Film Review: 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2020

The 2019 film slate may have been a spectacular year for the blockbuster epic and box office records but 2020 is giving us just as much to be excited about. With major franchises, including the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Ghostbusters returning with new instalments as well as some fresh new screen adaptations from the likes of Pixar and Christopher Nolan, there's plenty to add to your movie calendars. Here's just a few of my most anticipated films of 2020...

Image courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Jojo Rabbit (Taika Waititi, 2020) - Written, directed by and starring the impeccable Taika Waititi, Jojo Rabbit is an anti-hate satire for the ages. Set in World War II, the film follows Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis), an awkward young German boy whose only ally is his imaginary friend, Hitler (Waititi). As a member of the Nazi youth, his patriotism is tested when he meets a young Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) hiding in his home - forcing him to face his biggest fears. The star-studded line-up also includes Scarlett Johansson, Oscar winner Sam Rockwell, Stephen Merchant and Rebel Wilson. If Waititi's previous works are anything to go by, we're in for a real treat with plenty of laughs, teary eyes and lessons to be learnt. Jojo Rabbit arrives in UK cinemas on January 1, 2020 - watch the Jojo Rabbit trailer here. 

Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (Cathy Yan, 2020) - After her break-up with the infamous Joker, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) teams up with a band of superheroes; Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) to save a vulnerable young girl from an evil crime lord, Black Mask (Ewan McGregor) in Gotham City. With a fantastic cast, a dry sense of humour and wardrobe design to die for, Birds of Prey is set to be the boldest instalment in the DC Extended Universe. Catch it in UK cinemas from February 7, 2020. Watch the trailer for Birds of Prey here.

Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures

A Quiet Place: Part II (John Krasinski, 2020) - Picking up almost immediately after the tense and devastating events of A Quiet Place (John Krasinski, 2018), the Abbott family must now face the terrors of outside their compound and fight for survival in silence. As Mom (Emily Blunt) and her three children venture into the unknown, they realise that the alien creatures that hunt by sound are no longer the only threat to their safety. With the first film being such a worthy success, I have every confidence that Part II will be as thrilling and intense as the first. I can't wait to see Krasinski back in the director chair and be uncomfortably on the edge of my seat on March 20, 2020. Watch the trailer for Quiet Place Part II here. 

Image courtesy of Universal Pictures

Promising Young Woman (Emerald Fennell, 2020) - Call The Midwife star and Killing Eve screenwriter, Emerald Fennell comes a new take on revenge that holds a big ole' mirror up to the sad state of our society and the #MeToo movement. Cassie (Carey Mulligan) was a promising young student doctor until her career is abruptly derails her future. Though, the trailer strongly implies she was the victim of sexual assault who received no support from her University or family following the attack. In a bid to rewrite her story and expose social injustice, an unexpected encounter gives Cassie a chance to get revenge on those who have wronged her in this thrilling and wildly entertaining story. Whilst the subject matter of Promising Young Woman highlights a sensitive issue for many women, it's refreshing to see a film straight up call men out on their shit. Promising Young Woman is released in UK cinemas on April 27, 2020. Watch the trailer for Promising Young Woman here. 

Image courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

Black Widow (Cate Shortland, 2020) - By popular demand, Marvel finally gives Natasha Romanoff  (Scarlett Johansson) her much anticipated solo story. Set between the films Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War and quite possibly some origin flashbacks, it follows the missions of Natasha away from the Avengers. Black Widow arrives in UK cinemas on May 1, 2020. Watch the trailer for Black Widow here. 

Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Picures

Wonder Woman 1984 (Patty Jenkins, 2020) - Following the incredible success of Wonder Woman (Patty Jenkins, 2017) - a film I firmly believe to be the best in the DCU so far - Jenkins returns to the director chair to see Amazonian Demigod and superhero, Diane Prince (Gal Gadot), in her next chapter. Fast forwarding to the 1980s, Diane faces a new foe in the form of The Cheetah (Kristen Wiig). In what is set to be a thrilling, neon-soaked blockbuster, I have no doubts that this will be just as exceptional as the first film - even if I do have questions about the return of Chris Pine's character, Steve. Wonder Woman 1984 flies in to UK cinemas on June 5, 2020. Watch the trailer for Wonder Woman 1984 here. 

Image courtesy of Sony Pictures UK

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Jason Reitman, 2020) - It seems only fitting that director Jason Reitman would direct the newest chapter in the Ghostbusters Universe. With his father and original director,  Ivan Reitman, producing, Ghostbusters: Afterlife follows a single mother and her two children as they arrive in a small town, moving in to their grandfather's old house. Soon, they discover  a series of gadgets which links The Ghostbusters and a secret legacy. If that doesn't sound exciting enough, the film will see the return of the original Ghostbusters cast (yes, even Bill Murray) as well as Dan Ackroyd to the writer's chair. But most importantly, you had me at Paul Rudd and ghosts. Ghostbusters: Afterlife is released in UK cinemas on June 10, 2020. Watch the trailer for Ghostbusters: Afterlife here.  

Image courtesy of Disney Pixar/Walt Disney Pictures

Soul (Pete Docter, 2020) - Disney Pixar's Soul follows school teacher, Joe, and his dreams of playing in a legendary New York jazz club. But just when Joe thinks his dreams might come true, a single unexpected step-out in to the street lands him in the afterlife. Here, he is made to evaluate what it truly means to have 'soul'. With Tina Fey, Jamie Foxx and John Ratzenberger making up some of the voice cast for the film, I am sure that this is set to be a magical and moving masterpiece. Soul arrives in UK cinemas on June 19, 2020 - watch the trailer for Soul here. 

Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Tenet (Christopher Nolan, 2020) - There are many things that director, Christopher Nolan, does well - one being that he gives absolutely nothing away. From the trailer, Tenet appears to be a beautiful, action epic revolving around international espionage which sees Nolan play with the concepts of time travel and evolution. I imagine that we're in for a whole host of twists and turns and the less we know beforehand, the better. Tenet stars Blackkklansman's John David Washington, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Michael Caine and Robert Pattinson and arrives on the UK big screen on July 17. Watch the trailer for Tenet here. 

Image courtesy of Universal Pictures

Last Night in Soho (Edgar Wright, 2020) - Edgar Wright's long awaited psychological thriller sees a passionate, young fashion designer, (Anya Taylor-Joy) mysteriously travel back to the 1960s where she encounters her idol, a dazzling wannabe singer. However, 1960s London is not what it seems, and time seems to fall apart with shady consequences. With Wright at the helm, we can expect a thrilling joy-ride. Sadly, there's no trailer for this film just yet but I can't wait to learn more about it. Last Night in Soho is set to be released in UK cinemas on September 25, 2020. 

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Well, that's it for my most anticipated films of 2020. Some honourable mentions also go to Roald Dahl remake, The Witches, starring Anne Hathaway,  Legally Blonde 3 and Denis Villeneuve's Dune. Which films are you most looking forward to this year? Are there any on my list that you're excited for? As always, I love reading your comments so please do share your thoughts with me below. If you haven't already, be sure to check out my Top 10 films of 2019 here. 

Until next time film fans, 

*This list is based on films released in the UK from January 1st 2020 to December 31st 2020.