The 47 most anticipated movies of 2023

Release Date: March 10Starring: Courteney Cox, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Hayden Panettiere, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason GoodingDirectors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler GillettThere’s just no keeping Ghostface down, is there? The masked killer returns in , this time chasing victims—including a few survivors (Barrera, Brown, Ortega, and Gooding) of past attacks—in New York. In the city that never sleeps, where every other person seems to be sporting a Ghostface mask (it’s Halloween, natch), no one is safe. We’re excited about the returnees, especially Ortega, who’s red-hot right now thanks to Wednesday, but bummed that Neve Campbell’s appearance fell through. At some point, audiences might tire of the franchise, but Scream (aka Scream V) grossed $140 million, so expect new installments until one finally kills the golden goose. [Ian Spelling]

Release Date: March 17 (in theaters only)Starring: Asher Angel, Zachary Levi, Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, Jack Dylan Grazer, Rachel Zegler, Adam Brody, Ross Butler, Meagan Good, Djimon Hounsou Director: David F. Sandberg The superhero Shazam, who confusingly maintains the same name as the wizard who gave him his powers, faces off against his comic-book arch-enemy, Black Ada … Oh. Wait. That’s not happening, like, ever. Instead, how about we get the daughters of Atlas, played by Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu, and Rachel Zegler in ? Seems like a fair trade. The supernatural sisters seek a weapon that could destroy the world; meanwhile, the titular fury of the gods comes from Billy Batson and family taking their powers too much for granted. The hierarchy of power in the DC universe is not expected to change as a result. [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: March 24 (in theaters only)Starring: Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Lance Reddick, Ian McShaneDirector: Chad StahelskiJohn Wick (Reeves) wants out … again. To do so, he’ll have to defeat the High Table. The game has changed, as have the rules, but where there’s a will, and a Wick, there’s a way. If that means riding a horse across a Western terrain or a showdown by the Eiffel Tower, so be it. Even better, welcomes the legendary Donnie Yen to the franchise, apparently casting him as a Wick pal turned enemy. And looking at the trailer, we also get glimpses of Bridget Moynahan and character actor extraordinaire Clancy Brown. Bring back Wick’s beloved puppy, and we’ll be in heaven (possibly literally). [Ian Spelling]

Release Date: April 7 (in theaters only)Starring: Chris Pratt, Anna Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, and Charlie DayDirector: Aaron Horvath and Michael JelenicNintendo’s most iconic character hasn’t had a movie since 1993’s live-action box office flop Super Mario Bros. After 30 years toiling in Hollywood jail, Mario is back—now in CG-animated form—in , which features the voices of Chris Pratt as Mario and Jack Black as Mario’s iconic nemesis, Bowser. [Phil Pirrello]

Release Date: April 21 (in theaters only)Stars: Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies, Nell Fisher, Lily Sullivan, Alyssa SutherlandDirector: Lee CroninThere’s good news and bad news when it comes to the latest Evil Dead horror-comedy hybrid. The good news is that franchise veterans Sam Raimi, Bruce Campbell, and Rob Tapert are on board as producers. The bad news is that Campbell isn’t back as Ash. That’s because spins a fiendishly fresh story. Here’s the official plot synopsis: “A road-weary Beth pays an overdue visit to her older sister Ellie, who is raising three kids on her own in a cramped L.A. apartment. The sisters’ reunion is cut short by the discovery of a mysterious book deep in the bowels of Ellie’s building, giving rise to flesh-possessing demons, and thrusting Beth into a primal battle for survival as she is faced with the most nightmarish version of motherhood imaginable.” [Ian Spelling]

