The Summer 2020 Movies That Were

This weekend would have been the end of the summer movie season and with it a reflection on the good, bad, and terrible films of the past three months. But we don’t live in a normal world; that has left cinema lovers missing the newest trailers and speculating on next years big summer blockbusters. Let’s take a quick look at thirty major movies releases that we missed out since mid March when theaters shut down and new releases were pulled.

A Quiet Place Part II - The John Krasinski's sequel was all ready to go, until it hit a brick wall the week it was supposed to open. It has been delayed a whole year from March 20 to April 23, 2021.

Mulan - The Disney live action remake was set up to follow Onward in what would have been another big year for the studio. Originally set for March 27, was then moved to July 24 and then again to August 21 before being removed altogether.

The Climb - After running the film circuit since last year, it looked like audiences would finally see this gem of a film. A Cannes Film Festival winner was picked up by Sony and set for a 2020 wide release following the Sundance Film Festival. Original date of March 27, was moved to July 17, and then October 9, maybe.

New Mutants - Once set to be a 20th Century Studios release in April 2018 was delayed when they were acquired by Disney. After some reworking, a new date was set April 3, but now will stick to its new August 28 date following a comic-con panel. Unless the powers that be decide to pull it again.

Peter Rabbit 2 - A nice holiday sequel could have made some good money for Sony. Now that it’s been moved, unsure how families will respond to an out of season release. Original date April 3, followed by August 7 before settling on January 15, 2021.

No Time to Die - The last of the Daniel Craig films as James Bond will have to wait a bit longer. Originally April 10 is currently holding a November 20 release.

Trolls World Tour - This Universal sequel could be the star of this whole year as it broke norms and had a VOD release. Universal actually moved up this release date from April 17 to an April 10 VOD release.

Antlers - A possible horror film could have been the surprise summer hit as it’s produced by Academy Awards winner Guillermo del Toro. Originally scheduled for April 17 has been shelved indefinitely.

Antebellum - This horror film might need a name change following recent events. Starring Janelle Monáe and Marque Richardson, this will have to wait to make a splash. Original date of April 24 holds a current release date of August 21.

Black Widow - The next entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe was been moved around and doesn't look like it's willing to premiere on Disney+. Original date of May 1 to start the summer season, has been pushed to November 6, but no telling if that will stick as Disney looks to maximize the returns on its big tentpole films.

The Woman in the Window - A psychological thriller following the steps of Gone Girl and Woman on the Train, that has an interesting hook ala Rear Window. Original date of May 15 is now shelved indefinitely.

Scoob! - A Warner Bros. Animated film followed in the steps of Trolls World Tour and went to VOD. Unlike all other films on this list, Scoob! kept its release date of May 15, even if it was VOD. It can now be viewed on HBO MAX.

The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run - A shakeup from Paramount that will lead to a rebranding of CBS All Access. Original date of May 22 was postponed to August 7, but now will lead the rebranding of the ViacomCBS streaming service in early 2021.

F9 - The next installment in the Fast and the Furious franchise for Universal has been stalled. Original date of May 23 has been delayed a year to April 2, 2021.

Artemis Fowl - A hopeful starter of a franchise set Disney to move this film to its streaming service. Original date of May 29 which premiered on Disney+ on June 12.

The Green Knight - An action-adventure film from A24 based on the King Arthur legends. Original date of May 29 has been shelved indefinitely.

Wonder Woman 1984 - one of the most anticipated films going into the year, Warner Bros pushed hard on the marketing back in December. Original date of June 5, was pushed to August 14, only to now hold an October 2 release date for now.

Greyhound - Tom Hanks in another WWII film put Sony in a bind as they dumped this to Apple TV+ streaming service. Original date of June 12 to premiere as a streaming exclusive on July 10.

The King of Staten Island - This Judd Apatow film based off the life of Pete Davidson came to VOD as a summer break. Original date of June 19 was moved up a week for VOD to June 12.

Soul - The next Pixar film is still mostly wrapped in mystery and will be until is release. Original date of June 19, currently holds a November 20 date for now.

Top Gun: Maverick - another big summer film that could have landed either way on the boom or bust scale. Original date of June 24, was moved to Christmas, but now will have a nice July 2 date in time for the Independence holiday weekend.

In the Heights - Not quite the Lin Manuel-Miranda film that we got thia year and instead will wait a year. Original date of June 26 will now premiere on June 21, 2021.

Minions: The Rise of Gru - Yes, there is another installment in this franchise coming next year. Original date July 3, pushed a year to July 2, 2021.

Free Guy - This Ryan Reynolds comedy has been pushed to the end of the year. Original date of July 3, now set for December 11.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife - Not based off the recent reboot, this is another film that doesn't have a lot of information on it. Original date of July 10, waits a year until March 5, 2021.

The Forever Purge - Yes, another entry in The Purge franchise looked to be the 5th and final entry. Original date of July 10 but has been shelved indefinitely.

Bob's Burgers - Oh yeah, remember this movie was supposed to happen. Original date of July 17 has been moved to next year April 9, 2021.

Tenet - By far the most troubled film to set a release date due to director Christopher Nolan and his dedication to a theatrical release. Original date of July 17, to pushed to July 31, to be pushed to August 12, to be pushed to August 26, to be pushed to September 4.

Jungle Cruise - Based off the ride at Disneyland, Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt will have to catch the next boat in a year. Original date of July 24 will now set sail on July 30, 2021.

Morbius - Sony's attempt in expanding its Spider-verse will wait until next year. Original date of July 31, now will release March 19, 2021.

That’s 30 films that have been delayed and removed due to theaters being closed. There are even more films that had to change their plans and even more to come as films slated for the next couple of months don't look to be hitting those release dates either.