With return dates unveiled for cinemas in the UK and Ireland, we look at the movies you just might get to see on the big screen this year.
Words by Eric Hillis
Remember cinemas? Well, they just might be set for a comeback. The governments of both the UK and Ireland have now set a timetable for when cinemas can reopen their doors (July at the earliest in UK, August 10th in Ireland), so we're taking a look at some of the big hitters that you just might get to see on the big screen this year. Of course this is all subject to change, but release dates are correct at time of writing.
Tenet
One movie that certainly won't be going straight to VOD is Christopher Nolan's latest spectacle. Ever an advocate for the big screen experience, Nolan held fast with his insistence that Tenet would open in cinemas this summer while all around him releases were being pulled. Plot details have been kept under wraps but Tenet appears to follow the exploits of a time travelling secret agent (John David Washington). Nolan is always linked whenever a new James Bond movie is seeking a director, and with its globe-hopping narrative, Tenet might be the closest we'll ever get to a Nolan-directed spy movie. Expected to be the first tentpole movie released when cinemas re-open, Tenet will have the weight of an anxious film industry on its shoulders.
Currently scheduled for July 17th.
One movie that certainly won't be going straight to VOD is Christopher Nolan's latest spectacle. Ever an advocate for the big screen experience, Nolan held fast with his insistence that Tenet would open in cinemas this summer while all around him releases were being pulled. Plot details have been kept under wraps but Tenet appears to follow the exploits of a time travelling secret agent (John David Washington). Nolan is always linked whenever a new James Bond movie is seeking a director, and with its globe-hopping narrative, Tenet might be the closest we'll ever get to a Nolan-directed spy movie. Expected to be the first tentpole movie released when cinemas re-open, Tenet will have the weight of an anxious film industry on its shoulders.
Currently scheduled for July 17th.
Mulan
Disney's latest live-action remake of a beloved animated movie from their back catalogue was just about to hit cinemas when the world was plunged into lockdown. Director Niki Caro (Whale Rider) is at the helm for this epic retelling of the story of a young Chinese girl (Liu Yifei) who poses as a man to become a legendary warrior. Disney are betting heavily on this one hitting big in China, and will be hoping that nation's cinemas are fully up and running by time of release.
Currently scheduled for July 24th.
Disney's latest live-action remake of a beloved animated movie from their back catalogue was just about to hit cinemas when the world was plunged into lockdown. Director Niki Caro (Whale Rider) is at the helm for this epic retelling of the story of a young Chinese girl (Liu Yifei) who poses as a man to become a legendary warrior. Disney are betting heavily on this one hitting big in China, and will be hoping that nation's cinemas are fully up and running by time of release.
Currently scheduled for July 24th.
Wonder Woman 1984
"All the world's waiting for you!" So sang the theme tune of the '70s TV show, and with 2017's Wonder Woman proving such a box-office hit, it seems that cinemagoers around the globe are indeed eagerly waiting for the delayed release of its followup. Gal Gadot dons the bracelets once again, with Chris Pine returning as love interest Steve Trevor. This time WW finds herself in the pastel surrounds of 1980s America, battling baddies Max Lord (Pedro Pascal) and Cheetah (Kristen Wiig).
Currently scheduled for August 14th.
"All the world's waiting for you!" So sang the theme tune of the '70s TV show, and with 2017's Wonder Woman proving such a box-office hit, it seems that cinemagoers around the globe are indeed eagerly waiting for the delayed release of its followup. Gal Gadot dons the bracelets once again, with Chris Pine returning as love interest Steve Trevor. This time WW finds herself in the pastel surrounds of 1980s America, battling baddies Max Lord (Pedro Pascal) and Cheetah (Kristen Wiig).
Currently scheduled for August 14th.
Bill and Ted Face the Music
Hollywood continues to drain the '80s nostalgia teat with this return of time-travelling slackers Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves). This time our heroes are married with kids when they find themselves tasked with creating a song in order to save the universe. Whether this one proves excellent or bogus remains to be seen.
Currently scheduled for August 21st.
