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The Only 2023 Movie Preview You’ll Need

Our handy guide to the most anticipated movies of 2023.

Photo: Sony Pictures Animation

The 2023 movie calendar is chock full of must-see titles. With all these films to choose from, it can be hard to decide which blockbusters deserve your time and money. Should you reunite with your favorite crew of car-racing heroes? Maybe you should join the Guardians for one last adventure? Perhaps you’ve been not-so-patiently waiting for Jason Momoa to return as Aquaman? No matter what movie you have highlighted on your calendar, our handy 2023 movie preview will help you keep all the big releases straight.

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Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Feb. 17: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlNFpri-Y40

After getting a small taste of Jonathan Majors as Kang in Loki, we will be fully introduced to this MCU big bad in the third Ant-Man movie.

March 3: Creed III

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9JxtmIiCgg

In case you haven’t had enough of Jonathan Majors as the bad guy, he enters the ring as Donnie’s latest opponent in Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut.

March 24: John Wick: Chapter 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEVUtrk8_B4

Does it really matter what the plot of the fourth movie in the franchise is? All I need to know is does it feature Keanu Reeves gracefully gunning down other assassins in artistic action scenes? If the answer is yes, I’m in.

March 31: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiMinixSXII

It’s time to go on a quest! This is the moment nerds have been waiting for as the iconic game hits the big screen in a heist movie starring Chris Pine, Justice Smith, Michelle Rodriguez and Regé-Jean Page.

May 5: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3V5KDHRQvk

The Guardians wrap up their story and reveal Rocket’s origin in the wacky heroes’/criminals’ third outing.

May 19: Fast X

Photo: Getty Images Frazer Harrison

The crew returns in what is allegedly the last film in the franchise, but does anyone really think this is the final heist? This time around some big-name stars are joining the family, with Jason Momoa, Brie Larson and Rita Moreno playing key roles.

May 26: The Little Mermaid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-wPm99PF9U

This might be the movie we’re most excited about. After seeing the entire “Part of Your World” sequence at the 2022 D23 Expo, I can tell you Halle Bailey is going to be an inspiring, game-changing Ariel. If you were hating last year, get ready to eat crow this year.

June 2: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqGjhVJWtEg

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduced unfamiliar audiences to Miles Morales, forever changing the superhero and animation landscapes. Now, the long-awaited sequel conquers more universes and brings us Issa Rae as Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman.

June 9: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWWDskI46Js

I am in no way telling you to spend your money on a Transformers movie. However, people still keep seeing them, so just in case you’re one of those fans, here’s the latest trailer.

June 16: The Blackening

Photo: Getty Images Arnold Turner

This horror-comedy explores the question of who dies first when the whole cast is Black? It follows a group of friends being hunted by a killer while spending Juneteenth weekend at a cabin in the woods. The cast features Antoinette Robertson, Dewayne Perkins, Sinqua Walls, Grace Byers, Yvonne Orji and Jay Pharoah.

June 30: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfVYgWYaHmE

I know Harrison Ford is in his 80s, but the little kid in me can’t resist the opportunity to see Indy wrap up the classic franchise with a better story than Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

July 14: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m1drlOZSDw

We don’t know anything about the seventh film in the very successful action franchise, but the plot definitely involves Tom Cruise doing a completely ridiculous stunt just because he can. The follow-up, Dead Reckoning Part Two is currently scheduled for release on June 28, 2024.

Aug. 11: Haunted Mansion

Photo: Getty Images Tommaso Boddi

Justin Simien (Dear White People) directs the latest big-screen adaptation of the Disney theme park ride. Rosario Dawson stars as a single mom, who hires a priest, a psychic and a history professor to help cleanse her haunted new house. An all-star cast plays many of the mansion’s familiar ghosts.

Nov. 10: The Marvels

Photo: Marvel Studios

Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers, Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau and Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan team up when their powers inexplicably lead them to crossover into each other’s lives in this sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel. Update: Marvel Studios moved this title from summer to fall, so we’ll all have to wait a little longer for this awesome team-up.

Nov. 22: Wish

Photo: Getty Images Jesse Grant

Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose stars in this Disney animated movie about, Asha, the wishing star many of its fairy tales are based on.

Dec. 20: The Color Purple

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIbgFc9TLaY

The film adaptation of the Broadway musical stars Fantasia as Celie; Danielle Brooks as Sofia; Emmy-winner Colman Domingo as Mister; and Oscar-nominee Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery.

Dec. 25: Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Photo: Getty Images Jon Kopaloff

Honestly, things are in such an awkward transition at DC right now, I can’t say for certain if we’re really going to see this movie. However, if it is finally released, it will be interesting to see how Arthur handles life as the King of Atlantis.

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