With The Last of Us on the horizon, yes I know it’s a television show. It reminded me that 2023 is going to be one hell of a year for the movie industry and I’m here for it. I would say that movies are officially back. The pandemic is kind of in the rear view with movies and theatres being back in full force. So here are 15 movies that I cannot wait to see this upcoming year, in no particular order, I’m tired of ranking things.
Scream 6: Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett. Release Date: March 10th, 2023
In the next installment, the survivors of the Ghostface killings leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter in New York City.
New city, new rules. Ghostface is heading to NYC for the same old song and dance. Stalking the most recent survivors, no one is safe, no matter how far you run. Scream 5 was a massive success, it kind of reinvented the franchise, promoting a new slate of teens in the spotlight, while the legacy characters of Gale, Dewey and Sidney kind of took a back seat. In such a big way, that one of them bit the dust for good, won’t say who incase of spoilers, and what comes as the biggest shock for this newest entry. No Neve Campbell. According to sources and hell even Neve herself, she felt that she wasn’t getting the right amount of financial compensation for this role and she has every right to be pissed off. On the Mount Rushmore of Scream Queens, not having her be apart of this franchise is nonsense. Now, this could be one of the ultimate marketing ploys, and it turns out that Neve will be back (as the killer) or sets up the 7th installment with some sort of stinger at the end of the movie. Either way, I hope that issue can be resolved and we get her back. Scream isn’t the same without her.
Creed III: Director: Michael B Jordan. Release Date: March 3rd, 2023
Adonis has been thriving in both his career and family life, but when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces, the face-off is more than just a fight.
Much like the above post, this movie will be suffering from one of their legacy characters missing. The first movie in the Rocky universe that won’t have Sly Stallone. What is this world coming to? But there’s a lot to be grateful for and so much to look forward to. Jonathan Majors, yup. Michael B Jordan’s directorial debut, yup. Both of these two just looking like Greek Gods, yup. This could perhaps be the definitive installment in this franchise. Creed II had so much history and emotional baggage, that it almost overshadowed the movie. Drago Jr was a great villain, but Jonathan Majors is such an incredible and well-versed actor, that he will no doubt steal this entire movie. This could be the end of it all as well, who knows. Just something about boxing movies just puts a smile on my face.
Killers of The Flower Moon. Director: Martin Scorsese. Release Date: TBD
Members of the Osage tribe in the United States are murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s sparking a major F.B.I. investigation involving J. Edgar Hoover.
Okay this movie has to come out this year. A movie people have been waiting for what seems like 3 years now, could 2023 finally be the year it happens? Leo’s next outing with his pal Marty, what more could you want? Toss in De Niro and Jesse Plemons, and you have yourself one heck of a cast. No trailer, no real new stills, nothing on the marketing campaign yet. This thing is shrouded in mystery. Wasn’t a huge fan of his last movie, and the world just needs a Leo movie every few years to keep us all sane.
Barbie. Director: Greta Gerwig. Release Date: July 21st, 2023
To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.
We got Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. Like what else does one need to say about this movie? Like look at that photo, come on now, it’s perfect. All I can say is this, if at some point in this movie, “Barbie Girl” by Aqua doesn’t drop, Greta Gerwig has failed us all. Not really sure what this movie will be about exactly, maybe Margot’s Barbie gets kicked out of Barbie Land or something? Regardless, the cast is stacked beyond belief, an insanely talented director is at the helm, and I feel like this movie will be for everyone. I’m excited for it, because when talented and hard working people come together, that often results in success. This could go down as one of the best looking casts of all time and I just hope this doesn’t fall flat on its face. I want Barbie to be a success so maybe we get the BCU down the line.
Oppenheimer. Director: Christopher Nolan. Release Date: July 21st, 2023
The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
Nolan is back! We have one of the biggest movie battles in history going down July 21st. Could be one of the best double feature days in cinemas in recent memory. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer are opening on the same day. I’m not sure the world is ready for this. Apparently Nolan build a real atomic bomb and detonated it for this movie, that’s how fucking committed this guy is. Doing something really cool as he always does, it appears that half the movie will be in colour, while the other half (assuming after the atomic bomb goes boom) will be in black in white. Much like it’s opening day counter-part, Oppenheimer has just a cast full of legends. A list too long to name, but few directors get the “event” status when they open a new movie, and Nolan is one of the select few. I expect this to be nothing short of extraordinary.
