The Most Anticipated Movies of 2021

Let’s keep it a buck: The future of the film industry is one of the most confusing discussions to have. With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping a large swath of theaters shut down, it’s hard to imagine a time where we’ll be able to enter a cinema to take in a blockbuster any time soon. WarnerMedia is leveraging HBO Max to at least keep their movies to schedule, although if you’re not subscribed to the service, or miss the 30-day window, there’s no real word on when you can catch some of 2021’s biggest movies. And that’s just looking at the films Warner Bros. is set to release this year!

All of that said, we have to stay the course. We may still be staying inside, hoping for a day where we can comfortably go outside and reclaim the joys of life that we’ve missed for the majority of 2020, but we will be able to take in some solid entertainment while doing it. And if you think about it for a second, 2021 does have some solid releases set to drop. Cult classic comedies and horror franchises are making their returns this year, with some of your favorites—Zendaya, Ben Affleck, Tom Holland, Margot Robbie, and more—set to bring movie lovers some of the finest entertainment Hollywood has to offer. James Bond, the Fast franchise, and James Gunn making DC movies could help make 2021 brighter… or they can at least help us escape what’s started out as a truly trying year. Let’s lead with optimism! Here’s a look at the most anticipated movies of 2021.

'Malcolm & Marie'

Director: Sam Levinson

Starring: Zendaya, John David Washington

Distributor: Netflix

Release date: Feb. 5

The Zendaya-John David Washington movie from Euphoria creator Sam Levinson has built up so much anticipation since the summer, and fans have been eagerly awaiting the movie’s trailer. The project was filmed secretly amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and the production team and cast had to follow strict safety protocols and quarantined for two weeks before and after filming. Malcolm & Marie became one of the first movies to be produced and completed since the coronavirus halted many Hollywood productions earlier this year. The premise of the film—written and directed by Levinson—is said to be a two-hander story of a director, played by the Tenet star, and his girlfriend, played by the Emmy winner. The couple’s relationship is put to the test after they return home from the premiere of his latest project, and they await the critical response and success that’s to come from it. Netflix acquired distribution rights to the black-and-white film for $30 million in September 2020 after a bidding war with other distributing companies. The film will be released globally Feb. 5, 2021, and the streaming giant already plans to wage a full-fledged Oscar campaign on the movie’s behalf. We’ll have to wait and see if Zendaya takes home another trophy. —Karla Rodriguez

'Judas and the Black Messiah'

Director: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Release date: Feb. 12

When WarnerMedia announced that their 2021 film slate would be released simultaneously in theaters (whatever that means?) and on HBO Max, many doom scrollers focused on what they felt was the death of the theater business. That’s a very real concern, but in whatever you want to call this part of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last thing you should be thinking about is hitting a cinema. One of the benefits is that you’ll be able to take in films like Judas and the Black Messiah, which takes us into the very real infiltration of the Black Panther Party that led to the tragic murder of Panther leader Fred Hampton. Portrayed by the dynamic Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Widows, Black Panther), we see Hampton organizing the Black Panthers into an organization that’s not only helping out the community but aligning themselves with like-minded groups in an effort to stamp out the oppression in the country. William O'Neal, played by LaKeith Stanfield (Atlanta, The Photograph), is sent to infiltrate the Panthers after striking a deal with the FBI, and the film deals with his inner turmoil. The film features a number of today’s brightest stars—Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders, and Euphoria’s Algee Smith all make appearances—and helps shed light on a tragedy that feels aligned with the horrific American nightmare we’re currently living in. —khal

'The United States vs. Billie Holiday'

Director: Lee Daniels

Starring: Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Natasha Lyonne, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Garrett Hedlund

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Release date: Feb. 26

Billie Holiday was more than an iconic singer, and The United States vs. Billie Holiday aims to shed light on the darker side of the jazz legend’s life. The film, directed by Lee Daniels, is based on the book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by journalist Johann Hari. The book examines the history and impact of drug criminalization, collectively known as "the War on Drugs," and profiled prominent figures in the drug war, including Billie Holiday. The “Strange Fruit” singer struggled with a heroin addiction, and it landed her in prison. The film will intimately focus on the legendary singer’s struggles with addiction, fame, and heartbreak. It will follow Holiday during her career when the Federal Department of Narcotics targeted her with an undercover sting operation led by a Black federal agent Jimmy Fletcher (played by Moonlight star Trevante Rhodes), with whom she had an affair. Singer Andra Day will play the incomparable Holiday, while Natasha Lyonne is signed on to portray Tallulah Bankhead. Evan Ross and Dana Gourrier also joined the cast. —Karla Rodriguez

