2022 wasn’t short on great films. Several outstanding directorial debuts showed us a great, new wave of fantastic filmmakers. Horror had a micro renaissance thanks to Pearl, Nope, The Menu, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and many more. James Cameron finally delivered Avatar’s sequel. And we got Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Life — as far as movies go, anyway — was pretty good. Questionable business decisions paint a bleak portrait of cinema’s future, but that doesn’t mean the medium’s dying. Or if it is, at least 2023’s giving us plenty to look forward to in the meantime.
While this list is by no means comprehensive, here are our most anticipated films for 2023:
January
M3GAN
Release Date: January 6th
You don’t have to wait at all to see this deadly doll slay. Directed by Gerard Johnston and written by Akela Cooper and James Wan, M3GAN is a near-perfect blend of satire, terror, and TikTok dances. Check out this Cinematic Schematic podcast episode for our mostly positive takes.
Missing
Release Date: January 20th
If M3GAN didn’t stress this enough already: Damn, can technology get scary? Missing is the spiritual successor to 2018’s Searching. Filmed through phones, tablets, and everything else with a front-facing camera, this flick looks to finetune the under-explored genre kickstarted by 2006’s The Collingswood Story and popularized by 2015’s Unfriended.
Infinity Pool
Release Date: January 27th
Like father like son — except maybe even better. Brandon Cronenberg’s short filmography is already enough to warrant his place among the likes of Ari Aster and Robert Eggers. Pair the director’s craft with sure-to-be stellar performances from Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård, and this mind-bending tale could easily be an early standout for 2023.
February
Knock at the Cabin
Release Date: February 3rd
M. Night Shyamalan doesn’t have the brightest track record, but his knack for weaving semi-intriguing twists is becoming more of a lost art. Knock at the Cabin could be yet another chance for the director to redeem himself (or create another The Happening). Bare minimum, this will be a chance for more people to learn about Knock’s exceptional source material: Paul G. Tremblay’s novel, The Cabin at the End of the World.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance
Release Date: February 10th
Did you know the Magic Mike franchise is over a decade old? Time flies—as well as skin-tight shirts—when you’re having fun. Channing Tatum’s last hurrah with the hunk shouldn’t dilute Magic Mike’s showstopping nature. But given the context, expect this entry to be a tad more somber (but just as sweaty).
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Release Date: February 17th
If you’re ever hankering for another Marvel movie, just wait three months. Ant-Man movies are definitely fun, but Paul Rudd’s charm doesn’t do much to separate the Avenger from the pack. Still, Quantumania will give us a deeper look into Kang (Jonathan Majors), the MCU’s next final boss.
Cocaine Bear
Release Date: February 24th
Directed by Elizabeth Banks, you shouldn’t need a litany of reasons to check this one out. In short, it’s based on the true story of a black bear that got into a ridiculous amount of cocaine. And then it fucked shit up. We’re going in as blind as possible; you should, too.
March
Creed III
Release Date: March 3rd
Can what started as a legacyquel stand on its own? If it’s directed by and starring Michael B. Jordan, then probably. Plus, it’s got Jonathan Majors pulling double duty as another powerful antagonist. This isn’t going to reinvent the nemesis wheel, but that’s not necessary for this trilogy-ender to be a hit. Don’t expect this blockbuster to pull any punches.
Scream VI
Release Date: March 10th
Ghostface takes New York City. Despite all of the slasher’s genre-bending romps, it’s curious why we’ve never seen the killer stalking a big city. It’s a shame Neve Campbell won’t be returning, but her absence shouldn’t completely derail the film’s appeal. Regardless, Scream VI should at least answer the age-old question: How much blood does it take to flood a bodega?
John Wick: Chapter 4
Release Date: March 24th
For anyone who thought Keanu Reeves’ movement felt restrained in The Matrix Resurrections, you can thank this movie. John Wick is basically this era’s Death Wish — just way, way better. While Reeves will perhaps always carry the franchise, Donnie Yen’s inclusion could yield one of the best-choreographed fight scenes ever. Keep your eye on this one, but don’t get caught in the crossfire.
April
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Release Date: April 7th
Even in the wake of Avatar: The Way of Water’s success, this videogame adaptation may have enough steam behind it to dwarf several record-setting films. Will it really do anything that either Wreck-It Ralph movies didn’t? Probably not, but it stars the most recognizable plumber ever. If Super Mario Bros. strikes gold, don’t be surprised if it kicks off another smashing cinematic universe.
