With Finals Week leading many to become overstressed and underslept, remember, the pain is almost over. When Winter Break does finally start, a whole slew of fantastic movies will be coming to a theater near you. Here are some of the highlights of the holiday season:

“Eragon”

Dec. 15

Starring: John Malkovich,

Jeremy Irons

Based on the novel of the same name, “Eragon” is a “Lord of the Rings”-esque fantasy adventure based in the world of Alagaesia. The story starts when Eragon (Edward Speleers), a young boy, finds an egg outside his village. Out hatches Saphira, a dragon whom he keeps secret from the rest of the community. After the secret causes a great deal of turmoil for Eragon, he sets out on a journey to learn the secrets of magic and dragon-riding and thwart the evil forces in Alagaesia.

“Pursuit of Happyness”

Dec. 15

Starring: Will Smith and Jaden Smith

In this riveting true – and intentionally misspelled – story, Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, an affluent salesmen who is down on his luck. After a series of difficult circumstances, Gardner and his son (played by Will Smith’s son, Jaden) are left out in the cold with no place to go. After landing an internship at a major Wall Street brokerage firm, Gardner sees the wealth of Wall Street by day, and is left sleeping in subway stations with his son at night.

The scenes in the movie are only made more powerful by the fact that they are completely factual, including the use of the same subway bathroom Gardner and his son slept in.

“Charlotte’s Web”

Dec. 15

Starring: Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi

Based on the popular children’s book many hold dear, “Charlotte’s Web” is the story of Wilbur, a pig who is up for slaughter and won’t go peacefully into that good night. He’s befriended by Charlotte (Julia Roberts), a spider who lives in his pen, who plots with Wilbur to make sure he doesn’t become a meal. “Charlotte’s Web” features an all-star cast, including Roberts, Steve Buscemi, Dakota Fanning, John Cleese, Cedric the Entertainer, Kathy Bates, Reba McEntire, Andre Benjamin, Thomas Haden Church and Robert Redford.

“Rocky Balboa”

Dec. 20

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young

Adrrriieeen. Written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, “Rocky Balboa” starts years into Balboa’s retirement. The little-guy-that-could steps into the ring only to face insurmountable odds once again. Hard up for money, Rocky takes on bouts with a few small-time boxers to put food on the table. The intensity gets bumped up a notch, however, when Rocky gets the opportunity to face Mason “The Line” Dixon, the current heavyweight champion.

After being told he’s too old and with calcium on his joints, the media have little faith in the once great boxer.

Leave it up to his old trainer Paulie to inspire him to keep going and get the eye of the tiger. Yes, you’ve guessed it – it’s the final countdown.

“Night at the Museum”

Dec. 22

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams

“Night at the Museum” may be the only comedy this year that features important dead historic figures as comedic devices.

Bumbling Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) seemingly can’t catch a break to land the life of his dreams, but on his way there, he decides to take a low-paying night shift job as a natural museum security guard. “Jumanji” in historic form, the exhibits come to life and terrorize Daley.

Some of the reanimated artifacts include a skeleton T-Rex, a Neanderthal and pillaging Attila the Hun. Robin Williams plays Theodore Roosevelt and provides advice on how to stop the haunted museum from destroying itself. “Night at the Museum” may be comedy for history geeks like “Zoolander” was to fashionistas.

“Children of Men”

Dec. 25

Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore

In this sci-fi thriller, the human population is dwindling when all the women become infertile and science is at a loss to explain why. Set in the year 2027, a child hasn’t been born in 18 years, which sends the human population into a tailspin and divides the world into war-torn factions. With many migrating to wealthier nations, “Children of Men” is set in London, where a lone woman mysteriously gets pregnant. Theo Faron (Clive Owen) is a revolutionary who teams up with ex-wife Julian Taylor (Julianne Moore) to help protect the woman and find out her secret.

“Dreamgirls”

Dec. 25

Starring: Beyonce Knowles, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy

Based on the popular Broadway musical of the same name, “Dreamgirls” is a story about three girls from the Detroit projects who make it big as the Dreamettes. In many ways, the movie charts the problems and successes of girl groups of the ’60s such as The Supremes.

On their road to fame they meet Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), who attempts to get them heard by any means necessary. They eventually become backup singers for soul sensation James “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy) before going off on their own and become megastars. What follows is a story of internal conflict, stardom and twisted love affairs.