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Hide and Seek Thriller about a psychologist who, after his wife dies, discovers that the “make-believe” friend his daughter created is actually a real and dangerous entity. Directed by John Polson (“Swimfan”) from a screenplay by Ari Schlossberg. With Robert De Niro (“Godsend,” “Meet the Fockers”), Dakota Fanning (“Man on Fire”), Famke Janssen (“X2,” “Eulogy”), Amy Irving (“Tuck Everlasting”), Elisabeth Shue (“Hollow Man,” “Dreamer”), Dylan Baker (“Spider-Man 2,” “Kinsey”), Robert John Burke (“Connie and Carla”), James McCaffrey (“She Hate Me”) and Melissa Leo (“21 Grams”). Scope. Jan. 28. Fox.     A Love Song For Bobby Long Drama about a woman who returns to New Orleans following the death of her estranged mother. Written and directed by Shainee Gabel (the documentary “Anthem”). With Scarlett Johansson (“The Perfect Score,” “Synergy”), John Travolta (“The Punisher,” “Ladder 49”), Gabriel Macht (“The Recruit”) and Deborah Unger (“Stander,” “White Noise”). Flat. 119 min. Dec. 19 in New York and Los Angeles; wider Jan. 7. Sony.   Nobody Knows Japanese-language drama, based on a true story, about a 12-year-old forced to care for his three younger half-siblings when their young mother abandons them in their Tokyo apartment. Written and directed by Hirokazu Koreeda (“After Life”). Yûya Yagira stars as Akira. With Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura, Momoko Shimizu and Japanese TV personality YOU as the mother. Flat. 138 min. Jan. 28 in New York. IFC.     White Noise Thriller about a man who makes supernatural contact with his murdered wife. Directed by Geoffrey Sax from a screenplay by Niall Johnson. With Michael Keaton (“First Daughter”), Deborah Unger (“Thirteen,” “Stander,” “A Love Song for Bobby Long”), Ian McNeice (“Around the World in 80 Days,” “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason”), Chandra West (“The Salton Sea”), Aaron Douglas (“Catwoman”), Suzanne Ristic (“Air Bud: Golden Receiver”), Amber Rothwell (“We Don’t Live Here Anymore”), April Telek (“Walking Tall”), Miranda Frigon (TV’s “Jake 2.0”), and Anastasia Corbett (TV’s “The Days”). Jan. 7. Universal.   Les Choristes French-language drama, set in a strict boys’ reform school in the 1950s, about a new teacher’s efforts to bring positive change to students’ lives by forming them into a choir. Directed by Christophe Barratier from a screenplay by Barratier and Philippe Lopes-Curval. With Gérard Jugnot (“Grosse Fatigue”) François Berléand (“The Transporter”), Jean-Baptiste Maunier, Jacques Perrin (“Brotherhood of the Wolf”), Kad Merad, Marie Bunel (“My Life in Pink”) and Philippe Du Janerand (“The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc”). Also known as “Chorists.” Scope. 96 min. Jan. 14 in New York and Los Angeles. Miramax.     Milk and Honey Drama, set in New York City, about the misadventures of a woman trying to find her husband, who stormed out into the streets following a heated argument with her. Written and directed by Joe Maggio (“Virgil Bliss”). With Kirsten Russell (“Virgil Bliss”), Clint Jordan (“Virgil Bliss”), Eleanor Hutchins (“Margarita Happy Hour”), Greg Amici (“Virgil Bliss”), Anthony Howard and Dudley Findlay Jr. Flat. 90 min. Jan. 21 in New York. Wellspring.     Racing Stripes Live-action adventure about an abandoned zebra who, with help from his barnyard pals (and a young girl who dreams of becoming a jockey), embarks on a racing career. Directed by Frederik Du Chau (“Quest for Camelot”) from a screenplay by David Schmidt. With Hayden Panettiere (“The Dust Factory”), Bruce Greenwood (“Being Julia”), Wendie Malick (“Manna From Heaven”), Gary Bullock (“Holes”) and M. Emmet Walsh (“Christmas With the Kranks”). Featuring the voices of Dustin Hoffman, Frankie Muniz, Michael Clarke Duncan, Jeff Foxworthy and Whoopi Goldberg. PG: Mild crude humor; some language. Jan. 14. Warner Bros.     The Merchant of Venice Drama about a 16th-century Venetian who finds himself in a bind after he secures – with a pound of his own flesh – a loan from a vengeful moneylender. Based on the play by William Shakespeare (“Titus Andronicus,” “Love’s Labour’s Lost”). Written and directed by Michael Radford (“B. Monkey,” “Dancing at the Blue Iguana”). With Al Pacino (“Gigli”), Joseph Fiennes (“Enemy at the Gates,” “Luther”), Lynn Collins (“13 Going on 30”), Zuleikha Robinson (“Hidalgo”), Mackenzie Crook (“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”), Gregor Fisher (“Love Actually”) and Allan Corduner (“Vera Drake”). 138 min. Dec. 29 in New York and Los Angeles. Sony Pictures Classics.   Million Dollar Baby Drama about an ex-fighter who mentors a young woman determined to pursue a boxing career. Based on a collection of short stories by F.X. Toole. Directed by Clint Eastwood (“Blood Work,” “Mystic River”) from a screenplay by Paul Haggis (TV’s “EZ Streets”). With Eastwood (“Blood Work”), Hilary Swank (“The Core”), Morgan Freeman (“The Big Bounce,” “An Unfinished Life”), Anthony Mackie (“She Hate Me”), Margo Martindale (“It’s All About Love”) and Christina Cox (“The Chronicles of Riddick”). Also known as “Rope Burns.” Scope. Dec. 17 limited. Warner Bros.