FilmSpeak's 20 Most-Anticipated Movies To Be Excited For In 2023

the horizon looks promising for 2023 in terms of the world of film. From big-screen blockbusters to nostalgic family adventures, there’ll be plenty for all audiences this coming year.

It’s impossible to predict quite this early in the year which movies we’ll still be talking about come next December (and which will disappear from the face of the planet entirely), but that doesn’t mean its too early to get excited about the impressive slate of movies on the horizon. With big-screen experiences like Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water making an impressive splash last year, it’s safe to say that blockbusters are officially back and bigger than ever. Plenty of huge movie franchises will be making long-awaited returns in 2023, alongside a handful of original stories whose trailers and images have already grabbed audiences’ attention all over the world. Of course, when the end of the year eventually does roll around, we’ll likely be talking about several movies that are currently totally off-the-radar. Thinking back to 2022; who could have guessed that indie projects like Tár or Aftersun would be among so many audiences’ (and critics’) favorites of the year? Even looking at the box office, last year saw the worldwide release of Everything Everywhere All At Once, which quickly became the first independent movie released during the pandemic to cross the $100 million mark internationally. So whilst many cynics are quick to mourn the ‘death’ of the movie industry, the state of cinema is actually making a sharp return that should have everybody around the world excited for this year’s huge releases.

So whether you’re looking forward to seeing familiar faces and returning to long-running franchises, or excited for those hidden gems that remind you exactly why you love the movies, these films should all be on your radar.

Knock At The Cabin (Feb 3rd)

Director M. Night Shyamalan’s projects have been overwhelmingly hit-or-miss in recent years, but somehow audiences just can’t get enough of his mind-bending thrillers. His latest project, a cinematic adaptation of Paul G. Tremblay’s horror novel The Cabin at the End of the World, stars Rupert Grint and Dave Bautista as two mysterious strangers who force a holidaying family into an unthinkable choice that will allegedly avert the oncoming apocalypse. Like many of Shyamalan’s stories, the film promises countless twists and turns that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats - but whether or not it will swiftly stick the landing is still up in the air.

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

Whilst the previous two Ant-Man movies, despite their fun stories and lovable characters, have felt a little disconnected from the MCU as a whole, the latest installment is shaping up to be one of the franchise’s most important projects in a long while. With both Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lily reprising their titular roles, the film sees the two heroes face their deadliest and more fearsome threat to date - Kang the Conqueror. The iconic villain was first introduced in Season 1 of Loki, but will make his feature-length debut opposite Ant-Man and the Wasp in their highest-stakes battle to date. Many are already speculating that Quantumania could be Rudd’s final outing in the MCU, which means it definitely shouldn’t be missed.

Creed III (March 3rd)

Many audiences claim that sports movies peaked with Rocky in 1976, but director Ryan Coogler soon proved that even the best stories have room for improvement with Creed. The film takes everything that’s great about the original story and elevates it even further, forging a powerful story of legacy and ambition that most sports dramas could only dream of. Lead actor Michael B. Jordan will also occupy the director’s seat in Creed III, hopefully bringing his own personal touch and maintaining the visual flair that made the previous two films so affecting. The film will also see the introduction of Damian Anderson (Jonathan Majors) - and test audiences have widely agreed that he’s Creed’s toughest opponent yet.

Scream 6 (March 10th)

Scream 5’s powerful reinvention of the legacy sequel took audiences by surprise early last year, quickly resolving audiences’ fears that the series had passed its expiry date. In an age where horror sequels are mostly just tired remakes of the originals, Scream 5 proved that when done right, they can actually be more exciting and engaging than ever. Most of the main cast will return in Scream 6, with lead stars Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera set to helm the story. Audiences can also expect to see Courteney Cox back in action as the inimitable Gale Weathers - making her the only cast member to appear in every single installment so far. Little is known about the actual story, but with the notorious twists and turns of the franchise, that’s probably a good thing.

