When You’ll Finally Be Able to Watch These 40 Movies Delayed This Year
We don't think anyone could have anticipated that 2020 would turn out the way it has.
Among changes to the way we all live, play and work, we've also had to put up with big delays in the entertainment industry, including dozens upon dozens of films getting their release dates adjusted—or even put on hold indefinitely.
If you were looking forward to movies that have had their releases changed, you're not alone. Keep clicking through to find out which movies have been postponed and when you might finally be able to view them.
1. Antebellum – Aug. 21, 2020
Antebellum promises to be a unique kind of horror movie, tapping into a different, horrible variety of fear than the standard fare. It stars Janelle Monáe in the present day as successful author Veronica Henley, who, through evil forces, finds herself transported back in time as a slave in the 19th century. The film was originally set to hit theaters back on April 24, but its release was pushed up to Aug. 21.
(Antebellum via Lionsgate)
2. Antlers – Feb. 19, 2021
A lot of compelling horror has been delayed in 2020, and that includes the supernatural flick, Antlers. Produced by Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro and based on a short story called "The Quiet Boy," it stars Keri Russell as a teacher in a tiny Oregon town who realizes one of her young students is harboring an otherworldly creature with antlers at home. While it was initially set to come out on April 17 of this year, it now won't see release until Feb. 19 of next year.
(Antlers via Searchlight Pictures)
3. Bill & Ted Face the Music – Sept. 1, 2020
Bill & Ted Face the Music hasn't seen major delays this year, but that doesn't mean the release plan hasn't shifted a bit in the wake of the state of the world. Originally it was planned for an Aug. 21 theatrical release, before that was changed to Aug. 28, and then finally Sept. 1 in a simultaneous release in theaters and on video on demand. This film sees the return of Bill and Ted, more than 30 years after their first onscreen adventure, who are tasked to write a song to save the universe in just 78 minutes. Based on the latest trailers, it seems they'll need help from their daughters to make that happen.
(Bill & Ted Face the Music via United Artists Releasing)
4. Black Widow – Nov. 6, 2020
Given the events that took place in Avengers: Endgame, we need this Black Widow movie in our lives, and it physically pained us when it was moved from its original release date of May 1 all the way up to Nov. 6 of this year. Black Widow will take place after the events of Captain America: Civil War, seeing Natasha's dark past catch up with her and finally giving her the chance to put things right.
(Black Widow via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
5. Blue Story – Release Unknown
British crime drama Blue Story was originally set to come out back on March 20 in the states, but its U.S. release has been delayed indefinitely, for the time being. It follows two best friends, Marco and Timmy, who live in different parts of London and find themselves at odds because of explosive violence as local gangs battle over their territory.
(Blue Story via Paramount Pictures)
6. Death on the Nile – Oct. 23, 2020
If you loved 2017's Murder on the Orient Express, you're going to have to check out Death on the Nile as well. This adaptation of a classic Agatha Christie murder mystery will see Kenneth Branagh return as the iconic detective Hercule Poirot, this time finding a killer while on an Egyptian vacation. Luckily for fans, it didn't get pushed too far—just two weeks from an original release date of Oct. 9 up to Oct. 23.
(via 20th Century Studios)
7. Eternals – Feb. 12, 2021
While we were supposed to see a second big Marvel movie release this year, it simply wasn't in the cards, and Eternals got pushed from Nov. 6 of this year to Feb. 12 of 2021. Though many modern fans aren't familiar with the titular superheroes, their comics date back to the '70s, and this will be their big-screen debut. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, these immortal aliens who've lived on Earth for 7000 come out of hiding to protect humanity. It also features a star-packed cast including Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, Angelina Jolie and Kit Harrington, and we cannot wait to see it.
(via Marvel Studios)
8. F9 – April 2, 2021
Movies in the Fast and Furious franchise just keep on coming, and though the ninth installment, F9, was originally slated to release this year on May 22, it's been pushed to April 2, 2021. This one will revolve primarily around Vin Diesel's character, Dom Toretto, as he deals with his younger brother (played by John Cena), who happens to be a vicious assassin out for blood.
