10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2023
From Barbie to Dune: Part 2, L'OFFICIEL has rounded up the most highly anticipated films of 2023.
Straight off a year of exciting films such as Wakanda Forever, Babylon, Avatar: The Way of Water, Don't Worry Darling, My Policeman, The Batman, Bones and All, and more, 2023 is poised to match the high bar set by 2022. Already on the release schedule are an array of movies that viewers have been impatiently waiting to arrive. From Barbie to The Little Mermaid, here are the top 10 most anticipated movies of 2023.
M3GAN
When a movie trailer goes viral on TikTok, you know you're about to be in for a good film. A horror movie about a murderous robotic doll named M3gan who was made by a roboticist named Gemma, M3gan was meant to be a caretaker of Gemma's niece but quickly takes her role as protector a little too seriously. The trailer instantly went viral due to a couple clips of M3gan dancing in the hallway, and TikTok users quickly used their own platforms to remake the dance. M3GAN is set to premiere in theatres on January 6, 2023.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Inspired by the classic role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves follows a band of thieves who must go through an action-packed adventure after "helping the wrong person steal the wrong thing." Whether you've played the fantasy role-playing game or not, the movie is worth the watch especially with a cast list of Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, and Hugh Grant. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves will arrive in theaters on March 31, 2023.
The Little Mermaid
The live-action adaptation of the classic Disney cartoon follows Princess Ariel, a mermaid who desires to live among humans and understand life above the sea. The Little Mermaid made headlines when it was announced that singer Halle Bailey would star as Ariel. Despite all the controversy about casting a Black actress as Ariel, the film has still been met with immense excitement. Alongside Bailey, other cast members include Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, and Awkwafina. The Little Mermaid will arrive in theaters on May 26, 2023.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
After the success of the 2018 film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is back for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The film follows Miles as he is sent through the multiverse where he encounters multiple versions of Spider-Man. Actors Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, and Oscar Isaac are also set to voice in the upcoming film. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will arrive in theaters on June 2, 2023.
Barbie
The minute it was announced that Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling would star in a live-action Barbie movie, the film already became one of the most anticipated of the year. The leaked set photos showing off Robbie and Gosling's fantastic costumes along with the recently released teaser trailer have only made that anticipation grow. If you thought it couldn't get any better, Barbie has quite the star-studded cast including Simu Liu, America Ferrera, Issa Rae, Will Ferrell, Hari Nef, Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, and Ncuti Gatwa. Barbie will release in theaters on July 21, 2023.
Oppenheimer
Step aside Batman, Christoper Nolan has a new project in town but this time it's based on a true story. Oppenheimer tells the story of the team of scientists who were a part of the Manhattan Project, otherwise known as the creation of the atomic bomb. The biopic will star Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, and Jack Quaid. Oppenheimer is set to release in theaters on July 21, 2023.
Dune: Part 2
Any excuse to watch Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya is one worth taking. A continuation from the first part, Dune: Part 2 will follow the events after Paul Atreides (Chalamet) joined Chani Kynes (Zendaya) to try to bring peace to Arrakis (which means we will finally see Zendaya for longer than a couple of minutes). In addition to Chalamet to Zendaya, Dune: Part 2 has quite the cast such as Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Léa Seydoux, Souheila Yacoub, and Christopher Walken. Dune: Part 2 will arrive in theaters on November 3, 2023.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
No, Jennifer Lawrence will not be making an appearance in this prequel to the beloved Hunger Games series. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is set many years before the events of The Hunger Games and will follow a young 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow who is chosen to mentor a female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird. Starring in the film is Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Rachel Zegler, and Tom Blyth. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes will arrive in theaters on November 17, 2023.
Wonka
Timothée Chalamet fans rejoice because the beloved actor will also be starring in the film Wonka. Set many years before the events of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wonka tells the story of a young Willy Wonka before he becomes the treasured chocolatier that everyone knows and loves. As a musical film, watchers will also get to enjoy Chalamet showing off his singing and dancing skills. The film, which also stars Olivia Colman, Sally Hawkins, Keegan-Michael Key, and Rowan Atkinson, is expected to hit theaters on December 15, 2023.
The Color Purple
From a book to a 1985 film to a Broadway musical, The Color Purple has had quite the run and this time it's returning back to the big screen. Co-produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones, the live-action musical film is a coming-of-age story about the struggles of a Black woman living in the South in the 1900s. On the cast list are stars including Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, H.E.R., Jon Batiste, Halle Bailey, Danielle Brooks, and Colman Domingo. The Color Purple will arrive in theaters on December 20, 2023.