Coming Attractions: Every Movie to Look Forward to 2023

2023 is shaping up to be yet another massive year for the movies, with some of the biggest blockbuster franchises returning to theaters alongside a few new originals from well-renowned filmmakers. 

Everything from horror to action to drama and beyond is smashing its way onto the big screen in the coming months, so we’ve created a handy guide for everything you should be keeping an eye on. Buckle up cause it’s a big one.

‘M3GAN’ January 6th (Theaters)

2023 starts off with a modern take on the ol’ creepy doll subgenre of horror movies and looks like it could deliver on some good campy fun to help set the tone for the year. From the most prolific minds in horror – James Wan, the filmmaker behind the Saw, Insidious and The Conjuring franchises, and Blumhouse, the producer of the Halloween films, The Black Phone and The Invisible Man – comes a fresh new face in terror. M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a life-like doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by brilliant toy-company roboticist Gemma (Get Out’s Allison Williams), M3GAN can listen and watch and learn as she becomes friend and teacher, playmate and protector, for the child she is bonded to. When Gemma suddenly becomes the caretaker of her orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw, The Haunting of Hill House), Gemma’s unsure and unprepared to be a parent. Under intense pressure at work, Gemma decides to pair her M3GAN prototype with Cady in an attempt to resolve both problems – a decision that will have unimaginable consequences.

‘The Pale Blue Eye’ January 6th (Netflix)

Writer and director Scott Cooper teams up with Christian Bale once again in this historical fiction with a dash of mystery thriller thrown in. Bale plays Augustus Landor, a world-weary detective who teams up with a young Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Potter star Harry Melling) to solve a murder at the United States Military Academy in 1830. As chilling and intriguing as any good detective story is, The Pale Blue Eye is the kind of movie that basically demands a second viewing.

‘Skinamarink’ January 13th (Theaters)

Two children (Lucas Paul & Dali Rose Tetreault) wake up in the middle of the night to find their father (Ross Paul) is missing, and all the windows and doors in their home have vanished. After a while it becomes clear that something is watching over them. This horror picture from writer and director Kyle Edward Ball has been showing early promise as being one of the scariest movies not just the year but of the decade.

‘Plane’ January 13th (Theaters)

Winning the movie title of the year, Plane is a white-knuckle action thrill ride. Pilot Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler) saves his passengers from a lightning strike by making a risky landing on a war-torn island – only to find that surviving the landing was just the beginning. When most of the passengers are taken hostage by dangerous rebels, the only person Torrance can count on for help is Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter), an accused murderer who was being transported by the FBI. In order to rescue the passengers, Torrance will need Gaspare’s help, and will learn there’s more to Gaspare than meets the eye.

‘Knock at the Cabin’ February 3rd (Theaters)

While vacationing at a remote cabin, a young girl and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand that the family make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. With limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost. From visionary filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, Knock at the Cabin stars Dave Bautista (Dune, Guardians of the Galaxy franchise), Tony award and Emmy nominee Jonathan Groff (Hamilton, Mindhunter), Ben Aldridge (Pennyworth, Fleabag), BAFTA nominee Nikki Amuka-Bird (Persuasion, Old), newcomer Kristen Cui, Abby Quinn (Little Women, Landline) and Rupert Grint (Servant, Harry Potter franchise).

‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey’ February 15th (One Night Theatrical Event)

Now that beloved children’s classic Winnie the Pooh and all of his friends are officially in the public domain, it’s unavoidably time for a wonderfully trashy and exploitative horror movie starring the beloved bunch. Now feral and bloodthirsty after years of neglect, Pooh Bear (Craig David Dowsett) and Piglet (Chris Cordell) terrorize Christopher Robin and a group of young women at a remote house. You know what this is. Here’s hoping it’s at least a good and silly time.

‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ February 17th (Theaters)

In the biggest littlest Marvel adventure yet, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), along with Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), explore the Quantum Realm, where they interact with strange creatures and embark on an adventure that goes beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. Jonathan Majors returns as Kang the Conqueror from Loki in what will undoubtedly be a critical chapter of the MCU’s current Multiverse saga.

‘Cocaine Bear’ February 24th (Theaters)

Inspired by the 1985 true story of a drug runner’s plane crash, missing cocaine, and the black bear that ate it, this wild dark comedy finds an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists and teens converging in a Georgia forest where a 500- pound apex predator has ingested a staggering amount of cocaine and gone on a coke-fueled rampage for more blow … and blood. Directed by Elizabeth Banks (Charlie’s Angels, Pitch Perfect 2) from a screenplay by Jimmy Warden (The Babysitter: Killer Queen), Cocaine Bear is produced by Oscar winners Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, The Mitchells vs. The Machines).

