Coming Soon to Cinemas (Hopefully!)
Editors note: This article has been updated to reflect trailer and release date updates
Words by Liam Horgan
We’re at the halfway mark for 2021 already. It's traumatic to say but the year really is going fast. However, there’s been a distinct lack of great films. Sure, some films have surprised us (Luca, The Suicide Squad), and some have disappointed (In the Heights). Ultimately the industry is still suffering from the fallout of the pandemic. With cinemas slowly re-opening and audiences starting to flock back to cinemas there’s still plenty of time for some great smash hits. To prepare for this, I’ve created a list of some of the most anticipated films still to come in 2021 and what films I recommend you watch before seeing them.
Zola (Dir. Janicza Bravo)
(Release date: August 6th in UK & Ireland)
If you’ve felt that the summer season has been missing some truly innovative films then Zola just might change that. The theatrical adaptation of the infamous twitter thread of 2015 (if you’ve not read it I highly recommend you do), Zola is a black comedy which follows the eponymous Zola, a part-time stripper, who is convinced to go to Florida with new friends for work. Wild, unexpected hijinks obviously ensue. Zola was a Sundance hit and with iconic distributor A24 backing the film it looks set to have a great theatrical run. The film stars Taylour Paige (who you might recognise from Netflix’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), Riley Keogh and Succession breakout (and internet darling) Nicholas Braun.
I’d recommend watching Lorene Scafaria’s comedy-drama Hustlers and Sean Baker’s Tangerine. Both films tackle stories of adult entertainment and sex work while never trivialising or de-humanizing their subjects. They’re both great watches and should gear you up nicely for Zola.
What to watch? Hustlers, Tangerine.
Candyman (Dir. Nia DaCosta)
(Release date: August 27th in UK & Ireland)
Co-written by Jordan Peele and directed by Nia DaCosta, this spiritual sequel to the 1992 slasher classic Candyman looks to be one of best films of 2021. Delayed due to the global pandemic, not much is known about DaCosta’s film. Starring Emmy winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and WandaVision breakout Teyonah Parris, Candyman follows Anthony McCoy, son of original Candyman alum Anne-Marie McCoy (Vanessa Esetelle Williams), as he unwittingly reawakens the spectre that haunts the Cabrini Green Neighbourhood. With the original Candyman, Tony Todd, returning and a story which looks set to update the Candyman mythos for the modern era, DaCosta’s film looks set to be a scary hit.
Watching Bernard Rose’s original Candyman is a must for this film. I’d also recommend watching some more recent horror outings like Jordan Peele’s Us and Remi Weekes’ His House for similar socially-conscious horrors.
What to watch? Candyman (1992), Us, His House.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Dir. Destin Daniel Cretton)
(Release date: September 3rd in UK & Ireland)
I didn’t expect to be excited for Shang-Chi, but it’s quickly become my most anticipated Marvel film of this year (and when this year also includes Spiderman: No Way Home, you know that it’s promising). Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film focuses on new hero Shang-Chi who is drawn back into the clandestine Ten Rings organization, where he is forced to confront his past. The charming Simu Liu stars alongside veteran actors Michelle Yeoh and Tony Leung headlining the cast, the film promises to be an epic deep dive into the world of Shang-Chi.
Interestingly, Tony Leung is set to play the Mandarin. MCU veterans might recognise that moniker as that of Ben Kingsley’s character in Iron Man 3. While in Iron Man 3, the character of the Mandarin was revealed to be a hoax this time around Marvel has promised that this time around we’re going to see the real deal. Shang-Chi has a lot riding on it. For starters there’s doing justice to the character of the Mandarin while avoiding the racist stereotypes of the comics. Alongside this, Marvel needs redemption for the mistake which was Iron Fist. A great example of why Asian creators should oversee Asian focused things. Iron Fist was a dull, vapid and empty show with a miscast lead. Naturally, it was met with widespread criticism. Alongside the controversial casting of Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One in Dr. Strange, Marvel are hoping that Shang-Chi will let them repent for their previous mistakes.
Regardless, the film looks set to be an entertaining outing in the MCU. To prepare for Shang-Chi I’d recommend watching Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which Cretton said inspired the film. Alongside Ang Lee’s classic I’d also recommend some other Wuxia films like A Touch of Zen. If you’re looking for an MCU film to watch, Black Panther is your best bet, with the film's writers saying they took inspiration from how the film deals with African culture for Shang-Chi’s depiction of East-Asian culture.
What to watch? Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, A Touch of Zen, Black Panther.
