Welcome back everybody to a an annual tradition of mine! As I like to do, I’m going to be counting down my most anticipated movies coming out in the next year. Last year I did 40, but this time I decided to bump that number up to 45 as there are a lot of films that I myself am personally looking forward to. This one was especially fun to make as I found ranking these films to be difficult since I am an interest in all of them and so there are times where some movies may be above or below others, even though I may be excited for them equally if that makes sense. Without further ado let’s take a look at what the new year has to offer through my most anticipated films!
45. The Flash
Let’s kick off with what for me at least was the easiest placement on this list, largely due to the complicated feelings I have for this project. On the one hand this one has been a long time coming as it was first announced in 2014 and since then 8 seasons of The Flash TV show on the CW have gone by and the DC film division has undergone some massive changes. I myself am a fan of The Flash as a character and have wanted him to get his own big screen venture for a good while and I have been intrigued by the idea of doing a multiversal adventure in the DC universe as that has a lot of fun possibilities. Plus you have the introduction of Supergirl (played here by Sasha Calle) in this iteration of the DC universe as well as the return of not only Ben Affleck’s Batman, but also Michael Keaton donning the cowl once again, more than 3 decades after the release of Batman Returns. The latter alone has me curious as to how this will play out and I’m hoping the movie itself ends up being a fun time. On the other hand everything that has been going on with the film’s lead, Ezra Miller, with them essentially being a huge menace to society at this point (might be worth a google…) and with them still involved and Warner Bros. not really doing much to fix the situation (to be fair this situation is unprecedented in the modern blockbuster landscape) and it has all just put a sour taste in my mouth regarding the project. That being said it seems like Miller is more unlikely than not ever going to reprise this role and the movie will be the movie no matter what even if it’s place in the DC cinematic universe remains uncertain at this point.
44. Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2
Admittedly I’ve never really been a die hard Ghostbusters fan. Don’t get me wrong, I really like the first movie and will even defend the 2016 reboot, but it’s not a series I have a huge emotional connection with like so many other people have had. Still I like the concept a lot and I was rather impressed by Ghostbusters: Afterlife as I found it to be a fun and surprisingly emotional film that introduced new characters I would love to go on more adventures with. Not much is known about this next installment aside from the fact that most everyone from Afterlife will presumably be back (McKenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, etc.) as well as Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, and Ernie Hudson reprising their roles as the original Ghostbusters and that the movie will return to New York. While I am a tad disappointed that Jason Reitman will not return to direct (that goes to his co writer, Gil Kenan) as I thought he did a really good job with Afterlife, I am still looking forward in seeing where this story goes next as well as what ideas the writer have cooking up as this is a concept that lends itself to so many possibilities.
43. Wonka
It’s been a little over 15 years since we last saw Willy Wonka on the big screen and now he will return in a brand new origin story, this time with Timothee Chalamet in the role. Honestly I was unsure about this project when it was first announced as Tim Burton’s 2005 adaptation already delved into his upbringing and this seemed like an excuse for Warner Bros. to use this IP again. However I do really like both big screen adaptations of Roald Dahl’s classic book and I will admit that I have some curiosity as to how Wonka’s story will be portrayed this time. Plus it’s a got great supporting cast that includes the likes of Keegan-Michael Key, Sally Hawkins, Olivia Colman, and Rowan Atkinson among others. What really has me onboard though is that Paul King, who did the Paddington movies, is behind the camera. I thought he did a wonderful job with those films as I think he is the perfect man for this project as he has proven that he can bring the charm and whimsy of Dahl’s work to life. Here’s hoping that this period piece musical will capture that sense of imagination that the iconic chocolate factory owner is known for.
42. Knock at the Cabin
Director, M. Night Shyamalan, returns with another high concept original thriller. This time he tackles the 2018 novel, The Cabin at the End of the World, which concerns a family taking a vacation in an isolated cabin in the woods only to be interrupted by a group of home invaders who believe that the apocalypse is coming and that the only way to stop it is by making the ultimate sacrifice. While his output may be considered hit or miss by many, Shyamalan is a filmmaker who I greatly admire as he is not afraid to take narrative risks with his stories and is someone who brings a distinct voice to the projects he tackles. Knock at the Cabin seems to be right up his alley with its simple yet interesting and effective premise that has the potential to be an intense and compelling thriller. It also looks to be another way for Dave Bautista to further expand his impressive range as an actor with him playing the head of the group of strangers along with other notable names like Rupert Grint and Jonathan Groff among others. I myself am intrigued by this premise and look forward in seeing what Shyamalan has in store this time.
