17 most anticipated Hollywood movies of 2023: ‘Oppenheimer’, ‘Dune 2’, ‘Mission Impossible 6’, and more
By-Naresh
All things considered, 2022 was a pretty great year for Hollywood. Sure, like every year in this century, the box office was utterly dominated by movies made by big studios and part of a franchise or popular intellectual property. But in the last few years, indie studios have made a comeback spearheaded by A24. ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, which grossed over $100 million on a budget of $14 million. That’s nothing compared to, say, ‘Top Gun: Maverick”s $1.48 billion, but it is encouraging to see that good movies still find takers even if not backed by a major studio and an extensive marketing campaign.
2023, COVID-19 permitting, promises to be an even bigger year for American cinema. There are numerous, exciting-looking movies set to release in the year, and a typical movie buff is going to have a great year. Most of all, there is something for everyone, be it superhero films, thrillers, animated movies, horror fare, and lots more. Here is a list of the most anticipated movies of 2023.
M3GAN: January 6
Gerard Johnstone’s M3GAN revolves around Gemma who is saddled with the responsibility of an orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw). To make her life easier, she gets the little girl an AI-powered doll to protect her. However, it all goes haywire, when the titular doll goes bananas, hurting people who she wrongly deems as threats to the child.
The Son: January 20
Florian Zeller’s prequel to his highly acclaimed ‘The Father’ is called ‘The Son’. It has a glittering cast with names like Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby, Zen McGrath, Hugh Quarshie, and yes, Anthony Hopkins.
When You Finish Saving the World: January 20
Directorial debut of ‘The Social Network’ actor Jesse Eisenberg, ‘When You Finish Saving the World’ is a coming-of-age drama starring Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard as a mother and son.
Knock at the Cabin: February 3
This M Night Shyamalan film is based on the 2018 novel ‘The Cabin at the End of the World’ by Paul G. Tremblay. The film puts a twist on the home invasion genre. A couple and their child go on vacation in a remote cottage in the forest, only to be attacked by four strangers armed with a variety of makeshift weapons. But the strangers are not your typical rednecks. They, in fact, claim the darnedest thing, that one of the three — couple or the child — will have to sacrifice themselves so the world can be saved. Indeed, what they say appears to be true.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania: February 17
Helmed by returning director Peyton Reed, ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ continues the adventures of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton) as they get transported into the Quantum Realm, a micro-universe that can only be entered through subatomic particles. The film also reveals Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror, a major villain in MCU’s next phase.
Cocaine Bear: February 24
As the name suggests, ‘Cocaine Bear’ has a cocaine-maddened bear as its villain, who goes on a murderous rampage. Fascinatingly, the film is based on a true story. A bruin (exact species of American black bear), did consume cocaine in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1985 but did not murder anybody. He just died from an overdose and was taxidermied. In ‘Cocaine Bear’, though, the animal does lose his cool and begins attacking people. And since bears are formidable already, a mad bear losing its fear of humans is a very dangerous concept, indeed. You can watch the trailer above to see what the bear does.
Creed III: March 3
‘Creed III’ is the third film in the ‘Creed’ series and ninth installment in the ‘Rocky’ franchise. Michael B. Jordan, the star who plays the titular role of Adonis “Donnie” Creed, also directs, making his debut.
Scream VI: March 10
The sixth film in the ‘Scream’ series, this Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet directorial is the sequel to 2022’s ‘Scream’ and brings back Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Hayden Panettiere, and Courteney Cox. Oh, and the Ghostface killer is also back.
John Wick: Chapter 4: March 24
‘John Wick: Chapter 4′ is the first of the two parter storyline that will end Keanu Reeves’ character’s story. In the third movie, titled ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum‘, Keanu Reeves’ titular assassins character was non-lethally shot by his ally Winston (Ian McShane). He and the Bowering King (Laurence Fishburne) decide to team up against the High Table, a council of most powerful crime lords in the world.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: March 31
‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ serves as a reboot of the film franchise. Taking its source material from the iconic tabletop fantasy role playing game called ‘Dungeons & Dragons’, which inspired numerous novels, video games, TV shows and of course movies. Directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, known for the hit comedy film ‘Game Night’, the film features a team of thieves with each representing a different class of character the players can choose in the games: Bard, Barbarian, Paladin, Sorcerer, and Druid. Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, and Hugh Grant star.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie: April 7
‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ is an adaptation of Japanese video game developer Nintendo’s ultra-popular games of the same name. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who use a screenplay by Matthew Fogel, the film features Chris Pratt voicing Mario, an Italian plumber and the primary protagonist of the games who goes on various adventures to save Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy in the film) from the clutches of evil Bowser (Jack Black).
Renfield: April 14
Chris McKay’s horror comedy ‘Renfield’ features Nicolas Cage as Count Dracula. If that doesn’t sell the movie to you, the film is a horror comedy featuring Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina and Ben Schwartz.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: May 5
James Gunn’s third movie in the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ series, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’, will also be his last. The franchise may continue in some way after him, but Gunn is done with it. The film brings back its main cast, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff. Elizabeth Debicki, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone, and return from previous films. Will Poulter, Chukwudi Iwuji, and Maria Bakalova join the MCU with this film. The film has its titular superhero team once again going to defend the universe.
Fast X: May 19
The tenth film in the ‘Fast and Furious’ series, Fast X again brings back the Vin Diesel-led family. The huge ensemble cast includes Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Momoa, John Cena, Brie Larson, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Scott Eastwood, Michael Rooker, Daniela Melchior, Alan Ritchson, Cardi B, Helen Mirren, Rita Moreno, and Charlize Theron.
The Little Mermaid: May 26
Rob Marshall’s is another in Disney’s series of live-action remakes of animated classics. Halle Bailey plays the titular role of Ariel, a mermaid princess who wants to find out what’s in the human world above. Jonah Hauer-King, Javier Bardem, and Melissa McCarthy also star, while Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina lend voices.
‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’: June 30
James Mangold’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ is the fifth film in the franchise. Harrison Ford returns in the iconic role one last time. The film appears to be a true-blue classic ‘Indiana Jones’ film laced with modern action and special effects. Mangold also wrote the script with Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth. John Rhys-Davies returns as Sallah in the film. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Boyd Holbrook, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, and Antonio Banderas join the franchise with this film.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One: July 14
‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’, directed by Christopher McQuarrie, marks the return of Tom Cruise once again in the role of Ethan Hunt. The spy thriller franchise began with 1996’s ‘Mission: Impossible’, which was a continuation of the 1960s TV series of the same name. As the name suggests it is the first in story arc. The arc will end with the eighth and final ‘Mission: Impossible’ installment titled Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.
Avatar: The Way of Water December 16
Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” begins to tell the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. Directed by James Cameron and produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, the film stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement and Kate Winslet.
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