(Mark Wahlberg in “The Gambler”)

When it’s cold outside, the movies are the perfect distraction – and escape – from both the weather and the impending 5 p.m. darkness. So, it makes sense that some of the biggest movies of the year come out around the holidays, and it can be hard to keep track of them. I don’t know about anyone else, but when I see a preview on TV (of all uncivilized mediums) for a movie I had no idea was coming, I feel a panic: What have I missed?? (It goes without saying that I live for the previews at the theater.)

So, if you don’t want any commercials sneaking up on you this season, here’s our guide to what’s worth seeing, and when it’s opening. Because it’s the magical time of year again, when movies premiere on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and on Christmas Day. Hopefully you already pre-ordered you tickets to see “The Hunger Games.”

Foxcatcher

Opens: November 14
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum
Story: Tatum and Ruffalo star as Mark and Dave Schultz, two brothers who are also celebrated wrestlers. Desperate to get out of Dave’s shadow, Mark accepts the help of eccentric multi-millionaire John Du Pont (Carrell), who promises to take him in and help him train for the Seoul Olympics, but instead leads him down a path of self destruction. Based on a true story.

Rosewater

Opens: November 14
Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal
Story: In Jon Stewart’s directorial debut, he follows the story of reporter Maziar Bahari, who was accused of being a spy and imprisoned for three months following an interview he did with “The Daily Show.” Adapted from the 2011 book “And Then They Came for Me: A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity and Survival” by Maziar Bahari, based on true events.

A Merry Friggin’ Christmas

Opens: November 14
Starring: Joel McHale, Lauren Graham, Robin Williams
Story: Boyd (McHale) and Luann Mitchler (Graham) head to Boyd’s parents house to spend Christmas with his father (Williams) and his dysfunctional family. Upon realizing that he left all of his son’s presents at home, Boyd must make the eight hour round trip before sunrise, with his father and younger brother in tow. This was one of Williams’s last roles before his passing earlier this year.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1

Opens: November 21
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson
Story: In the third installment of “The Hunger Games,” Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) is waging a war on the corrupt Capitol to try to save her family, friends and the rest of District 12.

Horrible Bosses 2

Opens: November 26
Starring: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day
Story: Tired of answering to their “horrible bosses,” Nick, Dale and Kurt launch their own business, but face trouble when an investor tries to ruin their plans. In an effort to regain their business, the team attempts to kidnap and ransom the investor’s son.

Wild

Opens: December 5
Starring: Reese Witherspoon
Story: “Wild” is the true story of Cheryl Strayed (Witherspoon), who hit rock bottom after her divorce and the death of her mother. So, on an impulse, she sets off alone on a thousand-mile trek along the Pacific Coast Trail, with no hiking experience. Based on the book “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed.

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Opens: December 12
Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weave, Aaron Paul
Story: It’s a 3D, 2014 take on the story of Moses and his rise up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses to ultimately free 600,000 slaves. Directed by Ridley Scott.

Inherent Vice

Opens: December 12 (Limited Release)
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Reese Witherspoon
Story: Doc Sportello (Phoenix) is a private eye during the tail end of the 1960s psychedelia, when he gets caught up in trouble thanks to his ex-girlfriend and her current billionaire boyfriend, leading to run-ins with a cast of LA characters. Based on the novel by Thomas Pynchon.

Top Five

Opens: December 12
Starring: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Adam Sandler
Story: A comedian (Rock) attempts to take a turn as a serious actor, after his reality TV star fiancée convinces him to let her broadcast their wedding. Includes appearances by numerous comedians playing themselves, like Tracy Morgan, Sandler, Whoopi Goldberg, Jerry Seinfeld and Kevin Hart.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Opens: December 19
Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Benedict Cumberbatch
Story: Peter Jackson is taking fans on another Hobbit adventure, in which Bilbo and friends must wage a battle against Smaug and his combatants, who are attempting to take over the kingdom.

Annie

Opens: December 19
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, Rose Byrne
Story: This 2014 remake of the classic story of the little orphan Annie (Wallis), who gets adopted by a millionaire, this time taking on the name Will Stacks (Foxx).

The Gambler

Opens: December 19
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Jessica Lange, Brie Larson
Story: Wahlberg plays a college professor and serial gambler who runs in with a loan shark and a series of bodyguards, all while he’s courting an affair with one of his students.

American Sniper

Opens: December 25
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller
Story: The movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, focuses on the story of Chris Kyle (Cooper), a US Navy S.E.A.L. who recounts his military career, comprised of 150 confirmed kills. Based on a true story.

Big Eyes

Opens: December 25
Starring: Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz
Story: This drama (directed by Tim Burton, not starring Johnny Depp in ridiculous makeup) follows the story of artist Margaret Keane (Adams), who rose to success in the 1950s for her paintings, only to have her husband (Waltz) take credit for her work in the 1960s.

The Interview

Opens: December 25
Starring: Seth Rogen, James Franco
Story: Rogen and Franco team up again to portray the host and producer of a popular celebrity tabloid show who learn that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is a fan, and score an interview with him. This leads to them getting wrapped up in a CIA mission to assassinate him.

Into The Woods

Opens: December 25
Starring: Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp
Story: This film, directed by Rob Marshall, wraps the Grimm Brothers fairy tales into one musical, fantasy adventure, driven by a witch (Streep) who wants to teach children – Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel – lessons.

Unbroken

Opens: December 25
Starring: Jack O’Connell
Story: Directed by Angelina Jolie, movie follows the true story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by the Japanese in World War II.

Screengrab via Paramount