70. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”
As if the onslaught of Disney+ series and ‘No Way Home’ trailers have repeatedly confirmed, don’t expect Marvel to slow down the expansion of the multiverse anytime soon. With director Sam Raimi returning to the genre he helped popularize, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” further expands the MCU’s cosmic borders, Elizabeth Olsen reprising her role as Scarlet Witch alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and introducing fan-favorite America Chavez (Xochtil Gomez), who can punch portals to other universes out of thin air.
Release Date: May 6, via Disney. – AB
69. “Rustin”
Following the success of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” director George C. Wolfe reteams with Netflix for “Rustin,” a biopic of gay, civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, who organized the 1963 March on Washington. The cast is stacked: Colman Domingo in the lead, Chris Rock, Glynn Turman, Audra McDonald, Aml Ameen, CCH Pounder, Michael Potts, and Bill Irwin. Dustin Lance Black wrote the script, and the Obamas count themselves among the producers.
Release Date: TBD, but it’s filming now and may be ready for the end of the year. – RP
68. “Infinity Pool”
Filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg is a chip off the old block, and “Possessor” cemented his status as a director who could get as gnarly and fucked-up as dear old dad, but with a distinct voice too. His latest tackles the all-inclusive vacation industry and centers on a fatal accident that exposes a resort’s perverse subculture of hedonistic tourism, reckless violence, and surreal horrors. Alexander Skarsgård, Mia Goth, and Cleopatra Coleman star.
Release Date: TBD, but it’s already in post and feels like it could debut at Cannes if it’s ready. – RP
67. “I Came By”
Starring rising talent George MacKay, Kelly Macdonald, and Hugh Bonneville, award-winning director Babak Anvari (“Under the Shadow”) takes on the neo-noir thriller. The film follows a rebellious young graffiti artist who targets the homes of the wealthy elite but discovers a shocking secret that leads him on a journey endangering himself and those closest to him. MacKay has been on a roll lately, and the skilled actor continues to expand his resume.
Release Date: TBD, via Netflix. – AB
66. “Fire Island”
A spin on Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” “Fire Island” follows two best friends embarking on a weeklong getaway to a “famous gay escape destination off the southern shore of Long Island.” Directed by Andrew Ahn—who helmed one of 2020’s underseen gems, “Driveways” —stars Joel Kim Booster (who also wrote the film’s screenplay), Bowen Yang, and Margaret Cho. Ahn is undoubtedly a creative talent worth watching, so we’re excited for this one.
Release Date: TBD, via Hulu – AB
65. “Havoc”
It’s a tad surprising “The Raid” director Gareth Evans hasn’t been snagged up by a studio for a big-budget project yet. We shall see if his newest Tom Hardy-led vehicle, “Havoc,” changes that. “After a drug deal goes awry, a detective must fight his way through a criminal underworld… while untangling his city’s dark web of conspiracy and corruption.” The Netflix-produced action-thriller is right up Evan’s alley.
Release Date: TBD, via Netflix – AB
64. “My Policeman”
Directed by renowned theatre producer Michael Grandage, “My Policeman,” based on the book by Bethan Roberts, stars Harry Styles as a gay policeman named Tom, who marries a school teacher, Marion (Emma Corrin), concealing his true desires from 1950s society. Entering a relationship with a museum curator named Patrick (David Dawson), Tom’s closeted secret may unravel the lives of them all.
Release Date: TBD, via Amazon – AB
63. “Elvis”
Whatever Baz Luhrmann (“Romeo + Juliet,” “Moulin Rouge!”) decides to make, you can assure that the results will contain many layers of pomp, glitz, and visual extravagance. His latest is a look at the life of the legendary rock and roll star Elvis Presley. Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Yolanda Quartey feature, and rising star Austin Butler— whose measured cool allowed him to steal scenes in “Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood” and “The Dead Don’t Die”— as the King.
Release Date: June 24, via Warner Brothers. – NL
62. “Rebel Ridge”
A high-velocity thriller from filmmaker Jeremy Saulnier (“Green Room”), his latest is set to explore systemic American injustices through bone-breaking action sequences, suspense, and dark humor. “Rebel Ridge” was all set to be one of the biggest movies of the year, and then trouble struck. Lead actor John Boyega split under controversial circumstances (diva sounding, but his team has denied), but the show goes on. Aaron Pierre (“The Underground Railroad”) will replace Boyega; the cast now features Don Johnson, James Badge Dale, James Cromwell, Anna-Sophia Robb, and Emory Cohen, with filming resuming in early 2022.
Release Date: End of 2022? Via Netflix. –RP
61. “Bullet Train”
A big-budget blockbuster sporting a ridiculously stacked cast, “Bullet Train” stars Brad Pitt, Joey King, Andrew Koji, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Zazie Beetz, Michael Shannon, Masi Oka, Logan Lerman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Karen Fukuhara, Sandra Bullock, AND… Bad Bunny? Sarcasm aside, director David Leitch’s actioner sounds freaking awesome, following five assassins on a bullet train whose assignments are all interconnected—the kind of flick that knows precisely what its appeal is.
Release Date: April 8, via Sony. – AB
