As we start the new year, moviegoers are excited about the biggest films coming out in 2021. Considering the impacts of the pandemic on movie theaters and the movie industry, movie watchers hope that things will turn around in 2021. Like any other year, 2021 consists of a movie schedule filled with sequels from several favorite movie franchises.
Moviegoers are thrilled to see several movie sequels this year, with many that were supposed to release in 2020. Some of these awaited sequels further expand upon their stories in movies like the Spider-Man trilogy or the Fast and Furious saga. Other sequels required fans to wait almost two to three decades to see a sequel from a beloved franchise and watch their favorite characters return on-screen.
No Time To Die (April 2, 2021)
The 007 agent, James Bond, lives life in retirement with his love interest Madeleine Swann. However, after a scientist goes missing, he is pulled back into his espionage lifestyle to stop this mysterious villain who poses a threat to humanity.
Considered as Daniel Craig's fifth and final James Bond film, No Time to Die was supposed to release in 2020. However, the impacts in the industry caused the movie to push back its release date twice. The general audience hopes to see the film finally appear on the screen on April 2, 2021.
A Quiet Place Part II (April 23, 2021)
Following the events from A Quiet Place, the Abbott family leave their family home and travel through the ruins of the world caused by these monsters. Despite knowing these creature's weaknesses, they also come across a new conflict between humans.
Due to the first film's success, John Krasinski returned as the director and writer for this sequel. Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe reprise their roles as members of the Abbott family, with Cillian Murphy joining the main cast. Initially supposed to release in 2020, A Quiet Place Part II is currently slated for April 23, 2021. The upcoming horror sequel is considered one of the most anticipated horror movies to release in 2021.
Godzilla Vs. Kong (May 21, 2021)
As a sequel to Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Kong: Skull Island, the two most formidable monsters in this world now come face to face as a testament to see who reigns supreme. However, there are consequences that humans now face as this battle could lead to the end of humanity, so they need to figure out how to reclaim possession of their planet.
As the MonsterVerse franchise continues to grow, movie watchers will finally watch the battle of the century on-screen in Godzilla vs. Kong. The upcoming sci-fi movie will release simultaneously in theaters and HBO Max streaming on May 21, 2021.
F9 (May 28, 2021)
In this street racing action film, Dom and his crew face a new threat. After Cipher escaped in The Fate of the Furious, she now works with Dom's brother, Jacob, who seeks a vendetta against him, his family, and his friends.
As the ninth film in the franchise, several actors throughout the series return in their perspective characters, including Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Jordana Brewster, Charlize Theron, and Nathalie Emmanuel. John Cena joins the cast as Dom's younger brother, Jacob. Directed by Justin Lin, F9 was supposed to release in 2020 before being rescheduled. Now, viewers can hopefully watch their favorite speeding racing franchise hit the screens on May 28, 2021.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (June 11, 2021)
Following a disappointing installment of 2016's Ghostbusters, the franchise goes back to the basics. A single mother and her two children move to a new town in Oklahoma, but little did they anticipate to see unusual events. However, they start to unfold their lineage and realize that they have some relation to the original Ghostbusters.
The upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife has a talented cast, consisting of Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, McKenna Grace, and Paul Rudd. Fans are more excited to see this sequel come to light in theaters on June 11, 2021, as it will likely give an ode to the nostalgic factors of the 80s supernatural comedy franchise.
Top Gun: Maverick (July 2, 2021)
The 1986 action film Top Gun received quite the popularity during its time, especially highlighting its action sequences and increasing interest in naval fashion. After 35 years since the movie was first released, a sequel will make it to the screen once more with Top Gun: Maverick.
Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer reprise their roles as Maverick and Iceman. The cast also includes a new generation, consisting of Miles Teller and Glen Powell. In this upcoming movie, Maverick faces the challenge of training the new generation while also inspiring them to become better navy aviators. This action flick will release on July 2, 2021, a few days before the Fourth of July.
Update: Top Gun: Maverick was delayed until April 2022.
Space Jam: A New Legacy (July 16, 2021)
Several fans of 1996's Space Jam enjoyed watching the legendary basketball player Michael Jordan team up with the Looney Tunes and win a match against aliens. Due to its immense success, fans had hoped for a sequel to one day come to light.
After waiting over 20 years, these fans will finally have their wishes granted with Space Jam: A New Legacy. The renowned icon Lebron James works with the Looney Tunes to rescue his son, Bronny, from the villainous algorithm, Al-G, played by Don Cheadle. The movie will release in theaters and on HBO Max on July 16, 2021.
Mission Impossible 7 (November 19, 2021)
The Mission Impossible series is one of those film franchises that surprisingly gets better and better each movie. After leaving viewers blown with Mission Impossible: Fallout, Ethan Hunt and his crew return for even more explosive action in 2021. Tom Cruise will once again reprise his famous role as IMF agent Ethan Hunt.
In Mission Impossible 7, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, and Vanessa Kirby will also return in the upcoming sequel, with new castmates Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, and Pom Klementieff. The espionage thriller will release on November 19, 2021, just in time for the holidays.
Update: Mission: Impossible 7 (and 8) were delayed until 2023-24.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (December 17, 2021)
The upcoming Spider-Man 3 (officially titled No Way Home) is one superhero sequel that will have fans squealing. With Alfred Molina and Jamie Foxx respectively reprising their roles as Doctor Octopus and Electro, Marvel fans are left ecstatic about the potential for a live-action Spider-Verse. The movie will follow the events from Spider-Man: Far From Home, where his identity was revealed to the world.
As one of the most anticipated superhero movies to release in 2021, Spider-Man 3 will see Tom Holland return as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. With John Watts returning as the director, the film will also see Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, and Jacob Batalon reprise their roles. Benedict Cumberbatch will also join the cast as Doctor Strange, who becomes Peter Parker's newest mentor. Spider-Man 3 will release on December 17, 2021.
The Matrix 4 (December 22, 2021)
After The Matrix series initially concluded almost two decades ago, fans are excited to see another film in the franchise, with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss returning in their prominent roles as Neo and Trinity. Although little is known about the upcoming sequel, fans cannot wait to see what is in stores for the series and perhaps tackled unanswered questions.
The movie is even considered to be one of the most anticipated sci-fi movies to release in 2021. Like several other Warner Bros. films, The Matrix 4 will simultaneously release in theaters and HBO streaming on December 22, 2021.