If you thought 2022 was power-packed with a slew of superhero films releasing in theatres, brace for an even bigger impact in 2023 with the number of superhero landings on the big screen going up to double digits. From first outings to last adventures, eagerly-awaited second instalments to trepidation-inducing introductions, 2023 promises to be an exciting year for superhero fans. We have drawn up a list of seven films we are most excited about, in order of release dates.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Release date: February 17
We couldn’t be more pleased to have the funny and charming Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) leading Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The trailer has already primed us for an adventure of an epic scale and we can’t wait. But what has us most excited is the first film debut of Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), the big MCU baddie who we were introduced to in the TV series Loki. We loved the little we saw there and we are eager to see Kang flex his big-screen muscles.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Release date: March 17
Shazam! is one of the most enjoyable DC Universe movies we have watched, because it kept its tone light and breezy instead of Zack Snyder-ing the heart out of it. And the second outing of the teenaged-hearted adult superhero promised to be the same. Zachary Levi is reprising his role as the adult alter-ego of the teenage Billy Baston (Asher Angel) and we would be happy to meet the rest of the family again.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 3
Release date: May 5
They came out of nowhere and became one of the most-loved bunch of misfits in the galaxy. We are looking forward to getting what we expect from a Guardians of the Galaxy film — fun, hilarity, heart and great music — and to the unexpected, which makes every instalment that much more exciting. This is supposedly director James Gunn’s last outing with Peter Quill, Nebula, Drax, Rocket, Groot and Mantis and we are already feeling a little tearful about it.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Release date: June 2
Ask any Spider-Man fan what is the best Spider-Man movie ever? The answer is going to be unanimous — Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This animated film featuring Miles Morales as Spider-Man came out of nowhere, won the hearts of Spider-Man fans and the best animated feature at the Oscars. And the sequel promises to be a rip-roaring ride with Miles travelling the multiverse and running across various versions of the webslinger. We expect it to be all that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness failed to be.
The Flash
Release date: June 23
The DC universe speedster was one of the few likeable things about Justice League, and a solo Flash film sounded good. Till all the upheaval started in the DCU and The Flash actor, Ezra Miller, was mired in all kinds of controversies. Our interest in the film, however, still remains, especially to find out how they will use the alleged Flashpoint storyline to reset the DCU. We can’t lie about being excited to see some of the present DCU elements go.
The Marvels
Release date: July 28
This promises to be the team-up of the year with Brie Larson’s Carol Denvers/Captain Marvel being joined by Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan/Ms Marvel and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau. We are assuming that it will have something to do with the Ms Marvel post-credit sequence, so catch up on that before this hits the theatres. Oh and don’t miss the TV miniseries Secret Invasion on Disney+ that is releasing before The Marvels because it is said to have tie-ins with the movie.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Release date: December 25
Jason Momoa and the Atlantean fish lord he plays entertained us immensely, both in his role in Justice League and his first solo adventure Aquaman, and we are definitely eager to revisit his colourful and fun world. But will this be Momoa’s last outing as Aquaman, given the soft reboot DCU seems to be heading for? That is the question that has put a damper on our excitement.
