The year 2023 marks a special milestone as Disney celebrates its 100th anniversary. Over the years, the “House of Mouse” has evolved from a company focused on producing animated films and children’s programs into one of the largest film franchises in the world for all ages. Disney now holds numerous iconic global brands, including Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Pixar.
Wish
Wish is the animated feature commemorating Disney’s 100th anniversary. The film begins when a young girl named Asha expresses her wish to the stars and is answered by a magical being called Star. Asha and Star must work together to save their world from a hidden evil. Directed by Chris Buck, known for his work on both Frozen films, Tarzan (1999), and many other Disney projects, this film promises to be a heartfelt journey.
Ariana DeBose, the Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actress known for her role in West Side Story (2022), lends her voice to the main character Asha. In a recent interview, she shared her excitement, stating, “I am thrilled that young girls can relate to this character. She is a girl who holds many stories and unique traits, just like other beloved Disney characters.”
Jennifer Lee, the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, remarked, “The film carries great significance for all of us as we celebrate this wonderful collaboration across generations.” Wish is set to premiere on November 22, 2023.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will be the first Marvel blockbuster to hit theaters in 2023. It also serves as the opening chapter for Phase 5 of the MCU. The film starts with Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton) unintentionally creating a device that connects to the Quantum Realm. The story unfolds as Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), and Hope (Evangeline Lilly) are pulled into the Quantum Realm and face new threats.
After establishing the threat during Phase 4, the prominent villain in this installment will be Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), officially making his debut. The film is expected to connect threads from previous projects while also opening up to some of the most ambitious battles in the cinematic universe. It is set for release on February 17, 2023.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Following the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), the Guardians of the Galaxy continue their intergalactic adventures. However, they must confront a new threat while searching for Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), who has not returned to them from the alternate timeline.
After two incredibly successful films, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is set to be the final installment from director James Gunn within the MCU. Many fans speculate that this film will serve as a heartfelt farewell to several beloved characters. Additionally, the movie will introduce new characters like Adam Warlock (Will Poulter). It is scheduled for release on May 5, 2023.
Elemental
Elemental is Pixar’s animated offering for 2023. The film takes place in Element City, where inhabitants are made of fire, water, air, and earth, living in harmony. The story revolves around a fiery girl named Ember (Leah Lewis) and a watery boy named Wade (Mamoudou Athie) who meet and begin to develop a complex relationship.
After the success of franchises like Toy Story, Cars, and Soul (2020), Elemental promises to explore the emotional depth of elemental beings. Directed by Peter Sohn, a Pixar veteran with contributions to many of their beloved films, the film features the voices of Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie.
The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid is the next installment in Disney’s series of live-action adaptations of their animated classics. Similar to Beauty and the Beast (2017), The Lion King (2019), and Aladdin (2021), this film closely follows the 1989 animated version, featuring Ariel (Halle Bailey), the daughter of King Triton (Javier Bardem), who is captivated by the human world and falls in love with Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King).
Ariel seeks out Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) to obtain a human form to be with her love, but she soon finds herself in a precarious position. In every remake, Disney aims to retain the original spirit and lessons from the classic while also introducing new meanings that resonate with contemporary audiences. The Little Mermaid will bring beloved songs to life, such as “Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea,” and is set to premiere on May 16, 2023.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
After acquiring Lucasfilm, Disney now holds two iconic franchises: Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Among these, Indiana Jones is a series of adventure films that have captivated audiences worldwide. Fifteen years after the last adventure in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) returns for a new, thrilling journey.
This time, the archaeologist finds himself caught up in a space race during the 1960s, confronting scientists with ties to the Nazi regime. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny not only revives the classic franchise but also aims to create a compelling new story. The film is set to be released on June 30, 2023.
The Boogeyman
Based on Stephen King’s 1973 short story of the same name, The Boogeyman follows two sisters, Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair) and Sadie (Sophie Thatcher), who are grappling with the recent death of their mother. Haunted by grief, they soon discover a malevolent entity that invades their home. Sawyer and Sadie must find a way to convince their father of the danger before it’s too late.
Initially, The Boogeyman was planned for release on Hulu in 2023. However, after receiving critical acclaim, it was decided to release it in theaters. This film marks Disney’s foray into horror, especially given its adaptation of a story by the “master of horror” Stephen King. The Boogeyman will premiere on June 2, 2023.
The Marvels
Continuing the storylines from the mini-series Ms. Marvel (2022) and WandaVision (2021), Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) find their powers intertwined whenever they use them. The three must unite to uncover the mystery behind their interconnected abilities.
The Marvels is set to be the final blockbuster from Marvel in 2023, exploring the hidden powers of these superheroines. Additionally, the film will serve as a bridge between the comic book narratives and the cinematic universe. Notably, the South Korean star Park Seo Joon is set to join the cast, marking his Hollywood debut.
Haunted Mansion
Haunted Mansion is a film inspired by the iconic Disneyland attraction. The story begins with mother Gabbie and her nine-year-old son moving into a historic mansion in New Orleans, only to discover that it is haunted. Gabbie seeks help as they navigate the spooky challenges that arise.
Over 20 years ago, The Haunted Mansion was adapted into a film featuring comedian Eddie Murphy. This reboot aims to stay true to the essence of the original while introducing a new narrative twist. The cast includes Hollywood stars such as Rosario Dawson, LaKeith Stanfield, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Winona Ryder, Dan Levy, Jared Leto, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
A Haunting in Venice
After the success of Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and Death on the Nile (2022), detective Hercule Poirot returns in A Haunting in Venice. This time, he must solve a case involving supernatural events at a mysterious gathering.
A Haunting in Venice is adapted from the lesser-known story Hallowe’en Party, which promises to bring unexpected twists to the thriller genre. The film features an ensemble cast, including Kyle Allen, Kenneth Branagh, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Kelly Reilly, and is set to be released on September 15.
Cast of A Haunting In Venice
