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No year has shaken up the movie industry like 2020, and no year will prove that more than 2021. Though the streaming boom had begun long before the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, the shut-down of theaters across the globe left forced—or allowed—film studios to lean heavily on streaming options. Universal Studios was the first to break the dam, with the straight-to-digital release of Trolls World Tour in April. That was followed by the release of Disney’s highly-anticipated live-action Mulan remake on Disney+ Premier Access, the release of Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max, and, finally, the announcement that Warner Bros. would release its entire 2021 theatrical slate on HBO Max. (The films will be available on the streaming service for 30 days, and will simultaneously be released in theaters.)
What does that mean for you? It means you’ll have more options than ever next year when it comes to movies to watch at home. As the vaccine slowly rolls out, that’s good news for movie lovers who also love not contracting a deadly virus. Some of 2021 biggest blockbusters—Coming 2 America, Dune, Suicide Squad, and Matrix 4, just to name a few—are either streaming originals or will be immediately accessible on streaming upon release.
And these are just the films that have been announced and are confirmed to release in 2021 as either streaming originals, or will be released straight to subscription streaming platforms like HBO Max. We have no doubt that many more huge streaming movies will soon be announced that didn’t make this list.
Invest in a high-quality TV and an HBO Max subscription, and get excited about these 20 streaming movies that are coming out in 2021.
'Herself'
Release Date: January 8, 2021
Streaming Service: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Clare Dunne, Harriet Walter, Conleth Hill
Why We’re Hyped: If you followed the reviews out of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, you’ve been waiting with bated breath to see Herself for nearly a year. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, and written by Malcolm Campbell and Clare Dunne, this Irish film about a single mother who decides to build her own home got rave reviews when it premiered last January, and will now finally be available on streaming.
'One Night in Miami…'
Release Date: January 15, 2021
Streaming Service: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr
Why We’re Hyped: If you loved Pixar’s Soul, which was co-directed by Kemp Powers, you’ll want to put his critically-acclaimed 2021 film, One Night in Miami…, on your list. Adapted from Powers’s play of the same name, and directed by the one and only Oscar-winner Regina King, this fictionalized account of meeting between meeting of Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke was all the buzz at Venice Film Festival, and will sure to be a player during awards season.
‘The Little Things’
Release Date: January 29, 2021
Streaming Service: HBO Max
Cast: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Why We’re Hyped: In case you hadn’t heard, Warner Bros is dumping its entire 2021 theatrical slate on HBO Max simultaneously, to allow for 30 days of streaming at the same time the film is in theaters, much like the studio did for Wonder Woman 1984. First up in the new year is The Little Things, neo-noir crime psychological thriller film written and directed by John Lee Hancock, starring an A-list cast.
‘The Dig’
Release Date: January 29, 2021
Streaming Service: Netflix
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn
Why We’re Hyped: Directed by Simon Stone and adapted by Moira Buffini from the 2007 novel of the same name, this based-on-a-true-story period drama has everything you want from this genre: the English countryside, Johnny Flynn being charming, and Carey Mulligan breaking hearts. Plus, so soon after the VOD release of Promising Young Women, you’ll want to keep the Mulligan content coming.
'Palmer'
Release Date: January 29, 2021
Streaming Service: Apple TV+
Cast: Justin Timberlake, Ryder Allen, Alisha Wainwright, June Squibb, Juno Temple
Why We’re Hyped: Have we forgotten in all the Trolls-mania just how good Justin Timberlake was a drama actor in The Social Network? Now the pop star has a chance to show his talents again in this drama about an imprisoned former football star, directed by Fisher Stevens and written by Cheryl Guerriero.
‘Malcolm & Marie’
Release Date: February 5, 2021
Streaming Service: Netflix
Cast: Zendaya, John David Washington
Why We’re Hyped: If you love HBO’s Euphoria, then get ready for this upcoming drama written and directed by Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. Washington stars as a filmmaker awaiting reviews for his latest project, and Zendaya stars as his young girlfriend. The entire film takes place in one house and was shot during the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Flora & Ulysses’
Release Date: February 19, 2021
Streaming Service: Disney+
Cast: Matilda Lawler, Alyson Hannigan, Ben Schwartz, Danny Pudi
Why We’re Hyped: Perhaps you’ve heard of the charming, Newbery Medal award-winning 2013 children’s novel by author Kate DiCamillo about a cynical little girl named Flora? Well, now Flora & Ulysses is going to be a film for the small screen, directed by Lena Khan with a screenplay adapted by Brad Copeland, and starring young Matilda Lawler in her feature film debut.
'I Care A Lot'
Release Date: February 19, 2021
Streaming Service: Netflix
Cast: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Chris Messina, Dianne Wiest
Why We’re Hyped: This comedy-thriller written and directed by J Blakeson—about a legal guardian who takes advantage of her elderly clients—was generally well-reviewed at Toronto International Film Festival, and comes with a killer cast. I’d never say no to a Pike and Dinklage team-up!
'Coming 2 America'
Release Date: March 5, 2021
Streaming Service: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones
Why We’re Hyped: Over 30 years later, Eddie Murphy is making his triumphant return as the crown prince of Zamunda in the second installment of Coming To America, Murphy’s hugely successful 1988 comedy. Come for the nostalgia, stay for how incredible everyone in the cast still looks. It’s like no time has passed at all.
