The Most Anticipated Movies Still to Come in 2021

Director M. Night Shyamalan’s latest thriller follows a family to a secluded tropical beach, where they begin to age at an exponential rate. It’s based on the graphic novel “Sandcastle” by Pierre Oscar Levy and Frederik Peeters, a copy of which Shyamalan reportedly received as a Father’s Day gift.

Not to be confused with the similarly titled 1998 De Palma film, this “G.I. Joe” spin-off centers on a character of the same name (played by Henry Golding). Accepted by a clan of ninja warriors, Snake Eyes’ troubled past threatens to uproot his new life.

Like “Pirates of the Caribbean” before it, this Disney adventure takes loose inspiration from a popular theme park ride. Follow Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson through the heart of the Amazon, where danger lurks at every turn.

Dev Patel stars as Sir Gawain in this epic retelling of a 14th-century chivalric romance. A reckless and stubborn nephew to King Arthur, Gawain puts his honor to the test in his pursuit of the mythical Green Knight.

From the director of “Spotlight” comes this somber crime drama, which takes loose inspiration from the Amanda Knox saga. An American father (Matt Damon) travels to France to help his estranged daughter (Abigail Breslin), who’s been arrested for murder. It premiered at Cannes to a five-minute standing ovation and somewhat mixed reviews.

The world’s most dangerous supervillains are sent on another kamikaze mission in this R-rated sequel. Joined by a shady task force, they penetrate a heavily-guarded remote island. DC fans are hoping director James Gunn can do for this franchise what he did for Marvel with both “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies.

Before “A Quiet Place” there was 2016’s “Don’t Breathe,” in which a young woman’s silence similarly meant the difference between life and death. This sequel takes place years later and features the return of Norman Nordstrom (Stephen Lang), the deadly blind man from the original.

This upcoming biopic stars multi-hyphenate Jennifer Hudson as legendary R&B singer Aretha Franklin. It follows the “Queen of Soul” from her early days in the church choir to her blockbuster success on the international stage.

A bank teller named Guy (Ryan Reynolds) discovers that he’s nothing more than a background character in an open world video game. Originally slated for release in July of 2020, this action film was pushed back three times. Pending further delays or disasters, it will arrive this August for an exclusive 45-day theatrical run.

A remake of the 2014 French film “La Famille Bélier,” this drama tells the story of a girl with hearing abilities (Emilia Jones) who’s born to two deaf parents. After premiering at Sundance, it was picked up by Apple for a record-setting $25 million. It will land in theaters and on the Apple TV+ streaming service at the same time.

The feature debut from filmmaker Lisa Joy, this sci-fi thriller takes place in a near-future world that’s been ravaged by climate change. Hugh Jackman plays a lonely veteran turned scientist, who gives customers the chance to relive their most cherished memories. When his newfound love interest (Rebecca Ferguson) implicates herself in a murder, it kicks off a desperate search for the truth.

In the spirit of classic revenge sagas comes this Netflix thriller, in which a man (Jason Momoa) tracks down the people responsible for his wife’s death. At the same time, he must protect the one true thing he has left: his daughter (Isabela Merced).

“Get Out” creator Jordan Peele co-wrote and co-produced this highly anticipated horror flick, a sequel to the 1992 cult classic. It brings viewers back to Chicago’s now-gentrified Cabrini Green neighborhood, where a mythical boogeyman once terrorized the locals. Like its predecessor, the film will layer a macabre premise with important themes of racial injustice.

Marvel Studios brings another comic book character to the bring screen with this martial arts actioner. After an encounter with the villainous Ten Rings organization, superhero Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) must confront the past he left behind.

The second live-action adaptation of “Cinderella” in less than a decade, this musical retelling stars Camila Cabello as the famous fairy tale character. Produced by Sony, it will arrive directly onto the Amazon Prime Video streaming platform.

Director James Wan returns to his horror roots with this sure-to-be-gripping thriller, based on an original idea. Details are being kept under wraps, but the story involves two women who are on the run from a deadly monster. Look for it in theaters or on HBO Max.

The second coming of Hollywood veteran Paul Schrader continues with this American crime drama, which he wrote and directed. It puts a seasoned gambler (Oscar Isaac) on the path to redemption when he takes a vengeful young man (Tye Sheridan) under his wing. Tiffany Haddish and Willem Dafoe co-star and Martin Scorsese was executive producer.

