Disney just confirmed its 2020 movie slate with a ripe offering full of films from Disney, Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel Studios, and Fox. Star Wars might be down for the count theatrically but there’s plenty in the works.
Several of these projects we’ve heard plenty about already and others we’re getting solid first details and looks. There’s 19 contenders announced for 2020 vying for your box office dollars, the big question is… how many will you go see?
UNDERWATER
In theaters January 10, 2020.
Twentieth Century Fox presents “Underwater.” In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake and trapped in a rapidly flooding structure, a crew of six stationed on an underwater research facility realize their only shot at survival lies in walking across the ocean floor to a distant abandoned rig. In addition to the physical challenges of the journey they quickly discover they’re being hunted by mythic, monstrous sea predators hellbent on killing them.
“Underwater” is directed by William Eubank from a screenplay by Brian Duffield and Adam Cozad, story by Brian Duffield. The film stars Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassel, Jessica Henwick, John Gallagher Jr., Mamoudou Athie and TJ. Miller. Underwater” is produced by Peter Chernin, p.g.a., Jenno Topping, pg.a, and Tonia Davis, p.g.a. and executive produced by Kevin Halloran.
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THE CALL OF THE WILD
In theaters February 21, 2020.
Adapted from the beloved literary classic, Twentieth Century Fox’s ‘The Call of the Wild” vividly brings to the screen the story of Buck, a big-hearted dog whose blissful domestic life is turned upside down when he is suddenly uprooted from his California home and transplanted to the exotic wilds of the Canadian Yukon during the Gold Rush of the 1890s. As the newest rookie on a mail delivery dog sled team–and later its leader-Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime, ultimately finding his true place in the world and becoming his own master. As a live-action/animation hybrid, “The Call of the Wild” employs cutting edge visual effects and animation technology in order to render the animals in the film as fully photorealistic–and emotionally authentic-characters.
“The Call of the Wild” is directed by Chris Sanders from a screenplay by Michael Green, based on the novel by Jack London. The film stars Harrison Ford, Omar Sy, Dan Stevens, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford, Colin Woodell and Cara Gee. “The Call of the Wild” is produced by Erwin Stoff and James Mangold with Diana Pokorny and Ryan Stafford serving as executive producers.
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ONWARD
In theaters March 6, 2020.
ONWARD is set in a suburban fantasy world and introduces two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt), who embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there. Also featuring the voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Ian and Barley’s mom, Laurel Lightfoot, and Octavia Spencer as the voice of the Manticore, Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new original feature film is directed by Dan Scanlon and produced by Kori Rae—the same team behind “Monsters University.”
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MULAN
In theaters March 27, 2020.
MULAN is the epic adventure of a fearless young woman who masquerades as a man in order to fight Northern Invaders attacking China. The eldest daughter of an honored warrior, Hua Mulan is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.
A celebrated international cast features in MULAN including: Yifei Liu as Mulan; Donnie Yen as Commander Tung; Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan; Yoson An as Cheng Honghui; with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film is directed by Niki Caro from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Hynek based on the narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan.”
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THE NEW MUTANTS
In theaters April 3, 2020.
THE NEW MUTANTS is an original horror thriller set in an isolated hospital where a group of young mutants is being held for psychiatric monitoring. When strange occurrences begin to take place, both their new mutant abilities and their friendships will be tested as they battle to try and make it out alive. The film stars: Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Alice Braga, Blu Hunt and Henry Zaga. Directed by Josh Boone and written by Josh Boone & Knate Lee, The film is produced by Simon Kinberg, p.g.a., Karen Rosenfelt, p.g.a. and Lauren Shuler Donner with Stan Lee and Michele Imperato Stabile serving as executive producers.
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BLACK WIDOW
In theaters May 15, 2020.
BLACK WIDOW is Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller which features Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow who confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.
Scarlett Johansson who reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow in the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour as Alexei aka The Red Guardian and Rachel Weisz as Melina. The film is directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Kevin Feige.
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THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
In theaters May 15, 2020.
In “The Woman in the Window” a psychological suspense thriller directed by Joe Wright, an agoraphobic child psychologist befriends a neighbor across the street from her New York City brownstone, only to see her own life turned upside down when the woman disappears and she suspects foul play. A stellar ensemble cast brings Tracy Letts’ screenplay based on the gripping, best-selling novel to life, where shocking secrets are revealed, and no one-and nothing-is what it seems.
Starring Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Julianne Moore, “The Woman in the Window” is produced by Scott Rudin, Eli Bush and Anthony Katagas.
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ARTEMIS FOWL
In theaters May 29, 2020.