41. M3GAN
This is the latest horror offering from Blumhouse productions and produced by James Wan (who also has a story credit alongside Akela Cooper) who has made a name for himself in recent years as a master of the horror genre. The basic premise concerns a roboticist named Gemma who uses artificial intelligence to create life like sentient doll named M3GAN whose purpose is to be a child’s greatest companion. After Gemma’s niece loses her parents in a car crash, she enlists the help of a M3GAN prototype to help take care of the child not realizing just how overprotective this doll turns out to be. Like Knock at the Cabin this is a simple yet fun hook that is essentially a modern spin on Child’s Play. I tend to be drawn to stories related to technology and the ways in which things can go wrong with as it is an opportunity to delve into the relationship between humans and the tech we use in our everyday lives. Not only that, but trailers for M3GAN have done a great showcase showcasing the insanity that is in store, leaning into the campiness and promising a bonkers ride with gruesome kills and a likely new horror icon in the title character. Here’s hoping the film ends up being just as fun as it looks to be!
40. The Last Voyage of the Demeter
This is an interesting one as not only has it been in some form of development since 2002, but it is also an adaptation of just a single chapter from the classic Bram Stoker novel, Dracula, titled The Captain’s Log. It concerns the crew of the merchant ship, Demeter, and how they are stalked by a dark presence onboard. I can’t really think of any movies that are adaptations of just a single chapter of a book. Quite frankly, unless it’s an anthology story I don’t know how that can be done. However, even though I’ve never read Dracula, just reading what this chapter is about, it definitely feels like something that can be a story all on its own and I look forward in seeing how director, Andre Ovredal, tackles it. Plus how can I say no to a creepy sounding horror period piece set at sea!
39. Asteroid City
After helming last year’s The French Dispatch (which I quite enjoyed) Wes Anderson returns with his next star studded project. This one concerns a Junior Stargazer convention in an American desert town and a world changing event that occurs during it. Not much else is known beyond that but knowing Anderson it is likely to contain his usual deadpan wit, distinctive filming style, and assortment of colorful characters. While I haven’t seen all of his filmography, I am someone who enjoys his quirky style of filmmaking and storytelling and I like how he’s willing to tell different stories with those sensibilities. His style may not be for everyone, but it is distinct and I like that in a director. Plus per usual he has gotten a bunch of big names to star in this including *deep breath* Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody, Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, Steve Carrell, Jefferey Wright, and a whole bunch of others. Can’t wait to see the types of characters they’ll be playing and on the whole I look forward in seeing what Anderson has in store with this one.
38. The Marvels
Here we have the first of three MCU projects to pop up on this list. This being the sequel to Captain Marvel and it is set to continue the adventures of Carol Danvers as she looks to team up with Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan (aka Mrs. Marvel) both of whom have made their debuts on Disney+ in some capacity (the latter of course having her own show). The plot looks to revolve around them switching places whenever they use their powers and that they need to figure out what is going on. I enjoyed the original movie as I found it to be a solid origin story with some great performances and plenty of entertainment value. Thus I am interested in seeing where this sequel will take the character and the concept sounds like it could be a lot of fun. Even though I’ve never seen the Disney+ shows I am still curious as to how these characters will interact with one another. Plus I was quite impressed by the director, Nia DaCosta’s 2021 Candyman sequel as I really dug her direction for that one. So this has potential to be a solid follow up.
37. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
Out of all of the movies to get a sequel more than two decades after the original, I would not have expected Chicken Run to be one of them. Sure the 2001 Dreamworks Animation production was critically acclaimed and remains the biggest fully stop motion animated feature ever, but it wrapped up its story nicely leaving little room for a follow up. However it seems that the writers that be at Aardman Animations seemed to have come up with an idea on where to take the chickens next. All we know is that the film will follow Ginger and Rocky as parents to young chicks and that there is a new threat to their sanctuary that they need to stop. I am someone who loves the original Chicken Run as I find it to be a fun and compelling Great Escape type film with impressive animation, a lot of charm, and characters worth rooting for. So I do have a certain curiosity in how this sequel will play out as well as excitement in seeing these characters again. Plus I think Aardman is full of great talent that have made immensely delightful films so of course I look forward to a new film from them.
36. Inside
Here’s one that flew under my radar until fairly recently. We’ve mentioned here on this list how effective a simple premise can be and this right here is another example. This psychological horror film follows an art thief who ends up getting trapped inside a luxurious penthouse and now he must try to survive and hold on to his sanity. This is a concept that has so much potential to be a creepy and claustrophobic horror film as well as an interesting character study that explores our lead’s psyche. Plus the fact that it has Willem Dafoe headlining it all is a huge cherry on top as he is one of my personal favorite actors, always ready to give his all to a performance. Can’t wait to see what he does with this one!
35. Harold and the Purple Crayon
The classic children’s book by Crockett Johnson about a young boy who can create a world of his own with the help of a purple crayon, is finally making its way to the big screen. I remember reading the book back when I was younger and I think it has the potential to be an imaginative family film. What especially has me interested is that director Carlos Saldanha is behind it. I have been very impressed by his work at Blue Sky studios, especially in regards to the Rio films and Ferdinand. The latter was also based off of a classic children’s book and I thought he did a solid job in maintaining the message of the source material while also extending the story for feature length. I am confident that he can do the same for Harold, and I am curious to see how he manages going from animation to live action for this one.
