Aren’t movie theatres an absolute package of thrill, romance, suspense, drama, lights, camera, and action? From bunking classes to hitting a funky theatre — to those first awkward moments with the family when out of nowhere a kissing scene pops up on the cinema screens — movie theatres give you amazing experiences — hi there, extra cheese-loaded spicy popcorn, nachos, and coke. Damn! …allow me to turn down the lights, and reveal to you some good $#!T hitting the box office next year.
Here are the top 11 movies to watch in 2023, from explosive action to cynical romance, glittery bullet ballets to dark comedy, sci-fi adventures to spine-tingling horror — we went everywhere looking for what could give you the right adrenaline rush.
Let the show begin!!
1. John Wick: Chapter 4
The fourth installment to the blockbuster action franchise is in post-production and scheduled to be released on March 24, 2023. The movie is directed by Chad Stahelski who is known for his stuntwork in The Crow, The Matrix, and of course John Wick prequels. In the latest sequel, Keenu Reeves, aka John Wick — the hit man, with the price on his head breaching the sky — takes on the High Table. This year the war goes global — from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin. If you love action, crime, and thriller - John Wick must top your chart of top movies to watch in 2023.
Director: Chad Stahelski
Lead Cast: Keanu Reeves
Also starring: Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, Ian McShane
Production: Thunder Road Pictures, 87Eleven Productions
Language: English
2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie
They say animation is pure imagination & storytelling. If that’s so, The Super Mario Bros. Movie may redefine imagination and storytelling. It is the third adaptation of the iconic Nintendo character and is scheduled to hit theaters on April 7, 2023. It's an absolute feast for the eyes of anime lovers and definitely among the top movies to watch in 2023. If you too like fantasy, adventure, and comedy animation movies then join Mario — the plumber as he goes on a mission to free the captured princess. Awaiting you is a lot of fun and laughter while Mario travels through the underground labyrinth.
Director: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic
Lead Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day
Also starring: Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen, Kevin Michael, Richardson, Sebastian Maniscalco
Production: Universal Pictures, Nintendo, Illumination
3. Fast X
Vin Diesel & Michelle Rodriguez with their team will be back to what they do best — explosion, car chases, knockdown fights, and hell lot of bullet ballets. The story is all hush at the moment but it will be unleashed to the world most probably on May 19, 2023. Directed by Louis Leterrier, Fast X is among the highly anticipated movies of 2023. Go witness the holy trinity of cinema - chills, thrills, and spills. If you love action, crime & mystery — Fast X must be on top of your best upcoming action movies to watch in 2023.
Director: Louis Leterrier
Lead Cast: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez
Also starring: Nathalie Emmanuel, Brie Larson, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges
Production: Original Film, One Race Films, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films, Perfect Storm Entertainment
4. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part One
The seventh addition to the action, adventure, thriller MI franchise. The movie is written & directed by Christopher McQuarrie — a multi-award winner filmmaker, screenwriter, and frequent collaborator with Tom Cruise. You shall see Esai Morales playing an intense bad guy while Tom is busy looking as dashing as he is and cruises through deserts, mountains, crossroads, and whatnot on July 14, 2023. This is your movie to watch in 2023 if you like some good-looking people who pull off nasty stints with a zing of class & style.
Also starring: Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell, Shea Whigham, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Rob Delaney, Henry Czerny, and Cary Elwes
Production: Skydance Media, TC Productions
5. The Nun 2
The evergrowing spine-chiller Conjuring Universe continues to expand with this 9th instalment of the supernatural horror film franchise. The prequels have never failed to give us freak-out moments scary enough to make many flee the theatres. This instalment will see Sister Irene go head-on with the demonic force Valak — the nun. If horror is what you need as an excuse to spill some popcorn in the theatre - then Nun 2 is a must-watch movie in 2023.
Director: Michael Chaves
Lead Cast: Taissa Farmiga, Anna Popplewell
Also starring: Storm Reid
Production: New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster Productions, The Safran Company
6. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
If you loved Aquaman, then this sequel should already be on your top movies to watch in the 2023 checklist. This DC superhero film is directed by an Australian producer, screenwriter, and director — James Wan who is notoriously popular for chill flicks like Saw, Insidious, Conjuring, and of course, the Aquaman franchise. On Christmas 2023, join half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur on his quest to save Atlantis, and the rest of the planet.
Director: James Wan
Lead Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard
Also starring: Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Temuera Morrison, Nicole Kidman
Production: DC Studios, The Safran Company, Atomic Monster Productions
7. Dune: Part Two
Part 1 was the appetizer, two is the meal — a pure cinematic joy! That’s what the Dune team has promised in this action, adventure, and drama movie. Join Paul Atreides, aka Timothee Chalamet as he unites with Director Denis Villeneuve to unfold a revenge story where the lead character is a man on a mission to show the conspirators the true wrath, and goes on a quest to prevent a terrible future that only he can foresee. Dune 2 is the best movie to watch in 2023 if you cherish cinematic experiences, drama, action, suspense, thrill, and adventure.
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Lead Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson
Also starring: Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Léa Seydoux, Christopher Walken
Production: Legendary Pictures
8. Oppenheimer
If you’re addicted to biographical movies, Oppenheimer is going to be your drug. It’s a must-watch movie in 2023 for movie buffs who like history served with a touch of drama. It’s set to release on July 21, 2023, and is the biography of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer — the father of Atomic Bombs — the guy who saw the first Nuke explode in Nevada.
Director: Christopher Nolan
Lead Cast: Cillian Murphy
Also starring: Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh
Production: Universal Pictures, Syncopy Inc., Atlas Entertainment
9. Barbie
Set to clash with Oppenheimer, but as the genres are poles apart — both films appeal to different audiences. Barbie is a romcom starring Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling. Margot is the girl who lives in Barbie Land but gets expelled from there. She ventures into real life - and what follows is fun, laughter, romance, and a lot more fun, fun, fun. If you like to go on a movie date - Barbie is the perfect movie to watch in 2023.
Director: Greta Gerwig
Lead Cast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling
Production: LuckyChap Entertainment, Mattel Films, Heyday Films
10. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
All you need to make an entertaining action film is a good-looking charming man whizzing through unexpected adventures and near-death experiences to retrieve a lost relic. But this film has more too: dragons, supernatural powers, high-octane fantasy action, half-human & half-animals, and a lot more. Scheduled to release on March 31, 2023, this is a must-watch movie for adventure-loving people.
Director: Jonathan Goldstein, John Francis Daley
Lead Cast: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez
Also starring: Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Hugh Grant
Scheduled Release: March 31, 2023
Production: Entertainment One, Wizards of the Coast
One Bonus Movie for You!
11. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Directed by Peyton Reed — known for directing Bring It On and Ant-Man (2015), this sequel is about Avenger Lang, Van Dyne, and their family exploring the quantum realm and taking on the supervillain Kang the Conqueror. It stars Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly in the lead roles. It’s one of the most anticipated movies of 2023. Add Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in your movies to watch in 2023 bucket, and block your calendars for the exciting oasis of sci-fi, action, adventure, comedy, and larger-than-life superheroes & supervillains.
Director: Peyton Reed
Lead Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly
Also starring: Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonathan Majors, Bill Murray
Scheduled Release: February 17, 2023
Production: Marvel Studios
It’s time to ring your partners in crime who can make absolute mayhem in the movie theatres with all the woohoos, brouhahas, and omg-screams. And do tell us, which among these top 11 movies to watch in 2023 is keeping you on your toes?
