Well, let’s try this again. Last summer didn’t have much of a movie season, but signs point to 2021 being a notch closer to normalcy. The schedule (subject to change, as you know by now) features tentpole pictures we’ve been talking about for seemingly years (some of which we’ll get to watch at home – yay!), along with under-the-radar gems.
Here’s a complete calendar of major releases, with a spotlight placed on 10 films of note. (Releases are theatrical unless otherwise noted.)
MAY
May 14
“Spiral” – “Saw” spinoff featuring Chris Rock.
“Those Who Wish Me Dead” (HBO Max and theaters) – The latest from Taylor Sheridan (“Hell or High Water”).
SPOTLIGHT
“The Woman in the Window” (Netflix) – A Hitchcockian premise (a woman thinks she saw a murder) combines with an agoraphobic Amy Adams. We know from “Sharp Objects” that Adams can nail the role of a troubled person trying to solve a crime.
May 21
“Army of the Dead” (Netflix) – Zack Snyder steps away from the DCEU for a zombie flick.
“Séance” – Boarding-school-set ghost picture.
May 28
“Cruella” (Disney Plus and theaters) – Emma Stone takes over the Dalmatian-hating role.
SPOTLIGHT
“A Quiet Place Part II” – We’ll learn more about the alien invaders who are all ears in this wider-scope sequel. Emily Blunt takes sole possession of the lead role, but the film still comes from the pen and lens of John Krasinski.
JUNE
June 1
“Spare Parts” (VOD) – Modern grindhouse flick about women with weapons for arms.
June 4
SPOTLIGHT
“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” (HBO Max and theaters) – The Warrens finally return in the third proper “Conjuring” film (there have already been three “Annabelle” spinoffs!). This one chronicles a real-life case where a defendant claimed demonic possession.
“Flashback” – Drug-mystery thriller with Dylan O’Brien and Maika Monroe.
“Samaritan” – Sylvester Stallone superhero movie.
June 9
“Awake” (Netflix) – SF thriller with Gina Rodriguez.
June 11
“In the Heights” (HBO Max and theaters) – Semi-autobiographical dance pic from Lin-Manuel Miranda.
June 15
“Untitled Horror Movie” – Yes, that’s the title. Suddenly out-of-work actors make a low-budget film that becomes a little too real.
June 16
“The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard” – Comedy-action sequel with Ryan Reynolds, Sam Jackson and Salma Hayek.
June 18
“Fatherhood” (Netflix) – Kevin Hart comedy.
“Luca” – A Pixar film set in Italy.
“The Sparks Brothers” – Edgar Wright documentary about an experimental pop band.
June 25
SPOTLIGHT
“F9” – Going by the theory that the odd-numbered “Fast & Furious” entries are better, this one should be good (unless the stupidly entertaining “Hobbs & Shaw” counts as No. 9). At any rate, I’m morbidly curious to see how dumb this Vin Diesel-powered saga can get.
“False Positive” (Hulu) – Pregnancy horror flick.
“Werewolves Within” – Lycanthropes invade a small town.
June 30
“America: The Motion Picture” (Netflix) – Animated comedy version of USA history in the vein of “Archer.”
“Stillwater” — Family drama with Matt Damon and Abigail Breslin, from the director of “Spotlight.”
“Zola” – Thriller based on a viral Twitter feed (not joking), starring the reliable Riley Keough.
JULY
July 2
“Summer of Soul” (Hulu) – Documentary on the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival.
“The Tomorrow War” (Amazon Prime) – Chris Pratt SF-actioner that calls to mind “The Forever War.”
July 9
SPOTLIGHT
“Black Widow” (Disney Plus and theaters) – The MCU finally delivers a Scarlett Johansson Black Widow film, set between the third and fourth “Avengers” films. What’s more, it co-stars Florence Pugh (“Midsommar”).
“The Forever Purge” – Fifth cinematic entry in the horror-action series.
July 16
“Great White” – A killer shark flick.
“The Night House” – A more claustrophobic fright flick from the creator of the woodsy “The Ritual.”
“Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain” – Documentary from the man behind “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
“Space Jam: A New Legacy” (HBO Max and theaters) – Sequel for the LeBron generation.
July 23
SPOTLIGHT
“Old” – M. Night Shyamalan brings horror to a beautiful beach. The “Sixth Sense” writer-director has mostly rebounded from his mid-career slump, even if “Glass” wasn’t to everyone’s liking. This one should be fun.
“Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins” – Henry Golding joins the franchise.
July 30
“The Green Knight” – A new take on the King Arthur legend.
“Jungle Cruise” – The Rock and Emily Blunt dramatize a Disneyland ride.
AUGUST
Aug. 6
SPOTLIGHT
“The Suicide Squad” (HBO Max and theaters) – James Gunn makes the jump to the DCEU. If done well, it will combine the best parts of the first film (like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn) with a more fun tone … plus a shark man.
Aug. 11
“The Kissing Booth 3” (Netflix) – The latest in Joey King’s teen series.
Aug. 13
“CODA” (Apple TV) – A Sundance tearjerker about the only non-deaf person in a family.
SPOTLIGHT
“Don’t Breathe 2” – Fede Alvarez returns as a writer for this sequel to 2016’s surprise horror-suspense gem that made a scary star out of an antihero known simply as The Blind Man (“Avatar’s” Stephen Lang).
“Free Guy” – Ryan Reynolds action-comedy.
“Respect” – Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson.
Aug. 20
“Demonic” – A SF horror-thriller from Neill Blomkamp.
SPOTLIGHT
“Reminiscence” (HBO Max and theaters) – Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson star in a brain-bender from “Westworld” producer Lisa Joy. It chronicles a lovelorn scientist who can mind-hop into the past.
Aug. 27
“The Beatles: Get Back” – Peter Jackson documentary about the Fab Four’s final album.
“Candyman” – The horror series returns with a fresh, if blandly titled, sequel.
SPOTLIGHT
“He’s All That” (Netflix) – This gender-swapped remake of the 1999 hit could have insights into traditional roles. Addison Rae has the Freddie Prinze Jr. part while “Cobra Kai’s” Tanner Buchanan is in the role formerly held by Rachael Leigh Cook – who also returns.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 3
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” – MCU flick could do for Asians what “Black Panther” did for Blacks.