New Movies Releasing Worldwide This Week: December 17

As the holiday season ramps up, the week of December 17 to December 23, 2025, features major blockbuster arrivals in theaters globally. This period marks the highly anticipated wide releases of Avatar: Fire and Ash (the third chapter in James Cameron’s groundbreaking franchise) and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, delivering epic sci-fi visuals and family-friendly animation. Release dates may vary slightly by region due to local customs, distribution, and premium format availability.

These tentpole films are expected to dominate screens, with synchronized global rollouts to maximize holiday audiences.

United States

• December 19, 2025 (wide release):
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash – James Cameron’s return to Pandora, continuing the Sully family’s story with stunning 3D and IMAX experiences. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, and Stephen Lang.
  • The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants – The beloved Bikini Bottom gang embarks on a new underwater adventure. Voices include Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, and Clancy Brown.
• Early access screenings for SpongeBob in 3D may occur on December 17 in select theaters.

Standard Friday openings ensure strong weekend performance.

United Kingdom

• December 19, 2025 (day-and-date with US):
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash – Premium large-format screenings across Odeon, Cineworld, and Vue.
  • The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants – Family appeal drives wide rollout.

UK aligns closely with North America for major Hollywood releases.

Canada

• Mirrors US schedule:
  • December 19, 2025: Both titles wide via Cineplex and other chains.

Australia

• December 18-19, 2025 (Thursday/Friday openings common):
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash – Hoyts and Event Cinemas prioritize IMAX/3D.
  • The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants – Broad family release.

Global sync helps minimize spoilers and piracy.

India

• December 19, 2025:
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash – Dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu; prime slots in PVR and Inox.
  • The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants – English and dubbed versions for multiplexes.

Hollywood spectacles thrive during festive periods.

France

• December 18, 2025 (Wednesday standard):
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash – Pathé/Gaumont wide; French dub available.
  • The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants – Strong for families.

Early mid-week access common in Europe.

Germany

• December 18, 2025 (Thursday):
  • Both films wide in CinemaxX and CineStar.

High demand for visual effects-heavy titles.

Italy

• December 18-19, 2025:
  • Wide releases with Italian dubs.

Spain

• December 19, 2025:
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants via Yelmo and Cinesa.

Brazil

• December 18, 2025 (Thursday common):
  • Cinemark and Kinoplex chains.

Mexico

• December 19, 2025:
  • Cinépolis and Cinemex wide.

Japan

• December 19, 2025 (or nearby):
  • Toho cinemas; Avatar’s visuals highly anticipated.

South Korea

• December 17-19, 2025:
  • Possible early openings in CGV/Lotte; spectacle films excel.

China

• Pending approval, but expected December 19, 2025 or close; blockbusters favored.

Other Regions

• Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia): December 18-19 via VOX/Reel.
• Southeast Asia (Singapore, Thailand, etc.): Aligned with December 19, subs/dubs available.

Dates subject to minor adjustments; check local listings for confirmations and smaller national films.