'Coming 2 America'

Director: Craig Brewer

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, KiKi Layne, Leslie Jones, Shari Headley, John Amos, Tracy Morgan, Wesley Snipes, James Earl Jones

Distributor: Amazon Studios / Paramount Pictures

Release date: Mar. 5

The cult classic Coming to America has been a staple for many African-Americans since its release in 1988. Telling the story of Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) leaving the kingdom of Zamunda with his friend Semmi (Arsenio Hall) in search of his future wife, it featured everything we now know and love about Murphy films, including Murphy playing a number of characters (in clever makeup), a romantic arc, and wall-to-wall hilarity. For the sequel, we find Akeem now set to become King of Zamunda, but needing to tie up the one loose end of finding his long-lost son (Jermaine Fowler), who happens to be back in America. The film, which features black-ish mastermind Kenya Barris as a part of the writing team, brings together an all-star cast, including Tracy Morgan, Leslie Jones, Wesley Snipes, Teyana Taylor, and many, many more. Murphy and Hall even reprise all of their old characters, from the peanut gallery in the barbershop to Randy Watson, Sexual Chocolate’s lead singer. This could end up being one of the funniest films of 2021. —khal

'Godzilla vs. Kong'

Director: Adam Wingard

Starring: Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown, Kyle Chandler, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Jessica Henwick, Julian Dennison, Demián Bichir, Zhang Ziyi

Distributor: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / Legendary Entertainment

Release date: Mar. 26

After taking in Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, fans of the storied MonsterVerse have been waiting for this modernized take on two of the most ferocious and deadly beasts going to battle. We got a tease of King Kong in the last Godzilla film, and fans of the series might be able to dream up a fairly reasonable scenario… although all they really want to see is these two gargantuan beasts clobber each other for the better part of 120 minutes. Millie Bobby Brown and Kyle Chandler are joined by the likes of Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies) and Brian Tyree Henry, whose role is unconfirmed but presence is always welcome. —khal

'No Time To Die'

Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga

Starring: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Ana de Armas, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes

Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Universal Pictures / Eon Productions

Release date: Apr. 2

What a weird title for such a momentous Bond film. No Time To Die is the 25th installment in the historic James Bond theatrical series and is also confirmed to be Daniel Craig’s final time portraying the suave MI6 agent. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective Season 1), word is that we will be getting a new Agent 007, Nomi (played by Lashana Lynch), and a new villain, Safin (Mr. Robot’s Rami Malek). Along for the ride are Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) and Ana de Armas (Knives Out), as well as a host of insane locations and exquisite vehicles that will no doubt be blown up for our enjoyment. With an April 2 release date, we can only hope that we’ll be able to go outside and see this film on the big screen as it’s intended. —khal

'Mortal Kombat'

Director: Simon McQuoid

Starring: Ludi Lin, Joe Taslim, Tadanobu Asano, Jessica McNamee, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, Josh Lawson, Chin Han, Hiroyuki Sanada

Distributor: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / New Line Cinema

Release date: Apr. 16

The iconic Mortal Kombat video game franchise has spawned a bevy of fighting games, comic books, and more, as well as two feature-length films. The third installment is also set to reboot the franchise, bringing the storied ultra-violence of the fighting game series back to movie lovers. There isn’t a lot known about the plot of the film, but many of your favorites are along for the fight, including Sub-Zero, Liu Kang, Raiden, Sonya Blade, Jax, and Shang Tsung. There’s even word that the Fatalities—the gory death sequences that gamers can pull off after winning matches—will be making their way into the film. With this hitting HBO Max as well as theaters, it will make it easier for more squeamish viewers to bury their heads in a pillow when the blood starts to spew. —khal

'A Quiet Place Part II'

Director: John Krasinski

Starring: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Djimon Hounsou, John Krasinski

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Release date: Apr. 23

After the box office success of 2018’s A Quiet Place, it wasn’t long before Paramount Pictures announced that a sequel was in the works. John Krasinski was called on to return to direct the sequel and write the full screenplay since the first film's screenwriters, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, did not sign on for Part II. Actors Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe will reprise their roles. The Office alum will return as Lee Abbott and will appear in flashback sequences. Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou have also joined the cast. The storyline follows the Abbott family as they adjust to their new life after their significant loss in the first film. The mom and her three kids will venture out of their home searching for people who will help them survive the monsters they fought in the first installment but will face new dangerous threats. The movie studio initially planned to release the sequel in March 2020, but postponed it twice due to the coronavirus pandemic. If all goes well, fans will be able to catch A Quiet Place Part II in theaters in April 2021. —Karla Rodriguez