Air Jordan. Director: Ben Affleck. Release Date: TBD
Follows the history of shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of sports: Michael Jordan.
The boys are back, the boys are back! The dynamic duo are back together again! Ben Affleck is back directing and Matt Damon is coming along for the ride. A movie about the rise of Nike shoes which involves Michael Jordan? That sounds so incredibly fun and awesome. Honestly, I’ve been waiting a while for these two to properly reunite. They did a little bit during The Last Duel, but this feels more like a homecoming for the pair. I hope this is like a mixture of Moneyball and The Big Short, obviously, I’m not even sure if this will get released this year, it’s suppose to, but nothing from this movie is available. So it’s extremely difficult to get a sense of the tone and vibe of the film. Doesn’t matter, Affleck is nearly perfect when it comes to directing, his only falter was his last outing, a time when he wasn’t in the right state and I have a feeling this is going to be his big comeback to the directors chair. Will forever root for these two, especially when they are working together.
The Super Mario Bros Movie. Director: Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic. Release Date: April 7th, 2023
The story of The Super Mario Bros. on their journey through the Mushroom Kingdom
I’m not saying this is going to be the biggest movie of 2023, but it has potential to be the biggest movie of 2023. I’ve always considered myself a Luigi guy and getting Charlie Day to voice him is perfect. The only complaint about this movie really is Chris Pratt voicing Mario, but honestly, if it works 70% then the movie will be fine. Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach and Jack Black as Bowser, like are you kidding me? It’s so well done, the trailers have been incredible, the animation is top notch. This just looks like so much fun. Basically watching a video game played out on the big screen. All the little sights and sounds being used (Sonic franchise take note) makes this one of the more appealing video game movies ever made. Just look how happy these two guys are, you can’t tell me you don’t want to watch this. Yoshi is here and Seth Rogan is voicing Donkey Kong, which I’m sure will be some end credit stinger, ultimately setting up another MCU (Mario Cinematic Universe) I can’t wait. Like they are driving in go-carts down Rainbow Road, HOW ARE YOU NOT EXCITED.
Dune Part 2. Director: Dennis Villeneuve. Release Date: November 3rd, 2023.
A boy becomes the Messiah of nomads on a desert planet that has giant worms that protect a commodity called Spice. Spice changes people into travelers, mystics and madmen. What price will he pay to become the new ruler of their universe?
We cannot fail this movie. Plain and simple. As a society we need to band together to make Dune Part 2 a giant success. I think after Dune, and the great word of mouth and its successful life on streaming, Dune Part 2 has a great chance to no doubt be a bigger financial success. This will incorporate the second half of the novel, where things really pick up and the stakes are bigger, the action is louder and we get to see a ton of cool shit go down. The final 3rd of Dune the novel is tremendous and I can’t wait to see how it plays out on the big screen. Villeneuve does scale better than anyone working today and honestly Dune is one of the best IMAX experiences in the last decade. No doubt in my mind this will be his finest work to date and this movie is going to blow people away. Really excited for the role Dave Batista is going to play in this sequel.
Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1. Director: Christopher McQuarrie. Release Date: July 14th, 2023
We don’t even have a blurb on IMDB yet, that’s how little is known about the upcoming Mission Impossible movie. What we do know is that Tom Cruise jumps off a cliff riding a motorcycle, one of his biggest stunts yet. The man is truly the greatest action star we have, and he’s just on a serious role. So dedicated to his craft and providing us, the audience with the best possible entertainment, it’s hard not to love the guy. This is only part 1, but I’m sure part 2 will serve as the finale to his tenor as Ethan Hunt and this franchise. Arguably one of the most thriller and best movie franchises we have right now, you know this is going to be a banger. Cruise is willing to die for the right shot, to pull off the stunt and he’s probably going to space in the next one. Hard not to be over the moon for this movie. There really isn’t a bad installment in the entire franchise.
Transformers: Rise of The Beasts. Director: Steven Caple Jr. Release Date: June 9th, 2023
We got Beast Wars coming to the Transformers universe! Honestly, this movie looks cool as hell. I loved the 90’s Beast Wars cartoon and all your favorites are present in this trailer. It looks like it’s piggybacking off the success of Bumblebee, one of the strongest Transformers films to date. If Hailee Steinfeld is involved in this movie, that’s a big plus for the franchise. Anthony Ramos takes the lead human role this time, and he looks the part. Happy they ventured away from Mark Wahlberg and taken the franchise to new heights. The Transformers have never looked better. These movies are always so big and grand, they just let the humans get in the way, but judging from the last little sneak peak, they are going to war. Epic battles, great designs and honestly some terrific voice acting is going to make this perhaps the best Transformers yet. Lets go to Cybertron!!!
