Secret agents, gay aliens and elf cops: 10 movies that have us excited for 2020

Ryan Murphy produces this adaptation of the 2018 Broadway revival of Mart Crowley’s notorious play about a dysfunctional group of gay men living in New York. Joe Mantello also returns to direct, as does the entire cast. For the uninitiated, that includes Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer, Tuc Watkins, Andrew Rannells, Charlie Carver, Brian Hutchison, Michael Benjamin Washington, Robin de Jesús and Zachary Quinto. We’re hoping that this version–which reportedly will include the revised text of the 2018 revival as well–tones down the self-loathing of the characters, not to mention the subtle homophobic elements that make the original 1970 film cringe-inducing.

Release date pending, sometime in 2020.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe finally gets an out-gay superhero in this much-anticipated sci-fi romp. Rumor has it that character is the tech wiz Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry. Plot details remain mum, though given that the movie also stars queer actors Richard Madden and Angelina Jolie, as well as Kit Harrington, Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek, and Barry Keoghan, we definitely plan to hit up the multiplex.

November 6.

Without a Star Wars movie on the docket, how to scratch the itch for some space opera? Try this epic tale based on the novel by Frank Herbert, which also helped inspire Star Wars to screen. Denis Villeneuve (Arrival, Blade Runner 2049) directs with Timothee Chalamet in the lead as Paul Atreides, the son of a galactic duke. As a web of political intrigue ensnares Paul and his family, he begins to suspect he is actually a prophesied superbeing, destined to liberate the universe. David Lynch tried adapting Dune back in 1984 with disastrous results: the film ranks as one of the most incoherent, disgusting and homophobic movies ever made. Here’s hoping that Villeneuve avoids those pitfalls and delivers a movie worthy of the novel’s legacy…and Chalamet’s considerable talent.

December 18.

The original A Quiet Place surprised and delighted us with a mix of sci-fi thrills and suspense. This sequel reteams real-life married couple John Krasinski (who wrote & directs) and Emily Blunt as a mother trying to protect her family from an alien invasion. Apparently those sound-hunting aliens are still around, along with an even more dangerous enemy. Cillian Murphy & Djimon Hounsou also star. The original film knew a thing or two about how to actually scare an audience, as opposed to some movies (looking at you IT: Chapter 2) which substitute gore and special effects for genuine terror. We trust this sequel will keep up the good work.

March 20.

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop musical gets the movie treatment, which might actually improve the mixed reception it received on Broadway. In the Heights chronicles the story of Latino characters living in New York City, all of whom chase dreams of glory and face the realities of a changing neighborhood. Is it possible for someone to transcend his roots without forgetting them? Miranda will appear as Mr. Piragüero in the film alongside Daphne Rubin-Vega (of Rent fame) and Jimmy Smits, who actually sings. That alone should be worth the price of admission.

June 26.

Kenneth Branagh directs this long-awaited film adaptation of the popular novel about the titular kid supergenius searching for his lost father. His quest leads him into a criminal underworld of fairies and goblins, as Artemis (newcomer Ferdia Shaw) seeks to restore his family fortune. Disney, who produced the film, has a mixed record when it comes to fantasy adaptations: for every The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe the studio also has a Wrinkle in Time weighing it down. Still, any movie which features Judi Dench as a crusty elf cop has our attention.

May 29.

Christopher Nolan returns with one of his big-budget sci-fi epics in the vein of Interstellar and Inception. Like those movies, the plot also remains under tight wraps, though we know Tenet will involve a time-traveling secret agent trying to prevent World War III. John David Washington stars alongside Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh and Robert Pattinson. Tenet may or may not live up to its own hype, but given Nolan’s track record when it comes to this kind of cerebral actioner, we feel confident the movie will be worth a look.

July 17.

We still love the original 1990 version of Roald Dahl’s novel, which used effects by the late Jim Henson to bring to life a world off creepy child-murdering witches, and a little boy committed to destroying them. Robert Zemeckis directs this remake with Anne Hathaway in the lead, and which features Chris Rock, Octavia Spencer and Stanley Tucci in supporting roles. Given that Zemeckis also directed the effects-heavy black comedy classic Death Becomes Her, we anticipate a bewitching time at the theatre…hopefully chock full of some bitchy dark comedy gold.

October 9.