Cinelinx Picks: Our Most Anticipated Fall/Holiday 2020 Movies

With Fall on the horizon, we take a look at the movies coming up (for now, anyway) and break down the ones we’re most excited for!

This year has been…rough. With the traditional Summer Movie Season being completely absent, it’s been a year filled with unknowns, delays, and shifts to all new platforms. Even as theaters begin to try and open up, things feel ever shifting. 

Click here to view The (Ever Fluid) 2020 Movie Schedule 

Regardless, there are still a number of great looking films coming up this Fall. Though a few might still get delayed, we decided to be positive and have our contributors share their top five films they’re looking forward to for the rest of 2020!

JORDAN

Dune (Dec. 18) – To be entirely honest, if I could pick only ONE film to watch the rest of the year, it would be Dune. I’m a massive fan of the franchise, and regularly give the novels a re-read. Couple that love of the initial story with the incredible filmmaking Denis Villeneuve and my hype has been through the roof since filming first started. 

The Devil All The Time (Sept. 16) – Though this wasn’t anywhere on my radar until the trailer dropped earlier this month, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. With a stellar cast and an interesting premise, the trailer hooked me thoroughly and has me eager to see if the full film can deliver the magic promised.  

Wonder Woman 1984 (Oct. 2) – The lack of superhero movies this year (aside from the beginning) has perhaps been the strangest of all. These days, the movie schedule is virtually littered with these blockbusters. As such, I’m very eager to get my eyes on Wonder Woman 1984. 

Not only was the first Wonder Woman film better than I could have hoped, I can’t wait to see her iconic villain Cheetah in action. Based on the trailer we’ve seen, everything about it (from the action to story) looks to be on an entirely new level. 

Tenet (Sept. 3) – While I’ve given Tenet (Nolan really) a lot of crap over the last few months, there’s no denying my excitement at seeing this film. I love Nolan’s movies and he always delivers on great action and stories that stick with you; though I haven’t exactly been on board with it’s push to theaters amid a pandemic. 

It looks incredible. The action feels intense, with a unique time-bending concept to them that promises some of the most eye-popping set pieces we’ll see this year. While we still don’t know much about the story, I’m definitely eager to find out more as I watch it!

No Time to Die (Nov. 20) – I’ve been ready for the 25th Bond film since we saw the first (and only, so far) trailer last year! Daniel Craig’s run as Bond has seen plenty of ups and downs, but overall I think he’ll go down as one of the best. Bringing Blofeld back, combined with a heap of impressive looking action, plus the always exciting work from director Cary Fukunaga and there’s a lot of reason to be excited this November. 

Honorable Mentions: Free Guy, Black Widow, Mulan, I’m Thinking of Ending Things

JESS

The King’s Man (Sept. 18) – Immaculately-dressed secret agents are always full of intrigue and adventure. Pepper in some historical references, exotic accents and a few explosions and you’ve got my attention. More importantly, Ralph Fiennes facing off against Rasputin. Need I say more?

Candyman (Oct. 16) – Some of the greatest remakes or spin offs are modernized horror films. I was a latecomer to the 1992 Candyman but enjoyed it nonetheless and was sufficiently spooked away from testing the Candyman summons in my mirror. I have a feeling 2020’s Candyman will be even more unsettling… especially if the paper trailer I watched on IMDb is anything to go by. 

Black Widow (Nov. 6) – This film feels like it has been such a long time coming, and the trailer suggests that it is the perfect blend of origin story meets present-day tension. I expect the character development in this story, particularly as between Natasha and Yelena, to have been well worth the wait.

The French Dispatch (Nov. 12) – Who doesn’t love a good Wes Anderson film? This film features an all-star cast and every scene looks like an artwork or stylized photograph. I’m also always here for anything featuring Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton or Owen Wilson, so the fact that all three appear in this film means I’ve practically preordered my ticket.

