10 Movies That Came Out During The Pandemic That Should Be Re-Released In 2024

Plenty of movies that were supposed to come out in theaters during the pandemic ended up as direct-to-streaming releases and so many of them deserve to be re-released in 2024, so audiences can experience them the way the filmmakers intended. From big-budget blockbusters to smaller indie movies, the list of films that did not make it to theaters as planned is huge and, if allowed, many of them surely would have had major success at the box office. With theaters open, 2024 is a great time to let viewers witness these movies on the big screen.

Some studios, such as Pixar, are already gearing up to re-release their movies Soul, Luca, and Turning Red, and there are plenty more that should receive the same treatment. There are movies that, although they found success on streaming platforms, would be given an entirely new lease of life if they were brought out in cinemas. There are also international features, sequels, and underappreciated comedies that would benefit from a theatrical re-release in 2024.

10 The Lovebirds

Netflix: May 22, 2020

As a romantic comedy originally slated for theaters in April 2020, The Lovebirds intended release was pulled due to the pandemic. The Lovebirds was instead released directly on Netflix and, as a breezy and enjoyable story of a couple unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery, the movie had the potential to draw audiences looking for laughs and escapism to theaters. Directed by Michael Showalter and starring Kumail Nanjiani, the re-release of The Lovebirds could help repeat the success its director and star had with their previous movie together, The Big Sick, which made $56 million worldwide and was one of the highest-grossing independent films of 2017 (via Box Office Mojo).

9 Palm Springs

Hulu: July 10, 2020

While Palm Springs, starring Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, did receive a limited theatrical release, as one of the best romantic comedies of the modern era it missed an opportunity to pull in large crowds with a wide theatrical release. Palm Springs put its spin on the Groundhog Day style time-loop concept with a clever script, complex storytelling, and excellent performances. Palm Springs received great reviews but has flown under the radar for audiences. A theatrical re-release would help the film get the type of exposure it needs to reach its full potential at the box office.

8 Greyhound

Apple TV+: July 10, 2020

As a World War II movie starring Tom Hank, Greyhound had the potential to repeat the massive success of Saving Private Ryan at the box office. However, due to the pandemic, its planned theatrical release by Sony Pictures was canceled, and the movie instead came direct-to-streaming on Apple TV+ in July 2020. As a fast-paced thriller with a swift 91-minute runtime, Greyhound is an action-packed character study that, if re-released in theaters in 2024, could reach the wide audience that it deserves.

7 Enola Holmes

Netflix: September 23, 2020

Stranger Things star Millie Bobbie Brown’s mystery Enola Holmes was originally planned to have a theatrical release by Warner Bros. Pictures, however, due to the pandemic, the film was picked up by Netflix. Enola Holmes told the story of Victorian detective Sherlock Holmes’ teenage sister, and it was an enjoyable start to a franchise now developing a third Enola Holmes movie. As one of the most-watched Netflix movies of all time, the character has been a hit with audiences and a theatrical release in 2024 is a sure fire route to box-office success.

6 The Trial Of The Chicago 7

Netflix: September 25, 2020

Originally planned for a theatrical release by Paramount Pictures, Aaron Sorkin’s legal drama about Vietnam War protesters The Trial of the Chicago 7 was released on Netflix due to the pandemic. The Trial of the Chicago 7 did receive a small theatrical release, but considering Sorkin’s reputation as a major writer and director, this film had the potential to do well in theaters. Featuring strong performances by Michael Keaton, Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Jeremy Strong, a 2024 re-release in theaters would rightfully give this movie the attention it deserves for its excellent script, engaging true story, and eternal message of activists pursuing social change.

5 Soul

Disney+: December 25, 2020

Pixar’s animated fantasy comedy Soul was originally scheduled to be released in theaters in June 2020. However, due to the pandemic, this date was postponed, and it was instead released direct-to-streaming on Disney+ on Christmas Day 2020. Soul received universal acclaim and was an excellent return to form by Pixar after several missteps in recent years. Soul had the potential to do very well in theaters, and it appears Pixar has realized this mistake as they have announced plans to re-release Soul, Luca, and Turning Red in theaters in 2024.

4 Drishyam 2

Amazon Prime: February 19, 2021

Drishyam 2 was the Indian Malayalam-language sequel to the wildly successful 2013 Drishyam, which was the highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time when it was released. Drishyam 2 was on course for similar success and was originally planned to be released in theatres. Due to the pandemic, Drishyam 2 was controversially released direct-to-stream on Amazon Prime, despite protests from theatre owners and distributors (via The News Minute) who said the film had the potential to be a huge box office success. With Drishyam 3 in the works (via Film Fare), 2024 would be a great time to finally give this film a theatrical release.

3 Coming 2 America

Amazon Prime: March 5, 2021

The return of Eddie Murphy’s Prince Akeem Joffer from the 1988 comedy classic Coming to America should have been a major theatrical event. However, the long-awaited sequel Coming 2 America had its original theatrical release pulled by Paramount Pictures, and the rights were instead sold to Amazon Studios because of the pandemic (via Variety). Coming 2 America is chock-full of Easter eggs alluding to previous Eddie Murphy movies, and if the movie were to receive a re-release in theaters, it would have the opportunity to see how it would fare against Murphy’s previous box office smashes like Beverly Hills Cop, Doctor Doolittle, and of course the Shrek series.

2 Bad Trip

Netflix: March 26, 2021

The hidden camera prank comedy film Bad Trip, starring Eric Andre, was an ingenious melding of fact and fiction that told a compelling story while providing many laugh-out-loud moments. Bad Trip was released directly on Netflix, which was a shame as it would have been incredible to witness audiences’ reactions to the wild and oddly uplifting buddy comedy adventure. Bad Trip had the potential to mimic the success of Jackass Forever at the box office, which grossed over $80 million, and demonstrated that viewers would turn out in theaters for extreme reality-based comedies.

1 Paranormal Activity: Next Of Kin

Paramount+: October 29, 2021

The Paranormal Activity series is famous for making low-budget movies that strike gold at the box office and the seventh entry Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin could have done just that if it wasn’t released direct-to-streaming. While the movie failed to register well with critics, and it grossed just over $80,000 in home sales (via The Numbers), there is potential for viewers to turn out in much greater numbers if Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin was re-released in theaters in 2024. The scare factor of a horror movie is always enhanced by the collective viewing experience, and a re-release would give this film a much-needed boost in revenue.

Sources: Box Office Mojo, The News Minute, Film Fare