The move bumps "Snowden" that stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley from this year's Oscar race.
Sources say the film is not finished yet. Distributor Open Road Films has not yet determined the movies new release date, said The Hollywood Reporter.
The development gives some breathing room to the Christmas Day frame, busy with five other wide releases - "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip", "Concussion", Mark Wahlberg's comedy "Daddy's Home, dramedy "Joy and Point Break" featuring Jennifer Lawrence - as well as "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", opening the previous week.
"Snowden" has been eagerly anticipated given that it is the first narrative feature to tackle the polarising figure, considered a hero by some and a traitor by others.
The Snowden documentary "Citizenfour" won this year's best documentary Oscar. Kieran Fitzgerald and Stone wrote the screenplay.
Wildbunch is selling international territories on Snowden at the Toronto Film Festival. A spokesperson for Open Road Films did not comment.