It will be another massive year for Hollywood, and these are our most anticipated movies of 2023. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is still lingering in the movie industry, but 2022 proved that the appetite for going to theaters and streaming films online has not gone away. Top Gun: Maverick followed in Spider-Man: No Way Home's shoes to be billion-dollar box office hits, while James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water proved to be worth the wait. Audiences also turned out to see the latest installments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Universe. In several cases, delays caused by COVID forced viewers to wait longer.
The pandemic-related delays carried over to change the Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One arrive. However, not every exciting release can make this list, as some from big superhero movies, major sequels, and new films from big directors are missing from the rundown below. Without further ado, here are the 25 Most Anticipated Movies of 2023.
25 Wonka
A new spin on Willy Wonka arrives in 2023 as Timothée Chalamet stars in young Willy Wonka as he meets the Oompa-Loompas early on in his life. Wonka has the makings to be a unique showcase for Chalamet, as the fantasy musical will allow one of Hollywood's brightest young stars a chance to put his stamp on an iconic character. The cast also includes Oscar winners like Olivia Colman and Sally Hawkins, as well as Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, and others. Wonka releases in theaters on December 15, 2023.
24 Beau Is Afraid
The thrilling combination of Ari Aster and Joaquin Phoenix team up in 2023 with Beau Is Afraid. Previously known as Disappointment Blvd, the new movie is the latest from Ari Aster, the director behind recent horror hits Hereditary and Midsommar. The film is described as a nightmare comedy that spans decades in the life of a successful entrepreneur. Joaquin Phoenix stars in the horror comedy after winning an Oscar for Joker. He should follow in Toni Collette and Florence Pugh's footsteps of delivering memorable performances as the lead of an Aster movie. Beau Is Afraid does not have an official release date, but A24 is planning a 2023 release.
23 Argylle
Henry Cavill headlines a new spy movie for director Matthew Vaughn in 2023's Kingsman movies, while Cavill previously starred in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The film features an incredible ensemble cast that includes Bryan Cranston, Samuel L. Jackson, Bryce Dallas Howard, John Cena, Sam Rockwell, Dua Lipa, Catherine O'Hara, and Ariana DeBose. Argylle does not yet have an official 2023 release date from Apple TV+, but it could be a new franchise for Henry Cavill after his Superman exit.
22 Renfield
Universal is returning to the realm of Universal Monsters in 2023 with Cage's Dracula, including Awkwafina and Ben Schwartz. With the movie following Renfield as he tries to quit working for Dracula to pursue love, the horror comedy could be a surprise hit once it releases on April 14, 2023.
21 Scream 6
2022 marked the return of the Scream franchise, and 2023 continues Ghost Face's terror as Hayden Panettiere's Kirby Reed are back. There are also exciting new additions in Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori as the story's setting shifts to New York. Scream 6 is set for a March 10, 2023 release.
20 The Little Mermaid
Disney's next live-action remake comes in the form of a new The Little Mermaid movie starring Halle Bailey as Ariel. The film comes from Mary Poppins Returns director Rob Marshall and includes new music from Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. While Halle Bailey's Ariel is at the forefront of The Little Mermaid, the live-action remake has Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Awkwafina as Scuttle, and Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric. The film has the potential to be a star-making turn for Bailey, thanks to her incredible vocals. The Little Mermaid releases on May 26, 2023.
19 Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
The Transformers franchise returns in 2023 for the long-awaited Transformers: Rise of the Beasts also introduces Optimus Primal and other Maximals, as well as the Terrorcons and Predacons. The seventh Transformers movie is set in the 1990s, years before Michael Bay's films. It also features a new cast of human characters led by Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is directed by Creed II's Steven Caple Jr. and looks to have all the Beast Wars action fans could hope for. It releases on June 9, 2023.
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first A Quiet Place movie. The movie stars Adam Driver as an astronaut who crash lands on a prehistoric Earth and must fight dinosaurs for survival. The original horror movie also features Ariana Greenblatt and Chloe Coleman as part of the cast, with Greenblatt playing a surviving enger from Driver's ship. Adam Driver's 65 movie looks like a great new potential franchise that properly utilizes dinosaurs as terrifying creatures. Sony will release the movie in theaters on March 10, 2023.
17 Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Jason Momoa returns for what could be his final appearance as Aquaman in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. James Wan's sequel has been delayed several times, resulting in creative challenges. Aquaman 2 follows Arthur Curry and Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson) during an unexpected team-up, while Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), King Nereus (Dolph Lundgren), Atlanna (Nicole Kidman, and Tom Curry (Temuera Morrison) also return. The movie is scheduled to feature a cameo from either Ben Affleck or Michael Keaton as Batman, while Amber Heard's return as Mera could be reduced or cut. Aquaman 2 releases on December 25, 2023, and is the last movie made under DC's old regime.
16 Knock at the Cabin
The latest thriller from director M. Night Shyamalan arrives in 2023 with M. Night Shyamalan's movies can disappoint as he takes big swings narratively, the potential with each makes Knock at the Cabin one of the most anticipated movies of 2023. It has a February 3, 2023, release date.
