It’s the season of Meryl Streep in something serious (after she had her fun this summer in “Mamma Mia”), of Tom Cruise in something thrilling, of movies made from best-sellers and hit stage plays.

The cornucopia spills forth the goodies starting today, the day before Thanksgiving and doesn’t run out until after the first of the year.

A number of holiday heavyweights will be getting limited releases in New York and L.A. and, in some cases, Seattle but won’t reach Tacoma until January. At the moment, those include “The Wrestler,” widely touted as Mickey Rourke’s triumphant comeback, and “The Reader” and “Revolutionary Road,” both starring Kate Winslet and both on the schedule of the Grand Cinema. Some of those pictures may wind up coming to town before then (release dates are always very fluid), but for the moment the 10 movies listed below look like end-of-the year best bets.

‘AUSTRALIA’ (TODAY)

Star power: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, director Baz Luhrmann.

The story: In this big-star period romance Aussies Kidman and Jackman, under the direction of fellow countryman Luhrmann (“Moulin Rouge!”), play a star-crossed couple who fall in love Down Under on the eve of World War II.

Oscar/blockbuster potential: It looks like a return to old-fashioned big-screen moviemaking with larger-than-life characters falling into each other’s arms in splendidly scenic settings. Toss in some war footage (the 1942 Japanese air attack on the port city of Darwin) and hey, could Luhrmann be aiming for an Australian counterpart to “Gone with the Wind”? Sure seems like it. It’s a gamble though, because lately Kidman hasn’t exactly been box-office dynamite. She starred in three movies in 2007, “The Invasion,” “Margo at the Wedding” and “The Golden Compass,” and all, particularly “Compass,” bombed badly. But Lurhmann, who last worked with her on 2001’s “Moulin Rouge!” is a daring visual stylist and storyteller, so this could mark a turnaround for his glamorous star.

‘FROST/NIXON’ (DEC. 12 IN SEATTLE)

Star power: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, director Ron Howard.

The story: David Frost’s historic 1977 interviews with the disgraced Richard Nixon and the events leading up to them are dramatized by Howard and screenwriter Peter Morgan (“The Queen”), who wrote the play on which the movie is based.

Oscar/blockbuster potential: This one has “Oscar bait” written all over it. An acclaimed play as source material. The original actors who performed the roles in that production (Langella won the Tony for his Nixon) back to re-create them for the cameras. Oscar-winner Howard behind the camera. Oscar loves that kind of thing. Expect significant nominations.

‘MILK’ (DEC. 12 AT GRAND CINEMA)

Star power: Sean Penn, director Gus Van Sant.

The story: The rise to prominence and assassination of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California, are the subject of this powerful biopic. Penn plays Milk and Josh Brolin plays his assassin, fellow San Francisco Supervisor Dan White.

Oscar/blockbuster potential: Penn looks like a shoo-in for a best actor nomination. Van Sant has to be considered a strong contender for a best director nod.

‘THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL’ (DEC. 12)

Star power: Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly.

The story: “Klaatu barda nikto,” y’all. And yes, published reports have none other than Reeves himself assuring us that that signature line will be in the remake of Robert Wise’s ’50s sci-fi classic. Reeves plays the alien Klaatu who comes to Earth to tell humanity to stop its self-destructive ways or face annihilation from judgmental extraterrestrials. And if we don’t comply? Why, then his robot buddy Gort will put mankind in a world of zap-ray hurt.

Oscar/blockbuster potential: Oscars? Nah. Although, come to think of it, Oscar himself does bear a sort-of resemblance to Gort. Separated at birth? But if the special effects are cool and Reeves successfully channels his otherworldly nature into his alien alter ego, this one could be big.

‘SEVEN POUNDS’ (DEC. 19)

Star power: Will Smith.

The story: Smith plays a tormented IRS agent who seeks personal redemption by helping seven strangers.

Oscar/blockbuster potential: Never, I repeat, never underestimate the box-office appeal of Will Smith. If he could turn a downer tale of a post-apocalyptic Earth in which he strangles a beloved dog and later commits suicide into a gigantic hit (“I Am Legend” grossed $256 million domestically), then he is good as gold in just about anything. Details are sketchy about his latest movie, which is very serious in tone. But fans are sure to show up in big numbers to see it.

‘YES MAN’ (DEC. 19)

Star power: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel.

The story: Carrey’s latest comedy has him playing a guy who decides to change his life by saying “yes” to everything and everyone.

Oscar/blockbuster potential: Sounds a little like “Liar Liar,” where Carrey played a lying lawyer who couldn’t tell a fib for a full day. That one was hysterical. We can only hope this new one is another all-out assault on audience funny bones.

‘THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON’ (DEC. 25)

Star power: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton and director David Fincher (“Se7en”).

The story: Brad Pitt plays the title character, a man who ages backward. Based on a 1922 short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, this seems kind of like a “Picture of Dorian Gray” in reverse. Pitt’s character is born an old man and ends up as a little kid. This condition creates quite a few problems for him, not least of which is its effect on his relationship with the woman he loves, played by Blanchett.

Oscar/blockbuster potential: With those stars and that director, this one practically screams “quality!” Could be a big contender for Oscar honors at year’s end.

‘MARLEY & ME’ (DEC. 25)

Star power: Luke Wilson and an adorable dog.

The story: A neurotic but lovable Labrador retriever steals the hearts of a newspaper columnist, his wife and their kids.

Oscar/blockbuster potential: A tearjerker starring a dog? I mean, really. Who can resist a rambunctious pooch with big soulful eyes? Long a fixture on The New York Times best-seller list (it was at No. 2 on the paperback list a few weeks ago, this tale, published in 2005, has a presold audience. Pardon me, I have to call my broker and have him buy up all the shares in Kleenex he can lay his hands on. I’ll make a fortune.

‘DOUBT’ (DEC. 25 AT GRAND CINEMA)

Star power: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams.

The story: Streep plays a nun who suspects that a priest, played by Hoffman, is a pedophile. John Patrick Shanley, who wrote the Pulitzer-winning play, adapted and directed the movie derived from it.

Oscar/blockbuster potential: Another honored stage play gives rise to another Oscar magnet. With Oscar winners Streep and Hoffman in the main roles, there’s little doubt that “Doubt” will catch the eye of a certain golden guy.

‘VALKYRIE’ (DEC. 26)

Star power: Tom Cruise, director Bryan Singer (“X-Men,” “X2”).

The story: It’s a true one. On July 20, 1944, German officer and aristocrat Col. Claus von Stauffenberg tried to assassinate Adolf Hitler with a bomb concealed in a briefcase. Cruise plays the would-be assassin.

Oscar/blockbuster potential: The release date of this one has bounced all around the calendar, from July of this year to October then to President’s Day of 2009, until finally it appears to have settled on Dec. 26. Usually that’s a bad sign, indicating a studio doesn’t have confidence in a picture The fact “Valkyrie” underwent extensive reshoots also added to the bad buzz. But the late word is that test screenings have met with such positive responses that studio suits think they’ve got a hit on their hands and so have plunked the picture down in the prime Christmastime slot.

Soren Andersen: 253-597-8660

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