With days getting shorter, feet getting colder and the climactic apocalypse getting closer,
cinema becomes our only salvation. Well, cinema and zero carbon emissions but, since films
are easier to put on a listicle, we will have to settle for that – at least until the apocalypse.
From long-awaited Marvel promises like Eternals, Venom and Spider Man, to unpretentious
cult portraits like Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch and newly born classics like Dune,
there is no climate-change anxiety that can resist a good dose of highly anticipated
blockbuster illusion.
Therefore, if you want to forget about the impending doom of planet Earth while engaging
in some fictional fun, have a look at Junkie’s best films 2021 to watch in theatres.
Marvel Studios’ Eternals | Final Trailer
1. Eternals (release UK 5 November / US 4 November)
First up, organic pop-corn in hand, explore the space with Eternals, a new world mythology by Marvel about an immortal alien race who have secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years but now must get together to protect the planet from evil. Starring Salma Hayek and Angelina Jolie and directed by Oscar-winning Cholé Zhao, the film also has Harry Styles (the singer who dresses well, yes, yes, yes), Kit Harington and Richard Madden (both from Game of Thrones). Released in the UK on 5 November and available on theatres only but should come up on Disney + shortly.
2. Spider-Man: No Way Home (release UK / US on 17 December)
Coming up to UK theatres on 17 December, Spider-Man: No Way Home is likely to be Tom Holland’s last official appearance in the MCU universe before shaking his cobwebs and crawling back to Sony. The cast of spidey stars includes Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Alfred Molina and Jamie Foxx. Spider-man does whatever a spider can, indeed!
3. Venom: Let There Be Carnage (UK 15 October / US 7 October)
The second instalment in the Venom series, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, much like the first, has been harshly criticised by hardcore fans of the comic books but it is still entertaining. The cast has Tom Hardy as Venom, plus Woody Harrelson and Michelle Williams. Hardy also has credits for the story. You can watch the film in UK theatres since its premiere in October.
VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE – Official Trailer 2 (HD) – YouTube
4. The French Dispatch (UK 22nd October / US 18th November)
Wes Anderson’s latest romance/comedy has all the traditional Anderson features: streamlined and angular scenarios, frontal blown-out shots, pastel colours, intelligent script and unexpectedly funny characters. The cast has Bill Murray (obvs), Owen Wilson (from Handmaid’s Tale), Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton and more. Currently available in cinemas in the UK.
5. Dune (UK / US 21st October)
Dune is a highly anticipated adaptation by Denis Villeneuve of Frank Herbert’s novel. Called a “masterpiece” by Esquire, this big sci-fi film is already a classic; and there is a second instalment to come. The cast has Thimothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem. Currently available in cinemas and on HBO Max.
