Enlarge Sony Pictures License to thrill again: Daniel Craig and Gemma Arterton in Quantum of Solace. While the prestige pictures profess class, other movies will be collecting most of the cash. Fun tends to out-gross art at the box office, so USA TODAY takes a look at the most promising populist fare. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa / Nov. 7 Why we're watching: Our favorite talking zoo animals are always good for a family outing. This time around, the animals (voiced by Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer and Chris Rock, among others) try to leave Madagascar, only to find themselves in Africa — and struggling to segue from zoo life to wildlife. MOVIE SEASON DRAMA: The Oscar race is all over the place PRESTIGE FILMS: Cinema gets serious, hopes for Oscar Role Models / Nov. 7 Why we're watching: Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott as partying, womanizing youth mentors is funny enough, but 12-year-old Bobb'e J. Thompson's turn as a foul-mouthed kid could upstage them both — and make it the Superbad of the season. Quantum of Solace / Nov. 14 Why we're watching: James Bond has always been a tad predictable, but it looks as if this installment is going to shake, not stir, things up. Gone are the catchphrases (including "Bond, James Bond") as Daniel Craig's 007 takes a cue from Jason Bourne in his pursuit of the man behind the death of the woman he loved. Twilight / Nov. 21 Why we're watching: The holidays are already special for fans of this wildly popular book series by Stephenie Meyer about young vampires in love. Kristen Stewart plays Bella Swan, the teen who falls in love with Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), a hunk who has it all: athleticism, good night vision, youth — he hasn't aged since 1918. Four Christmases / Nov. 26 Why we're watching: Because about the only thing better than getting together with relatives over the holiday season is escaping them. And this story of a couple (Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon) cornered into having four Christmases also has a boffo supporting cast that includes Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek. The Day the Earth Stood Still / Dec. 12 Why we're watching: Sci-fi remakes can be a mixed bag, but if this retelling of the 1951 classic about an alien who visits Earth with his robot pal can re-create some of the magic Steven Spielberg did with War of the Worlds, then star Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly will help keep box-office grosses from standing still. The Tale of Despereaux / Dec. 19 Why we're watching: This children's book adaptation about three unlikely heroes — a misfit mouse who loves books as much as cheese, a rat who yearns for the great outdoors, and a bumbling servant girl with cauliflower ears — might seem a tad too esoteric for a family cartoon. But so did Ratatouille, and that has become a classic. Yes Man / Dec. 19 Why we're watching: Any time Jim Carrey can't keep his trap shut (Liar Liar; Me, Myself & Irene), it usually brings out the best in the frenetic comedian. So this story of a social dud who decides to say "yes" to everything could be right up his alley. Bedtime Stories / Dec. 25 Why we're watching: Whenit comes to cinematic gravitas, it doesn't get much lighter than Adam Sandler. This story about a hotel handyman whose lavish bedtime stories come to life should be a break from fall's heavy movies — particularly with a supporting cast that includes Keri Russell, Guy Pearce and Courteney Cox. Marley & Me / Dec. 25 Why we're watching: Because it's overflowing with cute, from stars Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson to the nine Labrador retrievers who play the naughty and neurotic dog. If The Devil Wears Prada director David Frankel can capture any of the magic of John Grogan's book, moviegoers may want to bring more than a few tissues. The Spirit / Dec. 25 Why we're watching: Comic-book movies ruled the summer, so why not the yuletide season as well? Gabriel Macht is rookie cop Denny Colt, who returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a New York crime fighter who tackles New York City's meanest. Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson also star. Valkyrie / Dec. 26 Why we're watching: Sure, this Tom Cruise World War II story has had re-shoots, release date changes and a marketing overhaul. (MGM has been asking the media to take it out of Oscar consideration.) But Cruise and director Bryan Singer make a tantalizing combination in this story of the final plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more