From 'The French Dispatch' to 'Maverick': 12 of the biggest films still set to be released this year

Despite a global pandemic, 2020 is still shaping up as a great year for prime Hollywood viewing

Stills from 'The French Dispatch', 'A Quiet Place II', and 'Maverick'. Twentieth Century Fox / Jonny Cournoyer / Paramount Pictures

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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