As this crazy year finally comes to an end, let’s see how movies made in the past envisioned a future 2020. Which creative visionary came even close to predicting the intensity of this year? Did anyone imagine a year that was worse?
Have you been wondering how to close out 2020? What will you do on New Year’s Eve when you can’t celebrate with all your friends at an indoor party – or outside squeezed together with thousands watching a ball drop – or dodge bottle rockets and fireworks fall-out?
Watching one of these “visions of 2020” movies might be a great the way to remind yourself that hey, after all it wasn’t THAT bad as this filmmaker predicted – and next year will surely be even better. Maybe. Hopefully.
How about having a virtual watch party with friends in their respective homes (via zoom, FaceTime, Wonder, etc.) while you all stream the same film or show? If you think that’s too hard to sync up two separate screens: Scott and I have watched the same movie in two screens on airplanes for so many years, we almost have it down to a science. Just have the first person start it and pause at something visually unmistakable in the opening sequence. Start second screen – and when that person gets to that point, hit play on the first.
By the end of this tele-connected year, some streaming companies even offer official watch party options, which allow you to sync your film-streaming experience, e.g. Teleparty (previously Netflix Party) is a Chrome extension that allows shared viewing of Netflix, HBO, Hulu and Disney.
If you can figure out how to get your friends to watch one of these films together with you, then you can also figure out how to turn the experience into a drinking game.
At least you could take bets if filmmakers predicted a better or worse 2020.
Before getting to the actual list, I have to give a huge Dankeschön! to my friend, and film theorist and historian, Robert Plass, who assembled the original list in 2019 as he planned to organize a film screenings sometime in 2020. As with so many events in 2020, that whole plan got cancelled.
List of Movies Set in 2020 (and made before 2019)
Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965)
From a lunar space station, professor Hartman (Basil Rathbone) leads a team of astronauts and scientists to explore the faraway planet Venus.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/sh2nLzOVHeQ
Stream: Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, Philo
Signale – Ein Weltraumabenteuer / Signals: A Space Adventure
(1970, East-Germany/Poland)
Based on the novel Aster oidenjager (Asteroid Hunters) by Carlos Rasch. In the mid-21st century, the reseach vessel Ikaros has disappeared in space. Trailer: https://youtu.be/7lsIg6vsG_4
Stream: not currently available online in the USA
2020 – Texas Gladiators (Italy, 1983)
In a post-apocalyptic Texas, a band of warriors fight against a fascist regime that is trying to take control of all surviving population. Co-directed by Joe D’Amato and George Eastman.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/fMI09tcp3o4
Stream: not currently available online in the USA
Droid (USA, 1988)
Direct-to-video adult sci-fi. Taylor, a member of the new Eliminators police force, is sent on a mission to recover a digital decoder that will shut down the renegade police force.
Review: https://youtu.be/Uawd4pW-0sg
Stream: not currently available online in the USA
COPS (animated TV series, 1988)
A team of specially enhanced policemen fights crime in the year 2020.
Intro: https://youtu.be/Dy4YFDSDW4w
Stream: Tubi
New Crime City: Los Angeles 2020 (USA, 1994)
In the year 2020, an ex-cop is brought back to life to stop a criminal threatening to release a deadly virus.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/3y8fWmuuqws
Stream: not currently available online in the USA
The Alien Within / Unknown Origin (USA, 1995)
An alien parasite besets the crew of a trapped submarine.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/gVrC2YkafFg
Stream: not currently available online in the USA
Mission to Mars (USA, 2000)
In 2020, the Mars I mission launches for planet Mars, commanded by Luke Graham (Don Cheadle).
Trailer: https://youtu.be/UHfG7hgilwY
Stream: iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video
Naufragos / Stranded (Spain, 2001)
An international party of astronauts crash lands on Mars with limited supplies of food, water and air.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/Oo71aZRl7tY
Stream: YouTube, Sling TV, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
Reign of Fire (USA, 2002)
A tunnel beneath London breaks open an underground cavern filled with long-dormant fire-breathing dragons.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/Xd2hHvq-SEA
Stream: Tubi, Cinemax, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video
The Island (2005)
Futuristic thriller about a contained, seemingly utopian facility in the mid-21st century. Directed by Michael Bay, starring Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/_ZyNJ3cKfEg
Stream: YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes
Future X-Cops (China, 2010)
A cop follows an oil cartel’s cyborg assassins back in time to prevent the murder of a teen who will one day make a breakthrough in solar energy.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/0JBNAXfs4sU
Stream: not currently available online in the USA
Real Steel (USA, 2011)
A gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future where the sport of boxing has gone high-tech. Stars Hugh Jackman.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/vU3ZqtbIRPI
Stream: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes
Ice / Ice – Der Tag, an dem die Welt erfriert (German Mini Series, 2011)
Environmentalist Thom Archer warns of a new ice age and blames sinister energy giant Halo as drilling continues on the Greenland glacier, which is causing it to melt.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/pKsq3VRkAKQ
Stream: not currently available online in the USA
Pacific Rim (USA, 2013)
American military science fiction monster film directed by Guillermo del Toro, starring Charlie Hunnam and Idris Elba.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/5guMumPFBag
Stream: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes
Edge of Tomorrow (USA, 2014)
When Earth falls under attack from invincible aliens, no military unit in the world is able to beat them. Starring Tom Cruise.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/vw61gCe2oqI
Stream: YouTube, Vudu, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video
Singularity (USA, 2017)
In 2020, a supercomputer deems mankind a threat and launches an all-out attack.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/hEoobyOBxO8
Stream: Netflix, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video
A Quiet Place (USA, 2018)
If they hear you, they hunt you. A family must live in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by sound. Horror film directed by and starring John Krasinski.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/WR7cc5t7tv8
Stream: Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime Video