THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Directed by David Fincher
Starring Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård and Robin Wright
January 4

Based on the acclaimed first part of Swedish author Stieg Larsson’s crime trilogy, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo follows Mikael Blomkvist (Craig) who is hired by 80-year-old billionaire Henrik Vanger (Plummer) to investigate the disappearance of his niece.

Mikael’s investigation leads him to the mysterious and troubled computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Mara) who helps him discover the secrets of the Vanger family.

Published a year after Larsson’s death in 2004, the novel has heavy sexual and violent themes, which are likely to be censored during the Egyptian release of this American film version.

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN
Directed by Simon Curtis
Starring Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Julia Ormond, Kenneth Branagh and Pip
Torrens
January 11

Based on the two books by Colin Clark, the film recounts the real-life story of Clark’s week with film siren Marilyn Monroe.

In the summer of 1956, Clark took up work as an assistant on the set of The Prince and the Showgirl (1957) starring Laurence Olivier and Monroe.

When Monroe’s then-husband Arthur Miller leaves the country, Clark takes the American star on a week-long British trek.

Two-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine, 2010 and Brokeback Mountain, 2005) tackles the role of Monroe while writer-director Kenneth Branagh plays his idol Olivier.

UNDERWORLD: AWAKENING
Directed by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein
Starring Kate Beckinsale, Sandrine Holt, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy and India Eisley
January 18

Looking at the box office appeal of the Twilight series and the last three Underworld films, the combination of werewolves and vampires seems to be Hollywood’s secret to success.

The fourth part of this sci-fi horror series marks the return of Kate Beckinsale who starred in the first two films as the vampire Selene.

Humans have discovered the existence of vampires and werewolves and are determined to wipe out the species. Selene must lead the battle to save her race.

WAR HORSE
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Jeremy Irvine, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, Emily Watson and David Thewlis     
January 18

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, this critically acclaimed film takes place during World War I, when the young Albert (Irvine) enlists in the army after his horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry.

Albert ends up fighting in both the British and German armies as he embarks on an extraordinary adventure.

The British novel was inspired by real-life stories of heroism told to the author by war veterans.

THE GREY
Directed by Joe Carnahan
Starring Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney, James Badge Dale, Frank Grillo and Joe Anderson
January 25

It’s man versus nature in this new thriller that reunites director Joe Carnahan with Liam Neeson after their 2010 action film The A-Team.

Neeson’s character Ottway leads a group of oil drillers struggling to survive after a plane crash leaves them stranded them in the Alaskan wilderness. A greater threat than the elements are the pack of wolves stalking the humans who have intruded on their territory.

CONTRABAND
Directed by Baltasar Kormákur
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Caleb Landry Jones, Ben Foster and Giovanni Ribisi
January 25

An action thriller remake of the Icelandic 2009 film Reykjavik-Rotterdam, Contraband explores the world of international smuggling where protagonist Chris (Wahlberg) is forced back into running contraband to settle his brother’s debt to drug lords and corrupt cops. et