Theaters are empty, drive-ins are at half capacity and your Netflix account is emptier than Times Square right now. Just like everything else, summer 2020 isn’t necessarily the best time for films.
But even with major releases called off or pushed back to later in the year, there’s still a decent selection of films to choose from across all platforms — with the hope that maybe some will wind up in theaters soon.
To spare you some time trying to figure out what’s been pushed back and what hasn’t, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most anticipated releases during the next three months.
Some have already hit streaming services and some are on their way to the drive-in, so don’t write any of them off just yet.
“Da 5 Bloods,” now on Netflix
Seeing a Spike Lee joint go straight to streaming services isn’t expected, but maybe it’s a good thing that Lee’s latest picture, “Da 5 Bloods,” will reach a larger audience.
The film, starring Delroy Lindo (“Crooklyn,” “Romeo Must Die”), Clarke Peters (“The Wire”) and Chadwick Boseman (“Black Panther”), follows four black Vietnam veterans as they return to Vietnam to find their squad leader and some buried treasure.
Already, the flick has garnered lots of attention thanks to its critically acclaimed director, so you wouldn’t want to miss a legend at work — especially if it’s free.
“Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” now on Netflix
Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams starring as Icelandic singers competing in the Eurovision Song Contest sounds like a movie idea spurred by a Mad Lib, but it somehow is now on Netflix.
In “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” directed by David Dobkin, the two singers must represent their country at the massive musical event, which unfortunately was canceled this year. Still, if anything can make up for a cancellation, it’s Will Ferrell playing a guy named Lars.
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- Plenty of beautiful scenery is just a jaunt away from many Capital Region neighborhoods
- From Schenectady to Bennington, these brewers make for a perfect road-trip respite
- Art institutions offer ways to virtually visit this summer
- Museums make exhibits, collections available online
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“An American Pickle,” coming to HBO Max Aug. 6
Directed by Brandon Trost, “An American Pickle” stars Seth Rogen as a 1920s immigrant who falls into a vat of pickles and is preserved for 100 years.
He goes on to meet his great-grandson (also played by Rogen) and is shocked to learn that the only surviving member of his family is a computer coder, which he can’t seem to wrap his head around.
While this film isn’t as accessible, debuting on HBO Max, it’s sure to be a hit with Rogen fans and earn a couple laughs for others in the process. Summer 2020 is a time of uncertainty, so movies that follow absolutely bizarre plots make plenty of sense.
“Tesla,” on demand and in theaters Aug. 21
This biopic on Nikola Tesla, starring Ethan Hawke and directed by Michael Almereyda (2000’s “Hamlet”), is set to hit theaters and video on demand this August.
The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 27. Kyle MacLachlan (“Twin Peaks”) and comedian Jim Gaffigan also star.
“Mulan,” coming to theaters July 24
Disney’s latest live adaptation might just be its best yet. Starring Liu Yifei (“Hanson and the Beast”), Jason Scott Lee (“Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story”) and Jet Li, the film follows Disney’s classic 1998 version of the same name.
Even though the coronavirus set the film back several months, and the it premiered just before the pandemic hit the U.S., fans are still eagerly awaiting the live-action release, following “The Jungle Book,” “The Lion King” and others.
“The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On the Run,” coming to theaters Aug. 7
You can live in a pineapple under the sea all you want, but that won’t prevent your film being pushed back due to the pandemic.
Fortunately for our underwater pal, this one wasn’t pushed back far. As a sequel to “Sponge Out Of Water,” “Sponge On the Run” follows our oceanic friends (played by the same voice actors on the show) as they set off on another adventure. And, interestingly enough, this one has a Snoop Dogg cameo.
“Wonder Woman 1984,” coming to theaters Aug. 14
Gal Gadot reprises her role as Wonder Woman in this action-packed ’80s-set sequel to 2017’s superhero classic. Wonder Woman takes on the Cold War, as well as Cheetah and Maxwell Lord, as the film stars Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal.
The film’s release date has already changed three times, so fingers crossed that we’ll be able to enjoy some superhero action this summer.
“Bill & Ted Face The Music,” coming to theaters Aug. 21
If “Wonder Woman” being set in the 1980s wasn’t enough for you, hopefully the return of Bill and Ted will suffice.
As a sequel to 1989 classic “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” and 1991’s “Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey,” Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter reprise their roles as Bill and Ted, with William Shatner returning as the Grim Reaper.
The film, which follows the guys as they have to make a song in order to save the world, has been at least 10 years in the making and co-stars Kid Cudi and George Carlin (through archival footage).
“The New Mutants,” coming to theaters Aug. 28
As the newest installment of the X-Men series, “The New Mutants” stars Maisie Williams (“Game Of Thrones”), Anya-Taylor Joy (“Split”), Charlie Heaton (“Stranger Things”) and others as they discover their mutant abilities while they’re held in a facility.
Director Josh Boone, who was behind 2014’s “The Fault In Our Stars” and “The Mutants,” is the director.
“A Quiet Place Part II,” coming to theaters Sept. 4
John Krasinski sits back in the director’s chair for the follow-up to his 2018 horror classic, this time filmed in upstate New York.
“A Quiet Place Part II” follows a similar premise as its predecessor (basically, just don’t talk so monsters don’t find you), and is set to do some pretty big numbers with Emily Blunt and Millicent Simmonds reprising their roles in what’s projected to be a very popular sequel.
Don’t let us down, Jim Halpert.
More from A Summer to Remember: 2020 Big Edition
- Out and about in the Capital Region? Check out some of these quirky 518 landmarks while keeping your social distance
- Plenty of beautiful scenery is just a jaunt away from many Capital Region neighborhoods
- From Schenectady to Bennington, these brewers make for a perfect road-trip respite
- Art institutions offer ways to virtually visit this summer
- Museums make exhibits, collections available online
- Venues, artists finding ways to keep summer concert sounds coming
Categories: A Summer To Remember, Entertainment, Life and Arts, Special Sections