34. A Haunting in Venice
Not gonna lie, I am pleasantly surprised that this is moving forward. While Murder on the Orient Express was a solid hit back in 2017, its sequel Death on the Nile severely underperformed this year (only $137 million worldwide on a $90 million budget). However it seems like Disney believes that the film would have done better under better non covid circumstances (keep in mind, these films skew older) and have decided to move forward with another Agatha Christie adaptation with Detective Hercule Poirot, this time based off one of her lesser known novels, Hallowe’en Party. Kenneth Branagh will reprise his role of Poirot and will be joined by a cast comprised of Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, and Jamie Dornan among others. I am actually very happy about this as I really liked Death on the Nile as I found it to be an improvement over its predecessor (which I already liked quite a bit) and am game for more mystery solving with the greatest detective in the world (or at least that’s what he says).
33. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Now I will admit that I am no expert on Dungeons & Dragons by any means, having never played it before. However from what I’ve heard it seems like it lends itself well to a big budget theatrical adaptation and I am happy to see Paramount give this IP another go after the disastrous 2000 adaptation. Plus how can I say no to a medieval action fantasy written and directed by the duo who did Game Night (a movie I really love) and stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Rege- Jean Page, Sophia Lillis, and Hugh Grant. Add in some fun looking trailers and we have what could be a fun adventure that appeal to both fans and newcomers alike.
32. Haunted Mansion
Out of all of the Disney rides, I feel that The Haunted Mansion is among the ones with the biggest cinematic potential as it lends itself perfectly to a fun, spooky family film. Thus it makes sense to take another stab at the property even with the 2003 version with Eddie Murphy not being very well regarded. From what I’ve heard of this film it seems to be going in that direction with the plot revolving around a family hiring individuals familiar with the paranormal to investigate their new home. With a cast that includes Rosario Dawson, Jamie Lee Curtis (as Madame Leota), LaKeith Stanfield, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Dan Levy, and Winona Ryder I am optimistic that this can be a new potential franchise for the Mouse house.
31. Scream 6
The Scream series is one of my personal favorite horror franchises as not only do I love a good number of them, but even the ones I’m not too big on have things that I can admire about them. I myself was very impressed by last year’s installment (review coming soon) as I thought it did a great job reviving the franchise. While normally a new installment coming so soon after the last would concern me a bit, the writers and directors have stated that they already had an idea of where they would take the story next so they clearly have a direction. Those who survived last time around will be back as well as some newcomers played by the likes of Samara Weaving, Tony Revolori, and Henry Czerny. Plus this time the action is heading to the Big Apple where a new Ghostface killer has arisen. Here’s hoping this is another worthy continuation with the same wit and surprises that the best in the franchise have.
30. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Kicking off phase 5 of the MCU is the third installment of Peyton Reed’s Ant-Man saga. I myself really like these films as I find them to be entertaining super hero stories that have a lot of creativity and a fun lead in Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang. What most excites me about this film, is that it is going to be an adventure set in the Quantum Realm, something that has been touched upon in the other films. I’ve always found it to be a cool concept and one that has immense visual potential. We’ve also got the big screen debut of the next big bad of the MCU, Kang the Conqueror played by Jonathan Majors (who we will see again later on in this list). Looks to be another fun ride!
29. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
We go from one installment in a super hero franchise to another, this time with one from DC. This one may or may not be the last time we see Jason Momoa as the titular character (it all depends on what James Gunn and Peter Safran plan to do with DC) but either way I’m looking forward to this next underwater adventure. I really enjoy the first film and admire its willingness to go all out, playing in different sandboxes and being not afraid to get wacky. We look to be getting more of that with this one as well as a bigger role for Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta who is now the big bad for this sequel. With James Wan back at the helm and the promise of a darker story and further exploration of the ocean’s depths, I can’t wait to delve back in!
28. Trolls Band Together
Despite not even being released in a wide number of theaters, Trolls: World Tour still did well enough on VOD to warrant a theatrically bound third installment in what has quickly become a solidly successful franchise for Dreamworks Animation. I’m glad, since this series has been one of the most pleasant surprises for me in recent memory. As someone who originally dreaded the original Trolls (was quite snobbish at the time) I ended up surprisingly enjoying it thanks to the fun characters, at times clever sense of humor, solid message, and fantastic visuals that felt like a scrap book come to life. I liked the sequel even more as I thought it maintained what I liked about the first while also improving upon certain aspects at the same time. Thus I look forward to this threequel and am hopeful that it’ll be closer in quality to Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted than Shrek the Third.
