'Labor Day' Release Date: Film to Open Jan. 31; One Week Oscar Qualifying Release on Dec. 27

Paramount has announced that Jason Reitman's new film "Labor Day" will be released on Dec. 27 for a one week qualifying release.

Originally scheduled for a Christmas day release, Paramount has decided to delay the release by two days. The company has also decided to open the film for one week to get an Oscar qualifying run and later re-open the movie on Jan. 31.

The studio explained the reason for the switch was due to the crowded slate of films being released on Christmas day, which will see the launch of five wide releases including Paramount's "The Wolf of Wall Street," Universal's "47 Ronin," "Open Road's "Believe," Fox's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" and Warner Bros.' "Grudge Match." Additionally, four Oscar contenders will be released in limited theaters including The Weinstein Company's "One Chance" and "August: Osage County," Sony's "The Invisible Woman and Universal's "Lone Survivor."

"Labor Day" was originally slated to open on Christmas Day and slowly roll out and expand. However, given the lack of Oscar buzz and mixed reviews out of the Toronto Film Festival, Paramount thinks a Jan. 31 wide release will allow the movie to get attention.

"Labor Day" is not the first film to get a one week Oscar qualifying release. Disney recently unveiled "The Wind Rise," for one week and will later release it in February. Other films that have gotten the same treatment include Oscilloscope's "We Need to Talk About Kevin," New Market's "The Way Back," Weinstein Company's "The Company Men" and IFC's "On the Road." However, only "The Way Back" was nominated for an Oscar.

Kate Winslet is currently in contention for Best Actress but the lack of buzz and overcrowded field does not look good for the actress. 

"Labor Day" tells the story of a depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry who offer a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited.

The movie also stars Josh Brolin and Tobey Maguire.