Hollywood continues to drain the '80s nostalgia teat with this return of time-travelling slackers Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves). This time our heroes are married with kids when they find themselves tasked with creating a song in order to save the universe. Whether this one proves excellent or bogus remains to be seen.
Currently scheduled for August 21st.
Greenland
If 2017's Geostorm left you craving another movie in which Gerard Butler faces down the threat of an elemental force, director Ric Roman Waugh has you covered. Greenland sees Butler lead a group of would-be survivors on a quest to reach fortified bunkers in the titular country before a comet hits Earth.
Currently scheduled for August 21st.
If 2017's Geostorm left you craving another movie in which Gerard Butler faces down the threat of an elemental force, director Ric Roman Waugh has you covered. Greenland sees Butler lead a group of would-be survivors on a quest to reach fortified bunkers in the titular country before a comet hits Earth.
Currently scheduled for August 21st.
A Quiet Place Part II
I was all set to attend a press screening of John Krasinski's sequel when the lockdown news hit and I instead found myself on a quest to nab toilet paper. Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe return as the surviving members of the Abbott family, who discover that the threat posed by human survivors in this post-apocalyptic world is as deadly as that of the aliens.
Currently scheduled for September 4th.
I was all set to attend a press screening of John Krasinski's sequel when the lockdown news hit and I instead found myself on a quest to nab toilet paper. Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe return as the surviving members of the Abbott family, who discover that the threat posed by human survivors in this post-apocalyptic world is as deadly as that of the aliens.
Currently scheduled for September 4th.
Blithe Spirit
Noël Coward's 1941 play gets another screen treatment courtesy of director Edward Hall. Dan Stevens plays a novelist who makes the mistake of hiring a clairvoyant (Judi Dench) to conduct a seance as research for his latest book, only to unleash the meddling spirit of his late wife (Leslie Mann).
Currently scheduled for September 4th.
Noël Coward's 1941 play gets another screen treatment courtesy of director Edward Hall. Dan Stevens plays a novelist who makes the mistake of hiring a clairvoyant (Judi Dench) to conduct a seance as research for his latest book, only to unleash the meddling spirit of his late wife (Leslie Mann).
Currently scheduled for September 4th.
Sound of Metal
Riz Ahmed plays a drummer and recovering drug addict who is alarmed to learn he is going deaf in this drama from director Darius Marder. Along with six months of intensive drumming lessons, Ahmed also learned American Sign Language for the role.
Currently scheduled for September 4th.
Riz Ahmed plays a drummer and recovering drug addict who is alarmed to learn he is going deaf in this drama from director Darius Marder. Along with six months of intensive drumming lessons, Ahmed also learned American Sign Language for the role.
Currently scheduled for September 4th.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return to the roles ofcon artists paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren for purportedly the final time. This one is inspired by the real life trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who in 1981 claimed he was possessed by a demon at the time he murdered his landlord.
Currently scheduled for September 11th.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return to the roles of
Currently scheduled for September 11th.
The King's Man
Writer/director Matthew Vaughn continues to expand his Kingsman world with The King's Man, a prequel which explores the origins of the secretive organisation The Kingsmen. Ralph Fiennes stars as a British agent who stands in the way of a plot by the world's criminals to plunge the globe into chaos.
Currently scheduled for September 16th.
Writer/director Matthew Vaughn continues to expand his Kingsman world with The King's Man, a prequel which explores the origins of the secretive organisation The Kingsmen. Ralph Fiennes stars as a British agent who stands in the way of a plot by the world's criminals to plunge the globe into chaos.
Currently scheduled for September 16th.
Candyman
The 1990s was a rough decade for horror fans, but one movie that stood out was director Bernard Rose's 1992 Candyman, an adaptation of a short story by Clive Barker. Rose's film introduced us to the titular Candyman, thought to be an urban legend but discovered to be all too real. The hook-handed victim of a racist lynch mob, Candyman returned to terrorise those who dare to speak his name five times in front of a mirror. Director Nia Costa's Candyman is billed as a 'spiritual sequel' to Rose's film, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II playing the now adult version of the infant kidnapped by Candyman in Rose's original.
