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'Tis the season for holiday movies

Jason Segel and Amy Adams are shown with muppet characters Walter, Kermit and Fozzie Bear in a scene from "The Muppets." Walt Disney Pictures

(CBS) The holiday season just wouldn't be the same without the flurry of movies making their way to a theater near you. The time frame between Thanksgiving and Christmas marks one of the busiest movie-going seasons, second to summer.

Pictures: Holiday films 2011

It's also a popular time for filmmakers to introduce potential Oscar contenders, leading up to the Feb. 26 Academy Awards.

This year sees everything from Muppets and vampires to chipmunks and Marilyn Monroe gracing the big screen. And of course there's a lot of 3-D, live-action, drama and comedy from which to choose.

Big-name directors Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, David Fincher and Cameron Crowe all have films rolling out before the end of 2011.

And this year, there seems to be something for everyone.

There's a few family-friendly films due out soon: "Arthur Christmas'' (Nov. 23) and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked'' (Dec. 16). Even Crowe is taking a stab at the family genre with "We Bought a Zoo,'' starring Matt Damon (Dec 23).

Also coming out this holiday season is the period drama "War Horse" (Dec. 25) and "The Iron Lady" (Dec. 30), starring Meryl Streep as former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Michelle Williams portrays another famous figure - Marilyn Monroe - in "My Week with Marilyn" (Nov. 23).

For those who enjoy film franchises, there's "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol'' (Dec. 21) and "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'' (Dec. 16).

Among the comedy options is "New Year's Eve" (Dec. 9), featuring a star-studded ensemble cast, as well as "The Sitter" (Dec. 9) with Jonah Hill.

So get your tickets early, sneak in that hot toddy and escape from the cold with a good old-fashioned holiday season movie.

Tell us: Which movies are you looking forward to seeing this holiday season?

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