27. True Love
This one right here actually doesn’t even have a plot synopsis as of this writing. Everything other than that is enough to make me excited though. It is said to be an original sci fi film directed and written by Gareth Edwards the man behind Godzilla (2014) and Rogue One. I myself am a big fan of both of those films and really dug his direction for both. Thus I am eager to see what he does with an original story. The film also has the tremendous acting talents of John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, Ralph Ineson, and Ken Watanabe to further entice me. Plus I’m just a sucker for original sci fi (I mean, I’m the weirdo who really dug the Hugh Jackman starring forgotten box office disaster, Reminiscence) so anytime there’s one coming out, I’m automatically intrigued.
26. Argylle
Those who’ve been wanting to see Henry Cavill play James Bond… probably shouldn’t hold their breath. However they can settle for this new star studded spy film coming to Apple TV+. The film is based off a novel that has yet to be released and it concerns a world class spy suffering from amnesia and believes he is a best selling spy novelist. I’m always game for a new big budget spy film especially one with Kingsman director, Matthew Vaughn, at the helm. I am also glad to see Cavill step into the spy sandbox once again as I really enjoyed him in Guy Ritchie’s underrated The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Joining him is a supporting cast comprised of *deep breath* Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Bryce Dallas Howard, John Cena, Catherine O’Hara, Samuel L. Jackson, Ariana DeBose, Rob Delaney, and Dua Lipa in her first major acting role. While I’m disappointed it won’t be theatrical I still think it has potential to be a fun globe trotting adventure.
25. Migration
For the first time since 2016, Illumination Entertainment is set to have two features release in one year. Their first one is (understandably) getting the most attention, however I think their other one has promise as well. Migration marks the first original movie from the animation studio since Sing in 2016 and it concerns a family of ducks who are migrating for the season and end up going on the vacation of a lifetime much to the dismay of the over protective father. A simple premise that could be a fun and heartfelt family comedy. What most intrigues me about this one is the director, Benjamin Renner. He is a French filmmaker and animator who worked on the critically acclaimed Ernest & Celestine and The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales… with the former even being nominated for best animated feature at the Academy Awards in 2014. This is an interesting and exciting choice to helm a big mainstream animated feature like this and it shows that the studio is willing to get talent like this to create some promising work.
24. The Expendables 4
Here’s one that I still can’t believe is actually happening due to how poorly the third installment did in the States, but I’m not complaining. I’m someone who enjoys the Expendables films warts and all. I just like the idea of a franchise centered on the action movie all stars of the past teaming up and doing missions together and these movies take advantage of that premise for the most part. Furthermore, this fourth installment will mark Sylvester Stallone’s last go around in this series as Barney Ross and he will be passing the torch to Jason Statham’s Lee Christmas. As a big fan of Statham I am happy to see him get a bigger role. Joining the usual suspects (Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, etc.) are Megan Fox, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Andy Garcia, Tony Jaa, and Iko Uwais. The addition of the latter two seems to imply a bit of a martial arts flavoring is expected. While I’m fairly mixed on the third one I am still excited by the prospect of another one of these being made and if successful it could potentially revive what was thought to be a dead franchise.
23. Cocaine Bear
I’ve really got to admire Universal for releasing a lot of bonkers high concept films theatrically with the likes of Violent, M3GAN, and now Cocaine Bear! The story here? A 500-pound black bear ends up ingesting a large amount of cocaine after a drug smuggle gone wrong… and then chaos ensues! Elizabeth Banks directs and Phil Lord and Chris Miller produce while the likes of Keri Russel, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Alden Ehrenreich, and the late Ray Liotta (sadly one of his last acting credits as he passed away in June) star. With that talent, a great trailer that promises what one would want from a movie like this, and a tone that looks to be self aware without being too “in your face” about it and we have the makings of a truly crazy fun ride that looks destined to gain a following. I mean what other movie this year is going have a bear high on cocaine running at super speed and then jumping into the back of an ambulance? Bring it on!
22. Blue Beetle
Here we have another DC film, this one being the onscreen debut of Jamie Reyes AKA Blue Beetle, a character known by DC fans but probably not by many beyond that. He is essentially a teenager who gains super powers after an Egyptian scarab binds to his spine that gives him alien armor. I myself like this character and have been wanting for him to get his own feature length film on the big screen for a while as I feel his powers would be cool to see in action. Thus I was happy to see this become theatrical after it was originally intended to go to HBO Max and I am very happy for Xolo Mariduena who is finally getting his big lead role in a big budget film like this. I think he is great as Miguel in the series, Cobra Kai, and I believe he is a perfect choice to play Jamie. Joining him are Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, and Harvey Guillen among others. Here’s hoping that the first Latino led super hero film turns out as good as hoped!
