New year, new…movies? Ah yes, that ancient saying. A new year heralds a whole new bucketful of content to discover and become engrossed by. Who knows what favourite films you may have discovered by the end of this year? There are infinite possibilities, and perhaps it’s not even on this list, but here are the films that I am looking forward to this year.
Dolittle
The 2020 adaptation of Hugh Lofting’s Doctor Dolittle series features Robert Downey Jr. as the titular character, a vet who can talk to animals, with a voice cast including Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Kumail Nanjiani, Octavia Spencer, Tom Holland, Craig Robinson, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez and Marion Cotillard. This adaptation takes place in the reign of Queen Victoria, and features Doctor Dolittle undertaking a quest to find a cure for Queen Victoria’s illness.
Birds of Prey
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn was one of the highlights of Suicide Squad, so her solo outing has the potential to be a great hit. DC comicbook films do have a tendency to be hit and miss, so it’s touch and go as to whether Robbie’s talent alone will be enough to make this film decent. Still, I am quietly optimistic that a tale of girl power will be executed well.
Emma
Based upon Jane Austen’s novel, Emma follows the story of Emma Woodhouse, who takes it upon herself to meddle in the romantic affairs of those around her, despite not being especially good at it. This adaptation stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Emma Woodhouse, as well as Bill Nighy and Miranda Hart.
Onward
The latest Disney Pixar film, it’s sure to be a hit. Based within a world of magic, the difficulty with which it has become to learn magic has meant that the population have turned to science to solve their problems. Brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voiced by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt) go on a quest to discover if there is enough magic to revive their father for 24 hours, who died shortly before Ian was born.
Mulan
I’m not sure whether I am excited for this film – or indeed whether I will go and see it – but it is worth mentioning purely because of how bizarre it is. Disney are continuing their trend of recreating animated classics, this time turning their attention to fan-favourite Mulan. However, despite taking the general premise, they are producing it without any songs, and have rewritten the male lead, Li Shang (who, I contend, is the first bisexual Disney character. Just saying. As you were).
The New Mutants
Somewhat infamous these days for the long delay before being released, The New Mutants exists within the world of the X-Men, and is being touted as a horror film. Within this, mutants who are kept within a secure facility must fight to escape.
No Time to Die
How could anybody release a list of the films to look forward to this year without mentioning the long-anticipated James Bond film? I genuinely have no idea what is happening in the trailer, but let’s face it: we’ll take what we’re given and we’ll say thank you.
Trolls World Tour
Trolls World Tour is high on my list of films to watch this coming year. I absolutely adore the original, and I am highly confident that this sequel will be full of just as much feel-good energy as the first.
Black Widow
In the first film of Marvel Phase 4, Black Widow follows Natasha Romanoff in the time after Captain America: Civil War, in which she is forced to confront the ghosts of her past. It’s somewhat of a shame that this film has come only after the end of her character, which is sure to make the film bittersweet – making us fall in love with this fan favourite again, but this character taking centre stage is long overdue.
Legally Blonde 3
Nobody panic. It’s here. It’s time. A new Legally Blonde film. Let’s face it. It’ll be iconic. Quotable lines galore. Reese Witherspoon looking fierce. I think I peed just a little. Apparently it’s due for release in May, though no promotional materials have appeared just yet, so it may be happening slightly later. But hey, it beat Princess Diaries 3 to the punch.
Scoob
A new incarnation of the Scooby-Doo franchise, with slightly jarring animation style, the tale seems to infused with supernatural and potentially alien elements. From the trailer, it looks to be full of the traditional Scooby Doo tropes, and should make for a good romp.
Artemis Fowl
The trailer for this originally dropped in November 2018, and was delayed for release from August 2019 to May 2020. Artemis Fowl is based upon the books by Eoin Colfer, though from what I gather it may deviate significantly from the source material. At its crux, however, it tells the story of 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl, who seeks to locate his father who has disappeared.
Wonder Woman 1984
I adored the first Wonder Woman. It was the first DC movie that they really nailed, considering the quality of Man of Steel, Batman v Superman and Justice League. Nowadays, there have been Aquaman and Shazam! but Wonder Woman was certainly the first. Wonder Woman 1984 shoots forwards about 65 years from the events of the first film, and finds Diana at odds with another dangerous foe, while reuniting with her past love, Steve.
In The Heights
The film adaptation of Lin Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical In the Heights details the lives of the Latino neighbourhood Washington Heights. You can expect fierce dancing, brilliant music and heaps of emotion. I mean, I’m guessing, purely because Lin wrote it. Genuinely haven’t heard any of it. But I am excited.
Jungle Cruise
Ever been to Disneyland? Well, there’s a ride there called Jungle Cruise. And apparently it needs a film adaptation. I mean, I waited for two hours to go on that ride. And I did have a very entertaining skipper. I’m not sure if this is high on my list, if I’m honest, but it does have a good cast in the form of Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson. It tells the story of a jungle mission to find the Tree of Life, believed to have healing powers. Along the way are multiple threatening animals, and – of course – Nazis.
The King’s Man
When a collection of criminal masterminds band together to put into place a nefarious plan to wipe out millions, the Duke of Oxford (Ralph Fiennes) and his protege (Harris Dickinson) must work together to stop them.
Death on the Nile
I mean, what is there to say? Kenneth Branagh directs a sequel to his 2017 Murder on the Orient Express, again starring as Hercule Poirot, as he works to catch a killer while in Egypt. It boasts a fabulous cast, including Russell Brand, Gal Gadot, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.
The Witches
Looking now towards the latter part of the year, a new adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches will star Anne Hathaway in the role previously made famous by Anjelica Huston, the Grand High Witch. It has been described as a dark fantasy comedy.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Another musical film, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie follows the tale of Jamie New, an aspiring drag queen.
The Eternals
The second instalment of Marvel’s Phase 4, The Eternals has probably the largest cast of a Marvel film. The Eternals follows the aliens beings known as the Celestials who seek to protect the Earth from an evil alien species known as the Deviants. The film stars Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh, Don Lee, Barry Keoghan, Gemma Chan and Kit Harington.
Raya and the Last Dragon
The first Disney original animated feature since 2016’s Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon depicts a warrior known as Raya seeking out the last dragon. It’s sort of in the title. It’s Disney. It’ll be great.
West Side Story
The 2020 film stars Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort in the lead roles of the Stephen Sondheim musical.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Set 30 years after the original Ghostbusters, a family is evicted from their home and move to a farm in Oklahoma, where they discover a connection to the original Ghostbusters team. Appearances from the surviving original cast will be featured.
The Secret Garden
An orphaned girl is sent out to the country to live with her uncle, where she begins to unearth the secrets of the past.
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