15 Movies to Look Forward To in 2021

By: John Maescher

2020 was a lot of things, and this isn’t exactly the place to go through them. We all know. But one thing it wasn’t was a standout year for movies. We did get some great work, but at the end of the day, it wasn’t anything special compared to previous years (especially 2019, one of the best movie years in recent memory). Due to obvious reasons, theaters were closed down for most of the year, and so most major movies scheduled for last year ended up getting pushed to this one. As such, 2021 is a more stacked year than usual. Here are 15 to look forward to.

Note: any of these movies’ release dates are subject to change, and any of them could end up moving out of theaters and onto a streaming service. This list just contains what’s known at the moment. Also, I excluded movies that got limited releases in 2020 but wide releases in 2021, with one exception.

‘The Little Things’

Directed by: John Lee Hancock

Release Date: January 29, 2021 (in theaters and on HBO Max)

Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto

This neo-noir crime thriller stars the great Denzel Washington as a Los Angeles deputy who teams up with a detective (Rami Malek) to track down a serial killer, with Jared Leto playing a suspect. The first 2021 release of the Warner Bros./HBO Max deal (in a normal world, it would have been released solely in theaters first, but instead it’s premiering on HBO Max simultaneously), The Little Things follows a pretty generic cop-movie plot, but the quality of the cast makes it one to look out for. Based off of his Oscar-winning performance in Training Day, any movie where Denzel plays a cop isn’t one to miss. Watch the trailer here.

‘Judas and the Black Messiah’

Directed by: Shaka King

Release Date: February 12th, 2021 (in theaters and on HBO Max)

Starring: Lakeith Stanfield, Daniel Kaluuya, Jesse Plemons

Another major Oscars frontrunner, this historical drama follows FBI informant William O’Neal (Atlanta standout Lakeith Stanfield), who takes a plea deal and agrees to infiltrate the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather information on chairman Fred Hampton (Get Out

star Daniel Kaluuya). Boasting an excellent cast, topical themes, and one of the best trailers in recent memory, Judas and the Black Messiah already seems poised to be one of the very best of the year. Watch the trailer here.

‘Nomadland’

Directed by: Chloé Zhao

Release Date: February 19th, 2021 (in theaters)

Starring: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn

Technically, this one’s a 2020 release, as it premiered at TIFF in September and has already been seen and reviewed by critics. But the vast majority of people won’t see it until this year, and so that’s why I’m putting it on here. Hailed as one of the best of last year, Nomadland follows a woman (Frances McDormand) who loses everything in the Great Recession and begins life as a nomad wandering the country. Aside from a supporting performance from David Straitharn, the rest of the cast is filled with real-life nomads. Having already won two Oscars for her excellent work in Fargo and Three Billboards Over Ebbing, Missouri, there’s a strong chance that McDormand could complete the trifecta this year, which would make her only the third actor to do so (after Daniel Day-Lewis and Jack Nicholson). Watch the trailer here.

‘Nobody’

Directed by: Ilya Naishuller

Release Date: February 26th, 2021 (in theaters)

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, RZA

Don’t expect award-worthy material with this one. But for anyone looking for an over-the-top action blockbuster in the John Wick vein, Nobody seems poised to scratch that itch. The film follows a PTSD-afflicted family man (Bob Odenkirk) who retaliates against two thieves who robbed his and his neighbor’s homes, leading to him and his family (somehow) getting targeted by a Russian drug lord. Judging by the trailer, the action choreography looks insane, and the against-type casting of Odenkirk, so good in Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, makes it infinitely more interesting. (Plus, RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan is in it!). Watch the trailer here.

‘The Many Saints of Newark’

Directed by: Alan Taylor

Release Date: March 12, 2021 (in theaters and on HBO Max)

Starring: Michael Gandolfini, Jon Bernthal, Ray Liotta

Personally, this is the one I’m most excited about. The Many Saints of Newark is a prequel film to the landmark HBO series The Sopranos, one of the greatest TV shows of all time—if not the

greatest. Initially slated for a September 2020 release but pushed back, series creator David Chase has returned to write the script, and it’s helmed by Alan Taylor, who directed several Sopranos episodes (as well as work on other shows like Mad Men, Deadwood, and Game of Thrones). The film will focus on a young Tony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini, stepping into the shoes of his late father James) as he becomes affiliated with the Jersey mob, and is set among the backdrop of the 1967 Newark race riots, which set off tensions between Italian-Americans and African-Americans. Typically, movie follow-ups to TV shows aren’t anything special, but considering Chase has hardly worked on anything since The Sopranos ended in 2007, and that he’s often avoided talking publicly about the show (with some exceptions), this will be no mere fan-service cash-grab. If Chase felt inspiration to return to the show after all this time, it’s guaranteed that he’s got something worthwhile to do. The Sopranos frequently defied conventions and expectations (especially with its famous ending), and Many Saints will likely do the same. I can’t wait.

‘No Time to Die’

Directed by: Cary Joji Fukunaga

Release Date: April 2, 2021 (in theaters)

Starring: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux

Perhaps the most major and widely anticipated movie on this list, the latest entry in the James Bond franchise—and the last one to star Daniel Craig—is also the most-delayed one. No Time to Die was initially slated for November 2019, then February 2020, then April, then November,

and now, finally, April 2021—and there’s reportedly been rumors of yet another delay. The most likely reason is that the Bond franchise is easily the biggest moneymaker MGM has to their name, and, among the movie industry largely moving to streaming, they’re still holding on to the theatrical experience, and they’re willing to wait however long it may be until theaters are safe again. And who can blame them? This is a movie meant for the big screen. Helmed by True Detective alum Cary Joji Fukunaga, the plot follows Bond as he comes out of retirement to help search for an abducted scientist, facing off with a villain played by Rami Malek. Hopefully, it’ll be worth the nearly-two-year wait. Watch the trailer here.

