Spill out your popcorn, summer is almost over and the fall is upon us. Yes, the leaves are falling, but the good movies are coming as well. After a summer movie season destroyed by a never-ending pandemic, the upcoming fall movie season looks to bring back some kind of normalcy, albeit in hybrid fashion as both digital and theatrical releases will be at headed or way. We've picked the 20 movies we’re most excited about. There will surely be surprises and disappointments, but these are the ones that have the most potential to make movies great again. For the next 4 months, we will, hopefully, second-wave notwithstanding, be visiting new worlds created by such directorial stalwarts as David Fincher, Sofia Coppola, Denis Villeneuve, Steve McQueen, Steven Spielberg, Paul Greengrass, and Chloe Zhao.
1) “Mank” (November)
It’s been six years since David Fincher released his last feature, “Gone Girl.” The wait for a new film by the venerable director is finally over, as Fincher is about to release “Mank,” a forthcoming Netflix feature about “Citizen Kane” co-screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz (played here by Gary Oldman). “Mank” will tackle the Welles-vs-Mankiewicz feud, which has been a controversial point of contention for the last 60 years, especially after the publication of Pauline Kael’s much-disputed 1971 essay, which claimed that the mastermind behind the ‘Kane’ screenplay was solely Mankiewicz and not Wells. Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt will be in charge of the black and white photography in “Mank,” rumored to replicate Gregg Toland’s photography in the 1941 film.
2) “Dune” (December 18)
A real blockbuster to end the year. It looked tough and go as to whether Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of this beloved sci-fi novel would land in 2020. With talent at every turn, from Oscar Isaac to Rebecca Ferguson, and Timothee Chalamet to Zendaya and more, this promises to be a sci-fi adventure on the grandest of scales. The trailer is set to debut September 9th and we hear it’s a wowzer driven by Roger Deakins’ majestic photography.
3) “Nomadland” (November)
In “Nomadland” Chloe Zhao (coming off the critically-acclaimed “The Rider”) adapts journalist Jessica Bruder’s 2017 non-fiction book “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century”. The film, taking place during the 2008 economic recession, follows a woman (played by Frances McDormand) who packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life on the total outskirts of mainstream society, she, by in turn, becomes a Nomad. It will simultaneously world premiere at TIFF, NYFF, and Venice on September 11th.
4) “Small Axe” (November 13th)
Director Steve McQueen (“Hunger” “Shame” “12 Years A Slave” “Widows”) was supposed to have two movies in competition at Cannes this year: “Lover’s Rock” and “Mangrove. This would have been a first in the 70-year history of that prestigious festival. These two films are part of an upcoming 5-film BBC-Amazon miniseries, set around black activism, titled “Small Axe.” The two already mentioned films, plus “Red, White and Blue” are set to have their world premiere screenings at the upcoming digital-heavy New York Film Festival in October.
5) “Ammonite” (November 13)
One of the more highly anticipated films on the list. Francis Lee (“God’s own Country”) brings together Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan for this intense move story set in 1840’s England. This film is sure to be a major awards player come 2021. Ever since “Ammonite” was selected to be part of Cannes’ non-existent 2020 edition, there has been persistent hype surrounding Lee’s film, although comparisons to last year’s “Portrait of A Lady on Fire” will surely be made.
6) “Soul” (November 20)
Another of Disney’s pushed back slate, many thought this spiritual sequel to “Inside Out” starring Jamie Foxx as Pixar’s first black-led story could be moved to Disney +. But, for the time being, we are hopeful we can see the beautiful frames of this classic-in-the-making on the big screen. If there ever was a Best Animated Film contender this year then this Cannes-labeled blockbuster is certainly it.
7) “News of the World” (December 25)
Paul Greengrass reunites with Tom Hanks to bring us this Western drama following a Texan who plies his trade giving news to townspeople across the west, who then gets caught up in the rescue attempt of a kidnapped girl. Buzz is very strong for Greengrass’ film, with resident IndieWire insider Anne Thompson hinting it could be a major player come next April’s Oscars — we’re not surprised, the last time Hanks and Greengrass teamed up for a film was in 2013 for their excellent “Captain Phillips.”
8) “On the Rocks” (October)
Sofia Coppola reunites with Bill Murray for what could be the most high-caliber of Apple’s originals yet. Rashida Jones (“The Social Network”, “Parks and Recreation”) stars as Murray’s daughter who reconnects with her larger than life father on a journey through New York. Murray and Coppola haven’t made a movie together since their 2003 career peak “Lost in Translation.”
9) “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (October 16)
Acquired by Netflix, this timely story of the trial of seven protesters at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, promises to be another Aaron Sorkin courtroom juggernaut. Sorkin’s snappy, rhythmic dialogue coupled with a stellar cast including Eddie Redmayne, Sasha Baren Cohen, and Jeremy Strong could prove to be too hard for Oscar to resist.
