by Conan Simmons – January 22, 2021 – 8:22 am
*Edited for updated changes to release dates.
Most of the major Hollywood studios are moving their release dates back again in bulk. Warner Bros. is sticking with its plan to stream their 2021 film slate on HBO Max making them most likely to be seen this year even if it is a financially controversial plan. Disney is currently holding its release pattern for their upcoming Marvel films, though there is rumor spreading that they will push back the release of ‘Black Widow’ from its current slot.
Following is a rundown of most of the major upcoming releases as they now stand from the major studios – Sony/MGM, Paramount, Universal, Disney and Warner Bros.
Feb. 26 – ‘Tom and Jerry’ a live action/animated hybrid featuring Chloe Grace Moretz alongside the classic cartoon duo. Warner Bros. will be streaming it day-and-date on HBO Max.
March 26 March 31 – ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ will see the famed kaiju take on the titan with Millie Bobby Brown returning to the franchise with new addition, Alexander Skarsgard. With a budget just shy of $200 million it is going to be very tough for Warner Bros. to make bank as this matchup will likewise see day-and-date release. Warner Bros. does not own all overseas rights so if the film fares better outside the U.S. it may not benefit the studio.
April 2 – ‘Nobody’ will be coming to theaters. Universal is releasing this action film starring Bob Odenkirk, from ‘Better Call Saul’, as a man on a mission with a supporting cast of Christopher Lloyd, RZA and Connie Nielsen.
April 23 September 17 – ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ will be in theaters. This Paramount release, a sequel to the hit film, will see John Krasinski returning to direct along with star Emily Blunt. Cillian Murphy is expected to have a major role.
May 7 – ‘Black Widow’ brings the Marvel Cinematic Universe back to theaters. At least that’s the hope. Scarlett Johansson returns in the title role and is joined by Florence Pugh and Rachael Weisz. As previously stated, there is serious rumor going around that this release date may be delayed soon. If so, it may affect the release of other upcoming Marvel movies.
May 28 – ‘Fast and Furious 9’ sees the gang of Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson taking on John Cena in another installment of the popular action franchise.
June 4 – ‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ hopes to scare up an audience with Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga returning to battle the forces of evil. The first two films were very good, but if going to theaters is too scary for you don’t worry, it will release day-and-date on HBO Max.
June 11 – ‘Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway’ brings back the hit animated character in another family friendly adventure. Starring James Corden, Daisy Ridley, Margot Robbie and Elizabeth Debicki.
June 25 – ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ will make its way onto theater screens as Tom Hardy returns as Venom taking on the murderous villain Carnage, played by Woody Harrelson. This Marvel comics adaptation comes from Sony as they continue to make a proxy Marvel Cinematic Universe featuring characters from the Spider-Man comics. Michelle Williams will be returning with the new addition of Naomie Harris as the villain, Shriek.
July 16 – ‘Cinderella’ starring pop singer Camila Cabello will be released by Sony making it a rare non-Disney take on the popular fairy tale. If it sticks to this release date it has a good chance of taking the top spot at the box office against –
July 16 – ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ starring basketball great LeBron James matching up with the Looney Tunes. This sequel to the highly popular 90’s film may see its box office diminished by releasing day-and-date on HBO Max.
August 6 – ‘The Suicide Squad’ is sure to bring in audiences unless audiences opt for the same day streaming on HBO Max. Directed by James Gunn, in between ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ films, ‘The Suicide Squad’ will bring back Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn as she is forced to team with a slew of off-the-wall villain/heroes played by John Cena, Idris Elba, Pete Davidson, Nathan Fillion and more.
October 8 – ‘No Time to Die’ has moved out of April into this newly announced release date. When Sony/MGM made this announcement it seems to have set off a chain reaction among the studios in Hollywood as they all scramble to change their release schedules. Daniel Craig’s final turn as James Bond sees him taking on Rami Malek as Lea Seydoux returns from ‘Spectre’.
October 22 – ‘Last Night in Soho’ sees the final screen performance of the late Diana Rigg. Directed by Edgar Wright the cast of this comedy includes Anya-Taylor Joy, Matt Smith and Terence Stamp.
November 5 – ‘Elvis’, a musical biopic of the original King of Rock & Roll directed by Baz Luhrmann and filmed in his native Australia. Austin Butler stars as Elvis with Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker.
November 11 – ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ revives the franchise with Finn Wolfhard, from ‘Stranger Things’, encountering the original Ghostbusters – Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson.
December 17 – ‘Untitled Spider-Man Sequel’ is currently slated for this date. Continuing the Marvel Cinematic Universe adventures of the fan favorite web-slinger. Tom Holland returns to the role joined by Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange. It is expected to be a retelling of ‘Into the Spider-Verse’ featuring cast members from previous Sony franchise films recurring in their respective roles, e.g. Jamie Foxx as Electro and Alfred Molina as Dr. Octopus. As the movie is currently filming in Atlanta it’s kind of hard to imagine they will meet this release date.
December 18 – ‘Dune’ directed by Denis Villeneuve is currently in negotiations to work out a deal for a day-and-date release on HBO Max after Warner Bros. made the controversial announcement. The remake of the cult sci-fi favorite stars Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Mamoa, Josh Brolin and Oscar Isaac.
December 22 – ‘The Matrix 4’ directed by Lana Wachowski will be a day-and-date release on HBO Max. Franchise stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie Anne-Moss return with new additions Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Neil Patrick Harris.
January 21, 2022 – ‘Morbius’ has shifted its release ahead to next year. The Marvel comics adaptation is part of Sony’s Spider-Man spinoffs. Jared Leto stars as the scientist turned vampire anti-hero. The cast also includes Matt Smith and Michael Keaton reprising his role as the Vulture from the Marvel Cinematic Universe installment, ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’.
February 11, 2022 – ‘Uncharted’ starring Tom Holland recently pushed its release out of 2021. An adaptation of the hit video game the movie is already in post-production having been filmed prior to Holland’s upcoming Spider-Man sequel.
February 12, 2022 – ‘The Eternals’ takes the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmic realm as the adaptation of the Jack Kirby comic book series stars Kit Harrington, Kumail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie.
February 18, 2022 – ‘Ambulance’ hits theaters directed by Michael Bay. Alongside an expected multitude of explosions this action film is set to star Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Eiza Gonzalez.
Due to the ongoing pandemic these release dates are subject to change.