From Barbie to Renfield, it's safe to say many remarkable films are coming out this year. In my list, they are listed according to how soon they are being released, and while I may not see all of these at the cinema, I'm going to rate how excited I am to see them (1 is not at all, and 5 is I'm incredibly keen!).

The dates are accurate as of January 2023.

February

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Poster Description: Puss is a ginger cat standing upright. He wears a black, wide-brimmed hat with a large feather tucked into it, a cape, silver-buckled belt, and he brandishes a sword at us. The sun shines on the right with a tall building. A black and white cat with blue eyes stands with Puss, holding a rapier up. A small dog gazes up at Puss, tongue lolling. It's darker on the left, in a forest with three growling bears led by a blonde woman – let's assume it's Goldilocks! – who stands on the back of a bear in a pink beret. A pair of red, hooded eyes glower above them.

Although Puss in Boots is relatively entertaining, it didn’t rival the success of the Shrek franchise. In basic terms, I wasn’t all that interested in watching a sequel any time soon, especially with a trailer that looked pretty “meh.”

However, the power of word of mouth (a.k.a social media) has swayed my opinion. The Last Wish has already been released in the US, and there have been comparisons to Into the Spider-Verse in its art style, and hints of a genuinely terrifying villain, and yeah, I can see what they mean! Antonio Banderas is back in the titular role, as Puss goes on an epic journey to find the magical Last Wish to restore his nine lives. This could be fun, after all!

UK Cinematic Release: 3rd February

Excitement rating: 3.5

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Poster Description: Drenched in blue light, Kang (Jonathan Majors) stares out of the poster, long scars sliced down from below his eyes and down his cheeks. He wears a leather glove, and with his hand palm up in front, there are two tiny people balanced on the tip of his middle finger, caught in a burst of white light. They are entirely at Kang’s mercy.

Hey, this wouldn't be my list if it didn't include at least two MCU movies (There're three, if you’re wondering). Marvel's Disney+ TV shows were a mixed bag of fun last year, but their cinematic releases made me uncomfortable with how…bad some were.

If the sprawling trailers are anything to go by, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania sets to kick Phase 5 into gear. Detective Pikachu's Kathryn Newton makes her debut as Cassie Lang, sending a signal out into the Quantum Realm, so Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) has a more prominent part to play. Then we've got Jonathan Majors coming back as Kang the Conqueror – we haven't seen him since 2021's Loki TV series! It looks like he ain't here to chat and eat an apple this time.

Plus, Bill Murray! Who is Krylar?
I came away from that first trailer feeling genuinely scared for Scott Lang and his family. I can only hope the action: humour: emotional-wreck ratio is closer to Moon Knight than Thor: Love and Thunder, or I will start despairing about future Marvel films. Call it dramatic, but this might be my point of no return.
Despite really enjoying them, I am guilty of only watching Ant-Man a few times and 2018's Ant-Man and the Wasp once. I. Don't. Know. Why. Let's hope this third film will up the ante and satisfactorily bring Phase 4's disjointed plot threads together.

UK Cinematic Release: 17th February

Excitement rating: 4

March

65 Poster Description: Pinkish light slants through a forest of thin trees. A man (Adam Driver) carries a large gun pointed down, crouched by an enormous T-Rex skull.

Initially, I wasn't sure about including 65 in this list. In fact, I groaned out loud upon watching the trailer when the main villain was revealed: dinosaurs. Adam Driver is stuck on a planet with frickin' dinosaurs. Why did it have to spoil the surprise? It would have been terrifying without knowing because this nerd has a ridiculous phobia of those big beasties (specifically animatronics, but that's a whole other story).

But...65 is a sci-fi horror movie written and directed by the guys who wrote A Quiet Place (arguably one of the scariest movies in the 2010s). They know how to draw out dread, and Adam Driver has more than proved his skill as an actor over the years, balancing few words with physical emotion. Given the release date, 65 could be the early birthday gift I never knew I wanted!

UK Cinematic Release: 10th March

Excitement rating: 4

Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Poster Description: There's rubble everywhere, so it's clear Shazam (Zachary Levi) has just landed. He wears red and gold with a lightning motif. His cape billows in pristine white, and he leans into the picture with a hand, making the "awesome" symbol with his little finger and thumb. His face says he's cool and smug, but he looks a bit foolish…hey, he is a kid!

Although Shazam! was a decent standalone film, the concept of Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren playing a villainous duo is too intriguing. I hope Zachary Levi's performance matches up with Asher Angel's Billy better this time. Still, I can't deny the joy I felt when Billy and his siblings shouted "Shazam!" and transformed into their adult counterparts in the trailer. I’m expecting laughs, wholesome family shenanigans, and lots of superhero references.

