The Most Anticipated Films of 2023

2022 delivered some of the best films in recent memory and with the year drawing to a close and with 2023 on the horizon, it’s time to set our sights on the movies ahead. We are promised another year of cracking entertainment headed to the big and small screen. So today, I will be breaking down the 15 most anticipated films of 2023. At the time of writing this blog post, these films are slated for release in 2023, and the dates below are the current dates these ones will be hitting theatres, this is subject to change however during the course of the year. These are also just my selections, there’s tonnes of other films that could also make this list, but these are just my personal favourites that I’m looking forward to. So, with all of that said, let's get stuck into it.

Indiana Jones 5: The Dial of Destiny –

When it was announced that Harrison Ford will once again be playing one of the most iconic movie characters of all time ‘Indiana Jones’ in one final outing, I was over-the-moon. But when the news shortly followed that Steven Spielberg would not be directing the film, everyone, including myself, were wondering who could possibly helm this franchise moving forward. Enter director James Mangold (Identity, 3:10 To Yuma, The Wolverine, Walk The Line, Logan, Ford V Ferrari). Mangold has proven himself as one of the best filmmakers currently working in the industry, giving us masterpieces in almost every genre. The first trailer has dropped and the film promises all the humor, charm, action and adventure we have come to expect from the long-running series. Indiana Jones 5: The Dial of Destiny hits theatres June 30, 2023.

Scream 6 –

After the radio silence directing duo of Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin revived the Scream franchise in 2022, we knew that it would only be a matter of time before another new entry in the franchise would be making its way to the big screen and low and behold, Scream 6 will be hitting theaters March 10, only 14 months after the last entry slashed its way into theatres. The film sees Ghostface chase the survivors of the last film, to the big apple, New York. This is the first time the franchise has headed to the city and we’re all excited to see what’s to come. Scream 6 hits theatres March 10, 2023.

Evil Dead: Rise –

One of my favourite films of all time is Sam Raimi’s original 1981 film ‘Evil Dead’. In 2013, we got a great remake of the film from director Fede Alvarez and now 10 years after the 2013 remake, we are getting another entry in the franchise. Similar to Scream 6, Evil Dead is also taking to the city, with the film taking place in an apartment building. But if early stills from the film are to be believed, the infamous cabin will still be featured in the film. Evil Dead Rise is slated for release on April 21, 2023.

Salem’s Lot –

One of my favourite books of all time is Stephen King’s 1970s horror classic, Salem’s Lot. Ever since the 1979 film, we have not seen an adaptation on the big screen and thankfully in 2023, that is going to change with a new adaptation being helmed by director Gary Dauberman (Annabelle: Comes Home) and starring Lewis Pullman and Alfre Woodard. The film promises to be dark, brooding and chock full of atmosphere, which is exactly what I want. Salem’s Lot currently doesn’t have a confirmed release date for 2023, however it’s believed to be making its way to theatres in October. We will just have to wait and see…

Guardians of The Galaxy Volume 3 –

James Gunn is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) once again in 2023, to helm the third entry in the Guardians of The Galaxy film series. The film will see our rag, tag group of “heroes” return, with Star Lord, Groot, Rocket, Mantis, Drax and Nebula. This will be the third and final Guardians film and after the last two films and the recently released, Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special, I can’t wait to see these characters return once again to the big screen. The actors all have wonderful chemistry with one another and the direction by Gunn, always feeling fresh, inventive and full of heart. Guardians of The Galaxy Volume 3, will arrive in theatres May 3, 2023.

Oppenheimer –

Christopher Nolan may just be the best filmmaker currently working in Hollywood. The man has proven himself with an impressive slate of films to date, including Momento, Insomnia, Batman Begins, The Prestige, The Dark Knight, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, Interstellar, Dunkirk and 2020s Tenet. In 2023, he will take a stab at a biography with the story of the father of the Atom Bomb J Robert Oppenheimer. The film boasts one of the most impressive casts of all time, with the likes of Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Gary Oldman, Kenneth Branagh, Josh Hartnett, Rami Malek, Alden Ehrenreich, Matthew Modine, Scott Grimes, Jack Quaid, benny Safdie James Remar and David Krumholtz. The film sounds amazing. I can’t wait to see it. ‘Oppenheimer’ will arrive in theaters July 21, 2023.

Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom –

After the resounding success of James Wan’s 2018 film ‘Aquaman’ fans have been eagerly awaiting Arthur Curry’s next big-screen outing and thankfully in 2023, we will finally see, what has just been revealed, will be Jason Mamoa’s last outing as the famed superhero. The film promises to be just as big, just as action packed and with just as much water as his previous outing. Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom swims into theatres on December 25, 2023.

Mission Impossible: Death Reckoning Part 1 –

One of the best pairings in Hollywood has been writer/director Christopher Macquarie and Tom Cruise. Macquarie has helmed the last two Mission Impossible films, Rogue Nation and Fallout and will be helming the final two installments in the long-running franchise as well. Mission Impossible: Death Reckoning Part 1 will see Ethan Hunt and crew brought to their knees by yet another big threat. After Fallout, I can’t wait to see more of these breathtaking action set pieces that Tom Cruise and Christopher Macquarie have conjured up. Mission Impossible: Death Reckoning hits theatres July 14, 2023.

Creed III –

The Rocky Franchise is a personal favourite of mine. Some of the later sequels lost some of the inspiration and grit that the earlier films had, but in 2015 Ryan Coogler bought the franchise back, following Apollo Creed’s son ‘Adonis Creed’ played by Michael B. Jordan. Its 2018 sequel was also met with a lot of praise, and now Michael b. Jordan is venturing behind the camera, to direct the third and final installment in this rebooted trilogy. The film will see Adonis come up against his most fierce opponent yet, childhood friend Damian Anderson, played by Jonathan Majors. The film looks great and I can’t wait to see the showdown of two of the best actors working in Hollywood today. Creed III, hits theatres March 3, 2023.

John Wick Chapter 4 –

One of the biggest surprises in recent years has been the John Wick franchise. No one ever expected these films to become better as the story continues. The third installment was a box office juggernaut, grossing over $300 million worldwide. In 2023, we get the fourth installment in this unexpected franchise, which will see John Wick (played excellently by Keanu Reeves), fight his way out of more tight spots in what promises to be a violent and over-the-top instalment. John Wick: Chapter 4, shoots its way into theatres March 10, 2023.

Fast X –

Another franchise that has continued to persevere and continue to make billions of dollars at the worldwide box office, is the long running, ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise. In 2023, the tenth and final Fast and furious film will make its way to theatres. After 10 films, and over 20 years, it’ll be sad to see the crew go on one last ride. The film promises more over-the-top action, insane stunt work, and muscles, cars and explosions galore. Fast X as it is currently called, speeds into theatres May 19, 2023.

Spiderman Across the Spiderverse –

Another surprise from 2018 was the Sony animated film ‘Spiderman into The Spiderverse’. The film showcased a fun storyline, with multiple iterations of the famed webslinger and boasted a truly unique and fresh animation art style. In 2023, we get its long-awaited follow-up ‘Spiderman Across the Spiderverse’ which promises the same core ingredients that made the 2018 film so damn memorable. ‘Spiderman Across the Spiderverse’ swings into theatres May 5, 2023.

Barbie –

One of the strangest entries on this list is Greta Gerwig’s 2023 ‘Barbie’ adaptation. The film will see Australian Margot Robbie play the titular lead Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. Other details of the film are being kept under wraps, but from the strange but fun behind the scenes, set photos and the incredible team in front of and behind the camera, I have faith that this could be the sleeper hit of 2023. Barbie skates its way into theatres July 21, 2023.

Dune Part Two –

One of 2021s biggest films was director Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune. The film was a visual splendor and established everything we as an audience needed to know about this amazing and expansive world. Timothee Chalamat returns with Zendeya in this sequel, which has just wrapped production and promises to continue the events of this epic story. Dune: Part Two is currently slated for release on November 3, 2023.

The Meg 2: The Trench –

The final entry to this list, may be my biggest guilty pleasure. In 2018, we got one of the most absurd, and over-the-top monster films of all time ‘The Meg’. The film did amazing business overseas. Grossing over $550 million at the worldwide box office. Which is just insane. In 2023, we will finally get to see Jason Statham duke it out with another giant shark on the big screen. After the 2018 film, I am all for another outing in this franchise. ‘The Meg 2: The Trench’ is currently slated for release in theatres on 4 August, 2023.

2023, promises to be a big year at the theatres, so be sure to start putting away some money now so you can check out some of these films on the biggest screen imaginable and to then pick them up from Sanity on DVD, Blu-Ray and/or 4K UHD when they make their way to stores.

Christopher Pattison wrote this blog post for Sanity. See more from Chris here