I’m back out of purely selfish reasons: I cannot keep straight everything that is coming out from now until the end of the year. If you’re obsessed with #content like I am, then you’re probably well aware of how much we’re about to get. There’s actually SO much to be excited for that I don’t know when I need to be excited for what – which is now why I’m doing this. September to December is often the best movie time of the year as all the “best” movies are premiering in the various festivals but this year should be even better than most because there are so many postponed 2020 movies coming out as well. I’ll do this in chronological order but I’ll add a hype meter as well for some of my subjective anticipation.
Disclaimer: These are the movies I’m excited for… so apologies to movies like Venom: Let There Be Carnage but you did not make this calendar.
September
Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (9/1)
Main Cast: Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Awkwafina
Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton
About: Marvel’s first Asian-led film depicts Marvel comic’s Shang Chi’s (Simu Lui) origin story as he realizes his full potential through working with his friend (Awkwafina) and sister (Meng’er Zhang) to save his dead mother’s homeland from his father (Tony Leung).
Hype Meter: I’m a huge Marvel fan so the answer is off the charts. In fact it’s so high for me that I had to go see it in theaters already. It was the best theater experience I’ve had since the onset of the pandemic – packed theater, belly laughs, people cheering and of course, everyone staying at the end for the credits teaser clip Marvel is famous for. There is no barrier to entry if you haven’t seen previous Marvel movies it’s a true origin story. There is extremely cool action – no CGI, just great choreographed fights and it’s genuinely funny with heartfelt moments. 10/10 would recommend.
The Card Counter (9/10)
Main Cast: Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, Willem Dafoe
Directed By: Paul Schrader
About: William Tell (Oscar Isaac) is a gambler and former serviceman who sets out to reform a young man (Tye Sheridan) seeking revenge on a mutual enemy from their past.
Hype Meter: If you’re like me, you love gambling **movies about gambling, then you’re probably very excited for this. There aren’t that many gambling centered movies (shoutout Rounders, Molly’s Game, 21) but they’re my favorite kind of thriller. I’m extremely excited for this – plus I love Oscar Isaac.
October
No Time to Die (10/8)
Main Cast: Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Rami Malek, Naomie Harris, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, Jeffrey Wright, Ana de Armas, Lashana Lynch
Directed By: Cary Fukunaga
About: Recruited to rescue a kidnapped scientist, globe-trotting spy James Bond (Daniel Craig) finds himself hot on the trail of a mysterious villain (Rami Malek), who’s armed with a dangerous new technology.
Hype Meter: This is supposedly Daniel Craig’s last movie as James Bond. Skyfall is one of my favorite action movies of the last decade, in large part to Javier Bardem’s amazing villain performance, so Rami Malek has a lot to live up to. Phoebe Waller-Bridge (of Fleabag fame) is one of the screenwriters so you know it’s going to have some great funny touches.
The Last Duel (10/15)
Main Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer
Directed By: Ridley Scott
About: A woman (Jodie Comer) claims she’s been raped by her husband’s best friend (Adam Driver). But when no one believes her accusation, her husband (Matt Damon) challenges his friend to a duel, the last legally sanctioned duel in the country’s history.
Hype Meter: The plot leaves a bit to be concerned about, made more complicated following recent inappropriate comments from Damon during his Stillwater press tour. Still, Damon and Affleck teaming up again is no doubt exciting for Good Will Hunting stans like myself. Plus, if you loved Killing Eve, which I did, seeing Jodie Comer get a star role is great.
Dune (10/22)
Main Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Javier Bardem, Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, Zendaya
Directed By: Denis Villeneuve
About: Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence, only those who can conquer their own fear will survive.
Hype Meter: The press tour Timmy and Zendaya have already been on in Venice has risen my hype meter past what it already was (very high). I haven’t read the book this movie is based on, however I understand that it’s a very complicated story so I hope that it’s able to remain entertaining while still being high concept unlike some other similar movies… (cc: Tenet).
The French Dispatch (10/22)
Main Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Benicio Del Toro, Saoirse Ronan, Bill Murray, Jeffrey Wright, Owen Wilson
Directed By: Wes Anderson
About: A love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional 20th-century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in “The French Dispatch.”
Hype Meter: I’m not as big of a Wes Anderson fan as many but I am a huge fan of this cast and Timmy getting to show off his french.
