Movies to look forward to this year

Timoothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica Atreides in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Chiabella James

Cherry”: Who doesn’t love Tom Holland? This crime drama follows a former Army medic suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and drug addiction who turns to robbing banks as a way to fund his habit. This film promises to break Tom Holland’s typecasting as the sweet, lovable boy we all know him as, not to mention offering a commentary on the treatment of veterans and those suffering from PTSD. Directed by the Russo brothers, this film looks like it will keep audiences on the edge of their seats throughout its runtime. “Cherry” is scheduled to release Feb. 26, 2021. 

James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, prepares to shoot in “No Time To Die,” an EON Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios film. Photo by Nicola Dove © 2020 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM. All Rights Reserved.

No Time to Die”: Ah, Mr. Bond. “No Time to Die” will feature Daniel Craig in his fifth and final appearance as the infamous 007. This exciting new chapter in the Bond legacy holds endless possibilities. With Craig exiting the project after this film, there is no telling what will happen to Agent Bond or who will replace him. After 27 — yep, count ‘em, 27 — Bond movies, it will be hard to bring a fresh take on the resilient character. By ending this chapter in James Bond’s story, hopefully we can see some new blood and ideas injected into this storyline. “No Time to Die” is scheduled to release April 2, 2021. 

Monica Barbaro and Tom Cruise on the set of “Top Gun: Maverick” from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. Photo by Scott Garfield © 2019 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All rights reserved.

Top Gun: Maverick”: “Top Gun” is a legendary movie, one that single-handedly had me daydreaming for six months about being a fighter pilot. This sequel shows us the same reckless Maverick that has a need for speed, but this time he’s much older and teaching a new generation of hotshot pilots. The film features plenty of high-speed dogfights, impressive stunts and cinematography, and, of course, shirtless beach volleyball. Good sequels are often hard to pull off, especially with a film as loved as “Top Gun,” but this film looks poised to live up to the hype. I will say this, if I don’t hear “Danger Zone” at least once, I will be highly disappointed. “Top Gun: Maverick” is scheduled to release July 2, 2021. 

Zendaya as Chani in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo by Chiabella James

Dune”: This science fiction film has all the makings of a blockbuster: big names, an enormous budget and a lot of hype. Famed director Denis Villeneuve and legendary composer Hans Zimmer are involved in the production aspect, while the cast boasts names like Timothèe Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem. This film is based on a novel of the same name, which reportedly inspired parts of “Star Wars.” “Dune” is scheduled to release Oct. 1, 2021. 

The Matrix 4”: Will you take the red pill or the blue pill? The internet loves Keanu Reeves right now, so what better time to release another “Matrix” movie? In the age of the simulation conspiracy — the idea that we live in a simulation — the “Matrix” movies are timely and poignant. The plot is still unknown, but the new installment promises a plethora of sci-fi action. “The Matrix: 4” is scheduled to release Dec. 22, 2021.