'Cherry'
Release Date: March 12, 2021
Streaming Service: Apple TV+
Cast: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
Why We’re Hyped: Once we figured out the name of the film was, in fact, Cherry, we got excited about the idea of a new crime drama from Marvel directors by Anthony and Joe Russo—with a screenplay by Angela Russo-Otstot and Jessica Goldberg—starring Tom Holland as an Army medic with PTSD.
'Raya and the Last Dragon'
Release Date: March 15, 2021
Streaming Service: Disney+ Premier Access
Cast: Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina
Why We’re Hyped: Awkwafina voices the last dragon existing in the fictional world of Kumandra, and Kelly Marie Tran voices the lone warrior tasked with tracking her down. Need I say anything more? That sounds like the kind of movie I want to watch six times. Directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, you’ll be able to see Raya and the Last Dragon in theaters, or on Disney+ Premier Access for an additional fee, much like the release of Mulan.
‘Godzilla Vs. Kong’
Release Date: May 21, 2021
Streaming Service: HBO Max
Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry
Why We’re Hyped: Look, have any of the Godzilla or Kong movies from Legendary’s MonsterVerse reboots been good? Not particularly. But it’s never not fun to see these iconic figures in a good ol’ fashioned monster fight, and Godzilla vs. Kong—directed by Adam Wingard and written by Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein promises to be the mother of all monster fights.
'In The Heights'
Release Date: June 18, 2021
Streaming Service: HBO Max
Cast: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera
Why We’re Hyped: While I’m still hoping the vaccine pulls through in time to see the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-winning musical on the big screen, if worst comes to worst we’ll be able to dance along to In The Heights at home. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the music is fire, the cast is on point, and the trailer looks amazing—it’s no wonder this one. is many Broadway fans’ most anticipated film of 2021.
'Space Jam: A New Legacy'
Release Date: July 16, 2021
Streaming Service: HBO Max
Cast: LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Sonequa Martin-Green
Why We’re Hyped: Are you kidding me? It’s a second Space Jam movie starring LeBron James (rather than Michael Jordan, pictured above) and the Looney Tunes! This is every millennial’s childhood dream come true. Of course, we’re hyped! And with the legacy in good hands—director Malcolm D. Lee (Girls Trip) and writers Ryan Coogler (Black Panther) and Sev Ohanian (Run)—we have a feeling it will live up to expectations.
'The Suicide Squad'
Release Date: August 6, 2021
Streaming Service: HBO Max
Cast: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Peter Capaldi, Sylvester Stallone, and Viola Davis
Why We’re Hyped: It’s a little confusing, but this 2021 Suicide Squad movie is intended as a “standalone sequel” to the 2016 film, as well as a “soft reboot” of the franchise. What the heck does that mean? Who knows! But if Margot Robbie gets to wear her rainbow confetti jacket from Birds of Prey, I’m there.
'Dune'
Release Date: October 1, 2021
Streaming Service: HBO Max
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac
Why We’re Hyped: You’ll forgive us for the overrepresentation of HBO Max on this last, but so many huge movies are coming to HBO Max next year! That includes Dune, the highly-anticipated sci-fi film directed by directed by Denis Villeneuve, and the first of a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. Given that Herbert wrote five Dune sequels, will this be the next big book-to-movie franchise? Warner Bros. sure hopes so!
'Elvis'
Release Date: November 5, 2021
Streaming Service: HBO Max
Cast: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Yola
Why We’re Hyped: In the age of the rock ‘n’ roll biopics, it seems only fair that the king should get his own Oscar-bait film. And, not only is this an Elvis Presley biopic, but it’s also the first feature film in eight years from director Baz Lurhmann, since 2013’s The Great Gatsby. So, you know, that should be interesting.
'Matrix 4'
Release Date: December 22, 2021
Streaming Service: HBO Max
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith
Why We’re Hyped: Yep, you read that correctly, the Matrix franchise is back at it again with another movie, just in time for the Keanu Reeves renaissance. This one is notable for being directed solely by Lana Wachowski (who also co-wrote the script with Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell), who worked with her sister Lilly on the previous three films. Lilly was too busy with her show Work in Progress to return.
'Annette'
Release Date: 2021 TBA
Streaming Service: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard
Why We’re Hyped: Three words: Adam Driver musical. If you saw Driver’s big number in Marriage Story, you know he can sing, and you know this upcoming musical directed by Leos Carax and written by Ron Mael and Russell Mael is going to be something you want to watch.
'False Positive'
Release Date: 2021 TBA
Streaming Service: Hulu
Cast: Ilana Glazer, Justin Theroux, Gretchen Mol, Sophia Bush
Why We’re Hyped: After five years of consistently hilarious content with her writing partner Abbi Jacobson on Broad City, I’d watch anything written by Ilana Glazer. In the case of False Positive, she co-wrote the script with John Lee (who also directs), and stars as a woman trying to get pregnant with her husband. But this isn’t quite the comedy you might be expecting—this A24 horror film is said to be a contemporary take on Rosemary’s Baby.
