It’s Time to Prepare for the Sequels and Prequels of the Future

It’s Time to Prepare for the Sequels and Prequels of the Future

Losing weight, reading, creating something new: We all have our own goals when it comes to bettering ourselves during quarantine. Some of those goals are lofty. Others are much more manageable. Like, perhaps, preparing for the world on the other side of quarantine. And that preparation can mean anything. Like, let’s say, getting ready for all the movie sequels fans will be blessed with when movie theatres open safely again.

So what sequels (and prequels) are coming, and where can you watch the originals? Here you go.

Wonder Woman 1984 is out soon. (Photo: Warner Bros.)
Wonder Woman 1984 is out soon. (Photo: Warner Bros.)

Wonder Woman 1984

Current Release Date: October 1

Films to Watch: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, and Wonder Woman

Where to Find Them: Rent or buy.

Why: Diana’s story began in those films, and knowing where she came from will surely be crucial to where she’s going.

[referenced id=”1221293″ url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2020/06/wonder-woman-1984-is-delayed-but-here-are-17-other-female-fighters-to-watch-in-the-meantime/” thumb=”https://gizmodo.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/06/hag0xtddvfnj4hxikyxk-300×169.jpg” title=”Wonder Woman 1984 Is Delayed, But Here Are 17 Other Female Fighters to Watch in the Meantime” excerpt=”Today was supposed to be the day we got to hear that unmistakable guitar riff again. You know the one. The song that plays when Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman makes an epic entrance (or at least some radical ‘80s remixes this time!). To hopefully provide some consolation, we’ve compiled a…”]

Candyman

Current Release Date: October 15

Films to Watch: Candyman, Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh, Candyman: Day of the Dead

Where to Find Them: Candyman: Day of the Dead is on Amazon Prime; the original and Farewell to the Flesh are for rental and purchase only

Why: The new film, while a reboot, will reportedly dive back into the original. And while the sequels to the first film probably won’t have much to do with this new take, they can help set the mood.

Black Widow

Current Release Date: October 29

Films to Watch: Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame

Where to Find Them: All are on Disney+

Why: Hypothetically, you shouldn’t need to know the history of Black Widow to follow her solo film. But, since she — spoiler alert — dies in Endgame, comprehensive knowledge of her story without this piece will only enrich the experience.

Bond confronts his past in No Time to Die. (Photo: MGM)
Bond confronts his past in No Time to Die. (Photo: MGM)

No Time to Die

Current Release Date: November 12

Films to Watch: Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre

Where to Find Them: Casino Royale is on Stan. The others are rentals or purchases only.

Why: James Bond movies almost always stand alone. But from the latest trailer, you can tell this one definitely links back to the previous Daniel Craig films. Knowing those stories will absolutely help this one make more sense.

Dune

Current Release Date: December 18

Films to Watch: Dune (1984)

Where to Find It: Amazon

Why: To be honest, you do not need to see the David Lynch Dune to get into the new film. However, watching it may help give some early context to the complex world and even act as a measuring stick of just how good, or bad, the new one will be.

Mortal Kombat

Current Release Date: January 14, 2021

Films to Watch: Mortal Kombat (1995)

Where to Find Them: On Netflix

Why: Like Dune, the original version of this film isn’t going help you learn more about what happens in the new movie. It’ll just give you perspective on a different way to tackle the franchise. Plus, it’s awesome.

The cast and crew of Eternals. (Photo: Disney)
The cast and crew of Eternals. (Photo: Disney)

Eternals

Current Release Date: February 11, 2021

Films to Watch: Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Thor: Ragnarok

Where to Find Them: On Disney+

Why: It’s safe to assume that Eternals is going to stand alone from the rest of the MCU before tying anything back in. But since it’s a good bet that some of the movie will take place in space, a working knowledge of what space is like in the MCU could be useful. Or not.

The King’s Man

Current Release Date: February 25, 2021

Films to Watch: Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Where to Find Them: Both to rent or purchase only

Why: Same filmmaker, same universe, same story, just set way earlier. Knowing who the Kingsmen are and what they do will absolutely add to this new film, which is a prequel origin story of the group.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Current Release Date: March 21, 2021

Films to Watch: Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters 2

Where to Find Them: To rent only

Why: Unlike the 2016 film, Afterlife is a direct sequel to the first two Ghostbusters movies. Knowing those characters probably isn’t necessary to enjoy the new film, but it will help immensely.

Jared Leto in Morbius. (Photo: Sony)
Jared Leto in Morbius. (Photo: Sony)

Morbius

Current Release Date: March 18, 2021

Films to Watch: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Venom

Where to Find Them: Only to rent or buy.

Why: It’s unknown just how tied into everything this Jared Leto vehicle will be, but it wouldn’t hurt to see other Sony Spider-villain films as well as the movie that links everything. They’re the most likely connective tissue out there.

F9

Current Release Date: April 1, 2021

Films to Watch: The Fast and the Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious, The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, Fast Five, Fast & Furious 6, Furious 7, The Fate of the Furious

Where to Find Them: Most of the prequels are just to rent or buy.

Why: Why the hell not, that’s why! Seriously though, all the movies link together to tell one story, and seeing them will help explain why this one looks so important.

A Quiet Place Part II

Current Release Date: April 22, 2021

Films to Watch: A Quiet Place

Where to Find It: Amazon Prime

Why: Because it’s a direct sequel with the same director and cast. A must-watch.

And that’s just through next autumn. The rest of 2021, hypothetically, has even more. Here’s a partial list if you really want to get ahead on film prep:

Spiral, Godzilla vs Kong, Jurassic World: Dominion, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Suicide Squad, The Batman, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, Halloween Kills, Spider-Man 3, Mission Impossible 7, Black Adam.

Note: All dates and availability subject to change. These movies also move on and off streamers weekly. Plus, you know, covid-19. Also, some titles are available with cable subscriptions.