(F9 via Universal Pictures)
9. Free Guy – Dec. 11, 2020
We've seen plenty of video game-inspired movies in the past, but Free Guy looks like it'll approach the subject in a whole new light. In the film, Ryan Reynolds stars as Guy, a non-player character in a video game who gains sentience when programmers tamper with the code, causing Guy to decide he's the hero of the game, causing all kinds of problems for the creators of the game. Joe Keery and Taika Waititi also star in this film, which was moved from a release on July 3 up to Dec. 11 of this year.
(Free Guy via 20th Century Studios)
10. The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun – Release Unknown
Few directors have such a specific vision and aesthetic as Wes Anderson, and this is one delay that's hitting his fans hard. While it was initially going to release on July 24, that release was pushed to Oct. 16 before it was delayed indefinitely. It focuses on journalists writing for an American newspaper in a fictional French town, and we don't know much about it beyond that. The fabulous ensemble cast is too vast to name them all, but we think new Anderson collaborators Benicio del Toro, Timothée Chalamet and Jeffrey Wright will bring a lot to this unusual film.
(The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun via Searchlight Pictures)
11. Ghostbusters: Afterlife – March 5, 2021
After so many fans were unhappy with the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, a refreshingly human take like Ghostbusters: Afterlife seemed like exactly what the series needed. Unfortunately, we're all going to have to wait until March 5, 2021 to see it, since it got booted from its original July 10 release date. This film revolves around a brother and sister, and their mom, who move to an Oklahoma farm inherited from their late grandfather—ghostbuster Egon Spengler—and discover the incredible legacy he's left behind. It's sure to have plenty of light scares, as well as heart.
(Ghostbusters: Afterlife via Sony Pictures Releasing)
12. Godzilla vs. Kong – May 21, 2021
This fourth film in Legendary's MonsterVerse finally brings together the stories set forth in Godzilla: King of Monsters and Kong: Skull Island and allows some of film's greatest-ever monsters to duke it out for the first time since 1962. It was originally going to release on Nov. 20 of this year, but fans will have to wait a little longer, until May 21 of next year, to see this battle on the big screen.
(via Warner Bros. Pictures)
13. Halloween Kills – Oct. 15, 2021
Sorry Halloween fans. While Halloween Kills, the sequel to 2018's Halloween, was initially going to release on Oct. 16, you'll have to wait a whole other year to see it on Oct. 15, 2021. At least you'll have something to look forward to during the spookiest season of the year. Halloween Kills will be the 12th movie in the franchise, and will see Laurie Strode and her family take on the evil Michael Myers yet again.
(Halloween Kills via Universal Pictures)
14. In the Heights – June 18, 2021
The world could certainly use more movie musicals, and it looks like In the Heights will deliver—even if it has been delayed from a June 26 release to a release on June 18 of next year. Based on the stage musical of the same name by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, centering around a bodega owner in Washington Heights, New York who sings about the life he hopes to build.
(In the Heights via Warner Bros. Pictures)
15. Jungle Cruise – July 30, 2021
We all need more of the Rock in our lives, so even though Jungle Cruise has been delayed a full year from its initial release date of July 24 to July 30 of next year, it'll likely be worth the wait. Based on the Disney Park ride, Jungle Cruise follows a scientist (Emily Blunt) who recruits a riverboat captain (Dwayne Johnson) to venture into the discover and find the mystically healing Tree of Life.
(Jungle Cruise via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
16. The Last Duel – Oct. 15, 2021
Ridley Scott is one of film's most legendary directors, and we're very curious to see what screenplay writers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have crafted from the source material, a book called The Last Duel: A True Story of Combat in Medieval France. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon also appear in the historical 14th century film opposite Adam Driver, but it'll be a wait. It originally had a Christmas release for this year, which has been postponed until Oct. 15, 2021.