ARTEMIS FOWL follows its titular 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl (a descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds) who seeks to find his father who has mysteriously disappeared. With the help of his loyal protector Butler, Artemis sets out to find him, and in doing so uncovers an ancient, underground civilization-the amazingly advanced world of fairies. Deducing that his father’s disappearance is somehow connected to the secretive, reclusive fairy world, cunning Artemis concocts a dangerous plan-so dangerous that he ultimately finds himself in a perilous war of wits with the all-powerful fairies.
Directed by Kenneth Branagh and based on the beloved book by Eoin Colfer, the film stars Ferdia Shaw, Lara McDonnell, Tamara Smart, Nonzo Anozie, with Josh Gad, and Judi Dench. Plus Judy Hofflund and Kenneth Branagh are producing with Angus More Gordon and Matthew Jenkins serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Conor McPherson.
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SOUL
In theaters June 19, 2020.
What is it that makes you. YOU? This June, Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new feature film “Soul” introduces Joe Gardner (voice of Jamie Foxx) – a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before -a fantastic place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth. Determined to return to his life, Joe teams up with a precocious soul, 22 (voice of Tina Fey), who has never understood the appeal of the human experience. As Joe desperately tries to show 22 what’s great about living, he may just discover the answers to some of life’s most important questions.
Directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (“Inside Out,” “Up”), co-directed by Kemp Powers (“One Night in Miami”) and produced by Academy Award nominee Dana Murray (Pixar short “Lou”).
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FREE GUY
In theaters July 3, 2020.
In Twentieth Century Fox’s epic adventure-comedy “Free Guy” a bank teller who discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, decides to become the hero of his own story…one he rewrites himself. Now in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way…before it is too late.
Starring Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Taika Waititi, “Free Guy” is directed by Shawn Levy from a story by Matt Lieberman and a screenplay by Lieberman and Zak Penn. The film is produced by Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Adam Kolbrenner with Mary Mclaglen, Josh Mclaglen, George Dewey, Dan Levine and Michael Riley McGrath serving as executive producers.
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JUNGLE CRUISE
In theaters July 24, 2020.
JUNGLE CRUISE, is inspired by the famous Disneyland theme park attraction and promises an adventure-filled, Amazon-jungle expedition starring Dwayne Johnson as the charismatic riverboat captain and Emily Blunt as a determined explorer on a research mission. Also starring in the film are Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall, with Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti.
Jaume Collet-Serra is the director and John Davis, John Fox, Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia and Beau Flynn are the producers, with Doug Merrifield serving as executive producer.
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THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN
In theaters August 14, 2020.
An adaptation of the award-winning book about one very special gorilla, Disney’s “The One and Only Ivan” is an unforgettable tale about the beauty of friendship, the power of visualization and the significance of the place one calls home. Ivan is a 400-pound silverback gorilla who shares a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall with Stella the elephant and Bob the dog. He has few memories of the jungle where he was captured, but when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives, it touches something deep within him. Ruby is recently separated from her family in the wild, which causes him to question his life, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be. The heartwarming adventure, which comes to the screen in an impressive hybrid of live-action and CGI, is based on Katherine Applegate’s bestselling book which won numerous awards upon its publication in 2013, including the Newbery Medal.
The film stars: Sam Rockwell as the voice of Ivan; Angelina Jolie as the voice of Stella; Danny DeVito as the voice of Bob the dog; Helen Mirren as the voice of Snickers the poodle; Ramon Rodriguez as the mall employee George; Ariana Greenblatt as George’s daughter Julia; Chaka Khan as the voice of Henrietta the chicken; Mike White as the voice of Frankie the seal; Ron Funches as the voice of Murphy the rabbit; Phillipa Soo as the voice of Thelma the parrot; Brooklynn Prince as the voice of Ruby; and Bryan Cranston as Mack, the mall’s owner. “The One and Only Ivan” is directed by Thea Sharrock from a screenplay by Mike White based on Applegate’s book and is produced by the late Allison Shearmur, Angelina Jolie and Brigham Taylor. Sue Baden-Powell serves as executive producer.
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THE KING’S MAN
In theaters September 18, 2020.
As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man must race against time to stop them. Discover the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency in “The King’s Man.”
“The King’s Man” is directed by Matthew Vaughn and stars Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, with Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance. Matthew Vaughn, David Reid and Adam Bohling are the producers, and Mark Millar, Dave Gibbons, Stephen Marks, Claudia Vaughn and Ralph Fiennes serve as executive producers. “The King’s Man” is based on the comic book “The Secret Service” by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, and the story is by Matthew Vaughn and the screenplay is by Matthew Vaughn & Karl Gajdusek.
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DEATH ON THE NILE
In theaters October 9, 2020.
