Now that 2022 is safely behind us, it’s time to look at the films 2023 has to offer — and, boy, does the lineup look amazing! No, really, there are a number of films that could potentially end up running away with the gold this year. While there isn’t a box office behemoth like Avatar: The Way of Water to look forward to, it’s hard not to get excited for the likes of Into the Spider-Verse, Mission Impossible, and Dune: Part Two, among others.
Here are the 25 most anticipated 2023 movies.
M3GAN
Jan. 6
There’s a lot of buzz for M3GAN and it looks like a great blend of horror and comedy. Sure, the concept looks like Child’s Play meets The Good Son, but what the hell else are we supposed to do in January? (Other than watching Avatar for the tenth time?)
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Feb. 17
Even if you’re a bit tired of comic book movies, Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe launching is a major deal. Paul Rudd is always likable as Scott Lang and we get to see Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror in action for the first time, which is certainly exciting. The Ant-Man series hasn’t done us wrong yet and we’re hopeful that the next installment will keep the momentum intact.
Cocaine Bear
Feb. 24
Undeniably, the February release to see is Elizabeth Banks’ Cocaine Bear. I’ve only seen one trailer, but the pic about a ravenous bear that consumes drugs and goes on a killing spree looks entertaining in a deliciously morbid way.
Creed III
March 3
While Creed II was a disappointment that functioned as a ripoff of Rocky IV, the trailers for Michael B. Jordan’s third boxing extravaganza promise a more original chapter this go-round. We’re all for it, especially considering the raised emotional stakes stemming from Adonis Creed’s personal relationship with antagonist Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors).
John Wick: Chapter 4
March 24
Who woulda thunk we would get four John Wick films? Yet, here we are, with a fourth chapter in the Keanu Reeves franchise that promises even more splendidly choreographed violence and neon-lit mayhem. Count me amongst those eager to see how Wick exacts bloody revenge against those that left him for dead in the previous film.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
April 7
Video game adaptations have always been a tough sell. Still, thanks to a pair of eye-popping trailers that show off Illumination’s incredible animation, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has our attention. Obviously, this one’s for the kiddies, but hopefully, the pic is clever enough to cater to older audiences who grew up with Mario and Luigi.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3
May 5
Marvel films are a dime a dozen these days. Yet, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 stands out from the pack thanks to James Gunn’s bizarre brand of humor, the always incredible cast, and its ragtag collection of characters — perhaps the best group assembled in the MCU. Plus, that teaser trailer kicks ass.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
June 2
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is the best Spider-Man adaptation to date, so why wouldn’t we be excited about the follow-up? While the MCU has taken some of the animated pic’s thunder with its interpretation of the multiverse, the incredible animation, and sly humor still pack a wallop. We’re oh-so-eager to see the continuing adventures of Miles Morales.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
June 9
The Transformers franchise appeared dead after Bumblebee earned a solid but not extraordinary $468M at the box office. Yet, the teaser for Rise of the Beasts promises a new spin on the formula — this time, it’s robot animals fighting the bad guys! Who doesn’t want to see that?
The Flash
June 16
We’re still on board for Andy Muschietti’s The Flash, even if we still need to learn how it fits into the DCU. Will this be a stand-alone adventure that goes nowhere or a new chapter that further expands the superhero universe? Is Michael Keaton’s Batman even in the film still? Should we care about any of this? No clue, but we’re certainly intrigued.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
June 30
The first teaser trailer for Indy’s latest adventure featured some astonishing de-aging effects. We’re curious to see if James Mangold can reinvigorate the dormant franchise after Steven Spielberg and George Lucas dropped the ball with Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Indy in WWII is an excellent step in the right direction.
Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning – Part One
July 14
How is it that Mission Impossible keeps getting better with each new entry? Rogue Nation and Fallout are arguably the best of the ongoing series, and we’re ecstatic to see how Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie up their game with parts seven and eight. The pair only increased our excitement with that great Imax teaser that sees Cruise driving a motorcycle off a cliff in spectacular fashion.
Oppenheimer
July 21
Christopher Nolan knows how to craft a marketing campaign. Holy hell, does Oppenheimer look like a big-budget spectacle one has to see on the largest screen possible — even if it appears to be little more than a character-driven biography. We’re down for anything Nolan creates until proven otherwise.
Barbie
July 21
Even if Barbie isn’t traditionally your thing, that terrific teaser trailer should have grabbed your attention. Margot Robbie is a goddess, and the all-star cast — Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Michael Cera, and Kate McKinnon — is a knockout. Plus, you know, Greta Gerwig.
The Marvels
July 28
The third Marvel movie of Phase 3 is our least anticipated of Marvel’s 2023 slate but it still looks to be intriguing. We’ll get to see Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers team up with Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel makes her big-screen debut. While the Disney+ series didn’t wow us, we’re hoping this team-up (which also includes Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau) serves us some solid summer fun and spectacle.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Aug. 4
We’re always game for more Ninja Turtles, even if every entry since the 1990 movie adaptation has largely sucked. We know little about this animated adaptation other than Seth Rogan and Brendan O’Brien are writing it. Hopefully, the pair can finally deliver a take that does our heroes in a half-shell justice.
Equalizer 3
Sept. 1
The Equalizer series may resemble little more than a low-rent John Wick, but I’ll watch anything featuring Denzel Washington kicking the bejesus out of faceless thugs. After all, not everything has to be high art and sometimes a movie being a good time is simply enough.
Dune: Part Two
Nov. 3
We’re ecstatic to see Denis Villeneuve’s follow-up to Dune, which remains one of the best big-budget flicks to hit cinemas in the last five years. So long as we get to see Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) ride a sandworm, we’ll be first in line to see this anticipated sequel. As a side note: Disney needs to take note of this one. Dune is what Star Wars should be.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Nov. 17
Even if you’re not the biggest Hunger Games fan, it’s intriguing to see further adventures in the universe. This entry occurs before the events of the previous films and should flesh out Suzanne Collins’ universe and hopefully give new meaning to the tale of Katniss Everdeen.
Wonka
Dec. 15
Do we need another adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka books? Probably not, but the cast — Timothée Chalamet, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Coleman, and Hugh Grant — is excellent. Director Paul King has a knack for making movies the whole family can enjoy, as evidenced by his work on Paddington.
The Color Purple
Dec. 20
Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple is an incredible adaptation of Alice Walker’s best-selling novel thus far and our favorite, but we’re open to new interpretations closer to the source material. This version appears more in line with the Broadway musical, so we’ll have to wait to see if it translates well to the big screen.
Napoleon
TBA
Ridley Scott’s epic biopic starring Joaquin Phoenix as the famed French leader doesn’t have a firm date yet but the combination is certainly promising. If it does wind up releasing in 2023, this quickly leaps to the top of our must-see list. After all, the past work of Scott and Phoenix speaks volumes.
Asteroid City
TBA
I’ll follow Wes Anderson anywhere, especially with a cast that includes Margot Robbie, Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Maya Hawke, and Tom Hanks (making his Anderson debut). No idea what it’s about, but Anderson has yet to steer me wrong.
Killers of the Flower Moon
TBA
Ditto to Martin Scorsese, who teams up again with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro for this 1920s crime drama. Brendan Fraser, Lily Gladstone, and Jesse Plemons co-star. We’re so there.
Maestro
TBA
As fans of Leonard Bernstein, we’re eager to see what director Bradley Cooper (and producers Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese) cook up with this biopic of the renowned composer. Will this be a delightful trip through Hollywood’s Golden era or another Babylon?