21. Barbie
Yes, the movie that the internet has been going crazy for ever since the talent was revealed. Frankly I’m shocked it has taken this long for a theatrical Barbie movie to get made (copious direct to DVD features not withstanding) given that the brand is considered one of the most popular toys ever made. But it is finally coming and boy does it look and sound like something special. Acclaimed director/actress, Greta Gerwig, is behind it and it stars Margot Robbie as the titular doll and Ryan Gosling as Ken as well as *another deep breath* America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Simu Liu, Alexandra Shipp, Emerald Fennell, and Will Ferrell among others. That’s a great cast right there and I am a big fan of Gerwig’s Lady Bird and have heard great things about her 2019 take on Little Women, so this already has my attention. Add in a hilarious teaser and a fun sounding plot revolving around a Barbie doll being expelled from Barbieland for not being perfect and having to find her way in the world and I think we have what could be a potential surprise summer hit!
20. Next Goal Wins
After helming the God of the Thunder’s latest adventure, Taika Waititi returns with something more akin to his smaller budgeted films like Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Jojo Rabbit. This time he tackles the story of the American Samoa national team, then considered one of the worst football/soccer teams in the world, and the Dutch-American coach who tries to whip them up into shape. It is actually based off of a documentary of the same name and it stars Michael Fassbender, Will Arnett, and Elizabeth Moss among others. Even though I wasn’t the biggest fan of Thor: Love and Thunder, I am happy to see Waititi scale it back and go for something smaller in scale. I think Jojo Rabbit is fantastic and if he is able to bring the same quirky blend of drama and comedy that he brought to that film to this, then I think this could be something really special. Plus who doesn’t love a good underdog story?
19. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
When it comes to Transformers its a franchise I’ve always wanted to get more into as I think the concept is cool and from what I’ve read/seen regarding the characters and mythology has gotten my attention. Admittedly the only Transformers movies I’ve seen in their entirety (I’ve seen bits and pieces of the others) are the original (which I’m mixed on) and Bumblebee. I really liked the latter film, so much so that I have been looking forward in seeing another film set in this universe with a similar vibe. Rise of the Beasts looks to be just that, as it looks to take a lot of inspiration from the Beast Wars side of the franchise (one of the more well regarded aspects of Transformers) with the introduction of the Maximals (essentially Transformers that take on the form of animals). I think that’s a fun direction to take things in and I thought the first trailer was great, teasing a globe trotting adventure with plenty of cool looking robot action. Not only that but I thought the director, Steven Caple Jr., did a strong job with Creed II and I like the cast that was assembled here for both the humans (Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback) and robots (Ron Perlman, Michelle Yeoh, and Pete Davidson among others). I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited for a Transformers movie ever and I look forward in delving more into the stories of these robots in disguise before this hits theaters.
18. Renfield
After the disastrous response to Tom Cruise’s The Mummy, Universal was quick to veer away from the idea of an interconnected universe with their classic monsters and instead are focusing on crafting stand alone stories of all shapes and sizes of these icons. In 2020 we got Leigh Whannell’s critically acclaimed take on The Invisible Man and in 2023 we get a more unconventional type of story. For those who don’t know, Renfield is the assistant of Dracula who carries out his every bidding. The film is a horror comedy that follows Renfield tired of being Dracula’s assistant, constantly having to kill just to keep his master alive and he wants to break free of it. That is a really fun concept and it is exactly the type of project I’d want to see Universal do with these monsters, different kinds of stories just so happen to have these monsters (or in this case monster adjacent) starring in. I also feel director, Adam McKay (The Lego Batman Movie and The Tomorrow War) is a solid choice for this one and I think Nicolas Hoult makes for a perfect casting choice as the lead. The film also stars Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, and Nicolas Cage as Dracula himself (the one aspect that is selling so many people on this movie and for good reason). This looks to be an absolute delight and I can’t wait to see how it turns out!
17. Creed III
Originally slated for last year, the third installment of the Creed series will finally make its way into the ring, this time with Michael B. Jordan making his feature directorial debut, while also reprising his role of Adonis Creed. The plot this time sees him facing an old friend of his in Damien, played by Jonathan Majors (with this and Ant-Man, he is really shaping up to be the MVP of early 2023). I love the Creed movies as I find them to be immensely compelling sports dramas that have great characters, superb performances, and excellent boxing scenes. Thus I am excited to see where this one will go especially with Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa not coming back, meaning we will truly get to see Adonis continue to form his own path. Here’s hoping it’s a knock out!
16. Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Out of all of the DC films slated for 2023, this is the one I’m the most excited about. I know a lot of people on the internet think that these films may not matter to the grand scheme of things due to what’s going on with James Gunn and Peter Safran… but frankly I don’t give a crap. The first Shazam! is one of my favorite comic book movies in recent memory and so of course I’m going to be stoked for a follow up, larger universe connections or not. With this follow up it is very clear that the creative team got a bigger budget for this one and are taking full advantage of it to create a bigger sequel with larger stakes at play, yet the heart and humor of the first film looks to remain. I love Zachary Levi as this character and can’t wait to see him again as well as an expanded role for the rest of the Shazam family as well as the likes of Rachel Zegler, Helen Mirren, and Lucy Liu joining the fun. If this is truly the last time we see these characters (hopefully not) then let’s hope this adventure goes out with a bang!