Currently scheduled for September 25th.
The 1990s was a rough decade for horror fans, but one movie that stood out was director Bernard Rose's 1992 Candyman, an adaptation of a short story by Clive Barker. Rose's film introduced us to the titular Candyman, thought to be an urban legend but discovered to be all too real. The hook-handed victim of a racist lynch mob, Candyman returned to terrorise those who dare to speak his name five times in front of a mirror. Director Nia Costa's Candyman is billed as a 'spiritual sequel' to Rose's film, with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II playing the now adult version of the infant kidnapped by Candyman in Rose's original.
Currently scheduled for September 25th.
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Writer/director Aaron Sorkin takes us back to the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the subsequent trial of seven protestors with this political drama. Sorkin has assembled quite the ensemble cast for this one, including Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jeremy Strong, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Alex Sharp, Thomas Middleditch, Frank Langella, William Hurt, Michael Keaton and Mark Rylance.
Currently scheduled for September 25th.
Writer/director Aaron Sorkin takes us back to the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the subsequent trial of seven protestors with this political drama. Sorkin has assembled quite the ensemble cast for this one, including Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jeremy Strong, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Alex Sharp, Thomas Middleditch, Frank Langella, William Hurt, Michael Keaton and Mark Rylance.
Currently scheduled for September 25th.
Monster Hunter
The married Resident Evil duo of director Paul W.S. Anderson and star Milla Jovovich return with another video game adaptation. Jovovich plays a UN soldier who finds herself in an alternate world where human hunters battle giant monsters. I guess the title isn't metaphorical then.
Currently scheduled for October 2nd.
The married Resident Evil duo of director Paul W.S. Anderson and star Milla Jovovich return with another video game adaptation. Jovovich plays a UN soldier who finds herself in an alternate world where human hunters battle giant monsters. I guess the title isn't metaphorical then.
Currently scheduled for October 2nd.
Death on the Nile
Kenneth Branagh's 2017 adaptation of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express proved a surprise hit, and so Branagh returns both to the director's chair and to the role of master detective Hercule Poirot for this Egyptian set mystery. This time the assembled suspects include Gal Gadot, Letitia Wright, Armie Hammer, Annette Bening and Sophie Okonedo.
Currently scheduled for October 9th.
Kenneth Branagh's 2017 adaptation of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express proved a surprise hit, and so Branagh returns both to the director's chair and to the role of master detective Hercule Poirot for this Egyptian set mystery. This time the assembled suspects include Gal Gadot, Letitia Wright, Armie Hammer, Annette Bening and Sophie Okonedo.
Currently scheduled for October 9th.
Without Remorse
With films like Subbura and Sicario 2: Soldado, director Stefano Sollima has proven himself the equal of his father Sergio when it comes to helming gritty action. This Tom Clancy adaptation, scripted by Taylor Sheridan, stars Michael B. Jordan as a Navy SEAL uncovering a conspiracy while seeking revenge for his wife's murder.
Currently scheduled for October 9th.
With films like Subbura and Sicario 2: Soldado, director Stefano Sollima has proven himself the equal of his father Sergio when it comes to helming gritty action. This Tom Clancy adaptation, scripted by Taylor Sheridan, stars Michael B. Jordan as a Navy SEAL uncovering a conspiracy while seeking revenge for his wife's murder.
Currently scheduled for October 9th.
Halloween Kills
Following the financially successful return of Michael Myers in 2018's Halloween, the masked menace returns for more seasonal slashing. Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie Strode, joined by her 1978 co-stars Charles Cyphers, Kyle Richards and Nancy Stephens. This one is rumoured to pick up immediately following the events of the previous film, and like 1981's Halloween II, appears to feature mayhem in the corridors and wards of Haddonfield Memorial Hospital.
Currently scheduled for October 16th.