This Western drama represents the latest film from 91-year-old director Clint Eastwood, who also stars. Based on a novel, it follows a washed-up horse breeder (Eastwood) on a transformational journey through Mexico in 1978.

Broadway star Ben Platt reprises the role of Evan Hansen for this adaptation of an award-winning musical about a high school senior with severe anxiety. When an unexpected event leads to tragedy, Hansen thrusts himself into the local spotlight. The story is loosely inspired by an actual incident.

Journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and his alien alter-ego return for this big-budget sequel, which pits him against a deadly foe. Hardy was so creatively involved behind the scenes that he ended up receiving his first story credit.

Lin-Manuel Miranda makes his directorial feature debut with this adaptation of an off-Broadway musical. Chronicling the exploits of a struggling theater composer (Andrew Garfield), it doubles as a biopic about real-life icon Jonathan David Larson. It was Larson who created both the original play and also the smash hit “Rent” before passing away at the age of 35.

Based on the popular novel, this romantic drama is the third installment of the “After” film series. It centers on the relationship between Tessa and Hardin, which takes a turn for the worse when a dark secret comes to light.

“The Sopranos” creator David Chase co-wrote this long-gestating prequel, starring James Gandolfini’s son Michael as a young Tony Soprano. Set in Newark, it examines the future crime boss’s most formative years. An initial 2020 release date was pushed back by over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

America’s creepiest and kookiest family embarks on an event-filled road trip in this computer-animated sequel. Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Kroll, Snoop Dogg, Bill Hader, and Bette Midler all lend their voices.

The fourth (and supposedly final) installment of the “Hotel Transylvania” franchise replaces Adam Sandler with Brian Hull as the voice of Dracula. Thanks to Van Helsing’s latest invention, Drac and his monster pals suddenly take on human form.

The 25th official Bond movie overcame a series of production setbacks and delays before arriving at its current release date. Daniel Craig delivers his final performance as the iconic spy, who comes out of retirement to take on a maniacal villain.

The recent “Halloween” reboot was a massive success, meaning that this follow-up was more or less inevitable. Director David Gordon Green returns and so too does original scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis, squaring off against serial killer Michael Myers once again. Everything will come to a violent conclusion in the upcoming 2022 film “Halloween Ends.”

Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and indie filmmaker Nicole Holofcener co-wrote the screenplay for this historical drama from director Ridley Scott. It takes place in 14th-century France and builds toward a deadly duel between a knight (Damon) and his squire (Adam Driver).

Expectations are high for director Edgar Wright’s noirish psychological thriller with sci-fi undertones. Two young women (Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy) forge a connection across time and it threatens to unravel their respective realities. Early trailers are dripping in atmosphere.

Preceded by a 1984 version directed by David Lynch, widely considered a fiasco, this sci-fi epic hopes to give Frank Herbert’s seminal novel the adaptation it deserves. Shot on a reported budget of $165 million, it takes viewers to a futuristic desert planet. Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) is tasked with protecting the most valuable resource known to humanity at all costs.

The final issue of a fictional newspaper yields three unique stories in this predictably quirky outing from Wes Anderson. It premiered at Cannes to rapturous applause but failed to take home any awards. A press photo of Anderson with three cast members (Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and Timothée Chalamet) has already inspired countless memes.

After a 10-year hiatus, Johnny Knoxville and his daredevil cohorts will return for one final smorgasbord of uproarious stunts. Both Knoxville and co-star Steve-O were hospitalized with injuries during production, as if anyone expected anything less.

Based on a short story, this modern monster movie has all the trappings of a gruesome classic. It takes place in a small Oregon town, where a young boy harbors a dark and deadly secret.

A walking, talking robot named Ron has gone wrong in this computer-animated comedy about the digital age. Adorable in spite of his malfunctions, Ron and his best human friend embark on a coming-of-age adventure.

Marvel Studios is making up for lost time with their third feature film of the year and their 26th overall. It follows the events of “Avengers: Endgame” and tells the story of a secret alien race, who come out of hiding to protect mankind.

The original “Ghostbusters” was both a smash hit and a cultural benchmark, making the mediocre movies that followed all the more disappointing. This modern sequel hopes to right the course with a new story featuring appearances by stars of the original version. It follows a single mom (Carrie Coon) and her son to a small town, where a series of supernatural events lead directly back to the ghostbusters.