John Wick: Chapter 4 (March 24th)

Very few action franchises have been able to maintain the level of intensity and momentum as John Wick - and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Keanu Reeves makes a sensational return as the titular character, and if the fourth installment’s trailer is anything to judge by, he’s just as swift and powerful as ever. The visual boldness and well-choreographed set pieces also seem just as engaging as audiences will have hoped, cementing director Chad Stahelski as one of the most dynamic talents in the action genre. Anybody who enjoyed the previous three entries in the John Wick chronicles should have this on their 2023 watchlist, and whilst it probably won’t be the most highbrow entertainment of the year, it’s hard to imagine a more exciting and enjoyable moviegoing experience.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (April 7th)

In spite of the endless mockery that’s ensued online following Chris Pratt’s announcement as the new voice of Mario, there’s actually a lot of potential for Illumination’s new video game adventure. The movie already has a lot of skeptics, but judging from the recently-released trailer, The Super Mario Bros. Movie appears to be a mostly harmless homage to Nintendo’s classic game series. The animation style is pretty accurate to the source material, and whilst Illumination’s movies haven’t performed that well (critically) in the past, this movie’s saving grace is likely to be its talented and entertaining voice cast. With actors like Jack Black, Anya Taylor-Joy and Charlie Day lending their voices to these characters, it’s entirely possible that The Super Mario Bros. Movie turns out to be one of this summer’s biggest hits.

Next Goal Wins (April 21st)

It feels as though Taika Waititi’s long-awaited sports comedy, Next Goal Wins, has been ‘almost ready’ forever - but 2023 will finally see the film’s worldwide release. Waititi has faced strong criticism this year following his controversial work on Thor: Love and Thunder, but it seems like this could be the project that finally unites audiences around the director once again. It’s been a while since Michael Fassbender has delivered an effective comedic performance like the one promised here, which naturally has audiences excited. Fellow comedic talents Elizabeth Moss and Will Arnett comprise the remainder of the cast, and though none of them has experience working with Waititi’s very specific sense of humor, their previous work stands as a testament to their adaptability.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5th)

Though director James Gunn has recently taken over operations at DC Studios, that certainly doesn't mean that his work with the Guardians of the Galaxy is over yet. There’s one more installment in this fan-favorite franchise, and many suspect that it’s going to be the most emotional and sentimental of them all. Vol. 3 will see the guardians go face-to-face with Adam Warlock, an iconic anti-hero whose presence was first teased at the end of Vol. 2 over five years ago. The roster of heroes looks a little different now than when the series first began in 2014, but Gunn has assured audiences that the spirit and tone of this long-awaited finale will remain familiar.

The Little Mermaid (May 26th)

Disney’s live-action remakes might not always live up to audiences’ high expectations, but there’s something about the upcoming revival of The Little Mermaid that has fans excited regardless. Halle Bailey makes her breakthrough appearance as the titular protagonist, leading an ensemble of talented co-stars such as Daveed Diggs, Melissa McCarthy and Javier Bardem. The film will likely stay fairly close to the source material, but if it manages to inject enough style and originality, there’s no reason that The Little Mermaid couldn’t become Disney’s biggest hit of 2023.

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

There’s no shortage of Spider-Man movies in theaters these days, but most superhero fans would be in agreement that Lord & Miller’s animated adventure Into The Spider-Verse is probably the best of the bunch. The animation style is unlike anything else in the genre, blending countless different styles into a visual delight that’s matched by an equally creative narrative. Our first look at Across the Spider-Verse seems to match the visual prowess of the original, using bold colors and dynamic animation to bring audiences back into this exciting universe. The film also boasts an outstanding voice cast, including actors such as Oscar Isaac, Hailee Steinfeld, and Daniel Kaluuya among many, many others.

The Flash (June 23rd)

Whether or not The Flash actually releases on June 23rd is basically a mystery, since this project has basically been through the living definition of development hell. Not only has lead star Ezra Miller been charged with several violent crimes since the film wrapped post-production, but now both Warner Brothers and DC Films have completely changed hands since this movie was actually made. The story will allegedly see Miller’s version of The Flash encounter Michael Keaton’s long-absent incarnation of Batman, with Ben Affleck’s Caped Crusader also making an appearance. The shifting power behind-the-scenes at DC could definitely cause some notable issues for this film, but for the time being, it seems like this could be one of the final DCEU movies before James Gunn goes ahead with a potential reboot.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (June 30th)

It’s been almost fifteen years since Indiana Jones was last on the big screen in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, so it’s no surprise that Harrison Ford’s return to the iconic role is one of the most anticipated projects for the coming year. The film’s trailer recently landed online, and it seems to be a nostalgic commendation of Indy’s previous adventures, rebuilt and redesigned for a new generation. Ford is joined by Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the protagonist’s goddaughter, whom director James Mangold has frequently described as the film’s main driving force. The pair will face off against Mads Mikkelsen, who plays a former Nazi that pulls Indy into his dastardly plans.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1 (July 14th)

With the exception of the unbelievably long title, there’s plenty to look forward to with the seventh installment in the beloved Mission Impossible franchise. Tom Cruise returns as the ever-charming Ethan Hunt, and his past seems to have finally caught up with him. The plot remains tightly under wraps, but audiences can expect plenty of big-budget set pieces, a complex story of secrets and espionage, and some stunning visuals that have already been displayed in the movie’s first trailer. Christopher McQuarrie returns to direct, working closely with Cruise throughout the process to forge some jaw-dropping moments that we’ll undoubtedly be discussing for a long time.

