A List of 2020 Films Delayed Due to COVID-19

Due to the severeness of the COVID-19 pandemic and the complete shutdown of theatres in most areas, many studios have postponed the release of their upcoming films. Within the past few weeks, we have compiled a list of every major 2020 release that has been postponed indefinitely or rescheduled.

FIRST COW – Instead of dropping the film on VOD, A24 announced that they will be holding off to re-release Kelly Reichardt’s acclaimed film once theatres reopen. The film played in select theatres in North America for just over a week, but was prematurely pulled due to the shutdown.

A QUIET PLACE PART II – The highly anticipated sequel to one of 2018’s biggest breakout hits had already been screened for critics and was nearly a week away from its release, when director John Krasinski announced via Instagram that the film was postponed to a later date. The film is currently scheduled to release on September 4th, 2020.

THE CLIMB – Sony Pictures Classics acclaimed indie comedy screened at a variety of festivals including last year’s TIFF and this year’s Sundance film festivals. It was scheduled to release on March 20th, 2020, but has been delayed indefinitely.

THE TRUTH – Hirokazu Kore-eda’s latest film premiered at Cannes in 2019 to a strong critical reception and opened theatrically in certain countries a few months later. IFC had set a North American release date for March 20th domestically, but has since been postponed. IFC announced that it will be included in their summer 2020 release slate as long as theatres are open, but an exact release date has not yet been set.

MULAN – Disney’s highly anticipated remake of their acclaimed animated classic was set to release on March 27th, but has since been postponed to July 24th, 2020.

PETER RABBIT 2: THE RUNAWAY – The sequel to the 2018 family film Peter Rabbit was set to be released in North America on April 3rd. Sony initially postponed the film to August but has now been given a release date of January 15th, 2021.

THE LOVEBIRDS – This action-packed romantic comedy starring Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani was initially set to hold its world premiere at SXSW before releasing theatrically on April 3rd, 2020. However, the film was postponed indefinitely before being sold to Netflix who have since given it a release date of May 22nd, 2020.

NEW MUTANTS – After numerous delays, Disney has once again postponed 20th Century’s X-Men spinoff after its most recent release date of April 3rd, 2020. Disney has yet to announce a new release date.

ANTLERS – Searchlight Pictures’ highly anticipated independent horror film was set to release on April 17th, 2020 but has since been postponed indefinitely.

NO TIME TO DIE – The highly anticipated 25th instalment in the James Bond franchise was the first film to be postponed due to COVID-19, causing an unprecedented seismic shift across the film industry. It was initially set to release this past April but has been postponed to November 12th, 2020. in the UK and November 25th, 2020. in North America.

ANTEBELLUM – Lionsgate’s highly anticipated “social horror” movie starring Janelle Monae was initially scheduled to hit theatres on April 24th but has been rescheduled to August 21st, 2020.

BLACK WIDOW (+ THE ETERNALS & OTHER FILMS IN THE MCU) – The first film of Phase 4 of the MCU was initially set to release on May 1st but has since been moved to November 6th, 2020; the original release date of The Eternals. Additionally, Disney further restructured the MCU’s entire “Phase 4” release calendar. The Eternals has since been pushed back to February 12th, 2021; Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings has been pushed to May 7th, 2021;  Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has been moved to November 5th, 2021; Thor: Love & Thunder is set to be released on February 18th, 2022; Black Panther 2 will now be released on May 8th, 2022; Captain Marvel 2 has now been given a release date and will open on July 8th, 2022.

THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD – After premiering last year at TIFF, Armando Iannucci’s comedic retelling of the classic Charles Dickens novel was set to release on May 8th but has since been delayed until further notice.

SPIRAL – Chris Rock’s unique take on the Saw franchise was scheduled to hit theatres on May 15th, 2020. but has since been pushed an entire year to May 21st, 2021.

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW – Joe Wright’s highly anticipated thriller starring Amy Adams, Julianne Moore and Gary Oldman was set to release on May 15th, 2020. but has since been postponed indefinitely.

FAST & FURIOUS 9 – The latest instalment in the ever-growing Fast & Furious franchise was set to be released on May 22nd and was expected to be one of the year’s biggest financial successes, however, Universal decided to postpone the film to April 2nd, 2021.

