Most Anticipated Movies Of 2023

2023 is looking to be a big year for movies! Whether it’s for the big franchise blockbusters or the smaller indie flicks, this looks to be a year that will have something for just about anybody that loves movies. As new year begins and we approach our very first weekend of movies for 2023, set to be kicked off by M3GAN, why not share the movies that I am looking forward to the most this year.

How I’m going to arrange this is that I will first put my ten honorable mentions in the exact order of their intended release date. Then, I will have my top ten most anticipated movies in the order that I’m most looking forward to.

Also, just to let you know, you are probably going to see mostly movies, particularly sequels, from well-known franchises/IPs on this list. Sorry if there’s not enough original movies for you but it’s usually hard to build up anticipation for those because we usually know little to nothing about them at the beginning of the year aside from the names involved with it. I do have a few mentioned here but that’s mostly based on the talent involved with it and not so much based off of trailers, marketing, and such. So, fair warning on that part.

Let’s not waste any more time and start off with ten honorable mentions (in order of release date):

Knock At The Cabin (February 3rd)

Say what you will about M. Night Shyamalan (and I can sure say a lot) but no one does films like he does. His latest entry based off the 2018 novel, The Cabin at the End of the World, seems like it will be one of those psychological horror thrillers that is “so bad it’s good” or be an engaging/intense ride. I don’t know which half it will be but I’m definitely curious to see how it turns out. Also, it’s nice to see Dave Bautista continuing to grow as an actor.

Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania (February 17th)

I think most folks don’t realize how big of a movie this is going to be for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only will this most likely help set the stage for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars but it will also established the Ant-Man movies as being perhaps among the most important in this universe. While the first two movie were relatively self-contained and somewhat inconsequential, Quantumania will give Peyton Reed the chance to make an epic in-scale Ant-Man adventure that will surely give Marvel fans a taste of what is to come. Let’s see how round three goes with Paul Rudd!

Cocaine Bear (February 24th)

This mention is mostly based off it’s surprisingly amusing trailer that came out recently. Based off a true story of the actual “Cocaine Bear”, Elizabeth Bank is looking to add a black comedy spin to this real-life tale. With a solid cast and a premise this crazy, this could be a really fun time. I just hope this is something where the true events don’t feel insultingly done or that this is a story that is worth poking fun with/at. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see!

Creed III (March 3rd)

The upcoming entry in the Rocky franchise has gotten under the radar from a lot of people. The first two Creed movies were a textbook example on how to do these kinds of legacy sequels right but this one looks as though it will have to forge it’s own path. With this being the first installment in the series to not have Stallone’s Rocky in it as his story seemed to have wrapped up nicely in the last one, this will see Michael B Jordan in the complete forefront, both in front of the camera AND behind the camera, where he will make his official directing debut. It’s undeniably unfamiliar territory for this series but let’s see how it turns out.

Scream VI (March 10th)

A year later and we already got another Scream movie, which will release just 14 months after the last one. You can definitely argue that this series has worn out it’s welcome but if this remains as entertaining as last year’s entry was, then I won’t have a problem with seeing more. The big downside here is that the face of the franchise Neve Campbell won’t be returning as Sidney after being insultingly lowballed by executives. We’ll see if these younger stars will be able to carry the baton they are given now to make this another entertaining installment. At least, Hayden Panettiere as Kirby will be back though.

Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts (June 9th)

2018’s Bumblebee was a nice and welcoming surprise for the Transformers franchise that gave it another leash on life. Despite the initial low box office numbers, it has apparently gained enough popularity since then for there to be a follow-up. With this one taking inspiration from the Beast Wars storyline, Steven Caple Jr. is looking to continue what Travis Knight started with the last one and crafting a Transformers live-action flick that best resembles the brand. Let’s hope there is even more Transformer focus and action than before!

Elemental (June 16th)

I am always curious to see what Pixar does with a new movie. I’m even more curious to see what they do with it involves an original idea. While this does sound like an odd premise that I’m not entirely sure can carry a whole film, I will definitely be there in theaters to see how it turns out. Hopefully this doesn’t turn out to be another The Good Dinosaur.

