'The Suicide Squad' and more summer 2021 movies you need to see

By Neia Balao 8:00am PDT, Aug 8, 2021

Excited to get back into the theater to watch some highly anticipated movies? You're not alone! Join Wonderwall.com as we take a look at the summer 2021 movies releases we cannot wait for, starting with this flick… DC Comics fans have a major reason to be excited — "The Suicide Squad" debuted on Aug. 6! The James Gunn film — which features a star-studded cast that includes Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis and more and is a stand-alone sequel to 2016's "Suicide Squad" — revolves around a band of convicts who join forces to take down a laboratory and penitentiary during the Nazi era.

Keep reading for more big summer 2021 movies we're excited to see…

Disney's "Jungle Cruise" tells the story of Dr. Lily Houghton's (Emily Blunt) journey through the Amazon, with the help of boat captain Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson), as she searches for an ancient tree that exhibits magical healing powers and could potentially change medicine as the world knows it. The fantasy-adventure flick, which is based on the Disney theme park attraction of the same name, debuted on July 30.

In 2021's "Stillwater," Matt Damon stars as Bill Baker, an American man who travels to Marseille, France, to visit his daughter (played by Abigail Breslin) who's been imprisoned for a murder she claims she didn't commit. Convinced of her innocence, Bill builds a life in France in hopes of finding a way to successfully prove her innocence. The crime-drama, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, was released on July 30.

"Respect" — which is aptly named after Aretha Franklin's 1967 hit song — chronicles the music star's rise to superstardom, from growing up as a singer in her father's church choir to becoming a household name. Mary J. Blige, Forest Whitaker, Audra McDonald and Marlon Wayans star alongside Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson in the biopic that hits theaters on Aug. 13.

Starring Ryan Reynolds, 2021's "Free Guy" follows Guy, a man who comes to the stark realization that he's a mere background character in a vicious open-world video game called "Free City." As a diabolical video game publisher (played by Taika Waititi) threatens to shut down the game, Guy joins forces with Molotov Girl (actress Jodie Comer) in an effort to save the world from utter domination. The sci-fi flick, which also stars Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar and Joe Keery, debuts on Aug. 13.

On July 30, "The Green Knight," which is based on the late-14th century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," made its theatrical debut. The medieval-fantasy film stars Dev Patel as Sir Gawain, King Arthur's noble nephew who journeys on a quest to face off against his adversary, the Green Knight. Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury and Sean Harris also star in the David Lowery film.

Directed by "Lord Of The Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson, "The Beatles: Get Back" is a documentary about the legendary British rockers that chronicles the making of their 1970 album "Let It Be," which was initially titled "Get Back." The film is said to set the record straight when it comes to the long-running narrative that the band continuously fought in their latter years together. "I love it, I must say because it's how it was," Paul McCartney told BBC 6 Music's Matt Everitt, praising the documentary's depiction of the group. "It just reminds me of — even though we had arguments, like any family — we loved each other, you know, and it shows in the film." The movie debuts on Aug. 27.

2021's "Candyman," which was co-written by "Get Out" and "Us" filmmaker Jordan Peele, is the sequel to the famous 1992 horror flick of the same name. The film stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy, a struggling artist who, after learning the real story behind Candyman, unwittingly unleashes violence on those around him and begins losing his sanity in the process. The Nia DaCosta-directed horror movie is set to debut on Aug. 27.

On July 9, "Black Widow" hit theaters. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as the titular character also known as Natasha Romanova who, after being given to the KGB, begins training as their star agent. The spy flick, which is a sequel to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's "Captain America: Civil War" and a prequel to "Avengers: Infinity War," revolves around Natasha having to come to terms with the dark aspects of her past after being hunted by forces that threaten her life.

"The Forever Purge" stars Ana de la Reguera and Tenoch Huerta as a couple who find themselves running for their lives after encountering a group of dangerous thugs who wish to keep the gruesome tradition of the Purge alive. The horror film, which hit theaters on July 2, marks the fifth and final installment in the "Purge" franchise and serves as the sequel to 2016's "The Purge: Election Year."

