Best new movies coming out in 2021: On streaming and (hopefully) in theaters – syracuse.com

Like many other events and industries, the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the 2020 movie season. With Covid-19 cases still spreading rapidly, Hollywood may have to make similar changes in the new year.

Warner Bros. has already announced that all 17 of its movies coming out in 2021 will also premiere on HBO Max the same day they hit theaters. Disney made a similar shift to for planned theatrical releases like Soul and Mulan recently, and will next put out Raya and the Last Dragon on Disney+. Others are going to Video On Demand (VOD) or other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu and Apple TV+.

But some blockbuster favorites, like the next James Bond film No Time to Die, Tom Cruises Top Gun 2 and Mission: Impossible 7, and a slew of Marvel superhero titles, are still expected to get a theatrical release. Will those dates change? Spring isnt looking good at the moment, but the Covid vaccines have cinema fans cautiously optimistic.

For now, here are the best new movies coming out in 2021 and their tentative release dates:

The Ultimate Playlist of Noise (Jan. 15 on Hulu) - Filmed in Syracuse, this American High movie stars Keean Johnson (Euphoria, Alita: Battle Angel) as Marcus, a high school senior who records a bucket list of his favorite sounds before brain surgery that will render him deaf.

One Night in Miami (Jan. 15 on Amazon Prime Video) - Regina King makes her directorial debut with this adaptation of the play about actor four Black icons Syracuse football legend Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir) and singer Sam Cooke (Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr.) meeting at a Miami hotel after the boxer, who would soon become Muhammad Ali, defeated heavyweight champion Sonny Liston on Feb. 25, 1964.

The Little Things (Jan. 29 in theaters and on HBO Max) - John Lee Hancock directs Denzel Washington, Rami Malek and Jared Leto in this thriller about detectives chasing a serial killer.

Cinderella (Feb. 5 in theaters) - Camila Cabello, Billy Porter, Minnie Driver, and John Mulaney star in this modern musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale. (Yes, Porter is the Fairy Godmother.)

Malcolm & Marie (Feb. 5 on Netflix) - Euphoria creator Sam Levinson directs this quarantine film starring John David Washington and Zendaya.

Tom & Jerry (Feb. 26 in theaters and on HBO Max) - The cat-and-mouse fun returns as a live-action/animation hybrid with a cast that includes Chlo Grace Moretz, Michael Pea, Rob Delaney and Colin Jost.

Nobody (Feb. 26 in theaters) - Bob Odenkirk goes full John Wick, as Thrillist put it.

Chaos Walking (March 5 in theaters) - Daisy Ridley, Tom Holland and Mads Mikkelsen star in this long-delayed sci-fi film about a dystopian world where there are no women (until Ridley shows up) and all living creatures can hear each others thoughts.

Raya and the Last Dragon (March 5 in theaters and on Disney+) - Kelly Marie Tran and Awkwafin lead Disneys next animated film about an Asian warrior on a quest to find a dragon to restore peace in a mythical world.

Coming 2 America (March 5 on Amazon Prime Video) - Eddie Murphy returns as Prince Akeem in this sequel to 1988s Coming to America.

The Many Saints of Newark (March 12 in theaters and on HBO Max) - David Chase produces this prequel to The Sopranos, starring Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Michael Gandolfini, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro, Michela De Rossi, Ray Liotta and Syracuse University alumna Vera Farmiga.

The Kings Man (March 12 in theaters) - Matthew Vaughn directs Ralph Fiennes in this prequel to The Kingsman movies.

Morbius (March 19 in theaters) - Jared Leto plays the titular Spider-Man antihero who becomes a vampire while trying to cure himself of a rare blood disease. Also starring Michael Keaton, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris, Al Madrigal and Tyrese Gibson.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (March 19 in theaters) - Nicolas Cage plays himself, facing off with a drug lord (Pedro Pascal) whos a huge Cage fan and kidnaps his family.

Zack Snyders Justice League (March on HBO Max) - The Snyder Cut of The Justice League will bring back his vision and more screen time for the DC superhero team, including Superman (Henry Cavill), Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Cyborg (Ray Fisher), Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and The Flash (Ezra Miller).

No Time to Die (April 5 in theaters) - Daniel Craig is James Bond one last time in this 007 adventure that was originally scheduled to hit theaters in the spring of 2020.

A Quiet Place Part II (April 12 in theaters) - Filmed in Upstate New York, John Krasinski returns to direct the A Quiet Place sequel starring his wife Emily Blunt.

Mortal Kombat (April 16 in theaters and on HBO Max) - Note: If theaters are open, your Sub-Zero and Scorpion masks will not satisfy Covid-19 restrictions.

Black Widow (May 7 in theaters) - Scarlett Johanssons Natasha Romanoff takes center stage in a Marvel superhero film, set after 2016s Captain America: Civil War, opposite David Harbour and Florence Pugh.

Free Guy (May 21 in theaters ) - Ryan Reynolds is a video game character who learns hes in a video game.

Spiral (May 21 in theaters) - Chris Rock stars in this new take on the Saw horror films.

Godzilla vs. Kong (May 21 in theaters and on HBO Max) - A crossover sequel to Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Kong: Skull Island.

Cruella (May 28 in theaters) - Emma Stone stars as a younger, punky version of 101 Dalmations villain Cruella de Vil in this live-action Disney film.

F9/Fast and Furious 9 (May 28 in theaters) - John Cena joins the franchise as Vin Diesels estranged brother, and Han Lue returns from the dead.

