Angelina Jolie in Maria, Nickel Boys, and One Hundred Years of Solitude TV adaptation top this week's Must List

Bandits on the Run's new single and a "Cult of Love" round out our picks for the weekend of Dec. 13.

Must List collage of Claudio Cataño as Aureliano in Cien Años de Soledad; Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars as Hattie in NICKEL BOYS; Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in Maria
Claudio Cataño is 'One Hundred Days of Solitude,' Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in 'Nickel Boys,' and Angelina Jolie in 'Maria'. Photo:

Netflix; Orion Pictures/Amazon Content 

I'm in denial that we've fully entered holiday season. So much to get done before the end of the year. But balancing out that seasonal stress is the fun we have as an EW staff putting together our Best & Worst package each December. The heated debates about which TV episodes, albums, movies, cancellations, scenes, Broadway shows, and more deserve discussion are the nicest Thanksgiving fights a staff could ask for. So check out all of our lists — and let us know if you agree! Even if you don't, you're still invited to Thanksgiving next year. —Patrick Gomez, Editor-in-Chief

P.S. If you want to receive the Must List in your inbox, sign up for our  "Entertainment Weekly and Awardist" newsletters. You'll receive all three each week — the trifecta of entertainment news.

Angelina Jolie in "Maria"

Angelina Jolie in Maria
Angelina Jolie in 'Maria'.

Pablo Larrain/Netflix

Angelina Jolie approaches near-perfection in Pablo Larraín's Maria Callas biopic — the third film in the director's cinematic tribute to iconic 20th-century women (following 2016's Jackie and 2021's Spencer). Her mesmerizing performance paints a moving portrait of the late soprano. Jolie's combination of natural talent and dedication to her craft (she went through seven months of voice training to play the part) is evident in every line and expression. Whether she's purring diva-worthy one-liners, belting arias, or mourning the loss of a divine gift she never asked for, Jolie is powerful, raw, and moving. —Mike Miller, Executive Editor

Read EW's Maria review

"Nickel Boys"

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars as Hattie in NICKEL BOYS
Aunjanie Ellis-Taylor in 'Nickel Boys'.

Courtesy of Orion Pictures

This adaptation of Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer-winning novel depicts two young Black boys sent to a draconian "reform" school in 1960s Florida, but it's told entirely through first-person POV. Trust us when we say you've never seen a movie like this. —Christian Holub, Senior Writer

Read EW's Nickel Boys review

"One Hundred Years of Solitude"

100 Years of Solitude
Claudio Cataño in 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'.

Netflix 

In the first true adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez's beloved novel, the epic saga of the Buendía family springs to life with gorgeous imagery and a phenomenal ensemble of a cast. With a Colombian-centered cast and crew, Netflix delivers a series the García Márquez family fully approves. —Yolanda Machado, Staff Editor

Read EW's interview with One Hundred Years of Solitude director Alex García López

Bandits on the Run's new single "Back Home"

Bandits on the Run - Back Home - Cover Art
Bandits on the Run.

Mara Rothman

The indie-folk rockers' newest single makes for the perfect addition to your holiday playlist. With soaring harmonies, rollicking banjo, and heartfelt lyrics, the trio has created an earnest track that truly feels like a warm hug, perfect for any winter wonderland. —Emlyn Travis, News Writer

"Cult of Love"

Zachary Quinto, Shailene Woodley in Cult of Love on Broadway at the Hayes Theater in New York, November 2024
Zachary Quinto and Shailene Woodley in 'Cult of Love'.

Joan Marcus

What could possibly go wrong during a family get-together at Christmas? In Leslye Headland's Broadway debut, the answer is everything. Shailene Woodley and Zachary Quinto lead an all-star cast that provides plenty of laughs and gasps along the way. —Dalton Ross, Editorial Director

Read EW's Cult of Love review

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