Soul (Nov 20) – Ahhh, Pixar and its pulling of the heart strings. This movie looks like the perfect cozy, teary, and yet uplifting way to see out a pretty rough year. Pixar films always resonate strongly with me; reminding me what is important. I expect no less from Soul and I’m already starry-eyed just thinking about it.

GARRETT

Dune (Dec. 18) – The movie adaptation of one of my favorite books, being directed by one of my favorite directors, with a cast full of some of my favorite actors? Hmmm…I think I’ll want to see that. This is the movie I’ve been waiting decades for. And now that’s its almost here…I may not get to see it in theaters. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. 

No Time to Die (Nov. 20) – I was very disappointed that I was not able to see this movie earlier when it was originally supposed to release. I am a huge fan of James Bond, and up until Spectre I loved ALL of the Daniel Craig films. But I have high hopes for this one not only because it is Craig’s last Bond film (and therefore they shouldn’t hold anything back) but it is being directed by an incredibly creative director, was co-written by the incredibly talented Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and it promises to be less sexist. All good things. 

Tenet (Sept. 3) – Nolan has long commented on how he would have liked to direct a James Bond film. I think perhaps his career has transcended the James Bond franchise, so he will probably not get that opportunity because of his own success. However, the next best thing is to make your own version of James Bond, and that’s what (I think) Tenet will be. But with time travel. I can’t wait to be very confused but very entertained. 

The French Dispatch (Nov. 12) – I’m always up for a Wes Anderson film, and the sneak peaks we’ve been seeing for this one have left me salivating. The cast is great, and Anderson has never disappointed me. This is the fall of spy films, and I can’t wait to see Anderson’s take on the genre.

Antebellum (Sept. 18)- Based on the trailer alone I don’t know exactly what to expect with this film, but it has me very interested. Visually it looks to be breathtaking, but it should also have an important and timely story to tell. I like the idea of a sort of time traveling horror film, and making the horror aspect about something real (slavery) is *chefs kiss*. 

BECKY

Wonder Woman 1984 (Oct. 2)– Ever since I finally sat down to watch Wonder Woman earlier this year I’ve been itching to see the follow up. And all I’ve seen indicates that this will be a more than worthy continuation of Wonder Woman’s story. The big thing I’m looking forward to is finding out how exactly Steve Trevor is brought back for the story. I’m not sure when I’ll see this one (since I’m not comfortable returning to movie theaters just yet) but I know it will be worth the wait.

Rebecca (Oct. 21) – I only recently found out one of my favorite Hitchcock films was being remade, and while I don’t think this film can surpass the 1940 film with Laurence Olivier, I think it will be enjoyable. After all, it does star Armie Hammer, and ever since I watched The Man From Uncle I’ve been a fan of his work. I think it would be interesting to see him play Maxim de Winter.

Death on the Nile (Oct. 23) – If you liked Murder on the Orient Express, then you are definitely going to love Death on the Nile, as it is a direct follow up to that film. I haven’t seen the first film, but based on the trailer alone, I would go see Death on the Nile, not least because Gal Gadot is in it. There’s something about the glimpse we get of Poirot that intrigues me, enough that I regret not seeing Murder on the Orient Express in theaters. If Death on the Nile is anything like that film, then this will be one of the best films of the fall.

Soul (Nov. 20) – I am so excited about Soul it’s hard to put it into words. This is the type of subject matter I LIVE for in animated films: a story that goes deep and doesn’t pull any punches. Soul looks to be examining the very nature of existence and what it means to be alive, and I’m more than excited to see how the story goes.

Black Widow (Nov. 6) – I’m still not entirely okay with the existence of this film in the wake of Avengers: Endgame, but since it is here, I admit I’m excited to see what secrets might finally be revealed about Black Widow and her past. That being said, I still think this film came five years too late.

Even though the way we watch films is changing, it’s nice to know there are still plenty of movies to look forward too. Now let’s just hope they don’t get another push into next year!

Which movies are you most excited about for the rest of 2020?