There are many exciting movies coming this year. Once again, this list will be a mix of movies confirmed for 2023, and movies which have the possibility to be released in 2023.
25. Insidious 5: Fear the Dark
I watched the first three Insidious movies many years ago and liked them. That being said, I haven’t seen the fourth and I wasn’t exactly itching to see the 5th movie. However, it caught my interest that Patrick Wilson is directing the latest installment in the franchise. Looking into it, I found that Wilson, Rose Byrne and Ty Simpkins will be reprising their roles as the Lambert family from the first two Insidious movies. So the fact that they are returning back to those characters in the newest film does interest me. I’m curious about this movie at the very least.
24. Master Gardener
This is the next film from writer/director Paul Schrader and looks to be another one of his movies focussing on a troubled protagonist (much like First Reformed, The Card Counter, and others he wrote like Taxi Driver, Bringing Out the Dead etc). It has Joel Edgerton playing titular gardener, and co-stars Sigourney Weaver. Early word of mouth from its premiere at the Venice Film Festival is mixed to positive. Nonetheless, with it being a Schrader film, I am interested.
23. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
Spy action comedy Operation Fortune was meant to come out in 2022 but was postponed, with it being mentioned that it was because it features henchmen of Ukrainian origin, and with the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, decided to postpone it to the next year. Perhaps it is because I watched the trailer multiple times and there’s only been one trailer released for it, but my excitement has been lowered with every viewing of it. It does look quite tame and standard for Guy Ritchie. Nonetheless it does look very stylistic and fun, helped by a cast including Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Cary Elwes, Hugh Grant and Eddie Marsan. It’ll be enjoyable at the very least.
22. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
I liked the Hunger Games movies, especially on my recent rewatch of them. The last film released back in 2015, and 8 years later, they are making another one. Author Suzanne Collins wrote a prequel called The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, focussing on a younger version of the villain of the Hunger Games Trilogy, President Snow. Now this book is being turned into a movie, I’ve not read it myself, but the premise is interesting. Francis Lawrence, who directed all the Hunger Games movies except for the first, will direct. There’s also a strong cast including Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis and Burn Gorman. I think it should be interesting.
21. Beau is Afraid
Originally titled Disappointment Blvd, Beau is Afraid is the latest film from Ari Aster. I don’t know anything about the plot, much of the anticipation comes from the director as well as the fact that Joaquin Phoenix is playing the lead. Ari Aster is interesting, I loved Hereditary, but Midsommar was a very mixed bag for me. Still, he’s clearly a talented filmmaker and I’m sure he will be making some good work here. However this turns out, I’m just interested to see what this is about.
20. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
I loved the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, with its memorable character, its strong Spider-Man story, and stunning animation. So I’m happy that we are finally getting a sequel to it. From the trailer, the animation looks amazing once again, and even more unique and creative.
19. Asteroid City
I’m always interested in what Wes Anderson makes, no one makes films quite like him. Unsurprisingly it has a massive ensemble cast, starring Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody, Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Cranston, Jeff Goldblym, Jeffrey Wright, Liev Schrieber, Tony Revolori, Matt Dillon, Sophia Lillis, Maya Hawke, and Edward Norton. The plot description seems vague and weird, but that’s typical of Anderson. No doubt Anderson will once again pull it off, and his direction and style will contribute to delivering another unique experience from him.
18. Evil Dead Rise
The latest entry in the Evil Dead franchise from the images seem to be in the vein of the remake from 2013, although curiously they don’t seem to be making a sequel to that. From the premise, Rise seems to be having the usual Evil Dead plot again, and I’m not familiar with the director. However, an interesting part is that it takes place in an apartment in LA instead of a cabin in the woods. The change of setting might be all the movie needs to make sure it’s not just a rehash. The recently released trailer certainly promises a wild and gory ride.
17. Creed III
I went into the first Creed having only seen the first Rocky and it turned out to be great, way better than I thought it would be. Even Creed II was a really good follow up. With the third movie it not only seems to have retired Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky character, but also has Adonis Creed actor Michael B. Jordan directing this time. It looks good from the trailer already and the standout looks to be Jonathan Majors, an amazing actor who’ll be the main rival in the film. I’m sure that the third movie will live up to the previous two.
