Guide to the biggest year-end movies

Now that the bombs of summer have dropped, moviegoers can settle in for an autumn filled with high-quality, Oscar-worthy entertainment.

Right?

Well, here's hoping. The promotional campaigns and advance word-of-mouth around some of the biggest year-end movies seem to be generating as much skepticism as excitement. Meryl Streep playing Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady" certainly sounds like an Oscar gimme, but the trailers reveal a funny-voiced impersonation bordering on a "Saturday Night Live" skit. David Fincher's "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" may appeal to fans of the gritty Swedish crime novel (and the popular Swedish 2009 film), but it also risks coming off as a slick, Hollywoodized version. And although Steven Spielberg's name usually spells blockbuster, early reviews of his motion-capture film "The Adventures of Tintin" have ranged from "splendid" to "cretinous."

There are few guarantees in life, and even fewer at the box office, but some of the safer bets may be the Gary Oldman thriller "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," already a critical favorite in England; "The Muppets," which seems to be riding a nostalgia-driven wave of goodwill; and "The Artist," a black-and-white silent film -- yes, silent -- that is shaping up as a bona fide crowd-pleaser.

Here's your guide to the holiday season's 20 biggest and buzziest movies -- and maybe some good ones, too.

The first half of Stephenie Meyer's notorious final "Twilight" novel hits the screen, with Bella (Kristen Stewart) violently consummating her love for vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) and enduring a monstrous pregnancy. Bill Condon ("Dreamgirls") directs.

A sequel to the Oscar-winning 2006 cartoon, with Elijah Wood returning as the voice of Mumble, the dancing penguin, and this time he has a son. With Robin Williams, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon.

The latest from Aardman Animations ("Flushed Away") depicts Santa's North Pole headquarters as a high-tech operation. With the voices of James McAvoy and Hugh Laurie.

Writer-producer-star Jason Segel relaunches the franchise with the old gang (Kermit, Miss Piggy), a new Muppet (Walter) and several secret celebrity cameos. With Amy Adams and Chris Cooper.

An adaptation of the memoir by Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), a production assistant who spent time with Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) while filming 1957's "The Prince and the Showgirl." Kenneth Branagh plays Monroe's co-star, Laurence Olivier.

It's French, black and white, and silent, but this unlikely crowd-pleaser about two 1920s film stars (Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo) seems headed for Oscar buzz. With John Goodman and James Cromwell.

Steven Spielberg directs this motion-capture version of the popular "Tintin" comics about an intrepid young reporter and his faithful dog, Snowy. (Peter Jackson is its producer.) With the voices of Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig and Andy Serkis.

A boy (Thomas Horn) scours Manhattan for clues about his father (Tom Hanks), who died on 9/11. Based on Jonathan Safran Foer's novel and directed by Stephen Daldry ("The Reader"). With Sandra Bullock, James Gandolfini and Viola Davis.

Meryl Streep plays Margaret Thatcher, the first and still only female prime minister of the United Kingdom. With Jim Broadbent and Richard E. Grant ("Withnail and I"). Directed by Phyllida Lloyd ("Mamma Mia!").

10 more to keep in mind

Remember the star-packed rom-com "Valentine's Day"? This follow-up features Halle Berry, Jon Bon Jovi, Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher et al.

After a serious turn in "Moneyball," Jonah Hill returns to his comedic roots as an irresponsible baby-sitter. David Gordon Green ("Pineapple Express") directs.

(Dec. 16)

The animated Chipmunks and Chipettes take a luxury cruise but end up stranded on a remote island. With the voice talents of Justin Long and Christina Applegate.

Angelina Jolie makes her writing and directing debut with a Balkan love story about a Serbian soldier (Goran Kostic) and one of his captives (Zana Marjanovic).