10) “West Side Story” (December 18)
Steven Spielberg’s awaited adaptation of the famous musical may find itself buried under the accusations of sexual assault labeled at star Ansel Elgort. And whether innocent or guilty it’s worth remembering the film also stars incredibly talented newcomer Rachel Ziegler who beat out thousands to land the role. This is one of the more unpredictable movies to come out this fall, but, one thing’s for sure, never count Spielberg out for the taking.
11) “No Time to Die” (November 20)
The film that really started the pushbacks and the first to fall to the pandemic. Daniel Craig will play Bond for the fifth and final time opposite villain Rami Malek, and co-stars Ana De Armas, Lashana Lynch, and Jefferey Wright. Director Cary Fukunaga (“Beasts Of No Nation”) will hope to add some much-needed substance to the franchise which is coming off 2015’s mediocre installment, “Spectre.”
12) “Hillbilly Elegy” (November)
Ron Howard directs from Vanessa Taylor’s screenplay about a law student grappling with family history and the American dream. It’s always been hit-and-miss with Howard (“Cinderella Man,” “Apollo 13,” “A Beautiful Mind”), but the source material here is strong and the film’s cast has Amy Adams and Glenn Close as the co-leads. Enough said.
13) “Those Who Wish Me Dead” (October 23rd)
Taylor Sheridan (“Hell or High Water” “Wind River”) returns with another western thriller, This time following a teenage boy and his survivalist protectors’ attempts to evade capture by twin assassins. The film stars Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, and Jon Bernthal. With Sheridan, you expect solid screenwriting and the kind of cinematic sensibilities that are severely lacking in today’s American movies. Currently set for a theatrical release, although some rumors are pointing towards an exclusive VOD release as well.
14) “Wonder Woman 1984” (October 3)
In light of “Tenet” and its overseas success, it’s fair to assume Warner Bros will press on with the release of this twice-delayed sequel. With exciting additions to the cast in Kristen Wiig as Cheetah and Pedro Pascal as Max Lord, the WB’s surely hopes director Patty Jenkins can build on the excitement drummed up by DC’s Fandome, and finally move the DCEU into something resembling the right direction.
15) “Black Widow” (November 6)
Originally scheduled for March, Scarlett Johansson’s final bow as Natasha Romanov looks set to finally hit screens in November. Will co-star Florence Pugh be taking up the mantle of Black Widow in the MCU following this swan song for Johansson? Australian director Cate Shortland (Berlin Syndrome) will give us the answer in a few months’ time. In the meantime, you can watch the 10-month-old trailer to refresh your memory.
16) “Deep Water” (November 6)
Ana De Armas and Ben Affleck star in this adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel in which a husband who allows his wife to have affairs in order to avoid divorce, finds himself accused of her lovers’ disappearances. Director Adriane Lyne, known for his erotic thrillers from the ‘80s and ‘90s, returns to direct his first film since 2002’s deliciously pulpy “Unfaithful.”
17) “The Devil All the Time” (September 16)
Another highly anticipated Netflix arrival. Director Antonio Campos’ (“Simon Killer”)star-studded thriller is led by Tom Holland and follows a young man’s devotion to protecting his family in a town rife with corruption and brutality. Alongside Holland is Robert Pattinson, Haley Bennett, Riley Keogh, Bill Skarsgard, Sebastian Stan, Eliza Scanlan, and Mia Wasikowska to name just a few.
18) “Rebecca” (October 21)
Ben Wheatley (High Rise, Free Fire) moves to Netflix with his re-imagining of Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 classic, not to mention Alfred Hitchcock’s excellent 1940 adaptation. Leading the cast is Lily James, supported by some huge talent in Armie Hammer, Keeley Hawes, Kristen Scott Thomas, and more. Wheatley and his cast may also benefit from the Academy’s decision to allow streaming-only content into this year’s Oscars.
19) “One Night in Miami” (TBD)
Oscar-winner Regina King takes to the director’s chair for this incredibly exciting fictional story involving icons Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Sam Cooke, and Malcolm X as they discuss their various involvements in the civil rights movements of the 1960s. The fact that both the Toronto and Venice Film Festivals selected King’s film as part of their lineups this year is a sure-fire indicator that this might very well be a worthy film comes awards season.
20) “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (TBD)
This had to be on the list, even with a tentative TBD 2020 release date. George C. Wolfe (“Lackawanna Blues”) brings this August Wilson play to Netflix. Following the tensions encountered by Musician Ma Rainey after a conflict between both her bandmates, her white agent, and producer, the film is sure to have an incredible central performance with Oscar winner Viola Davis taking on the role of the ‘Mother of the blues’. but what truly makes this a must-see is that it is the late Chadwick Boseman’s final film.