UK Cinematic Release: 17th March

Excitement rating: 3

John Wick: Chapter 4

Poster Description: John Wick (Keanu Reeves) stares from the screen. He’s bearded with hair that reaches his white collar and black suit jacket. There is an hourglass full of gold stuff where a tie should be. It might be dark glitter or liquid; it’s hard to say.

In 2014, I was guilty of dismissing John Wick as "just another dumb action movie." Then I saw it. Oh. I've never eaten my words so fast in my life. It could be because director Chad Stahelski started his career as a stuntman, but the fight sequences get better and more incredible with each chapter.

How many more will there be? So, where else can they take the story? The underground world of hitmen is so much fun to explore, and it all looks magnificent. Along with some familiar faces, we’ve also got Donnie Yen wearing sunglasses in a beautiful church. Yup. You know a slick fight is about to go down. I am ready!

UK Cinematic Release: 24th March

Excitement rating: 5

April

Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves

Poster Description: This poster makes us feel like we’re lying on our back, staring at a gorgeous cathedral ceiling. We’re surrounded by six very different-looking people. (From left) Edgin (Chris Pine) smiles while holding a wooden lute, Xenk (Rege-Jean Page) wears armour and carries a golden weapon against his shoulder, and Simon (Justice Smith) shines a light from a short staff. Doric (Sophia Lillis) wears a leather tunic, and her character appears to have a forked tail! A man with long, green-grey hair and a flamboyant yellow and black coat holds up a ringed fist. Michelle Rodrigez carries a flaming axe over one shoulder. Her armour consists of a tunic and elbow guards, but her arms are visible.

The Duffer Brothers have a lot to answer for: making me fall hopelessly for their quirky, doomed characters in Stranger Things (sob), introducing a whole new generation to the mighty Kate Bush…and Dungeons and Dragons. Full disclaimer: I have never played the board game, so I'm a complete novice beyond the basics. I've also never seen the 2000 attempt at a film adaptation except for Jeremy Irons' infamous performance out of context (seriously, it’s glorious).

So, when the trailer for Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Among Thieves dropped last year, it couldn't have happened at a better time for this nerd. We've got a band of misfits rebelling against an oppressive force; it's always a great way to grab my attention, especially if there are well-known, pretty actors at the helm – like, Chris Pine playing the lute? Regé-Jean Page with dreadlocks? Sophia Lillis as a shape-shifter? Also, given his past brilliance in Paddington 2, I can't wait to see what kind of bad guy Hugh Grant will play with a crown on his head.

UK Cinematic Release: 7th April

Excitement rating: 4.5

Renfield

Poster Description: This is my favourite tagline for a film so far, “Sucks to be him” sits on top of the film’s title and release date. Renfield (Nicholas Hoult) looks worried, his eyes darting to the right. Dracula (Nicolas Cage) rests his long hands upon Renfield’s shoulders, his nails and many rings glinting in harsh orange light. He bares his fangs at us.

We have a pale and pasty Nicholas Hoult playing Dracula's henchman, Renfield, who escapes to New Orleans for a new life. Awkwafina is Renfield's love interest, described on IMDB as a "perennially aggressive traffic cop." Oookay.

It's been a while since I've seen a vampire movie trailer where I can't predict the ending, and this looks like fun. Also, did I mention Nicolas Cage is playing Dracula? With these teeth?!

Image Description: Dracula is deathly pale, wrapped in heavy furs. He smiles gleefully, showing off sharp, pointed front teeth.

UK Cinematic Release: 14th April

Excitement rating: 4.5

May

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Poster Description: Our five Guardians stand on their spaceship, covered in sunset shadows. The sky is purple and blue with a moon on a darkening night.

Before James Gunn officially defects to DC, we have the final part of his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy – and it comes as no surprise that Vol. 3 film looks utterly devastating. Dave Bautista is stepping away from the role of Drax, so one can only wonder how he'll bow out. The recent holiday special has rekindled my love for these idiots in space!

The new trailer worries me because a lot is happening, most notably around our favourite prickly trash panda, Rocket Raccoon. Is that a flashback? Are those surgical instruments? Why is Chris Pratt's Peter Quill hysterically crying?

We've yet to know how much of an impact Will Poulter's golden Adam Warlock will make, and Zoe Saldana's Gamora is set to return. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, one can only speculate how she will fit into the final film.

One thing I know for sure? As with Vol. 2, it’s going to be a blub-fest.

UK Cinematic Release: 5th May

Excitement rating: 4

June

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Poster Description: The film’s title is directly under Miles’s head as he hangs upside down. His black and red suit is ripped at the shoulder and chest as if slashed by claws. The many other Spider-People crowds together the right way up, dripping like fresh spray paint for a wall mural.

2018's Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse caught me completely off-guard with its distinctive art style, sound design, and stellar hip-hop soundtrack; so, before 2022 I was genuinely psyched about this sequel. Alternative Spider-People? What a glorious concept! Yes, please.

