It’s probably not at the top of our minds, but coronavirus and COVID-19 have delayed lots of movies. It doesn’t make much sense to release a film to theaters when no one is going to theaters. For people like myself who frequently visit movie theaters, it’s something we’re missing about now. I was looking forward to seeing lots of movies this spring and summer.

Here are 7 movies I was looking forward to.

7 Coronavirus-Delayed Movies

1. Antebellum

The producers of Get Out and Us have a new horror film, but I don’t know much about the plot. In fact, their marketing strategy here relies mostly on links to the previous films without revealing too much. But that’s fine with me. The names are enough to get me interested. I suspect Antebellum will continue their exploration of themes at the intersection of horror and racialized oppression.

Here’s what we know. Janelle Monáe stars as an author trapped in an alternate reality. And I’m excited to see Monáe in a starring role. I think she’s perfect for more cerebral takes on the horror genre.

2. A Quiet Place Part II

Another horror film! I’m typically not a fan of horror at all, but this continues a theme in recent years: the smart horror film for people who don’t usually like the horror genre. It Follows was a great example, and the theme traces back perhaps to 28 Days Later.

This is a sequel to A Quiet Place, which featured an innovative near-silent movie experience. The total lack of sound in the first 45 minutes left theater audiences carefully eating their popcorn, lest they disturb those around them. The idea allowed filmmakers to build new kinds of suspense.

With the sequel, I’m expecting more plot development: how and why the aliens arrived, et al. It could greatly enrich the plot of both films.

3. Blue Story

Blue Story is a 2019 British film, but coronavirus delayed its U.S. release. It’s gotten great reviews. The movie centers on gang wars in London, specifically two friends who find themselves on opposing sides. For a dose of realism, it depicts actual London gangs. I’d like to see something on the dynamics of gangs outside the U.S., and so I think this one will be worthwhile.

4. Bob’s Burgers: The Movie

To make a confession: I had no idea there was going to be a Bob’s Burgers movie before I started thinking about this post! I was delighted to discover there’s one in the works. Does it have a plot? Probably. I’m not sure I care. From what I’ve watched of the show, I’ve loved it. And I’d love to see 90-120 minutes of it on the big screen. Apparently 20th Century Fox rescheduled it to April 2021, so we all have something to look forward to for next spring.

5. First Cow

This is another 2019 film with a delayed U.S release. I’ve seen numerous previews for it, and I’ll admit I rolled my eyes. It looks like hipster, film nerd paradise. Usually not my thing.

But I found this one compelling. Its premise is people living off the land by taking from wealthy landowners. So, the praxis looks good. Beyond that, it’s visually striking and appears well made. I don’t think it’ll be my favorite film of 2019-2020, but I’m expecting a good impact.

6. No Time to Die

The conclusion of Daniel Craig’s James Bond storyline was supposed to hit theaters in April. Alas, it didn’t happen. Fortunately, they’ve completed filming and merely delayed the release to November. When we last left Bond, he defeated Spectre, a secretive organization influencing the world.

The one takes an apparent odd turn, with Bond coming out retirement at the behest of Felix Leiter, a CIA operative and friend of Bond played by Jeffrey Wright. It looks like all that’s left is for Bond to pass the torch, so it’ll be interesting to see where they go with it.

Bonus: 7. Portrait of a Lady on Fire

I’ve included this film as a bonus rather than on the regular list because it technically had a pre-release in the U.S. in February 2020. And, in fact, I saw it during the pre-release. I saw it at FilmScene in Iowa City, and it’s a fantastic movie! Really. I’m excited to see it again when theaters open up.

The film hits all the right notes for me – it’s an artsy, French film about the insecurities of the upper middle class, and it’s set in a compelling 18th century historical period. It’s also very methodically paced, which I love. Between that and the focus on art, I’d compare it to Barry Lyndon.

Barry Lyndon is one of my favorite films, and I don’t make that comparison lightly. Ultimately, it’s a love story between two women – one hired to paint the other. But don’t worry too much about the plot. See it for the overall experience.

What to Read Next

I’ve written several posts on film, particularly on the intersection between film and politics. You might want to read a few of these other posts next. Here they are.

The Rise of Skywalker
The Killmonger Rorschach Test
Booksmart and Good Boys
5 Best Movies of 2019
Green Book and Teen Vogue
5 Successful Anti-Capitalist Films

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