The Green Knight (Dir. David Lowrey)
(Release date: September 24th in UK & Ireland)
David Lowery’s adaptation of the Arthurian myth of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight promises to be an epic high fantasy adventure. Starring Dev Patel as Sir Gawain with a supporting cast of Alicia Vikandar, Sean Harris, Barry Keoghan and Ralph Ineson as the eponymous Green Knight, Lowery looks to have made a visually sumptuous film.
Lowery is an interesting director whose filmography is broad in scope and scale. From intimate quiet films like A Ghost Story to the more ambitious Pete’s Dragon, Lowery knows how to handle big names alongside great drama. Lowery’s film has been seen by critics in America and the reviews are rapturous. Many early reactions have cited that the film is an unconventional fantasy film. As such to prepare for The Green Knight it’s time to embrace the fantastical. Lowery himself has cited some of the film's influences, such as The Dark Crystal (1982) and Willow (1988). For those looking for something like the films Lowery cited, I’d recommend Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal (1957) and Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits (1981). Gilliam's film embraces the unconventional to outstanding effect, while Bergman’s film is a masterful classic fantasy film. Alongside these I’d also recommend Tarsem Singh’s equally beautiful and unconventional The Fall and Italian director Matteo Garrone’s unhinged Tale of Tales.
What to watch? Willow, The Dark Crystal, The Seventh Seal, Time Bandits, The Fall, Tale of Tales.
No Time to Die (Dir. Carey Joji Fukunaga)
(Release date: October 8th in UK & Ireland)
The long delayed 25th James Bond film is finally getting a release date later this year. It’s Daniel Craig’s fifth outing as the martini drinking spy and with Carey Joji Fukunaga at the helm it looks set to be a thrilling entry into the bond canon. With Oscar winner Rami Malek as the new mysterious antagonist, it looks like Craig’s Bond is facing an uphill struggle. Fukunaga of course gained fame directing True Detective (which arguably is why Matthew McConaughey won his Oscar).
It will be Fukunaga’s fifth film as director (not counting his TV show work) and with the aid of Phoebe Waller-Bridge on the script it looks set to be an intriguing new look at Bond.
There’s no real preparation needed for a Bond outing apart from watching the previous Bond films. Skyfall is a blast and considering Spectre has aged better than it was initially received, as well as Léa Seydoux’s return as Dr. Madeleine Swann, a rewatch is recommended. For those intrigued by Fukunaga’s work you could watch Beasts of No Nation and Jane Eyre for his feature length offerings but really to match even a hint of Bond, checking out Season 1 of True Detective is well worth it.
What to watch? Skyfall, Spectre, True Detective Season 1.
Halloween Kills (Dir. David Gordon Green)
(Release date: October 15th in UK & Ireland)
The sequel to 2018’s Halloween reboot, Halloween Kills is refreshingly set immediately after the events of the first film. The follow-up looks set to continue Michael’s rampage as he hunts Laurie Strode. Bringing Jamie Lee Curtis back to the franchise invigorated the reboot/sequel and made 2018’s entry the best Halloween sequel (which arguably wasn’t a hard accomplishment). Intriguingly the sequel looks to reunite Curtis with other returning victims of Michael to unite against him. The trailer promises some epic thrills as Michael has never been as vicious.
Rewatching the 2018 film and the 1978 film is really the best bet. Although if people want to watch something similar, I’d recommend The Terminator and It Follows for their unnerving and unwavering stalking monsters.
What to watch? Both Halloween films, The Terminator, It Follows.
The Last Duel (Dir. Ridley Scott)
(Release date: October 15th in UK & Ireland)
The first of two films Ridley Scott has released this year (the second being House of Gucci), The Last Duel is an intriguing film. Based on actual events, the film is set in 14th-century France, where knight Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and his squire Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) are ordered to fight to the death after Carrouges accuses Le Gris of raping his wife, Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer). Naturally, there’s some big names attached to the film, alongside Damon, Driver and Comer, there’s also Ben Affleck. Affleck and Damon also co-write the film with Nicole Holofcener. Scott hasn’t had a film since the 2017 double bill of Alien: Covenant and All the Money in the World, here’s hoping that this time around both films are more warmly received.
To prepare for Scott’s medieval epic there’s a few options to watch. Sure, you could watch some of Scott’s previous Medieval entries such as Robin Hood or Kingdom of Heaven (the director’s cut is great!). But I’d suggest going all the way back to Scott’s debut feature The Duelists. Although not set in the Middle Ages, Scott’s film does express similar themes that The Last Duel looks to explore. For that reason, it’s a good place to start. Alongside Scott’s first film, there’s Shekhar Kapur’s sublime Elizabeth as well asThe Return of Martin Guerre,a 1982 French film directed by Daniel Vigne. Both films deal with medieval court proceedings and are great depictions of the era. Finally it’s clear from the trailer that the film is focusing on Jodie Cormer’s Lady Marguerite, as such, a watch of Carl Theodor Dreyer’s 1928 classic The Passion of Joan of Arc is recommended. All suitable appetisers before Scott’s main course.
