Now that the crazy year that was 2020 has come to an end, we are excited to see all the new films coming out in 2021. While there are a handful of films that have been delayed from 2020 to 2021, those films will also be included on our list. Anything with a scheduled release date of 2021 will be on our list, regardless of the potential to be delayed until 2022. While we will be missing some movies that were originally projected to come out in 2021 like John Wick Chapter 4 and The Batman, we are excited to see all the movies we were planning on visiting the theaters to see from the previous year. These are our twenty-five most anticipated films of 2021.
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25) Gucci
A dramatic crime thriller based on the novel by Sara Gay Forden and directed by legendary director Ridley Scott. The plot revolves around the wife of Maurizio Gucci, Patrizia Reggiani, and her plot to kill her husband the grandson of Guccio Gucci. Starring Lady Gaga, Jeremy Irons, Al Pacino, Adam Driver, and Jared Leto. Set to release November 24.
24) Babylon
The next feature film by Damian Chazelle after the success of his other films First Man, La La Land, and Whiplash comes the next movie taking place in the 1920s and 1930s about the transition between silent films and talkies. Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt return once again after the success of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, alongside Toby Maguire. Set to release December 25.
23) Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins
A reboot of the G.I. Joe franchise about the iconic G.I. Joe, Henry Golding replaces Ray Park as Snake Eyes. Also considered a spin-off of a newly established shared G.I. Joe universe, with a bunch of new casting within the universe including Samara Weaving as Scarlett. Director of R.E.D. and The Time Travelers Wife, Robert Schwentke currently has the film in post-production and is set to release October 22nd.
22) Cruella
Another Disney adaptation from their animated films comes the live-action reimagining of One Hundred and One Dalmatians. However, the film will be a prequel of the animated film and revolve around a young Cruella de Vil played by Emma Stone. Director of I, Tonya, Craig Gillespie has his film set to release May 28.
21) Encanto
The directors of Disney’s acclaimed film Zootopia team up with horror writer Charise Castro Smith to create a new film about magic and the supernatural. Surrounding a Columbian family with magic powers and their youngest girl without powers. Scheduled for a November 24th release date, same weekend as the previously mentioned Gucci.
20) Halloween Kills
The sequel to the newly established Halloween timeline created by David Gordon Green comes the next installment, picking up where the 2018 film left off. The film is considered complete with the original release date set in 2020 but was delayed to October 15, 2021, and yet another sequel scheduled for 2022 titled Halloween Ends. Jamie Lee Curtis is set to return once again as Laurie Strode.
19) Uncharted
While video game film adaptations don’t always work out, we have seen success with Detective Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog. This go around we are getting an adaptation of the adventures of Nathan Drake with Tom Holland set to star as the main character with Zombieland and Venom director Ruben Fleischer putting the film together for a July 16th release date.
18) Death on the Nile
An unexpected announcement no one saw coming but has us all curious comes the sequel to Murder on the Orient Express. Once again directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring as Hercule Poirot, along with other popular stars such as Gal Gadot, Letitia Wright, Russell Brand, and Armie Hammer. This anticipated who-done-it is set to release on September 17.
17) Top Gun: Maverick
A follow up to the 1986 film Top Gun, comes the long-awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick. Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer return as Maverick and Iceman along with new coming stars Miles Teller and Jon Hamm. Tron: Legacy and Oblivion director Joseph Kosinski helms this sequel set to be released July 2nd.
16) Last Night in Soho
From Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver director comes Edgar Wright’s jump from his usual action-comedy films to dramatic horror. Centered around a young ambitious fashion designer, suddenly enters London during the 1960s and encounters strange occurrences around her. Ana Taylor-Joy and Matt Smith are set to star in this dark new tale from the mind of Edgar Wright.
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15) Fast & Furious 9
A film that has seen countless delays, will finally see a release on May 28. Justin Lin returns in the director’s seat since 2013’s Fast & Furious 6. Picking up from the events of Furious 8, Charlize Theron’s Cipher enlists the help of Dom’s brother Jakob (played by John Cena) to seek revenge on Dom and his team. After this film, a tenth and final installment is scheduled to release in the coming years.
