Last year was a great year for movies, but 2023 promises to be even more exciting for movie lovers. Although we won’t know which movies will live up to the hype until we see them, we do know which movies are the most anticipated. Compiled is a list of the top 15 (in release date order) most anticipated movies according to a Beaver Area student survey.
Knock at the Cabin (Feb. 3)
This thriller will leave audiences with many questions when an innocent family is given a life changing choice—your family or the entire existence of the world? Are there lies? An apocalypse? Only time will tell.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (Feb. 16)
The third movie in the Ant-Man trilogy is the start of Marvel Studio’s Phase Five. In this movie Ant-Man and the rest of his tiny warriors get zapped into the Quantum Realm. This group of heroes will fight monsters and villains on a micro level.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (March 17)
After the the first movie was a smash hit, Shazam and his teenage self are back along with his step siblings who are learning their new superpowers. Shazam will have to work with them to defeat the movie’s villain.
Dungeon & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (March 31)
One of the most popular strategy games throughout the world is being turned into a movie. The same people who made one of the funniest movies of this century, Game Night, also made this movie, so this should be a fun one.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (April 7)
Who would ever think that Chris Pratt would become our favorite Italian video game character? All of your favorite characters from the video game appear in the movie and they’re ready for their biggest adventure yet!
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5)
The Guardians of the Galaxy narrative comes to a conclusion this May and fans are excited to see what their favorite intergalactic anti-heroes will be up to this movie. The events of this movie will take place right after the cheery Disney+ Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, but fans anticipate this movie won’t be as upbeat.
The Little Mermaid (May 26)
Following Disney’s trend of remaking classic movies is the most recent live-action remake with fans’ favorite mermaid. The remake will follow the original plot of the 1989 classic where Ariel follows her dream of a life beyond the sea. Halle Bailey is Ariel and she’s ready to be part of your world.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (June 2)
The original Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse quickly became a beloved spider man film despite being a bit different from the classic Peter Parker story, so a sequel was a no-brainer. Although Miles has met several Spider-People in the original, the multiverse has tons more Spider-People to introduce to fans.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (June 9)
This movie will be the seventh installment in the Transformers series and the sequel to 2018’s Bumblebee. Rise of the Beasts will reportedly reintroduce characters from past animated series and even reinvent its most recognizable character: Optimus Prime.
Elemental (June 16)
Pixar proves opposites attract with two new lovable characters set in crazed city filled with the elements. She’s fire and he’s water, but will that keep them apart?
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (June 30)
Another Indiana Jones movie? You betcha! Harrison Ford will be back for fifth installment of the series and it will be set in the 1960s. Ford will be joined by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mads Mikkelsen co-starring. It’s got to be better than Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Please?
Barbie (July 21)
Who ever though that Harley Quinn would be playing Barbie? Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling will play the plastic dolls that have been a part of many kids’ childhoods. Although we have only seen vague clips from the teaser trailer, we know we will get to witness Barbie in her Barbie World and maybe even an origin story. C’mon Barbie, let’s go party!
Dune: Part Two (Nov. 3)
The anticipated sequel to the sci-fi movie Dune will follow Frank Herbert’s bestseller just as the first movie did. Although many of his readers were satisfied watchers, many casual watchers wanted something more: more Zendaya. The sequel will provide just that because more Zendaya is promised.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (Nov. 17)
Eleven years after The Hunger Hunger Games trilogy, there will be a return to Panem for an origin story about the hated President Coriolanus Snow who is just 18 at the time of this movie. Francis Lawrence who directed Catching Fire and both Mockingjay films will return for this prequel.
Wonka (Dec. 15)
Timothee Chalamet is playing the odd and mysterious Willy Wonka. This story will focus on young Wonka before he’s the successful candy maker depicted in Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel.