Two Hollywood releases from very different genres are set to arrive in Dhaka cinemas on the same day this Christmas. The new instalment of the "Anaconda" franchise and the animated feature "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants" will both be released in the capital on December 25.

The films will be screened at Star Cineplex, coinciding with their international holiday releases.

"Anaconda"

The latest "Anaconda" film revisits the long-running franchise with a new storyline. The plot follows a group of middle-aged individuals facing personal crises who decide to reboot the old "Anaconda" movie. In an unusual turn, they bring a real anaconda for the shoot, which later dies. The group then ventures into a jungle, where they encounter a mysterious creature unlike anything previously known.

Directed by Tom Gormican, the horror-comedy stars Paul Rudd, Jack Black and Steve Zahn, among others. The film is set for a worldwide release on December 25.

"The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants"

Animation fans also have reason to celebrate. "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants", the latest film based on the popular animated series "The SpongeBob SquarePants", was released internationally on December 19 and is now making its way to Bangladeshi theatres.

In the film, SpongeBob comes face to face with the Flying Dutchman and embarks on a deep-sea adventure in search of his lost pet snail, Gary. The journey takes him into the depths of the ocean aboard a spacecraft, where he must confront villains including the Flying Dutchman.

The film earned $5.6 million on its opening day, signalling strong audience interest.

With both a horror-comedy reboot and a family-friendly animated adventure arriving together, Dhaka moviegoers will have contrasting cinematic choices this holiday season.