What to watch? The Duelists, Elizabeth, The Return of Martin Guerre, The Passion of Joan of Arc.
The Many Saints of Newark (Dir. Alan Taylor)
(Release date: October 22 in UK & Ireland)
Let’s get the obvious out of the way, The Many Saints of Newark is a prequel film to the godfather of TV shows The Sopranos. Alongside this there are some interesting elements to this film. Firstly, the film focuses on Tony Soprano as a young man, played by the late James Gandolfini’s son, Michael. Series creator David Chase has written the film and it features a cast including Vera Farmiga, Leslie Odom Jr., and John Bernthal. While it’s unclear if the film is detailing a story that is completely necessary, it’s no less exciting to see the world of Tony Soprano return.
I literally only recommend watching The Sopranos and that’s it. If you start now you might finish in time for the film’s debut.
What to watch? The Sopranos
Dune (Dir. Dennis Villenueve)
(Release date: October 22nd in UK & Ireland)
Fans of Timothée Chalamet are in for a treat on October 22nd as the star releases two projects. Both of which are highly anticipated. Firstly, there’s his team up with director Dennis Villenueve for sci-fi epic Dune. A passion project for Villeneuve, this is his take on the iconic novel by Frank Herbert. Villenueve had wanted to work on a Dune adaptation for years but felt he needed the experience to helm a science fiction epic and so he made Arrival and Blade Runner: 2048. With an all-star cast that includes Oscar Isaacs, Dave Bautista and Zendaya, Dune is looking to be an incredible new science fiction odyssey.
This isn’t the first adaptation of Herbert’s work, in fact the classic story has had several failed attempts, the most infamous being filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky’s failed attempt in 1974. Jodorowsky’s original film was going to be over ten hours long, featured a score by Pink Floyd (the 2021 film nods to this in the trailer) and featured a cast of actors like Salvador Dalí, Orson Welles, Mick Jagger, and Geraldine Chaplin. Although the film never got off the ground, it did make a great documentary. David Lynch did eventually adapt Dune in his 1984 film; however, critics and audiences alike did not favour the film, with the eccentric filmmaker distancing himself from the box office disappointment.
As this is a fresh take on Herbert’s source material, I recommend avoiding Lynch’s version completely. For those who’ve not seen a Villeneuve film before I’d recommend you check out his filmography. He has a very distinct style and those who are not aware of his filmmaking might be caught unawares for Dune. To this end, watching Blade Runner: 2049 is highly recommended. Another science fiction film that has the same feel to it as Villeneuve, is James Gray’s Ad Astra. Finally, I’d also recommend watching some sci-fi classics which were directly inspired by Herbert’s novel. You could watch Star Wars but really the best film to watch is Hayao Miyazaki’s 1984 film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
What to watch? Blade Runner: 2049, Ad Astra, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
The French Dispatch (Dir. Wes Anderson)
(Release date: October 22nd in UK & Ireland)
Timothée Chalamat’s second film is Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch. Gathering an all-star cast, Anderson’s latest is a collection of stories from the eponymous newspaper, based in the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé. Anderson reunites with Anderson regulars like Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and Adrien Brody, but the addition of Chalamat, Benicio Del Toro and Jeffrey Wright means this could be a real stunner. Having just recently screened at the Cannes Film Festival and met with mainly good reception, it looks Anderson has another visually glorious work under his belt.
If you’ve never seen a Wes Anderson film before then you’re in for a treat. The director has a very distinct style and as such it’s worth watching any of his previous films to understand what The French Dispatch will be like. Alongside this, Anderson himself has released a list of films that inspired his most recent work; from that list I’d recommend The Gold of Naples (1954) by Italian master Vittorio De Sica. If you’ve never seen an anthology film before, I’d also recommend checking out The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), and Japanese master filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (1990).
What to watch? Any Wes Anderson film (I love The Grand Budapest Hotel), The Gold of Naples, the Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Dreams.
Last Night in Soho (Dir. Edgar Wright)
(Release date: October 29th in UK & Ireland)
It was always intriguing when Edgar Wright said he was following up his smash hit Baby Driver with a psychological thriller. The addition of cast members Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy and Matt Smith only added to this allure. Not much was known about the film until the trailer dropped about a month ago. Wright’s film follows Eloise (McKenzie), a young woman with a passion for fashion design who mysteriously finds herself transported back in time to 1966 London in the body of her idol, a singer named Sandy (Taylor-Joy). The film promises an intriguing mystery and plenty of scares throughout it’s time-hopping runtime.