'Black Widow'

Director: Cate Shortland

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, O-T Fagbenle, William Hurt, Ray Winstone, Rachel Weisz

Distributor: Marvel Studios

Release date: May 7

Even though fans of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe will have a few Disney+ shows breathing life back into the franchise, it’s insane to think that COVID-19 made the wait between 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home and Black Widow so long. Similar to Captain Marvel, Black Widow is a story from the past about Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) having to confront a past she thought she’d left behind. Rising stars like Florence Pugh are onboard, as well as the always-capable Rachel Weisz, but one of the most intriguing additions to this story is Taskmaster, a mysterious character from the Marvel Comics world with the ability to mimic his opponents’ moves, making him a huge threat to Black Widow and her crew. We guess. We’re not even 100 percent confirmed on who will be portraying Taskmaster, let alone how this story fits into Phase 4 of the MCU. Time will tell if Marvel Studios will cave to a Disney+ release or go through with a theatrical release. —khal

'Spiral'

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Starring: Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Max Minghella, Marisol Nichols

Distributor: Lionsgate / Twisted Pictures

Release date: May 21

Fans of Chris Rock and the Saw franchise should be hype for Spiral. Rock plays Ezekiel "Zeke" Banks in this film, the ninth in the Saw series. Banks is a detective tasked with investigating gruesome murders that feel all too familiar to what we’ve seen in the franchise’s past. He’s also living in the shadow of veteran Marcus Banks (played by Samuel L. Jackson), but right now we don’t know how much any of this is connected. If you’re skeptical of Rock working within a horror flick, know that he was amazing in FX’s Fargo—we’re confident in his competence. We’re just hoping this trek back to the world of Saw is ultimately worth it. —khal

'F9'

Director: Justin Lin

Starring: Vin Diesel, John Cena, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron

Distributor: Universal Pictures / Original Film / One Race Films

Release date: May 28

2020 took a lot away from us, including the joy of going to the movies to see the ninth installment of the Fast & Furious films. Vin Diesel and the rest of the cast will now head to the big screen in May, a year after its original release date. The beloved cast will be joined by John Cena, joining the action-packed franchise as Dominic Toretto’s brother, Jakob. Dom and his crew will face off with his little brother, who teams up with their nemesis Cipher (played by Charlize Theron) to bring them down. Judging by the dynamic trailer, fans are in for quite a ride. Universal announced in October 2020 that the franchise that started in 2001 would finally reach the finish line after the 11th movie. —Karla Rodriguez

'Ghostbusters: Afterlife'

Director: Jason Reitman

Starring: Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Carrie Coon, Paul Rudd, Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts

Distributor: Columbia Pictures / Bron Creative / Ghost Corps

Release date: June 11

Jason Reitman, son of acclaimed Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman, steps up for the latest installment of this blockbuster series. Ghostbusters: Afterlife—in true modern reboot fashion—is set 30 years after the second film, where a family in Oklahoma discovers their intriguing connection to the original Ghostbusters squad. Speaking of that OG crew of misfits, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Annie Potts will all be reprising their roles from the original films, joining Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace and Paul Rudd in a film that could help re-establish this brand for the next generation of filmgoers. —khal

'In the Heights'

Director: Jon M. Chu

Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco, Jimmy Smits, Lin-Manuel Miranda

Distributor: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / Likely Story

Release date: June 18

The film is based on the hit 2007 Broadway musical by the same name, based on Quiara Alegría Hudes’ book. The story takes place in New York City’s Washington Heights. It follows the lives of people in the predominantly Latinx community facing the challenges of being an immigrant and pressure not to disappoint their families as they pursue their hopes and dreams. The film adaptation of the play has been in the works since 2008. The movie finally took flight in 2018 with the announcement that Anthony Ramos would play the lead role. The Hamilton star plays Usnavi de la Vega, alongside Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace, and Dascha Polanco. Marc Anthony and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who was the play’s composer, also joined the cast. The movie began filming in New York City in the summer of 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the release. It will now hit theaters on June 18, 2021, and will be available on HBO Max the same day. —Karla Rodriguez

'Venom: Let There Be Carnage'

