At the same time we’re wrapping up a decade of moviegoing, we’re also looking forward to a new year in film. Unfortunately at this point, there aren’t a ton of movies that this blogger is looking forward to in 2020. That said, there are always a handful of smaller films that come out of nowhere and wind up winning spots in my favorite films of that year. That makes this particular list that you’re about to read a tentative one. I’ll update it a couple times the later we get into 2020 once I hear about some of those movies. As it stands, here are the 11 films I’m most looking forward to seeing in the year of our lord 2020. Enjoy!
Emma (Feb. 21)
Dir. Autumn de Wilde
I’m usually not the type of fella who goes in for a period piece. That said, there have been– as there usually are in these cases– a handful of exceptions. Yorgos Lanthimos’s The Favourite, for example, was my absolute, well, favorite movie of 2018. In that vein, I found the first trailer for Emma simply irresistible. It’s irreverently charming and draped in caustic wit. Anya Taylor-Joy too is endlessly watchable and has become one of my favorite talents over the last couple of years.
The Invisible Man (Feb. 28)
Dir. Leigh Whannell
After the hilarious failure that was The Mummy starring Tom Cruise, Universal scratched all their well-laid plans for an Avengers-style cinematic universe featuring contemporary takes on their classic monsters. But Universal isn’t just going to sit on a potential goldmine. Instead, the studio has partnered with Blumhouse, the masterminds behind such horror hits as Halloween 2018 and The Purge franchise, for a much darker and seemingly more independent series of films. The Invisible Man is first up. Leigh Whannell (writer/director of 2018’s Upgrade) is leading the charge and judging from the first trailer, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
Saint Maud (Mar. 27)
Dir. Rose Glass
A24 have produced and/or distributed some of the best and most unique films in recent history. More specifically, they’ve been behind some of the most original and harrowing works of horror of the last couple years. It is my hope that Saint Maud carries on this tradition.
No Time to Die (Apr. 8)
Dir. Cary Joji Fukunaga
Cary Fukunaga has been in high demand ever since he helmed the critically acclaimed first season of HBO‘s True Detective. Since then, he’s directed the Oscar underdog Beasts of No Nation for Netflix as well as the Maniac miniseries, also for Netflix. Fukunaga is returning to feature films in a big way with the next James Bond flick. Rami Malek joins the already impressive cast as the villain. No Time to Die marks his first big screen appearance since winning Best Actor at last year’s Oscars for his work in Bohemian Rhapsody. Reported production troubles aside, the planets seem to be aligning for Daniel Craig’s final time out in the titular role.
Promising Young Woman (Apr. 17)
Dir. Emerald Fennell
Carey Mulligan is quietly one of our most talented female actors working today. Next up she’s teaming with Emerald Fennell, The Crown actress-turned-director, for Promising Young Woman. This twisted revenge fantasy follows Mulligan as a traumatized young woman on a war path. What’s more is Fennell seems just as interested in exploring the psychological toll of trauma in addition to the more base thrills of exacting brutal vengeance. Bo Burnham and Alison Brie also star.
The Organ Donor (May 15)
Dir. Darren Lynn Bousman
The Organ Donor (if that’s even what it ends up being called) is the reported reboot of the Saw series. After the last couple installments, how could anybody be looking forward to another Saw movie? Hear me out. Not only is the story this time out based on an original idea from comedian Chris Rock, but Rock himself is set to star alongside Samuel L. Jackson. At this point it’s more curiosity than anything else. I need to know what a Saw movie starring those two living legends is like!
Wonder Woman 1984 (June 5)
Dir. Patty Jenkins
I still am not sold on Gal Gadot as a good actor. That said, Patty Jenkins expertly highlighted Gadot’s abilities as a performer in 2017’s Wonder Woman. The end result was a pleasant surprise. Up to that point, I had not enjoyed any films in DC’s “Extended Universe.” Nowadays, Wonder Woman and Shazam! are my two favorites and by a mile. They’re both so much fun. It stands to reason that Wonder Woman 1984 makes my list of most anticipated films for 2020. The unlikely addition of Kristen Wiig as the antagonist has my interest peaked and the resurrection of Chris Pine as Steve Trevor is only good news to me.
Candyman (June 12)
Dir. Nia DaCosta
Since Get Out, Jordan Peele has had his hands in a lot of different pots. One of those pots is the upcoming reboot of Candyman, which Peele is writing and producing. Right away this Candyman is worth checking out. And that’s before the casting of rising star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the title role. To sweeten the deal, Tony Todd is also reportedly making an appearance in the film. All this sugar might mean a trip to the dentist’s office after checking this thing out!
Last Night in Soho (Sep. 25)
Dir. Edgar Wright
Edgar Wright is one of the most exciting filmmakers of his generation. He’s definitely one of the most unique. Like another filmmaker we’ll talk about later on in this article, Wright has become someone whose work I need to see as soon as it hits a theater near me. If nothing else, I know I’m in for something wholly original. And while we don’t yet know much about this upcoming project, I know without a doubt it is one of my most anticipated films of 2020.
Halloween Kills (Oct. 16)
Dir. David Gordon Green
I am admittedly a big fan of horror movies and there’s a special place in my heart for supernatural slashers. Naturally, I’m a devoted follower of the Halloween films, through thick and thin. That said, I’m especially delighted whenever we get a new entry that’s especially thrilling. David Gordon Green Gabe is just that with his 2018 sequel. As we speak, DGG is hard at work on not one but two more sequels. The first one, Halloween Kills, hits theaters October 2020 and I couldn’t be more excited to check back in with Laurie Strode and the rest of the restless citizens of Haddonfield, Illinois.
Dune (Dec. 18)
Dir. Denis Villeneuve
With films like Enemy, Prisoners, Sicario, and Arrival, Denis Villeneuve positively dominated the 2010’s. He’s shot up the ranks to become one of my favorite filmmakers working. As such, I’m predisposed to checking out anything he’s deemed worth his time. Not to mention with Blade Runner 2049, Denis has proven plenty capable of respectfully handling cherished sci-fi material. Move over, David Lunch.
Honorable Mentions
The New Mutants/Soul/Godzilla vs. Kong
Those are my picks, at least thus far, for my most anticipate films of 2020! What do you make of the list? Do you agree with? Which films am I overlooking or completely forgetting? Jump down to the comments below and let me know! I want to hear from you!
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