‘Creed III’ March 4th (Theaters)

After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose. Jordan directs this third installment in the followup franchise to the Rocky saga.

‘Scream VI’ March 10th (Theaters)

Because of the tremendous success directing duo Matt Bettilin-Olpin and Tyler Gillett had with reviving Wes Craven’s legendary Scream series, both directors as well as the new cast of Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding are all returning for the upcoming Scream VI. Neve Campbell sadly won’t be back this time around but Courtney Cox will, and in an even more surprising and exciting move, none other than Scream 4’s Hayden Panettiere will be making an appearance as well. It looks like we’ll finally be leaving Woodsboro behind as the survivors of the last film try to start anew in New York City. But of course, yet another Ghostface killer is on the loose and danger rears its ugly head towards our heroes once again. 

‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ March 17th (Theaters)

In this followup to the delightful Shazam!, Billy Batson (Asher Angel / Zachary Levi) and his foster siblings, who transform into superheroes by saying “Shazam!”, are forced to get back into action and fight the Daughters of Atlas (Helen Mirren, Lucy Liu & Rachel Zegler) in order to save the world.

‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ March 24th (Theaters)

​​John Wick (Keanu Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating the High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes. You already know what’s up. More inspired ass kicking than anyone can be ready for.

‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ March 31st (Theaters)

A charming thief (Chris Pine) and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game to the big screen in a hilarious and action-packed adventure.

‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ April 7th (Theaters)

The hotly anticipated feature-length animated adaptation of the legendary video game series is finally at hand. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (collaborators on Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies) from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel (The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Minions: The Rise of Gru), the film stars Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike.

‘Renfield’ April 14th (Theaters)

In this absurd comedy from Chris McKay (Robot Chicken, The LEGO Batman Movie, The Tomorrow War) and Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible), Count Dracula’s (Nicolas Cage) lackey Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) finds a new lease on life in modern day New Orleans when he falls in love with Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina), a feisty but perennially aggressive traffic cop.

‘Evil Dead Rise’ April 21st (Theaters)

This new fifth installment of Sam Raimi’s iconic Evil Dead franchise is written and directed by Lee Cronin, best known for his 2019 horror sensation The Hole in the Ground. A road-weary Beth (Lily Sullivan) pays an overdue visit to her older sister Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland), who is raising three kids on her own in a cramped L.A. apartment. The sisters’ reunion is cut short by the discovery of a mysterious book deep in the bowels of Ellie’s building, giving rise to flesh-possessing demons, and thrusting Beth into a primal battle for survival as she is faced with the most nightmarish version of motherhood imaginable. Raimi’s Ghost House Pictures will of course be producing the new film.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ May 5th (Theaters)

In this emotional and climactic third film from James Gunn, the galaxy’s biggest losers face their toughest – and possibly final – mission. Still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own – a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful. Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and Sean Gunn all return for the end of the trilogy.

‘Fast X’ May 19th (Theaters)

Vin Diesel returns as Dominic Toretto in the first double digit installment of the legendary Fast & Furious franchise, as well as Michelle Rodriguez’s Letty Ortiz, Tyrese Gibson’s Roman Pearce, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges’ Tej Parker, Jordana Brewster’s Mia Toretto, Nathalie Emmanuel’s Ramsey, and Sung Kang’s Han Lue. Expect more outrageous car chases, stunts, and adrenaline-pumping action.

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ June 2nd (Theaters)

After reuniting with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (Shameik Moore) is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most. This followup to the groundbreaking original looks to be just as insanely vibrant and imaginative as before, if not even more so.

‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ June 9th (Theaters)

Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) and introduce the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. (The Land, Creed II) and starring Anthony Ramos (In the Heights, The Bad Guys) and Dominique Fishback (Project Power, Judas and the Black Messiah).

‘Elemental’ June 16th (Theaters)

The latest original creation from Disney and Pixar is set in Element City, where fire-, water-, land- and air-residents live together. The story introduces Ember (Leah Lewis), a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade (Mamoudou Athie) challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. Directed by Peter Sohn (The Good Dinosaur) and produced by Denise Ream (Up, Toy Story 4).

‘The Flash’ June 16th (Theaters)

Despite plenty of controversy surrounding its star Ezra Miller and apparent cuts to major cameos and plotlines, DC’s ill-fated attempt at a proper movie for The Flash may finally be coming to theaters this summer. Andy Muschietti (It, It: Chapter Two, Mama) directs this big-screen variation on the classic DC Comics storyline Flashpoint, which will introduce the multiverse to the DCEU. We’ll see.

