This article is updated frequently as new titles enter the calendar.
How do you watch movies? With the film business still going through industry-wide changes — even before the landscape-altering pandemic — more and more people are waiting out the theatrical experience to watch the latest hits at home. And even with movie theaters slowly opening, the pandemic continues on leaving movie fans little other choice than to go the on-demand or streaming route.
As such, we’ve put together a handy calendar of upcoming video-on-demand rental and streaming availability for movies that we think might be worth your time. (Note: While films are often available digitally for purchase earlier than they are to rent, this is structured around rental availability.) Check back often and circle your favorites.
March 2
The Mauritanian
Directed by: Kevin Macdonald
Starring: Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Zachary Levi, Saamer Usmani, Shailene Woodley and Benedict Cumberbatch
Genre: Drama
A true story based on Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s memoir, The Mauritanian chronicles Slahi’s (played by Tahar Rahim) fight for freedom after being detained years without charges by the U.S. government. The film has been in theaters since February but is finally being released on PVOD.
The World to Come
Directed by: Mona Fastvold
Starring: Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby
Genre: Period Romance
Ah yes, another lesbian period romance. This time, Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby star as star crossed neighbors in the countryside of 19th century America.
March 3
Moxie
Directed by: Amy Poehler
Starring: Hadley Robinson, Lauren Tsai, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Alycia Pascual-Pena, Nico Hiraga, Clark Gregg and Amy Poehler
Genre: Comedy
Cool mom Amy Poehler debuts her second directorial feature Moxie, a rebel grrrl introduction for the new generation.
March 4
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run
Directed by: Tim Hill
Starring: Tom Kenny, Awkwafina, Matt Berry, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Douglas Lawrence and Reggie Watts
Genre: Family
Gary come home. Spongebob Squarepants and Patrick set off on another humorous road trip, this time to find Spongebob’s pet snail Gary. After many, many delays the latest film is ready to debut on Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access) and on PVOD.
March 5
Boss Level
Directed by: Joe Carnahan
Starring: Frank Grillo, Mel Gibson, Naomi Watts, Annabelle Wallis, Ken Jeong, Will Sasso, Selina Lo, Meadow Williams and Michelle Yeoh
Genre: Action
Frank Grillo plays a former special forces agent who is stuck in a time loop that repeats the day of his murder. And while trying to figure out the cause of the loop , he must ruthlessly hunt down Mel Gibson! Well, his character Colonel Ventor. This Hulu Original seems like catnip for your dad(s).
Coming 2 America
Directed by: Craig Brewer
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, James Earl Jones, Shari Headley, Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones and Kiki Layne
Genre: Comedy
It’s been 30 years since Eddie Murphy’s original comedy. Let that set in, then stream the sequel on Amazon Prime Video.
My Salinger Year
Directed by: Philippe Falardeau
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Margaret Qualley, Douglas Booth, Seána Kerslake and Colm Feore
Genre: Drama
Based on a memoir by Joanna Rakoff, My Salinger Year follows aspiring writer Joanna (Qualley) as she gets her first job as an assistant for Margaret (Weaver), J.D. Salinger’s literary agent.
Pixie
Directed by: Barnaby Thompson
Starring: Olivia Cooke, Ben Hardy, Daryl McCormack, Alec Baldwin and Colm Meaney
Genre: Comedy
A woman named Pixie Hardy gets together a ragtag team to pull of a heist that’ll help Hardy leave her town and avenger her mother. You know, normal things.
Raya and the Last Dragon
Directed by: Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada
Starring: Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafina
Genre: Family
Set in the fantastical world of Kumandra, a warrior named Raya must find the last dragon to stop the dangerous Druun monsters before they destroy the land. The film will simultaneously be available in theaters and on Disney+ through Premier Access.
March 12
Cherry
Directed by: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Tom Holland and Ciara Bravo
Genre: Drama
Tom Holland wants to prove that he’s more than just your friendly neighbor Spider-Man in the Russo Brothers’ first film post Avengers: Endgame. Let’s see how that works out.
Come True
Directed by: Anthony Scott Burns
Starring: Landon Liboiron, Skylar Radzion and Julia Sarah Stone
Genre: Horror
If you’re looking for something a bit scary, Come True seems like some good nightmare fuel. A young woman joins a sleep study to find the root of her nightmares only to figure out something twisted is afoot. The trailer alone provides some stunning imagery. Come True will release in theaters and on demand.
