The Sony dramedy, based bestselling novel A Man Called Ove, was originally set to open nationwide on December 14, two days before Disney and 20th Century release James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water.

Instead, A Man Called Otto will debut in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles on Christmas Day before expanding wide on Jan. 13, 2023.

The select run on December 25 qualifies the film for awards consideration.

Directed by Oscar nominee Marc Forster, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Hanks), a grumpy widower whose only joy comes from criticizing and judging his exasperated neighbors.

Mariana Treviño, Rachel Keller and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo co-star, with Forster directing from an adapted screenplay by David Magee, based upon Frederik’s Backman’s novel.

A Man Called Otto is produced by Rita Wilson, Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Fredrik Wikström Nicastro.

Executive producers include Forster, Renée Wolfe and Magee.

Sony secured rights to the movie after bidding war at the European Film Market.