There was a moment during lockdown 2 when we suddenly thought: “What happens when Netflix, Amazon, BBC iPlayer, etc. run dry?” Thankfully, while this past year has been a huge challenge for those in the television and film industry, they’re still managing to provide us with an endless list of binge-worthy series and killer movies to watch in 2021. Coming-of-age tales, tearjerking dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies – you name it, they’re bringing it.
Wonderland.
SCREEN WONDERS
From Pop Smoke’s posthumous acting debut, to the return of the iconic Bridesmaids duo: here are the films and TV shows we can’t wait to watch.
BOOGIE
Pop Smoke has made quite a few posthumous appearances lately. From his debut album Shoot For the Stars Aim For The Room, to his recent collaborative single with Fredo, the charismatic New York rapper’s memory continues to live on through unreleased material. And now he’s making an acting debut in Eddie Huang’s upcoming film BOOGIE. The coming-of-age film tells the story of Alfred “Boogie” Chin: a Chinese high-school basketball star who dreams of playing in the NBA. With his dreams on the line, Boogie’s forced to contend with off-court obstacles like cultural stereotypes and on-court rivals like Monk (Pop Smoke). Set to the sound of the late Pop’s “Got It on Me”, its trailer promises that this film is going to be something truly special.
BOOGIE is set to come out on Focus Features on 5 March 2021.
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things
If, like us, the repetitiveness of lockdown has you feeling like Bill Murray in 1993’s Groundhog Day – stuck in an endless time-loop of Zoom calls, daily walks and online quizzes – then Amazon has the perfect comedy-drama for you. Starring Kathryn Newton and Kyle Allen, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things tells the story of two love-struck teens who are trapped in a time-loop, tumbling through the same day, over and over again. As their worlds get turned upside-down, their budding romance is tested. The trailer hints that there will be a twist – but something tells us that these two lovebirds will make it.
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things is out on PrimeVideo on 12 February 2021.
Firefly Lane
Firefly Lane is everything we need right now. Based on the New York Times bestselling novel, it’s a time-hopping tale of female friendship – brimming with laughter and packed with nostalgia. Spanning four decades, the series takes us on an emotional journey through the trials and tribulations of a tumultuous – yet unbreakable – friendship between two polar opposites. And who better play these friends than two of TV’s biggest female stars? Katherine Heigl stars as the extroverted and confident Tully, and Sarah Chalke as the bookish, buttoned-up Kate. Have your tissues and a tall glass of wine at the ready – this one’s a real binge-worthy tearjerker.
Firefly Lane is out on Netflix today, 3 February 2021.
Ginny & Georgia
When Gilmore Girls’ fleeting six-hour revival came to a bitter-sweet end in 2016, we were left once again with a gaping mother-daughter duo-sized hole in our hearts. In steps Ginny & Georgia: Netflix’s 2021 answer to the beloved television show – but with a dark twist. After bouncing around from city to city, a free-spirited Georgia (Brianne Howey) and her shy 15-year-old daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) settle in a small New England town to start fresh. But this isn’t just another Gilmore Girls revival. This matriarch has a seedy past that she’s running from. It’s Ginny and Georgia against the world. Go get ‘em girls.
Ginny & Georgia is out on Netflix on 24 February 2021.
Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar
And while we’re definitely not short of dynamic female duos this week, Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo starring in Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar isn’t something you want to miss. The comedy follows the quirky journey of best friends Barb and Star as they leave their small Midwestern town for the first time to embark on a vacation of a lifetime. Along the way, they find themselves embroiled unwittingly in a murderous plot. Marking the duo’s first time uniting on screen and script since the blockbuster success of Bridesmaids in 2011, their brand-new comedy promises plenty of on-screen chemistry. Expect Midwestern accents, fabulous Floridian fits and a load of laugh-out-loud moments. Hold onto your sun hats, we’re in for a wild ride…
Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar will be released via premium VOD on 12 February 2021.