Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
THE EMPTY THEATER — COVID-19 has taken a toll on moviegoing. The truth is, I doubt it will ever be the same.
I hope this pandemic doesn’t kill movie theaters because I’m an old soul when it comes to films. I like to get the theater experience: the smell of the popcorn, the thrill of the big screen and the idea that an entire theater of strangers are companions on a journey for the next two hours.
Some theaters here in Utah, and across the country, plan on opening in July. Studios have started announcing new release dates for some of those titles we’ve been waiting for and were supposed to get all the way back in April.
While these dates could change again, here is the new release schedule for some of the new movies headed to a theater near you.
July
"Inception" re-release (July 17)
This one is marked on my calendar because the 2010 Christopher Nolan film "Inception" is one of my all-time favorite movies, and it’s headed back to the big screen.
Nolan’s newest film "Tenet" was supposed to release on July 17, but that date was moved. So, Warner Bros. has decided to re-release the time-bending thriller for its 10-year anniversary.
"Mulan" (July 24)
The live-action remake of the Disney animated "Mulan" was supposed to hit theaters back in the early spring, but coronavirus had other plans. The film is now slated to ride into theaters on Pioneer Day.
"Tenet" (July 31)
The aforementioned "Tenet" has been one of the most talked-about and anticipated films of 2020, and we will hopefully get to see all the mind-altering insanity Christopher Nolan has for us.
There isn’t a lot known about the plot, other than it deals with time manipulation and a lot of explosions and trippy filmmaking — which is why most of us are excited.
August
"The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge On The Run" (Aug. 7)
Here’s one for the family. The newest entry in the Spongebob canon is headed to theaters in August, and this one has Keanu Reeves so it may be worth checking out.
"Bill and Ted Face the Music" (Aug. 14)
Speaking of Keanu Reeves, the third and much-delayed film in the "Bill and Ted" franchise is finally coming to theaters.
The movie promises all the absurd and idiotic fun we’ve come to expect from the Wyld Stallyns. If everything goes as planned, we’ll get to see it in August.
"The New Mutants" (Aug. 28)
The next chapter in the "X-Men" film universe has experienced all kinds of delays, pushing the movie back years. Then, right before it was finally going to release, COVID-19 hit and pushed the film yet again.
It almost seems like the universe doesn’t want us to see this movie. But if the filmmakers get their way and beat fate, we’ll finally see it at the end of August.
September
"A Quiet Place Part II" (Sept. 4)
"A Quiet Place" was of my favorite films of 2018, and I was so excited to see the sequel last April.
In fact, I was just a couple of days away from attending the press screening when we were put on COVID-19 lockdown and the release date was moved. I hope this date holds firm and we all get to finally see the sequel in September.
"The King’s Man" (Sept. 18)
The prequel to the "Kingsman" franchise has hopped to a few different release dates, but it is now scheduled to hit theaters in September.
October
"Wonder Woman 1984" (Oct. 2)
Originally set to release back in May, the new "Wonder Woman" movie is now scheduled for October.
The sequel to what is arguably the best DC Comics movie jumps up in time from World War I to the 1980s and brings back some familiar faces while introducing some fan-favorite villains.
"The French Dispatch" (Oct. 16)
Originally slated to hit theaters in August, the newest film from Wes Anderson is now coming in October. "The French Dispatch" includes a huge cast of big names and will have Anderson fans anxiously waiting for October.
November
"Black Widow" (Nov. 6)
The solo movie for Marvel's Black Widow was supposed to grace theaters in May, but the change pushed it indefinitely. Now it has a release date. The highly anticipated Marvel movie is now coming to theaters in November.
"No Time To Die" (Nov. 20)
Daniel Craig was supposed to make his last appearance as James Bond in April, but that changed due to COVID-19.
The newest Bond film, which has an official run time of just under three hours, will now be a holiday treat when it hits theaters in late November.
"Soul" (Nov. 20)
Pixar and Disney plan to go toe-to-toe with James Bond and release their second animated film of 2020, "Soul."
Pixar and Disney had a rough go already in 2020 when "Onward" performed badly at the box office thanks to COVID-19 and theaters shutting down. Hopefully, they won’t suffer the same fate with "Soul."
December
"Free Guy" (Dec. 11)
Ryan Reynolds' newest flick, "Free Guy," is now expected to hit theaters just before Christmas. The comedy also stars Taika Waititi, Joe Keery and Jodie Comer.
"Top Gun: Maverick" (Dec. 23)
We were supposed to see Maverick take to the skies again in July, but coronavirus grounded the rebel pilot. We knew it wouldn’t be long before he got clearance to take off once again. The sequel more than 30 years in the making will hit theaters just in time for Christmas.