Yes Day
Directed by: Miguel Arteta
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Edgar RamÃrez, Jenna Ortega, Julian Lerner and Everly Carganilla
Genre: Family
Garner and RamÃrez star as Allison and Carlos, two parents who decide to say yes to everything for 24 whole hours in this Netflix comedy.
March 18
Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Starring: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, and Ezra Miller
Genre: Action
Zack Snyder’s fabled cut of Justice League is finally seeing the light of day on HBO Max. Is it worth all the hoopla? or will it just confirm that we [shudders] live in a society…
March 19
Last Call
Directed by: Paolo Pilladi
Starring: Jeremy Piven, Taryn Manning and Bruce Dern
Genre: Comedy
Another in theaters and on demand release, Last Call follows successful real estate developer Mick as he comes back to his hometown to help his family’s business get back on its feet.
March 26
Bad Trip
Directed by: Kitao Sakurai
Starring: Eric Andre, Lil Rel Howery, and Tiffany Haddish
Genre: Comedy
Bad Trip has had a long trip up to its release on Netflix. Originally set to debut at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival, the hidden-camera prank movie went from theatrical release, to accidental release on Amazon Prime but now, it’s finally ready to drop this March.
The Father
Directed by: Florian Zeller
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Rufus Sewell, Imogen Poots, and Olivia Williams
Genre: Drama
A poignant picture of a man’s experience with dementia, The Father is the directorial debut of playwright Florian Zeller. While the film has been playing in theaters, it’ll be available to rent this month.
Six Minutes to Midnight
Directed by: Andy Goddard
Starring: Eddie Izzard, Judi Dench, Carla Juri, James D’Arcy, Jim Broadbent and Celyn Jones
Genre: Drama
In the summer before World War II, a teacher in a small English town discovers Nazi collusion among students and faculty at his finishing school.
March 31
Godzilla vs. Kong
Directed by: Adam Wingard
Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, Kyle Chandler, and Demián Bichir.
Genre: Action
After being cooped up in our houses for over a year, maybe we deserve a little monster v. monster showdown. Godzilla vs. Kong brings back the eponymous monsters matching up for the first time in the rebooted Warner Bros. franchise.
April 2
Shiva Baby
Directed by: Emma Seligman
Starring: Rachel Sennott, Molly Gordon, Dianna Agron, and Polly Draper
Genre: Comedy
Family gatherings are never a walk in the park, but imagine being a young woman attending a shiva just to find out that your sugar daddy is in attendance. Our anxiety is already at an all-time high.
April 9
Held
Directed by: Chris Lofing & Travis Cluff
Starring: Jill Awbrey and Bart Johnson
Genre: Horror
Held is really testing the “till death do us part†bit of marriage, as a couple is pushed to their absolute limit when their vacation turns deadly. This film is available in theaters and on VOD.
Moffie
Directed by: Oliver Hermanus
Starring: Kai Luke Brummer, Ryan de Villiers, Matthew Vey, Stefan Vermaak and Hilton Pelser
Genre: Drama
A war film, Moffie follows young teen Nicholas Van der Swart who after being drafted into the South African army must survive the homophobia within his new world.
Thunder Force
Directed by: Ben Falcone
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer and Jason Bateman
Genre: Comedy
Directed by McCarthy’s husband and frequent collaborator, Thunder Force is Netflix’s latest comedy offering following two former childhood friends who accidentally become superheroes.
April 15
The Banishing
Directed by: Chris Smith
Starring: Jessica Brown Findlay, John Heffernan, John Lynch and Sean Harris
Genre: Horror
If you’re in the mood for a scare, this Shudder Original tells the true story of what The Banishing’s log line claims is “the most haunted house in England.â€
April 16
Jakob’s Wife
Directed by: Travis Stevens
Starring: Barbara Crampton, Larry Fessenden and Bonnie Aarons
Genre: Horror
Available both in theaters and on VOD, Jakob’s Wife follows a married woman named Anne as she’s bitten by a strange vampire-like entity. You can only imagine what comes next.
Monday
Directed by: Argyris Papadimitropoulos
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Denise Gough, Yorgos Pirpassopoulos and Dominique Tipper
Genre: Romance
Two Americans meet by chance in Athens, Greece and have a whirlwind romance in the span of two days. That’s not a dream, that’s just Argyris Papadimitropoulos’ film Monday.
