Safe to say that 2020 has been a mess for movie releases. For a time there - particularly between March and May - it seemed that the release date for just about every movie was being moved. Starting with Bond movie 'No Time To Die', which moved from April 10th to November 12th, film after film got pushed back.
With some being postponed to as late as 2021 or 2022 (for films that had their production delayed), it was looking bleak for a time as to whether we were going to get any movie releases this year.
But with the welcome news that Irish cinemas will reopen from July 20th, it looks like there will be big screen offerings from next month on.
Here are the biggest titles to look forward to between now and the end of 2020. Their most recently confirmed release dates are according to Imdb.
'Mulan' - 21 August
Originally due to hit cinemas in March, 'Mulan' moved to a cautious but optimistic date in August, around the time 'Tenet' hits theatres. The remake of the 1998 animated feature is the first Disney live-action remake to get a 12A rating. There will be some changes from the original including no songs, no Mushu and no Li Shang. It had its world premiere back in March and you can read the first impressions of the movie here.
'Tenet' - 12 August
In a ballsy move, Christopher Nolan has asserted for a couple of months now that he's sticking to the original date set for 'Tenet' of July 2020 (though the date did eventually have to move). Of course, the director is set to make a lot of money if it works out with cinemas opening just on time for the film. All going to plan, the action epic will be the first major blockbuster of the summer season. John David Washington, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kenneth Branagh, Robert Pattinson, and Michael Caine star.
'Bill and Ted Face the Music' - 21 August (TBC)
The official trailer for 'Bill and Ted Face the Music', the third movie to follow Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter's titular lovable goofballs, dropped only recently. The exact release date has yet to be confirmed but the threequel should drop this summer. Bill and Ted are now older, but no wiser, and will need help from their daughters, a new batch of historical figures, and a few music legends in their newest quest.
'A Quiet Place Part II' - 4 September (TBC)
'A Quiet Place' ended up being a major hit back in 2018. Thus hopes are high for its follow-up. Following the events of the first film, the Abbott family head out on the road, terrified of what they'll face in the outside world, as they fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Emily Blunt returns as its star, John Krasinski is back in the director's seat and Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou join the cast.
'The King’s Man' - 16 September
'The King's Man' marks the prequel to the highly popular 'Kingsman' series starring Colin Firth, Mark Strong and Taron Egerton. Set in the 1900s, this one features an all-new cast that includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Charles Dance, Matthew Goode, and Gemma Arterton. The official plot synopsis reads: "As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man must race against time to stop them."
'Candyman' - 25 September
This is a remake a lot of horror aficionados have been looking forward, especially with Jordan Peele acting as executive producer and one of its screenwriters. Given the 1992 original explored racial divides in America, this new iteration could prove eerily timely. Headlining it is 'Aquaman' star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who has also been cast in the upcoming 'Matrix 4'.
'Wonder Woman 1984' - 2 October
The sequel to the hit superhero movie 'Wonder Woman' made two moves from its original release date. The Warner Bros./DC feature first moved from June 5th to August 14th, eager to cash in on that summer blockbuster box office gold, but will now hit cinemas in October. 'Wonder Woman 1984' sees Gal Gadot back in the titular role with Chris Pine back as Steve Trevor. They're joined by Kristen Wiig as a new antagonist Barbara Ann Minerva / Cheetah. Pedro Pascal is also new to the cast in the role of Max Lord.
'The French Dispatch' - 16 October
What's 'The French Dispatch' you say? Two words for you: Wes. Anderson. For fans of the director's work - spanning 'The Royal Tenenbaums', 'Moonrise Kingdom', and 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' among others - that's all you need to know. This latest brings to life a collection of short stories set in a fictional 20th-century French city. Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Jeffrey Wright, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson star.
'Halloween Kills' - 16 October
With the 2018 'Halloween' doing so great at the box office, it's no wonder the horror got not one but two sequels. Not that we're complaining as the Jamie Lee Curtis starrer was brilliant. The actress is back as Laurie Strobe. Judy Greer returns as Karen, Laurie's daughter, and Andi Matichak plays Allyson, Karen's daughter and Laurie's granddaughter, again. No trailer yet but here's some BTS footage Jamie Lee Curtis shared.
'Black Widow' - 30 October (Previews 28-29 October)
The solo outing for 'Black Widow' has been a long time coming. Even though it got pushed back, we'll finally get to see the flick this October (and before US audiences too). Scarlett Johansson is back as the superhero also known as Natasha Romanoff. Florence Pugh plays Yelena Belova and David Harbour will play Red Guardian. Rachel Weisz plays Melina, another Black Widow. The movie takes place after the events of 'Captain America: Civil War'.
'No Time to Die' - 12 November
The aforementioned 25th Bond outing will be going for the Christmas box office now as opposed to summer. In fact it's pretty much following tradition as predecessors 'Casino Royale', 'Quantum of Solace', 'Skyfall' and 'Spectre' all had a release date between October and November too. Joining Daniel Craig for the venture are Christoph Waltz, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Jeffrey Wright and Lea Seydoux. Newcomers include Rami Malek, Ana de Armas and Lashanna Lynch.
'Soul' - 27 November
Looks like this Christmas will be packed with movie attendees if this list ignites as much excitement for everyone else as it does for us. 'Soul' is the second Disney Pixar movie to hit theatres after 'Onwards' arrived earlier this year. The animated feature is directed by Pete Docter ('Monsters Inc', 'Up', 'Inside Out'). A music teacher living in New York (voiced by Jamie Foxx) has his soul forced from his body. He'll need the help of 22 (voiced by Tina Fey), a soul with a bleak outlook of life on Earth, to find his way back.
'Free Guy' - 11 December
With Ryan Reynolds headlining this, 'Free Guy' is sure to be a success, even after being delayed. Moreover, it's based on a clever idea, and the trailer looks very funny. Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, Lil Rey Howery, and Taika Waititi co-star. Shawn Levy, better known for his work on 'Stranger Things', directs. The film sees a bank teller discover that he's actually an NPC (or non-player character) inside a brutal video game. He takes it upon himself to become the hero of the game.
'Dune' - 18 December
Another remake. The sci fi epic is directed by Denis Villeneuve, who previously helmed 'Arrival' and 'Blade Runner 2049'. Aside from an impressive director, the new 'Dune' packs quite a cast too. Timothée Chalamet plays Paul Atreides, one of the central characters. Oscar Isaac, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Rampling, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin and Sharon Duncan-Brewster join him.
'Top Gun Maverick' - 23 December
Another one originally intended to be a summer blockbuster, we're sure people will be more than happy to spend their Christmas break seeing Tom Cruise back in his most iconic role. Val Kilmer is also said to be reprising Iceman. Jennifer Connelly joins them as does Jon Hamm, Ed Harris, Miles Teller and Glen Powell. Joseph Kosinski, who worked with Cruise on 'Oblivion', directs.
