Last Updated: March 23, 2021
We’re just about three months into 2021, but lots of films have already been confirmed for release dates this year after facing a tremendous amount of delays in 2020 due to the pandemic. Over the last decade or so, it’s become common practice for studios to stake out dates for their tentpoles and “event” movies far in advance - as much as two to three years, in some cases. They don’t always stick to them, of course, and it’s as much about a studio being the first to plant their flag in the sand as anything else. Still, as a result, film buffs typically have a good idea of both what they have to look forward to and when, far ahead of time these days.
The coronavirus pandemic has also kicked things into overdrive, as more and more blockbusters initially planned for 2020 have been delayed to dates in 2021. This includes Marvel movies, long-gestating sequels, horror reboots, and everything in between. As such, we’re going to run down Every Movie Confirmed For 2021 (So Far).
The following are the films that have been confirmed for 2021 release dates so far. It’s important to note that this article will continue to be updated as these dates approach. There may well end up being more films added to the schedule later this year, depending on when movie theaters will fully reopen and as more people get vaccinated. As a result, 2021 has one of the biggest movie release calendars in history.
March 2021
The Father (March 26) - A drama following a man with dementia starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman.
Nobody (March 26) - An action-thriller about an average man who realizes he has a dark and secret past. Starring Bob Odenkirk and Connie Nielsen. Directed by Ilya Naishuller.
Godzilla vs. Kong (March 31) - The fourth MonsterVerse film overall, this sequel to Godzilla: King of the Monsters pits Godzilla against King Kong, the protector of Skull Island.
April 2021
French Exit (April 2) - A comedy about a widow who moves to Paris starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges.
Bob’s Burgers: The Movie (April 9) - Unsurprisingly, this is an animated spinoff of the popular Fox cartoon Bob’s Burgers, directed by show creator Loren Bouchard. It was scheduled for release on this date, but has since been removed from the schedule. Stay tuned to see if that changes.
Thunder Force (April 9) - A superhero comedy starring Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Jason Bateman, Bobby Cannavale, and Pom Klementieff.
Voyagers (April 9) - A crew is sent on a space mission in the future to find a new home. Written and directed by Neil Burger, the film stars Tye Sheridan, Lily-Rose Depp, Colin Farrell.
Reminiscence (April 16) - A sci-fi drama/thriller starring Hugh Jackman as a man who facilitates the reliving of memories, only to end up embroiled in a murder mystery.
Mortal Kombat (April 16) - Based on the video game franchise and a reboot of the films, Mortal Kombat is a live-action martial arts fantasy starring Lewis Tan.
Monster Hunter (April 23) - Milla Jovovich stars as the captain of a UN military team tasked with battling monsters from an alternate world in this adaptation of the action-thriller video game franchise.
The Asset (April 23) - Former James Bond director Martin Campbell helms this thriller about a group of hackers who make the mistake of ripping off a crime boss. Michael Keaton, Samuel L. Jackson and Maggie Q star.
Without Remorse - (April 30) A Navy SEAL (Michael B. Jordan) sets out to avenger his wife’s murder only to stumble upon an even bigger conspiracy in this adaptation of Tom Clancy’s action novel.
May 2021
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (May 14) - Director Will Gluck, and the entire main voice cast are set to return for this sequel to the 2018 animated hit Peter Rabbit, which became one of the most profitable films of the year.
Spiral: From the Book of Saw (May 21) - Saw veteran Darren Lynn Bousman returns to direct this reboot, starring and executive produced by Chris Rock, and co-starring Samuel L. Jackson.
Army of the Dead (May 21) - A spiritual sequel to Dawn of the Dead. Directed by Zack Snyder and starring Dave Bautista.
Cruella (May 28) - Emma Stone stars in this live-action origin story for Disney’s iconic 101 Dalmatians villain, set in 1970s London, with Emma Thompson as antagonist The Baroness. It will also debut on Disney+ with Premier Access.
A Quiet Place Part II (May 28) - John Krasinski’s sequel continues to explore life in a world overrun by deadly extraterrestrial monsters that are blind, yet extremely sensitive to sound.
June 2021
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (June 4) - Paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) battle another demonic threat in the third mainline entry in The Conjuring horror movie property.
Samaritan (June 4) - Sylvester Stallone stars in this fantasy movie about a young boy who discovers a long-missing superhero may still be alive, years after he fought in an epic battle.
Vivo (June 4) - Sony’s animated musical features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and follows the adventures of a monkey who dreams of traveling from Havana to Miami.