It’s clear from the film’s trailer that Wright has been hugely inspired by the Italian film sub-genre giallo. As such I’d recommend watching the masterpiece that is Suspiria. Dario Argento’s technicolour horror is a classic of the genre and a fun horror romp, it’s clear from watching the trailer for Wright’s latest that it was an influence. Alongside Suspiria, Wright has stated he took inspiration from Nicholas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now and Polanksi’s Repulsion. Both are iconic horror films which explore psychological themes throughout their runtimes. If Last Night in Soho is inspired by these films, then we can expect it to be just as complex with it’s themes. Finally, as there is time travel at play here, I’d suggest checking out the 2020 South Korean film The Call for a suspenseful thriller involving time shenanigans.
What to watch? Suspiria, Don’t Look Now, Repulsion, The Call.
The Harder They Fall (Dir. Jeymes Samuel)
(Release date: November 3rd 2021 on Netflix)
Another Netflix ensemble arriving later this year is Jeymes Samuel’s revisionist western The Harder They Fall. Featuring an all-star cast of Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beets, Regina King, Delroy Lindo and Lakeith Stanfield, it looks set to be a western classic. The film follows Nat Love who reassembles his former gang to seek revenge against the man who murdered his parents. Samuel’s film features many faces of legend from the Wild West such as Stagecoach Mary, Nat Love, Rufus Buck, Bass Reeves and Cherokee Bill. While some of these legends never met, Samuel's story will have all these historic figures together. Samuel has spoken previously on his love of classic westerns and as such this film looks to provide some much-needed representation in the genre, while breathing new life into the legends of some of the first African-American cowboys.
I recommend you check out some classic westerns like The Magnificent 7 and The Dirty Dozen as well as Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight for something with a modern twist.
What to watch? The Dirty Dozen, The Hateful Eight, The Magnificent 7
Eternals (Dir. Chloé Zhao)
(Release date: November 5th in the UK & Ireland)
Chloé Zhao made history at this year's Oscars with her win for Best Director and Best Picture for Nomadland. It came as a surprise then when she announced her next film would be The Eternals for Marvel. Zhao, who is known for her deconstruction of the American west in her revisionist films, was a surprising choice to adapt the comic characters. The Eternals are an immortal alien race created by celestial entities, aptly called the Celestials. They have secretly lived on Earth for over 7,000 years and reunite to protect humanity from a new threat. Marvel hired Zhao, who then re-wrote the screenplay. From the trailer it seems The Eternals will be an interesting introduction to new characters and hopefully will be an inventive new feel for Marvel. The film stars Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Selma Hayek and many more.
Zhao has cited Alejandro González Iñárritu’s The Revenant as an influence for the action scenes of her film. She has also cited her love of manga and science fiction films as having an impact on the film. It’s hard to gauge just how The Eternals will feel but some suggestions as to what to watch are The Old Guard (2020), another comic adaptation about immortal warriors. Since Zhao is known for her slow, minimalist films, I think watching the animated film The Tale of Princess Kaguya by Isao Takahata is also a good recommendation, combining her filmmaking sensibilities, love of anime and a tale of immortality.
What to watch? The Revenant, The Old Guard, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
House of Gucci (Dir. Ridley Scott)
(Release date: November 26th in UK & Ireland)
Ridley Scott’s second feature to come this year is a film that has already garnered some attention. Scott’s adaptation of Sara Gay Forden’s book on the events and aftermath of Patrizia Reggiani’s orchestrated assassination of her ex-husband and head of Gucci, Maurizio Gucci, sees Scott working with Lady Gaga and Adam Driver as the respective leads. This will be Lady Gaga’s first role after her Oscar nominated turn in A Star is Born, so it’ll be exciting to see if she can strike gold twice. Alongside Gaga and Driver is an all-star cast featuring Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Jack Huston, Reeve Carney, Salma Hayek, and Al Pacino. There has already been some controversy from the Gucci family, with members apparently being unhappy with certain casting choices. Regardless, Scott’s film looks set to be an enticing thriller set amongst the fashion elite. Expect some great performances, great costuming, and great production design.
To prepare for watching this film I’d recommend checking out thrillers based around the rich and famous. Scott’s own All the Money in the World is a good start as well as the superb Foxcather and Reversal of Fortune.
What to watch? All the Money in the World, Foxcatcher, Reversal of Fortune.
