What’s Coming Out This Holiday Season: A Parent’s Guide to New Movies, TV, and Games

This year has already had some great releases, and the holiday season is no different. Between a long-awaited Hunger Games prequel, a brand-new take on Harry Potter, and one of the most anticipated video games ever made, there’s a lot for kids, teens, and honestly, parents, to be excited about.

Of course, not everything on the list is a good fit for every age. Some releases are perfect for a cozy family movie night, while others are worth a closer look. We rounded up seven of the biggest movies, TV shows, and video games coming out this November and December, along with what parents should know about each one. Let’s dive in!

The Body

Release date: Wednesday, November 11th

Parents will want to be cautious with this one. Described as a raunchy teen psychological drama, the show follows girls at a Catholic school who have prophetic powers. It’s already being compared to shows like Euphoria, which has depicted high schoolers in very adult, intense situations.

If The Body gets the same kind of attention Euphoria and other teen dramas have, there’s a good chance your teen will hear about it from friends or see clips on social media. It’s worth checking the rating and content warnings when it comes out, and being ready to talk with your child about it.

Barbie Rewind 

Release date: Thursday, November 12th 

Here’s one for younger kids. Barbie Rewind pairs a brand-new Barbie DreamHouse design game with 16 classic Barbie games. In the new game, players decorate the DreamHouse through different decades of Barbie history, using pixel art with a retro feel. Parents who grew up with these games may even want to play along. 

It’s also a low-stress pick for parents. GameStop’s listing shows it as a one-player game with no online multiplayer, so there’s no chatting with strangers. And it’s available on just about every console, including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch 2, Switch, and PC.

Grand Theft Auto VI

Release date: Thursday, November 19th

This is the biggest video game release of the year, and if your kid is a gamer, they’ve almost certainly heard about it. GTA VI is rated M for Mature 17+ by the ESRB and 18 by PEGI, and its content descriptors include blood and gore, intense violence, mature humor, nudity, and strong language. In other words, it’s a game made for adults. 

There is one bit of good news. Unlike GTA V, the game launches without online play. The PlayStation Store lists it as a single-player game, so kids won’t be meeting strangers or getting voice chat inside the game at launch. An online mode is expected eventually, but as of October 20, Rockstar hadn’t announced one. If your teen is begging for it, this is a good time to talk about why the rating exists and decide what’s right for your family.

Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Release date: Friday, November 20th 

The highly anticipated latest addition to the Hunger Games franchise takes place 24 years before the events of The Hunger Games. It follows a young Haymitch, Katniss’s future mentor, after his name is drawn in the reaping for the Second Quarter Quell, the 50th Hunger Games. 

If the book is any indication, parents can expect an emotionally grueling and intense story, on par with the previous Hunger Games movies. Many tweens and teens have already read the book, so this could be a great opportunity to read it or watch it together and talk through the heavier themes.

Avengers: Doomsday 

Release date: Friday, December 18th 

Another highly anticipated movie, Avengers: Doomsday brings together characters from three established franchises: the Avengers, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four. You can expect tons of familiar faces from different movies coming together in one big cinematic experience, including Robert Downey Jr. returning to the franchise, this time as the villain Doctor Doom.

Past Avengers movies have been rated PG-13 for action violence, so this one will likely be a similar fit for most tweens and teens. Check the official rating before you buy tickets, especially if you have younger kids who want to tag along.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (HBO Series)

Release date: December 25th (Christmas Day)

The Harry Potter books and movies have been beloved for decades, so this new HBO series has big shoes to fill. The show will retell the original story rather than serve as a prequel or spin-off, with an entirely new cast, and HBO plans to adapt one book per season. 

Since the first season covers Harry’s first year at Hogwarts, it’s likely to be a good fit for younger viewers who are new to the series. It’s also a great excuse to start the books together if your kids haven’t read them yet.

Jumanji 3

Release date: December 25th (Christmas Day)

The Jumanji franchise is back just in time for winter break. Sony moved the movie to Christmas Day, keeping the tradition of a December release from the series’ previous films. Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, and Awkwafina are part of the cast, so expect plenty of the same action and comedy that made the last two movies hits. 

The previous two films were rated PG-13, so this could be an easy pick for a family movie outing over the holidays.

Staying in the Loop This Holiday Season

New releases are part of what makes the holidays fun, and knowing what’s coming out helps you make thoughtful decisions instead of scrambling when your kid asks to see or play something. And for the times you can’t be right there, Bark can help. The Bark app monitors your child’s texts, social media, and more for potential dangers, while Bark’s screen time tools let you set limits on when devices can be used, even during a busy holiday break. Check out Bark’s entire suite of parental control products to see which one is the best fit for your child.