Director: Andy Serkis

Starring: Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, Naomie Harris

Distributor: Columbia Pictures / Marvel Entertainment

Release date: June 25

If you grew up in the ‘90s and loved Spider-Man comic books, the anti-hero Venom was one of your absolute favorites. A superpowered being who had all of Spider-Man’s powers plus an all-black outfit and a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth? Venom was top-tier! Coming three years after the critically panned blockbuster hit theaters, Venom: Let There Be Carnage picks up right where the first film left off: Eddie Brock/Venom having to butt heads with Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), a serial killer who also becomes the host for a violent alien symbiote, Carnage. More details about the flick are scarce, but Naomie Harris will be taking on the role of Carnage’s love interest Shriek, which means this film could definitely incorporate the Marvel Comics “Maximum Carnage” tale into its plot. —khal

'Top Gun: Maverick'

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer

Distributor: Paramount Pictures / Skydance Media / Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Release date: July 2

Another day, another ‘80s flick getting a new-school sequel. This time around, action icon Tom Cruise jumps back into the cockpit to play Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, the arrogant pilot who’s now in the position of being a flight instructor. Val Kilmer is back as the Iceman, Maverick’s former rival-turned-friend, and while there’s not much in the way of plot out there, this film boasts an interesting cast of characters. Miles Teller’s starring as Rooster, the son of Maverick’s late homie Goose, while Jennifer Connelly is on as Maverick’s love interest, Penny. Ed Harris and Jon Hamm are onboard, as is Insecure star Jay Ellis. Fans of action flicks mixed with a heavy dose of romance, fasten your seatbelts. —khal

'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

Starring: Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Awkwafina, Fala Chen, Meng’er Zhang, Florian Munteanu, Ronny Chieng, Michelle Yeoh

Distributor: Marvel Studios

Release date: July 9

One of the more surprising entries into the MCU will be Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, properly bringing the martial arts expert Shang-Chi into the MCU proper. The premise is faint—Shang-Chi gets drawn back into his past life by the Ten Rings organization—but that’s Marvel for you. The Mandarin plays a part in this story, and Awkwafina is along for the ride, but the real question is how this fits into the larger universe Marvel Studios is building. With Destin Daniel Cretton at the helm, we’ve got high hopes for what should be an exciting project. —khal

'The Forever Purge'

Director: Everardo Gout

Starring: Ana de la Reguera, Josh Lucas, Tenoch Huerta, Leven Rambin, Will Patton, Cassidy Freeman

Distributor: Universal Pictures / Platinum Dunes / Blumhouse Productions

Release date: July 9

Fans of Blumhouse’s Purge franchise, we’re here to warn you: This is the fifth and final installment of the action-horror series. Set after the events of The Purge: Election Year (the third film in the series), this story follows a Mexican couple who find themselves stranded in Texas after escaping a drug cartel. Of course, they run into some folks who are trying to get their Purge on. Ultraviolence ensues. It’s written by series writer James DeMonaco, and probably mirrors some of the true insanity we’ve experienced in our own country. Maybe, with the four years we’ve survived, Purge films aren’t necessary anymore—hopefully this one goes out with a BANG. —khal

'Uncharted'

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Starring: Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Antonio Banderas, Sophia Taylor Ali, Tati Gabrielle

Distributor: Columbia Pictures / PlayStation Productions / Atlas Entertainment

Release date: July 16

Ruben Fleischer is bringing the world of video games to the big screen with his movie Uncharted. The film is an adaptation of the video games by the same name. The film stars Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, along with a stellar supporting cast that includes Antonio Banderas, Sophia Ali, and Tati Gabrielle. The fourth game, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, will inspire the film. Holland will play Nathan "Nate" Drake, the young fortune hunter who claims to be a descendant of famed English explorer Sir Francis Drake. Wahlberg will star as Victor "Sully" Sullivan, a fellow fortune hunter who is Nate's mentor and father figure. The Ted actor was in talks to star as Nathan Drake when the project was in development in 2010, and director David O. Russell was linked to the film. The adventure begins in July. —Karla Rodriguez

'Space Jam: A New Legacy'

Director: Malcolm D. Lee

Starring: LeBron James, Sonequa Martin-Green, Don Cheadle, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis

Distributor: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / Warner Animation Group

Release date: July 16

With the iconic Space Jam turning 25 later this year, it’s fitting that the LeBron James-starring sequel would get released this year. James shares top billing with Bugs Bunny (just like Michael Jordan) in a tale that finds the NBA megastar and his son trapped inside of the digital realm, forced to ball for their lives alongside the Looney Tunes cast. Don Cheadle is onboard as Al-G Rhythm, the heel of the movie, as are NBA stars like Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, and Chris Paul alongside WNBA stars Diana Taurasi, Nneka Ogwumike, Nicole Kornet, and a host of others from both leagues. This will reek of nostalgia, but for kids (and kids at heart) who love the NBA, this will be a good way to see your favs flex their acting chops...or lack thereof. —khal