Last Night in Soho (10/22)
Main Cast: Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Diana Rigg, Terence Stamp
Directed By: Edgar Wright
About: An aspiring fashion designer is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s, where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer. However, the glamour is not all it appears to be, and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker.
Hype Meter: I’m a big Anya Taylor-Joy fan which is driving my interest in this movie. Otherwise, it looks extremely dark and creepy. Not a movie that would normally be totally up my alley but it’s getting a lot of buzz and could be an awards contender so I might need to see it. Clearly 10/22 is a big weekend for movies, so I’m probably going to see the above three in the order they appear on this list (1. Dune 2. The French Dispatch 3. Last Night in Soho).
November
The Harder They Fall (11/3)
Main Cast: Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Lakeith Stanfield, Delroy Lindo, Regina King
Directed By: Jeymes Samuel
About: When an outlaw discovers his enemy is being released from prison, he reunites his gang to seek revenge.
Hype Meter: I haven’t heard too much buzz around this movie but based on the cast it’s a must watch. Plus, it’s coming out on Netflix so it’ll be very accessible.
Eternals (11/5)
Main Cast: Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kit Harington, Brian Tyree Henry
Directed By: Chloé Zhao
About: The Eternals, a race of immortal beings with superhuman powers who have secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years, reunite to battle the evil Deviants.
Hype Meter: A new slew of characters (and actors) are about to be introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe through the Eternals. I’ve heard mixed reviews about this movie but with Zhao at the helm I’m sure it’ll be good – again I’m a big marvel fan so I’ll absolutely be seeing this one in theaters. Plus, Jon Snow and Rob Stark back on screen together is can’t miss!
King Richard (11/19)
Main Cast: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Jon Bernthal
Directed By: Reinaldo Marcus Green
About: Venus and Serena Williams came from an unlikely background to dominate the world of tennis. Taking a look these tennis superstars and how they became who they are after the coaching from their father Richard Williams.
Hype Meter: People who have seen this movie feel confident that this could be the movie where Will Smith finally gets his Oscar. Will Smith starring in a movie about the Williams sisters is everything I want and I have a HIGH amount of hype for this movie.
tick, tick… Boom! (11/19)
Main Cast: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesus, Vanessa Hudgens, Bradley Whitford
Directed By: Lin-Manuel Miranda
About: On the cusp of his 30th birthday, a promising young theater composer (Andrew Garfield) navigates love, friendship and the pressures of life as an artist in New York City.
Hype Meter: Anything having to do with Lin-Manuel Miranda gets me excited – I am a true Hamilton stan so I will be partaking in any musical content he puts out. Plus, this is coming out on Netflix… this will be fun to watch over Thanksgiving weekend at some point with my mom.
House of Gucci (11/24)
Main Cast: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Salma Hayek, Al Pacino
Directed By: Ridley Scott
About: The turbulent marriage and divorce of Patrizia (Lady Gaga) and Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), the head of the Gucci fashion house, leads to murder.
Hype Meter: The initial set pictures of Lady Gaga and Adam Driver almost broke the internet when they first surfaced. If I need to choose one Ridley Scott movie on this list… this is it (sorry to The Last Duel). Besides Don’t Look Up, this is the movie I’m most excited for and I might have to drag my whole family to see it over Thanksgiving.
Soggy Bottom (11/26)
Main Cast: Bradley Cooper, Cooper Hoffman, Alana Haim, Skyler Gisondo, and Benny Safdie
Directed By: Paul Thomas Anderson
About: The movie follows a high school student becoming an actor in the 1970s.
Hype Meter: A new PTA movie!!!! There’s been a lot of buzz around this movie but not too much information has come out – I couldn’t even find an official trailer. This does not deter me though I’m still excited.
December
West Side Story (12/10)
Main Cast: Rita Moreno, Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler
Directed By: Steven Spielberg
About: Two teenagers from different ethnic backgrounds fall in love in 1950s New York City.
Hype Meter: I grew up loving the original 1961 version of this movie and of course, love Spielberg movies. I hope this can live up to the hype of the old one – Ansel starring makes me a bit nervous but I will definitely be seeing this one in theaters.
