You know, it is fitting that the first post I have made on this site in almost two years is a post about movies. I mean, as a huge cinephile, it makes sense. This was my field of study in college, and I used to cover film and movie reviews for several small websites in the past. I even used to provide film reviews for the City of Los Angeles’ employee newsletter. To say that I am a huge movie fan is a bit of an understatement as there really is no way to describe how much movies have meant to me throughout my life. As a way of living vicariously through the events of the movies, or as taking lessons I learned from them to help my survive some of the most traumatic moments in my life, there is no denying that movies definitely helped forge me into the man I am today.
So, looking forward to the slate of big budget films being presented for 2023, there are quite several films that I am certainly interested in checking out when they release. And it should be no surprise that a good majority of these films are comic book adaptations since comic books happen to be another passion of mine. Still, some of the other big budget films on here are also reflective of my personal taste, as one would expect from a subjective list as this one is. So, I will understand of many of you who read this will not agree with some or a lot of my choices laid out here. Still, I am interested in reading about which films you are looking forward to in 2023 and welcome you to list them in the comments section below.
Notes: *Release dates for these films are subject to change. **This list is in order by release date/
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Distributed by: Wal Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: February 17, 2023
The Disney+ Loki series et up a huge storyline that features Jonathan Majors as the next Big Bad for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is looking to pick up on that and expand on just how much the villainous character of Kang will affect the future of the MCU. If this is the kind of start that Phase 5 is setting for the MCU, than I am more than excited to see how it plays out.
Cocaine Bear
Directed by: Elizabeth Banks
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Release date: February 24, 2023
Loosely based on the real-life exploits of 1985 story of “Pablo Eskobear” in the state of Georgia, this black comedy thriller is certainly taking some liberties and creative licenses with the actual story, but it looks like ramping up the gore and action has piqued my interest to see just what they do to add to this crazy American legend.
Creed III
Directed by: Michael B. Jordan
Distributed by: United Artists Releasing
Release date: March 3, 2023
Creed III will be the directorial debut of Michael B. Jordan as he will lead this film from in front and behind the camera – and I think he has chosen a perfect vehicle to get behind. Jordan is certainly well acquainted with the Adonis Creed character and the growths the character has made, but then you add in Jonathan Majors as a new antagonist and hurdle, and you have the makings of another inspiring sports drama.
Shazam: Fury of the Gods
Directed by: David F. Sandberg
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: March 17, 2023
I’ll be honest, with all the upheaval and changes at Warner Bros. Discovery lately, I have some huge reservations regarding the Shazam sequel. But I am hopeful that David F. Sandberg and star Zachary Levi will present to audiences a super hero romp as touching and hilarious as the first film. But where this film goes from here is a complete unknown, though I do hope it continues in some form or another.
John Wick: Chapter 4
Directed by: Chad Stahelski
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Release date: March 24, 2023
There’s no denying that the John Wick franchise is one of the hottest properties of the last decade. Seriously, this series began in 2014 and has been one of the most anticipated films in each year of its releases. But with top notch action sequences and a story that is engaging and intriguing. On a personal note, I am a bit sad that my dad (who passed away in early 2022) won’t see the latest film in this series as this had become his favorite film series in his later years.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Directed by: Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Release date: April 7, 2023
Okay, I’m going to be completely honest here, I am not to thrilled from what I have seen so far from The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the portrayal of Chris Pratt as the titular character. However, it is far beyond me to deny that Universal Pictures and Illumination don’t know how to put together a beautiful and entertaining animated picture. So, I am giving this film the benefit of doubt… and I am hoping it doesn’t come back and bite me in the ass.
Evil Dead Rise
Directed by: Lee Cronin
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: April 21, 2023
I am super excited to see Evil Dead Rise when it hits theaters later this year. I am a huge fan of the Evil Dead series, I am a fan of director Lee Cronin, and I am excited about the cast that has been announced so far. This has the makings of being a surprise hit on par with the 2013 Evid Dead remake, and I’m really hoping that this film lives up to the legacy of the other films in the series.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Directed by: James Gunn
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: May 5, 2023
Aside from being another anticipated entry in the MCU, I am anxious to see how director James Gunn finishes his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy before heading off, taking over DC Studios for Warner Bros. Discovery. I have some pretty lofty expectations for this film, not just in terms of action, but also from some of the best characterization that the MCU has seen, as I expect Gunn to lead the audience towards a very emotional climax for his part of the series.
The Little Mermaid
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: May 26, 2023
The 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid is arguably my favorite animated film from the House of Mouse. Even all these years later, I still know every line of dialog and every musical note from this much beloved classic. And I have been a fan of most of the recent live-action adaptations that Disney has produced based on their animated classics. So, to say that I am eagerly awaiting to see this adaptation is a huge understatement.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Directed by: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers & Justin K. Thompson
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing
Release date: June 2, 2023
I was surprised that the 2018 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse animated film was the hit that it was, mainly because I had no sort of expectations for how Sony handled their part of the Spider-Man license. (And recent films in that bubble have quelled my expectations once again.) But I still have high hopes for Across the Spider-Verse and what kind of story it’s going to deliver to fans when it releases in theaters in June of this year.
