2020 is going to be dominated by powerful women at the movies, assuming a new survey is anything to go on. First, we gotIMDb’s most anticipated movies of 2020, which putBirds of Preyat the top of its list. Now, according to Fandango,Wonder Woman 1984is the most-anticipated movie coming down the pipeline next year. Both are DC Comics movies with strong female leads, so there shouldn’t be too much followed backlash.
In Fandango’s list,Wonder Woman 1984is closely followed by Marvel’sBlack Widow. Not only are these movies led by female superheroes, but they also happen to be directed by women, which could make 2020 something of a groundbreaking year.
The fact that these two movies topped the list shouldn’t be too surprising.Wonder Womanwas one of the biggest hits of 2017, and with director Patty Jenkins reuniting with Gal Gadot for an 80s adventure, there’s a lot to love.Black Widow, meanwhile, is finally giving Scarlett Johannson her long-deserved solo movie in the MCU, with Cate Shortland (Lore) in the director’s chair. Marvel also owns the number three spot withEternals, which features an ensemble cast that includes Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani and Richard Madden. Chloe Zhao (The Rider) is in the director’s chair.
Coming in at number four isDisney’s live-action Mulan remake, which is yet another female-fronted, big-budget blockbuster directed by a woman. This time, Niki Caro (Whale Rider). That means all four of 2020’s most anticipated movies are directed by women and fronted by female stars. That’s no small thing, especially considering how rare that was even just a few years ago. Fandango correspondent Nikki Novak had this to say about it.
“As we head into the next decade the new cinematic offerings look promising, with inspiring stories and new definitions of the word ‘hero.’ Adventure-seeking fans can’t wait forWonder Woman 1984,Black Widow, andMulan, all films directed by women, to command the big screen. And with invigorating, fresh fare like Lin-Manuel Miranda’sIn the Heights, Marvel’sThe Eternalsand Pixar’sSoul, the 2020 box office will offer a cornucopia of welcome surprises.”
Daniel Craig’s final turn as James Bond comes in at number five withNo Time to Die, which is directed by Cary Fukunaga (True Detective) and will give a woman the 007 moniker for the first time, with Lashana Lynch taking over in James Bond’s absence. Though it should be noted that she is not taking the name Bond itself. Just behind 007 at number six isA Quiet Place: Part II, which will be fronted by another strong female hero in the form of Emily Blunt, who returns as the head of the Abbot family. John Krasinski, who directed the original, returns to direct. The number seven spot brings us yet another female-fronted comic book movie in the form ofBirds of Prey, which brings back Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. Cathy Yan (Dead Pigs) is directing.
Rounding out the list isIn the Heights, the movie adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, which is directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians). Another Disney title comes in at number withSoul, one of two original movies set to arrive from Pixar in 2020. Pete Docter and Kemp Powers co-directed the animated feature, which stars Jamie Foxx. Last, but certainly not least, we’ve gotFast & Furious 9, which brings back Vin Diesel and the rest of the Fast Family, reuniting them with series veteran director Justin Lin. Be sure to check out the full list fromFandangofor yourself below.
