So many brand-new movies have been released early to be streamed online now as cinemas are still closed
The Coronavirus pandemic forced our beloved cinemas to shut their doors, putting tonnes of new movie productions on hold.
While it's a sad time for film fans and big-screen buffs, the good news is that major production companies are granting early online releases, and some of the latest films are being rolled out on various digital platforms.
Many major film releases for 2020 have also been pushed back due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with some high-profile movie studios forced to rethink schedules, campaigns and budgets. At the beginning of March, MGM pushed back the release of the latest Bond film, No Time To Die, from 1st April to November, a decision which reportedly cost the studio £39.7 million.
Universal Pictures rescheduled the release date of Fast & Furious 9 from May until April 2021, even though they launched the trailer earlier this year.
Over at Paramount, A Quiet Place II was postponed just one week before its release date, while Marvel called off the release of Black Widow. Disney, too, announced their indefinite postponement on the releases of Mulan, The New Mutants and horror film Antlers.
But some recent theatrical releases are heading online just weeks or days after premiering, a process which usually takes around three months. Frozen II was released on Disney Plus three months ahead of schedule, followed by Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker which was released as a digital purchase. Then Universal Studios followed suit, shifting its latest movie releases to streaming sites.
The situation throws up interesting questions for how we'll consume films going forward, as this is a way to test how new releases perform without the traditional 'cinema first' route, simply heading straight to digital and streaming sites.
We are personally so excited for the release of former GLAMOUR UK cover star Tracee Ellis Ross' new film, The High Note. With the glitter-tastic landscape of the LA music scene as the backdrop, Grace Davis, played by Tracee, has reached the top of the music game. However, she fears as she ages, she looses her relevance. Step forward her overworked personal assistant, played by Dakota Johnson who also knows how to write a hit song. The results are musical dynamite.
Although we hope this doesn't have a lasting affect on our cinemas – is there a better date night than the big screen + an enormous bag of popcorn? – we are also in desperate need of some new flicks to keep us entertained in lockdown. These are the new movies you can now watch from home...
1. And Then We Danced
And Then We Danced throws a spotlight on homophobia in conservative Tbilisi, Georgia, focusing on a young dance student, Merab, who falls in love with his male classmate, Irakli. Despite being a current release, the moving coming-of-age film can be rented from BFI Player, which is a great alternative for cinema buffs looking for something a bit different.
From £4.99 a month, player.bfi.org.uk
2. The Invisible Man
Elisabeth Moss as scientist Cecilia Kass will have you on the edge of your living room seat in The Invisible Man . When her abusive boyfriend commits suicide, Cecilia is left with £5 million of his fortune – but she’s convinced his death was a hoax. As a series of creepy events unfold, Cecilia descends into despair as she desperately tries to prove she’s being haunted by someone no one can see.
Available to rent from on-demand services such as iTunes, Amazon and Rakuten TV for £15.99.
3. Emma
Released in UK cinemas in February, this modern reimagining of Jane Austen's beloved classic can now be viewed at home. Anna Taylor-Joy plays a mischievous matchmaker who meddles in the love lives of her friends and family.
Available to rent for £15.99 across most on-demand platforms.
4. Bloodshot
Fancy some Vin Diesel comic book action in lockdown? Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel) is a murdered marine resurrected by a team of scientists – with superhuman powers. Bloodshot only enjoyed a week of cinematic release before COVID-19 shut cinemas, and is now available for digital purchase across most major streaming platforms.
Rent for £3.49 in SD on Amazon and Google Play.
5. The Hunt
In this satire action-horror, 12 strangers wake up in a clearing with no idea where they are or how they got there. It soon becomes clear that they're part of The Hunt, which sees a group of elites hunt ordinary Americans for sport. Until one of the Hunted (Betty Gilpin) fights back against the Hunters' leader (Hilary Swank). It was released in the UK on March 11th before going online.
Available to rent from on-demand services such as iTunes, Amazon and Rakuten TV for £15.99.
6. Military Wives
With Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Hogan, this touching comedy-drama is based on the real-life army wives who formed a choir on a military base during their husbands' Afghanistan tours. Released in early March, this movie is also available to rent across most platforms for £15.99.
Rent it on Amazon.
7. Birds of Prey
Fans of the Margot Robbie-starring Harley Quinn franchise won't need to wait until the summer to watch Birds of Prey. You'll be able to stream it online from April 27th! Or you can pre-order the wildly fun flick on Amazon for £12.99.
8. The Banker
Based on a true story, The Banker follows two revolutionary businessmen, Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie) and Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson) in the 1960s, who hire a working-class white man to pretend to be the head of their business empire while they pose as a janitor and chauffeur.
Available on Apple TV+ (free trial for 7 days, £4.99 per month thereafter).
9. The High Note
Tracee Ellis Ross channels her own mother, Diana Ross, as she plays a musical diva who is in need of a hit song. Step forward her personal assistant who has written a hit that might keep her in the charts. Too. Good. Feel. Good. Its available now on Amazon Prime Video.
10. King of Staten Island
This part autobiographical comedy is all about the comedian Pete Davidson navigating growing up in Staten Island. His teenage years are marked by losing his father during 9/11 and entering the world of stand up comedy. Now available on Amazon Prime Video.
