needs a job. A ski resort needs a Santa. Disguised as a St Nick lookalike, can Taylor (Alexandra Breckenridge) fool a charming hotel heir into hiring her?
When: December 3
Where: Netflix
Ikkis
A historical drama shaped by courage and sacrifice, Ikkis recreates a powerful wartime moment with cinematic gravitas. In the film, Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda plays Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was martyred at the age of 21 during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
When: December 25
Where: In theatres
The Bad Guys 2
Reformed criminals Mr Wolf, Mr Snake, Mr Piranha, Mr Shark and Ms Tarantula, who are trying hard to be good, find themselves hijacked into a high-stakes heist that's masterminded by a new team of delinquents they never saw coming—the Bad Girls.
When: December 1
Where: JioHotstar
Oh. What. Fun.
Claire Clauster (Michelle Pfeiffer) makes Christmas magic happen every year for her family, but her children and grandchildren don’t realise and appreciate her effort until, one fine day, she goes missing. What happens when their holiday is at risk forms the premise of the story.
When: December 3
Where: Prime Video
Mrs Deshpande
Mrs Deshpande, starring Madhuri Dixit, is the Hindi adaptation of French thriller series La Mante. In the psychological thriller, the actress will be seen playing the role of a complex woman, who seems normal on the outside but turns out to be a deadly serial killer. The story shows how the cops seek her help to nab another serial killer copying her crimes.
When: December 19
Where: JioHotstar
Lead image: IMDb and Netflix
Also read: With Moksha, Snowball Studios champions Paresh Maity’s search for the unseen
Also read: Inside Sarah Singh’s transformative salon at Kangra Fort