A Look at the 4 New Movies Coming Out This Week: ‘Wonka,’ ‘The Family Plan,’ and More!

This week, we have something for everyone in the family with the new movies coming out!

First, an origin story of the man, the myth, and the legendary chocolate maker Willy Wonka in the film Wonka starring Timothée Chalamet. We also have a fun, family-action film, The Family Plan, about a retired assassin, played by Mark Wahlberg, who must take his family on the run when his past catches up with him.

The animation studio Aardman brings us a sequel to a beloved 2000 family classic, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. And we get a drama starring Ben Foster and Jenna Ortega in Firstkind about a family of fishermen who get in way over their head and start taking big chances.

Below is the full list of all the new movies coming out this week in theaters and streaming!

New Movies Coming Out This Week: December 11, 2023, – December 17, 2023

Wonka  (2023)

Rating: PG

Release Date: In theatres nationwide on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Summary: Wonka tells the story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician, and chocolate maker became the beloved Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet). A young and poor Willy comes to the big city to fulfill his dream of opening a chocolate shop. However, he soon discovers that the industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers who hate new competitors.

What to Watch For: The all-star cast includes Hugh Grant, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Matt Lucas, Keegan-Michael Key and Olivia Colman.

Word on the Street: The film had a master chocolatier on set to create all the chocolates eaten on screen. It’s rumored that Timothée Chalamet got sick on set several times because of eating too much chocolate.

My Take: I find it fascinating that the film used the design of the Oompa Loompas from the 1971 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory movie because the novel did not give a detailed description of them.

The Family Plan   (2023)

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: Premiering on Apple TV+ on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Summary: In The Family Plan, Dan (Mark Wahlberg) is a former legendary assassin now living the simple, boring life as a suburban dad until his cover is blown. Dan must take his unsuspecting family on a road trip, where they will be in danger every step of the way. Dan’s past has finally caught up with him, all with three kids and a wife in tow.

What to Watch For: BAFTA TV Award-winning Simon Cellan Jones directs the film.

Word on the Street: Michelle Monaghan, known for her roles in Gone Baby Gone, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and her Golden Globe-nominated role in the TV series True Detective, plays Dan’s wife.

My Take: One of my favorite action stars, Maggie Q, is in the film. I hope she gets to kick some butt.

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget   (2023)

Rating: PG

Release Date: Premiering on Netflix on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Summary: Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget takes place after the daring escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger (voiced by Thandiwe Newton) has found a peaceful island sanctuary for the flock to grow and prosper, including a family of her own with Rocky (voiced by Zachary Levi) and their young daughter Molly (voiced by Bella Ramsey). However, Molly takes off to explore the world beyond the island and gets caught by a new farm. Now Ginger and her gang must break into the high-security farm to rescue her daughter.

What to Watch For: This is a sequel to the multi-award-winning 2000 film Chicken Run.

Word on the Street: While several voice roles were recast, Jane Horrocks, Imelda Staunton, Lynn Ferguson, and Miranda Richardson returned as Babs, Bunty, Mac, and Mrs. Tweedy from the original film.

My Take: I love everything the animation studio Aardman puts out, including the Wallace & Gromit series.

Finestkind  (2023)

Rating: R

Release Date: Perming on Paramount+ on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Summary: Finestkind is about Tom (Ben Foster), a Boston area fisherman whose luck goes from bad to worse, creating a mountain of debts that the only way he and his brother, Charlie (Toby Wallace), can see a way out is by doing something highly illegal, smuggling drugs.

What to Watch For: The film played at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

Word on the Street: The cast includes Jenna Ortega, Tommy Lee Jones, Tim Daly, and Lolita Davidovich.

My Take: I love that Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones is back on the silver screen after a three-year absence with two films this year.

Which New Movies Coming Out This Week Are You Excited to Watch?

Below, let us know what new movies you plan to see this week!