Following the financially successful return of Michael Myers in 2018's Halloween, the masked menace returns for more seasonal slashing. Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie Strode, joined by her 1978 co-stars Charles Cyphers, Kyle Richards and Nancy Stephens. This one is rumoured to pick up immediately following the events of the previous film, and like 1981's Halloween II, appears to feature mayhem in the corridors and wards of Haddonfield Memorial Hospital.
Currently scheduled for October 16th.
The French Dispatch
Unconventional aspect ratio? Symmetrical framing? Striking production design? A role for Bill Murray? It must be a new movie from writer/director Wes Anderson. The French Dispatch takes place in a fictional French city at some point in the 20th century and is centred around the French office of an American newspaper. As always, Anderson has attracted an impressive cast, including Benicio del Toro, Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, Léa Seydoux, Owen Wilson, Mathieu Amalric, Lyna Khoudri and Stephen Park.
Currently scheduled for October 16th.
Unconventional aspect ratio? Symmetrical framing? Striking production design? A role for Bill Murray? It must be a new movie from writer/director Wes Anderson. The French Dispatch takes place in a fictional French city at some point in the 20th century and is centred around the French office of an American newspaper. As always, Anderson has attracted an impressive cast, including Benicio del Toro, Frances McDormand, Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Timothée Chalamet, Léa Seydoux, Owen Wilson, Mathieu Amalric, Lyna Khoudri and Stephen Park.
Currently scheduled for October 16th.
The Witches
It takes brass balls to tread in the footprints of Nicolas Roeg and Anjelica Huston, but that's just what Robert Zemeckis and Anne Hathaway are attempting with this new adaptation of Roald Dahl's tale of a young boy who stumbles across the annual conference of witches.
Currently scheduled for October 16th.
It takes brass balls to tread in the footprints of Nicolas Roeg and Anjelica Huston, but that's just what Robert Zemeckis and Anne Hathaway are attempting with this new adaptation of Roald Dahl's tale of a young boy who stumbles across the annual conference of witches.
Currently scheduled for October 16th.
Black Widow
Ever since her debut appearance in 2010's Iron Man 2, Marvel fans have been clamouring for Scarlet Johansson's Black Widow to get her own standalone movie. Thanks to Captain Marvel's success showing the Marvel execs that wimmin can sell movie tickets, it's finally arriving this year. Johansson is joined by Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz for an adventure that takes place in the aftermath of the events depicted in 2016's Captain America: Civil War.
Currently scheduled for October 28th.
Ever since her debut appearance in 2010's Iron Man 2, Marvel fans have been clamouring for Scarlet Johansson's Black Widow to get her own standalone movie. Thanks to Captain Marvel's success showing the Marvel execs that wimmin can sell movie tickets, it's finally arriving this year. Johansson is joined by Florence Pugh, David Harbour and Rachel Weisz for an adventure that takes place in the aftermath of the events depicted in 2016's Captain America: Civil War.
Currently scheduled for October 28th.
No Time to Die
The latest 007 outing was the first major movie to react to developing events around COVID-19, taking us all by surprise when it was pulled from release back in early March. In Daniel Craig's final appearance, Bond has left the secret service only to find the fate of the world resting on his shoulders once again when his CIA buddy Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) enlists his help to defeat a villain played by Rami Malek (who the internet seems to believe is Dr. No).
Currently scheduled for November 12th.
The latest 007 outing was the first major movie to react to developing events around COVID-19, taking us all by surprise when it was pulled from release back in early March. In Daniel Craig's final appearance, Bond has left the secret service only to find the fate of the world resting on his shoulders once again when his CIA buddy Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) enlists his help to defeat a villain played by Rami Malek (who the internet seems to believe is Dr. No).
Currently scheduled for November 12th.
Deep Water
Current real life lovebirds Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas play a married couple in this erotic thriller (remember those?) from the master of the form, director Adrian Lyne. His first work since 2002's Unfaithful, Lyne's film is an adaptation of a 1957 novel by Patricia Highsmith and concerns a couple who play increasingly dangerous games in an attempt to keep their marriage interesting.
Currently scheduled for November 20th.
