Theaterical Releases 2021: Movies To Watch Out For - Part 1

 

The New Year has begun and we have already about finished up with the first month. Some of us made resolutions to become a better version of ourselves, and are currently struggling to keep it together. Being under house arrest is certainly not helping, and you are probably tired watching OTT content on your smartphones and smart TVs, and miss the old experience – the plunge into the world of magical cinema, the old-fashioned way. 

With multiplexes worldwide opening up with strict Covid guidelines, we figured you would want an assorted selection of theater releases of 2021. Of course, the release dates would be different in different parts of the world. Some of these movies may also see an OTT release, or perhaps get shelved further (hopefully not). This is the first of a 3-part series owing to the incredible number of potential releases in year 2 of the pandemic (yep, we are just as excited as you!). 

So, without further ado, here are the top flicks for the first 4 months of the year 2021, from January to April - 


January

Malcolm & Marie | Romantic Drama

Limited Release: 29 January 2021 | Digital Release: 5 February 2021 (Netflix)

“On the night of a director’s film premiere, his relationship with his girlfriend is put to test”

If you are a sucker for the black and white movies of yore, and like some good old-fashioned drama, this is the movie for you. Written and directed by Sam Levinson, the film stars John David Washington and Zendaya in titular roles, receiving critical acclaim for their performances. 

The Little Things | Neo-Noir Crime-Thriller

Theatrical Release: 29 January 2021 (India) | Digital Release: HBO Max (month-long simultaneously release)

If there’s one film genre that we see less and less of every passing year, it’s a classic noir. This movie fills those shoes with power-packed actors Denzel Washington and Rami Malek in the lead as police officers trying to catch a serial killer in 90s-LA. Also starring are actors Jared Leto, playing the prime suspect, and Natalie Morales, playing another detective. 

February

The Mauritanian | Legal Drama

Initial Release: 12 February 2021 (USA)

The film is based on a suspected 9/11 terrorist Mohamedou Ould Salahi detained at Guantanamo Bay detention camp without charge or trial, for six years starting in 2002. He finds allies in DA Nancy Hollander and her associate Teri Duncan. A far-reaching conspiracy is uncovered in the course of the investigation by military prosecutor Lt. Colonel Stuart Couch. Directed by Kevin Macdonald and written by M.B. Traven, the film boasts of a stellar cast – Tahar Rahim, Jodie Foster, Shailene Woodley, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Zachary Levi.


Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway | Live-Action Comedy

Initial Release: 12 February 2021 (United Kingdom)

Directed by Will Gluck and written by Patrick Burleigh and Gluck, the film is a sequel to 2018’s Peter Rabbit based on stories by Beatrix Potter. The film stars the voice of late-night talk show host James Corden in the title role, alongside Margot Robbie, Rose Byrne, Elizabeth Debicki and others. 

Tom and Jerry | Live-Action Computer-Animated Slapstick-Comedy

Initial Release: 19 February 2021 (India) | Digital Release: HBO Max (month-long simultaneously release)

For fans of the beloved Tom and Jerry cartoon shows, this family-entertainer just might take the cake away for the most heavily anticipated movie of 2021. Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Rob Delaney and Ken Jeong in lead roles, the premise is set in Manhattan NYC where Jerry has taken residence in a swanky high-end hotel, causing a world of trouble.

The new-recruit Kayla (Moretz) has been tasked with getting rid of the mouse to prepare for the “wedding of the century” between Ben (Colin Jost) and Preeta (Pallavi Sharda). She tasks Tom with the task and that leads to a world of trouble. But soon, a major conspiracy reveals and the three may have to join hands to tackle the problem.


The United States Vs. Billie Holiday | Biopic

Theatrical Release: 25 February 2021 (United States) | Digital Release: 26 February 2021 (Hulu)

Based on the undercover sting operation against jazz singer Billie Holiday by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, and the book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari, the film stars Andra Day in the titular role of Billie Holiday, and is directed by Lee Daniels.


Cherry | Crime-Drama

Theatrical Release: 26 February 2021 (USA) | Digital Release: March 12 2021 (Apple TV+)

What happens when an army medic with PTSD becomes addicted to opioids and starts robbing banks to pay for his addiction?

Directed by the Russo Brothers and based on the novel of the same name by Nico Walker, the film stars Tom Holland as an American army veteran whose civilian life, fuelled by post-traumatic stress disorder, is afflicted with an addiction compelling him to rob banks to sustain his habit.


March


Chaos Walking | Science Fiction Action-Adventure Thriller

Theatrical Release: 5 March 2021 (USA)

Directed by Doug Liman and screenplay by Patrick Ness and Christopher Ford, this thriller is based on the sci-fi trilogy Chaos Walking, adapting its first book, 2008's The Knife of Never Letting Go by Ness, and stars an amazing ensemble of Daisy Ridley and Tom Holland, with Mads Mikkelsen, Demián Bichir, Cynthia Erivo, Nick Jonas, and David Oyelowo in supporting roles.


Raya and the Last Dragon | Action-Adventure Fantasy Animation

Theatrical Release: 5 March 2021 (United States) | Digital Release: Disney+ (simultaneous release)

If watching animated movies is your jam, consider watching this adventure-fantasy movie with dragons, humans, and sinister monsters. This American computer-animated action-adventure film features an almost-entirely Asian American cast, including the voices of Kelly Marie Tran as the titular Raya and Awkwafina as Sisu, the last dragon, along with Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, Benedict Wong, Izaac Wang, Thalia Tran and Alan Tudyk.


The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent | Action-Comedy

Theatrical Release: 19 March 2021 (USA)

When a Mexican billionaire superfan offers $1 million to attend his birthday, Nicolas Cage finds himself in the middle of a life-death situation with his daughter and wife taken hostage by the fan who is a maniacal drug-lord. To extricate his family, Cage has to become a version of some of his most iconic and beloved characters.

Written by Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten, and directed by Gormican, this rollercoaster comedy stars Tiffany Hadish, Neil Patrick Harris, Sharon Horgan, Pedro Pascal as the drug-lord, and Nicolas Cage as himself.


Godzilla vs Kong | Monster-Action

Initial Release: 25 March 2021 (Singapore) | Digital Release: 31 March 2021 (HBO Max)

A sequel to Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Kong: Skull Island, this is the fourth installment in Legendary's MonsterVerse and the 36th film in the Godzilla franchise. Directed by Adam Wingard, this 12th film in the King Kong franchise boasts of a monster star cast – Millie Bobby Brown (from Stranger Things fame), Alexander Skarsgård, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, Kyle Chandler, and Demián Bichir.


April


Nobody | Action-Thriller

Initial Release: 2 April 2021 (United States)

Would you intervene a group of men harassing a woman? Hutch Mansell did, and now he has become the target of a vengeful drug-lord, but did they underestimate this ‘Nobody’ family-man?

Directed by Ilya Naishuller and written by Derek Kolstad, the film stars Bob Odenkirk of Better Call Saul fame in the lead role of Mansell alongside Connie Nielsen, RZA, Aleksei Serebryakov, and Christopher Lloyd.

Click here for Part 2