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ June 30th (Theaters)

Harrison Ford returns as the legendary hero archaeologist in the highly anticipated fifth installment of the iconic Indiana Jones franchise, directed by James Mangold (Ford v Ferrari, Logan). Starring along with Ford are Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory), John Rhys-Davies (Raiders of the Lost Ark), Shaunette Renee Wilson (Black Panther), Thomas Kretschmann (Das Boot), Toby Jones (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), Boyd Holbrook (Logan), Oliver Richters (Black Widow), Ethann Isidore (Mortel) and Mads Mikkelsen (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore). Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are serving as executive producers. John Williams, who has scored each Indy adventure since the original in 1981, is once again composing the score.

‘Insidious 5’ July 7th (Theaters)

The Insidious franchise returns after six years with Patrick Wilson, who starred in the first two films of the franchise as Josh Lambert, returning not only to reprise his role but also to direct the film. It marks the directorial debut for the longtime actor. Ty Simpkins, who played Lambert’s troubled son Dalton, will also be returning as the film will pick up a decade after the last movie as Dalton begins college. The film will unpack everything the Lamberts went through a decade ago, as well as deal with the consequences of their choices. In addition to Wilson in the director’s chair, the script will be written by Halloween Kills scribe Scott Teems based on a story by Insidious co-creator (and a horror icon in their own right) Leigh Whannell, who wrote the first two films in the series.

‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ July 14th (Theaters)

Tom Cruise has once again proved himself to be an action star and stuntman like no other as he performs various daring feats for the camera as IMF agent Ethan Hunt in the latest Mission: Impossible. Director Christopher McQuarrie returns after the immense success of 2018’s Fallout. Hayley Atwell joins the cast alongside returning stars Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson and Vanessa Kirby.

‘Barbie’ July 21st (Theaters)

Greta Gerwig and Noah Bambauch are the chosen duo bringing the first live-action Barbie movie to life. After being expelled from Barbieland for being a less than perfect-looking doll, Barbie (Margot Robbie) sets off for the human world to find true happiness. This fantastical and surreal comedy will also star Ryan Gosling as Ken and Will Ferrell as the CEO of the Mattel toy company.

‘Oppenheimer’ July 21st (Theaters)

Christopher Nolan has yet to steer us wrong (silence, Dark Knight Rises haters!) and his latest work takes us back in time to the creation of atomic devastation – and the man who built it. Oppenheimer is an IMAX®-shot epic thriller that thrusts audiences into the pulse-pounding paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it. The film stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer and Emily Blunt as his wife, biologist and botanist Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer. Oscar® winner Matt Damon portrays General Leslie Groves Jr., director of the Manhattan Project, and Robert Downey, Jr. plays Lewis Strauss, a founding commissioner of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

‘The Marvels’ July 28th (Theaters)

In this sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) finds herself suddenly switching places with a pair of new superheroes – Kamala Khan AKA Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), who just so happens to be Danvers’ biggest fan, and none other than her estranged niece Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris).

‘Meg 2: The Trench’ August 4th (Theaters)

Because we just can’t seem to get enough of giant sharks, here we once go once again for Round 2 of The Meg. Jason Statham is of course back, otherwise this doesn’t actually work, does it? Jon Turtletaub, who directed the 2018 original, has handed off the chair to Ben Wheatley. That’s admittedly a cool choice – Wheatley is responsible for last year’s sleeper horror hit Into the Earth.

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ August 4th (Theaters)

This new animated take on the legendary TMNT franchise appears to be in very good and very funny hands. Produced by Seth Rogen, the film appears to be a fresh version of the brothers’ classic origin story. Jeff Rowe will be directing, having just scored a slam dunk with last years’ The Mitchells. vs the Machines.

‘Gran Turismo’ August 11th (Theaters)

Director Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium) brings the legendary racing franchise to the big screen with Archie Madekwe starring as a young player of the game aspiring to become an actual race car driver. The cast also includes Djimon Hounsou, David Harbour and Orlando Bloom.

‘Haunted Mansion’ August 11th (Theaters)

A new and hopefully decent enough movie adaptation of Disney’s iconic theme park ride. The horror comedy has a nice talented cast to back things up, including Owen Wilson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, Danny DeVito, Winona Ryder and more.

‘Blue Beetle’ August 18th (Theaters)

A brand new hero from DC emerges to help wipe the slate clean in the first and only non-sequel to come from the franchise this year. Mexican-American teenager Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) gains super powers when a mysterious scarab binds to his spine and provides him with a powerful suit of blue alien armor.

