TV Series & Films Set to Release this Year
With 2020 officially behind us – I’d like to take a look at the upcoming 12 months and what I am most excited about for the upcoming year. A lot of films on the list will be ones that were scheduled to be released last year but due to the pandemic they were pushed to 2021. I know some people hate that all the Warner Bros. production films will also be released on HBO Max as well as theaters – I personally am grateful for this minor shift given the current environment. While I do really miss going to the movie theater and having that “cinema” experience, I am not comfortable going to the theater and probably won’t be for a while so this really helps those who aren’t comfortable or aren’t able to go to the theater to still enjoy these amazing films when they are released. It is true that the next several months are still a huge unknown in the entertainment industry and things could change yet again; here are the TV series and films I am most excited about that are scheduled (as of today) to be released at some point this year.
MOVIES OF 2021
The French Dispatch (2021)
This is my #1 film I am looking forward to this year, I absolutely love all Wes Anderson films so this probably won’t be any different. Typically he has his traditional cast but with adding some incredible actors including Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet and Jeffrey Wright… I mean it’s going to be great. The film will focus as one of three different storylines on the French foreign bureau of a fictional Kansas newspaper.
*Scheduled Release Date: May 2021
No Time to Die (2021)
My #2 most anticipated release of 2021 is this gem. While some of the recent Bond movies have been better than others, I’ve enjoyed parts of all of them and I don’t think this will disappoint. The trailer has hyped this up so much – I will be happy to finally see it when it comes out.
*Scheduled Release Date: April 2, 2021
Matrix 4 (2021)
I have a strong feeling this could get pushed back to early 2022 but I am excited nonetheless. We’ve waited nearly 18 years for another Matrix and it is confirmed and it is filming. I heard rumors it is a little more of a love story and is not a prequel, either way I am very interested in what they’ve got set-up in terms of plot.
*Scheduled Release Date: December 22, 2021
Available On: HBO Max
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Some people may not like the King Kong or recent Godzilla movies but I have personally enjoyed them from both a nostalgia perspective (I loved the cheesy Godzilla movies from back in the day) and an entertainment perceptive. They aren’t Academy Award winning movies but they are pure entertainment with action and monster fighting – what more could you ask for?
*Scheduled Release Date: May 21, 2021
Available On: HBO Max
Dune (2021)
Yet another great cast and a big year for Timothée Chalamet. I am pretty excited to see how Denis Villeneuve recreates the world of Dune. I know this is probably the most anticipated film of the year for a lot of cinephiles and I can definitely understand why but there are a few higher on the list for me personally.
*Scheduled Release Date: October 1, 2021
Available On: HBO Max
Mortal Kombat (2021)
While I don’t know much about this one it is definitely another film on the top of list for this year. We all know that 1995’s Mortal Kombat is a movie that’s so bad it’s good, instead of following on from the movie, it is being rebooted and starting fresh, and it’s no doubt intending to set up a franchise with many more Mortal Kombat movies to come, just so long as the first one is successful.
*Scheduled Release Date: April, 16 2021
Available On: HBO Max
Noteworthy Mentions:
1. A Quiet Place 2 (2021)
2. The Little Things (2021)
3. Black Widow (2021)
4. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
5. The Suicide Squad (2021)
6. Chaos Walking (2021)
7. Uncharted (2021)
8. Mission Impossible 7 (2021)
TV SERIES OF 2021
Peaky Blinders – Season 6 (Netflix)
Wishful thinking that we’d get Season 6 this year? Maybe. But this is probably my favorite show and I am anxiously awaiting season 6’s arrival. Rumors are that production could start again early this year plus 6 months of editing…let’s hope for Nov/Dec of this year. BUT knowing it will premiere in the UK first then following on Netflix in the US, it will probably be 2022 but *Fingers Crossed*
Streaming: Netflix
Scheduled to Premiere: TBD
WandaVision (Disney+)
This will mark the first of several miniseries / series of the Disney+ and Marvel relationship. While the series looks like it might be a little cheesy at some points – I am very excited to see the dynamic / relationship between Wanda and Vision unfold. I honestly believe their relationship in the Avengers series was something worth diving into a little more so I am happy to see where this takes us.