'Old'

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Starring: Gael García Bernal, Rufus Sewell, Eliza Scanlen, Thomasin McKenzie, Aaron Pierre, Alex Wolff, Vicky Krieps, Abbey Lee, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Ken Leung, Embeth Davidtz

Distributor: Universal Pictures / Blinding Edge Pictures / Perfect World Pictures

Release date: July 23

If nightmares are your thing, Shyamalan’s Old will do that for you. It was announced in 2019 that he would be writing, producing, and directing the upcoming thriller, which is inspired by the graphic novel Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Levy. Shyamalan is the right man for the job to bring this supernatural story to life. The novel focuses on a group of people enjoying a perfect day at a secluded beach until they find a dead body floating in the water. What feels like a murder mystery then turns into something otherworldly when everyone at the beach mysteriously begins to age rapidly, and there’s no way out. Filming began in September 2020 in the Dominican Republic, making it the first time the famed director has filmed entirely outside of Philadelphia. The director revealed on Twitter that he shot it on traditional 35 mm movie film instead of digital. “During quarantine made the difficult and costly decision to shoot on 35mm film. It was the best decision I could have made. There is nothing like film. Period.” he shared with fans in October. The movie is slated for a summer release. —Karla Rodriguez

'The Green Knight'

Director: David Lowery

Starring: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Sean Harris, Kate Dickie, Barry Keoghan, Ralph Ineson

Distributor: A24

Release date: July 30

A24 has been on a roll with its latest releases, and The Green Knight seems to be no different. The film was one of the most anticipated releases of 2020 before the pandemic derailed its release. The studio has since rescheduled the film for a summer release, and it might be worth the wait. This epic fantasy adventure tells Sir Gawain’s tale, a knight of the Round Table and King Arthur's stubborn nephew. Gawain embarks on a journey to face the green monster known as a "tester of men,” to prove his worth to his family. Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, and Sarita Choudhury will join Patel as part of the cast. The Motion Picture Association gave the film an R-rating for “violence, some sexuality, and graphic nudity,” so fans can expect quite an adventure. —Karla Rodriguez

'The Suicide Squad'

Director: James Gunn

Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Peter Capaldi, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis

Distributor: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / DC Films / Atlas Entertainment

Release date: Aug. 6

James Gunn in the DCEU? It’s going down. The sequel to 2016’s critically panned Suicide Squad is a low-key reboot/stand-alone movie, with Viola Davis back as Amanda Waller, setting up another band of misfits to take on a gig no one else could handle. Margot Robbie’s back as Harley Quinn and Joel Kinnaman’s back as Rick Flag, but they are joined by a wild assortment of scoundrels played by everyone from John Cena and Idris Elba to Pete Davidson, Sylvester Stallone, Storm Reid, Michael Rooker, and many more. James Gunn wrote and directed this return, so we’re holding out hope that it could be worth our time… or at least better than the original. —khal

'Deep Water'

Director: Adrian Lyne

Starring: Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas, Tracy Letts, Rachel Blanchard, Lil Rel Howery, Finn Wittrock, Jacob Elordi, Kristen Connolly, Dash Mihok

Distributor: 20th Century Studios / Regency Enterprises

Release date: Aug. 13

Ben Affleck will be playing the role of yet another suburban husband in the upcoming film Deep Water, based on Patricia Highsmith’s novel. After his 2014 movie Gone Girl’s success, the actor will now star in the psychological erotic thriller alongside his now-girlfriend, Ana de Armas. The pair will play a well-to-do husband and wife named Vic and Melinda Van Allen, who are in a loveless marriage but attempt to put off divorce by allowing each other to have other lovers. The arrangement soon becomes messy when the husband can’t help getting jealous of his wife being with other men. Things quickly begin to take a turn when people around them start turning up dead. Director Adrian Lyne will make his comeback to the erotic thriller genre with the movie, making it his first film since 2002’s Unfaithful, which starred Diane Lane and Richard Gere. He also directed the 1987 movie Fatal Attraction, so this type of film seems to be right up his alley. —Karla Rodriguez

'Respect'

Director: Liesl Tommy

Starring: Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan, Mary J. Blige

Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Universal Pictures / Bron Creative