Luca (June 18) - A Pixar animation about sea creatures who can become human when on land. Will release on Disney+ instead of theaters for no additional cost.
In the Heights (June 18) - Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ hit stage musical makes the jump to the big screen, with Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) calling the shots.
Fatherhood (June 18) - Kevin Hart stars in this drama about a man suddenly forced to raise his baby daughter alone after his wife dies a day after the child’s birth.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (June 25) - The highly anticipated sequel to Sony’s huge hit Venom movie, with Andy Serkis taking over as director, Tom Hardy returning as Venom, and the proper introduction of Carnage.
F9 (June 25) - The ninth Fast & Furious is on the way. Justin Lin is set to direct the film, with him also returning to direct Fast & Furious 10. F9 was planned for 2020, but ended up delayed due to coronavirus.
July 2021
Top Gun: Maverick (July 2) - Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) trains a new generation of hotshot pilots in Joseph Kosinski’s sequel to the late Tony Scott’s hit 1986 naval action-drama.
Black Widow (July 9) - The standalone film about Natasha Romanoff was set to be released in 2020 before being delayed several times. Marvel has moved the release again, now to July 9. In addition to opening in theaters, the film will now be released to streaming on Disney+ for an additional $30 for Premier Access.
The Forever Purge (July 9) - This will be the fifth and final entry in The Purge horror movie franchise. Plot details are unavailable right now, but Purge creator James DeMonaco is once again writing the script.
The Night House (July 16) - Following her husband’s death, Beth begins to uncover his secrets. Starring Rebecca Hall, Sarah Goldberg, and Stacy Martin. Directed by David Bruckner.
Cinderella (July 16) - A musical retelling of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella features pop star Camila Cabello in the title role, with Billy Porter, Idina Menzel, Pierce Brosnan, and Minnie Driver also appearing.
Space Jam: A New Legacy (July 16) - This sequel to the 1990s hit Space Jam replaces Michael Jordan with fellow basketball great LeBron James.
The Tomorrow War (July 23) - Directed by Chris McKay, this sci-fi/war film sees humanity fighting a hostile alien invader, with their best weapon being the ability to “draft” great soldiers from the past into battle.
The Green Knight (July 30) - A retelling of the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Starring Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Sarita Choudhury, and Joel Edgerton.
August 2021
The Suicide Squad (August 6) - Guardians of the Galaxy 1 & 2 director James Gunn is writing and directing this DCEU film, which will function as a partial reboot of and partial sequel to David Ayer’s Suicide Squad movie.
Hotel Transylvania 4 (August 6) - Yet another installment in Sony’s successful animated franchise, featuring the voices of Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, and more.
Respect (August 13) - Jennifer Hudson portrays iconic singer Aretha Franklin in this biographical drama. Mary J. Blige, Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald, and Marlon Wayans are among the film’s costars.
BIOS (August 13) - Tom Hanks stars in this sci-fi drama about an ailing inventor - and, seemingly, the last human alive on earth - who constructs an android to keep him and his dog company.
Free Guy (August 13) - A tech guy becomes aware that he is a video game character. Starring Ryan Reynolds in the titular role.
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (August 20) - A sequel to the 2017 action/comedy hit The Hitman’s Bodyguard, with Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek reprising their respective roles.
PAW Patrol: The Movie (August 20) - An animated film directed by Cal Brunker, with a story that follows Ryder and some pups who must stop the mayor.
Candyman (August 27) - Directed by Nia DaCosta and co-written by her, Jordan Peele, and Win Rosenfeld, the film is a sequel to the 1992 movie of the same name. It stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, and more.
The Beatles: Get Back (August 27) - A documentary about the making of The Beatles’ 1970 album. The film is directed by Peter Jackson.
September 2021
Jackass 4 (September 3) - The fourth installment in the film series inspired by MTV’s once extremely popular show about a group of friends doing ridiculous stunts.
Resident Evil (September 3) - A reboot of the Resident Evil film series starring Robbie Amell and Tom Hopper.
Reminiscence (September 3) - A sci-fi thriller starring Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, Thandie Newton, Daniel Wu, and Cliff Curtis. Directed by Lisa Joy.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (September 3) - One of the films in the MCU’s Phase 4 which follows Shang-Chi’s adventures as he’s drawn to the Ten Rings organization.
The Man from Toronto (September 17) - This action/comedy stars Woody Harrelson as a deadly assassin whose path unlikely crosses with with a normal guy, played by Kevin Hart. Kaley Cuoco also stars.
