The 2023 movies with the highest anticipation

2022 brought movie lovers some incredible films, but 2023 is shaping up to be an even more exciting year at the cinema. From long-awaited sequels to fresh adaptations, here are the 10 most anticipated movies you won't want to miss in 2023.

1. [Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania] (February 2023) 

Kicking off Marvel's [Phase 5] is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, bringing Paul Rudd's charming thief Scott Lang back for more size-changing shenanigans. This threequel goes bigger (or should we say smaller?) by heading into the Quantum Realm and pitting Ant-Man against Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), a formidable new supervillain. With director Peyton Reed and scene-stealing Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne returning, Quantumania promises a tiny adventure on a grand scale.

2. [The Little Mermaid] (May 2023) 

Dive under the sea with Disney's live-action remake of the beloved 1989 animated classic. Halle Bailey stars as Ariel alongside Javier Bardem as King Triton in this musical fantasy directed by Rob Marshall (Mary Poppins Returns). With new songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda plus classics like "Part of Your World," this eye-popping update looks to enchant a new generation.

3. [Indiana Jones 5] (June 2023)

Nearly 40 years after his first big-screen adventure, Harrison Ford dusts off his iconic fedora and whip for Indiana Jones 5. Co-starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, this sequel helmed by James Mangold (Ford v Ferrari) promises to take the legendary archaeologist into the 1960s Space Race. Can Indy still keep up with the young whippersnappers at his advanced age? We can't wait to find out!

4. [Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning] (July 2023) 

Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in the seventh Mission: Impossible, kicking off a climactic two-part finale to the long-running action franchise. Christopher McQuarrie is back directing these final missions, which feature Cruise's customary death-defying stunts, including hanging off a biplane. Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson and more IMF agents join the hunt to take down a sinister organization in this globetrotting spy thriller.

5. [The Flash] (November 2023)

The DC Extended Universe bets on the Scarlet Speedster to restart its cinematic superhero slate. Ezra Miller races into the lead role for The Flash, which finds Barry Allen using his super-speed to break open the multiverse. Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton return as different incarnations of Batman while Sasha Calle debuts as Supergirl. Can Flash go back in time to save the struggling DCEU? We'll see if he can rewrite this continuity.

6. [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3] May 2023) 

Everyone’s favorite band of cosmic misfits reunites one last time in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Director James Gunn promises an emotional conclusion to the trilogy, with Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord leading Rocket, Groot, Drax, Mantis and the gang into new cosmic hijinks. This also marks a bittersweet MCU farewell to Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Nebula (Karen Gillan). Get ready to laugh and cry with Marvel’s beloved space oddballs.

7. [Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse] (June 2023)

Miles Morales swings back into animated action with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. This dazzling sequel to Into the Spider-Verse leaps through different dimensions as Miles teams with new Spider-heroes like Gwen Stacy against a powerful villain. With its groundbreaking art style, Across the Spider-Verse looks to set new standards for superhero storytelling.

8. [The Super Mario Bros. Movie] (April 2023)

It's-a Mario on the big screen! Nintendo's legendary mascot leads his first CGI animated film in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Chris Pratt voices the Italian plumber with Charlie Day as Luigi and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach. Jack Black also steals scenes as Bowser while Seth Rogen brings Donkey Kong to life. From racing karts to power-ups, this video game adaptation aims to delight kids and nostalgic adults.

9. [Wonka] (December 2023)

Before he became the whimsical candy man, Willy Wonka was a young chocolatier trying to make his mark. Wonka explores the early days of Roald Dahl's eccentric inventor, played by Timothée Chalamet. Directed by Paul King (Paddington), this musical fantasy reveals how Wonka met the Oompa-Loompas and began building his factory of fun. Expect sweet visuals and songs as Wonka's journey unwraps.

10. [Oppenheimer] (July 2023) 

Christopher Nolan takes a break from time-bending sci-fi to direct this biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist behind the creation of the atomic bomb. Starring Cillian Murphy in the lead role, Oppenheimer promises to be a thought-provoking drama about the moral dilemmas of innovation. With an all-star cast including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer looks to make a big impact next summer.

Which of these movies are you most excited to watch in 2023? Let us know in the comments! Wherever your cinema tastes lie, from blockbusters to Oscar bait, the next 12 months deliver an incredible slate of films you won't want to miss. So grab your popcorn and get ready for a stellar year at the movies.