15. Killers of the Flower Moon
Another film that was originally going to release in 2022 (it was actually in my top 40 most anticipated list) but was pushed back to 2023 is the latest film from Martin Scorsese and is set to release on Apple TV+ sometime in the year. This one is about the murder of members of the Osage Tribe in Oklahoma in the 1920s and the FBI investigation that follows and it has a very stacked cast with Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, and Brendan Fraser among many others. Martin Scorsese is one of my personal favorite directors so a new film from him is of course going to catch my attention. I also think the cast is great and I tend to dig these types of investigation movies, so yeah very much looking forward for this.
14. 65
Here is one that intrigued me when it was first announced, but then really got me excited after more was revealed. At first not much was known about 65 except that it would star Adam Driver, be directed by the guys who wrote the A Quiet Place films and that it would be an original sci fi film concerning his character trying to survive on a planet that has some monstrous creatures lurking about. Those aspects alone already had me interested… and then the trailer dropped. It turns out that this planet isn’t just any random rock, its actually Earth… 65 million years ago! And those creatures… are dinosaurs! Save for the Jurassic World films, we almost never get big studio films centered on dinosaurs (which is frankly blasphemous), so the fact that we are getting a film like this is just awesome. It’s a great concept and the trailer teases an intense thrill ride with plenty of Dino action. Sign me up!
13. John Wick Chapter 4
Aside from another movie series that will talk about later on in this list, the John Wick series is among my favorite ongoing action franchises. I’ve loved every single one of them due to their cool world building, interesting characters, dazzling cinematography, and of course, jaw dropping action sequences. This fourth chapter looks to contain all of that while also continuing from where the last film left off with John now trying to take down the Round Table. Keanu Reeves is back as the Baba Yaga, as are many other familiar faces. We’ve also got the likes of Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgard, Hiroyuki Sanada, Scott Adkins, and Clancy Brown joining the fun. While I’m unsure if this will be the last one or not, I’m confident that the consistent quality that is present through these movies will remain.
12. Suzume
This right here is the only non U.S. production on this list (keep in mind, most international releases go under my radar until close to release) and I just could not help but put it on here. Yes I know it technically has been out in Japan for the past couple of months or so, but it won’t be coming to the United States until April, so I’m counting it as a 2023 release in that regard. This right here is latest directorial outing from Makoto Shinkai who is known for movies like Your Name and Weathering With You. While I haven’t seen the latter yet, the former is one of my absolute favorite films as I found it to be an emotionally compelling mix of different genres that had me hooked from start to finish. I’m hopeful that Suzume, which concerns a teenage girl who finds these mysterious doors across Japan and must try to stop them from unleashing havoc, will be another winner from Shinkai as it looks to contain all of the beautiful animation and potentially engrossing character work that made Your Name so wonderful in my eyes.
11. Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan returns with his latest feature, this time a period piece drama concerning the father of the atomic bomb, J Robert Oppenheimer. Nolan is one of my personal favorite directors working today as I like his willingness to tackle big themes and ideas in different kinds of films whether it be a comic book film based off of the Caped Crusader, a war story, or a heist inside the dream world. Oppenheimer looks to be no different as the subject matter is inherently interesting to explore and I can see why he would gravitate toward it. Not only that but he assembled an incredibly stacked lineup of actors with Cillian Murphy in the title role. Joining him are *another deep breath* Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Josh Hartnett, Dane DeHaan, Alden Ehrenreich, Jack Quaid, Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, David Dastmalchian, Josh Peck, and a bunch of others I probably forgot to mention. Knowing Nolan it is also likely to play great in IMAX (as the teaser proved) meaning this is likely to be a big screen marvel that is going to be best seen in theaters.
10. Wish
Believe it or not, The Walt Disney Company will be celebrating its 100th anniversary and their animation division has just the project to commemorate it. One of the biggest pieces of iconography associated with Disney is that of a wishing star, whether it be through appearances in movies such as Pinocchio or in the classic logo that plays before every single movie of theirs. This movie is a musical centered around this wishing star (or at least the concept of one) and how it came to be. The plot revolves a young girl named Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose) who lives in a magical kingdom known as Rosas. When one day she makes a wish to the skies, she is answered by a little ball of energy named Star, with the two now having to face a formidable threat that could threaten their kingdom as they know it. This sounds like it has the potential to be a truly wonderous film with a neat concept that is honestly a perfect way to celebrate the company’s grand centennial. Not only that but the animation is said to be a combination of the usual CG style that Disney has mastered over the years and watercolor animation which is the original art style that the studio employed a lot, which just sounds promising on a visual level. Let’s just hope that this is one wish worth accepting!