The Boss Baby: Family Business (September 17) - A sequel to the animated 2017 hit The Boss Baby. Alec Baldwin is reprising his role as the talking baby “Boss Baby”, with The Boss Baby director Tom McGrath and writer Michael McCullers once again working behind the scenes.
Dark Harvest (September 24) - 30 Days of Night helmer David Slade directs this adaptation of an acclaimed horror novel concerning a legendary monster that emerges from a cornfield each Halloween.
Infinite (September 24) - Antoine Fuqua directs this sci-fi action film, in which a man discovers visions he’s been having are actually a window into his past lives. Mark Wahlberg plays the lead.
The Many Saints of Newark (September 24) - A prequel looking at the younger days of The Sopranos’ powerful mob kingpin Tony Soprano, starring James Gandolfini’s son Michael in the lead.
Dear Evan Hansen (September 24) - A film adaptation of the popular musical. Directed by Stephen Chbosky from a script by Steven Levenson, the film stars Ben Platt, Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever, Amy Adams, Amandla Stenberg, and more.
October 2021
Dune (October 1) - The long-awaited film adaptation of the novel, this time directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Rebecca Ferguson, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Dave Bautista, and Javier Bardem.
The Addams Family 2 (October 1) - A sequel to 2019’s animated Addams Family film, with the entire main voice cast set to return, as well as directing duo Conrad Vernon and Craig Tiernan.
No Time to Die (October 8) - The last James Bond movie to star Daniel Craig in the role of 007. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and also starring Ana de Armas, Lashana Lynch, and Rami Malek.
Halloween Kills (October 15) - Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her family must battle Michael Myers yet again in this sequel to Blumhouse’s 2018 quasi-sequel/reboot of the Halloween slasher franchise.
The Last Duel (October 15) - The latest from director Ridley Scott, this historical drama stars Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Adam Driver, and concerns two men who are ordered to literally duel to the death.
Ron’s Gone Wrong (October 22) - An animation following an awkward middle-schooler whose tech device, Ron, set out to find true friendship.
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (October 22) - The film is a G.I. Joe spinoff that will focus on the character of Snake Eyes. Directed by Robert Schwentke and starring Samara Weaving and Henry Golding as the titular character.
Last Night in Soho (October 22) - Edgar Wright co-wrote and directed this original, Soho-based psychological thriller. Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Thomasin McKenzie, and more star in the film.
Antlers (October 29) - Keri Russell and Jesse Plemons star in this Guillermo del Toro-produced horror film about a small-town teacher who discovers one of her students has a terrifying secret.
November 2021
Eternals (November 5) - Originally set for a fall 2020 release, this MCU debut of the titular characters was bumped to 2021. Chloe Zhao directs, with an all-star cast that includes Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (November 11) - Directed by Jason Reitman, this is a direct sequel to the 1980s Ghostbusters films, and features the return of the surviving original cast. Paul Rudd and Finn Wolfhard also star.
Mission: Impossible 7 (November 19) - Tom Cruise will once again reprise his role as IMF agent Ethan Hunt in this film, with Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation and Fallout director Christopher McQuarrie at the helm. Cruise and McQuarrie are planning to shoot this movie back to back with 2022’s Mission: Impossible 8.
King Richard (November 19) - Will Smith stars in this biographical drama as Richard Williams, the father and coach of superstar tennis players Venus and Serena Williams.
Gucci (November 24) - Ridley Scott directs this true-crime tale about the Gucci family of fashion designers, with Lady Gaga set to lead the cast.
Encanto (November 24) - An animated musical set in Colombia from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
December 2021
West Side Story (December 10) - The hit Broadway musical is getting another film adaptation, this time with Steve Spielberg directing.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (December 17) - This is the third solo outing for Tom Holland’s MCU version of the web-slinger and will pick up after Far From Home’s jaw-dropping cliffhanger.
Sherlock Holmes 3 (December 22) - This threequel to the Sherlock Holmes movies starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law finally looks set to become a reality, after multiple delay.
Sing 2 (December 22) - That loveable group of singing animals are back in this sequel to 2016 animated hit Sing, featuring A-list voices like Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, and Scarlett Johansson.
The Matrix 4 (December 22) - Fans will return to the world of The Matrix in this fourth installment of the film, which will be directed by Lana Wachowski. Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Jada Pinkett Smith star.
The King’s Man (December 22) - The sequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service and Kingsman: The Golden Circle. Starring Ralph Fiennes and Gemma Arterton.
More: Every Disney Movie Coming In 2020
