2022 was a very good year with a lot of under-the-radar films. Also, there were some films by some big-name directors as well. Disney and Warner Brothers had a good year in their respective superhero universes. The indie studios had a big year though. Is 2023 going to be a bigger and better year? The movies will be the only way we can tell.
Honorable Mentions
The Flash, The Marvels, Spider-man Across the Spiderverse 2 Pt 1, Knock at the Cabin, Chevalier, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Amongst Thieves, The Super Mario Brothers Movie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol III, Wonka
10: Last Goal Wins
Dutch coach Thomas Rongen tries to turn the American Samoa soccer team into winners.
Taika Watiti directs this underdog sports film with Michael Fassbender as the coach, also co-starring Elizabeth Moss
Release date: April 21, 2023 (USA)
Director: Taika Waititi
9: Creed III
Still dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed is thriving in his career and family life. When Damian, a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces after serving time in prison, he’s 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.
I love boxing films and the Rocky franchise. Michael B Jordan directs for the first time and stars again as Adonis Creed opposite Jonathan Majors
Release date: March 3, 2023 (USA)
Director: Michael B. Jordan
8: Napoleon
Napoleon is an upcoming epic historical drama film directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa. It stars Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and depicts the French leader’s rise to power. The film is scheduled to be released by Apple Studios on Apple TV+ as an Apple original film.
Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix as the French dictator who had a power complex, this could be an Oscar contender.
Initial release: 2023
Director: Ridley Scott
7: Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Pt 1
The further adventures of IMF agent Ethan Hunt.
This is more of Tom Cruise doing what he does best: crazy stunts in a spy franchise he brought back to life almost thirty years ago. He’s done great lately with the latest films in this franchise. Christopher McQuarrie and Tom have done good work together in the past. There’s no reason why they can do it again this time.
Release date: July 14, 2023 (USA)
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
6:Antman & The Wasp: Quantumania
Ant-Man and the Wasp find themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that pushes them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible.
This has the makings of something great. Paul Rudd has been a secret ingredient in the MCU and this film could bring the MCU back to prominence again. Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror has been a long time in coming. The anticipation is real for this one.
Release date: February 17, 2023 (USA)
Director: Peyton Reed
5: John Wick 4
With the price on his head ever increasing, legendary hit man John Wick takes his fight against the High Table global as he seeks out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin.
This has been an underrated franchise ever since it started but Keanu Reeves and Chad Stehelsky haven’t let it get stale or bad. This franchise has gotten better with each subsequent film and there is no reason why this one won’t be another bloody action film with great cinematography like the others.
Release date: March 24, 2023 (USA)
Director: Chad Stahelski
4: Dune Pt 2
Paul Atreides unites with Chani 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 is the second half of what was my #1 film of the year last year. Denis Villeneuve has been making great films for years, but this could be his masterpiece if you put the two parts together. The cast is amazing and the cinematography is by one of the best there is Greig Fraser. There is no doubt in my mind this film will get as much awards attention as the last one did.
Release date: November 3, 2023 (USA)
Director: Denis Villeneuve
3: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is an upcoming American action-adventure film starring Harrison Ford as archaeologist Indiana Jones in the fifth installment of the Indiana Jones film series, following Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Harrison Ford is incredible as Indiana Jones even in the Crystal Skull. So to see him get one last crack at this iconic character is exciting. Add in James Mangold, and picture me interested.
Release date: June 30, 2023 (USA)
Director: James Mangold
2: Oppenhiemer
Physicist J Robert Oppenheimer works with a team of scientists during the Manhattan Project, leading to the development of the atomic bomb.
Christopher Nolan has been ready to win an Academy Award for Best Picture and Director for years. Him doing a biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer starring Cillian Murphy could be the right mix of genre, actor and cast to win it all. Everybody has signed on for this film for a reason.
Release date: July 21, 2023 (USA)
Director: Christopher Nolan
1: The Killers of the Flower Moon
Members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nation are murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s.
This was supposed to come out in 2022, but we’re getting the latest film from my favorite director, Martin Scorsese, this year. It’s a out a series of murders at the Osage Indian Reservation in Oklahoma which sparks the creation of the FBI. This has a great cast and could be another Apple TV+ hit, especially with everything working in its favor. This could be another awards contender.
Initial release: May 2023
Director: Martin Scorsese
From the Fourth Row! 