Release Date: May 5 (in theaters only) Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Vin Diesel Director: James GunnPursued by Adam Warlock, the Guardians go on one last mission in that will delve into the secrets of Rocket Raccoon’s past, and the terrible experiments that caused him to evolve. Turns out a villain called the High Evolutionary is responsible, and like Star Trek’s Borg, he seeks to technologically enhance everyone into a master race. Meanwhile, Peter Quill will no doubt try to persuade the variant universe Gamora to feel for him the way her previous, deceased version did. And there’s a cute otter named Lylla, whose Funko Pops are undoubtedly in the works as you read this. [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: May 26 (in theaters only)Starring: Halle Bailey, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina, Javier Bardem, Melissa McCarthyDirector: Rob MarshallThe latest Disney animated classic to get the live-action treatment is . Is it necessary? Nope. Will we do happy belly flops and cannonballs if this musical comedy is anywhere near as charming as the Emma Watson-led Beauty And The Beast? Yup. The potential is there, what with Marshall (Chicago, Mary Poppins Returns) directing a talented array of actors. We’re in deep for Bailey as Ariel, and love the voice casting of Diggs as Sebastian, Tremblay as Flounder, and Awkwafina as Scuttle. And it seems that McCarthy and Bardem will play live-action versions of Ursula and King Triton, respectively. Let’s say that again: Bardem as King Triton. They “shore” can’t go wrong with that choice. [Ian Spelling]

Release Date: June 2 (in theaters only)Starring: Oscar Isaac, Shameik Moore, Issa Rae, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Jake JohnsonDirectors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin ThompsonSpider-Man 2099 (voiced by Isaac) and Spider-Woman (Rae) join Miles Morales (Moore) for more vivid adventures across the Spider-Verse in this sequel to the Oscar-winning 2018 hit, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. This time, Miles’ Spidey clashes with other Spider-folk on how to protect their corners of the multiverse from a new and dangerous threat. With screenwriters and producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller returning for , fans can expect Miles’ second big screen swing to be even more visually stunning and emotionally compelling than his first. [Phil Pirrello]

Release Date: June 9 (in theaters only) Starring: Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Pete Davidson, Michelle Yeoh, John DiMaggio Director: Steven Caple Jr.It’s sheer folly to attempt to make sense of the Transformers movie timeline, but with that said, is ostensibly a prequel to the Michael Bay films, a sequel to Bumblebee, and the first live-action adaptation of Beast Wars, the animated series/toy line that became the dominant Transformers property during the mid-’90s, which is when this movie is set. Optimus Prime and Bumblebee return, assisted by two archaeologists from Brooklyn. The rest of the robot cast consists of Maximals, who turn into robotic-looking animals, and Terrorcons, who in this version become vehicles rather than monsters. The plot, as usual, really doesn’t matter that much. [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: June 9 (in theaters only)Starring: Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Will Forte, Isla FisherDirector: Josh GreenbaumAn abandoned dog (Ferrell) has a bone to pick with the jerk human owner (Forte) who dumped him. The cross canine plots revenge with the help of some fellow strays (among them Foxx). There’s not much more info out there to chew on, except that is a live-action/CGI hybrid that boasts Phil Lord and Chris Miller among its producers. Greenbaum, a veteran of documentaries and sitcoms, most recently helmed the little-seen, but amusing Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar. [Ian Spelling]

Release Date: June 16 (in theaters only) Starring: Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie Director: Peter SohnIn a city where the four elements of nature—earth, air, water, and fire—exist together as sentient species, a fire-woman named Ember falls for a water-man named Wade. But if they touch, they’ll extinguish each other. What to do? Since this is Pixar, there’ll probably be a lot of crying involved in . Director Peter Sohn (The Good Dinosaur, the voice of Sox in Lightyear) was inspired by his childhood as the son of Korean immigrants in New York City to tell a story about people from very different backgrounds learning they have a lot in common. It’s a positive theme, but here’s hoping there’s a little more to the story. [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: June 16Starring: Ezra Miller, Ron Livingston, Michael Keaton, Kiersey Clemons, Michael Shannon, Ben AffleckDirector: Andy Muschietti presents a classic case of art vs. artist. Could this take on Barry Allen/The Flash be the movie that steadies the ship as James Gunn and Peter Safran settle into the DCEU captains’ chairs? Yes, quite possibly. But, then there’s the Ezra Miller problem. They’re a fascinating actor, but a troubled human. Assuming the film actually gets released, how involved will they be in promoting it? If they experience more problems between now and June 16, does The Flash become a Batgirl-style tax write-off? Entirely possible. Also, if it does open, we’ve got to assume that the cameos Gal Gadot and Henry Cavill shot still end up in the trash bin. [Ian Spelling]