9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
We all have those franchises/brands where when something new comes out of it, we’re automatically onboard. For me, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is one of those. I’ve been a fan of these pizza eating reptiles ever since the 2012 iteration and I always look forward in seeing what is done with them next. This time they will be getting their first theatrical feature length feature since TMNT in 2007. Not a whole lot is known aside from a few details such as Gravity Falls writer, Jeff Rowe, being onboard as the director, Seth Rogen being heavily involved as a producer, this could be the start of a franchise if successful, and that the animation is said to be extremely stylized, not dissimilar to what was done with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Arcane. Rogen has also stated that he wants this version to really emphasize the teenage aspect of these characters in an authentic manner and judging by the title, there is likely to be a lot of Mutants causing havoc. I’m digging everything about this and I for one am looking forward to how these iconic character will be translated into the medium of animation for the big screen once again. Cowabunga indeed!
8. Nimona
This is one that I still can’t believe is happening. For those who don’t know this was originally going to be a project developed by Blue Sky Studios and directed by Patrick Osborne (best known for the Disney Animation short, Feast). It is based off of the acclaimed graphic novel by ND Stevenson which focuses on a shapeshifter and her quest to fight against tyranny alongside a knight named Ballister Blackheart. It was deep in development for a while, even with Disney now owing the studio after acquiring 20th Century Studios. It was originally intended for a theatrical release of 2022… until Disney decided to shut down Blue Sky Studios, thus stopping development on Nimona, something many including myself were infuriated by as this story had a lot of potential (and it just sucked to see a big animation studio shut down like that, leaving a lot of talented folks jobless in the process). Could the project be revived somewhere else? Maybe, but it seemed like a longshot for a while… until it was announced in 2022 that the project was being revived. Apparently Annapurna Picture picked up the feature and are set to release it on Netflix sometime in 2023. This time, Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (they were the ones who did Spies in Disguise, a movie I like a lot) are behind the director’s chair, yet much of what the people at Blue Sky did will remain intact as this is not being redone from scratch. So this is technically the last Blue Sky related feature to see the light of day so this is definitely bittersweet in a sense. Still I love that this project is happening as I think it sounds promising and I’ve heard nothing but great things about the source material which I hope to check out before this comes out.
7. Dune: Part Two
After much acclaim and a better than expected box office take on a Covid curve, Denis Villeneuve was given the go ahead to wrap up his 2 part adaptation of the influential sci fi novel, Dune. I am more than happy about this given that I absolutely loved Part 1 for its grand scale, interesting conflicts, immersive world, and fantastic cast, so I am eager to see how this story wraps up. Those who survived the events of the original will return such as Timothee Chalamet’s Paul, Rebecca Ferguson’s Lady Jessica, and Josh Brolin’s Gurney, with the likes of Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, and Javier Bardem set to play larger roles this time around. We also have the additions of some exciting newcomers such as Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Lea Seydoux, Tim Blake Nelson, and Christopher Walken. It has also been promised that this one will up the ante when it comes to action and spectacle while also maintaining what was so great about the first installment. If pulled off, then these films could go down as a well regarded and legendary film saga right up there with the Lord of the Rings trilogy or the recent Planet of the Apes trilogy.
6. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
After getting fired and then re hired to direct, James Gunn will finally be wrapping up his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy with the final adventure with these characters. Additionally Maria Bakalova will be reprising her role of Cosmo the Spacedog from the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, while Will Poulter and Chukwudi Iwuji join the ensemble as the powerful artificial being, Adam Warlock and the cold and calculated High Evolutionary (who is Rocket’s creator) respectively. The original Guardians of the Galaxy is among my favorite MCU films and I found the sequel to be a worthy follow up as well. Thus, I am more than excited to see how Gunn wraps ups these characters’s stories and if the fantastic trailer is any indication, it looks to be a very emotional one. Can’t wait to go on these one last ride with these space faring misfits.
5. Elemental
It can’t be my most anticipated list without a new Pixar Animation movie near the top! This one marks the first original feature of theirs to hit the big screen ever since Onward in March of 2020 and it is also directed by studio veteran, Peter Sohn, who previously worked on The Good Dinosaur, though for that one he came on to help finish that one as it was going through a very troubled production. This time, he gets to tackle his own idea that is rooted in his childhood growing up as the son of immigrants in New York. The concept here is essentially “what if the elements were alive and lived together?” with the plot concerning a fiery young woman named Ember and go with the flow water element named Wade meet and come to realize just how much they have in common. Just the concept of elements coming to life is an imaginative one that has endless visual potential as the teaser showed, but this also looks to be a full on romance movie, which is something new from the studio. I’m curious to see how Sohn handles this aspect and in general it looks like it could be a really charming and compelling feature.
4. Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One
The Mission Impossible franchise is one of those series that I feel gets better and better with each passing entry. The last installment, Mission Impossible: Fallout, is my personal favorite of the bunch, as well as one of my favorite action movies of all time. So yeah, I’m pretty darn hyped for this next installment especially with Christopher McQuarrie returning to direct and the promise that this is the beginning of the end for the Mission Impossible saga. Of course Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt as do the rest of the gang, as well some newcomers in the forms of Haley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Cary Elwes, Shea Whigham, and Rob Delaney. Oh and Henry Czerny is making a surprise return as Eugene Kittdridge who we haven’t seen since the original film all the way back in 1996. Couple that in with a spectacular trailer that teases an exciting adventure with plenty of insane stunts and action sequences and I am absolutely stoked to see if McQuarrie can top himself once more.
3. The Super Mario Bros. Movie
As far back as I’ve been into movies, I have always wanted to see a feature length animated Mario movie for the longest time. It’s the type of property that is perfect for this medium and it is ripe for another shot on the big screen. Fortunately, Nintendo has teamed up with Illumination Entertainment to make it happen and from what we’ve seen they are certainly not resting on their laurels. While I was already onboard with the film from the get go, it was the trailers that really got me truly stoked. Everything from the spectacular animation that looks to bring the iconic designs of the games to life in cinematic form, to the characters looking to maintain and expand upon a lot of the personality that they are known for, to the celebrity voices looking to fit the roles well (I understand if your not sure about Chris Pratt’s voice but I think he sounds fine and I like what he’s doing with the voice), to the amount of fun Easter eggs and references to so much of the character’s history from Mario Galaxy to Mario Kart. This looks to be a great love letter to the franchise as a whole that honors that legacy while also being a fun adventure for both fans and newcomers a like. Let’s a go indeed!
2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Originally set for last year, the much anticipated follow up to the Oscar winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse finally arrives this year and it looks to be well worth the wait. The original is one of my favorite movies in recent memory thanks to the stunning animation, well told origin, and great characters that were compelling to follow. This sequel looks to up the ante with higher stakes as the plot looks to introduce more Spider people such as Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac), Spider-Woman (Issa Rae), Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya), and many many more, while also keeping the focus on Miles and his character arc. This also looks to continue pushing the boundaries of animation with a crew of over 1,000 individuals working on the project (the largest ever for an animated feature). Add in some effective teaser trailers and its not hard to see why I’m so excited for this one!
And after much thought, my most anticipated movie of 2023 is…
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
If you had to ask me what my favorite film series is, I would have to go with Indiana Jones. I love every single film in this franchise (yes even Kingdom of the Crystal Skull… deal with it) as I think they are tremendous adventures with exciting action, excellent craftsmanship, memorable characters, interesting stories, and so much more that makes them re watchable. So the fact that we are getting a new one and that it is said to be Harrison Ford’s last go around as the character has me more than excited, even with Steven Spielberg not returning to direct, although James Mangold (Logan, Ford v. Ferrari, etc.) is an inspired choice to fill in those shoes. John Rhys-Davies returns as Sallah while Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Toby Jones, Antonio Banderas, and Boyd Holbrook join the fun in key roles. From the terrific teaser trailer, it seems that this looks to be yet another entertaining adventure with a potential exploration of Indy’s character and how the passage of time has affected him. I really liked how that was handled in the 4th movie and I’m curious to see what Mangold does with that idea as well as what this Dial of Destiny does. Here’s hoping that this turns out to be a worthy swan song for one of my favorite characters in all of media!
And these are my most anticipated movies of the year, 2023. Now there are so many other high profile movies beyond these ones that are coming out that I left out for one reason or another. I’m not the biggest fan of the Disney live action remakes, so The Little Mermaid only has slight curiosity from me (largely due to Lin Manuel-Miranda’s involvement and Hailee Barry’s apparent talent), while I have a certain amount of uncertainty for the likes of Kraven the Hunter, Fast X, and Saw X (all new installments in franchises/universes that haven’t impressed me that much as of late). There are also new installments in franchises that I haven’t caught up with yet that may interest others such as Magic Mike’s Last Dance, Evil Dead Rise, and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I also have a certain amount of interest in the likes of The Meg 2: The Trench, Insidious: Fear the Dark, Beau is Afraid, The Equalizer 3, Gran Turismo and Extraction 2. Oh and there are plenty of films such as Wile E. Coyote vs. ACME, Laika’s Wildwood, Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon, Dreamworks’s Meet the Gillmans, and Michael Mann’s Ferrari that would have absolutely made the list if it weren’t for the studios being so coyish about their release dates.
But again these are my personal picks and it is always likely that there are many films that are going to fly under my radar until we get closer to their release dates. With that said, please let me down below what are you most excited to check out in the movie world this year and if I missed any you think deserves attention. Until then, see you guys later!
Review Time 