On June 25, "F9" — the ninth film in the "Fast & Furious" film franchise — opened in theaters. Despite having stepped away from his life of crime to focus on building a family, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) is forced to come to grips with the mistakes of his past when his loved ones are put at risk by an unforeseen antagonist — his estranged brother (played by John Cena). Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel and Sung Kang also reprise their roles in the action film.

In 2018, the world lost a legendary voice in the culinary community. 2021's "Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain" — which came out on July 16 — is a documentary that chronicles the late chef and travel documentarian's life and career. The movie, which was directed by Morgan Neville and made its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, also features interviews with fellow culinary inspirations David Chang and Éric Ripert.

Henry Golding stars in the superhero film "Snake Eyes," which serves as the origin story of the solitary fighter and G.I. Joe operative of the same name. After being brought in by the Japanese Arashikage clan following his rescue of their heir, Snake Eyes trains as a ninja warrior and is finally given a place to call home. The life he's built for himself is jeopardized, however, when secrets from his past risk resurfacing. "Snake Eyes" hit theaters on July 23.

Based on Asiah "Zola" King's real-life 148-tweet thread, "Zola" — which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and hit theaters on June 30 — tells the story of a wild two-day road trip Zola embarks on with Stefani, a woman she barely knows. After forging a bond thanks to their mutual love of pole dancing, Stefani invites Zola on a cross-country trip with the sole purpose of making as much money as they can at Florida strip clubs. However, what initially seems innocuous and carefree soon turns into a dangerous expedition. Taylour Paige and Riley Keough star in the A24 film.

Directed by Edgar Wright, 2021's "The Sparks Brothers" is a documentary that chronicles the experiences of Ron and Russell Mael, otherwise known as the pop-rock music duo Sparks. The film, which premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival and hit theaters on June 18, includes interviews from fellow artists and fans including Jason Schwartzman, Jack Antonoff, Björk, Beck, "Weird Al" Yankovic and more.

On July 23, filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan's latest thriller, "Old," hit theaters. Adapted from the Pierre Oscar Levy graphic novel "Sandcastle," the psychological-horror film tells the story of a family who, while vacationing on an isolated tropical island, finds themselves inexplicably aging — quickly. Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Alex Wolff and Eliza Scanlen are among the film's ensemble cast.

Starring the one and only LeBron James, "Space Jam: A New Legacy" follows the basketball legend as he and the Looney Tunes gang join forces to save his endangered son and defeat the villainous Goon Squad. The animated sports comedy, which is a sequel to 1996's "Space Jam," hit theaters on July 16.

"Escape Room: Tournament of Champions" — which hit theaters on July 16 — is a psychological-horror flick that revolves around a group of prior escape room survivors who must deal with a new set of riveting, life-threatening traps. The film, which is a sequel to 2019's "Escape Room," stars Taylor Russell, Holland Roden (pictured), Logan Miller, Isabelle Fuhrman, Thomas Cocquerel, Carlito Olivero and Indya Moore.

"Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard" — which made its theatrical debut on June 16 — stars Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson as bodyguard Michael Bryce and assassin Darius Kincaid, who reunite for another dangerous mission: to save Darius's wife, Sonia (played by Salma Hayek) and prevent a psychopath from destroying Europe. The 2021 action comedy flick serves as the sequel to 2017's "The Hitman's Bodyguard."

We'll have to wait a little longer for this one: "Hotel Transylvania: Transformania," which marks the fourth installment in the "Hotel Transylvania" film franchise, was originally set to open on July 23 but has been moved to Oct. 1. When Van Helsing's "Monsterfication Ray" goes awry, Dracula and his group of friends are accidentally transformed into humans, while Johnny becomes a monster! Desperate to reverse the effects of the haywire invention before they become permanent, the gang travels around the world to uncover a cure as soon as possible.