Release Date: June 30 (in theaters only) Starring: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, John Rhys-Davies, Mads Mikkelsen, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook Director: James MangoldAn aging Indy returns for , the fifth film in his franchise and the first not to be written by George Lucas or directed by Steven Spielberg. James Mangold promises it won’t be the sort of grim final chapter that Logan was for Wolverine, but another derring-do-heavy adventure full of resolved cliffhangers and Nazi-punching. In this case, those notorious Hitler acolytes have infiltrated the American space program in the ’60s, and it’s up to Indiana Jones, his hitherto-unrevealed goddaughter, and old pal Sallah to defeat them. Guess that marriage to Marion didn’t last. [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: July 7 (in theaters only)Starring: Patrick Wilson, Ty SimpkinsDirector: Patrick WilsonApparently, The Last Key didn’t lock the door on Insidious films. Can’t blame the studio when The Last Key scared up nearly $168 million against a $10 million budget. Fear The Dark finds Josh Lambert’s (Patrick Wilson) son Dalton (Ty Simpkins), away at college. It should be good for father and son, and it is, at least until Dalton’s repressed demons turn up to torment them both. At this point, nobody knows the Insidious universe better than Wilson, and so it’s quite appropriate that he’ll make his feature directing debut with . [Ian Spelling]

Release Date: July 14 (in theaters only)Starring: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Vanessa Kirby, and Simon PeggDirector: Christopher McQuarrieBy the time Tom Cruise’s seventh movie hits theaters—his third with writer-directer Christopher McQuarrie—he and McQ will have spent five years working on it. Plot details are being kept locked up tighter than the NOC List (reference!), but it seems that super spy Ethan Hunt is in for his biggest, most personal mission yet as he leaps off mountains on motorbikes and fights bad guys atop moving trains to save the free world. This time, he gets an assist from Marvel stars Atwell and Klementieff (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) as well as Henry Czerny, who reprises his role of CIA agent Kittridge from the first Mission: Impossible movie. [Phil Pirrello]

Release Date: July 21 (in theaters only) Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Ncuti Gatwa, Rhea Perlman, Kate McKinnon Director: Greta GerwigAfter many years and false starts, Mattel has finally gotten a high-profile movie out of one of their toy properties. (Yes, we love the ’8os Masters Of The Universe, and vaguely acknowledge the Max Steel movie that came and went, but let’s be honest—they were small-scale.) From the director of Little Women comes its potential antithesis: a celebration of the pink-loving, outfit-switching, impossibly skinny blonde who, it would seem, somehow enters the real world from her own plastic fantasy dimension. Could be a Brady Bunch Movie for a new generation? [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: July 21 (in theaters only)Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, Florence PughDirector: Christopher NolanThere are few event movies produced these days that aren’t of the Marvel and DC variety, and that’s what makes anything Nolan chooses to direct special in its own right. The man creates cinematic experiences. In , he sets his sights on J. Robert Oppenheimer, who dared to play God when he led the charge to construct the first atomic bomb. Such an enigmatic figure demands to be played by an enigmatic actor, and Nolan regular Murphy fits the bill. Add to the mix Blunt, Damon, and Downey Jr., as well as Gary Oldman, Kenneth Branagh, David Krumholtz, Rami Malek, Josh Harnett, Jack Quaid, Olivia Thirlby, and more, and you’ve got not only 2023’s most explosive cast, but arguably the year’s top must-see movie. [Ian Spelling]

Release Date: July 28 (in theaters only)Starring: Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Teyonah ParisDirector: Nia DaCostaMs. Marvel (Vellani) gets to share the screen with her idol and favorite Avenger in director Nia DaCosta’s sequel to 2019’s hit, Captain Marvel. Teased during an end-credits scene in the Ms. Marvel season one finale, promises more multiverse shenanigans when Carol Danvers (Larson), Rambeau (Paris), and Khan are forced to team up when every time they use their powers, they swap places. If this movie is half as visually compelling as DaCosta’s Candyman remake, then Marvel fans are in for another worthwhile trip to the MCU. [Phil Pirrello]