Fast forward three years, and Spider-Man: No Way Home happened. It blew my mind afresh, but Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness wasted its promising set-up. And it messed with poor Wanda Maximoff's character development from WandaVision, and yeah, I'm still sore about it. (Luckily, 2022's Everything Everywhere All At Once takes the time to properly explore the concept without a quippy superhero in sight. If you haven’t already seen it, you need to!).

In short: I'm suffering from Multiverse Fatigue right now. Miles Morales reunites with Gwen Stacy across the Multiverse and encounters another team of Spider-People desperate to protect it. Good for them! I'm intrigued to see who these people are and return to the zingy comic-book charm, but the plot sounds pretty superfluous.

UK Cinematic Release: 2nd June

Excitement rating: 2

Pixar's Elemental

Poster Description: The poster is black. Ember is a living flame, wearing a black-silver-diamond dress with a high collar. Her hair is red, spitting sparks. She raises an eyebrow, smiling at Wade, who is upside down. Smiling bashfully, Wade is made of water, and his blue hair drips at a safe distance from Ember onto the film’s tagline, “Opposites React.” The title and release date are at the bottom.

If there are two things we've come to expect from Pixar movies, it's originality and intense emotion. 2015's Inside Out dared to ask, "What if…emotions could feel?" So it only makes sense we will get the answer to "What if the elements had feelings?"

The trailer brought to mind a similar environment in Zootropolis (great film, BTW), with the four elements living together. The character designs look adorable, and I'm genuinely excited about what will happen to the flame girl and water man. Apparently, their names are Ember Lumen (voiced by Leah Lewis) and Wade Ripple (Jurassic World: Dominion's Mamoudou Athie), which are just too cute. June can't come soon enough!

UK Cinematic Release: 6th June

Excitement rating: 4.5

July

Barbie

Image Description: The sky is orange, dappled with clouds, and there are fake-looking rocks everywhere. Little girls stand around, staring in awe at Barbie (Margot Robbie) in a classy monochrome swimsuit and black heels. She wears white sunglasses and red lipstick, and her hair is in a fancy ponytail.

Like many girls born in the 20th century, I grew up playing with Barbies – but I never expected anyone would have the audacity to make a live-action film about her. However, after watching her version of Little Women last year, I'm curious about what Greta Gerwig has planned.

Image Description: It appears to be very sunny. Ken (Ryan Gosling) leans against the veranda of a bright pink house, wearing a pale denim vest and jeans. He has no shirt and is incredibly tanned with bleached blonde hair. The thick waistband of his “Ken” underwear pokes out of the top of his jeans.

Casting Margot Robbie as the leading lady was a no-brainer, but the announcement of Ryan Gosling as Ken genuinely made me sit up and pay attention. Wow. And that was before the trailer dropped. As a pastiche of 2001: A Space Odyssey (because why not?), it hints at a whirlwind, pseudo-musical. Plus, the fact that it's out the same day as Christopher Nolan's grimly intense Oppenheimer is just the ultimate, hilarious oxymoron.

UK Cinematic Release: 21st July

Excitement rating: 4.5

November

Dune: Part Two

2021's Dune ended on a tantalising cliff-hanger that left audiences both frustrated and hungry for more. Since writing my review for it, I've read Frank Herbert's novel during my holiday to Sutton-on-Sea. It was something of a fever dream, but if Paul Atreides was fairly unlikeable before, he might go full "robot" seer with an army of Fremen at his back this time. Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken, no less!) better watch out.

We've also got Florence Pugh and Austin Butler joining the cast as Princess Irulan and the bad guy, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Those who enjoyed watching Ridley Scott's adaptation will know that character was played by Sting. True to the entire film, it was utterly strange.

Director Denis Villeneuve will remain faithful to Herbert's work, though I am still determining how it will stay interesting towards the end!

UK Cinematic Release: 3rd November

Excitement rating: 4

December

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

DC announced the sequel to 2018's Aquaman a month after its release; it was a bit ambitious for an "okay" but forgettable film and a forgettable movie at worst. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic and production issues, Aquaman 2 would go on to be delayed and even swapped release dates with Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Beyond its title, only a little has been revealed about Aquaman 2's plot. The Lost Kingdom sounds painfully generic, but according to IMDB, its working name was "Necrus," after another underwater kingdom within the comics. Frankly, that offers more intrigue than what we've got now. Despite The Batman existing, Ben Affleck is named as a cast member, which suggests he will reprise his role as Bruce Wayne. Also, Amber Heard is returning as Mera, despite her messy trial against Johnny Depp (not to mention countless fan petitions to get Emilia Clarke to replace her as Arthur Curry's lover). We have a relatively long wait before its official release, and we've yet to see any trailers, so Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom may have some surprises up its sleeve.