‘A Quiet Place Part II’

Directed by: John Krasinski

Release Date: April 23, 2021 (in theaters)

Starring: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Djimon Hounsou

2018’s A Quiet Place was one of the smartest and most thrilling horror films in recent memory, and one that proved to be a much bigger hit than anyone expected. The Office’s John Krasinksi, who directed and starred in that film, returns to do the former for the sequel, which was initially intended to come out last year, but unsurprisingly got pushed back. The second installment

follows the same family from the first one as they travel into the outside world, continuing to hide from sound-hunting creatures. Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe return from the original, and Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou join as new additions to the cast. Hopefully, it can catch the same lightning in a bottle that the first one did. Watch the trailer here.

‘Black Widow’

Directed by: Cate Shortland

Release Date: May 7, 2021 (in theaters)

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour

The first installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Spider-Man: Far from Home all the way back in July 2019, this was also set for release last year, but, of course, certain things happened in the meantime. Taking place after the events of Captain America: Civil War, the film follows Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) on the run from the KGB as she faces down a large conspiracy. Watch the trailer here.

‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’

Directed by: Jason Reitman

Release Date: June 11, 2021 (in theaters)

Starring: Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Paul Rudd

Yet another nostalgia-driven revival of a beloved ‘80s property, this new Ghostbusters entry ignores the events of the much-maligned 2016 reboot and instead goes back to its roots. The plot follows a single mother (The Leftovers’ Carrie Coon) and her two kids (Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace) as they move to a small town and discover their connections to the original Ghostbusters. Paul Rudd costars, and original cast members Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver have been confirmed to make appearances. It’s an excellent cast (after seeing her all-time great performance in The Leftovers, Carrie Coon alone makes it a must-watch for me), and should make for a great summer blockbuster, even if this whole reboot/revival/whatever trend is getting a little tiring. Watch the trailer here.

‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Directed by: Joseph Kosinski

Release Date: July 2, 2021 (in theaters)

Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly

The original Top Gun is not a great film in the strictest sense of the word; it’s incredibly cheesy, schlocky, and unmistakably ‘80s. That’s also what makes it so entertaining and enduring. And should this new sequel stick to its roots, it’ll be a great piece of summer popcorn entertainment. Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer reprise their roles from the iconic 1986 film, joined by new additions Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, and Ed Harris. Cruise has been on an incredible run

lately with his Mission: Impossible movies (the most recent one, Fallout, is one of the best action movies ever made, period), and to see him in another blockbuster should be a highlight of the year. Also, based off the trailer, those flight scenes demand the biggest screen possible. Watch the trailer here.

‘Dune’

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve

Release Date: October 1st, 2021 (in theaters and on HBO Max)

Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac

Denis Villeneuve has proven himself to be one of the best filmmakers of recent years, after a straight run consisting of Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049. Based on those excellent movies, anything he does is worth checking out. With his first movie since 2017, Villeneuve takes on one of the most beloved sci-fi novels of all time in Frank Herbert’s Dune. Armed with a seriously impressive ensemble cast—there’s too many great names to list them all here—and a giant budget, Dune isn’t one to miss. Hopefully, theaters will be safe by October 1st, because even though it’s premiering on HBO Max simultaneously, this is one that demands the big screen. Watch the trailer here.

‘The Last Duel’

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Release Date: October 15th, 2021 (in theaters)

Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adam Driver

The first of legendary director Ridley Scott’s two scheduled films for this year, The Last Duel is also notable for its script having been penned by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, in their first collaboration in that regard since 1997’s classic Good Will Hunting (Nicole Holofcener also co-wrote). Damon and Affleck also star as two friends in medieval France who are forced to fight to the death after one accuses the other of assaulting his wife. Adam Driver and Jodie Comer co-star.

‘Mission: Impossible 7’

Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie

Release Date: November 19th, 2021 (in theaters)

Starring: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson

You may well have heard Tom Cruise’s viral (and justified!) rant against his crew members for violating COVID-19 protocol while on set. That rant went down while filming the latest Mission: Impossible installment in London. Exact details about the plot are unknown, but, as mentioned above, Fallout was an incredible movie, and considering this is from the same writer-director,

there’s every reason to get excited about this. Franchise stalwarts Cruise, Ving Rhames, and Simon Pegg return; Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, and Angela Bassett return from Fallout; and Hayley Atwell and Boardwalk Empire’s Shea Whigham join as new additions. I have no idea how Cruise will top his stunts from the previous movies, but I have no doubt that he will.

‘Gucci’

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Release Date: November 24th, 2021 (in theaters)

Starring: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino

Ridley Scott’s second film scheduled for this year, Gucci is a true-crime drama following Patrizia Regianni (Lady Gaga, in her first role since A Star is Born) and how she planned the assassination of her husband Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), grandson of iconic fashion designer Guccio Gucci. Driver and Gaga star alongside Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons (who replaced Robert De Niro), and Jack Huston. It’s a fantastic cast.

‘The Matrix 4’

Directed by: Lana Wachowski

Release Date: December 22nd, 2021 (in theaters and on HBO Max)

Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith

It’s been 18 years since the last installment of the Matrix franchise, but Lana Wachowski (without sister Lilly, who co-wrote and co-directed the first three) will be returning to make a fourth movie in the series. Original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will be back as well (though notably without Laurence Fishburne), alongside new additions Jada Pinkett Smith, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jonathan Groff. Although the second and third installments didn’t get the best reception, the original Matrix is one of the most iconic sci-fi/action movies of the last few decades, and hopefully this can live up to those standards.