Release date: Aug. 13

The Respect trailer was released earlier this year, and it showed just enough of a glimpse to give viewers goosebumps and fill them with anticipation. The legendary Aretha Franklin hand-selected Jennifer Hudson to play her in the upcoming biopic, after seeing her in 2006’s Dreamgirls. Hudson opened up about the role in an interview in 2019. “Those are huge shoes to fill. No one ever could, but just to be chosen by her to portray her is mindblowing,” she said on The Jonathan Ross Show at the time. “We talked about it right after I won my Oscar for Dreamgirls, so we have been talking about it for almost 12 years, and now it’s actually manifesting.” Hearing the Academy Award winner belt out the classic “Respect” from the legendary singer in the trailer is enough to see why Franklin made that choice. The biographical drama is based on the iconic singer’s life and directed by Liesl Tommy, starring Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Mary J. Blige, and more. The biopic will be out in August 2021. —Karla Rodriguez

'Candyman'

Director: Nia DaCosta

Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Vanessa Estelle Williams, Tony Todd

Distributor: Universal Pictures / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Monkeypaw Productions

Release date: Aug. 27

The 1992 cult classic Candyman gets reimagined in this sequel, artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) finds himself confronting the real horror laid out in that film, set in the now-gentrified Cabrini Green neighborhood of Chicago. Directed by Nia DaCosta (Little Woods) and produced by Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us), this film feels like it’d be in Peele’s ever-growing horror bag, sending up society while allowing DaCosta to really get dirty in the horror genre. For those keeping score, McCoy was kidnapped in the original film, and saved by Helen Lyle—Tony Todd, who played Candyman, is onboard, as is Teyonah Parris and Vanessa Williams, reprising her role as Anne-Marie McCoy, Anthony’s mother. What’s great is that while we feel like we know a good amount about this film, something tells us we’ve barely scratched the surface of what this new take on Candyman has to offer. —khal

'The Many Saints of Newark'

Director: Alan Taylor

Starring: Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Michael Gandolfini, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro, Michela De Rossi, Ray Liotta, Vera Farmiga

Distributor: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / New Line Cinema / HBO Films

Release date: Sep. 24

The idea of having more episodes of The Sopranos might be off the table, but fans are getting their much-needed Tony Soprano fix with the upcoming The Many Saints of Newark. The movie will be a prequel to the beloved HBO series and will explore Tony’s early years. Still, the storyline will also center on the 1967 Newark riots and racial tensions between the Italian-American and Black communities at the time. The late James Gandolfini’s iconic portrayal of Anthony Soprano will be impossible to top. However, fans will get the next best thing with his son, Michael Gandolfini, playing young Tony in the HBO movie. Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Ray Liotta, and Vera Farmiga will also star in the film. David Chase, the mastermind behind the hit HBO series, wrote the movie script alongside Lawrence Konner. Alan Taylor, who directed some Sopranos episodes, signed on as the upcoming film’s director in 2018. The movie is headed to theaters March 12, and will have a month-long simultaneous release on HBO Max. —Karla Rodriguez

'Dune'

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem

Distributor: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / Legendary Entertainment

Release date: Oct. 1

The visionary Denis Villeneuve’s next project is the first of a planned two-part film adaptation of the 1965 novel Dune, starring current IT actor Timothée Chalamet alongside Euphoria’s own Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, and plenty others. The plot is hard to break down, but involves “the spice,” a substance that will grant humans longer lives as well as higher intelligence and more. The search for “the spice” involves traveling to Dune, but also features deeper plots and problems from Chalamet’s Paul to encounter and deal with. Some might call it hyper nerd shit, but if handled correctly by Villeneuve, this could be the beginning of a truly insane ride. —khal

'Morbius'

Director: Daniel Espinosa

Starring: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Tyrese Gibson, Al Madrigal, Jared Harris, Michael Keaton

Distributor: Columbia Pictures / Marvel Entertainment

Release date: Oct. 8

Sony’s Spider-Verse is getting a vampire. Morbius tells the tale of Michael Morbius, a scientist who, in attempting to cure himself of a rare blood disease, turns himself into what Marvel Comics deemed “the Living Vampire”. Jared Leto plays Morbius, which nails the look of the comic book character, and the film aims to delve into the mind of a man who A.) is now a whole vampire while B.) being a “hero” who also has a thirst for blood. There isn’t a lot known about the real plot of the film, but the trailer featured a glimpse of Michael Keaton, who starred in Sony’s Spider-Man: Homecoming—he has to be reprising his role as Vulture, right? Either way, if Sony is going to really make their Spider-Verse a thing, Morbius has to at least shine like 2018’s Venom did. —khal

'Halloween Kills'

Director: David Gordon Green

Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Anthony Michael Hall, Kyle Richards, Robert Longstreet, Nancy Stephens, Charles Cyphers

