As the future of cinema now heavily relies on the success of online streaming platforms, the pandemic has left the industry with a distressing choice to make that has left fans divided. As theaters across the world were shut down to stop the spread of infection, many major blockbusters that were slated to release in 2020 were delayed indefinitely, waiting for a theatrical release. However, a few succumbed to rising costs and opted for the online streaming platform, which includes the likes of Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max and Mulan on Disney+.
As the future still looks uncertain, Warner Bros. recently made a shocking announcement that has drawn the ire of many directors including James Gunn and Christopher Nolan. Having recently revealed that all its major upcoming releases will be streamed on HBO Max, here are all the upcoming Warner Bros. releases scheduled in 2021.
17. The Little Things
Release Date: January 29, 2021
Genre: Crime Thriller
Starring Denzel Washington, Jared Leto, and Rami Malek, The Little Things follow the story of a Deputy Sheriff who is sent to Los Angeles to gather evidence. But in a turn of events, the Deputy Sheriff gets caught up in the man-hunt of a serial killer who has been terrorizing the city.
16. Judas and the Black Messiah
Release Date: February 12, 2021
Genre: Biographical Drama
Based on the real-life story of activist and Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton, Judas and the Black Messiah is a haunting tale of betrayal and guilt starring Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield.
15. Reminiscence
Release Date: April 16, 2021
Genre: Science-Fiction/Drama/Thriller
Starring Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, and Thandie Newton, Reminiscence is set in a near-future Miami that has been flooded by rising seas, a solitary war veteran offers the service of reliving any past memory that his clients wish. However, his life is suddenly turned upside down when he falls in love with a mysterious client and discovers her dark and violent past.
14. In the Heights
Release Date: June 18, 2021
Genre: Musical Drama
Directed by John M. Chu, In the Heights is based on the 2007 stage musical of the same name by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Hudes. Starring Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, and Leslie Grace, the official synopsis of the movie is given below.
“Lights up on Washington Heights… The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.”
13. Space Jam: A New Legacy
Release Date: July 16, 2021
Genre: Animated Sports Comedy
Starring LeBron James and Don Cheadle, this Space Jam sequel follows the story of James and his son as they are trapped by an evil AI algorithm. To break free, they must defeat the AI’s digitized champions in a game of basketball with a rag-tag team of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Lola Looney, and the whole gang of Looney Tunes.
12. King Richard
Release Date: November 19, 2021
Genre: Biographical Drama
Starring Will Smith, Jon Bernthal, Aunjanue Ellis, and Saniyya Sidney, King Richard explores the story of Richard Williams, the father of the decorated tennis sensations Serena and Venus Williams, as he explains how he raised two such magnificent daughters who went on to dominate the game on a global stage.
11. Malignant
Release Date: TBA 2021
Genre: Horror
With ace director James Wan returning with a screenplay by Akela Cooper, Malignant is an original concept that is being tightly kept under wraps for now.
10. Those Who Wish Me Dead
Release Date: TBA 2021
Genre: Neo-Western Action Film
Directed by Taylor Sheridan, Those Who Wish Me Dead is based on Michael Koryta’s novel of the same name. Starring Angelina Jolie, Jon Bernthal, Aidan Gillen, Nicolas Hoult, and Tyler Perry, the movie is set against a wildfire in the Montana wilderness. A teenage murder witness finds himself pursued by twin assassins in the Montana wilderness with a survival expert tasked with protecting him — and a forest fire threatening to consume them all.
9. Cry Macho
Release Date: TBA 2021
Genre: Neo-Western Drama
Cry Macho will star Clint Eastwood as a onetime rodeo star and washed-up horse breeder who, in 1978, takes a job from an ex-boss to bring the man’s young son home and away from his alcoholic mom. Crossing rural Mexico on their back way to Texas, the unlikely pair faces an unexpectedly challenging journey, during which the world-weary horseman may find his own sense of redemption through teaching the boy what it means to be a good man.
8. The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
Release Date: June 4, 2021
Genre: Horror
The third sequel to The Conjuring series, this is directed by Michael Chaves with a story by James Wan and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. With Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprising their roles of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It is based on the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson in the year 1981 in Connecticut.
7. Tom & Jerry
Release Date: February 26, 2021
Genre: Live-Action Slapstick Comedy
After being in developmental hell for years, Tom & Jerry is finally going to release on HBO Max with Michael Pena and Chloe Grace Moretz in lead roles. As the iconic cat-mouse duo cross paths, their rivarly causes mayhem, putting the job of Kayla at risk. But all of them must put their past differences aside as a sinister plot is uncovered.
6. The Many Saints of Newark
Release Date: March 12, 2021
Genre: Crime Drama
As a prequel to HBO’s critically acclaimed crime drama show The Sopranos, The Many Saints of Newark is set in the 1960s and 1970s in Newark, New Jersey. Using the 1967 Newark riots as a backdrop, the movie will explore the growing tensions between the Italian-American and African-American communities. With Ray Liotta set to return, this movie is one of the most anticipated movies of 2021.
5. Mortal Kombat
Release Date: April 16, 2021
Genre: Martial Arts Fantasy Action
Directed by Simon McQuoid with James Wan and Todd Garner serving as producers, Mortal Kombat is believed to be a modern re-invention of the massively popular video-game franchise that will serve as the first of many upcoming sequels.
4. Godzilla vs Kong
Release Date: May 21, 2021
Genre: Monster Action
Directed by Adam Wingard, Godzilla vs Kong is the highly-anticipated sequel to Godzilla: King of Monsters and Kong: Skull Island that will pit the two powerful forces of nature against each other while a sinister conspiracy of wiping out these giant creatures is uncovered.
3. The Matrix 4
Release Date: December 22, 2021
Genre: Science-Fiction
With Keanu Reeves returning once again for the fourth installment of The Matrix, the movie also stars Priyanka Chopra, Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in undisclosed roles.
2. The Suicide Squad
Related: Sylvester Stallone Joins The Suicide Squad In Mystery Role
Release Date: August 6, 2021
Genre: Superhero/Thriller
James Gunn’s extravagant and irreverent soft reboot of the movie will feature many new faces with Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, and Jai Courtney reprising their roles from the earlier movie.
1. Dune
Related: Dune 2020: 10 Breathtaking Facts About Sandworms
Release Date: October 1, 2021
Genre: Science-Fiction
Denis Villeneuve’s attempt at Frank Herbert’s space opera was originally set to release this year. Star-studded with the likes of Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Rebecca Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgard, Javier Bardem, Dave Bautista, and Zendaya, Dune is an epic science-fiction space opera that follows the story of the last scion of House Atreides set on a planet infested with dangerous sandworms.