The Marvels (July 28th)

I honestly think this has a chance to be a legit surprise for many people. While the first Captain Marvel got a quite lukewarm reaction, I think the ingredients are here for a better follow-up. We’ll get to see Brie Larson as Carol Danvers team up with Iman Vellani’s Kamala Kahn and Teynoah Parris’s Monica Rambeau to save the world. If those three end up having the right chemistry together and if Nia DaCosta’s directing skills is up to the task, then this could potentially be to Captain Marvel what The Winter Soldier was to Captain America and what Ragnarok was to Thor. Of course we have to see for ourselves but I got quite a good feeling about this one.

Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (December 25th)

With what is looking to be the finale to whatever we are suppose to call this DC movie universe for the last decade, Jason Moama and James Waan will be back for one last ride together before James Gunn and Peter Safran hit the reset button. I’m not entirely sure what to expect but no doubt we will be gifted with a beautiful, action packed spectacle just like last time around that might be good enough to distract you from everything else going on in the world. Regardless how it turns out, it should at least provide some much needed escapism for the holidays.

Killers Of The Flower Moon (TBD)

I’m not gonna pretend I know anything about this movie or the book that it’s based upon. All I do know is that Martin Scorsese is back in the director’s chair with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro returning by his side so that’s good enough for me. Can we just please not ask Martin anymore about Marvel movies? Pretty please!

Here we go with the main top ten!

10.) Barbie (July 21st)

Yeah, yeah, I see you laughing but hear me out! I do think this has a chance to be legit good. It has a tremendously talented cast and crew and there’s plenty of fun things you can do with this absurd premise. If the correct approach is used when tackling this material and they are able to find the right balance of humor, meta, and self-awareness, this could be like a live-action equivalent of The Lego Movie. You might find that insane but it’s got the right people to make that happen. Great Gerwig has a near-perfect track record thus far and I believe she’s gonna step it up big time with this one. Also, it will have Margot Robbie in a swimsuit. How can any of us lose?

9.) Shazam: Fury Of The Gods (March 17th)

While we awaited the inevitable outcome of the beginning of the end of this DC universe, we will at least be blessed to see another Shazam! movie before that occurs. The original Shazam! was a refreshingly fun and heartfelt superhero flick that felt like the kind of comic book flick I imagined myself wanting to make as a kid. With Fury of the Gods, it’s looking to expand on the themes of family that the first one provided even further along with giving more screen time for the family in their super forms. I don’t expect this to be my favorite movie of the year but this should still make for some more nice time spend with this lovable group of superheroes.

8.) The Super Mario Bros. Movie (April 7th)

On the surface, this movie should have several red flags attached to it. It’s being made by Illumination Animation who is known for making below average and forgettable kids movies that are always somehow a big box office success. It’s also a movie adaption of a video game series which should also raise some level of concern despite recent success with it. However, with what we have seen so far, the Mario movie seems to be hitting all the right notes. The animation is jaw dropping, the aesthetics and music feel like they are ripped straight out of the games, making Luigi the damsel in distress instead of Princess Peach is absolute genius, and holy smokes it will even have Mario Kart in it! Yes, we’ll likely still have Chris Pratt trying (and failing) to pull off a convincing Mario voice but if the rest of the movie can deliver, then we can live with it. Let’s-a-go!

7.) Dune: Part Two (November 3rd)

Denis Villeneuve returns once again to finish what he started by giving closure to the original story of Dune. We will see the majority of the cast members from the first one return here along with a couple of new faces. This is looking to be another sci-fi tale of revenge and vengeance as Paul Atreides will look to avenge his family from the conspirators. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee. Part One ended on an intriguing cliffhanger, hopefully Part Two is able to stick the landing. If it does, then perhaps we even see even more from this world of Dune and these movies will be looked upon as being some of the finest accomplishments in sci-fi history.

6.) John Wick: Chapter 4 (March 24th)

It’s another John Wick movie! I don’t need to say anything else!

5.) Guardian Of The Galaxy Volume 3 (May 5th)

Our favorite galactic band of misfits is finally coming back to the big screen with what is looking to be their last adventure together. After watching The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special back during the holidays, it made me realize just how much I love these characters and how much I will miss them when they are gone. With what is looking like his final work with Marvel Studios, James Gunn is looking to finish his trilogy on a high note delivering the perfect amount of character, humor, heart, and emotion that he provided with his first two Guardians movies along with something extra. I don’t know if I’ll be ready to say goodbye to these characters but no doubt I’ll be ready to watch this once it hit theaters in May.