‘The Equalizer 3’ September 1st (Theaters)

Coming back for another round of very solid and very satisfying action thrills, Denzel Washington returns as the one and only Equalizer. Antoine Fuqua thankfully directs again as well and Dakota Fanning joins the cast for the new film.

‘The Nun 2’ September 8th (Theaters)

France, 1956. A priest is murdered. An evil is spreading. The sequel to The Nun (2018) follows Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) as she once again comes face to face with the demonic force Valak, the Nun (Bonnie Aarons).

‘The Expendables 4’ September 22nd (Theaters)

Nearly a decade later, we’re finally getting another megamacho action teamup. It’s time for The Expendables 4. Directed by Scott Waugh (Act of Valor, Need for Speed), the fourth of the franchise will star Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Iko Uwais, 50 Cent, Megan Fox and plenty of others. Let the fireworks begin. This will be the final one for Stallone, who has starred in each one.

‘Kraven the Hunter’ October 6th (Theaters)

Infamous Spider-Man villain Kraven the Hunter finally arrives in theaters but without Spider-Man! Ah well. Russian immigrant Sergei Kravinoff AKA Kraven (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is on a mission to prove that he is the greatest hunter in the world. Ariana DeBose co-stars as Calypso along with Fred Hechinger as Dmitri, Kraven’s brother. J.C. Chandor will be directing and he has a pretty good track record! Consider A Most Violent Year or Triple Frontier.

‘The Exorcist’ October 13th (Theaters)

This reboot of the historic Exorcist series is intended to be the first of a new trilogy from David Gordon Green. He’s no stranger to three part stories, having just finished that exact thing with the equally as historic Halloween franchise. The cast includes Leslie Odom Jr., Ann Dowd and Ellen Burstyn, reprising her role from the original film.

‘Saw X’ October 27th (Theaters)

The ninth installment of this game-changing series comes from Kevin Greutert, a longtime veteran of all things Jigaw. Both Saw VI and The Final Chapter were directed by him, having previously edited the first four films and returning to edit Jigsaw in 2017. Tobin Bell will, somehow, return once again as mastermind serial killer John Kramer to star in the film alongside Synnøve Macody Lund. It’s heavily rumored that Shawnee Smith could be reprising her role as his apprentice, Amanda Young.

‘Dune: Part Two’ November 3rd (Theaters)

Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) unites with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the universe, he must prevent a terrible future only he can foresee. This sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 sci-fi epic adds Florenge Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Elvis star Austin Butler to its already tremendous cast.

‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ November 17th (Theaters)

Years before he would become the tyrannical President of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the girl tribute from impoverished District 12. But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy Gray’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird, and who is a snake.

‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife 2’ December 20th (Theaters)

It’s the franchise that just can’t die! Because, you know, ghosts. In this sequel to a sequel to a sequel, Jason Reitman steps away to produce and Gil Kenan takes over as director. Kenan is best known for Monster House and the 2016 remake of Potergeist, and of course writing the first Ghostbusters: Afterlife with Reitman.

‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ December 25th (Theaters)

Delayed over a year now, James Wan returns to direct a cast that includes Momoa, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Temuera Morrison, Randall Park, Pilou Asbæk, Jani Zhao, Indya Moore, and Vincent Regan in the King of Atlantis’ next big screen adventure.

‘Beau is Afraid’ (TBA)

Ari Aster, the modern horror master behind Hereditary and Midsommar, is finally back with a new movie that stars fucking Joaquin Phoenix. I mean, let’s go. Honestly. And Nathan Lane?! This is my most anticipated movie of the year and if you’re not hype it’s time to get hype. The film is a surrealist horror comedy that depicts the decades-spanning portrait of one of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time.

‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ (TBA)

Based on the best-selling book by David Grann, this film covers the historic murders in the Osage Nation that were committed when oil was discovered on their land. Martin Scorsese will direct with Leonardo DiCaprio working with him as usual to star and produce. The cast also includes Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, Lily Gladstone and Brendan Fraser.

‘Rebel Moon’ (TBA)

After momentarily restoring the Snyderverse with the help of his legions of fans, Zack Snyder returns to the big screen with a new original sci-fi action epic. In Rebel Moon, a peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy is threatened by the armies of a tyrannical regent named Balisarius. The desperate civilians dispatch Kora (Sofia Boutella), a young woman who has a mysterious past to seek out warriors from nearby planets to help them challenge the regent.

‘Extraction 2’ (TBA) (Netflix)

In 2020, the world met a new hero: Tyler Rake (Chris Hemsworth), a fearless black market mercenary who embarks on the deadliest mission of his career. But what seems lost …can still be extracted.

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