Barbie (July 21st)

Very few casting decisions have ever felt quite as written in the stars as Margot Robbie as the titular doll in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Barbie movie. Even just from the brief teaser trailer that was released a few weeks ago, it’s clear that Robbie and Gerwig are doing something extremely unique and entertaining with this project. Filled with color, style, and an offbeat humor that’s elevated by an eccentric cast of new characters, Barbie rightly has its sights set on being one of this summer’s biggest blockbusters. Robbie’s co-stars include Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, and Ncuti Gatwa - all of whom will be playing different versions of Barbie’s other half, Ken.

Oppenheimer (July 21st)

If one thing’s certain about 2023, it’s that eager moviegoers are going to face a difficult choice this July 21st. Premiering on the very same day as Gerwig’s Barbie is Christopher Nolan’s highly-anticipated wartime drama Oppenheimer, which is said to chronicle the monumental work of J. Robert Oppenheimer as he helped to develop the very first atomic bomb. Based on the very brief teaser we’ve been given, it seems that Nolan is attempting something much darker and less sensationalized than he’s ever attempted before. The movie has already gathered a reputation online for its extensive cast, which includes talents such as Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, and Florence Pugh. It’s been a while since Nolan wandered from his sci-fi roots, and Oppenheimer seems to be a fascinating diversion for the acclaimed director.

The Marvels (July 28th)

There are plenty of exciting MCU projects releasing this year, but The Marvels definitely has the potential to be the most interesting of them all. With the number of new characters that are being introduced to the MCU with every new story, it’s not often that audiences are gifted a classic superhero team-up like the one that’s coming in The Marvels. The story brings together Kamala Khan, Monica Rambeau, and Brie Larson for the first time since their respective introductions. Judging by the surprise conclusion of Ms. Marvel, it seems like this film will see the trio switching places across the universe every time they use their powers - likely leading to the MCU’s introduction of The Negative Zone.

Kraven The Hunter (October 6th)

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is about the become everybody's new favorite anti-hero in Kraven The Hunter, the latest entry in Sony’s so-called Spider-Man Universe. In the comics, Kraven is a ruthless hunter who seeks to destroy the famous web-swinger in an attempt to prove himself as the world’s greatest hunter. Though it seems unlikely that any version of Spider-Man will appear in Kraven The Hunter, this film will likely serve as an origin story for the character, who could definitely play a larger role in Sony’s superhero universe. Taylor-Johnson was a fan-favorite choice for the central character, so Marvel fans are understandably excited to see how he handles the character.

Dune: Part 2 (November 3rd)

Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic adaptation of Dune was among the most critically-acclaimed blockbusters of the past few years, so expectations for Dune: Part 2 likely couldn’t be higher. The film will obviously be a continuation of the story that was established in the first part, but with the inclusion of several new and exciting characters. Austin Butler and Florence Pugh join the cast as Feyd-Rautha and Princess Irulan respectively, which has fans of the novel extremely excited. Dune: Part 2 is set to chronicle the second half of Frank Herbert’s original story, whilst any potential sequels will explore the author’s further works in this fictional universe.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (November 17th)

The Hunger Games was undeniably one of the most influential action franchises of the past decade, so when it was announced that Suzanne Collins’ acclaimed novel would be adapted to the screen starring Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schaefer, and Peter Dinklage, expectations soared. The story takes place several years before the events of The Hunger Games, following the life of President Snow long before he gains that title. If the source material is anything to judge by, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes should be just as powerful, moving, and exciting as those original movies were.

Wonka (December 15th)

It’s been a while since the announcement that Timothee Chalamet would be playing the central role in Paul King’s upcoming Wonka musical, but the knowledge is just as exciting today as it was back then. Chalamet is one of his generation’s most charismatic and watchable actors, so it’ll be a real treat to observe how he handles this beloved and iconic character. The story will supposedly follow Willy Wonka on one of his earliest adventures, encountering the Oompa Loompas for the first time and drawing them into his unique business. The film will also star iconic British actors Rowan Atkinson, Olivia Colman, and Hugh Grant in supporting roles.