Six months of strikes are over, ushering in the start of the holiday season. But for movie buffs, the most thrilling part of the year seems to have passed.

Surprisingly, the remainder of 2023 lacks that inescapable, must-watch cinematic extravaganza. While there are undoubtedly some promising films yet to be unveiled, including the intriguing Poor Things from Searchlight on December 8, starring Emma Stone, along with The Holdovers, Napoleon, and Maestro set for wide release, there’s a sense that the massive, game-changing excitement that usually accompanies these seasons is missing.

The Color Purple and Ferrari are expected to sprinkle Christmas cheer, catering to the once-a-year crowd, as the sophisticated American Fiction from Amazon MGM tantalizes those with nuanced sensibilities.

Amid these, the lineup offers a mix of popcorn flicks: Trolls, a Hunger Games sequel, Wish, Beyoncé, and Aquaman. While not lacking in variety, there’s a distinct absence of that one explosive, audience-redefining cinematic experience that was felt during the premieres of Barbie and Oppenheimer earlier this year.

It’s a far cry from last year’s setup when groundbreaking films like Everything Everywhere All At Once and Top Gun: Maverick kicked off the year with a bang, followed by a roster of sequels and moderate Oscar contenders. This year, the latter part lacks that compelling disruptor to truly stir the audience’s imagination, leaving a void in the year’s movie timeline.

The past holidays used to promise far more excitement, before the influence of COVID-19 and the reshaping of streaming services. Studios once took more significant risks with ambitious, game-changing pictures that didn’t just seek attention but demanded it.

The original Avatar and The Artist were excellent examples, both daring and disruptive in their own right, offering unique movie experiences. Not so long ago, films like The Wolf of Wall Street and American Sniper shocked the audience during the holidays, leaving a thrilling unpredictability that made this season the highlight of the movie year.

The movies set out to disrupt the narrative space, shaking the audience out of the usual genre mold, and ensuring the holiday season was a truly adventurous and enjoyable time for film lovers.