With Cinemas all over the world slowly beginning to reopen, we thought we’d run down just what you’ll be able to see on the big and small screen over the next few months. From blockbusters, to possibly, Oscar contenders, let’s have a look.
“Those Who Wish Me Dead” (May 14th)
Angelina Jolie returns to the big screen, teaming up with “Hell or High Water” and “Wind River” writer-director Taylor Sheridan for a modern Western-action-survival-thriller. Jolie plays a veteran fire-fighter, forced to protect a young boy from the assassins (Nicholas Hoult and Aidan Gillen) who are hunting him.
“Army of the Dead” (May 21st)
Zack Snyder returns to his Zombie roots with this Dave Bautista starring post-apocalyptic heist thriller. Landing on Netflix next month, the trailer definitely makes this look like a lot of fun. It helps that Snyder us returning to the roots of his best movie, 2004’s “Dawn of the Dead.” The film also stars Ella Purnell and Hiroyuki Sanada.
“A Quiet Place Part II” (June 4th)
One of the first films to be moved as the pandemic began. There are actually quite a few who managed to see the (now) long awaited horror sequel. Joining Emily Blunt in this one is Cillian Murphy (“Batman Begins,” “Peaky Blinders”) and John Krasinski returns behind the camera. Let’s hope it can capture the breathless atmosphere of the first.
“Cruella” (May 28th)
Confirmed for a Disney+ premier access release (in conjunction with a theatrical release), Emma Stone takes on the role made iconic by Glenn Close in 1996’s “101 Dalmatians”. This origin story of one of Disney’s most famous villains also has a supporting cast that includes Emma Thompson, Mark Strong, and Paul Walter Hauser.
“In the Heights” (June 11th)
Having received a fair wave of praise when it debuted for some critics a few weeks back, the Anthony Ramos (“A Star is Born” “Hamilton”) led musical based on the Broadway production of the same name could well be another hit for the ever-consistent Lin-Manuel Miranda. Scheduled to have its world premiere at the Tribeca film festival in June, the film will debut in theatres and simultaneously on HBO Max in the US on June 11th.
“Pixar’s Luca” (June 18th)
One that many people are disappointed they won’t get to see theatrically. Scheduled for a June Disney+ release (at no extra cost to subscribers, much like “Soul”) Pixar’s latest film is billed as a coming of age story set along the Italian Riviera. Luca (Jacob Tremblay) and his best friend Alberto (Jack Dylan Glazer) embark on a crazy adventure while trying to explore the human world. Oh, and they’re both sea monsters from a world below the water’s surface.
“Black Widow” (July 9th)
Currently sat in what feels like it’s umpteenth different release date, many were looking at Marvel to see what they would do. With no MCU film released since July 2019, it now seems set in stone that Scarlett Johansson’s “Black Widow” will finally bow out on July 9th. Another Disney picture given the Premier Access treatment in conjunction with a cinema release. Starring Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, and Florence Pugh alongside Johansson, it remains to be seen not only how the film will give Natasha Romanoff her swan song, but also if the film will have wider ramifications for the rest of the MCU.
“Old” (July 23rd)
A family on a tropical holiday discover that the secluded beach they are spending their days at is causing them to age rapidly. Before you say it... yes it is from M.Night Shyamalan. Due for release on July 23rd the latest horror from the “Split” director stars the likes of Eliza Scanlan, Gael Garcia Bernal, and Thomasin McKenzie. Shyamalan has been hit and miss his entire career, let’s hope this is more like his earlier stuff and not “The Happening”.
“The Green Knight” (July 30th)
A24 left everyone hanging for almost a year on this Dev Patel led retelling of the Arthurian legend. David Lowery’s latest features Sean Harris as King Arthur himself, alongside big hitters Alicia Vikander and Joel Edgerton. With a July 30th release date now in the books, I suggest seeking the trailer out for this one. A Cannes bow is also not out of the question.
“Stillwater” (July 30th)
Oscar winning writer and director of “Spotlight” Tom McCarthy returns, this time with a drama featuring Matt Damon as Bill Baker, a father working to exonerate his estranged daughter (Abigail Breslin) of a murder she never committed. Scheduled for July 30th it wouldn’t surprise me to see this move to a more awards-friendly date later in the year. For now, it’s one of the few Oscar-buzzed films set for a summer release.
“The Suicide Squad” (August 5th)
One of the year’s most anticipated blockbusters, especially following its record-breaking trailer release a few weeks ago that clearly showed the huge appetite for the film. James Gunn’s take on DC’s anti-hero bunch seems to have everything that David Ayer’s 2014 effort lacked: colour, excitement, interesting characters, and coherence. There’s a good chance this will be the highest grosser of the year.
“Respect” (August 13th)
Liesl Tommy’s Aretha Franklin biopic was originally meant to take Jennifer Hudson all the way to the Oscars this year. However, the pandemic put pay to its December release, meaning Universal postponed its Oscar hopeful almost an entire year. Rumoured to release in August, will this strategy take it to the 2022 Oscars?
“Free Guy” (August 13th)
Set for an August theatrical release, Ryan Reynolds leads this sci-fi action comedy in which a non-playable video game character (Reynolds) becomes self-aware and embarks on a journey to make himself the hero. Taika Waititi, Joe Keery (“Stranger things”) and Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve”) co-star. Rumours are pointing it for a VOD release as well, but that has not yet been confirmed.
“The Beatles: Get Back” (August 27th)
Peter Jackson returns to the director’s chair for a found-footage style documentary covering the making of the band’s 1970 album “Let it Be”. Using material originally shot for Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s 1970 documentary, Jackson’s film will attempt to challenge the assumption that one of the most famous albums of all time was made with ill-feelings from the band. With an August release date, I’d highly expect this one to land on Disney+ as well as in theatres.
“Candyman” (August 27th)
Delayed three times already, this would easily be top five for me. One look at the trailer should sell you on this. Nia DaCosta’s take on the classic horror is rooted in tales of insanity and violence and stars the likes of Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“Watchmen,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7”) and Teyonah Parris (“Wandavision”). Another big film for a stacked looking August.
Let us know what you’re most looking forward to getting back in a cinema to see!