Release date: August 11 (in theaters only)Starring: Corey Hawkins, Javier Botet, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchian, Jon Jon BrionesDirector: André Øvredal literally rips a page—or rather a chapter—from Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula. The horror film unfolds on a schooner named The Demeter, which is carrying a load of unmarked crates that may or may not be coffins. As the ship sails to its destination, the body count rises, and a certain legendary vampire appears to be lurking about and killing the crew. Think of it as an origin story, and hopefully one with, er, teeth.

Release Date: August 11 (in theaters only) Starring: Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Winona Ryder, Dan Levy, Jared Leto, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Hasan Minhaj Director: Justin SimienEddie Murphy’s nowhere near of the movie based on the Disneyland ride, though an all-star cast that includes significant comedic talents like Haddish, Levy, Minhaj, and DeVito suggests a solid laughs-to-chills ratio. Truthfully, Murphy’s version is a lot better than people remember, but the yardstick to clear here is the recent Muppets crossover special, which challenged Gonzo and Pepe to stay the night, and featured the likes of Ed Asner and Danny Trejo haunting them. The fact that Jared Leto’s playing the headless hatbox ghost is of particular interest—what sort of extreme method preparation do we suppose he did for the part? [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: August 18 (in theaters only) Starring: Xolo Maridueña, George Lopez, Damian Alcazar, Raoul Trujillo, Susan Sarandon Director: Angel Manuel SotoOriginally headed for HBO Max but now booked for theaters, focuses on the Jaime Reyes version of the character, the third in the comics to use the Blue Beetle name, and now the first Latino lead in a DC superhero movie. In this case, he’s a teen who bonds with an alien scarab that gives him a super-suit. Susan Sarandon plays Victoria Kord, a new villain created for the movie who presumably has family ties to the previous Beetle, Ted Kord. Though it was made to fit into current DC continuity, a reputed lack of cameos in favor of passing reference to other characters might allow it to exist in any potential rebooted universe just as easily. [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: August 11 (in theaters only)Starring: Zendaya, Mike Faist, Josh O’ConnorDirector: Luca GuadagninoLuca Guadagnino, the Italian director of Suspiria, Call Me By Your Name, and Bones And All takes a very different swing with , a tennis drama and romance. The multitalented—and ubiquitous—Zendaya plays Tashi, a woman who coaches her struggling tennis player husband Art (Faist), prepping him for the upcoming Challenger Series. It’s all well and good until Tashi and Art realize that he’ll have to play Patrick (O’Connor), who was once in a love match with … Tashi. Sticking with the tennis clichés, dear A.V. Club readers, the ball is in your court on this one. [Ian Spelling]

Release Date: September 1 (in theaters only) Starring: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning Director: Antoine FuquaSince we last saw Denzel Washington’s version of Robert McCall on the big screen, there’s been a TV reboot with Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall. It’s unlikely too many viewers will be confused by conflicting canon, as , whether on TV or in the movies, has always been a star-driven action premise first and foremost, rather than any kind of well of deep lore. The newest Washington version will see him travel to Italy on a mission to protect the innocent, and involves a reunion with Washington’s Man On Fire costar Dakota Fanning. [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: September 23 (in theaters only)Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly ReillyDirector: BranaghAfter base hits Murder On The Orient Express and Death On The Nile, Inspector Mustache, er, Poirot (Branagh) is back for his third big-screen mystery based on the works of Agatha Christie. finds the master detective retired and living in exile. He soon regrets not staying that way when he attends a seance—along with Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, and Yellowstone’s Kelly Reilly—and it turns into another homicide Poirot must solve. Branagh directs again, from a screenplay by Murder and Nile’s scribe Michael Green. [Phil Pirrello]