17. Last Night in Soho – April 23, 2021
Beloved English director and writer Edgar Wright is best known for his satirical comedies, so we're intrigued by the fact that his next release, Last Night in Soho, is set to be a psychological thriller. It tells the story of Sandy, a young woman who finds herself transported back in time to the '60s, where she has a chance meeting with her idol, only to discover that nothing is as perfect as it appears to be. While the film was set to release on Sep. 25, it's now delayed until April 23 of 2021.
(Last Night in Soho via Focus Features)
18. The Many Saints of Newark – March 12, 2021
The Sopranos was a cultural phenomenon when it started airing on HBO in 1999, and it seems its creators aren't done with the story, because they're back with its film prequel, The Many Saints of Newark. It takes place in Newark, New Jersey in the '60s and '70s, showcasing the rise of the Soprano family—and featuring James Gandolfini's son, Michael, as a young Tony Soprano. It's been delayed from a Sep. 25 release until March 12 of next year.
(The Many Saints of Newark via Warner Bros. Pictures)
19. Mulan – Sep. 4, 2020
Mulan is one of Disney's most beloved animated Disney Princess films, and we can't wait to see its live-action adaptation take a slightly more serious and historically accurate tone. While we wish it could be released ASAP, its been pushed from its original theatrical release date of Aug. 21 and been delayed until Sep 4 for a release on Disney+—which will cost viewers an extra $29.99. We look forward to this new way of seeing movies at home, and to seeing Mulan kick butt in a whole new way.
(Mulan via Walt Disney Studios Productions)
20. The New Mutants – Aug. 28, 2020
We're starting to think that The New Mutants might be cursed. This horror film featuring characters from the X-Men universe has had a series of postponements and delays starting all the way back in 2018. Originally, it was going to be released on April 13 of that year, but was pushed forward nearly a year to a Feb. 22, 2019 release. That didn't happen either, and it was delayed to Aug. 2, 2019—and then to April 3 of 2020. Then 2020 happened, and its final (we hope) release date has been cemented as Aug. 28. We really want to see this film starring Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy and Charles Heaton as mutants, so we're crossing our fingers that this date sticks.
(The New Mutants via 20th Century Studios)
21. Minions: The Rise of Gru – July 2, 2021
Despicable Me has proven to be one of the most successful animated franchises in recent history, so it's no surprise that we're consistently seeing the Minions in new films every couple of years. This story will focus on the Minions in the '70s, when they meet a 12-year-old Gru, and aid him in joining a group of supervillains. It was slated to release earlier this year, on July 3, but has been bumped ahead another year to July 2, 2020.
(Minions: The Rise of Gru via Universal Pictures)
22. Morbius – March 19, 2021
Morbius certainly isn't one of Marvel's best-known characters, but with Oscar-winning star Jared Leto at the helm, Sony is hoping to put "the living vampire" on the map. The story centers around Michael Morbius, a biochemist who tries to cure his own rare blood disease, only to transform himself into a bloodthirsty creature with superhuman abilities. While initially set to release on July 31, it's been delayed until March 19 of next year.
(Morbius via Sony Pictures Releasing)
23. No Time to Die – Nov. 25, 2020
Long-time James Bond fans are eager to see Daniel Craig's last adventure as the suave spy, and it's been frustrating to see the U.S. release delayed from April 10 all the way up to Nov. 25 of this year. The film takes place five years after the villainous Blofeld has been captured, and with Bond in semi-retirement, only to be enlisted by a friend to go after an abducted scientist. The film will feature returning characters as well as new talents, including Lashana Lynch as Bond's replacement, and Rami Malek as the baddie, Safin. Plus, with Daniel Craig's pattern of hits and misses in the Bond franchise, it's time for this one to be really good.
(No Time to Die via United Artists Releasing)
24. The Personal History of David Copperfield – Aug. 28, 2020
While U.K. fans were already treated to The Personal History of David Copperfield in January, viewers in the U.S. will have to wait a tiny bit longer, with the movie pushed from an initial Aug. 14 release to one on Aug. 28. This film features Dev Patel as David Copperfield in an adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic book, telling David's story of growth through the obstacles her faced, and how those shaped him into the gentleman he becomes.