Streaming: Disney+
Scheduled to Premiere: January 15, 2021
You – Season 3 (Netflix)
Both season 1 and 2 had me hooked and given the hype and build up of the series since I first started watching has only grown, I expect great things from season 3. I haven’t read much around the plot but I do know there will be lots of twists and turns especially after the way season 2 ended.
Streaming: Netflix
Scheduled to Premiere: TBD
Cowboy Bebop (Netflix)
I loved watching the animated version of this series not too long ago and given the darkness and depth around the characters, I truly hope the live-action version will do the series justice.
Streaming: Netflix
Scheduled to Premiere: TBD
Dead to Me – Season 3 (Netflix)
Last year I binge-watched both season 1 and season 2 right after season 2 was released and I am sad I didn’t discover this series sooner. It is the perfect comedy for someone who isn’t big into the comedy genre…probably mainly because it was a littler darker and had some strong sarcastic wit but all-around very excited to see what season 3 has in store for us.
Streaming: Netflix
Scheduled to Premiere: TBD
The Great – Season 2 (Hulu)
While there were some hard scenes to watch in season 1, The Great season 2 is definitely a series I am hopeful will premiere this year. With the ending we had in season 1 I am sure there will be a great storyline and amazing performances in season 2.
Streaming: Hulu
Scheduled to Premiere: TBD
Loki (Disney+)
The next like 3 years will be the years of Marvel & Disney+. While I am not overly thrilled with the “alternate timeline” storyline – it does make sense…as we saw in Avengers: Endgame (2019) Loki did grab the tesseract and this was never really addressed. Either way, similar to the below series I am hopeful there will be some cameo appearances in this miniseries to really make it feel like a true Marvel addition.
Streaming: Disney+
Scheduled to Premiere: May 2021
The Falcon & the Winter Solider (Disney+)
What makes me most excited about this mini-series is the possibility there might be some cameo appearances from some of the other Avengers…highly unlikely but here’s to hoping! Nonetheless, this looks like a solid 6 episode miniseries that will for sure have some amazing action / fighting scenes.
Streaming: Disney+
Scheduled to Premiere: March 19, 2021
Sex Education – Season 3 (Netflix)
While we don’t know much of the plot for season 3, I am positive there will be several funny moments followed sharply by some rather uncomfortable moments. The way season 2 ended had me hooked and I am pretty stoked to see what this season has in store for us.
Streaming: Netflix
Scheduled to Premiere: TBD
The Book of Boba Fett (Disney+)
I am a HUGE Star Wars fan so naturally I am excited to see this series unfold late this year. While I would have preferred The Mandalorian – Season 3 to get released this year, I will settle for this one!
Streaming: Disney+
Scheduled to Premiere: December 2021
Noteworthy Mentions:
1. Gossip Girl (HBO Max)
Let’s be real…this will not be better than the original but I am still really interested in the series and will definitely give it a shot.
2. Nine Perfect Strangers (Hulu)
Any series with Nicole Kidman is bound to get my attention, while I know very little of the story it seems like it will be a hit.
3. The Flight Attendant – Season 2 (HBO Max)
While this might actually be released in 2022 – I am hopeful they at least bring it back in Nov/Dec of this year. The first season I felt was definitely a sleeper hit and I can’t wait to see where the story goes!
4. The Handmaid’s Tale – Season 4 (Hulu)
While the last 2 seasons haven’t been as incredible as the first 2, I am still interested in the story and I am excited to see where they take the show in season 4 (and confirmed season 5).
5. Atypical – Season 3 (Netflix)
I’ve always enjoyed this show but wasn’t thrilled with that last season but knowing this is the last season I will absolutely be watching it to see how they end the series.
The Fade Out: A Movie Blog 