100 Films To Look Forward To In 2020

I always struggle to make it into the new year prepared, but one of the first things that I like to do is to look at what the upcoming year has to look forward to. So, I’ve spent hours scrolling through websites to find the best of what we know so far, with my 100 Films To Look Forward To In 2020.

2020 is undeniably the year for reboots and remakes as well as many sequels and prequels that we never expected. And with Marvel having ended Phase 3 with Endgame last year, there are some original superhero films to look forward to, as well as many more Netflix and Sky Cinemas originals.

To help you trawl through the masses of films listed below, which starts off with January’s biggest award contenders and some more popular picks, we’ll go through the releases in the following groups. If there’s anything in particular that you’re looking for, you can jump to certain pages by clicking these links:

Awards Contenders & Popular Picks:

1917 (10th Jan)

From acclaimed director Sam Mendes comes an epic war drama that follows two young British soldiers during the First World War, who are given an impossible mission: deliver a message deep in enemy territory that will stop 1,600 men, and one of the soldier’s brothers, from walking straight into a deadly trap. The film stars the fresh faces of Dean-Charles Chapman (Game of Thrones) and George MacKay (Sunshine On Lieth) as well as the more recognisable Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong, Richard Madden, and Benedict Cumberbatch.

The film has been nominated for three Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama, and has already been praised for cinematographer Roger Deakins‘ work who implementing the use of long takes to have the entire film appear as one continuous shot.

This is definitely one that needs to be seen on the big screen as there is no doubt that this is going to be a visually stunning film, with Mendes and Deakins having previously worked together on Skyfall, Revolutionary Road, and Jarhead.

Jojo Rabbit (1st Jan)

You will either know director Taika Waititi through his work such as What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, or he would have been brought to your attention with his original direction on the hugely successful Thor: Ragnarok. But one thing we can all be sure of is that the New Zealand director and writer never fails to make us laugh.

His latest film, Jojo Rabbit, follows a young boy in Hitler’s army who finds out that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home. The film has been nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and stars Waititi as Hitler alongside Scarlett Johansson, Rebel Wilson, Stephen Merchant, Alfie Allen, and Sam Rockwell.

Bombshell (17th Jan)

Directed by Jay Roach, Bombshell follows the true story of a group of women who take on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic atmosphere he presided over at the network. The film stars Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Margot Robbie, as well as John Lithgow, Kate McKinnon, Connie Britton, Malcolm McDowell, and Allison Janney .

Theron has been nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama, and Robbie has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Drama, although the film has recently stirred up some controversy as critics have commented that it glosses over the horrors of the real-life issue and that it fails to go deeper than the sensationalistic surface.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (31st Jan)

Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between the beloved television icon Fred Rogers (portrayed by Tom Hanks) and Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys), a journalist for Esquire who is assigned to profile him. Inspired by Tom Junod’s 1998 article “Can You Say … Hero?” which was published in Esquire, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood is directed by Marielle Heller and sees Hanks earn a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor — Motion Picture.

Parasite (7th Feb)

From South Korean director Bong Joon Ho, most recently known for Netflix’s Okja, the phenomenal Snowpiercer, and the monster-horror The Host, Parasite has earned three Golden Globe nominations this year, for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film.

The film is a black comedy thriller that follows an unemployed family who take a peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks, as they ingratiate themselves into their lives and get entangled in an unexpected incident. It has received brilliant reviews since making its world premiere at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival in May, and has since been hugely anticipated with its delayed release date in the UK.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (28th Feb)

Another Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a French historical drama film written and directed by Céline Sciamma. Set in France in the late 18th century, the film tells the story of a forbidden affair between an aristocrat and a painter commissioned to paint her portrait.

The film has already won the Queer Palm at 2019 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first film directed by a woman to win the award, with Sciamma also winning the award for Best Screenplay.

Waves (17th Jan)

Written and directed by Trey Edward Shults, Waves is set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida and traces the emotional journey of a suburban family as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss. The film has been praised for its performances, and stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Lucas Hedges, Taylor Russell, Alexa Demie, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Sterling K. Brown.

The Lighthouse (31st Jan)

A psychological horror directed by Robert Eggers, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Max Eggers, The Lighthouse stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as two lighthouse keepers who start to lose their sanity when a storm strands them on the remote island where they are stationed. Shot in black-and-white with a 1.19:1 aspect ratio, the film has received universal acclaim since its world premiere at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival in May, with critics highlighting the technical aspects, screenplay, direction, and performances.

The Gentlemen (1st Jan)

From director Guy Ritchie, The Gentlemen has a stellar cast including Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell and Hugh Grant. It follows a British drug lord who tries to sell off his highly profitable empire to a dynasty of Oklahoma billionaires and is sure to be another Ritchie Brit classic.

Tenet (17th July)

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Tenet is an action epic that revolves around international espionage, time travel, and evolution. It stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, and Kenneth Branagh. The trailer was recently released and gives absolutely nothing away, but it looks fantastic all the same.

Last Night In Soho (18th Sep)

From Edgar Wright, Last Night In Soho is an upcoming psychological horror that stars Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Diana Rigg, and Terence Stamp. A trailer hasn’t been released for this film yet, but it follows a young girl, passionate in fashion design, who is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters her idol, a dazzling wannabe singer. But 1960s London is not what it seems, and time seems to fall apart with shady consequences.