I suppose the one benefit of having a year with so few films to see on the big screen is that they all roll over into 2021, which could be set to be a bumper year at the movies.
But if the last 12 months have taught us anything, it’s that things can go very, very wrong when you least expect.
So, with that in mind, here are my top 10 most (cautiously) anticipated movies of 2021.
A note: all of these release dates are very obviously subject to change, so keep checking back to make sure you know when these films are set to be released for real!
Honourable Mentions
Free Guy (May 21), Fast & Furious 9 (May 28), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (June 11), Don’t Breathe 2 (Aug 13), Death On The Nile (Sep 17), Eternals (Nov 5), Spider-Man 3 (Dec 17), The Matrix 4 (Dec 22)
10. The King’s Man
Release Date: March 12
Originally scheduled for last year, The King’s Man sees director Matthew Vaughn take his swashbuckling spy universe 100 years into the past for another action-packed espionage adventure.
I personally loved both Kingsman: The Secret Service and The Golden Circle were hugely entertaining spy movies, and although I was initially hesitant about this film’s different time setting, the trailers have shown that it’s set to be another brilliantly chaotic and visually thrilling film from Matthew Vaughn.
Watch the trailer here.
9. Tom & Jerry
Release Date: February 26
I really don’t know what to expect from the new Tom & Jerry movie, but if there’s one thing that I can’t wait to see, it’s traditional animation back on the big screen.
The film follows everybody’s favourite cat-and-mouse duo causing havoc in a New York hotel, mixed in with real-life characters played by Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña and more.
In all honesty, the film might not be a masterpiece, but to see a classic animated property return without a soulless 3D rebirth is such a rarity these days, and I for one can’t wait to see a traditionally-animated Tom & Jerry doing battle again after so many years.
Watch the trailer here.
8. Top Gun: Maverick
Release Date: July 2
It’s easy to wonder why we’re getting a sequel to Top Gun a full 35 years after the original was released in the late 1980s. However, with action star Tom Cruise still operating at the top of his game, there’s no reason that Maverick can’t be one of the most entertaining movies of 2021.
The trailers hint at a slight shift in tone towards action over romance from the original film, something that could really stand this sequel in good stead with its striking visual effects, stunts and action director Joseph Kosinski.
If one thing’s for certain, Top Gun: Maverick won’t be a carbon copy of the ’80s classic it’s following, and could very possibly outdo its predecessor.
Read a full review here.
7. The Suicide Squad
Release Date: August 6
As DC’s Extended Universe begins to get into its stride off the back of two strong entries in 2020, The Suicide Squad is a particularly exciting prospect.
Back in 2016, Suicide Squad was my most anticipated movie of the year, and it turned out to be one of the most disappointing films of the last decade.
However, I absolutely loved Birds Of Prey last year, and with DC showing more willingness to have fun with their movies, and with Guardians Of The Galaxy director Gunn on board to helm the film, The Suicide Squad could be hugely entertaining. Or maybe really disappointing again…
No trailer yet…
6. A Quiet Place Part II
Release Date: April 23
Director John Krasinski absolutely knocked it out of the park with his brilliantly original horror thriller A Quiet Place back in 2018. Three years on, the story of a family staying silent as they fight to survive a post-apocalyptic world could be even more exhilarating.
Krasinski proved that the total lack of dialogue was far more than a gimmick in the original film, and as such A Quiet Place Part II will certainly use that unique trait to perfection once again. With Emily Blunt and Cillian Murphy starring in lead roles, the film is set to be another gripping and potentially terrifying sensory experience.
Watch the trailer here.
5. Black Widow
Release Date: May 7
For the first time since 2009, we went an entire calendar year without a new movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2020. This year, however, there could be four new MCU movies on the way, with Black Widow the most exciting one of all.
Set in Natasha Romanoff’s native Russia before the events of Avengers: Endgame, Black Widow will signal a return to the glorious summer blockbusters that we so sorely missed in 2020. Plus, with Marvel beginning to change the shape of its cinematic universe after the end of The Infinity Saga, the film could be the studio’s most unique film in years.
Watch the trailer here.
4. Luca
Release Date: June 18
I always expect that anything Pixar make is destined to be an all-time classic, and that could be the case with Luca.
Set on the Italian Riviera in the middle of a glorious summer, the film tells the story of a young boy’s friendship with a sea monster disguised as a human. The premise does bear some resemblance to Japanese films Ponyo and Lu Over The Wall, while its setting has been likened by many to Call Me By Your Name.
However, Pixar have proven time and time again that they can extract the most original and moving stories out of any concept, and I’m certain they’ll do the same with Luca, which looks like it will be an utter joy to watch.
No trailer yet…
3. No Time To Die
Release Date: April 2
This time last year, No Time To Die made it to fifth on my most anticipated list, but I was a little hesitant in my excitement for the latest Bond movie.
In 2021, however, I cannot wait to see 007 on the big screen once again, with the film’s marketing campaign having dramatically improved through the last 12 months. Its title song by Billie Eilish is fantastic, there seems to be far more energy surrounding the film now, and its commitment to a full theatrical release is so great to see.
Who knows what the last edition of Daniel Craig’s Bond career will bring us, with many rumours swirling about the future of the franchise. However, I for one will without doubt be lining up on opening night (whenever that may be) to see this movie.
Watch the trailer here.
2. Mission: Impossible 7
Release Date: November 17
James Bond may be cinema’s oldest spy saga, but over the last decade, the Mission: Impossible movies have proved themselves to be some of the most thrilling action movies out there.
Three years after the exhilarating Fallout, Tom Cruise is set to return as Ethan Hunt alongside director Christopher McQuarrie for what is certain to be the most epic Mission: Impossible movie yet.
Filmed back-to-back with the series’ eighth instalment, we could see a shift from the self-contained stories we’re used to from the franchise, but there’s certain to be no shortage of the action, stunts and incredible storytelling that has seen these movies go from strength to strength in recent years.
No trailer yet…
1. Dune
Release Date: October 1
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune is my most anticipated movie of 2021 by a long, long way. Once shrouded in mystery, we’ve now seen the first trailers for what is set to be potentially one of the most unique and striking sci-fi blockbusters ever made.
Villeneuve, who helmed the likes of Prisoners, Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival, is yet to make a bad film, but the stakes are high as Dune looks like his most ambitious project yet. A visual and technical masterpiece it will no doubt be, but the question remains as to how the director is going to tackle one of the most legendarily difficult stories to convert to film.
As much as I’m looking forward to bright, crowd-pleasing blockbusters in 2021, Dune will be quite the opposite, but its overbearing intensity, brooding drama and striking tone is what will make it stand out so much this year.
Watch the trailer here.
