Film fans are constantly looking at the horizon in search of the biggest new releases. For just about any entertainment sector, whether music or video games, that’s one of the most exciting elements of fandom: anticipating the next big hit.
But as any fan knows, it’s an art form. After all, just because a project has an ace marketing team and has hit the airwaves, that doesn’t mean that it will pan out for audiences. Even then, there can be a huge split between a domestic success or failure and how a project plays on in terms of its global release.
In other words, what flops domestically might succeed abroad—and vice versa. But some productions are slated to outperform every other release on both the domestic and the international market. For these films, the stakes are extremely high—both in terms of investment and expectations. Let’s dive in to 2023’s most highly anticipated releases in cinema.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
June 30, 2023
Back when Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark hit theaters back in 1981, audiences were floored. Not only did George Lucas create a riveting action-adventure, but he also invented a whole new hero type. Academic, off-the-handle, and sassy, Indiana Jones changed the outlook of who could be a hero.
In fact, Indy proved so popular that he survives in a variety of pop culture ways. For example, slots fans might notice a few Indy-inspired characters and games when shopping around for their next favorite title. Book of Dead, on offer on top online platforms, closely mirrors heroes like Indy and their anthropological exploits. Almost fifty years after that original 1981 release, this final Indiana Jones project has a huge coup to land with fans.
Dune: Part Two
November 3, 2023
Fans of the original release have been impatiently awaiting the next installation of this Denis Villeneuve project. With plenty of star power on its side, Dune: Part Two is expected to carry the first release into a more action-oriented future. However, as one of the most demanding fanbases to please, Dune: Part Two will likely be one of the most high-stakes releases, with its future hinging on its reception.
Barbie
July 21, 2023
This project has already made headlines thanks to its heart-stopping cast and one of the most interesting directorial projects. Director Greta Gerwig last directed Litte Women, which was a critical success. Shifting from that project to one like Barbie has many scooted to the edge of their seats. The question on everyone’s tongue is… what’s the substance behind this flick?
Billed as a ‘high-substance’ new take on one of the world’s most vapid characters, Gerwig’s Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, will be banished from her home world of Barbieland—shunned to planet Earth with the rest of us. Audiences will have to wait for summer to see what happens next.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
April 7, 2023
Nintendo’s Mario franchise stretches back just as far as George Lucas’s Indiana Jones franchise. However, the enthusiastic Italian plumber is a lot more recognized worldwide than Indy thanks to Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Donkey Kong’s extensive presence throughout gaming and pop culture.
Unsurprisingly, this makes The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2023’s most high-stakes project—even more than Indy’s last romp and Dune’s second installation. However, the film has Mario’s original creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, on board, which hints that there’s a guiding hand making sure all is well in Mushroom Kingdom before the film’s release this spring.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
March 3, 2023
Clearly, franchises are able to generate a huge conversation around film releases—and that’s especially true for Dungeons & Dragons. The DnD project has a few huge names tacked on to this reboot, including Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez, and Hugh Grant. But will it be enough to take this project to the next level—especially when DnD fans have been waiting on a quality silver screen production?