14) Mission Impossible 7
After seeing a slight decline in quality over the years, the film finally saw a resurgence in 2018’s Mission Impossible 6 – Fallout. After seeing the direction Christopher McQuarrie was taking the franchise in the last two films he directed, we are excited to see what he continues to do with the franchise from here and a seventh installment with this action-packed long-running series. Set to release November 19.
13) Candyman
A sequel remake of the 1992 film about a murderous soul, returns to the neighborhood where it all began. Aquaman and Watchmen (2019) star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and upcoming director Nia DaCosta collaborate with writer Jordan Peele to resurrect the horror legend for a new generation. The film is set for an August 27 release date.
12) West Side Story
The book adapted into a broadway musical, adapted into a movie, based on William Shakespeare’s play Romeo & Juliet is once again reimagined into a film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg. Ansel Elgort stars as former Jet gang member Tony with new upcoming actress Rachel Zegler as Maria in this remake set to release December 10.
11) Mortal Kombat
Yet another video game adaptation, comes another film based on the iconic gore induced game Mortal Kombat. While the games have continued to thrive in media, the films have not. Since there hasn’t been a theatrical release since 1997’s Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, we are excited to see what new coming director Simon McQuoid and producer James Wan create with their R-Rated, Fatality filled remake. The film is set to release on April 16.
10) Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Finally, a worthy follow up to the original Ghostbusters film from 1984, rather than the lackluster 2016 remake. Two children move into a small town where they discover the equipment and connection to the original Ghostbusters. Four-time Oscar-nominated director Jason Reitman, fills in his father’s shoes Ivan Reitman as the director.
9) Raya and the Last Dragon
From the team behind Big Hero 6 and Moana comes a new original animated film about a young female warrior named Raya. Raya explores the re-imagined Earth named Lumandra as she sets out to see the last Dragon. The film is set to release in both theaters and on Disney+ on March 5.
8) The Suicide Squad
A remake/reboot of the 2016 film by DC and Warner Bros, comes the reimagined version of the Worst Heroes Ever by Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn. Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, and Joel Kinnaman return as Harley Quinn, Amanda Waller, Captain Boomerang, and Rick Flagg, alongside a new cast of baddies forced to unwillingly die for their country.
7) No Time to Die
The twenty-fifth James Bond film and the last portrayal of the character by actor Daniel Craig, directed by the director of the acclaimed series True Detective and film Beasts of No Nation, Cary Joji Fukunaga. James Bond has left active service, but pulled back in by Felix Leiter to bring down a mysterious villain with new threatening technology. Moved from a November 2021 release date to April 2, 2021.
6) A Quiet Place Part II
A sequel to the unexpected successful first film that came out in 2018, Emily Blunt returns to a world where silence is essential to protect yourself from spider-like creatures. Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounson star as new characters in the film. John Krasinski returns to the director’s seat once again for this highly anticipated sequel set to release April 23.
5) Godzilla vs Kong
Not since 1963 have we seen these two titans meet for a battle on the big screen. Horror director Adam Wingard crafts a sequel to Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters for the fight of the century as these two iconic monsters battle in the most colossal battle.
4) Black Widow
After an entire year without seeing a Marvel film, we will finally see the female Avenger receive her own film. Taking place between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War is the story of Natasha Romanoff and her Russian family she grew up with. The film is scheduled to be released on May 7.
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3) The Matrix 4
Not since 2003 have we seen Keanu Reeves return to the role of Neo in the Matrix franchise. Lana Wachowski returns to the director’s seat for this fourth installment and will feature Carrie-Anne Moss and Jada Pickett Smith return to their roles as Trinity and Niobe. Set to be released on December 22.
2) Dune
A remake of the 1984 film. Denis Villeneuve, director of Prisoners, Sicario, and Blade Runner 2077 takes on this highly anticipated sci-fi adventure flick. Starring an all-star cast including Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgard, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Oscar Isaac, and Jason Mamoa for this feature adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel. The film is scheduled for an October 1 release date.
1) Spider-Man 3
Most of the excitement for this film stems from the incredibly massive cast that has been announced. Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker/Spider-Man with director Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home) once again helms the director of the iconic wall-crawler. The reports of the many actors and actresses returning for their original roles from previous Spider-Man films is what makes this our top spot for our most anticipated film of 2021.
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