December can be a strange month for new movie releases, filled with highly-anticipated Oscar bait, seasonal offerings, and straight-to-streaming films with little publicity. This year, however, December is serving science fiction and fantasy fans a delightful combination of movies they've been waiting years for and ones they didn't know they needed.

With Avatar: The Way of Water on everyone's minds, it's sure to be the focal point of genre offerings this month. Alongside the return to Pandora that fans have waited over a decade for are the film version of Matilda the Musical, a return to the beloved Shrek character Puss in Boots, and the adaptation of Pinocchio that fans really wanted. Additionally, genre fans get a slew of streaming offerings covering everything from a high school Sixth Sense to an American Attack the Block. Here are all the science-fiction and fantasy movies to watch out for this December.

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Deal With High School and Ghosts in Darby and the Dead

With a very different vibe from the other genre fare this month, Hulu's Darby and the Dead doles out a teen supernatural comedy this winter. For Darby, being able to talk to the dead and help them move on isn't anywhere near as trying a task as surviving high school. When her bully (Moana's Auli'i Cravalho) dies and starts haunting her, Darby must fulfill the popular girl's final wish to finally gain some peace. Equal parts Sixth Sense and Mean Girls, Darby and the Dead promises some spooky coming-of-age drama with genre flare.

Catch Darby and the Dead premiering Dec. 2 on Hulu.

Guillermo del Toro Delivers a Dark, Imaginative Take on Pinocchio

For the second time this year, viewers will be treated to a big-screen adaptation of the classic story of Pinocchio. This time around, however, the master of horror, Guillermo del Toro, is at the helm of the puppet's story. In breathtaking stop-motion, del Toro takes viewers through the tale of the wooden boy, guided by love, who sets off on wild adventures to become a real boy. With a star-studded cast, including Ewan McGregor, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Ron Perlman, and Finn Wolfhard, del Toro's adaptation has already captured critics' attention more than Disney's live-action version ever did, and the dark tale is sure to be a draw for genre fans.

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio hits Netflix on Dec. 9.

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Return to the Night Shift in Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again

The beloved Night at the Museum franchise gets a whole new look with the latest installment. Kahmunrah Rises Again re-imagines the fantastical world of a museum that comes to life at night -- this time, in animation. Night Guard Larry hands the keys to the museum over to his son, Nick, for the summer. When Nick forgets to lock the basement, King Kahmunrah escapes from storage, and the night guard and his band of wax dummies and dioramas-come-to-life will have to set everything right again. Though missing the cast of the original movie, Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again looks to draw on much of the magic that made it work, delivering comedy with a message of coming together. For fans of the first Night at the Museum and audiences looking for a little humor, Kahmunrah Rises Again will be a great addition.

Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again hits Disney+ on Dec. 9.

Avatar: The Way of Water Finds a New Side of Pandora

Probably the most highly-anticipated movie on this list, Avatar: The Way of Water, brings viewers back to the world of Pandora. Years after the events of Avatar, Jake Sully and his family, including his wife Neytiri and their children, are faced with new dangers and must work to protect each other. Neither the trailer nor the press associated with the movie has given much of the plot away, but that almost doesn't matter. Part of the draw of Avatar was its stunning CG and worldbuilding, something that the sequel is clearly leaning into. Ready to explore an entirely new world under the sea, Avatar: The Way of Water is sure to deliver stunning fantasy in an emotional story like only director James Cameron can.

Avatar: The Way of Water arrives in theaters on Dec. 16.

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Return to Shrek With Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

The Shrek spinoff Puss in Boots: The Last Wish continues the adventures of the titular feline as he tries to retire. On the last of his nine lives, Puss in Boots sets off in search of the wishing star to get his lives back, so he can enjoy life like he's used to. He's not alone, however -- joined on this journey by his former nemesis Kitty Softpaws, Puss will face off against other fairy tale characters who want the wish just as much as he does. Surprisingly well-received so far, this sequel to the spinoff of the long-running fantasy series may find its way into audiences' hearts this month.

Catch Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in theaters on Dec. 21.

Matilda the Musical Delivers Imagination

The film version of the musical adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl story Matilda will finally see a US release this month. Matilda, a young girl whose family refuses to understand and support her, is sent off to a school for troubled youths with a cruel headmistress. Forced to take care of herself, Matilda develops not only a wonderful imagination and love of math but also the power of telekinesis. With the help of friends she makes and the support of one truly good teacher, Matilda takes on both the terrible school and her family in an uplifting and hopeful story. The 1988 book, 1996 film, and 2013 musical were all tremendous successes, and the filmed version of the musical is sure to be just as delightful.

Matilda the Musical's limited theatrical release starts on Dec. 9. The film begins streaming on Dec. 25 on Netflix.

Uncover a Conspiracy in They Cloned Tyrone

To round out the month (and the year), the sci-fi/mystery/comedy They Cloned Tyrone takes viewers deep into the heart of a government conspiracy. An unlikely trio finds itself embroiled in an experiment and must work together to uncover who's in charge and free themselves. With little revealed in the teasers so far, the pulpy caper is keeping its cards close to its chest. However, with John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx bringing the world to life and Juel Taylor at the helm, They Cloned Tyrone promises to be a must-watch take on a sci-fi mystery.

They Cloned Tyrone premieres on Netflix on Dec. 30.