Get your first look at 'War for the Planet of the Apes' and the 'Doctor Who' Christmas special

Get your first look at ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ and the ‘Doctor Who’ Christmas special

Woody Harrelson, Judy Greer and Andy Serkis star in “War for the Planet of the Apes.”

Dec. 9, 2016 9:20 AM PT

It’s a very happy Friday for people looking to distract themselves from the slow march toward the end of the year, as the Internet is abuzz with new trailers for television and film projects alike.

In addition to the trailer for “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” fans also got first looks at both the next film in the rebooted “Planet of the Apes” series, “War for the Planet of the Apes,” as well as a sneak peek at what Peter Capaldi is up to in this year’s “Doctor Who” Christmas special.

“War for the Planet of the Apes” continues the tale of super-intelligent ape Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his war of survival with humans. This time he faces off against a sinister colonel (Woody Harrelson), who leads the human forces.

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The vibe is much less intense in the trailer for “The Return of Doctor Mysterio,” this year’s “Doctor Who” Christmas special, which brings the Doctor (Capaldi) to New York City and pairs him with a masked superhero known only as the Ghost.

Not only will the Doctor have to contend with a generic caped crusader (and, one assumes, traffic snarls around Trump Tower), but there’s also a crop of brain-swapping aliens looming and they’re surely up to no good.

If those trailers were not enough, there’s the promise of the first trailer for “Fast 8,” due Dec. 11.

“War for the Planet of the Apes” is set to debut in theaters July 14, and the “Doctor Who” Christmas special will air in Britain on Christmas Day.