The Must-See Movies Of 2020

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The Must-See Movies Of 2020
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2019 had some huge hits, including the highest-grossing film of all time in Avengers: Endgame. But as the new year begins, the big question is: What films will we be clamouring to see at the cinema? Here are our picks… (Note: Release dates are listed from the earliest announced opening, and will vary depending on location)

By Victoria Luxford

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Birds of Prey: and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (from 5 February) – This Suicide Squad spin-off with a very long name sees the return of that film’s breakthrough star, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) as she leaves the Joker and joins a gang of vigilantes to save a young girl from a mobster (Ewan McGregor). Expect colourful, hilarious chaos!

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The Invisible Man (from 26 February) – How do you stop a predator you can’t see? That’s Elizabeth Moss’ problem in the latest revamp of the Universal Monsters franchise. After the disaster that was Tom Cruise’s The Mummy, the studio has collaborated with horror masters Blumhouse (Get Out, Insidious) to deliver a grittier, more exciting prospect.

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Onward (from 4 March) – Marvel buddies Chris Pratt and Tom Holland star in Pixar’s animated fantasy, as two elf brothers looking for enough magic to spend one last night with their father. It sounds like it has all the ingredients for another Pixar weepie, although it will have stiff competition from fellow Pixar film Soul, out later this year.

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No Time to Die (from 3 April) – Bond is back! In Daniel Craig’s final turn as the super spy, he comes back into the world of espionage to face off against supervillain Safin (Rami Malek). Co-written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), the film comes with a lot of hype and expectation, as well as a different perspective, with a female 007 (Lashana Lynch).

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Black Widow (from 1 May) – Endgame spoilers ahead! After appearing in other heroes’ films for years, Scarlett Johansson takes centre stage in her own movie – despite dying in last year’s Endgame! Set after 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, the film finds the character having to confront her past. She’s joined by an illustrious cast including Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz and David Harbour.

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The Organ Donor (TBC – from 15 May) – The Saw franchise is being rebooted by… Chris Rock? The comedian’s biggest success to date is the kid-friendly Madagascar films, but he’s written the story and will be starring in this new twist on the popular series, rumoured to be titled The Organ Donor. Need further convincing? Samuel L. Jackson is his co-star!

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Wonder Woman 1984 (from 5 June) – Diana Prince goes full-on ‘80s in this direct sequel to the 2017 smash hit (conveniently set before the less adored Justice League). Kristen Wiig gets serious as villain Cheetah, and The Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal doubles the trouble. The trailer looks terrific, and we’re curious to find out how Chris Pine returns as Steve Trevor.

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Soul (from 17 June) – Pixar’s other release sees Jamie Foxx providing the voice of a jazz musician who gets separated from his soul just before a potential big break. It looks fun, however the last two times Pixar released two movies in a year, one of them has been a flop (The Good Dinosaur in 2015, Cars 3 in 2017). Let’s hope this and Onward can buck that trend.

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In The Heights (from 24 June) – While Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has enjoyed some success in Hollywood as part of Moana and Mary Poppins Returns, this is the first of his stage productions to be made into a film. The drama about three eventful days in the Washington Heights neighbourhood of New York was a hit on Broadway, and should find the same success in cinemas.

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Top Gun: Maverick (from 24 June) – Most people reading this will at least be familiar with ‘80s classic Top Gun. Well, Tom Cruise is back as Maverick, now an instructor whose recklessness has cost him promotions over the years. Ed Harris, Miles Teller and Jennifer Connolly also star in what’s sure to be a nostalgia fest!

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Free Guy (from 1 July) – Here’s a fun idea for a movie: Ryan Reynolds plays an NPC (non-playable character) within a video game, who decides to become the hero of his own story. This ‘Wreck-It Ralph for adults’ action film should make the most of Reynolds’ comic charm, helped by co-star Jodie Comer (Killing Eve).

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Ghostbusters: Afterlife (from 8 July) – This sequel/soft reboot of the original film series looks poised to hand the reins over to a group of youngsters (led by Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard) who discover something strange in their small town. Directed by Jason Reitman (Juno, Tully), the son of the original films’ director, this film hopes to revive the franchise for a new generation.