Transformers: Rise of the Beast
Directed by: Steven Caple Jr.
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release date: June 9, 2023
If you know your Transformers lore, all I really have to say is Beasts Wars. If you know me personally, then you know all I have to say is Arcee. But I am hoping that director Steven Caple Jr. can deliver in terms of action and story the way he did with Creed II and The Land. If he can deliver on the same level that Bumblebee did in 2018, I think that the Transformers film franchise will finally be headed in the right direction.
Elemental
Directed by: Peter Sohn
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: June 16, 2023
Despite a few stumbles this past year by Disney and Pixar, I am still very much a huge fan and believer in the works they produce. (And between you and me, I actually loved both Lightyear and Strange Worlds, so.) But I think that Disney/Pixar are still the top in the business when it comes to animated films, so I am more than willing to give Elemental a watch, especially since the trailer looks to present a very unique and interesting world in which these characters reside.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Directed by: James Mangold
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: June 30, 2023
If I am being completely honest, despite director James Mangold heading this film, I still have some reservations regarding Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. In fact, if it wasn’t for Mangold, I wouldn’t even give this film a second thought. But because I do have a lot of faith in Mangold, I am more than willing to see how this Indy outing turns out, especially if this is the last time we will see Harrison Ford in this iconic role. Here’s hoping that this film can wash away the horrid taste from the last Indy film.
Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1
Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
Release date: July 14, 2023
Throughout the last several films in the Mission Impossible series, each film has been better than the last, with the action and intensity ramped up more and more each time. And the writing and story have improved vastly again and again in each film. I think that star Tom Cruise has found the perfect partner in director Christopher McQuarrie to present his vision for the best action/spy thriller series in the market today – and I am more than ready to see the first part of this two-part finale.
Barbie
Directed by: Greta Gerwig
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: July 21, 2023
When heard that they were making a live-action adaptation of Barbie, the legendary doll line from Mattel, I had some huge misgiving about its quality. But when I heard that Margot Robbie was attached to star and that Greta Gerwig was set to direct, I must admit that it certain piqued my interest. Robbie is one of my favorite actresses in Hollywood today, and Gerwig certainly has impressed with her films Lady Bird and Little Women, so I am going into this film with more of an open mind than before.
The Marvels
Directed by: Nia DaCosta
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: July 28, 2023
When Captain Marvel hit theaters in 2019, I was certainly one of those fans who was yearning to see more of that character in the MCU. And after having watched the WandaVision and Ms. Marvel series on Disney+ these last couple of years, I have been curious to see how the three “Marvel” characters would interact with each other in future projects. So, to see that all three will appear in one film that will explain their connection to each other, I am definitely chomping at the bits to see this movie.
Haunted Mansion
Directed by: Justin Simien
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: August 11, 2023
I can hear it from some of you already; another movie based on a Disneyland attraction. But if you look at the success that Disney has had with both The Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise films, there’s no denying that there is a market for these kinds of films. And I will admit that I am one of those Disney fans, eager to see how they present the story of the Haunted Mansion to film. At the very least, it should be infinity better than the horrid 2003 adaptation.
Blue Beetle
Directed by: Angel Manuel Soto
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: August 18, 2023
Let me start this blurb out by saying that I am a huge Jamie Reyes/Blue Beetle character in DC comics. I think he is one of the best new characters in DC in the last 15 years or so. And the way he has been adapted into other DC media such as video games and animated series has only heightened his fan following over the years. And now seeing that he is getting a featured length film has me really excited to see his exploits on the big screen. Here’s hoping that this character’s film also survives the recent Warner Bros. Discovery/DC Studios upheaval as well.
Dune: Part Two
Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: November 3, 2023
For as much as I kind of disliked the “white savior” aspect that the first Denis Villeneuve film seemingly presented, there was no denying just how much or a marvel that film was. It’s for that reason that I am highly anticipating this second part to this series and how Villeneuve has managed to bring the world of Arrakis to life. I initially believed that fully bringing this series to the big screen would be nearly fruitless, but I believe that Villeneuve has succeeded where David Lynch fell a bit short in 1984, and fully realizing the visuals and themes that Frank Herbert initially envisioned in his classic novel.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Directed by: James Wan
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date: December 25, 2023
Ugh! Of all the films on this list, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the film I am least excited to see when it releases in December of this year. To be honest, I absolutely loathed the first Aquaman film as I found it derivative and dull despite the changes to the character that a film adaptation should have provided. Still, I want to continue to support these kinds of films, so I will be watching this when it does release. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t expecting a ton of changes being made to the formula to better entice me to enjoy it this time around.
And there you have it, my list for the 20 Most Anticipated Films of 2023. What do you think of my list? Do you agree with it? Do you disapprove? Leave you comment down below and let’s see what we agree on and that on which we don’t. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you all again soon. Stay safe, my friends.
