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You know what they say: New year, new decade, new movies. The good news for anyone whose New Year’s resolution is to stay indoors more is that many of the upcoming 2020 movies are streaming original films, aka films distributed by Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO, Disney+, and Hulu.
Some of these films, like Tyler Perry’s new Netflix thriller, A Fall From Grace, won’t head to theaters at all. Several, like Taylor Swift‘s Netflix documentary, will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in a few weeks and come to the streaming service shortly after. Others, like the upcoming HBO film Bad Education, premiered at festivals in 2019 and are finally getting released to the greater public. And some, like Amazon’s Jean Seberg’s biopic, will get a more traditional theatrical release before coming to Prime Video at a later date.
Of course, given that it’s only the second day of 2020, given that many more films will be acquired by streaming services at Sundance in a few weeks, and given Netflix’s penchant for announcing films a few weeks before they come out, there are likely many more exciting streaming films coming in 2020 that didn’t make this list. It’s also very possible that films on this list that are currently slotted to premiere “sometime in 2020” or “late 2020” will be pushed to 2021. Point being: Take this list with a grain of salt.
That said, here are 16 films coming to streaming in 2020 we’re looking forward to, from romances like To All the Boys 2 to horror films like Books of Blood.
'Jezebel'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: January 16
This coming-of-age drama premiered at South by Southwest last year to great reviews and is finally getting a release thanks to Ava DuVernay’s company, ARRAY, which is bringing it to Netflix in addition to a limited theatrical release. Directed, written, and co-starring Numa Perrier, the film follows a 19-year-old girl working as an “internet fetish cam girl” in the ’90s.
'Troop Zero'
Coming to: Amazon Prime Video
Release date: January 17, exclusively on Prime
From writer Lucy Alibar (Beasts of the Southern Wild) and the director duo Bert & Bertie, this comedy-drama boasts an all-star cast: Viola Davis, Mckenna Grace, Jim Gaffigan, Mike Epps, Charlie Shotwell, and the one and only Allison Janney. It was well-received at Sundance last year and is finally releasing on Amazon this month.
'A Fall From Grace'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: January 17
It’s a Tyler Perry film, but it’s likely not the kind of Tyler Perry film you’re picturing. A Fall From Grace is a dark thriller starring Bresha Webb and Crystal Fox, and follows a young woman who confessed to killing her husband, and her lawyer who is determined to uncover the truth.
'To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: February 12
The sequel to Netflix’s popular romantic comedy, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, is bound to be a big hit for the streaming service. Noah Centineo and Lana Condor are as everyone’s favorite couple, Lara Jean Song Covey and Peter Kavinsky, but those who’ve read the book series by author Jenny Han know that this film will introduce a new love interest: John Ambrose McClaren, a former crush of Lara Jean’s (played by actor Jordan Fisher). Hoo boy.
'All the Bright Places'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: February 28
Netflix has some experience when it comes to adapting popular young adult romances into hit films, so I have a feeling this adaptation of Jennifer Niven’s book—about two teenagers dealing with inner demons who fall in love—will be big, especially considering that the stars are Elle Fanning and Justice Smith (Detective Pikachu).
'Taylor Swift: Miss Americana'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: Early 2020
Taylor Swift is getting her own Netflix original documentary, which will premiere this month on January 23, 2020, at the Sundance Film Festival, and head to the streaming service in early 2020. Directed by Emmy award-winner Lana Wilson, Netflix describes the film as “a raw and emotionally revealing look at one of the most iconic artists of our time during a transformational period in her life as she learns to embrace her role not only as a songwriter and performer but as a woman harnessing the full power of her voice.”
'Seberg'
Coming to: Amazon Prime
Release date: February 21 in theaters, and to Amazon Prime at a later date
This biopic stars Kristen Stewart as Jean Seberg, an American actress and activist in the 1960s who was targeted by the FBI for supporting the Black Panther Party. Unfortunately, though Stewart’s performance was praised, the film did not get good reviews when it premiered at Venice Film Festival last August. However, with Stewart as the lead and a supporting cast that includes Jack O’Connell, Margaret Qualley, Zazie Beetz, Anthony Mackie, and Vince Vaughn, anticipation for the film is still high.