Release Date: September 22 (in theaters only)Starring: Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Will Arnett, Oscar Kightley, Amgus Sampson, Rhys Darby, Beulah KoaleDirector: Taika WaititiTaika Waititi remakes a 2014 documentary, about one of the world’s worst soccer teams, into the underdog sports comedy it was probably always destined to be. The team in question is from American Samoa, circa 2014, and Fassbender plays the Dutch-American coach who has to get them into good enough shape to qualify for the World Cup. The movie wrapped in 2020, but underwent significant reshoots to replace Armie Hammer with Will Arnett, following the former’s abuse scandals. Arnett was given a much bigger role in the story, and that’s generally a good thing. [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: October 6 (in theaters only)Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Russell CroweDirector: J.C. ChandorSony continues to mine its corner of licensed Spider-Man characters with the live-action debut of one of Peter Parker’s most famous adversaries: . Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays the super-strong and cunning big game hunter in what Sony hopes will be a new franchise starter from director J.C. Chandor (Margin Call, Triple Frontier). Oscar-winner DeBose (West Side Story) will bring Marvel Comics mainstay Calypso to life, with the fan-favorite character rumored to be Kraven’s dark magic-wielding love interest. [Phil Pirrello]

Release Date: October 27 (in theaters only)Starring: Tobin Bell, Shawnee SmithDirector: Kevin GreutertJigsaw (Tobin Bell) and Amanda (Shawnee Smith) are back for more R-rated gore in , the latest horror franchise to try and cash in on audience nostalgia at the box office. are being kept hidden in one of Jigsaw’s murder traps, but what we do know is that the movie is a prequel of sorts—actually, a “midquel,” set between the events of James Wan’s original Saw and Saw II. Saw VI and Saw 3D helmer Kevin Greutert is back, so fans should be in good hands. [Phil Pirrello]

Release Date: November 3 (in theaters only) Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin, Lea Seydoux, Christopher Walken Director: Denis VilleneuveThe rest of Frank Herbert’s novel gets condensed into , and hopes not to whiff the ending the way David Lynch’s version did. Austin Butler takes on the villainous Feyd-Rautha role previously played by Sting; no doubt many fans hope he’ll do the jockstrap scene anew. Meanwhile, Paul Atreides grows into his roles and powers as desert planet Messiah and heir to the Empire. But even as he falls for native girl Chani, he must marry Princess Irulan (Pugh) for status. Because when Christopher Walken is the Emperor of space, diplomacy matters. [Luke Y. Thompson]

Release Date: November 17 (in theaters only)Starring: Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Tom BlythDirector: Francis LawrenceLionsgate is dusting off its Hunger Games franchise with this prequel from the director who helped launch the property to begin with. Francis Lawrence returns to give fans a look at what’s essentially “Hunger Games Origins,” as —based on the novel by Hunger Games creator Suzanne Collins—centers on a pre-tyrant, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) years before he ruled over Panem as president. How he became such a cold and ruthless man will reveal itself through Snow’s mentoring of another young tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird (West Side Story’s Zegler). [Phil Pirrello]

Release Date: November 23 (in theaters only)Starring: Ariana DeBose, Alan TudykDirector: Chris Buck and Fawn VeerasunthornDisney fans were given a of at 2022’s D23 convention and the magical work-in-progress did not disappoint. From directors Chris Buck (Frozen) and Fawn Veerasunthorn, Wish serves as the origin story of Disney’s legendary wishing star (because reasons). It follows 17-year-old Asha (DeBose) and her goat, Valentino (Tudyk), as they navigate a magical kingdom where wishes—like the one Asha makes on a star—really do come true. [Phil Pirrello]

Release Date: December 15 (in theaters only)Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Sally Hawkins, Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, Olivia ColmanDirector: Paul KingTim Burton and Johnny Depp totally misfired with their dark and unpalatable 2005 collaboration, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. For the latest version director Paul King (Paddington and Paddington 2), at least based on reports out of Cinemacon, will deliver an upbeat, straight-up musical prequel that follows a young Willy Wonka (Chalamet) crooning and tap dancing as he sets about launching his candy empire. We’ll watch Chalamet, Hawkins, and Colman in anything, but the wild card here is Atkinson. It’ll be a sweet treat to see who the erstwhile Mr. Bean and Blackadder is playing.[Ian Spelling]