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Tenet (from 15 July) – We’re just over six months away from Christopher Nolan’s latest blockbuster, and (at the time of writing) we’re no closer to knowing what it’s about! All we know so far is (1) set reports and the logo point to things moving in reverse, in an Inception-like fashion; and (2) It stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Michael Caine. Not a lot to go on, but still, you can count us in!

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Morbius (from 30 July) – Jared Leto may no longer be the Joker, but he has jumped ship to DC’s competition, Marvel, to play a scientist infected with a form of vampirism. If successful, the film could link to the Spider-man and Venom universe.

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The Must-See Movies Of 2020.
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Bill & Ted Face the Music (from 21 August)

People of a certain age will be well aware that the Wyld Stallyns ruled in the ‘90s, but Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are back for a third Bill & Ted movie, with the now-middle-aged slackers having to write a song that will save the universe. The stars fought to get this film made for a decade, and fans are hoping that their patience will be well rewarded.

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Respect (from 21 August) – How do you capture a life as incredible as Aretha Franklin’s? Well, Respect will attempt to do just that, with Jennifer Hudson playing the Queen of Soul herself. Music biopics can be hit-or-miss, but given that Hudson was the late singer’s personal choice to play her, it does at least stay true to her wishes.

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The Many Saints of Newark (from 25 September) – HBO brings us a prequel to its seminal series The Sopranos, about the rise of Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola), a crime lord in 1960s and ‘70s Newark, New Jersey. While Tony Soprano actor James Gandolfini sadly is no longer with us, the younger version of the character will be played by his son, Michael.

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The Trial of the Chicago 7 (from 25 September) – A political drama from Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network) about the trial of seven men accused of conspiracy and inciting to riot at the 1968 Democratic Convention. It’s a timely film, coming just two months before the next US presidential election, and features a jaw-dropping ensemble including Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Keaton.

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Death on the Nile (from 1 October) – Murder on the Orient Express was a surprise hit in 2017, so another adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Poirot mysteries seemed inevitable. Kenneth Branagh returns as the detective alongside another huge, star-studded cast, including Annette Bening, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer and Letitia Wright. As the title suggests, the film involves another murder investigation, this time in Egypt. [Photo: David Ooms via Wikimedia Commons]

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The Witches (from 7 October) – Roald Dahl’s novel The Witches is a delightfully sinister children’s tale, brought to the big screen in the ‘90s with Anjelica Huston. This second adaptation puts Anne Hathaway in the title role as The Grand High Witch, leader of a secret conference of witches uncovered by a young boy. Expect hijinks and scary effects! [Photo: Mexicaans fotomagazijn]

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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (from 21 October) – A 16-year-old’s journey to becoming a drag queen became a revolutionary hit on London’s West End, and now it’s being made into a movie! The British/American production will star young actor Max Harwood as Jamie, and Richard E. Grant (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) in a supporting role. If it’s anything like the musical, it should be moving and fabulous.

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The Eternals (from 4 November) – The Marvel Cinematic Universe gets supernatural, following this eponymous race of immortal beings doing battle with their sworn enemies, the Deviants. Not the best-known title in the Marvel canon, but then neither were Guardians of the Galaxy – and with Angelina Jolie and Richard Madden starring, the superhero franchise could have yet another success.

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King Richard (from 25 November) – Will Smith starts the year with action in January’s Bad Boys for Life, and finishes it by playing the father of legends. This is the biopic of Richard Williams, a man whose determination and grit helped his daughters, Serena and Venus, become icons of the tennis world. If the in-production film can stay on schedule, it could win Smith that elusive Oscar!

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Dune (from 3 December) – A third adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel Dune has been in development for over 10 years, finally looking to make it to the big screen thanks to Denis Villeneuve (Arrival, Blade Runner: 2049). Timothée Chalamet stars in a sci-fi saga full of intrigue and betrayal. If it all comes together, it could be one of the top hits of the decade.

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West Side Story (from 16 December) – Get ready for finger clicks, high flips and doomed love in Steven Spielberg’s remake of a Hollywood classic. Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler play the legendary lovers from rival groups, in a film full of unforgettable music. A definite Oscar contender for the 2021 awards, but will younger audiences warm to a remake of an over 60-year-old story? We shall see. #staysafe #stayathome #selfisolation

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The Must-See Movies Of 2020

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