Arriving on Netflix, this international thriller puts the world’s greatest tracker (Dwayne Johnson) on the trail of the world’s greatest art thief (Gal Gadot). When the world’s greatest con artist (Ryan Reynolds) enters the picture, things get complicated.

With three decades of fearless flying under his belt, Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is still pushing boundaries in this long-awaited sequel. Delayed more than once, it will finally hit theaters on Nov. 19th and then stream on the Paramount+ network 45 days later.

Bursting with vibrant color, Disney’s computer-animated fantasy introduces viewers to a magical Colombian family named the Madrigals. Everyone in the family has a special power except Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz), who just might be their only hope in the midst of a dangerous threat.

Director Ridley Scott’s second release in as many months takes place in 1995 and chronicles the infamous murder of fashion magnate Maurizio Gucci (played by Adam Driver). The star-studded affair will offer a candid glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Some members of the actual Gucci family have criticized the work as an invasion of privacy.

Can the “Resident Evil” franchise survive without action star Milla Jovovich? Audiences are about to find out with this upcoming prequel. It sets the action in 1998 and promises to reveal how the whole bloody saga began.

Director Guillermo del Toro adapts a controversial 1946 novel with his latest psychological thriller, about two expert manipulators (Cate Blanchett and Bradley Cooper). Long before this version, there was an acclaimed 1947 noir based on the same book. Del Toro’s work is not a remake of the previous film, rather a reimagining of the same source material.

Spielberg’s remake of an award-winning musical explores forbidden love against the culturally charged backdrop of warring gangs. Actress Rita Moreno starred in the original version and she returns here to play a different role.

As if there weren’t enough Marvel movies scheduled for release in 2021, Spider-Man (Tom Holland) will kick off his third high-stakes adventure in December. It will presumably pick things up where the mid-credits scene in “Spider-Man: Far From Home” left off. A fourth film is reportedly in development.

A game-changing sci-fi franchise continues with this fourth installment, which arrives 18 years after its immediate predecessor. True to form, the cast and crew are keeping mum on story details. Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) will both return.

Set at the turn of the 20th century, the third “Kingsman” movie shows how the covert agency came into existence. A collective of evildoers are dead set on destroying mankind and it’s up to a man (Ralph Fiennes) and his protégé (Harris Dickinson) to stop them.

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law reprise their respective roles as Sherlock Holmes and Watson for this upcoming threequel. Stepping into the shoes of Guy Ritchie, director Dexter Fletcher will surely maintain the franchise’s unique blend of mystery and action.

A sequel to the 2016 blockbuster “Sing,” this computer-animated musical takes place in a world of anthropomorphic animals. To kick off his new show in spectacular style, koala Buster Moon must lure a reclusive rock musician out of hiding. Matthew McConaughey, Taron Egerton, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Halsey, Pharrell Williams, Eric André, Bono, and other stars provide voices.

It’s the end of the world as we know it and (almost) everyone feels a little too fine in this satirical comedy from Adam McKay. Determined to warn mankind of the impending doom, two astronomers (Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence) embark on a massive media tour.

Jay-Z co-produced this revenge-fueled Western, starring a veritable who’s who of distinguished Black stars. Upon learning that his nemesis has been released from prison, a rugged outlaw (Jonathan Majors) gets the old gang back together for one last job.

A horror novel from 2017 lays the groundwork for this Netflix slasher, in which a masked killer targets soon-to-be high school grads. As the body count rises, a deeply buried secret inches closer to the surface.

Ana de Armas plays Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe in this fictionalized biopic, based on a novel by Joyce Carol Oates. The film was in development for over a decade, with at least two high-profile actresses reportedly dropping out of the lead role. It’s been described by director Andrew Dominik as an “avalanche of images and events.”

Oscar-winning director Jane Campion’s first feature film in over a decade offers a tale of bitter jealousy and brutal sibling rivalry. Set in Montana in the early 20th century, it finds a callous ranch owner turning against his own brother over a woman. Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and Benedict Cumberbatch star.

This period drama, which takes inspiration from a novel of the same name, primarily unfolds in post-WWI England. Told largely through flashbacks, it chronicles the love affair between a housemaid and the son of a wealthy family.

Working without his brother for the first time, filmmaker Joel Coen delivers this retelling of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star as Lord and Lady Macbeth, who fulfill a prophecy by brutally seizing power. Coen opted to shoot the film in black-and-white and entirely on sound stages so as to reinforce a sense of “unreality.”