The new year comes with new fan-favorites, and 2023 surely won’t disappoint the film fanatics, especially for franchise enthusiasts. Below are some of the upcoming 2023 releases to look forward to!
- Scream VI (March 10)
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The cherished Ghostface franchise has been on my watchlist for quite some time now, and what better way to kick off a marathon than a sixth installment in about a month’s time! This time around, young film and series connoisseurs alike will relish in the fact that Jenna Ortega is back for her second “Scream” performance, along with the iconic Courteney Cox, Roger Jackson, and Melissa Barrera. Neve Campbell has taken a step back from the franchise, but it seems fans will be far from disappointed as they venture to New York City with this installment’s cast.
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (April 7)
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Who ever would’ve thought we’d see these childhood icons on our silver screens? Those of us who grew up with the beloved characters of Donkey Kong, Bowser, Princess Peach, Mario, Luigi and more should be rest assured that The Super Mario Bros. Movie adaptation contains an equally beloved cast.
The cast includes Charlie Day, Chris Pratt, Anya-Taylor Joy, Jack Black, and Seth Rogen, so my expectations are definitely a little too high. While not every character is featured in this first installment, I hope to see my favorite, Daisy (as well as Yoshi), in a sequel sometime soon.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5)
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After six years since Vol. 2, the third installment of Guardians will arrive this spring with nearly every cast member returning, as well as some fresh faces like Will Poulter as Adam Warlock. The film is set to follow the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana) as Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) revives the team to defend the universe in a (hopefully) successful manner. If you’re a fan, hold out for a happy ending that leads to a Vol. 4!
- The Little Mermaid (May 26)
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Even if you hadn’t heard of the other films on this list, the upcoming live-action rendition of The Little Mermaid is one you’re sure to have caught wind of due to the internet’s positive and negative reception of the movie.
I’ll admit I was definitely skeptical myself. How would a live-action film set entirely underwater work? Who will they cast as Ariel and Prince Eric? Remember when Harry Styles was a conspired Prince Eric? Well, I can’t wait for the many questions we’ve all had to finally be answered! If anything, I can’t wait to see Halle Bailey’s much-anticipated performance as Ariel.
- Asteroid City (June 16)
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I am anticipating a trailer for Wes Anderson’s next rom-com soon due to its star-studded cast. Now that I’m thinking about it, most upcoming movies of the year are stacked with actors and actresses with major followings and well-established filmographies. Though, if you know anything about Wes, he is one to absolutely stack his casts with anyone and everyone with a name in Hollywood.
Set in the mid-1950s, audiences will see Scarlett Johansson, Margot Robbie, Maya Hawke, Tom Hanks, Steve Carell, Adrien Brody, and many, many more at a stargazing convention for teenagers. This is going to be the primary setting in which the cast will interact as parents and children all within the fictional town of Asteroid City.
- Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (june 30)
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Another sequel added to the list: the fifth Indiana Jones film is coming to theaters late June. Did you really think Harrison Ford was finished? Well, he is back better than ever, and beside Ford is John Ryhs-Davies as Sallah, reprising his role from Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. James Mangold is directing, but it is equally important to note that Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are executive producers.
- Oppenheimer (july 21)
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Nolan’s Oppenheimer is centered around J. Robert Oppenheimer’s (Cillian Murphy) creation of the atomic bomb, and this film has yet another strong supporting cast, including but not limited to Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and Matt Damon amongst many, many other recognizable A-list names.
It’s now official: 2023 is the year for best casting-calls.
- Barbie (july 21)
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Wait, what did you say? A Christopher Nolan film AND a Greta Gerwig film… on the same day?
Yet another icon from our early days, this is personally my most anticipated watch. Greta Gerwig has brought us fan-favorites like Lady Bird (2017) and Little Women (2019), so the bar is literally above the clouds. Come July 21, it’ll officially be time to get all of your bright, flashy pink clothing out of the closet to see Margot Robbie in the titular role of Barbie, and she is accompanied by a neon, skater-donned Ryan Gosling as Ken!
The storyline will follow Barbie’s expulsion from Barbieland as she grapples with navigating the human world in hopes of finally discovering true happiness.
- Ferrari (Fall 2023)
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Ferrari feels like the mystery card of this list. If you recall House of Gucci (2021) and enjoyed Adam Driver’s performance as Maurizio Gucci, then you should keep a lookout for his portrayal as Enzo Ferrari in this biopic. It surrounds Ferrari’s life as an Italian sports car entrepreneur and race car driver. This is also the second ’50s-set film of the list, with Ferrari taking place in the summer of 1957 during his spout with bankruptcy.
- Wonka (December 15)
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I don’t know about you, but I think I’m most excited for the Wonka trailer to drop out of this entire list. There is little circulating about the Willy Wonka prequel, but the most important part is that TimothĂ©e Chalamet has taken on the titular character and is making it look like it was always his.
Of this chaotically jam-packed variety, I hope you find some time to see a new release you’re interested in this year, whether its listed above or something else entirely, have fun!