Even though Hollywood production has stalled amid the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strike, the fall/winter movie release schedule looks like it will be full of blockbusters, with a solid mix of franchise and independent films hitting the box office.
Here are 10 of the most anticipated films for the remainder of 2023.
“A Haunting in Venice” – Sep. 15
Kenneth Branuagh’s Hercule Poirot is set to return in the third installment in the mystery franchise. The film follows Poirot as he attends a seance at a haunted palazzo in Venice, Italy. When one of the guests is murdered, he is forced to uncover the killer before anyone else is harmed.
“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Oct. 6
This Martin Scorsese film tells the true story of members of the Osage tribe in Oklahoma being murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s and the subsequent FBI investigation into their deaths. It will be released in select theaters on Oct. 6 and released nationwide on Apple TV on Oct. 20.
“Five Nights at Freddy’s” – Oct. 27
After several production and staffing changes on the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” film adaptation, Blumhouse Productions took over the project and plans to release the nearly three-hour film just before Halloween. The film will follow Josh Hutcherson as Mike, a security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, as he tries to survive an abandoned family restaurant filled with killer animatronics.
“Dune: Part Two” – Nov. 3
The sequel to Denis Villeneueve’s film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 science-fiction epic of the same name will continue the story of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) as he seeks revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Chalamet stars in this space opera alongside Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Florence Pugh.
“The Marvels” – Nov. 10
Set after the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” “Wandavision,” and “Ms. Marvel,” “The Marvels” will follow Carol Danvers as she finds her powers linked with two other superheroes. The female-led film is the latest release in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and ties into the franchise’s newest series, “Secret Invasion,” on Disney+.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” – Nov. 17
Inspired by the Suzanne Collins Hunger Games prequel of the same name, the fifth installment to “The Hunger Games” film franchise will tell the story of the Tenth Annual Hunger Games. Tom Blyth stars as a young Coriolanus Snow who mentors Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the female tribute from District 12.
“Wonka” – Dec. 15
The end of 2023 will feature Timothee Chalamet in two lead roles – Paul Atreides in “Dune: Part 2” and Willy Wonka in “Wonka.” This new take on the 1964 Roald Dahl novel will feature the actor as a young Willy Wonka and show his adventures before opening his chocolate factory.
“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” – Dec. 20
After being delayed due to COVID-19 and post-production issues, the sequel to “Aquman” will come out five years after the original movie hit the big screen. Jason Momoa will return as Arthur Curry, who creates an alliance with an unlikely ally to save Atlantis and the rest of the planet.
“Rebel Moon” – Dec. 22
Directed by Zach Snyder, “Rebel Moon” was initially slated to be a Star Wars film before The Walt Disney Co. acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. This space opera will now tell the original story of a colony on the edge of a galaxy as hostile forces threaten it. The Netflix original will come out on Dec. 22, followed by a limited theatrical release.
“The Color Purple” – Dec. 25
The musical stage adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel is coming to the big screen. “The Color Purple” details the struggles of a young African-American woman living in the South during the early 1900s. This adaptation will star the R&B singer and actress Fantasia as the lead, Celie.
