2020, amongst other things, left a void in the entertainment world. Highly-anticipated films were delayed countless times, productions were halted and fans were left wondering when their favorite movies would be released, but 2021 is here and promises amazing films for audiences. From the first Phase 4 Marvel Cinematic Universe film to the long awaited Snyder Cut, 2021 is wasting no time in making up for last years delays, and here's everything we are excited about coming to theaters and streaming services this year.
Raya and the Last Dragon
In a first for Disney, Raya and the Last Dragon will release simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ via premier access on March 5. The story follows Raya's (Kelly Marie Tran) journey in search of the last water dragon, whom she hopes will help save her home. What is exciting about this one, aside from the Indiana Jones meets Avatar: The Last Airbender vibe, is that it is continuing Disney's trend of changing up what it means to be a princess, with Raya being a warrior-princess. In the words of Tran, "she grows up to be a really badass, gritty warrior and can really take care of herself."
Zack Snyder's Justice League
After much anticipation, HBO Max is set to release Zack Snyder's Justice League as a four-part miniseries in March. Audiences are eager to see what they hope will fix the issues with the original release, and so far it seems that the Snyder Cut will deliver. With Snyder sharing that it includes over 80 percent new VFX and two additional scenes that have never been seen before, including one with Jared Leto's Joker, the film sounds promising. Given the fervor of fans for this one, we look forward to seeing if it lives up to the hype.
Bob's Burgers: The Movie
Bob's Burgers: The Movie: is expected to hit theaters April 9. Not much is known about it except that creator Loren Bouchard will serve as writer/director, and the original cast will reprise their roles. Bouchard previously said in 2017, "We know the movie has to scratch every itch the fans of the show have ever had, but it also has to work for all the good people who've never seen the show."
A Quiet Place Part II
On April 23, the Abbott family is going to venture into the post-apocalyptic world, coming face-to-face with threats even more terrifying than the ones they encountered before. A Quiet Place Part II will focus on what's beyond the sand path, building out the world of the Abbott's and leading to intense encounters with other survivors, all while alluding to something ominous on a much larger scale. After so much emphasis placed on silence in the first one, it will be interesting to hear more about Part II.
Black Widow
After many delays, Black Widow is coming to theaters May 7. Set in the two year gap between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, Natasha is on the run and heads home to deal with some personal business. That business seems to include fighting Taskmaster and an army of Widows. The combination of finally getting a new Marvel film, a fan-favorite character solo venture and an intriguing new villain, makes Black Widow by far one of the most anticipated films of 2021. As the first film in Marvel's Phase 4, fans want to see what the MCU has in store post-Endgame.
Godzilla Vs. Kong
The screencaps and GIFs from the leaked Godzilla vs. Kong trailer shown at Brazil's Comic-Con Experience was enough to get fans buzzing for the film, which is set to release on HBO Max and in theaters May 21. Godzilla and Kong meeting face-to-face and going at it with such ferocity is a MonsterVerse fan's dream come true. After the long-standing rumor that Kong won in 1962's King Kong vs. Godzilla in America -- but not in Japan -- fans are hoping for a conclusive answer to the classic debate "who would win in a fight?"
The Suicide Squad
James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, releasing August 6, will be the tenth film set within the DC Extended Universe. It will feature the return of several characters from 2016's Suicide Squad, as well as new characters from DC Comics, including Idris Elba's Bloodsport, Pete Davidson's Blackguard and Peter Capaldi's The Thinker. Like Matrix 4, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It and Godzilla vs. Kong, The Suicide Squad will be released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max.
Dune
One of last year's most anticipated movies, Denis Villeneuve's adaptation of Dune is currently set to debut in theaters and on HBO Max October 1, but this may change. This will be the first of two films that will tell the massive story of Dune. The praise for the first trailer has been overwhelmingly positive and has fans anticipating a film worthy of the book.
Snake Eyes: GI Joe Origins
Paramount Pictures is releasing their G.I. Joe spinoff Snake Eyes: GI Joe Origins October 22. This film will feature the ninja Snake Eyes, a fan favorite who specializes in martial arts, and it serves as an origin story for the character. With much of his past labeled "classified" in previous depictions, the studio has room to create a unique story here.
Eternals
Another highly anticipated MCU film, Eternals will be in theaters November 5. Based on a Marvel property that is not as well-known as say The Avengers , the Eternals are looking to gain the fans' admiration much like their cosmic contemporaries The Guardians of the Galaxy have done before. The delay of Eternals has only led to more hype for the film. With a vast comic book library to draw from, Eternals has massive potential to help usher in new frontiers for the MCU.
Untitled Spider-Man 3
Sony and Marvel Studios are also set to deliver up the untitled Spider-Man 3 film on December 17. It is rumored to feature a heavy lean into the multiverse while dealing with the fallout of the mid-credit scene of Spider-Man: Far From Home. Casting rumors have been flying around like crazy, and it appears pre-MCU villains and heroes could be in the film, including Jamie Foxx, Alfred Molina, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, with the former two being confirmed in the film. Seeing old faces return for the fan-favorite web-slinger's third installment makes it all the more exciting.
Matrix 4
The Matrix 4, a sequel to 2003's The Matrix Revolutions, is coming to theaters and HBO Max December 22. Not only is Keanu Reeves returning to his role as Neo, but Matrix-alumni Carrie Anne-Moss will be back as well. Matrix 4 newcomers include Neil Patrick Harris and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, expanding the popular world. Not much is known about the film, but with both Moss and Reeves citing the film's enticing screenplay as their reasoning for coming back, it seems safe to say it has the potential to be great.