Holiday movies 2011

There’s drama and comedy for all ages throughout this holiday season’s film offerings, which include some of the most prestigious releases of the year.

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Leonardo DiCaprio portrays J. Edgar Hoover in “J Edgar,” which opened in early November.

/ AP

George Clooney, left, plays a man who must reconnect with his daughters after his wife is critically injured in “The Descendants.” He’s shown here with Shailene Woodley, who plays one of his daughters. The movie opened Nov. 18.

Merie Wallace / AP

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are shown in a scene from "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1." The film tells the story of Edward and Bella’s wedding, and the birth of their child. The movie opened Nov. 18.

Andrew Cooper / AP

Michael Fassbender stars as Carl Jung and Viggo Mortensen plays Sigmund Freud in ”A Dangerous Method.” The film opens Nov. 23.

Liam Daniel

Chloë Grace Moretz and Asa Butterfield star in “Hugo,” a story about an orphan boy. The movie opens Nov. 23.

Paramount Pictures

Jason Segel, Kermit the frog and Miss Piggy star in “The Muppets,” the first Muppet theatrical release in 12 years. The film opens Nov. 23.

Walt Disney Studios

Zoë Wanamaker and Michelle Williams star in “My Week With Marilyn,” which depicts the making of the 1957 film ”The Prince and the Showgirl.” The film opens Nov. 23.

THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

Gary Oldman stars in “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,” an adaptation of the 1974 British spy novel. The film opens Dec. 9.

Focus Features

Tom Cruise returns to the franchise that made him famous with “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” which opens Dec. 21.

Paramount Pictures

Jude Law, Robert Downey Jr. and Noomi Rapace star in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” which opens Dec. 16.

Warner Bros.

Tintin (voiced by Jamie Bell) and Snowy return to the big screen in “The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn.” The movie opens Dec. 21.

Paramount Pictures / Paramount Pictures

Rooney Mara stars in the David Fincher-directed American remake of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” opening Dec. 21.

Sony Pictures

Tom Hanks and Thomas Horn star in the film adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel, “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” The film opens Jan. 20.

Warner Bros.

Jeremy Irvine stars in the film adaptation of “War Horse,” about a young man who loses his beloved horse to the cavalry. The film opens Dec. 25.

DreamWorks II

Jonah Hill stars as the world’s least-prepared babysitter in “The Sitter,” opening Dec. 9.

Twentieth Century Fox

Emile Hirsch fights an alien attack in “The Darkest Hour,” opening Dec. 25.

Twentieth Century Fox

John C. Reilly and Tilda Swinton star as parents of a troubled son in “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” opening Dec. 2.

Oscilloscope Pictures

A huge ensemble cast, including Jon Bon Jovi and Lea Michele, waits for the Times Square ball to drop in “New Year's Eve,” opening Dec. 9.

New Line Productions

Carey Mulligan and Michael Fassbender in “Shame. The film opens in D.C. on Dec. 9.

Courtesy Toronto International Film Festival

Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher and Jim Broadbent as Dennis Thatcher in “Iron Lady,” opening Dec. 30 in New York and Los Angeles.

Alex Bailey. Courtesy of Pathe Productions Ltd/ The Weinstein Company

The Season in Photos

Santa Claus, portrayed by Steve Stickley of Stephens City, Va. gets a kiss from a stray puppy during an open house at the Esther L. Boyd Animal Shelter in Winchester, Va. Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. (AP Photo, The Winchester Star, Jeff Taylor)

Holiday celebrations around the world

People celebrate in colorful, playful and profound ways.

12/05/1999 - PH/MENORAH - CREDIT: Michael Lutzky/TWP - LOCATION: The Ellipse - CAPTION: The official lighting ceremony for the National Menorah on the Ellipse was not held until the third night of Chanukah. Here, the flames smoke after the lighting with the Washington Monument in the background.

Hanukkah starts with National Menorah lighting in Washington

This year’s lighting took place on the White House Ellipse on the first night of Hanukkah.

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 29: Aini-Alem Dennis, 10, left, Mikalah Davis, 14, center, and Leilani Gill, 11, right, perform with the Farafina Kan Youth Ensemble during A Kwanzaa Celebration in the Panorama Room of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Thursday December 29, 2011 in Washington, DC. The event featured information on the background of Kwanzaa along with drumming and dancing. (Photo by Matt McClain For The Washington Post)

Kwanzaa celebrations across the country

The holiday is observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 yearly.

Holiday Wrapping Paper Contest: A wrap up

Find out who created your favorite wrap design and what the judges liked about the 12 finalists’ artwork. Plus, check out our “adorable...

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 14: Local Living second annual holiday crafts contest winner by Elizabeth Tung as seen on Wednesday December 14, 2011 at The Washington Post studio in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matt McClain for The Washington Post)

Holiday Crafts Contest: Meet the winners

Elizabeth Tung’s paper star made with gold metallic thread won the annual contest.

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 19: White Chocolate and Peppermint Chocolate Mountains photographed in Washington, DC. (Photo by Deb Lindsey/For The Washington Post)

Cookie Guide: 25 recipes for the best holiday treats

Our collection of holiday cookie recipes has something for everyone.

U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha (L) and Malia pose with children, dressed as elves, at the 'Christmas in Washington' celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 11, 2011. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Obamas shine at ‘Christmas in Washington’ concert

The president and first lady host the celebration at the National Building Museum.

US President Barack Obama smiles with daughters Sasha (L) and Malia (R) while watching First Lady Michelle Obama read to children during the annual lighting of the National Christmas tree on December 1, 2011 at The Ellipse in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

National Christmas Tree lights up Washington

The tree lighting has been an annual tradition in Washington since 1923.

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