(The Personal History of David Copperfield via Searchlight Pictures)
25. Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway – Jan. 15, 2021
In this sequel to 2018's Peter Rabbit, the titular bunny will be up to his old shenanigans yet again. Despite the happiness he's found with Bea, Thomas and the rest of his rabbit family, Peter simply can't stop getting into trouble, and seeks out a life where he can maintain his old ways. When his loved ones come after him, however, he's forced to make a choice about who he really is. The movie has been moved from an Aug. 7 release to a Jan. 15, 2021 date.
(Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway via Sony Pictures Releasing)
26. A Quiet Place Part II – Sep. 4, 2020
A Quiet Place Part II looks to be even more frightening and these than the 2018 film that preceded it. Also written and directed by John Krasinski, it follows the surviving members of the Abbott Family as they're forced to venture into the world without making a sound and alerting the monsters that stalk them, while also dealing with the more human dangers of the world. While it was originally set to release back on March 20, it'll now come out on Sep. 4.
(A Quiet Place Part II via Paramount Pictures)
27. Radium Girls – Release Unknown
Based on true events, Radium Girls tells the story of two sisters (played by Joey King and Abby Quinn) who work at a factory in New Jersey painting luminous watch dials, unaware that the radium they deal with every day is radioactive and deadly. When workers start getting sick, they get to the bottom of the mystery, fighting a coverup and changing workplace safety forever. Though the film was originally set to come out on April 3, its new release date is currently unknown.
(Radium Girls via Juno Films)
28. Raya and the Last Dragon – March 12, 2021
Raya and the Last Dragon sounds like a creative and beautiful CGI movie, so we're sad to see this original Disney story delayed from Nov. 25 of this year until March 12 of 2021. It tells the story of a warrior called Raya (voiced by Cassie Steele) who goes on an epic quest to locate and tame the realm's last dragon. And did we mention that the dragon is voiced by Awkwafina? It sounds like an incredible combination, and we look forward to seeing it all come together next year.
(via Disney)
29. Run – Release Unknown
Horror film Run is another scary movie that's been delayed this year. It tells the story of a home-schooled, wheelchair-bound teenager who discovers her overbearing mother has been keeping a terrifying secret, and was originally (and aptly) set to release just ahead of Mother's Day this year before it was delayed indefinitely.
(Run via Lionsgate)
30. The Secret Garden – Aug. 7, 2020
The Secret Garden is a story that's been treasured for more than a century, and this new adaptation featuring Colin Firth and Julie Walters looks to bring the tale to new audiences. After a spoiled young girl named Annie is orphaned, she's sent to live on her uncle's estate, discovering its secrets—and her own goodness—along the way. You won't even have to leave home to watch, as its April 3 theatrical release has been canceled, and it'll be premiering on video on demand starting Aug. 7.
(The Secret Garden via STXfilms)
31. Snake Eyes – Oct. 23, 2020
Snake Eyes may not exactly be a household name, but to G.I. Joe fans, he's one of the most iconic and celebrated characters. This new film serves as an origin story for the mysterious character, perhaps detailing where he got his training as a lethal ninja, and will star Henry Golding in the lead role. No one will have to wait too long for this one, as it's been delayed just a week from Oct. 16 to Oct. 23.
(Snake Eyes via Paramount Pictures)
32. Soul – Nov. 20, 2020
Soul looks like one of those Disney-Pixar flicks that'll make you cry just as much as it has you rolling on the floor laughing, and even though its original release date of June 19 has passed, we're still looking forward to its new theatrical release date of Nov. 20. It follows a music teacher with a lifelong dream of becoming a performing jazz musician, but just when he finally gets the opportunity of a lifetime, he gets into an accident that transports his soul to an afterlife of sorts, where he must train a new soul and return to his body before he loses the chance forever. The movie looks like it's packed with a ton of heart, and we're excited to see it unfold.
