The movies opening this season generally fit into one of three categories: awards bait, high-profile literary adaptations or blockbusters with big-name stars. Check out what will be gracing the silver screen over the next two months.

"Before the Devil Knows You're Dead"

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke play brothers who rob their father's jewelry store and end up suffering the dire consequences. Marisa Tomei and Albert Finney co-star in the drama, which is shaping up to be one of the best-reviewed films of the year. (Nov. 16)

"Beowulf"

Robert Zemeckis ("The Polar Express") adapts the classic story of man versus a goliath using motion-captured animation. Angelina Jolie, Ray Winstone and Anthony Hopkins star, and based on the trailers, their animated counterparts look eerily similar to their real-life personas. (Nov. 16)

"Love in the Time of Cholera"

The classic novel by Gabriel García Márquez about a man who must wait a half a century to win a woman's heart gets the big screen treatment. The cast includes Academy Award nominees Javier Bardem and Catalina Sandino Moreno. (Nov. 16)

"Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium"

Dustin Hoffman and a short-haired Natalie Portman headline the most unfortunately titled film of the year. The G-rated fantasy tells the story of a toy story that comes to life, from director Zach Helm (screenwriter of "Stranger than Fiction"). (Nov. 16)

"Margot at the Wedding"

Nicole Kidman plays a woman who greatly disapproves of her sister's (Jennifer Jason Leigh) new fiancé (Jack Black.) The film reportedly employs extremely dark humor, not surprising considering its director (Noah Baumbach, who directed 2005's "The Squid and the Whale"). (Limited Nov. 16)

"No Country for Old Men"

Joel and Ethan Coen ("Fargo", "The Big Lebowski") adapt Cormac McCarthy's novel in what is guaranteed to be one of the best films of the year. Josh Brolin stars as a man who discovers $2 million among dead bodies and a stash of heroin. When he takes the money, it leads a sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones) and a psychopathic killer (Javier Bardem) on his trail. (Limited Nov. 16)

"I'm Not There"

Six different actors (including Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale and Heath Ledger) either portray Bob Dylan at different points in his life, or are characters inspired by Bob Dylan. Judging from the trailer, the movie looks to be one of the most artistic of the year. (Nov. 21)

"Enchanted"

Amy Adams ("Catch Me If You Can") stars as an animated princess thrown into a live action world by a wicked witch (Susan Sarandon) in this throwback to old Disney fairy tales, complete with original songs to boot. (Nov. 21.)

"The Mist"

Frank Darabont directs his third Stephen King adaptation (after "The Shawshank Redemption" and "The Green Mile"). This one leaves the confines of a prison in favor of a supermarket, where an entire town has gathered to take shelter from a mysterious mist that has blanketed the season. Unlike "Saw", "The Mist" looks like it will provide genuine thrills. (Nov. 21)

"The Savages"

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney portray estranged brother and sisters forced to reunite to deal with their father's impending death in this comedy/drama. With Hoffman and Linney as its leads, "The Savages" should be one of the finest-acted movies of the year. (Limited Nov. 28)

"Awake"

Two actors of questionable talent (Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba) top line a psychological thriller about a man who is awake during open-heart surgery and convinced his doctors are trying to kill him. (Nov. 30)

"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"

"Diving Bell" is a French true story about a man named Jean-Dominque Bauby who is left paralyzed in his entire body save for his left eye after suffering a horrific stroke. Its touchy subject matter is similar in theme to "The Sea Inside" and should be one to watch this winter. (Limited Nov. 30)

"Juno"

"Juno" is the year's most-likely-to-be-a-big-hit independent movie. The films tells the story of a young woman (Ellen Page, "X-Men 3") who is unintentionally impregnated by a classmate (Michael Cera, "Superbad") and decides to give the baby up for adoption to an adoring couple (Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner). (Limited Dec. 5)

"Atonement"

"Atonement" is a complex tale that focuses on Briony Tallis (to be played by three actresses in the film over the course of her life), a young girl who falsely accuses her sister's (Keira Knightley) secret lover (James McAvoy) of a crime that causes unintended repercussions for the rest of her life. The romantic drama already looks to be a Best Picture frontrunner. (Limited Dec. 7)

"The Golden Compass"

Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, among others, headline the first installment of Philip Pullman's beloved "His Dark Materials" trilogy. The first chapter, "The Golden Compass," centers on a young girl named Lyra who must travel to a parallel universe to save her friend. "Compass" should be, at the very least, visually spectacular. (Dec. 7)

"I Am Legend"

Will Smith is the last human left after a plague wipes out everyone on the planet. But he's also being hunted by carnivorous beings that only come out at night. The plot sounds and looks dumb (and overtly similar to "28 Days Later"), but Smith should be able to make it entertaining. (Dec. 14)

"The Kite Runner"

Khaled Hosseini's wildly popular novel comes to life after numerous delays. Directed by Marc Forster ("Finding Neverland"), "Runner" is the story of two friends torn apart by circumstance in Afghanistan. (Dec. 14)

"National Treasure: Book of Secrets"

Nicolas Cage returns for the sequel, this time on the hunt for the book of secrets hoping to exonerate his great-great grandfather from his rumored involvement in Abraham Lincoln's assassination. "Secrets" will most likely please those who have never opened a history book, and make those who have weep. (Dec. 21)

"P.S. I Love You"

Hilary Swank stars in her third movie this year (the other two are not worth remembering), this time a romantic comedy about a recently widowed woman who finds her husband left her tapes, letters and instructions to help her with her grief. Gerard Butler and Lisa Kudrow co-star. (Dec. 21)

"Sweeney Todd"

Tim Burton enlists regulars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter for this adaptation of the macabre Broadway musical about a demonic barber hell bent on revenge after his forced separation from his family. "Sweeney" should be visually stunning, but based on the trailer, Depp's singing voice is less than spectacular. (Dec. 21)

"Walk Hard"

John C. Reilly and Jenna Fischer ("The Office") star in this hilarious-looking spoof of "Walk the Line," with Reilly as Dewey Cox, an up-and-coming musician who gains and loses stardom before winning the love of his life. It's about time someone parodied the music biopic cliche. (Dec. 21)

"The Bucket List"

Screen legends Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman unite as two men nearing death who decide to depart on one last road trip before they 'kick the bucket.' (Limited Dec. 25)

"Charlie Wilson's War"

Mike Nichols directs one of the best casts of the year (Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams) in a true story about a Texas Congressman's involvement with bringing down the Soviet empire. (Dec. 25)

"The Great Debaters"

Denzel Washington directs and stars in this story about a coach who turns a middling debate team into a national championship contender in racially segregated 1930s America. (Dec. 25)

"There Will Be Blood"

Prolific director Paul Thomas Anderson ("Boogie Nights," "Magnolia") tackles his most ambitious project to date: an adaptation of Upton Sinclair's novel "Oil!", starring Daniel Day-Lewis as an ambitiously greedy businessman in early 20th century America. (Limited Dec. 26)