The Conjuring: Devil Made Me Do It (June 4 in theaters and on HBO Max) - Syracuse University alumna Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson return as real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (June 11 in theaters) - Paul Rudd leads this sequel to the original Ghostbusters films with returning stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts.

In the Heights (June 18 in theaters and on HBO Max) - Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu brings Lin-Manuel Mirandas musical to the screen.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage (June 25 in theaters) - Tom Hardy returns as the Spider-Man villain, facing Carnage (Woody Harrelson).

Minions: The Rise of Gru (July 2 in theaters) - The Despicable Me franchise gets another prequel featuring Steve Carell as a young Gru along with Taraji P. Henson, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Michelle Yeoh.

Top Gun: Maverick (July 2 in theaters) - Syracuse native Tom Cruise returns as Maverick, training a new group of Navy pilots including Miles Teller. Also starring Jennifer Connelly and Val Kilmer.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (July 9 in theaters) - The Marvel Cinematic Universes Phase 4 continues with master martial artist Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and a cast that includes Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh and Florian Munteanu.

Space Jam: A New Legacy (July 16 in theaters and on HBO Max) - NBA superstar LeBron James teams up with Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes for a sequel to Michael Jordans 1996 live-action/animation hybrid sports classic.

Uncharted (July 16 in theaters) - Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg star in this adaptation of the popular video game.

Jungle Cruise (July 30 in theaters) - Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson star in the adventure fantasy film based on the Disneyland ride where a riverboat travels through a supernatural jungle.

The Suicide Squad (Aug 6 in theaters and on HBO Max) - James Gunn directs this sequel to Suicide Squad with Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Taika Waititi, Sylvester Stallone, Idris Elba, Jai Courtney and Pete Davidson.

Candyman (Aug. 27 in theaters) - Nia DaCostas reboot of the horror film, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, was originally set for Halloween 2020.

Death on the Nile (Sept. 17 in theaters) - Kenneth Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot for an Egyptian murder mystery with Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer and Letitia Wright.

Dune (Oct. 1 in theaters and on HBO Max) - Denis Villeneuves remake of the sci-fi epic stars Timothe Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem.

The Last Duel (Oct. 15 in theaters) - Ridley Scott directs the medieval action drama starring Matt Damon, Adam Driver and Jodie Comer.

Halloween Kills (Oct. 15 in theaters) - Jamie Lee Curtis returns to face Michael Myers. Again.

The Eternals (Nov. 5 in theaters) - Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Kumail Nanjiani, Kit Harington and more lead this new Marvel superhero movie about the immortal beings who shaped Earths history.

Elvis biopic (Nov. 12 in theaters) - Baz Luhrmann directs this currently untitled movie about Elvis Presley (played by Austin Butler) and his manager Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). Yes, this is the film Hanks was working on when he tested positive for coronavirus in March 2020.

Mission: Impossible 7 (Nov. 19 in theaters) - Little is known about this film so far, except that Tom Cruise wholl risk almost anything for stunts yelled at crew members on set over Covid safety rules.

West Side Story (Dec. 10 in theaters) - Steven Spielberg directs this adaptation of the classic Broadway musical, starring Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver) and newcomer Rachel Zegler as Tony and Maria.

Spider-Man 3 (Dec. 17 in theaters) - Tom Holland returns as Spidey, but rumors suggest Tobey Maguire, Topher Grace and Andrew Garfield may also make appearances along with Alfred Molinas Doctor Octopus and Jamie Foxxs Electro.

The Matrix 4 (Dec. 22 in theaters) - Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, Lambert Wilson and Daniel Bernhardt all return for this Matrix sequel directed by Lana Wachowski.

Note: All release dates are subject to change. Some titles may shift from theatrical to streaming services or VOD.

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Army of the Dead (TBA on Netflix) - Zack Snyder directs a new zombie movie starring Dave Bautista.

Blonde (TBA on Netflix) - Based on the novel by Syracuse University alumna Joyce Carol Oates.

Fear Street (TBA on Netflix) - Based on the R.L. Stine book series.

The Kissing Booth 3 (TBA on Netflix)

Nightmare Alley (TBA) - Guillermo del Toro directs Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Willem Dafoe, Toni Collette and Rooney Mara in this psychological thriller that partly filmed in Buffalo.

Pinocchio (TBA on Netflix) - Guillermo del Toro directs this stop-motion animated film featuring the voices of Ewan McGregor, Ron Perlman, Tilda Swinton, Christoph Waltz, Cate Blanchett, Tim Blake Nelson, Finn Wolfhard and John Turturro.

Tick... Tick... Boom! (TBA on Netflix) - Lin-Manuel Miranda directs this musical starring Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Vanessa Hudgens and Bradley Whitford.

The Tragedy of MacBeth (TBA) - Denzel Washington stars in a new adaptation of the Shakespeare play directed by Joel Coen, also featuring Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth

The Woman in the Window (TBA on Netflix) - Starring Amy Adams and Gary Oldman.

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Since theatrical releases may get shuffled around due to the Covid-19 pandemic, here are some television series to look forward to this year:

Netflix: Stranger Things 4, The Witcher season 2, and new fantasy show Shadow and Bone.

Amazon Prime Video: Lord of the Rings and The Underground Railroad

Hulu: Only Murders in the Building starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez.

Disney+: WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, and The Book of Boba Fett.

HBO Max: Gossip Girl reboot

Peacock: MacGruber

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Best new movies coming out in 2021: On streaming and (hopefully) in theaters - syracuse.com

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero