Big screen blockbusters for the holidays

Penguins of Madagascar.

Robots and penguins headline the animated offerings being released for the holidays, Dominic Corry finds.

These days, the Christmas and New Year period reliably features one of the densest clusters of big-movie releases. Here's a guide to the major cinematic offerings for the holidays.

Big Hero 6
A huge hit earlier this year in America, this colourful CGI offering from Walt Disney Animation Studios (currently on a roll with Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen) has been reserved for a post-Christmas release in New Zealand, where it is sure to enrapture a whole generation of Kiwi kids. Although there's a raft of wonderful elements in the film, its marketing campaign is wisely focusing on robot co-star Baymax, an instantly iconic mix of R2D2 and a Swiss Ball. When the character first appeared on screen at a recent early media screening, the predominantly youthful audience audibly gasped in collective delight. (Released Boxing Day)

The Water Diviner
For his directorial debut, Russell Crowe has chosen to tell a heart-wrenching story about an Aussie farmer who travels to Turkey after World War 1 to honour the last wishes of his wife. You can't fault Crowe's cinematic education - he's worked with some of modern cinema's greatest masters, including Gallipoli (1981) director Peter Weir on 2003's Master and Commander. (Released Boxing Day)

Exodus: Gods and Kings
Gladiator and Alien director Ridley Scott presents this year's second Old Testament epic (after Noah, starring Russell Crowe) with this broad-canvas 3D blockbuster starring Christian Bale as Moses and Aussie Joel Edgerton (Warrior, Zero Dark Thirty) as Ramses. Keen to stress its more commercial nature at every turn, Exodus comes across in the offering as less a Bible story, and more swords-and-sandals disaster movie. (Sneak previews from Boxing Day, opens widely on January 1)

Night At The Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Ben Stiller's most reliable money-spinner since we stopped meeting the parents returns for an inevitable third entry, lent unexpected poignancy by the presence of the late Robin Williams. Aussie firebrand Rebel Wilson (Super Fun Night, Pitch Perfect) joins the cast with Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens as Sir Lancelot. Should make an interesting counterpoint to the recent TV One Richard Attenborough series Natural History Museum Alive. (Released Boxing Day)

Horrible Bosses 2
The ephemeral nature of the 2011 sleeper hit hasn't prevented this cash-in sequel, although three years can be a long time when it comes to comedy. The original proved something of a breakout role for Jennifer Aniston, who returns with Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis and Jamie Foxx. New recruits Chris Pine (Star Trek) and Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained) play the titular antagonists this time around. (Released Boxing Day)

The Penguins of Madagascar
Although the four secret stars of the moderately beloved Madagascar film franchise may have had their own CGI animated television series for more than five years, enthusiasm for the characters makes this big-screen spin-off an enticing proposition for the younger ones. Plus it's a suitable second choice for when Big Hero 6 is sold out. (Released New Year's Day)

The Imitation Game
Benedict Cumberbatch's first serious run at an Oscar received five Golden Globe nominations, but this is far from typical awards season period fodder - The Imitation Game tells the consistently thrilling story of Alan Turing, the brilliant British mathematician who secretly helped win World War II, then was later persecuted for his homosexuality. Cumberbatch dives headlong into the role of Turing, whose work presaged modern computing. Keira Knightley (also nominated for a Golden Globe) and Matthew Goode co-star. (Released New Year's Day)

Dumb and Dumber To
Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey are back as prize idiots Harry and Lloyd in this late-arriving sequel to the 1994 comedy classic. Reviews haven't been especially kind, but goodwill for these characters remains high, and their infantile antics seem particularly well-suited to the silly season. The plot sees the less-than-savvy pair hit the road (again), this time in search of Harry's newly discovered daughter. (Released January 8)

Into The Woods
This adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's 1987 musical - an ironic riff on fairy tale tropes - has had plenty of its novelty stolen by the likes of Shrek and its derivatives, but the presence of stars like Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Johnny Depp (as the Big Bad Wolf) up the popcorn factor considerably. Director Rob Marshall re-invigorated the movie musical with 2003's Oscar-winning Chicago, but couldn't sustain the momentum with 2009's Nine. He's no doubt hoping this can build on the love shown for last year's Les Miserables. (Released January 8)

Taken 3
Liam Neeson's late-career re-invention as a lethal action hero remains in full swing, although this franchise has some ground to make up after the crummy (but commercially successful) Taken 2. (Released January 8)