6. "Les Miserables" (Dec. 25). The Victor Hugo novel vanquished Broadway, but the 19th-century epic has also been adapted into film dozens of times — including in France, Korea, Japan, and India. Hollywood has had a go at it six times, including twice for TV, but this British version is the first musical adaptation. The celebrity-heavy cast who can carry a tune includes Hugh Jackman as the bread-stealing Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as the relentless by-the-books Inspector Javert, a notably thinner Anne Hathaway as the tragic Fantine, Amanda Seyfried as daughter Cosette, and Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter as the abusive innkeepers, the Thenardiers. The musical's pedigree, cast, and director Tom Hooper, who helmed 2010's Academy dark-horse favorite "The King's Speech," add up to a mighty Oscar contender. As for who will sit through a potentially three-hour running time, 62% of look-ups come from females ages 11-44. Dub this the mother-daughter bonding tearjerker for the holidays.
'Wreck-It Ralph' Insider Access with the Cast
5. "Wreck-It Ralph" (Nov. 2). Do electric sheep dream, and do video game villains crave a better, if not three-dimensional life? The Walt Disney film — in bubblegum-bright 3D of course — takes a nostalgic jaunt through arcade history with Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly, who has made hapless yearning an art). Cast as a video game's perpetual brute who smashes buildings, the big lug goes on a hero quest to get redemption and respect. The animated pic's aim at its target audience is true: About 28% of searches on Yahoo! are from the under-12 set. Another thing the movie's fueling besides tickets: a clamor for the game, toys, and party supplies.
[Weekend Picks: Who will dig 'Flight,' 'Iron Fists' and 'Wreck-It Ralph']