The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the entertainment industry for a loop, not only delaying production on upcoming films, but also seriously altering the release dates for some hotly anticipated movies. Most movie theaters across the country are still closed and will remain so, possibly for months. Even if certain states allow them to resume operation, studios aren't willing to sacrifice the box office potential of what were meant to be their 2020 blockbusters. That means that several huge releases that were meant to come out this year have already been pushed back. Based on the information we have now, here are the big movies that have already been delayed until 2021. Hopefully, they'll all be worth the wait!
1 F9
The ninth film in the primary Fast & Furious series, F9, was due to reach fans this summer. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the studio decided to push the release back a whole year, so you'll have to wait until Apr. 2, 2021 to see what happens when Dominic (Vin Diesel) goes head-to-head with his brother Jakob (John Cena), who's joined forces with one of Dom's crew's greatest enemies. (What we can tell you for sure now is that there will be tricked-out cars.) And for more delayed entertainment, check out 10 Beloved TV Shows You Won't See Again in 2020.
2 The Eternals
The next movie due to be released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is still Black Widow, which is now set to come out on Nov. 6, 2020. That was the original release date for The Eternals, which is now scheduled to hit theaters on Feb. 12, 2021. Unlike Black Widow, The Eternals is set after the events of Avengers: Endgame and introduces a new group of heroes: immortal alien beings who come out of hiding on Earth to defeat the destructive Deviants. Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Kumail Nanjiani, Kit Harrington, and Brian Tyree Henry are among the cast.
3 Ghostbusters: Afterlife
The Ghostbusters sequel from filmmaker Jason Reitman would have been premiering this July. For now, it's set to come out on Mar. 5, 2021. It stars Finn Wolfhard and McKenna Grace as kids who learn about their family's connection to the action of the original 1984 film and end up having to defend the mortal realm from another ghostly incursion. Some of the old cast—including Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Annie Potts—will be back, and Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon show up as the kids' teacher and mom, respectively. And if you're a fan of the original, check out 30 Movie Quotes Every '80s Kid Knows by Heart.
4 In the Heights
The first musical written by Lin-Manuel Miranda to make it to Broadway, In the Heights has been in the works as a movie for years. Sadly for theater fans, it's also been bumped from this summer to next year—Jun. 18, 2021, to be exact. Set in the Washington Heights neighborhood of upper Manhattan, the story revolves around bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos, who was also in the original cast of Hamilton) and his neighbors, who are endeavoring to follow their dreams and define their identities, while also dealing with the effects of gentrification. And for more inspiring stories you can see today, check out 15 Uplifting Movies You Can Watch on Netflix Right Now.
5 Jungle Cruise
Back when the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie came out in 2003, Disney proved that it wasn't just possible to adapt a ride into a film, but it could be hugely successful, too. Jungle Cruise, now arriving in theaters on Jul. 30, 2021, attempts to follow in Jack Sparrow's footsteps. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays a captain named Frank, who's commissioned by a scientist (Emily Blunt) and her brother (Jack Whitehall), to take them on a dangerous voyage to the fabled "Tree of Life." And you'll have to wait until next year to learn what happens next. And for more family fun, check out The Best Movies to Stream on Disney+.
6 Minions: Rise of Gru
Minions: The Rise of Gru connects the timelines of 2015's Minions with the Despicable Me series, by showing how Gru (Steve Carell) came to aspire to villainy. As the earlier movies show, he's not that great at it. When Gru attempts to be taken seriously by the feared Vicious 6, he ends up at odds with them, and turns to those little yellow guys for help. Once set to premiere this July, the animated adventure will hit theaters a year later, on Jul. 2, 2021.
7 Morbius
Like 2018's Venom, Morbius is an offshoot of the Spider-Man universe centered around one of the bad guys that the web slinger encounters in the comics. It stars Jared Leto as scientist Michael Morbius, who kinda-sorta-accidentally turns himself into a vampire while trying to come up with a cure for his blood disease. Its adjusted release date is Mar. 19, 2021, pushed back from this coming July. The sequel to Venom has also been affected by the pandemic—that movie won't be in theaters until Jun. 25, 2021. And for recent films you can watch right now, check out 18 2020 Movies Streaming Right Now and Where to Find Them.
8 Raya and the Last Dragon
Disney hasn't made many details about the animated film Raya and the Last Dragon public yet, but we do know that The Farewell actress Awkwafina and singer and actress Cassie Steele will be providing the voices of the two main characters: respectively, Sisu, a shape-shifting water dragon, and Raya, the warrior who dares to seek her out. This family flick was set for a Thanksgiving 2020 release, but now it's been delayed until Mar. 12, 2021.
9 The Tomorrow War
The plot of The Tomorrow War may sound like it was pulled from a comic, but this sci-fi flick is actually an original idea. Chris Pratt, J.K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, and Yvonne Strahovski are among the actors appearing in this movie about an incoming alien invasion that threatens to destroy Earth. Humanity's only hope is that science has figured out how to increase its manpower by resurrecting dead soldiers. Instead of coming out this December as planned, The Tomorrow War will now arrive in theaters on Jul. 23, 2021.
10 King Richard
It's a combination of talent, drive, and intense training and commitment that turned Venus and Serena Williams into two of the best tennis players in history. King Richard dramatizes their relationship with their exacting father, who is also their coach. Will Smith stars as Richard Williams, while Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton take on Venus and Serena, respectively. King Richard was meant to be released this November, but has been delayed a year until Nov. 19, 2021. And for more movies based in reality, check out the 18 Best Movies Ever Made Based on True Stories.
Sage Young Sage Young is the Deputy Entertainment Editor at Best Life, expanding and honing our coverage in this vertical by managing a team of industry-obsessed writers.Read moreFiled UnderEntertainmentRead This Next40 Movies Turning 40 This Year
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