Nightmare Alley (Dir. Guillermo del Toro)
(Release date: December 17th)
Guillermo del Toro is back this year with Nightmare Alley. Based on William Lindsay Gresham’s novel, Nightmare Alley tells the tale of Stan Carlisle, an ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people who hooks up with Dr. Lilith Ritter, a woman even more dangerous than himself. The film is notable for being del Toro’s follow up to his Best Picture winning The Shape of Water. It’s del Toro’s first film not to feature any fantasy/science fiction elements. Describing the film as more of a psychological noir, it looks set to be an intriguing outing from the esteemed director. Gresham’s novel was adapted once before in 1947 as a film starring Tyrone Power, however, del Toro has explicitly stated his film will be an adaptation of the novel, not a remake of the film. Del Toro has gathered an all-star cast including Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Willem DaFoe, Rooney Mara, Toni Colette and Richard Jenkins to name but a few.
Del Toro is a huge cinephile who expresses his love of film through his own unique on-screen stories. It’s not hard to see how Nightmare Alley could be a critical and commercial success with the previous success of both cast and crew. As this is del Toro’s first film without his trademark blending of the fantastical it’s hard to recommend films to watch beforehand. Luckily, the director’s love of cinema is something we can turn to. Del Toro has always been very clear on what some of his favourite films are, as such we can turn to them. Given the subject matter and the genre leanings of Nightmare Alley, I’d recommend watching the following. First off is Jean Renoir’s 1931 film La Chienne, the film follows a married man who falls in love with a prostitute who dupes him out of money. In a similar vein is the classic 1955 Charles Laughton film, Night of the Hunter. The film focuses on a corrupt minister-turned-serial killer, played by the iconic Roberth Mitchum, and his attempts to woo an unsuspecting widow and steal $10,000 hidden by her executed husband. Finally, as Nightmare Alley deals with the circus it would be impossible not to recommend checking out Freaks. Tod Browning’s controversial 1932 horror film focuses on a trapeze artist who attempts to con a fellow performer out of money to disastrous consequences. Of all the films on this list, one would expect del Toro’s film to be as subversive as Browning’s pulp classic.
What to watch? La Chienne (1931), Freaks (1932), Night of the Hunter (1955)
The Matrix 4 (Dir. Lana Wachowski)
(Release date December 22nd in UK & Ireland)
The Matrix is back baby! The fourth instalment of the iconic science fiction franchise is due later this year. The film’s plot is under wraps but will feature the return of Keanu Reeves as Neo and Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity. Alongside them are some returning faces, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Lambert Wilson, as well as some new faces, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick and Christina Ricci. Lana Wachowski returns to the series to direct the fourth instalment. While the Wachowski’s may have failed to reach the heights of the Matrix trilogy in the years that followed, they have established themselves as confident directors with unique voices. Lana Wachowski is sure to bring an excellent direction to the film alongside co-writers (and authors) David Mitchell and Aleksandar Hemon. While not much is known about the film, it is sure to be a slice of event cinema to close the year out. The only recommendation to gear up for this film is to rewatch the Matrix trilogy and enjoy it for all it’s worth.
What to watch? Matrix Trilogy
Don’t Look Up (Dir. Adam McKay)
(Release date: December 24th on Netflix)
Adam McKay has had a spectacular turnaround in the last few years. Previously known for comedic outputs such as the iconic Anchorman and Step Brothers, the director debuted with The Big Short in 2015 to critical acclaim. McKay’s searing look at the financial crash of 2007/2008 was an intelligent and innovative smash hit. McKay followed this up with a critical take down of Dick Cheney in the critically divisive Vice in 2018. With Don’t Look Up, McKay is returning more towards his comedic roots with this fictional allegory for climate change.
Coming later this year to Netflix, McKay is teaming up with a gargantuan cast, including Jennifer Lawrence, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Chris Evans and many more. The film follows two astronomers (Lawrence and DiCaprio) who must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth. The story has clear Chicken Licken comparisons, but it remains to be seen whether McKay can reproduce the success of The Big Short. So far, all signs seem positive.
To prepare for McKay’s new film I’d recommend checking out The Big Short. McKay’s film explained complicated financial terms with ease via clever celebrity cameos. It would not be unexpected for Don’t Look Up to do the same with its science terms. Similarly, Robert Zemeckis Contact is worth a watch. The Jodie Foster-starring science fiction film takes a grounded scientific approach to space and aliens which is very rarely depicted in film. Finally, McKay himself has referenced Spielberg’s own Jaws as an inspiration while writing the film. Expect DiCaprio and Lawrence’s astronomers to meet characters like Jaws' infamous mayor.
What to watch? The Big Short, Jaws, Contact.
