After the harrowing year that was 2020, the thing that people need the most right now is comedy and that’s why Eddie Murphy’s revival couldn’t have come at a better time. After many quiet years, Murphy has returned to the fold and is ready to reintroduce one of his best characters to the world.
However, that isn’t all there is to be excited about in 2021, as there is a host of comedy offerings coming to multiplexes and streaming services throughout the whole year. Whether it’s an inventive remake of a classic comedy, celebrated writing partners reuniting, or even more Eddie Murphy comedies, there’s a lot to look forward to in the next 12 months.
Jackass 4
The Jackass series has quietly become something of a huge franchise, with not only a TV show and a movie, but even two sequels and the spin-off, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa.
The third movie was the biggest entry in the series yet, as it was shot in 3D and saw the pranksters perform some of the Jackass 4. But one thing is for sure, Knoxville and Co. will certainly try.
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
One of many Ryan Reynolds movies to be released in 2021, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard is the sequel to the sleeper hit, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, co-starring Samuel L. Jackson.
The movie brings Selma Hayek further into the fold, as she has a much larger role in the follow-up. It has attracted a ton of other movie stars too, as Antonio Banderas, Morgan Freeman, and Frank Grillo all the cast.
Coming 2 America
In the 1980s, Eddie Murphy was the most bankable movie star in the world, as he could turn movies with minuscule budgets into box office hits, and the characters he developed were wholly original.
One of his best and most likable characters of all was Prince Akeem Joffer in Coming To America. This Is Dolemite seems to have reinvigorated the somewhat retired comedian, as Coming 2 America will be seeing release a whole 33 years after the original hit theatres.
Free Guy
It feels like a decade ago when audiences first saw the trailer to The movie has been delayed several times, but it looks like it’ll be worth the wait.
Free Guy follows a bank teller, played by Ryan Reynolds, who finds himself in the middle of an open-world video game in which there are seemingly no rules.
The Man From Toronto
In what sounds like a warped version of the Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx movie Collateral, an ordinary guy has no other choice but to team up with a hitman after they share an Airbnb.
It’s the Kevin Hart vehicle of the year, only this time, his partner in crime isn’t Dwayne Johnson, but Woody Harrelson. The concept is typically Kevin Hart-bonkers and it's shaping up to be one of the most exciting crime capers of the past few years.
Beverly Hills Cop IV
Beverley Hills Cop 4, sees Murphy once again bringing one of his beloved characters, Axel Foley, back to life.
Dog
The simple title doesn’t give much away and there’s very little information to go off, but the little we know about Dog hints that it’s a more than promising release.
The movie follows a character played by Channing Tatum go on a road trip with his Belgian Malinois. It marks a first in Tatum’s career, as the movie is actually co-directed by Tatum, along with Reid Carolin, who wrote the screenplay.
Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar
Starring Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Barb and Star are two midwesterners who visit Florida for a vacation before getting caught up in a villain’s plot to kill everyone in town.
Though the plot sounds ridiculous, it could be the best comedy of the year. Barb And Star was also written by Wiig and Mumolo, and the last time they worked together they were nominated for an Academy Award, as Bridesmaids was in the running for Best Original Screenplay.
Legally Blonde 3
Legally Blonde is a franchise that has been lying dormant for a long time, but the series will finally see the light of day again in 2021. The studio is seemingly ignoring the third movie, which went direct to DVD, and returning back to its roots.
Reese Witherspoon is returning as Elle Woods, the unsuspecting law genius, and the announcement has led to a lot of things fans hope to see in the sequel.
The Comeback Trail
Though Robert De Niro usually finds a ton of success in his The Comeback Trail sees the seasoned actor teaming up with actor/director Zach Braff.
Being a remake of the 1982 movie of the same name, the comedy follows two movie producers who shoot a Western movie in the hopes that the lead actor will die so they can collect the insurance money. The movie stars other Hollywood elites including Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones.
