Cinemas are starting to reopen their doors in different cities around the world, including Dubai.
While the experience itself is now coupled with new health and safety measures, moviegoers are still excited about being able to watch films on the big screen again. The closure of cinemas due to the ongoing pandemic, however, has led many studios to push their theatrical release dates.
But there are still a wealth of weighty titles expected to hit screens this year, whether in cinemas or online. Here, we round up the 12 biggest ones still set to be released in 2020.
'Artemis Fowl' by Kenneth Branagh
Based on the eight-novel series written by author Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl (adapted from the first book) tells the story of 12-year-old boy who kidnaps a fairy and holds her ransom to exploit the magical Fairy People and restore his family's fortune. The film will be released on Friday, June 12 on Disney+.
'Tenet' by Christopher Nolan
This is, according to Nolan, his most ambitious film yet. The Inception director's new sci-fi revolves around a secret agent, who's been tasked with preventing the Third World War by using time inversion. Yes, it sounds confusingly familiar. Starring John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, the film has been scheduled for release on Friday, July 17. While the date is expected to be pushed back until cinemas widely reopen around the world, Warner Bros has not yet made any statement about a change in its release.
'Mulan' by Nikki Caro
The live-action remake of Disney's Mulan, an adaptation of the 1998 animated film of the same name, was due to hit cinemas in March following its world premiere. However, it is now expected to be released worldwide on Friday, July 24. It is not yet clear if the film will go to cinemas – as the majority of theatres are expected to reopen mid-August in the US – or straight to premium video-on-demand.
'Wonder Woman 1984' by Patty Jenkins
The superhero film based on the DC Comics character Wonder Woman is back for a second installment. Gal Gadot plays Diana Prince, also known as Wonder Woman, who has to face Cheetah, a villainess who possesses superhuman powers. The film's original release date was Thursday, June 4, but it has now been moved to Friday, August 14.
'A Quiet Place II' by John Krasinski
This sequel had its world premiere in New York in March this year. Its theatre release, however, has been pushed to Friday, September 4, due to the pandemic. The film follows the story of the Abbott family, who face threats as they fight for their survival in silence, in a world where monsters are attracted to sound.
'Candyman' by Nia DaCosta
This supernatural film, produced by the award-winning Jordan Peele, is a sequel to the 1992 film of the same name, and the fourth in the Candyman franchise. The film revolves around an urban legend where if you say the word Candyman five times while looking in the mirror, the villain appears in the reflection and kills you. The film was originally scheduled for a June release, which has now been pushed to Friday, September 25 by Universal Pictures. The film stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen, who also appeared in Us, directed by Peele.
'The French Dispatch' by Wes Anderson
The film was rumoured to have been the opening movie at the now-cancelled Cannes Film Festival this year. (Cannes will announce its 2020 official selection on Wednesday, June 3.) The film follows the staff of a European weekly report that decides to publish a collection of its best stories for its final issue. The film brings together Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Lea Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothee Chalamet, Lyna Khoudri, Jeffrey Wright, Mathieu Amalric, Stephen Park, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson in an A-star cast. The film's release date is now Wednesday, October 14, 2020.
'Black Widow' by Cate Shortland
Starring Scarlett Johansson as the titular character, Black Widow is the first film in phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film, which charts the Avenger's origins, has been delayed from a May release and is now expected to come out on Friday, November 6.
'No Time to Die' by Cary Joji Fukunaga
No Time to Die is the 25th installment in the James Bond cinematic franchise, starring Daniel Craig as 007. The film, which is Craig's final one as the Secret Service agent, follows Bond as he assists a friend and CIA officer to search for a missing scientist. The film's release date has been pushed to Wednesday, November 11.
'Soul' by Pete Docter
This animated adventure from Pixar takes viewers on a journey from the streets of New York City to the so-called You seminar, where people find out what makes their personalities unique. The film, which was expected to come out on Friday, June 19, will be released on Friday, November 20.
'Dune' by Denis Villeneuve
This sci-fi film is the first of a two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel of the same name. The film is set in the future on a planet called Arrakis, which is home to the galaxy's most prized resource, a life-extending drug named "spice". The film follows the conflict between rival noble families as they battle for control over Arrakis, also known as Dune. The film stars Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Rebecca Ferguson. Parts of the film were shot in Abu Dhabi. The film is scheduled for release on Friday, December 18.
'Top Gun: Maverick' by Joseph Kosinski
This sequel to 1986's Top Gun brings back Tom Cruise as Pete Maverick Mitchel. After years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Mitchel has to control the past as he trains a new squad of young graduates for a dangerous mission. The film, which has been blighted by several delays, is expected to be released on Wednesday, December 23.
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Top 5 concerns globally:
1. Unemployment
2. Spread of infectious diseases
3. Fiscal crises
4. Cyber attacks
5. Profound social instability
Top 5 concerns in the Mena region
1. Energy price shock
2. Fiscal crises
3. Spread of infectious diseases
4. Unmanageable inflation
5. Cyber attacks
Source: World Economic Foundation
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
Ways to control drones
Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.
"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.
New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.
It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.
The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.
The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.
The Porpoise
By Mark Haddon
(Penguin Random House)
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
T20 World Cup Qualifier
October 18 – November 2
Opening fixtures
Friday, October 18
ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya
Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan
Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed
Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Brief scores:
Juventus 3
Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'
Frosinone 0
RESULTS
Manchester United 2
Anthony Martial 30'
Scott McTominay 90 6'
Manchester City 0
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
