Holiday shopping can be stressful, right? Finding the perfect gift for your mom, dad, grandma, that classmate you got as your Secret Santa but you don't know at all...the list goes on. Why not give yourself a break between stores by heading to the movie theater? Whether you want to see the crew of the Essex fight to survive after a whale assault (In the Heart of the Sea) or learn more about the dark side of football (Concussion), we know you'll find the perfect distraction in December's book-based films!

In Theaters:

In the Heart of the Sea

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Benjamin Walker, Ben Whishaw,Tom Holland
Director: Ron Howard
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December 11th
Based on: IN THE HEART OF THE SEA: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick

In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance. The real-life maritime disaster would inspire Herman Melville's MOBY-DICK. But that told only half the story. In the Heart of the Sea reveals the encounter's harrowing aftermath, as the ship's surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive. Braving storms, starvation, panic and despair, the men will call into question their deepest beliefs, from the value of their lives to the morality of their trade, as their captain searches for direction on the open sea and his first mate still seeks to bring the great whale down.

Concussion
Cast: Will Smith, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Bitsie Tulloch, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, David Morse
Director: Peter Landesman
Distributor: Sony Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Release Date: December 25th
Based on: CONCUSSION by Jeanne Marie Laskas

Based on the true story of the doctor who discovered CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in football players, and the uphill battle he faced in bringing the information to the public.

On TV:

“The Flash”

Cast: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Rick Cosnett, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, Jessie L. Martin
Network: The CW
Air Dates: Tuesdays at 8pm ET
Based On: THE FLASH: DC Comics character created by Robert Kanigher, John Broome and Carmine Infantino

Following the defeat of Barry Allen's arch-nemesis Eobard Thawne (a.k.a. Reverse Flash), Team Flash quickly turned their attention to the singularity swirling high above Central City, which fans last saw consuming everything in its path. Armed with the heart of a hero and the ability to move at super speeds, Barry charged into the eye of the singularity, but will he actually be able to save his city from impending doom?

“Arrow”
Cast: Stephen Amell, Colin Donnell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Willa Holland, Susanna Thompson, Paul Blackthorne
Network: The CW
Air Dates: Wednesdays at 8pm ET
Based On: DC Comics character Green Arrow created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp

After defeating his most formidable foe to date and riding off into the sunset with longtime flame Felicity Smoak, Oliver Queen (a.k.a. The Arrow) left Starling City with the hopes of beginning a new life. But will Oliver ever truly be able to leave behind his past as the Arrow, and, if so, what becomes of the team he has worked so hard to assemble? Will Diggle, Thea and Laurel be left to continue Oliver’s crusade without him? And with Malcolm Merlyn having ascended to the top of the League of Assassins as the new Ra's al Ghul, is anyone really safe?

“The Vampire Diaries”
Cast: Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, Steven R. McQueen, Kat Graham, Candice Accola
Network: The CW
Air Dates: Thursdays at 8pm ET
Based On: The Vampire Diaries series by L.J. Smith

In the wake of Elena Gilbert’s goodbye, season seven begins with some characters will recover while others falter. As Lily tries to drive a wedge between the Salvatore brothers, we’ll still hold onto hope that Stefan and Caroline’s love story is strong enough to survive.

On DVD:

Ant-Man
Cast: Paul Rudd, Evageline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll
Director: Peyton Reed
Distributor: Disney/Marvel
MPAA Rating: PG-13
DVD Release Date: December 8th 
Based on: ANT-MAN by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby

The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios' Ant-Man. Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Walt Before Mickey
Cast: Jodie Sweetin, Jon Heder, Thomas Ian Nicholas
Director: Khoa Le
Distributor: Conglomerate Media/Voltage
MPAA Rating: PG
DVD Release Date: December 8th
Based on: WALT BEFORE MICKEY: Disney's Early Years, 1919-1928 by Timothy Susanin

This film is about Walt Disney's early years. For 10 years before the creation of Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney struggled with, failed at, and eventually mastered the art and business of animation. Walt Disney worked in a variety of venues and studios, refining what would become known as the Disney style. This film captures the years 1919-1928, creating a portrait of the artist from age 17 to the cusp of his international renown.

Wolf Totem
Cast: Shaofeng Feng, Shawn Dou, Ankhnyam Ragchaa
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Distributor: Sony Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13
DVD Release Date: December 15th
Based on: WOLF TOTEM by Jiang Rong

In 1967, a young Beijing student, Chen Zhen, is sent to live among the nomadic herdsmen of Inner Mongolia. Caught between the advance of civilization from the south and the nomads' traditional enemies --- the marauding wolves --- to the north, humans and animals, residents and invaders alike, struggle to find their true place in the world.