Spiderman: No Way Home (12/17)
Main Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jamie Foxx, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfred Molina
Directed By: Jon Watts
About: After Peter Parker’s identity as Spider-Man was exposed by Mysterio at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Parker’s life and reputation are turned upside down. He asks Dr. Stephen Strange to help restore his secret identity with magic, but this has dangerous repercussions that force Parker to learn what it really means to be Spider-Man.
Hype Meter: NEXT LEVEL HYPE!!!! This trailer drop broke every viewing record that has ever existed. I’ve listened to 3 hours worth of podcasts analyzing the potential easter eggs of what’s in this movie. Where I said Shang Chi has no barriers to entry… this is essentially the opposite. This is building off of the past 20+ movies of the MCU AND the previous two Spider-Man trilogies. Plus that Zendaya / Tom Holland press tour love & on-screen chemistry… YES.
The King’s Man (12/22)
Main Cast: Harris Dickinson, Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Gemma Arterton, Matthew Goode, Charles Dance, Daniel Brühl, Stanley Tucci, Djimon Hounsou
Directed By: Matthew Vaughn
About: One man must race against time to stop history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds as they get together to plot a war that could wipe out millions of people and destroy humanity.
Hype Meter: This is the prequel to the 2015 & 2017 Kingsman movies essentially telling the origin of how the Kingsman secret service came to be. I loved those Kingsman movies so I can’t wait for this.
Sing 2 (12/22)
Main Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes, John C. Reilly, Idina Menzel, Resse Witherspoon, Nick Kroll, Scarlett Johansson
Directed By: Garth Jennings
About: Can-do koala Buster Moon and his all-star cast of animal performers prepare to launch a dazzling stage extravaganza in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There’s just one hitch — he has to find and persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star to join them. What begins as Buster’s dream of big-time success soon becomes an emotional reminder of the power of music to heal even the most broken heart.
Hype Meter: I have no shame – I can’t wait for this. Loved this first one, can’t wait for the second. Ready to belt it out alongside these animated animals.
Don’t Look Up (12/24)
Main Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Meryl Streep
Directed By: Adam McKay
About: Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.
Hype Meter: McKay is one of my favorite directors and this cast has pretty much all of my favorite actors. If I’m ranking all of the above movies on what I’m most excited for, this could be number 1. For sure my Christmas day movie with my family.
Honorable Mentions
Dear Evan Hansen (9/24): I saw this on Broadway and became obsessed with the music. While the plot does kind of give me the ick, the music is enough to carry it. I probably won’t see this in theaters but will definitely watch it asap once it hits streaming later in the year.
Finch (11/5): A new Tom Hanks movie on Apple TV+, helmed by famed Game of Thrones action director Miguel Sapochnik. I love Tom Hanks as much as the next person, but the plot “A robot that lives on a post-apocalyptic earth which was built to protect the life of his dying creator’s beloved dog, it learns about love, friendship, and the meaning of human life” doesn’t really call out to me. I’ll probably watch on streaming at some point – it is Tom Hanks afterall.
Spencer (11/5): The new Princess Diana biopic starring Kristen Stewart directed by Pablo Larraín. This isn’t higher up the list because there’s just been a lot of Crown content recently. But I definitely want to see this.
Red Notice (11/12): Starring Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, this is a new action-comedy movie. I definitely want to watch this movie but might be one I wait to get to streaming instead.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (11/19): I didn’t even know there was yet another Ghostbuster movie coming out. Directed by Jason Reitman with a solid cast (Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, McKenna Grace and Paul Rudd). I love Paul Rudd so I might watch this on streaming eventually.
The Power of the Dog (12/1): Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Thomasin McKenzie and directed by Jane Campion, this is a new Western movie debuting on Netflix. I’m not the biggest Western fan so I didn’t put it on my main list but I love Jesse Plemons and I hear that there’s a LOT of Oscar buzz around this.
Nightmare Alley (12/3): Guillermo del Toro’s newest movie has another all-star cast in Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Willem Dafoe, Toni Collette, Richard Jenkins, Ron Perlman, Rooney Mara. The story revolves around a manipulative carnival hustler who “hooks up with a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is.” del Toro’s movies are always a bit dark and haunting, which aren’t usually the types that I usually love. This could be a mistake only putting this in honorable mentions instead of in the main section but I’m just being honest.
Downton Abbey: A New Era (12/22): Don’t get me wrong I love Downton, but I don’t need to go to the theater to see this. Will be extremely excited to watch on streaming with my mom when it comes out though.
