2008 Holiday Movie Preview

It's beginning to feel a lot like ... April?

This is the time of year when filmgoers are usually spoiled for choice at the multiplex, choosing among the big Hollywood extravaganzas and high-toned Oscar bait that mark the arrival of every holiday season. But this year seems oddly muted, with no star vehicle or franchise installment to serve as this year's tent pole.

Blame the little wizard. When Warner Bros. moved the opening date of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" from Nov. 21 to July 17, it not only incurred the wrath of millions of fans but sent Hollywood studios into a scheduling swivet. Columbia Pictures moved "Quantum of Solace" from Nov. 7 to Nov. 14, thus opening it closer to the lucrative Thanksgiving weekend. "Twilight" is clearly the biggest winner, having snagged "Potter's" previous opening date and earning nearly $120 million in its first two weekends.

But in moves unrelated to the "Potter" defection, several highly anticipated movies have moved to next year, including "The Road," "Defiance" and "The Soloist." "I don't know why people are bailing out," says Paul Dergarabedian of Media by Numbers, an Encino, Calif., company that tracks ticket sales. "But there could be a sleeper out there that will make up for it. It's kind of fun to watch. It makes it a little more democratic."

Who knows? Maybe there will be some surprises in our Christmas movie stockings after all. Then again, maybe we should brace ourselves for some lumps of big-budget coal.

-- Ann Hornaday