16. MaXXXine
Mia Goth and director Ti West reunite for their third collaboration in their ongoing X series. In 2022 they first made a horror movie named X, then the prequel Pearl focusing on the titular killer from the first movie set many decades earlier. Their next movie is a follow up to X and focuses on Mia Goth’s other character, Maxine. It will take place in the 80s and focuses on Maxine, as she continues to pursue her future in Hollywood. I’m interested to know what exactly happens with regard to the inevitable horror scenario, but I liked the first two movies so I am curious how this will turn out.
15. Havoc
Gareth Evans has shown himself to be a fantastic action director with The Raid movies, so I’m always interested in what he directs next. The plot of his latest concerns a detective fighting his way through a criminal underworld, which does sound a bit like the plot of the first Raid. The cast involved is great with Tom Hardy, Forest Whitaker, Timothy Olyphant, and Jessie Mei Li. However the rest of Havoc turns out to be, I can tell from the Raid films alone that the action is going to be entertaining and well made at the very least.
14. Saw X
I am a fan of the Saw franchise. Even with their many flaws, I find value in all the installments (except for Saw 3D). I enjoyed the latest film Spiral: From the Book of Saw, but it seemed that not everyone was a fan of it. Hence why they seem to abandon the Chris Rock films and chose to bring back Tobin Bell as the iconic horror killer John Kramer/Jigsaw. Both the actor and character remain the most consistently strong thing in the movies, so while the franchise would almost be better by fully retiring the character and carving out a new identity for itself, I can’t say no to more of him. Short of him being brought back from the dead, it seems that they are intending this to be a prequel from early reports, set between Saw and Saw II or between Saw II and Saw III. There’s even possibilities of Shawnee Smith reprising her role as Amanda Young. Kevin Greutert is directing which is exciting because made Saw VI, which I consider to be one of the best Saw films and the best of the sequels. He did also make Saw 3D which I didn’t care for but considering everything behind the scenes, I don’t think X will be a Saw 3D situation. I’m very intrigued with whatever this turns out to be.
13. Ferrari
This is Michael Mann’s newest film, the last time he made something was in 2015 with Blackhat. Ferrari focuses on Enzo Ferrari, and it has a good cast in Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Sarah Gadon and Jack O’Connell. While it does sound like it could be a standard biopic elevated by good performances, Mann’s direction will no doubt add a lot to it.
12. Napoleon
It’s rare to see big budget epics get made nowadays, and it seems it really requires a director on the level of Ridley Scott to get one made. His latest will be the story of Napoleon Boneparte, and while I’ve certainly heard about him, I admit I don’t know too much about him. So that will be interesting to watch, and I’d like to see what Scott does with that. It helps that it has strong performers in Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby. Ridley Scott can be hit or miss sometimes with his movies (especially nowadays), but I’m really interested.
11. Poor Things
Yorgos Lanthimos is a very distinct filmmaker, known for making weird, disturbing and off kilter movies. 5 years after his award winning film The Favourite, he’s making another weird movie with a unique premise. Adding a great cast with Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Christopher Abbott, Margaret Qualley, and Kathryn Hunter, and he will certainly deliver again.
10. Knock at the Cabin
I’m a fan of M. Night Shyamalan, and I particularly like his recent comeback post After Earth, with films like Split, Glass and Old. His latest Knock at the Cabin, looks to be a home invasion movie, and another one with a lot of mystery surrounding it. There’s also a very solid cast assembled with Jonathan Groff, Dave Bautista and Rupert Grint. I only watched the first trailer to avoid spoilers, because the mystery is something I’d like to see for myself. Shyamalan’s films are at least fun to figure out, even if not all the reveals land. I do like the look of it so far and I’m interested to see how it plays out.
9. Infinity Pool
Possessor was one of the most memorable horror films of recent years. The visuals, horror, concepts and body horror were outstanding, and I was interested to see what director Brandon Cronenberg would make next. His latest stars Alexander Skarsgard and Mia Goth, it certainly looks like a wild and weird experience based on the trailer and I’m looking forward to experiencing it.
8. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
I like all the Indiana Jones movies (even Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) so the prospect of one more Indy film sounds exciting. Instead of Steven Spielberg directing, it is James Mangold helming it, and he is a solid director with films like Logan and Walk the Line. Harrison Ford reprises his iconic role, while newer actors appear including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas, Boyd Holbrook, Toby Jones and Thomas Kretschmann. Outside of the very boring title, the movie looks very good from the trailer. It looks to step toward fantasy and sci-fi even more with the possible inclusion of time travel so that will be interesting to see. It looks like one final ride for Indiana Jones, which will be fun to watch.
7. John Wick Chapter 4
The John Wick movies have been among my favourite action movies from the best decade, so unsurprisingly I’m up for the fourth. Chad Stahelski returns to direct and Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne and Lance Reddick return to reprise their roles, while Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgard, Clancy Brown and Hiroyuki Sanada are welcome new additions. Like each of the sequels, it seems to be expanding even more on the John Wick world. With it getting into its fourth movie, I am curious as to whether the series will keep up its momentum and make sure it doesn’t feel tedious. Still, I think the latest film won’t disappoint.
6. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning – Part One
Ever since Mission Impossible 3, each entry in the franchise gets better and better. Back in 2018, Mission Impossible Fallout was on another level that I wasn’t expecting, and was one of the best action films in recent years. Director Christopher McQuarrie returns from Rogue Nation and Fallout to helm the next films which is great, since his work on the Mission Impossible movies are impressive. The footage seen in the trailer and behind the scenes is incredible, especially the stunts. Along with the returning cast, it has some solid casting additions which include Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Cary Elwes and Indira Varma. I’m most interested in the fact that this is effectively a two parter, as it seems that this and part two are going to be the conclusion to the franchise. So I’m interested in the direction it’ll take, but I already know that it’ll be one thrill ride.
5. The Killer
David Fincher has made some fantastic films and his next one looks like it could be really good. I don’t know much about the movie outside the fact that its about a hitman. From the plot description though, it looks right up Fincher’s alley. Pair that with a cast that includes Michael Fassbender and Tilda Swinton, and I’m interested for the talent involved.
4. Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan is a fantastic director, I am always interested to see what he does next. His newest film is based on the true story of J. Robert Oppenheimer developing the nuclear bomb during World War 2. It’ll be interesting to see how Nolan tells this story. It has a massively stellar cast which includes Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon and Robert Downey Jr. and so many more. I have heard some doubts regarding the fact that it’ll be about the atomic bomb and I can see why. If there’s a worry, it’s the politics and how it would land on the topic of the nuclear bomb. It’s uncertain and could turn out bad if approached or handled well. Everything else though, I have confidence in.
3. Rebel Moon
After finally getting to release his version of Justice League and releasing his zombie heist film in 2021, Zack Snyder set his sights on his next project Rebel Moon. The film began development as a Star Wars film that Snyder had previously pitched to Lucasfilm, which was to be a more mature take on the Star Wars universe. Now it’s becoming it’s own film and franchise on Netflix and there’s even a Part 2 following this. There is a strong cast with Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam, Ray Fisher, Djimon Hounsou, Jena Malone, Corey Stoll, Ed Skrein, Cary Elwes, and Anthony Hopkins. Zack Snyder’s direction and style is great and seeing him make a large scale space epic will be truly something to watch.
2. Dune: Part Two
I’m already impressed with what Denis Villeneuve did with Dune Part 1, and now we’ll get to see the culmination of that first film. The scale and visuals from the first movie were outstanding and I’m looking forward to seeing that continue here. Along with the returning cast with Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Fergsuon, Zendaya and more, there are also some great new additions with Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Austin Butler and Lea Seydoux. I have no doubt that Villeneuve and co. will deliver once again.
1. Killers of the Flower Moon
Martin Scorsese is my favourite director so it isn’t that surprising that his newest film would top this list. This looks to be one of his most ambitious movies and that is saying a lot. I read the book it was based on and it’s an interesting topic and subject matter and should make for a fantastic movie. Along with Scorsese who remains consistently strong with the quality of movies he makes, it has a phenomenal cast which includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons, Lily Gladstone, Robert de Niro, Brendan Fraser, John Lithgow and more. Considering the talent involved, I have high hopes for this.
What are your most anticipated movies of 2023?
The Cinema Critic 