In 2023, there’s no shortage of new cinematic adventures on the horizon. For the 2023 movie preview, I decided to delve into the 23 most anticipated films of year.
Tom Cruise’s next impossible endeavor. A new phase begins in the MCU. Another phase appears to be dwindling in DC. Indiana Jones goes on his final mission. John Wick is back once again. These are just some of the exciting films set to hit theaters and streaming this year.
Without further ado, the 2023 movie preview features the 23 most anticipated films of the year by release date. Out of the 23 films features, the 2023 movie preview also reveals five films that are my most anticipated of the year which is:
- Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny
- Oppenheimer
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- Dune: Part Two
- Creed III
2023 Movie Preview: January – March
House Party
The reimagining of the 1990 classic follows two friends who throw a massive party in the house of NBA superstar LeBron James, who also produced the movie and appears as himself.
House Party will debut in theaters January 13.
You People
This January Netflix film stars Jonah Hill and Eddy Murphy. Hill plays the love interest of Murphy’s daughter. The duo clashes over culture and generational differences in their respective families.
The secret sauce for You People could be the writer and the director. Hill co-wrote the script with Kenya Barris. The former Black-ish showrunner is excellent at creating comedic and dramatic tension through unique family dynamics. Barris is also directing the film so this film has a ton of potential.
You People also stars Lauren London, Nia Long, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David Duchovny.
You People will debut on Netflix January 27.
Knock at the Cabin
M. Night Shyamalan shines at delivering a tension-filled premise and a Knock at the Cabin is no different. A young girl and her parents are held hostage in a remote cabin by four mysterious individuals. The family is given an impossible choice to avoid the upcoming apocalypse. Few directors are more hit or miss than Shyamalan.
However, with a cast that includes Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Rupert Grint and Ben Aldridge, Knock at the Cabin has a chance of being the best thriller of the year.
Knock at the Cabin will debut in theaters February 3.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance
The movie franchise centered around male strippers has had more heart than it has any right to and Magic Mike’s Last Dance looks terrific. Steven Soderbergh and Channing Tatum return once more. However, it’s Salma Hayek as Mike’s love interest who steals the spotlight in the trailer.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance will debut in theaters February 10.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
The first MCU film of 2023 explores the quantum realm. Here’s hoping director Peyton Reed does more with visiting new realms than Sam Raimi did with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Based on the trailers, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania looks to have a more serious tone due to the presence of Kang the Conquerer played in a captivating fashion by Jonathan Majors.
The father-daughter relationships between Scott and Cassie as well as Hank and Hope have provided the franchise with plenty of heart to go along with the heavy dosage of comedy. Hopefully, the family dynamic combined with a more dramatic story begins this new phase of the MCU on a positive note.
In addition to Majors, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer and Kathryn Newton.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will debut in theaters February 17.
Creed III
The 3rd installment in the Creed franchise won’t feature Sylvestor Stallone, which is disappointing, but everything else about Creed III sounds fantastic. Michael B. Jordan stars once again, but he’s also jumping behind the camera as a director for the first time.
The premise is terrific. Similar to Rocky III, Adonis is on top of the boxing world. He’s married to Bianca played once again by Tessa Thompson and is a father. Then one day he runs into Damian. A childhood friend who was just released from prison. Damian was a boxing prodigy before incarceration and feels like Adonis took the life he should have had. Jonathan Majors looks fantastic in the role as Damian.
This is one of my five most anticipated films of 2023.
Creed III will debut in theaters March 3.
Shazam: Fury of the Gods
The first Shazam film was a complete surprise. I always thought Zachary Levi was a great choice, but I wasn’t sure how the tone would work in the DCU. Jack Dylan Grazer as young Freddy Freeman stole the show. While Man of Steel is still my favorite DCU film, Shazam is the only film in the DCU to successfully combine heart, humor and horror.
Shazam: Fury of the Gods looks to be carrying on the themes of finding and fighting for family from the first film while upping the stakes. Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu join the cast as antagonists. Another bonus is the presence of Rachel Zegler as Anthea, which is Zegler’s first role since her breakout performance in Steven Spielberg‘s West Side Story.
In addition to Levi and Grazer, Fury of the Gods also stars Adam Brody, Meagan Good and Djimon Hounsou.
Shazam: Fury of the Gods will debut in theaters March 17.
John Wick: Chapter 4
Keanu Reeves returns in the 4th chapter of this unlikely franchise and is the frontrunner for the best action film of the year. John Wick: Chapter 4 is taking John’s fight against the High Table globally and features a terrific cast of foes standing in his way. The duplicitous Winston and The Bowery King played by Ian McShane and Laurence Fishburne return.
John’s newest rivals and allies include Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Hiroyuki Sanada and Scott Adkins.
John Wick: Chapter 4 will debut in theaters March 24.
A Good Person
Zack Braff‘s latest film looks like it might be his best film yet. A Good Person centers around Allison played by Florence Pugh whose life falls apart after her involvement in a fatal accident. The story also delves into substance abuse. Pugh looks like an early contender for a best actress nomination. Joining Pugh is Morgan Freeman as Daniel who is connected to Allison before the crash.
Daniel and Allison’s shared grief seems to serve as a bridge for both.
A Good Person will debut in theaters March 24.
2023 Movie Preview: April – June
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The animated adaptation of this beloved video game world looks visually stunning. With a terrific cast featuring Chris Pratt as Mario, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan Michael-Key as Toad, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach and Charlie Day as Luigi, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has all the ingredients to succeed.
