Woman superheroes have not always had the best run in Hollywood. Movies like Elektra (2005) and Catwoman (2004) made people believe that superhero movies about women were not marketable (Elektra has 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and Catwoman has 9%). It was not until Wonder Woman (2017) directed by Patty Jenkins and Captain Marvel (2019) directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck that we got to see good women superhero movies (that are also directed by women!). 2020 is going to be a big year for women-centric and women-directed superhero movies in Hollywood, so be sure to grab some popcorn and check out these upcoming movies of women kicking butt.
- Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
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While Harley Quinn was a main character in 2016’s Suicide Squad, she was sub-ordinate to the Joker and was treated in a very misogynistic way (she even wore a dog collar with “Puddin’” on it — Joker’s name for her). Birds of Prey is about Harley Quinn (played by Margot Robbie) splitting up from the Joker, finding herself, and teaming up with other women, Black Canary, Huntress, and Renee Montoya, to save a girl from the villain Black Mask (played by Ewan McGregor) It’s the first movie in the DCEU to be rated R and has promising early reviews. Birds of Prey, directed by Cathy Yan comes out on February 7, 2020.
- Black Widow
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Even though Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow first appeared in Iron Man 2 (2010) and became a staple of The Avengers and the MCU since then, this is her first solo movie. Black Widow, directed by Cate Shortland, takes place in between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War and features her going on a mission and going back to Russia and to see her family (others in the Black Widow program). The cast features Rachel Weisz, newly Oscar-nominated actress Florence Pugh, and Stranger Things’ David Harbour. If you’ve enjoyed Johansson’s performance in other Marvel movies be sure to check Black Widow out on May 1, 2020.
- Wonder Woman 1984
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Gal Gadot is back as Wonder Woman in a new film set in the 1980s. This sequel to Wonder Woman, also directed by Patty Jenkins, brings back Chris Pine as Steve Trevor. The villains of the film are Maxwell Lord and The Cheetah (played by Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig). The colorful setting of this film is very different from the previous film’s WWI setting and looks to be new and fun. You can watch Wonder Woman 1984 when it hits theatres on June 4, 2020.
- Eternals
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Eternals is a new Marvel film, directed by Chloe Zhao, about immortal beings living on Earth and influencing its history. It features an all-star cast including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Madden, etc. This film looks to be a new and interesting story from the MCU. You can catch Eternals on November 6, 2020.
- Mulan
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While Mulan may not technically be a superhero, she is an incredible warrior, plus she has pretty much the same powers as Black Widow, so I feel she belongs on this list. Disney’s Mulan (2020) is directed by Niki Caro and is going to be very different from the animated version of Mulan (1998). The film is going to have no songs and lacks familiar characters such as Li Shang and Mushu. Mulan (2020) is more based on the Chinese legend of Fa Mulan and will have more of a historical drama-type tone. Mulan comes out on March 27, 2020.
It looks like 2020 is going to be the year we finally see women in superhero movies that match Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel. The top superhero movies coming out this year promise to give women a chance to take the stage and save the day like never before. Pick one of these superhero flicks for your next movie night and get ready to be inspired!
Sources:
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