Evil Dead Rise
Release Date: April 21st
Who says gory and wacky aren’t synonymous? Evil Dead Rise will likely follow in the footsteps of its predecessor from 2013. While the jokes will be a bit less ample, the series’ hallmark campiness and chaos should be in full force. Fair warning: There’s a good chance you’ll never want to touch a cheese grater again.
Beau is Afraid
Release Date: April 28th
Formerly Disappointment Blvd., it’ll be ironically tough for Ari Aster’s latest horror comedy to disappoint. Beau is Afraid may be a departure from 2018’s Hereditary and 2019’s Midsommar, but this reality-warping outing should have no issue continuing Aster’s stellar body of work. If the director alone wasn’t enough, Joaquin Phoenix’s lead role could make another instant classic.
May
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Release Date: May 5th
If by some chance Quantumania leaves a bad taste in your mouth, Guardians 3 will hopefully be a palate cleanser. With James Gunn back and Will Poulter portraying the film’s antagonist, Adam Warlock, this film should at least be a fun ride.
Fast X
Release Date: May 19th
We’re due for another Fast & Furious film already? Family man Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) returns to battle Jason Momoa with cars or something. Jokes aside, it’s honestly refreshing to see a franchise that was once trying too hard to morph into a surprisingly endearing — and enduring — series. Vroom vroom, Vin. Vroom vroom.
The Little Mermaid
Release Date: May 26th
Turning a beloved animated movie like the Lion King into a soulless and uninspired “live-action” film was a choice. But it’s hard to argue with its box office success. Hopefully, Disney learned from their recent duds like 2022’s Pinocchio (not Guillermo del Toro’s great flick) and 2019’s Aladdin. If executed with care, The Little Mermaid could be something special and earned.
June
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Release Date: June 2nd
If your New Year’s Resolution was to watch one Marvel movie this year, make it this one. Across the Spider-Verse is the follow-up to one of the greatest superhero films ever. The first film was complex, clever, and beautifully animated by Sony Pictures Animation. This one will likely swing into our hearts all the same. What’s up, danger?
Elemental
Release Date: June 16th
Creating vivid stories out of familiar concepts is well within Pixar’s wheelhouse. But are passionate, down-to-Earth love stories in it, too? Not so much, which is where Elemental could break new ground for the studio. The idea that opposites attract has carried more than a few classic films. A little Pixar magic mixed in shouldn’t hurt.
Asteroid City
Release Date: June 16th
At face value, Wes Anderson’s upcoming joint should have everything it needs to recapture Rushmore’s glory and then some. Set in 1955, an appropriately star-studded ensemble including Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody, Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, Scarlett Johansson, and way more meet for a stargazing competition. Asteroid City sounds like it could share a vibe with Computer Chess, an underrated gem from 2013. Hopefully, this movie won’t feel too bloated despite its massive cast.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Release Date: June 30th
15 years ago, some of us were wondering if Harrison Ford might be a bit too old to play Indiana Jones. The Dial of Destiny responds with a resounding, “Hell no.” The film is helmed by James Mangold of Logan and Ford v. Ferrari fame. It’s probably safe to say he’s a slightly more capable filmmaker than George Lucas. Ol’ Indy should be in good hands.
July
Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One
Release Date: July 14th
“You’re fighting to save an ideal that doesn’t exist. Never did.” You can bet Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) isn’t going to take that kind of philosophical disrespect lying down. What’s been described as the action icon’s swan song, the first of this climactic tale should hit all of the familiar blockbuster notes and then some. If all else fails, we’re still in for one insane bike stunt.
Barbie
Release Date: July 21st
Was being excited about a live-action Barbie film on anyone else’s 2023 bingo card? What could’ve been a box-office blunder may turn into one of the most clever and hilarious films of the decade thus far. Between Greta Gerwig’s direction, Noah Baumbach’s co-writing, and Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling’s lead roles, there’s little room for this film to flop.
Oppenheimer
Release Date: July 21st
Christopher Nolan’s tendency to leave us begging big questions probably won’t wane with his first biopic, Oppenheimer. The film will trace the development of the atomic bomb, and hopefully, help us reconcile with the invention that may have triggered our self-destruction. If this turns out to be a one-sided celebration of human ingenuity, Oppenheimer will be a disastrous miss.