The only question is whether the film will have enough heart beneath the surface.
The Super Mario Bros Movie will debut in theaters April 7.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Based on the emotional trailer, James Gunn‘s last hurrah in the MCU looks like it will be the best MCU film of the year. Delving into Rocket Racoon’s origin seems to hint at a more emotionally complex story for the film.
This final mission with Quill’s crew is one of my five most anticipated films of 2023. Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan and Pom Klementieff return in this final installment. I’m interested in seeing how Will Poulter‘s Adam Warlock is worked into the story.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will debut in theaters May 5.
The Little Mermaid
Rob Marshall (Mary Poppins Returns) helms the latest live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid with Halle Bailey taking on the lead role of Ariel. While unproven as a screen actress, Bailey’s voice is stunning and she’s surrounded by an intriguing cast. The biggest surprise is Melissa McCarthy as the villain Ursula.
The Little Mermaid also stars Javier Bardem as King Triton and Daveed Diggs as Sebastion. Music is a character in and of itself in The Little Mermaid. Thankfully, Lin-Manuel Miranda is overseeing the music once again in a Disney film. Miranda’s quality when it comes to animated films is just as strong as his broadway hits. I can wait to see what fruit Miranda’s collaboration bores.
The Little Mermaid will debut in theaters May 26
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was the best-animated film in 2018. In the first film, spider-men from other universes entered Miles Morales’s universe. In this sequel, Miles, Gwen Stacey (Hailee Steinfeld) and Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) are traveling to other universes.
The plot hints at a potential battle between the different Spider-people. Visually, the different spider-verses look stunning as each has a different animation style. Oscar Isaac and Issa Rae join the voice cast.
Across the Spider-Verse looks like it will be the best-animated film of the year.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will debut in theaters June 2.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Any Transformers film that doesn’t feature Michael Bay at the helm is going to have my interest. Can it match the heights of 2018’s Bumblebee? From a character perspective, probably not. Although, I wouldn’t bet against Anthony Ramos following his In The Heights performance. The trailer didn’t really delve into character at all. However, seeing the Autobots and Maximals interacting with each other is an interesting direction.
From an action sequence perspective, it looks like Rise of the Beasts will surpass all the other Transformers films. Steven Caple Jr. did a fine job with Creed II. Here’s hoping he can combine the action and nostalgia into a cohesive film.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will debut in theaters June 9.
The Flash
In spite of all of the drama surrounding Ezra Miller, the word out of the test screenings is this is best the DCU film since The Dark Knight. Ezra may get top billing, but all eyes will be on Michael Keaton as he dons the cape and cowl once more.
The Flash with Andy Muschietti at the helm will debut in theaters June 16.
Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny
Harrison Ford returns for one more adventure as Indiana Jones. Indy’s last adventure wasn’t great, so why am I excited about this journey? James Mangold takes over the directing duties and this incredible cast.
The star-studded cast includes Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Boyd Holbrook. Mangold is the most consistent director working today.
Ford’s final adventure as Indiana Jones is one of my five most anticipated films of 2023.
Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny will debut in theaters June 30.
2023 Movie Preview: July – September
Mission Impossible : Dead Reckoning – Part One
You can easily make the argument that each Mission Impossible film has gotten better especially since Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. With Christopher McQuarrie at the helm and a talented cast, Dead Reckoning Part One should be no exception.
Mission Impossible : Dead Reckoning – Part One will debut in theaters July 14.
Barbie
Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken are reasons enough to be interested in Greta Gerwig‘s take on Barbie. Gerwig’s screenwriting and directing talent was evident in 2019’s Pretty Women remake. With Barbie, this will be the fifth time Gerwig and Noah Baumbach have collaborated together.
Barbie will debut in theaters July 21.
Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan‘s latest film is also the director’s first biopic which centers around the inventor of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer has an incredible cast that’s only matched by the equally stacked Dune: Part 2. It’s early, but don’t be surprised if Cillian Murphy receives a nomination based on his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
In addition to Murphy, the stack cast includes Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh and Gary Oldman as Harry Truman.
Oppenheimer is one of my five most anticipated films of 2023.
Oppenheimer will debut in theaters July 21
The Marvels
The summer movie season comes to an end with the final MCU film of the year in The Marvels. Brie Larson returns, but most of the excitement is over the big-screen debut of Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan. Vellani was outstanding in Ms. Marvel. Her dynamic opposite her idol Carol Danvers should be a blast.
The Marvels will debut in theaters July 28.
2023 Movie Preview: October – December
Dune: Part Two
Dune Part Two has the best cast of the year. Returning stars Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Dave Bautista and Josh Brolin are reason enough to be excited. Director Denis Villeneuve decides to up the stakes by adding Austin Butler (Elvis), Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux and Christoper Walken to the ensemble.
Dune: Part Two is one of my five most anticipated films of 2023.
Dune: Part Two will debut in theaters November 3.
Wonka
Timothée Chalamet takes on the title role in this musical adaptation of the Gene Wilder classic.
Wonka will debut in theaters December 15.
Rebel Moon
Zack Snyder‘s newest spectacle was based on his rejected Star Wars pitch before The Force Awakens. Rebel Moon centers around a female warrior who travels to other planets to convince them to unite against a tyrannical force. Snyder’s visual flair isn’t for everyone, but few directors capture a sense of scope better than Snyder.
Sofia Boutella and Charlie Hunnam topline Snyder’s space opera.
Rebel Moon doesn’t have a firm release date, but is scheduled to release on Netflix near the end of 2023.