4.) Oppenheimer (July 21st)

Similar to a few directors I’ve already mentioned, Christopher Nolan is a director whose movies I’m always curious to check out regardless of what I thought of the previous one. The man just has the kind of distinct vision and grand mindset that very few directors have. Here, he will lead a cast filled with just about every notable star in Hollywood (seriously go look the cast up) about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American theoretical physicist credited with being the “father of the atomic bomb” for his role in the Manhattan project. Like with Nolan’s prior movies, this will no doubt be worth the IMAX experience and one you’ll at least want to see in any kind of theaters. Between this and Barbie, July 21st will likely go down as being the most interesting weekend of movies in 2023.

3.) Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny (June 30th)

What can I say? I’m a sucker for a new Indiana Jones flick! I love them all, even the one that everyone says it’s bad I actually kinda like. There’s plenty to be curious about with this one. How will a new Indy movie fare without Stephen Spielberg as director and George Lucas as writer/producer? How can Harrison Ford still be believable in his iconic role when he is now in his 80s? Will the de-ageing effects be at least more real than say Luke Skywalker or Grand Moff Tarkin? Those are all questions I’m extremely interested in seeing answers to. These movies are just a blast to watch and I’m definitely game for at least one more. If it’s good, then we get another great Indiana Jones movie. If it’s bad, then we can just pretend the third (or fourth one) was the last one.

2.) Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning- Part One (July 14th)

The beginning of what likely will be the end of Tom Cruise’s run with these movies. I can’t think of a franchise that simply refuses to peak like this one. Ever since Part III, they just seem to get better and better with each new installment. Somehow always finding ways to top themselves in terms of action, stunts, stakes, and the impossible missions. With Part One of what is supposed to be the final story of Mission Impossible, Christopher McQuirre and Tom Cruise are looking to save the best ones for last, making the impossible even more impossible by being able to top themselves after Rogue Nation and Fallout. Will they succeed? Who knows! However, no doubt it will be really fun to watch them try.

1.) Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (June 2nd)

If you know me, you would have most likely guessed that this would be number one. Into the Spider-Verse was my favorite movie of 2018 along with one of my favorite superhero movies ever and I have been desperately been looking forward to a sequel ever since. For what we’ve seen, this is looking to deliver everything that people loved about the first one in even grander fashion. The animation looks more beautiful and creative, the Spider-Verse looks like it’ll be even more fun to explore, the relatable themes from the first one will likely carry over, the actions looks even more epic and packed, and anyone’s favorite version of Spider-Man will get their moment to shine here. The wait for this movie has been killing me but I got a good sense it will all be worth it by the time it comes out. Spider-Man is one of my personal favorite characters and I will always look forward to seeing him on the big screen. With Across the Spider-Verse, it’s looking as if I will get exactly that and even more.

In regards to other notable movies that didn’t make the list:

• M3Gan could be fun and scary but it’s a January movie.
• I’ve never seen a Magic Mike movie before but a new one is coming out in February for those that are interested.
• Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey will probably be an unintentional comedic masterpiece.
• I’m burnt out on Fast & Furious movies but a tenth one is out in May that I may check out if I’m bored.
• The Little Mermaid will likely be another massively inferior Disney live-action remake.
• The Flash is……the Flash (and Ezra Miller *shivers*).
• Not the biggest Wes Anderson fan but I might give Asteroid City a chance.
• I’ve lost track on the Insidious movies so I will likely not check out Fear The Dark.
• Hopefully Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem will be the first legit good TMNT movie since TMNT (2007).
• Blue Beetle exists I guess.
• The Equalizer 3 and The Expendables 4 also just exist.
• Kraven The Hunter is getting his own movie believe it or not. Hopefully, it’s another Morbius.
• A tenth Saw movie is coming out as well. I’ve lost track of that series as well.
• I was indifferent to the Hunger Games movies aside from Catching Fire but The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes could be a new fresh start for the series.
• I’ve never got around to the Trolls movies so I won’t see the third one.
• Wish is the new Disney Animation movie but we know nothing about it yet.
• I surprisingly don’t have much interested in Wonka but Timothee Chalamet is perfect casting and I can see Paul King surprise us all once again like he did with Paddington.
• The Color Purple feels like yet another unnecessary remake.
• I didn’t care much for Ghostbusters: Afterlife so I don’t think it’s sequel will do much for me. I’m also not the biggest Ghostbuster fan in general.