John Wick: Chapter 4. Director: Chad Stahelski. Release Date: March 24th, 2023
John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
Donnie Yen and Bill Skarsgard being added to the list? I’m fairly certain Donnie Yen is playing a badass blind assassin and I’m here for it. The franchise that once again reinvented Keanu Reeves is back for the forth installment and it looks like it could be the final chapter. One of the best action franchises this century, the face paced, hard hitting, close combat flick is once again upping the ante for what is sure to be one of the best movies this year. Each movie gets elevated to new heights and the action is more bold, making John Wick a superhero of sorts. That’s all fine and dandy, I’ve loved how they have expanded the universe and made this feel like a really special franchise. I don’t think they envisioned a four movie run like this before the first one came out. I for one am not ready to see him die or leave.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse: Director: Kemp Powers, Joaquim Santos & Justin K Thompson. Release Date: June 2nd, 2023.
Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar®-winning Spider-Verse saga, an epic adventure that will transport Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man across the Multiverse to join forces with Gwen Stacy and a new team of Spider-People to face off with a villain more powerful than anything they have ever encountered.
So this is just a juggernaut year for animation. Between this and Mario Bros. I don’t know which one I’m more excited for. My expectations weren’t low for the first Spider-Verse, I just didn’t really have much thought about it. Then I walked out of the theatre thinking it was one of the better animated films I’d ever seen. Now, we are getting the much anticipated sequel, and this movie is HUGE. One of the biggest animated features ever, with over 200 talking characters, which I believe is some sort of record. Spider-Man from all over, anything that’s ever had a Spider-Man in it, is popping up in this movie. This is also only part 1, so you know this will be ending on some sort of massive cliff hanger, that’s going to leave us wanting so much more. Miles Morales in just a fantastically fun character, and I can’t wait to see what they ultimately cooked up for this sequel.
The Flash. Director: Andy Muschietti. Release Date: June 16th, 2023
DC’s last ditch effort? Do we even need this movie at this point? Is this going to piss off so many fans, yes. Honestly, I’m only putting this on my list because I want to see Ben Affleck back as Batman. Who knows what this movie has in store. Since it started production, star Ezra Miller has been a shit show, the higher ups over at DC films has changed twice, and I feel like this movie won’t even matter in 3 years time. None the less it’s finally coming out this year, and it could be really great. Something unique and hopefully puts a new spin on the speedster tale in the comic book world. I just have a feeling, it could bomb and everyone involved and everyone in this movie will be erased from the DC Universe, and just like that, all the hoop-la around this thing will have been for nothing. Just please don’t be a big pile of shit.
The Iron Claw. Director: Sean Durkin. Release Date: TBD
Follows the story of the Von Erichs, a dynasty of wrestlers who made a great impact on the sport from the 1960s to the present day.
Wrestling movies can be awesome. A movie about one of the most famous families in the entire industry sounds delightful. Besides, look how insanely jacked Zac Efron looks here. This cast is STACKED, Efron, Holy McCallany, Lily James, Jeremy Allen White (MY BOY) and Harris Dickinson. This is really the only piece of marketing that has hit the web so far. I have no idea if this movie will be terrible, or a masterpiece, but I do know that I love so many of the people involved in this project that it was hard to leave it off the list. The movie will make or break with Efron, has it usually does, but he’s kind of turned a new leaf lately and I’m excited to see what he brings to the table here. Could be one of the hidden gems of 2023.
Bernstein. Director: Bradley Cooper. Release Date: TBD
The complex love of Leonard and Felicia, from the time they met in 1946 at a party and continuing through two engagements, a 25 year marriage, and three children.
Last but not least. Have to shout out Bradley Cooper and this wicked hair style. Besides the last time he wrote and directed a movie, he made me cry each time I watched A Star Is Born. So maybe this love life tale of Leonard Bernstein will be no different. He’s all in for this role, perhaps Oscar hunting, but after you make a movie so powerful, it’s hard not to get excited for what’s next. A great ensemble cast next to him, this is one of the bigger what-if’s of 2023. With the success of Tar, and Cate Blanchet almost a mortal lock for the Oscar this year, can Bradley follow suit as back to back composers to win the gold.