'The Willoughbys'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: Spring 2020
Last year Netflix announced a new slate of animated original films. But the most anticipated animated film Netflix is putting out in 2020 is The Willoughbys. From writer/director Kris Pearn (Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2), this CG animated film is about four children abandoned by their parents and features the voices of Ricky Gervais, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte, Martin Short, Alessia Cara. and Jane Krakowski.
'Bad Education'
Coming to: HBO
Release date: Sometime in 2020
This comedy-drama based on the true story of writer Mike Makowsky’s experience in high school stars, among others, Hugh Jackman, Allison Janney, and Ray Romano. After the film debuted at Toronto Film Festival to a positive reception, HBO acquired the film, paying HBO paying upwards of $17.5 million for it. With a price like that, we sure hope it’s good! The film will come to HBO sometime this year, likely in time to be considered for the Emmys.
'Sergio'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: Sometime in 2020
The first narrative feature from director Greg Barker (Ghosts of Rwanda, Manhunt: The Search for Bin Laden), this biopic about Brazil-born diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello (played by Narcos star Wagner Moura) explores the aftermath of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and has landed a few big stars in addition to Moura, including Bradley Whitford and Ana de Armas, who broke out this year in Knives Out and will also star in the new James Bond film. The film will premiere at Sundance this month and release on Netflix and an as-of-yet undetermined date.
'Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe'
Coming to: Disney+
Release date: Sometime in 2020
Originally meant to be a theatrical release, fans of Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb are getting a second feature-length film based on the 2007–2015 animated series. The film will find Phineas and Ferb traveling across the galaxy to rescue their sister Candace, who has been abducted by aliens.
'The Last Thing He Wanted'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: Sometime in 2020
Perhaps the most exciting Netflix film that is premiering at Sundance this month is The Last Thing He Wanted. The fact that it’s written and directed by Dee Rees (who was nominated for an Academy Award for her 2017 film, Mudbound) and based on a book by Joan Didion is exciting enough, but on top of that, it stars Anne Hathaway as a journalist covering the 1984 U.S. Presidential election, Willem Dafoe as her father, and Ben Affleck as a U.S. State Official. Oh yeah, this one is going to be good.
'The Boys in the Band'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: Sometime in 2020
Ryan Murphy has at least 10 projects either coming to or in development at Netflix, including a movie adaptation of the play The Boys in the Band, which premiered off-Broadway in 1968, and was revived on Broadway in 2018. The film version, about gay men who meet up for a birthday party, will be directed by Joe Mantello and star Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, and Charlie Carver, all of whom also appeared in the Broadway revival.
'The Prom'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: Late 2020
Perhaps the most exciting upcoming Ryan Murphy Netflix project is The Prom, a film based on the hit 2018 Broadway musical about two high school girls who want to go to the prom together in a conservative town in Indiana. Murphy’s movie version of the musical is set to star Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Awkwafina, James Corden and Ariana Grande. Phew. That cast! Filming began last month, and for now, the film is expected to release in late 2020.
‘Books Of Blood’
Coming to: Hulu
Release date: Fall 2020
Clive Barker’s popular horror anthology book series, published between 1984 and 1985, will soon be a movie for Hulu. Brannon Braga (The Orville) is co-writing and directing the film, while Anna Friel, Britt Robertson, Rafi Gavron, and Yul Vazquez will star.
'The Princess Switch: Switched Again'
Coming to: Netflix
Release date: Winter 2020
Look, is it silly to call the sequel to the movie with two Vanessa Hudgens one of the most anticipated streaming films of 2020? Probably! On the other hand, I know for a fact some of you are really looking forward to this sequel. And why wouldn’t you be? Here’s the official logline: “Duchess Margaret unexpectedly inherits the throne to Montenaro and hits a rough patch with Kevin, it’s up to her double Stacy to save the day before a new lookalike, party girl Fiona foils their plans.”