SPONGEBOB: SPONGE ON THE RUN – Paramount’s animated family film was scheduled to be released on May 22nd but has since been rescheduled to August 7th, 2020.

WONDER WOMAN 1984 – Patty Jenkins’ highly anticipated sequel to the 2017 smash hit Wonder Woman, was initially scheduled to be released on June 5th but has since been pushed back to August 14th, 2020.

CANDYMAN – This Jordan Peele produced horror film based on a classic legend was scheduled to be released on June 12th but has since been moved to September 25th, 2020.

GREYHOUND – After numerous date switches, Tom Hanks’ WWII drama finally settled on a June 12th, 2020 release date. However, the film has since been delayed for a fourth time and does not currently have a new release date.

SOUL – Pixar’s highly anticipated upcoming film was scheduled to hit theatres on July 19th (the usual Pixar release date spot), but has since been rescheduled to November 20th, 2020. That release date is significant as it will also mark the 25th anniversary since the release of Pixar’s first feature-length film, Toy Story.

IN THE HEIGHTS – Warner Bros.’ highly anticipated adaptation of Lin Manuel Miranda’s Tony winning musical of the same name was scheduled to hit theatres on June 26th, 2020. but has since been pushed back an entire year to June 18th, 2021.

TOP GUN: MAVERICK – The highly anticipated sequel to Tom Cruise’s 1985 smash hit was initially set to be released on June 24th, but has since been pushed back to December 23rd, 2020. With a Christmas weekend release date, many Oscar fans are wondering if its now possible that Tom Cruise could get some attention during awards season for his performance.

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU – The latest film in Illumination Pictures’ highly successful Despicable Me franchise was initially set to be released on July 3rd, 2020. However, the film has been pushed back an entire year and will now be released on July 2nd, 2021.

FREE GUY – Ryan Reynolds’ video game inspired comedy was scheduled to hit theatres on July 3rd but has since been postponed until December 11th, 2020.

GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE – The latest film in the Ghostbusters franchise was scheduled to hit theatres on July 10th, 2020. but has since been pushed back to March 5th, 2021.

THE FRENCH DISPATCH – Wes Anderson’s star-studded journalism dramedy was scheduled to hit theatres on July 24th, but has since been pushed to October 16th, 2020. This date change cements The French Dispatch as a major awards contender.

JUNGLE CRUISE – Disney initially planned to release this adventure-comedy starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt on July 30th, 2021. However, due to the rescheduling of Mulan, they decided to push back Jungle Cruise a full year to July 30th, 2021.

MORBIUS – The latest film in Sony Pictures’ expanded Spider-Man universe was set to be released on July 2020 but has since been pushed back to March 19th, 2021.

• INFINITE – Antoine Fuqua’s latest film was set to be released on August 7th but has since been postponed until May 28th, 2021. However, it is unclear whether the film was pushed back exclusively because of the Coronavirus.
• MALIGNANT – James Wan’s latest horror film was set to be released on August 14th but has since been delayed indefinitely due to Wonder Woman 1984 now occupying the film’s former release date.
• NOBODY – Universal’s upcoming action-thriller starring Bob Odenkirk was scheduled to hit theatres on August 14th, 2020. but has since been pushed back to February 26th, 2021.
• THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK – The highly anticipated prequel to the acclaimed HBO series The Sopranos was originally set to be release in September 2020 but has since been pushed back to March 12th, 2021.
• VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE – The sequel to Sony’s commercially successful Spider-Man spinoff, Venom, has been moved from October 2020 to June 25th, 2021.
• KING RICHARD – Will Smith’s Richard Williams biopic was scheduled to be released in November 2020 but has since been pushed back an entire year to November 19th, 2021. The release date indicates that the studio is confident in its awards prospects.
• RAYA & THE LAST DRAGON – Disney Animation’s latest film was initially scheduled to be released on November 25th, 2020 but has since been pushed to March 12th, 2021, due to Soul claiming its former release date.

In the coming weeks, we will continue to provide updates regarding any further delays.

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Tristan French