Distributor: Universal Pictures / Miramax / Blumhouse Productions

Release date: Oct. 15

The 2018 Halloween was the 11th film in the franchise, but picked up decades after the first film, wisely sidestepping a lot of the nonsense in subsequent films in the series. It also brought back Jamie Lee Curtis and Nick Castle to reprise their roles of Laurie Strode and Michael Myers, respectively, and while that film ended off with a bang, we just knew things weren’t done. A year later, it was announced that two more films would be dropping: Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends. It sounds like Michael Myers made it out—again—and is loose in Haddonfield...again. This time, Strode and her squad (which includes a number of children Strode babysat back in the late ‘70s) attempt to take out Myers. With a sequel already in place, who knows how well they fare, but really, that’s what makes this film more interesting: Maybe it’ll be the Empire Strikes Back of this new series. Maybe Michael Myers comes out on top, on some Thanos with the Infinity Stones shit. A horror fan can dream, right? —khal

'The Last Duel'

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck

Distributor: 20th Century Studios

Release date: Oct. 15

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon reunited to write the screenplay for the upcoming film along with Nicole Holofcener. The movie is based on the book The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager. The actors will also star in the movie with Damon in the lead role opposite Adam Driver and Jodie Comer. The real-life story is based in 14th-century France and is about two best friends, knights Jean de Carrouges (Damon) and Jacques LeGris (Driver), who are ordered to fight to the death after Carrouges accuses LeGris of raping his wife, Marguerite (Comer). Affleck will play a supporting role as King Charles VI. Damon and Affleck have been talking about working and writing together again since they won the Oscar for best-adapted screenplay for the 1997 movie Good Will Hunting. The Gone Girl star opened up to Entertainment Tonight while on set in France, and said he was “nervous” to make the project. "I have never done medieval! It's 1386, so it is like armor and swords and stuff like that," he said. "But it was a real pleasure working with Matt and Nicole Holofcener, who wrote the script with us. [Matt and I] kept saying, 'Why have we not done this more often?' We just got lucky that our schedules kind of intersected so that we had some free time to share.” Fans will be able to see the two loveable best friends together again in theaters in October. —Karla Rodriguez

'Snake Eyes'

Director: Robert Schwentke

Starring: Henry Golding, Andrew Koji, Úrsula Corberó, Samara Weaving, Iko Uwais

Distributor: Paramount Pictures / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Skydance Media

Release date: Oct. 22

If you wanted to return to the G.I. Joe series, this is the film for you. If you were around during the G.I. Joe cartoon era, Snake Eyes was that DUDE. Just a total badass. This film, which is reportedly carrying a “G.I. Joe Origins” subtitle, tells the story of Snake Eyes’ origin. Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians) stars as the titular character in a film that will also feature Storm Shadow and others in the mix. Word is that a follow-up is already planned with Golding to star, making this film very important to the future of this franchise. —khal

'Eternals'

Director: Chloé Zhao

Starring: Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Kit Harington, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Don Lee, Lia McHugh, Barry Keoghan

Distributor: Marvel Studios

Release date: Nov. 5

The third MCU film set to be released in 2020 is Chloé Zhao’s Eternals, aka the film that Kumail Nanjiani got super buff for. Starring Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Brain Tyree Henry, Kit Harington, Richard Madden and more, the Eternals are forced to protect humanity from the Deviants, following the events of Avengers: Endgame. As with most Marvel projects, that’s about all we know right now, but this feels like the MCU release of 2021 that could really get the Phase 4 ball rolling, as it feels most connected to the larger storyline within the MCU. —khal

'Elvis'

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Starring: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Yola, Luke Bracey, Dacre Montgomery, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham

Distributor: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures

Release date: Nov. 5

Harry Styles, G-Eazy, and Miles Teller were among the actors who were speculated to play the lead role in the upcoming Elvis Presley biopic. Director Baz Luhrmann cleared the rumors in 2019 and announced that Austin Butler would play the iconic singer in the forthcoming film. Luhrmann opened up to Deadline about the difficult casting process and said he needed someone who could sing, act and embody the many talents Presley had––and he found that in Butler. “I knew unequivocally that I had found someone who could embody the spirit of one of the world's most iconic musical figures," the filmmaker said. The movie will chronicle the life and career of the rock ‘n’ roll legend and Tom Hanks joined the project after he was cast in the role of Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s manager. Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson were in Australia where the movie was filmed, but production was halted when they both tested positive for COVID-19. Filming resumed in September, and the movie is now set to arrive in November. —Karla Rodriguez

'Mission: Impossible 7'