August
Meg 2: The Trench
Release Date: August 4th
The big, dumb shark flick with just a tad more discipline than Sharknado is getting a big, dumb sequel. Anyone who dreamed of SYFY’s made-for-TV movies from the early 2000s reveled in 2018’s The Meg. Meg 2 will be hard-pressed to flounder with its formula. If it’s got a bigger fish, it’ll probably be good enough.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Release Date: August 4th
Previous Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies are sometimes great, but they often miss what the heroes in a half shell are first and foremost — teenagers! Mutant Mayhem is yet another reboot of the franchise that’ll show a side of the turtles they usually duck.
Blue Beetle
Release Date: August 18th
Tired of Marvel films? Maybe you should try something different and exciting. Like a DC movie. Though we don’t want to assume Blue Beetle will be another forgettable origin story, it has a lot of competition to fly through. Granted, being an underdog is in the character’s nature. Maybe that principle will be all the film needs to subvert expectations.
September
The Equalizer 3
Release Date: September 1st
Denzel Washington continuing his work with director Antoine Fuqua isn’t surprising. But his reunion with Dakota Fanning — their first connection since 2004’s Man on Fire — certainly is. While The Equalizer seems to live in the shadow of John Wick and Mission Impossible, there’s no reason the right story can’t help it stand out.
A Haunting in Venice
Release Date: September 15th
This Death on the Nile sequel might be laughable in the wake of Glass Onion: a Knives Out Mystery. Still, there’s also a chance it might distance itself enough to be a compelling whodunnit. At the very least, Michelle Yeoh’s casting will surely put a few more eyes on this upcoming puzzle.
Next Goal Wins
Release Date: September 22nd
Given Taika Waititi’s track record, you shouldn’t need much justification to see Next Goal Wins. The film stars Michael Fassbender and recounts coach Thomas Rongen’s attempt to help the American Samoa national football team qualify for the FIFA World Cup. It may be safe to think of this as Waititi’s take on Cool Runnings.
October
A new The Exorcist film
Release Date: October 13th
If you were excited about Ari Aster changing the name of his film, how do you feel about a movie with no name at all? David Gordon Green resurrects another class horror franchise. Here’s hoping the Manglehorn director doesn’t mangle this series, too.
Saw X
Release Date: October 27th
Nope, this isn’t a sequel to Spiral: From the Book of Saw. Little is known about how Saw X will fit into the grand scheme, but that kind of missing piece isn’t foreign to this series. Saw creator Kevin Greutert is bringing back Tobin Bell to reprise his role as Jigsaw. How he does so, of course, is yet to be seen.
True Love
Release Date: October 6th
Little is known about Gareth Edwards’ latest, other than it’s a science fiction movie starring John David Washington. Given the ambiguity of the title, there’s a chance this could be as ambitious and sprawling as 2012’s Cloud Atlas.
November
Dune: Part Two
Release Date: November 3rd
Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 Dune adaptation gave the I.P. a new lease on life. Its sequel will aim to prove how powerful a properly paced Dune movie can be. The first film already had stellar casting, direction, music, and cinematography. The addition of Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Austin Butler should only strengthen Dune: Part Two‘s appeal.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Release Date: November 17th
If sequels, prequels, and remakes are the law of the land, a new Hunger Games entry shouldn’t surprise you. Fortunately, this one seems to be tugging at something that’s a bit less superficial than a desperate cash grab. Expect a slew of on-the-nose nods and a strong showing from Viola Davis to bring everything together. Oh yeah, and there’ll probably be a lot more kids killing each other.
December
Wonka
Release Date: December 15th
“Come with me, and you’ll be, in a world of pure” redundancy. That being said, terrible jokes shouldn’t dissuade you from giving Paul King’s Willy Wonka origin story a shot. Especially when you consider Paddington. Plus, there’s a chance this and Dune: Part Two could lead to Timothée Chalamet double-fisting nominations at the 2024 Oscars.
The Color Purple
Release Date: December 20th
Now here’s a remake that, for once, is long overdue. But even thinking about Blitz Bazawule’s The Color Purple as a straight remake is a bit of a trap. It’s actually an adaption of Marcus Gardley’s musical take from 2005. With performances from Fantasia, H.E.R. and Ciara, this film will almost certainly move you.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Release Date: December 25th
It’d be a shame for Jason Momoa to leave 2023 a villain. Good thing Aquaman is finally getting a sequel. Following the surprise 2018 hit and delayed heavily by COVID-19 — along with many other films — even if this film doesn’t hold water, it’s at least nice to see it cross the finish line at all. Sorry, Batgirl.
Remember, this list is by no means comprehensive. There are films without solid release dates like Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon expected to hit theaters and we’ll probably get more than a few surprises — and ideally The Toxic Avenger — when everything is said and done.