April 22
Boys From County Hell
Directed by: Chris Baugh
Starring: Jack Rowan, Nigel O’Neill, Louisa Harland, Michael Hough and John Lynch
Genre: Horror
A father and son are terrorized through the night when they accidentally awaken their small Irish town’s mythic vampire.
Stowaway
Directed by: Joe Penna
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson, and Toni Collette
Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller
It’s become a Hollywood rite of passage for big stars to do a space movie, so having Kendrick, Kim, and Collette star in Netflix’s Stowaway makes sense. The film also stars Shamier Anderson as the titular accidental stowaway who endangers the crew’s dwindling resources. Oh boy.
April 23
Mortal Kombat
Directed by: Simon McQuoid
Starring: Lewis Tan and Tadanobu Asano
Genre: Action
Inspired by the video game franchise, Mortal Kombat is prepared to give us a hyper-violent, hyper-fun time as the defenders of Earthrealm compete in a Mortal Kombat tournament to, you guessed it, save the world!
Trigger Point
Directed by: Brad Turner
Starring: Barry Pepper
Genre: Thriller
A former U.S. operative takes on the spy world. Spies? Betrayal? Action? Dads, stand at the ready.
We Broke Up
Directed by: Jeff Rosenberg
Starring: William Jackson Harper, Aya Cash and Sarah Bolger
Genre: Comedy
William Jackson Harper leading a rom-com? Sign us up. Harper and Aya Cash star as a recently broken-up couple, Doug and Lori, who have to pretend to stay together for Lori’s sister’s wedding.
April 27
Best Summer Ever
Directed by: Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli
Starring: Shannon Devido, Ricky Wilson Jr., Mumu Jacob Waltuck, Emily Kranking, Ajani “AJ†Murray, Eileen Grubba and Holly Palmer
Genre: Comedy
Best Summer Ever follows two high schoolers, Sage and Anthony, as Sage unknowingly transfers to Anthony’s school after a fleeting summer dance-camp romance. Drama ensues …
Here Are the Young Men
Directed by: Eoin C. Macken
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Finn Cole, Dean Charles Chapman, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo and Travis Fimmel
Genre: Drama
Based on Rob Doyle’s novel of the same name, Here Are the Young Men follow three high-school friends through the highs and lows of their post-graduation lives.
April 29
Things Heard and Seen
Directed by: Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton and Natalia Dyer
Genre: Thriller
Amanda Seyfried goes from Mank to Things Heard and Seen. She stars in this Netflix film as a young artist who moves with her husband to a small town and realizes something is amiss with their house.
April 30
About Endlessness
Directed by: Roy Andersson
Starring: Martin Serner, Jessica Louthander, Tatiana Delaunay, Anders Hellström, Jan-Eje Ferling, Bengt Bergius and Thore Flygel
Genre: Drama
If the pandemic has made you ponder the existential, About Endlessness is here to help you along. As the log line says, the film is “a kaleidoscope of all that is eternally human, an infinite story of the vulnerability of existence.â€
Golden Arm
Directed by: Maureen Bharoochia
Starring: Mary Holland, Dot-Marie Jones, Kate Flannery, Betsy Sodaro, Eugene Cordero and Aparna Nancherla
Genre: Comedy
Remember the Quibi (RIP) show about Rachel Brosnahan being obsessed with her golden arm? Well, this isn’t that. Mary Holland’s Golden Arm is actually an arm-wrestling comedy. No metallic arm included.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Directed by: Michael Rianda
Starring: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Beck Bennett, Fred Armisen, Eric Andre, and Olivia Colman
Genre: Family
Produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Netflix’s latest animated adventure has a truly star-studded cast. Watch as the Mitchell family tries to connect with each other in a technology-obsessed world.
Percy vs. Goliath
Directed by: Clark Johnson
Starring: Christopher Walken, Christina Ricci, Zach Braff, Roberta Maxwell, Martin Donavan, Peter Stebbings, Luke Kirby and Adam Beach
Genre: Drama
Based on a true story, Walken stars as a small-town farmer fighting back against a large agricultural and food-manufacturing corporation in a monumental legal battle.
The Virtuoso
Directed by: Nick Stagliano
Starring: Anson Mount, Anthony Hopkins and Abbie Cornish
Genre: Thriller
Anson Mount stars as the titular virtuoso and professional assassin who is given a mysterious clue to identify his mark among a pool of suspects. Will he pick the right one!? It’d be awkward if he didn’t.
Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B. Jordan
Genre: Action
Michael B. Jordan is getting another spinoff! After Creed and Jack Ryan, Jordan is starring in the adaptation of Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, the origin story of U.S. Navy SEAL John Kelly as he uncovers an international conspiracy.
May 7
The Boy From MedellÃn
Directed by: Matthew Heineman
Genre: Documentary
Arriving on Amazon Prime Video, The Boy From MedellÃn follows artist J Balvin during his homecoming 2019 show in Columbia.
Mainstream
Directed by: Gia Coppola
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Maya Hawke, Nat Wolff, Jason Schwartzman, Johnny Knoxville, Alexa Demie and Colleen Camp
Genre: Drama
After debuting at the Venice International Film Festival, Gia Coppola’s star studded follow-up to Palo Alto is finally set to release on VOD. Hawke and Garfield star as two strangers swept up in internet stardom–the good and bad.
The Paper Tigers
Directed by: Bao Tran
Starring: Alain Uy, Ron Yuan and Mykel Shannon Jenkins
Genre: Comedy
A group of middle-aged men (and former teenage friends) reunite to avenge their old kung-fu master.
The Unthinkable
Directed by: Crazy Pictures
Starring: Christoffer Nordenrot, Lisa Henni, Jesper Barkselius and Pia Halvorsen
Genre: Thriller
If you’re a fan of disaster movies, add The Unthinkable to your watchlist. The movie follows citizens of Sweden as they experience a series of unexplained attacks.
May 11
Together Together
Directed by: Nikole Beckwith
Starring: Ed Helms and Patti Harrison
Genre: Comedy, Drama
There’s nothing like a good will-they, won’t-they, and Ed Helms and Patti Harrison are perfect. Harrison stars as Helms’s gestational surrogate until the two start to develop an unexpected friendship (or maybe even something more). Together Together is in theaters and on VOD.
Benny Loves You
Directed by: Karl Holt
Starring: Karl Holt, Claire Cartwright, George Collie, James Parsons, Anthony Styles, and Darren Benedict
Genre: Horror
Toy Story may have made us more sentimental in remembering our toys but based on the tagline for Karl Holt’s film, Benny Loves You is about to make us absolutely terrified of forgetting them. Holt’s film tells the story of Jack after his parent’s accidental death as he attempts to move on by selling all his childhood belongs, that is, until his plush animal Benny seeks revenge.
May 14
The Djinn
Directed by: David Charbonier and Justin Powell
Starring: Ezra Dewey, Rob Brownstein, Tevy Poe, Donald Pitts and John Erickson
Genre: Horror
Nothing more terrifying as a kid than believing there are monsters under your bed. In The Djinn, a young mute boy finds himself trapped in his house with a frightening monster.
The Get Together
Directed by: Will Bakke
Starring: Alejandro Rose-Garcia, Johanna Braddy, and Jacob Artist
Genre: Comedy
The log line describes The Get Together as being about a group of twenty-somethings at a weekend house party in Austin, so you can only imagine how chaotic that gets.
The Killing of Two Lovers
Directed by: Robert Machoian
Starring: Clayne Crawford, Sepideh Moafi, and Chris Coy
Genre: Drama
This tense drama tells the story of a family in the midst of a divorce as the father, played by Clayne Crawford, has trouble keeping the family together and struggles with his wife’s new relationship.
North Hollywood
Directed by: Mikey Alfred
Starring: Vince Vaughn, Angus Cloud, Miranda Cosgrove and Ryder McLaughlin
Genre: Comedy
Mikey Alfred’s directorial debut is a bunch of guys being dudes who skate! Pure vibes.
Those Who Wish Me Dead
Directed by: Taylor Sheridan
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Tyler Perry, Jon Bernthal, Aidan Gillen, Medina Senghore, Finn Little, Jake Weber, James Jordan and Tory Kittles
Genre: Western
As part of the Warner Bros.–HBO Max deal, Angelina Jolie’s latest film about murder and assassins in the Montana wilderness will be available for the big and small screen.
The Woman in the Window
Directed by: Joe Wright
Starring: Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Fred Hechinger, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeanine Serralles, Mariah Bozeman and Julianne Moore
Genre: Psychological Thriller
After being in limbo for years, The Woman in the Window is seeing the light of day. Though what was meant to be a Hitchcockian thriller might be more of a muddled, B-movie, but hey, at this point, we’ll take it.