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Shea Whigham, Henry Czerny

Distributor: Paramount Pictures / Skydance Media / TC Productions

Release date: Nov. 19

Tom Cruise’s back for the seventh installment of the Mission: Impossible series. These films are some of the best-damned action films you’ll see all year… or in your life. It’s so important that Cruise’s rant about adhering to COVID protocols while filming leads to polarizing responses online. If you’re looking for plot points, we can’t help you out there, but just know that Cruise rides hard for this series, so he has to make it just as ill—if not iller—than previous iterations. —khal

'King Richard'

Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green

Starring: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Dylan McDermott

Distributor: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / Overbrook Entertainment

Release date: Nov. 19

The man behind two of the greatest athletes to ever live is getting his much-deserved shine. Will Smith has signed on to star and produce the biographical drama about Richard Williams, the father and coach of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. The film intends to shed light on how the Williams sisters became two of the world’s best tennis players through their father’s coaching, even though he had no prior experience in the sport. Demi Singleton and Saniyya Sidney will play Serena and Venus, respectively. Reinaldo Marcus Green will direct the film written by Zach Baylin, and it will arrive in theaters and HBO Max in November. —Karla Rodriguez

'Gucci'

Director: Ridley Scott

Starring: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro

Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Scott Free Productions

Release date: Nov. 24

Film director Ridley Scott has gathered a powerhouse cast for the upcoming Gucci movie. The story follows fashion designer Guccio Gucci's grandson, Maurizio Gucci, who was assassinated in a plot orchestrated by his ex-wife. Lady Gaga will play ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani, an Italian socialite. She was tried and convicted of arranging his assassination on his office’s steps in 1995 after he left her for another woman. She initially received a 29-year sentence but served 18 years in jail before being let out in 2016. This role will be the singer’s first film since the Oscar-winning A Star Is Born. Actors Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Jack Huston, and Reeve Carney have also signed on to star alongside Gaga. Gucci is expected to arrive in November. —Karla Rodriguez

'West Side Story'

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Corey Stoll, Brian d'Arcy James, Maddie Ziegler, Rita Moreno

Distributor: 20th Century Studios / Amblin Entertainment

Release date: Dec. 10

A new version of the classic film seems unnecessary in a world full of remakes, but if we can trust anyone to do the original justice, it’s Steven Spielberg. The famed director has been a longtime fan since he grew up listening to the Broadway play’s soundtrack and has called his desire to remake the film a “haunting temptation” he has finally given into making. The director will retell the story of two star-crossed lovers who fall in love in 1950s New York City, while they each have affiliations with rival street gangs, the Jets and Sharks. His adaptation will be closer to the Broadway play than the movie. Ansel Elgort will star as Tony, and newcomer Rachel Zegler will play Maria. Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, and Brian d'Arcy James will also be part of the cast, alongside Rita Moreno, who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Ana in the original 1961 film. The EGOT winner will appear in the 2021 film in a supporting role as Valentina. The movie was set to hit theaters in 2020, but fans will now have to wait until December 2021. —Karla Rodriguez

Untitled 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' sequel

Director: Jon Watts

Starring: Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jamie Foxx, Zendaya, Jon Favreau, Jacob Batalon, Tony Revolori, Marisa Tomei, Alfred Molina

Distributor: Columbia Pictures / Marvel Studios

Release date: Dec. 17

Sony’s Spider-Verse is officially linked back up with Marvel Studios’ MCU, but this currently untitled Spider-Man flick has a lot of talk surrounding it, primarily with implications of some live-action multiverse shenanigans. This is mostly due to rumors of two previous Spider-Men (Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield) donning their Spider-Man costumes once again. Well, those two and a plethora of other actors who’ve been a part of previous iterations of the franchise. With the success of Into the Spider-Verse and Sony’s desire to really nail the Spider-Verse, this isn’t surprising, but we’re also hoping that things like MJ dealing with Peter’s superhero life and the world seemingly knowing Spider-Man’s secret identity are front and center as well. —khal

'The Matrix 4'

Director: Lana Wachowski

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra, Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Lambert Wilson, Jada Pinkett-Smith

Distributor: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / Village Roadshow Pictures

Release date: Dec. 22

At one point, we thought we were going to get the latest installments of the John Wick and The Matrix franchises dropping on the same day. Now we’re just hoping we can see this return to the series on the big screen. With the major players from the Matrix trilogy—Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Jada Pinkett Smith—all on hand to reprise their roles, it’s going to be interesting to see how Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Neil Patrick Harris, and Priyanka Chopra (among others) will factor into the Lana Wachowski-directed film. —khal