Anticipated movies for 2023

With the new year comes new works of cinema, let’s take a look at some highly anticipated movies we cannot wait to see.

10. Scream VI

The esteemed Scream franchise is coming back once again. After the release of 2022’s Scream came out, this sequel continues the storyline of our survivors from the film. The story will star sisters, Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega), as they find themselves being terrorized by Ghostface in New York City. Returning to the film will be Hayden Panettiere reprising her role as Kirby Reed from the fourth Scream film. Coming to theaters on March 10, 2023.

9. Dune: Part Two

After the success of the first film, Dune: Part Two will be released on November 3rd, the sequel will continue to follow a character, Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) as he reunites with his love interest, Chani (Zendaya), to seek revenge against the confederates who destroyed his family. Paul gets torn between love and life when he must stop a disaster in the future from happening, that only he knows about. 

8. Oppenheimer

Coming from director Christopher Nolan [director of the Batman Begins franchise, and mind-bending movies like The Prestige] we see just how far he is willing to go to give viewers that IMAX shot that gravitates them toward the film and to the big screen. With his acclaimed “No CGI” for his recreation of the Trinity Test [first ever nuclear weapon detonation in New Mexico] viewers wonder just how visually mind-blowing this film is going to be. The film itself, based upon the renowned winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J.Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, stars Cillian Murphy (J.Robert Oppenheimer), and other stars such as Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer’s Wife, Kathrine), and Robert Downey Jr. (Lewis Strauss). Oppenheimer is set to release later this year on July 21.

7. Beau is Afraid

From director Ari Aster [director of Hereditary and Midsommar] comes the abstract film that is Beau is Afraid.  Starring Joaquin Phoenix as Beau [iconic roles such as Joker in Joker (2019) and Theodore Her (2013)] audiences see Beau’s greatest fears become his most remarkable adventure. This film continues Aster’s unique take on exploring generational and family trauma through an eye-opening lens with crazy adventures and epic twists. Coming from Aster’s original short film Beau, the two films explore the human experience of being controlled by fear and the struggles of coming to terms with grief and trauma. With surrealist metaphors and shocking imagery, Beau is Afraid comes out in theaters on April 21, 2023.

6. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

The Hunger Games was originally a book written by Suzanne Collins and has since gone on to have four movies made about the dystopian world. Viewers were first introduced to characters like Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark as they were forced to fight for their lives in an arena run by President Snow, against other adolescents. Now, eleven years later, fans of the series cannot wait to see a new cast join the story. Instead of following the life of Katniss, the movie will go back to the past and get a look at the dictatorial ruler, President Snow’s life when he was a teenager. This movie is expected to be in theaters on November 17 and will include actors like Hunter Schafer, Viola Davis, and Peter Dinklage.

5. Wonka

A sweet treat awaits Willy Wonka fans as the prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Wonka will share the story of young Willy Wonka when he met the Oopma Loompas and how he grew his astounded chocolate factory. Starring Timothée Chalamet [iconic roles such as Nicolas Sheff in “Beautiful Boy” and Theodore in “Little Women”] to play young Wonka himself, the film will be filled with musical numbers and continue the legacy of films based upon Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The movie is set to release in theaters in December 2023.

4. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

This sequel to the 2018 film Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse continues to follow the story of Miles Morales as he joins forces with “Spider-people” from other universes. The stakes are higher than ever as the team will face the most powerful villain they have ever encountered. Similar to the previous movie it will include familiar voices such as Shameik Moore (Miles Morales), Hailee Steinfeld (Ghost-Spider), and Oscar Isaac (Miguel O’Hara). This movie also involves various directors including Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson. The film is set to release on June 2 of this year.

3. The Little Mermaid

After 34 years since the original animated film, The Little Mermaid is now getting a live-action adaptation. The movie is set to come out on May 26 and is directed by Rob Marshall. The film will follow a similar storyline to the original, following Ariel (Halle Bailey), a young mermaid who learns about life outside of the sea. Viewers will watch as she learns about the world and experiences life on land for the first time.

2. Super Mario

The widely known video game from the 80s, Super Mario Bros, is now getting its very own movie. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, this film centers around two plumbers/brothers, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), as they are sent on a mission through an underground labyrinth to rescue an imprisoned princess (Anya Taylor-Joy). The movie will have other well-known actors such as Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, and Seth Rogen. The movie is set to release on April 7.

1. Barbie

The iconic doll every kid loved to play with is finally getting her own movie. Directed by Greta Gerwig, audiences are excited to see her rendition of the most famous doll (Margot Robbie) after her hit with the 2019 Little Women adaptation and her own original film Lady Bird. Viewers will witness the doll set off on an adventure into the real world after getting kicked out of ‘Barbie Land’ for not being perfect enough. Look out for the movie in theaters on July 21.