May 21
Army of the Dead
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Starring: Dave Bautista, Theo Rossi, Tig Notaro, Garret Dillahunt, Raúl Castillo, Omari Hardwick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Matthias Schweighöfer, Ella Purnell, and Ana de la Reguera.
Genre: Horror
After Justice League, fans won’t have to wait long to see Snyder’s next project. Set to release on Netflix, Dave Bautista and company star as a group of mercenaries ready to take on zombies to pull off a huge heist. And you know what, sounds fun!
Blast Beat
Directed by: Esteban Arango
Starring: Diane Guerrero, Wilmer Valderrama, Mateo Arias, and Moises Arias
Genre: Drama
Being released by Sony Pictures in theaters and on VOD, Mateo and Moises Arias play two Colombian brothers seeking to move to the United States during their last years of high school.
The Dry
Directed by: Robert Connolly
Starring: Eric Bana, Genevieve O’Reilly, Keir O’Donnell and John Polson
Genre: Thriller
The Dry follows Eric Bana as a federal agent in the midst of a murder investigation threatening to unravel his hometown.
Pink: All I Know So Far
Directed by: Michael Gracey
Starring: Pink
Genre: Documentary
Coming to Amazon Prime Video, Pink: All I Know So Far tells Pink’s story of her 2019 Beautiful Trauma world tour as she grapples with being a star, a mother, a boss, and a wife.
Seance
Directed by: Simon Barrett
Starring: Suki Waterhouse, Madisen Beaty, Ella-Rae Smith, Inanna Sarkis, Seamus Patterson and Marina Stephenson-Kerr
Genre: Horror
Suki Waterhouse stars as Camille Meadows, a new student who arrives at an all-girls academy, and is invited one night to a ritual by six girls to call forth the spirit of a former student. What a fun school orientation!
May 28
American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally
Directed by: Michael Polish
Starring: Al Pacino, Meadow Williams, Mitch Pileggi, Thomas Kretschmann, Lala Kent, Carsten Norgaard and Swen Temmel
Genre: Drama
Based on a true story, Al Pacino’s latest film follows a woman named Mildred Gillars (Meadow Williams) and her lawyer (Pacino) as they attempt to save her reputation. It’s a World War II drama AND a courtroom drama so round up your parents for this movie night.
Cruella
Directed by: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Emma Stone and Emma Thompson
Genre: Drama
Disney is giving their pup-wearing villainess Cruella a prequel. Before her affinity for pups, Cruella (played by Emma Stone) was a fashionista grifter named Estella who meets fashion legend Baron von Hellman (Thompson).
Moby Doc
Directed by: Rob Bralver
Starring: Moby, David Lynch, David Bowie and Shepard Fairey
Genre: Documentary
Narrated by Moby, Bralver’s “surrealist†documentary chronicles Moby’s life, from his personal battles to the various phases of his music career.
Welcome Matt
Directed by: Leon Pierce Jr.
Starring: Tahj Mowry, Deon Cole, Jazsmin Lewis-Kelley, Dorien Wilson, and G.G. Townson
Genre: Dramedy
Tahj Mowry stars as Matt, an up and coming filmmaker who develops agoraphobia after a traumatic experience.
June 4
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
Directed by: Michael Chaves
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ruairi O’Connor, Sarah Catherine Hook and Julian Hilliard
Genre: Horror
After The Conjuring spawned a whole franchise of sequels and spin-offs, we’re finally getting a good old-fashion Wilson and Farmiga team up, as supernatural investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they try to find the truth behind a murder’s defense of possession.
June 11
In the Heights
Directed by: Jon Chu
Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco and Jimmy Smits
Genre: Musical
After the rough year we’ve had, a joyous musical sounds amazing right now. Based on the Broadway show by Lin Manuel Miranda and Quiara AlegrÃa Hudes, it won’t be long now until we see In the Heights.
June 18
Fatherhood
Directed by: Paul Weitz
Starring: Kevin Hart
Genre: Drama
Kevin Hart is embracing his more dramatic side as a widower in Netflix’s Fatherhood.
Luca
Directed by: Enrico Casarosa
Starring: Jacob Tremblay and Jack Dylan Grazer
Genre: Family
Pixar will ring in the summer with the beautifully animated sights of the Italian Riviera. Luca is a coming-of-age film about two best friends with a similar secret: They’re both sea monsters. Unfortunately, Luca won’t be on the big screen, but at least it’ll be available on Disney+ at no extra cost.
