2023 promises to be an exhilarating year for the global film industry, with numerous blockbuster titles set to debut. Among these, the sci-fi genre has particularly caught attention, preparing audiences for an upcoming cinematic space race.
Marvel Studios and DC Studios continue to dominate the superhero film landscape. In addition to these, we cannot overlook the resurgence of several major franchises, including Dune, Spider-Verse, and The Hunger Games. Below is a list of the most anticipated sci-fi blockbusters scheduled for release in 2023.
Rebel Moon (2023)
Inspired by the works of legendary filmmaker Akira Kurosawa and the Star Wars universe, Rebel Moon is envisioned as an epic space opera that Zack Snyder presents to audiences through Netflix. The film follows a young warrior’s quest to rally forces for a battle against an oppressive regime. It features an ensemble cast including Sofia Boutella, Anthony Hopkins, and Charlie Hunnam.
The Mothership (2023)
The Mothership is a sci-fi thriller exploring hidden secrets from outer space. The narrative centers around Sara Morse, who accidentally discovers an extraterrestrial object beneath her home, one year after her husband disappears. As she unravels the mystery, the film will feature Halle Berry, Molly Parker, and Omari Hardwick.
Spaceman (2023)
This is Johan Renck’s follow-up to his successful miniseries Chernobyl on HBO Max. Spaceman is based on the novel Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar, published in 2017. Adam Sandler stars as Jakub Prochazka, a nostalgic Czech astronaut who embarks on a journey to Venus. Other stars include Carey Mulligan, Paul Dano, and Isabella Rossellini.
M3GAN (January 6, 2023)
M3GAN is a sci-fi horror film featuring Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, and Amie Donald. The plot revolves around Gemma, who becomes the guardian of her niece Cady after the tragic death of Cady’s parents. Gemma uses a robot named M3GAN to help care for Cady, but the robot’s protective instincts lead to unexpected and dangerous consequences.
Distant (January 27, 2023)
Distant is a sci-fi comedy directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, featuring Anthony Ramos, Naomi Scott, and Zachary Quinto. Ramos plays an astronaut who crashes on a distant planet and must find a way to survive while searching for other survivors to return to Earth. The film was filmed in Budapest during the pandemic and had to delay its release several times.
Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania (February 17, 2023)
Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania is Marvel Studios’ first film of 2023 and serves as the opening chapter for the next phase of the MCU. The film follows Scott Lang in his adventures through the quantum realm alongside Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors. Returning cast members include Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, and Michelle Pfeiffer.
65 (March 10, 2023)
65 is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year from Sony, set against a prehistoric backdrop where dinosaurs roam the Earth. The film follows Mills, an astronaut who survives a crash landing 65 million years ago and must navigate this dangerous world. The cast includes Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, and Chloe Coleman.
Shazam! Fury Of The Gods (March 17, 2023)
Shazam! Fury of the Gods continues the story of Billy Batson and his siblings as they face off against the daughters of Atlas. Billy must find a way to reconcile his powers with the new threats they face. The film features familiar faces like Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Ian Chen, and Grace Fulton, alongside newcomers Rachel Zegler, Helen Mirren, and Lucy Liu.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5, 2023)
With James Gunn now serving as CEO of DC Studios, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is expected to be his final entry in the MCU. The film will follow the Guardians as they face new challenges from Adam Warlock and the High Evolutionary. The familiar cast includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, and Vin Diesel.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (June 2, 2023)
Sony’s Spider-Verse will officially return in 2023, following the adventures of Miles Morales and his allies Gwen Stacy and Peter B. Parker. The latest trailer reveals that Miles will encounter many different versions of Spider-Man, including Spider-Man 2099, who plays a significant role in Across the Spider-Verse.
Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts (June 9, 2023)
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts signals the return of the robot warriors after five years away from the big screen. Set in 1994, the film introduces new factions like the Terrorcons, Maximals, and Predacons. Following the success of Bumblebee in 2018, Rise of the Beasts is anticipated as part of the franchise’s reboot strategy.
The Flash (June 16, 2023)
The Flash is a long-awaited project that has faced numerous delays at DC Studios. This will still be the 13th film in the DCEU (now rebranded as DCU) and will explore time travel and Barry Allen’s speed. Notably, The Flash will feature two different versions of Batman portrayed by Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck. Despite controversies, Ezra Miller is set to reprise his role as the titular superhero in 2023.
The Marvels (July 28, 2023)
The Marvels serves as a sequel to Captain Marvel (2019) and will bring together three powerful heroes: Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani). Following post-credit scenes in the series Ms. Marvel, the three characters will have interconnected powers, leading to unexpected transformations. The Marvels will also explore further details of the shared universe. Samuel L. Jackson will reprise his role as Nick Fury in this highly anticipated film.
Blue Beetle (August 18, 2023)
Blue Beetle is one of the projects that survived the horror “reboot” initiated by James Gunn. This film will introduce Jaime Reyes – Blue Beetle, portrayed by Xolo Maridueña. Gunn has indicated he will balance the exploration of new characters while continuing to develop existing heroes, ensuring a diverse portfolio of stories.
True Love (October 6, 2023)
True Love is a sci-fi film that intertwines love and humor, although details about the plot remain scarce. Nonetheless, it has garnered significant interest due to its high-profile cast, including John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, Benedict Wong, and Ken Watanabe.
Dune: Part Two (November 3, 2023)
The highly anticipated sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed adaptation of the novel Dune will officially premiere at the end of 2023. Most of the original cast members will reprise their roles, including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, and Dave Bautista.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes (November 17, 2023)
The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes is a prequel to the The Hunger Games series, focusing on a young Coriolanus Snow during the 10th Hunger Games. Tom Blyth stars in this role, alongside notable actors like Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis, and Rachel Zegler. This film is adapted from the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins.
Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom (December 25, 2023)
Aquaman is a significant success for DC, notably in terms of box office revenue. This is why Warner Bros. has decided to continue exploring the story of Arthur Curry, set to release during the Christmas season in 2023. Jason Momoa will reprise his role as Aquaman, alongside familiar faces such as Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Amber Heard.
Source: ScreenRant