(Soul via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
33. Spiral – Release Unknown
This year's horror films simply couldn't get a break. That includes Spiral, the ninth installment in the Saw franchise, which takes on elements of a cop drama long the way. It follows Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson as detectives tasked with solving the grisly murders committed by Jigsaw, only for Chris Rock's character to get caught in the "game" along the way. While it was set to release on May 15, it's now been delayed indefinitely.
(Spiral via Lionsgate)
34. The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run – 2021
We adore SpongeBob SquarePants, and the gorgeous new animation style of Sponge on the Run is so irresistible that we can't wait to see this film. What we don't love is that, after being pulled from its theatrical release on May 22, it's been scheduled for a video on demand release some vague time next year. But since we're excited to see SpongeBob and Patrick rescue Gary from Poseidon, we'll just have to be patient.
(The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge of the Run via Paramount Pictures)
35. Tenet – Sep. 4, 2020
Christopher Nolan is one of the most widely admired directors in film today, and his next film, Tenet, is one of his most highly anticipated. Of course, his films demand to be seen on the big screen, so until some theaters can go back to normal, we won't see this movie come out. That's why it's been pulled from its Aug. 12 theatrical release and been delayed until Sep. 4, to be screened in select U.S. cities. In the film, an operative is trained in the art of time manipulation in order to prevent World War III, resulting in some wild and mind-bending action scenes we can't wait to see.
(Tenet via Warner Bros. Pictures)
36. Top Gun: Maverick – Dec. 23, 2020
Top Gun is one of the most beloved action films of the '80s, so we're curious to see where Top Gun: Maverick will take the titular character next, even if the film was delayed from June 26 to a holiday release on Dec. 23. More than three decades after the events of that first movie, Maverick is still flying planes and doing what he loves for the Navy, despite the fact that he should have been promoted years ago—taking him out of the sky and likely placing him behind a desk. Before long, teams up with Rooster, the son of his late best friend Goose, for the biggest mission of his career.
(Top Gun: Maverick via Paramount Pictures)
37. Venom: Let There Be Carnage – June 25, 2021
The first Venom film may not have been a critical darling, but it was a wild ride with an incredible performance by Tom Hardy that was a ton of fun—and made a lot of money in the process. This sequel will see the return of Hardy as Eddie Brock and the symbiote Venom as he faces off against the serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson), who becomes a host to the evil symbiote Carnage. While it was originally going to come out on Oct. 20, it's now been rescheduled for a June 25, 2021 release.
(via Sony)
38. The Witches – Release Unknown
This will actually be the second film adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic children's book The Witches, and we look forward to the modern angle this script by Robert Zemeckis, Guillermo del Toro and Kenya Barris will take. This time around, Anne Hathaway will star as the Grand High Witch, who transforms a little boy into a mouse after he accidentally runs into a witch conference. While it was going to release this year on Oct. 9, it's been delayed, with no new release date in sight.
(via Warner Bros. Pictures)
39. The Woman in the Window – Release Unknown
The Woman in the Window is a psychological thriller based on a 2018 novel by the same name, and while it was originally going to release on May 15, it's been delayed indefinitely. It stars Amy Adams as Dr. Anna Fox, a psychologist with agoraphobia. After she makes friends with a woman who lives nearby, the woman suddenly disappears, causing Anna to believe something sinister is afoot.
(The Woman in the Window via 20th Century Studios)
40. Wonder Woman 1984 – Oct. 2, 2020
Wonder Woman 1984 might be our most anticipated movie of all of 2020, seeing the return of the mighty Princess Diana of Themyscira in a Cold War-era adventure. We're particularly intrigued by the return of Diana's love interest Steve Trevor and how he might play into this new story against evil businessman Maxwell Lord and the supervillain Cheetah. While it was meant to come out on June 5, the release date has been bumped to Oct. 2. We're waiting with bated breath.
(Wonder Woman 1984 via Warner Bros. Pictures)
Having a tough time waiting for these releases? Click HERE to find out what we can't wait to see on Netflix in August 2020.