Bumper crop of films coming in 2021
More big titles than ever expected to be released after pandemic delays
Get your popcorn ready: Big movies are coming soon.
With so many films delayed last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, even more big titles than usual are on the horizon in 2021.
Here are movies to look forward to between now and March, but note that theatres are still closed in many jurisdictions due to the pandemic. You can check cineplex.com to see if films not opening in local theatres are available to stream.
“One Night in Miami”
This movie features a knockout group of icons: Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), Malcolm X, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke all coming together for an unforgettable night.
The flick is fiction, but the Oscar buzz is real. (The Star gave it a 3.5 out of four-star review.) The film hit Amazon Prime Video on Jan. 15.
“The Little Things”
“The Little Things” features a big-time cast, with Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Rami Malek starring as California authorities working to track down a serial killer. Jared Leto plays the suspected assailant. The movie debuts in theatres and premium video on demand on Jan. 29.
“Cinderella”
Bringing a little magic to the big screen will be this modern twist on “Cinderella,” with pop superstar Camila Cabello (a.k.a. Shawn Mendes’ girlfriend) as the title character and Billy Porter as the Fairy Godmother. Idina Menzel and Pierce Brosnan add more star quality to the movie, whose release date is listed as “winter 2021.”
“Malcolm & Marie”
Made during the COVID-19 pandemic, the drama about a filmmaker and his wife anticipating feedback on his latest movie features two of Hollywood’s brightest young actors in John David Washington and Zendaya. It’s out Feb. 5 on Netflix.
“Judas and the Black Messiah”
If you loved “Get Out,” you might get into this reteaming of stars Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield for this biographical drama, out Feb. 12 in theatres and premium video on demand. Kaluuya plays Fred Hampton, former chair of the Black Panther Party, and Stanfield plays William O’Neal, an FBI informant working against him.
“Minari”
A South Korean film, “Parasite,” made history winning Best Picture and this U.S. film
about a Korean-American family pursuing its dream is also an Oscars hopeful.
The flick wowed on the festival circuit and it gets a release in select cities Feb. 12. Former “Walking Dead” star Steven Yeun leads “Minari,” a contender for Best Picture.
“Minari” caused some offscreen drama when it was announced last month that Hollywood Foreign Press Association rules disallow the movie from competing in the Golden Globes race for Best Drama or Musical/Comedy. Instead, it was classified as a foreign language film, leading to an uproar among directors, writers and actors including Lulu Wang, Phil Lord, Celeste Ng and Daniel Dae Kim.
“Breaking News in Yuba County”
Led by a star-studded cast, “Breaking News in Yuba County”
sees Allison Janney play a wife looking for her missing husband. Mila Kunis, Regina Hall and Awkafina also star in the movie to be released Feb. 12.
“Nomadland”
Another festival favourite, “Nomadland” stars Frances McDormand as a woman wandering the American West. Oscar nominations are likely for Best Picture, Best Director for Chloé Zhao and Best Actress for McDormand — who’s already got a pair of trophies for “Fargo” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” It’s scheduled for release Feb. 19.
“The Mauritanian”
Jodie Foster. Benedict Cumberbatch. Shailene Woodley. Zachary Levi. It would be a crime not to see this legal drama with a cast of that calibre. It’s scheduled for release Feb. 19.
“Flora & Ulysses”
What kid wouldn’t want a pet squirrel with superpowers? Based on a popular children’s novel, “Flora & Ulysses” tells the story of a young girl and her squirrel with amazing abilities. The family flick debuts Feb. 19 on Disney Plus.
“Tom and Jerry”
The cast is the cat’s meow, with Chloe Grace Moretz, Colin Jost and Ken Jeong among the stars. Out Feb. 26, the film gives the cartoon cat and mouse the liveaction treatment.
“Nobody”
“Nobody” is led by a big somebody, Bob Odenkirk. The thriller, out Feb. 26, sees the “Better Call Saul” star play an everyday man whose life is flipped upside down when he encounters a pair of thieves.
“Coming 2 America”
All hail Prince Akeem!
Eddie Murphy returns as the prince of Zamunda in the long-awaited sequel to the 1988 favourite “Coming to America.” This time, Murphy’s royally hilarious character returns to America to find his long-lost son, who will one day be the heir to the throne.
It features some familiar faces, with Arsenio Hall back as Semmi and James Earl Jones returning as King Jaffe Joffer, and some new ones. It’s out March 5 on Amazon Prime Video.
“Raya and the Last Dragon”
There’s plenty of reason “Raya and the Last Dragon” has people roaring with excitement. The animated movie, out March 5 , is led by Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina, and the visually stunning trailer is loaded with action.
It follows a young warrior, Raya, who strives to find the last dragon to restore peace. The movie marks the biggest role for Tran outside the “Star Wars” galaxy.
It gives viewers eager for more of the fan-favourite actress a chance to see her as the lead in a major movie.
“Chaos Walking ”
Adapted from a science-fiction book series, “Chaos Walking” stars British actors Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland in a postapocalyptic thriller where all men’s thoughts can be heard. It’s due for release March 5.
“The King ’s Man”
Serving as a prequel to the “Kingsman” movies, this spy action-comedy is led by Ralph Fiennes as the Duke of Oxford. “The King’s Man” is scheduled for release on March 12.
“Cherry”
Featuring a reunion between “Avengers: Endgame” directors Joe and Anthony Russo and Spider-Man actor Tom Holland, the film “Cherry” centres on an army medic who becomes addicted to pain medication.
The drama arrives on Apple TV Plus on March 12.