2022 was like a renaissance for film. This was the first year where we were fully out of the Covid-19 lockdown, and theaters were buzzing. We saw the release of Top Gun: Maverick, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Elvis, Nope, and The Batman, all of which were tremendous works of cinema. With that being said, 2023 has big shoes to fill. There have been many films that have released trailers while others are still in the process, but here is my list of the films I’m most excited for in 2023.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is one of my all-time favorite superhero and animated films ever. Now, we’re getting a sequel to it. THIS IS AWESOME. While I adored Spider-Ham and Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, I’m jacked to see the new crew of alter ego spideys that Miles Morales goes on an adventure with. I love the whimsical nature of the first movie to go with the heartfelt sentiment, and I have high hopes for the sequel.
Oppenheimer
Ever since I saw the first shot of Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, I’ve been hooked. When it comes to war and the history of it, I’m always intrigued to learn about it. There have been outstanding World War II movies like Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and Dunkirk, but there has never been a film about the man who contributed to the creation of the atomic bomb.
The cast alone fires me up with Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, both Affleck brothers, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, and Benny Safdie. Now, factor in that an all-star director like Christopher Nolan is directing the film, and this is a recipe for success. I am riveted to see how Nolan directs Oppenheimer, especially since it feels like more of a biopic film rather than a mind-bending thriller like Memento, Inception, and Tenet.
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Any time you can get two generational talents like Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio on the same screen, it’s exciting. It’s only made better when a genius like Martin Scorsese is behind the lens directing the film. I find the story to be interesting since it’s a murder mystery in the 1920’s. The thing that really peaks my interest, though, is the cast. I already mentioned De Niro and DiCaprio, but we also get to see Jesse Plemons, Brendan Fraser, and Lily Gladstone with them.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
I’m so excited for this. The Indiana Jones franchise was a monumental piece of my childhood, and now I get a new film in the series as an adult. While I am fired up for the movie, I do have one key concern–the de-aging of Harrison Ford. When I watched The Irishman, seeing young Robert De Niro took me out of the film immediately, and I have the same worry about how it’ll work with Ford. Nevertheless, you best believe I’ll be in the theater on opening night.
Cocaine Bear
I can acknowledge that this movie will be over-the-top stupid, but that won’t deter me from being excited. It’s a true dude film; a bear ingests a ton of cocaine and goes on a rampage. The only man who can stop this bear is Ray Liotta. C’mon, you’ve got to have some intrigue about this movie.
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Three
The past two years have been a tough for the MCU. A lot of their films have felt diluted, especially because of forced comedy. Back in 2014, Guardians Of The Galaxy came into our lives with fun humor that didn’t try too hard, and that’s why I love this franchise so much. I’m excited for the storyline with Star Lord after losing Gamora. He’s an upbeat character, but he’s lost the love of his life. There’s a lot to look forward to in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume Three.
The Flash
I won’t lie, I’m not excited for this movie because of the plot or its significance to the DCEU. No, I’m excited because of how much of a mess this movie’s been off-screen. In the same way that Don’t Worry Darling peaked my interest, I’m excited to see if this film was really worth all the hassle that Ezra Miller put Warner Bros. through.
In the span of production and filming of The Flash, Miller has choked a woman on video, been arrested in Hawaii for assault, harassed a mother and her twelve year old son, burglarized a home, and had DCF come to his farm in Vermont for a plethora of crimes. The Flash looks like a fun superhero flick, but I need to see why Warner Bros. kept Miller around rather than just dump the film.
Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One
I won’t sit here and lie to you. I’m growing a bit concerned that the Mission: Impossible films are becoming like the Fast and the Furious franchise, where they’ll continue to pump them out as cash grab. With that being said, I love this franchise much more than the Fast and the Furious. Seeing Tom Cruise in these films always makes for a good time.
One of my favorite characters in the franchise is Benji, so I’m happy to see Simon Pegg will be in this new one. Anytime a movie like this is released, you know you’re in for a phenomenal theater experience. This much action shouldn’t be taken in from your couch; it’s imperative that it’s viewed on a massive screen with a tub of popcorn.