In “Death on the Nile,” a mystery-thriller directed by Kenneth Branagh based on Agatha Christie’s 1937 novel, Hercule Poirot’s Egyptian adventure aboard a glamorous river steamer descends into a terrifying search for a murderer when an idyllic honeymoon is shattered by violent deaths. The sinister tale of obsessive love and its murderous consequences plays out against an epic landscape of danger and foreboding, with enough wicked twists and turns to leave audiences unsettled and guessing until the final, shocking denouement.
“Death on the Nile” reunites the filmmaking team behind 2017’s global hit “Murder on the Orient Express” based on another celebrated Christie novel, and stars: five-time Academy Award® nominee Kenneth Branagh as the iconic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. He is joined by an all-star cast of suspects, including: Tom Bateman, four-time Oscar® nominee Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders and Letitia Wright. “Death on the Nile” is written by Michael Green, adapted from Christie’s novel, and is produced by Ridley Scott, Mark Gordon, Simon Kinberg, Kenneth Branagh and Judy Hofflund with Matthew Jenkins and James Prichard serving as executive producers.
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EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE
In theaters October 23, 2020.
Inspired by true events, “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” is the film adaptation of the hit musical. Jamie New is sixteen and doesn’t quite fit in-instead of pursuing a “real” career he dreams of becoming a drag queen. Uncertain about his future, Jamie knows one thing for sure: he is going to be a sensation. Supported by his brilliant, loving mom and his amazing friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.
“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” stars newcomer Max Harwood, Sarah Lancashire, Lauren Patel, Shobna Gulati, Ralph Ineson, Adeel Akhtar, Sam Bottomley, with Sharon Horgan and Richard E. Grant. The stage production’s director, Jonathan Butterell, makes his feature-film debut as director, with screenplay and lyrics by Tom MacRae, and score and songs by Dan Gillespie Sells, who both also wrote the lyrics and songs, respectively, for the theatrical version. Arnon Milchan, Mark Herbert and Peter Carlton are producing, with Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer, Natalie Lehmann, Daniel Battsek, Ollie Madden, Peter Balm, Niall Shamma and Jes Wilkins serving as executive producers.
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ETERNALS
In theaters November 6, 2020.
Marvel Studios’ “The Eternals” features an exciting new team of Super Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. Following the events of “Avengers: Endgame”, an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, The Deviants.
The outstanding ensemble cast includes Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena. Kit Harington was cast as Dane Whitman. Directed by Chloé Zhao, who helmed the critically acclaimed Sundance film ‘The Rider,” and produced by Kevin Feige.
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DEEP WATER
In theaters November 13, 2020.
From Twentieth Century Fox and New Regency, Ben Affleck (“Gone Girl”) and Ana de Armas “Knives Out”) star in the psychological thriller “Deep Water” from director Adrian Lyne (“Fatal Attraction,” “Indecent Proposal”).
Based on the celebrated novel by famed mystery writer Patricia Highsmith (The Talented Mr. Ripley), “Deep Water” takes us inside the marriage of picture-perfect Vic (Affleck) and Melinda (de Armas) Van Allen to discover the dangerous mind games they play and what happens to the people that get caught up in them. Directed by Adrian Lyne from a screenplay by Penhall, Zach Helm and Sam Levinson, based on the novel “Deep Water” by Patricia Highsmith, “Deep Water” stars Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas, Tracy Letts, Lil Rel Howery, Finn Wittrock, Dash Mihok, Jacob Elordi, Kristen Connolly, Rachel Blanchard, Jade Fernandez, Michael Braun, Grace Jenkins, Brendan C. Miller and Devyn Tyler. The film is produced by Garrett Basch, Steven Zaillian, Guymon Casady, Ben Forkner, Arnon Milchan and Anthony Katagas.
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RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON
In theaters November 25, 2020.
In “Raya and the Last Dragon,” a lone warrior from the fantasy kingdom of Kumandra teams up with a crew of misfits to find the last dragon and bring light and hope back to their broken world. Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind “Frozen 2” “Moana” and “Big Hero 6,” brings the all-new, wholly original fantasy adventure to life.
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WEST SIDE STORY
In theaters December 18, 2020.
A reimagining of the original Broadway musical, Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story” explores young love and tensions between rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks on the streets of 1957 New York.
Directed by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Tony Kushner, based on the Stage Play and Book by Arthur Laurents with Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Play Conceived, Directed and Choreographed by Jerome Robbins. The film stars Rachel Zegler, Ansel Elgort, Ariana Debose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Josh Andrés Rivera, Corey Stoll, Brian D’arcy James and Rita Moreno. “West Side Story” is produced by Steven Spielberg, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Kevin McCollum.
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What movies do you really want to see this year?
