December brings all the glee and glitter of the holiday season, but don't worry if you aren't feeling festive yet. Our guide to the month's music, movie and TV highlights includes some titles that are, well, more spooky than sparkly. 
1. A TRUE-CRIME SERIES LIKE NO OTHER
Litvinenko
David Tennant stars as poisoned Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in this four-part biographical miniseries. Written by Lupin co-creator George Kay, it follows the Metropolitan Police's complex and highly sensitive investigation into the poisoning, which Litvinenko insisted came at the behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It looks fascinating and harrowing in equal measure, as well as deeply, deeply sad. 

Litvinenko debuts Friday, December 16 on AMC+ and Sundance Now.

2. A HOLIDAY MOVIE WITH A SPRINKLE OF SALT
Christmas with the Campbells
If you find some festive movies a tad treacly, Christmas with the Campbells is worth bookmarking. Co-written by Vince Vaughn (Couples Retreat) and Dan Lagana (American Vandal), it begins with Jesse (Brittany Snow) returning home for the holidays after being unceremoniously dumped. There, she meets her ex's eligible cousin (Justin Long), who could be just the comfort she needs, or could be, well, not. Julia Duffy and George Wendt co-star.

Christmas with the Campbells premieres Friday, December 2 on AMC+ and in theaters.
3. A POIGNANT LOVE LETTER TO THE CINEMA
Empire of Light
The latest film from Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes looks like a more intimate affair than his last three (war film 1917 and Bond adventures Spectre and Skyfall). Set in an English coastal town in the 1980s, it centers on a lonely single woman (Olivia Colman) who finds comfort at her local movie theater and in the company of a younger man (Micheal Ward). Colman is already building Oscar buzz, and the top-notch supporting cast includes Colin Firth and Toby Jones. 

Empire of Light opens in select theaters on Friday, December 9.
4. A FILM THAT WILL GET YOU IN THE GUT
Women Talking
Adapted by director Sarah Polley from Miriam Toews' powerful novel, Women Talking looks like a very powerful watch. Set in 2010, it centers on a group of women from a close-knit religious community who discover that their male peers have been doing something unspeakable in secret for many years. Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Ben Whishaw and Frances McDormand (who's also a producer) lead the really quite awesome cast.

Women Talking opens in theaters Friday, December 23.
5. A CHRISTMAS CHILLER TO MAKE YOU JUMP
The Apology
This intense-looking thriller is another far from typical holiday film. Anna Gunn stars as Darlene, a recovering alcoholic who's preparing to welcome her family for Christmas with help from neighbor Gretchen (Janeane Garofalo). However, when her ex-brother-in-law Jack (Linus Roache) arrives uninvited on Christmas Eve, it becomes clear that things aren't likely to go to plan. Buckle up – it's going to be a bumpy night.

The Apology premieres Friday, December 16 on Shudder, AMC+, and in theaters.
6. A MOVIE THAT WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE FEELS
The Almond and the Seahorse
This poignant-looking indie film features a rare dramatic performance from comedy fave Rebel Wilson. Based on Kaite O'Reilly's play of the same name, it centers on two couples (Wilson and Celyn Jones, plus Trine Dyrholm and Charlotte Gainsbourg) whose relationships have been affected by one party's long-term memory loss. Meera Syal co-stars as an amnesia expert who is trying to help them through a challenge that may never go away.

The Almond and the Seahorse premieres Friday, December 16 in select theaters and on VOD.
7. A DEBUT ALBUM FROM A REMARKABLE NEW VOICE
Sam Ryder: There's Nothing But Space, Man!
Singer-songwriter Sam Ryder thrilled Brits back in May when he represented the U.K. at the Eurovision Song Contest and finished second – the country's best result in nearly 25 years. This debut album features his soaring Eurovision hit "Spaceman" as well as club-oriented follow-up single "Living Without You," both of which show off Ryder's impressive vocal range. Let's hope it marks the start of a great career.

There's Nothing But Space, Man! is released Friday, December 9 via Parlophone.
8. A GHOST STORY THAT WILL KEEP YOU GUESSING
The Eternal Daughter
Tilda Swinton is known for taking on unusual roles that other actors might balk at, but her latest film definitely gives her a new challenge, Here, she plays both a middle-aged woman and her elderly mother as they take a trip to a somewhat creepy country hotel. It's directed by Joanna Hogg, Swinton's lifelong friend who also worked with her on cult hit The Souvenir, so expect something pretty offbeat.

The Eternal Daughter opens in select theaters on Friday, December 2.
9. A MOVIE ABOUT A MUSICAL GREAT
I Wanna Dance with Somebody
After blockbuster biopics of Queen (Bohemian Rhapsody) and Elton John (Rocketman) comes this movie about the late, great Whitney Houston. British actress Naomie Ackie portrays the incredibly gifted singer from Newark, NJ who went on to become one of the best-selling artists of the 1980s. Houston's life may have ended tragically in 2012, but I Wanna Dance with Somebody seems likely to concentrate on the many positives in her life.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody opens in theaters Friday, December 23
10. A BRITISH CRIME DRAMA YOU'LL NEVER GET ENOUGH OF
Midsomer Murders
It's back! Season 23 of the enduringly popular detective drama sees DCI John Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) and DC Jamie Winter (Nick Hendrix) once again, joined by Dr. Fleur Perkins (Annette Badlands). This year actually marks the 25th anniversary of the charming series based on Caroline Graham's Chief Inspector Barnaby novels, so expect the cases to be just as captivating as what we've seen before. 

Midsomer Murders returns Monday, December 12 on Acorn TV. 
Does this help fill out your calendar?