June 25
False Positive
Directed by: John Lee
Starring: Ilana Glazer, Justin Theroux, Sophia Bush, Josh Hamilton and Pierce Brosnan
Genre: Horror
A24 and Hulu’s latest film stars (and was co-written by) Ilana Glazer as Lucy, a young woman who realizes an unnerving truth about her fertility doctor Dr. Hindle (Brosnan) after she becomes pregnant.
July 2
Summer of Soul
Directed by: Ahmir “Questlove†Thompson
Genre: Documentary
Acquired by Hulu, Questlove’s directorial debut, Summer of Soul, is a look at 1969’s Harlem Cultural Festival, a six-week music fest with a megawatt lineup, including Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Nina Simone, and more.
The Tomorrow War
Directed by: Chris McKay
Starring: Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Theo Von and Keith Powers
Genre: Sci-Fi
The Lego Movie director Chris McKay is making his live-action feature debut to prove that everything is, in fact, not awesome. This sci-fi adventure follows a group of time travelers who jump back 30 years into the past to warn people about an impending alien war. The movie is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video.
Werewolves Within
Directed by: Josh Ruben
Starring: Michaela Watkins, Harvey Guillén and Cheyenne Jackson
Genre: Horror-Comedy
Okay, wait. A horror-comedy whodunnit with Harvey Guillén? We’ll take five. Based on a Ubisoft virtual-reality game (sure!), Werewolves Within tells the story of a snowbound town with terrifying monster lurking about. This IFC film is coming to VOD a week after it’s released in theaters.
July 9
Black Widow
Directed by: Cate Shortland
Starring: Scarlet Johansson, Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, O. T. Fagbenle and David Harbour
Genre: Action
After a long year of delays, Black Widow is now set to debut (*knocks on wood*) this summer in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access. A sort-of prequel–slash–standalone film focused on Natasha Romanoff is finally going to dive deeper into Romanoff’s colored past. From revealing tales about Budapest to the “red in her ledger,†and actually getting to know more about her and her family, Black Widow is long overdue.
July 16
Space Jam: A New Legacy
Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee
Starring: LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Khris Davis, Sonequa Martin-Green and Cedric Joe
Genre: Comedy
Explaining the plot of this film is like explaining rocket science, but what you should now is yes, it is a sequel to the original Space Jam and yes, it’ll be released on HBO Max and in theaters.
August 6
The Suicide Squad
Directed by: James Gunn
Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, Joel Kinnaman, John Cena, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Michael Rooker, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, Pete Davidson, Nathan Fillion, Sean Gunn and Storm Reid
Genre: Action
Proving that everyone gets a second chance, The Suicide Squad is a not-really a sequel, sequel to the 2016 Suicide Squad (notice the absence of “Theâ€). Robbie, Kinnaman, Courtney and Davis return with a gaggle of new supervillain characters ready to betray and kill each other.
September 3
Reminiscence
Directed by: Lisa Joy
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Thandie Newton and Rebecca Ferguson
Genre: Thriller
From Westworld co-creator Lisa Joy, Reminiscence follows Jackman as a private investigator as he tries to unlock his clients’s lost memories.
September 10
Malignant
Directed by: James Wan
Starring: Annabelle Wallis
Genre: Horror
While James Wan may not be directing the third Conjuring film (also out this year), he will debut a new original film starring Annabelle Wallis.
September 24
The Many Saints of Newark
Directed by: Alan Taylor
Starring: Michael Gandolfini, Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen and Ray Liotta
Genre: Crime Drama
A prequel to the popular television series The Sopranos, The Many Saints of Newark chronicles the Newark riots and the rise of rival ganster groups against the DiMeo family.
October 1
Dune
Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin and Zendaya
Genre: Sci-Fi
Bring us the sandworms! Villeneuve puts his stamp on the classic sci-fi novel Dune with this grand remake starring Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides.
November 19
King Richard
Directed by: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Starring: Will Smith, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton and Aunjanue Ellis
Genre: Drama
As the title suggests, King Richard is not so much about tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams as it is as their father Richard played here by Will Smith. The film is set to release in November in theaters and on HBO Max.
December 22
Matrix 4
Directed by: Lana Wachowski
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Neil Patrick Harris, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Jonathan Groff
Genre: Sci-Fi
It’s back into the Matrix we go! After being bumped into 2022 by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Matrix 4 is on back on for 2021 and is set to debut on HBO Max.