10 Most Anticipated End of Year Movies.

Even though summer has been to a close, there are plenty of great movies coming your way by the end of 2009. We have compiled the best of the best movies that you should look forward to in the last 3 months of the year. From vampires to alien species to redemption to zombies, here are the top 10 most anticipated end of the year movies.

Disclaimer – We aren’t counting necessary sequels like “Saw VI” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks : The Squeakquel” because they will never live up to the originals. And some of these movies may be delayed here in the U.A.E to next year.

Let’s count them down after the jump!

10. This Is It

What it’s about – ‘Michael Jackson’s This Is It’ will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place beginning this summer in London’s O2 Arena.

Why you should watch it – After the untimely death of the King of Pop, everybody’s last chance to ever see Michael Jackson performing on a stage as close to a live performance is going to be “This is It”. Comprising of his final rehearsal footage for his comeback tour, this will be a landmark in music as well as a timely tribute to the greatest artist ever lived, and reports of sellouts everywhere means it’s a must see event globally.

9. A Christmas Carol

What it’s about – Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman) and his cheery nephew (Colin Firth). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it’s too late.

Why you should watch it – The presence of multiple Jim Carreys in one movie should be enough incentive. But other than that, visionary director Robert Zemeckis is back with another groundbreaking motion-capture fable that is bound to captivate audiences due to a much better and fluid animation (not to mention impressive 3D) that looks much more lively than “The Polar Express”. Also, the trailer is stunning to say the least.

8. Law Abiding Citizen

What it’s about – “Law Abiding Citizen” follows a successful assistant D.A. (Butler) who finds himself at the center of a vigilante plot hatched by a traumatized victim of the legal system (Foxx). Foxx’s character is devastated to learn that, because of a plea bargain, one of his wife and daughter’s murderers will be set free. So he unleashes revenge on the killers and those who made the deal.

Why you should watch it – It’s not all fun and games on the list, and this revenge thriller boasts one of the finest action trailers of the year. Gerald Butler is back in form in what looks to be his most memorable role after ’300′ and the matchup against Jamie Foxx is bound to be landmark. I’ve heard from sources and people who have read the script that this is not your usual revenge thriller like “Death Sentence”, and they really take things up a few notches here.

7. The Twilight Saga : New Moon

What it’s about – In “New Moon,” Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is devastated by the abrupt departure of her vampire love Edward (Robert Pattinson) but her spirit is rekindled by her growing friendship with the irresistible Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Suddenly she finds herself drawn into the world of the werewolves, ancestral enemies of the vampires, and she finds her loyalties tested.

Why you should watch it – Whever your reaction to the first film was, we can all agree that this one looks much better in all aspects. With a bigger budget, it boasts powerful visuals and crisp action scenes and a whole host of new characters bound to satisfy the fans, and even the non-fans. Guys usually don’t like this series, and that’s why new director Chris Weitz has promised that the movie is much more “guy-friendly” this time around. He directed “American Pie”, so we believe him.

6. 2012

What it’s about – Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. “2012″ is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

Why you should watch it – If you’re looking for the ultimate disaster movie this year, I don’t think any movie ever is going to top the antics in 2012. Just have a look at the trailer, which features more effects than a number of movies combined. Roland Emmerich, director of other such disaster movies, is bound to take things further this time and this is a cinema experience for sure. Escapist cinema at it’s very best.

5. Zombieland

What it’s about – “Zombieland” revolves around a mismatched pair of survivors who find friendship and redemption in a world overrun by zombies. Woody Harrelson plays one of the men, a zombie fighter named Albuquerque.

Why you should watch it – A zombie comedy, you say? This is clearly America’s answer to the masterpiece of the zomb-com genre “Shaun of the Dead”, and the stellar reviews say that it succeeds. Other than an unbashedly fun approach to the zombie mania if the trailer is any indication, what could be more fun than living in a world overrun by fat zombies?

4. The Lovely Bones

What it’s about – Based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, and directed by Oscar® winner Peter Jackson from a screenplay by Jackson & Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens, “The Lovely Bones” centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family – and her killer – from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal.

Why you should watch it – This is clearly director Peter Jackson’s return to form and is one of the biggest contenders to sweep next year’s Oscars. An award-winning cast and source material so talked about, the movie is set to be a very fantastical and visual experience not to be missed, if the trailer is any indication.

3. Where The Wild Things Are

What it’s about – “Where the Wild Things Are” follows the adventure of Max (Max Records), a mischievous young boy who is sent to his room after rebelling against his mother (Catherine Keener). Max’s imagination is free to roam, and it soon transports him to a thriving forest bordering a vast sea. Delighted, he sets sail for the land of the Wild Things, where mischief reigns and Max rules.

Why you should watch it – This troubled production of bringing a beloved children’s book to life has finally come to fruition. The brilliant visuals and one of the most emotional trailers of the year assure us that this will be one fantasy ride not to miss. Spike Jonze is at the top of his game, and if the movie scores, it could be one of the highest earners of the year.

2. Sherlock Holmes

What it’s about – In a dynamic new portrayal of Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous characters, “Sherlock Holmes” sends Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.

Why you should watch it – Casting Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes was a winning move if there ever was one. In this new spin on the fable, master director Guy Ritchie is aiming for an action-comedy oriented spin as well as an origin story. An engaging trailer with Sherlock Holmes doing what he does best, along with Jude Law and Rachel McAdams to go, this one is a Christmas must-see.

1. Avatar

What it’s about - In the future, Jake, a paraplegic war veteran is brought to another planet, Pandora, which is inhabited by the Na’vi, a humanoid race with their own language and culture. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other and the local culture.

Why you should watch it – Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, every moviegoer has heard the word “Avatar”. And for good reason too. Consider the following words : director “James Cameron”. The man who brought us Titanic, Terminator and Aliens. The Oscar-winning director is back after 12 years with another epic sci-fi tale that is bound to revolutionize cinema. With next generation CGI and a new line of 3D cameras built by Cameron just for this movie and is gaining attention by every director on earth, this massive budgeted event film is a must see on IMAX 3D by anyone looking for one of the best theatrical experiences of the decade.

Honorable Mentions – Up In the Air, The Fourth Kind, A Serious Man, The Road.

So there you go. The eyear is ending with a bang, with possibly a better slate of movies to offer than this year’s summer.

What looks like a must-see for you? Anything we missed?