Current real life lovebirds Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas play a married couple in this erotic thriller (remember those?) from the master of the form, director Adrian Lyne. His first work since 2002's Unfaithful, Lyne's film is an adaptation of a 1957 novel by Patricia Highsmith and concerns a couple who play increasingly dangerous games in an attempt to keep their marriage interesting.
Currently scheduled for November 20th.
Godzilla Vs. Kong
The rebooted giants finally face off in this monster mash from director Adam Wingard (The Guest). Kyle Chandler and Millie Bobby Brown reprise their roles from the disappointing Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and are joined this time out by Rebecca Hall, Alexander Skarsgård and Brian Tyree Henry.
Currently scheduled for November 20th.
The rebooted giants finally face off in this monster mash from director Adam Wingard (The Guest). Kyle Chandler and Millie Bobby Brown reprise their roles from the disappointing Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and are joined this time out by Rebecca Hall, Alexander Skarsgård and Brian Tyree Henry.
Currently scheduled for November 20th.
Dune
Frank Herbert's 1965 tome Dune is one of the most influential works in the sci-fi genre. In 1984 director David Lynch had a crack at adapting Herbert's novel for the big screen, and while Lynch's movie has its defenders, it's generally agreed that film is an intriguing mess at best. Even worse was a 2000 TV mini-series that devoted six hours to translating Herbert's work. The latest attempt to bring Dune to the screen comes courtesy of director Denis Villeneuve. Split into two parts, this all-star version features Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem among its ensemble cast.
Currently scheduled for December 18th.
Frank Herbert's 1965 tome Dune is one of the most influential works in the sci-fi genre. In 1984 director David Lynch had a crack at adapting Herbert's novel for the big screen, and while Lynch's movie has its defenders, it's generally agreed that film is an intriguing mess at best. Even worse was a 2000 TV mini-series that devoted six hours to translating Herbert's work. The latest attempt to bring Dune to the screen comes courtesy of director Denis Villeneuve. Split into two parts, this all-star version features Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem among its ensemble cast.
Currently scheduled for December 18th.
West Side Story
Robert Wise's 1961 screen adaptation of the hit 1957 Broadway musical is a tough act to follow, but I guess if anyone has the required combination of talent and confidence it's Steven Spielberg. Starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler as star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria, Spielberg's version is said to stick closer to the original Broadway script than Wise's film. Something's coming indeed!
Currently scheduled for December 18th.
Robert Wise's 1961 screen adaptation of the hit 1957 Broadway musical is a tough act to follow, but I guess if anyone has the required combination of talent and confidence it's Steven Spielberg. Starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler as star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria, Spielberg's version is said to stick closer to the original Broadway script than Wise's film. Something's coming indeed!
Currently scheduled for December 18th.
Top Gun: Maverick
Tom Cruise returns to arguably his most iconic role, Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, for this belated sequel. In Top Gun: Maverick, Mitchell is now one of the US Navy's top test pilots, and finds himself training a young flyer, Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), son of Maverick's old wingman, Goose, who memorably perished in the original film. Cruise and director Joseph Kosinski are said to have pushed the boat out in bringing the high speed thrills of aerial combat to the screen, utilising 6K IMAX cameras. I don't know about you, but I'm sure feeling the need...
Currently scheduled for December 23rd.
Tom Cruise returns to arguably his most iconic role, Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, for this belated sequel. In Top Gun: Maverick, Mitchell is now one of the US Navy's top test pilots, and finds himself training a young flyer, Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), son of Maverick's old wingman, Goose, who memorably perished in the original film. Cruise and director Joseph Kosinski are said to have pushed the boat out in bringing the high speed thrills of aerial combat to the screen, utilising 6K IMAX cameras. I don't know about you, but I'm sure feeling the need...
Currently scheduled for December 23rd.
25 Essential Horror Movies Now Streaming on Shudder UKhttps://t.co/DZD4QK07Bu pic.twitter.com/hBUflPfNk2— 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕠𝕧𝕚𝕖 𝕎𝕒𝕗𝕗𝕝𝕖𝕣 (@themoviewaffler) May 10, 2020