2020 movies that will hopefully be worth the wait

Our favourite part of this season – other than stuffing our faces at Christmas parties – is going through the list of 2020 movies we’re excited for. Like the much-awaited follow-ups to Legally Blonde and Bad Boys (only time will tell if the wait was worth it).

The next James Bond film is getting ready to kick up a storm, and it may be the last time for Daniel Craig. Tom Cruise will fly sky high in 2020 with Top Gun: Maverick and Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff gets her own origin movie in Black Window.

But from all the 2020 movies, we may be the most excited about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical In the Heights. 

Can someone pass the gluten-free popcorn? 

2020 movies we can’t wait to watch

1. Dolittle

Robert Downey Jr. features in this retelling of Eddie Murphy’s cult classic Dr Dolittle (1998), which inspired a generation of animal lovers (and created the unrealistic goal of talking to animals). Joining him is a star cast of Tom Holland, Emma Thompson, Selena Gomez and Ralph Fiennes, among others.

The plot’s different than Murphy’s film — here Downey Jr. plays a reclusive Dolittle who lives in solitude with an array of exotic animals for company. When Queen Victoria falls ill, Dolittle and his companions embark on an adventure of a lifetime.

The visuals look spectacular in the trailer, this is definitely one that you shouldn’t miss in the theatres.

2. Mulan 

Mulan (1998) will always be one of our favourite Disney movies. It’s based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, with the titular character voiced in the original by Ming-Na Wen. 2020 will see the live-action version of the film. The country is facing northern invaders and the Emperor of China decrees that one man from every family must serve in the army to defend their nation.

Hua Mulan takes the place of her ailing father, a decorated warrior, disguising herself as a male. We follow her journey of turning into a fearless warrior herself.

Liu Yifei takes on the main role in this adaptation that’s closer to the original story than the animated film. The actor drew heavy criticism and was embroiled in controversy with people calling for a boycott of the movie when she posted her support for the Chinese police in the ongoing Hong Kong pro-democracy protests.

3. Chhapaak

Deepika Padukone plays the role of an acid attack survivor, inspired by activist Laxmi Agarwal and her fight for justice. Meghna Gulzar’s film strives to depict the traumatic experience of acid attack victims and everything that goes into rebuilding their lives. With the Stop Acid Attacks campaign, Agarwal’s PIL to change the laws regarding the sale of acid was lauded by people across the country.

The Supreme Court’s rule curbed the sale of acid, though much is left to change on ground.

4. The Personal History of David Copperfield

Armando Iannucci brings his quintessential wit to the table and breathes new life into a Charles Dickens classic. The semi-autobiographical bildungsroman held a dreary position in the reading list of literature students for a long time. Iannucci has certainly turned things around.

The casting of Dev Patel created quite a stir, but going by the film’s trailer it was a clear match.

The star cast of Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton, Ben Whishaw and Gwendoline Christie is sure to be quite an ensemble. Iannucci’s is a lighter take on David Copperfield’s adventures, but one worth following nevertheless.

5. Death on the Nile

This would be the third adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic mystery thriller. We see a return of Hercule Poirot played by Kenneth Branagh following 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express. Poirot is caught in a blunderous love triangle that goes down a murderous path.

Director Branagh has even hinted turning Poirot’s tales into a cinematic universe of its own. One we’d happily dive into.

The cast features numerous big names like Annette Bening, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Letitia Wright, Sophie Okonedo, Ali Fazal, Russell Brand and Emma Mackey.

6. The Many Saints of Newark

Hated the ending of The Sopranos? Well, we can’t do much about the fade away, but we can tell you that David Chase and Alan Taylor have gotten together to make The Many Saints of Newark. It’ll never be the same without the original Tony Soprano, but after the passing of James Gandolfini, his son Michael will be playing his younger version in this film.

It explores the early formative years of the New Jersey Gangster as a sequel to Chase’s celebrated HBO TV series.

This film sounds both exciting and a bit worrisome – taking on such stalwart shows and characters has that effect. In the hands of the original writer, we can only wish for the best.

7. A Quiet Place 2

John Krasinski blew everyone away with his film A Quiet Place in 2018. It was a film unlike any other we’d seen, an unexpected but happy surprise from the actor once known for his comedy roles.

He stars in the film along with Emily Blunt to play the adults of the Abbott family who’ve navigated a post-apocalyptical world overrun with sightless beasts ready to kill at the slightest sound. The acting is phenomenal in the film.

So when a second part was announced amidst the list of 2020 movies, we couldn’t contain our excitement.

A Quiet Place 2 will have Krasinski only as director this time around. Cillian Murphy stars as a stranger the Abbotts come across with the rest of the original cast reprising their roles.