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9 Films to look out for in 2023

BY Jamie Flook

1st Jan 2023 Film & TV

9 Films to look out for in 2023

From The Fabelmans and Indiana Jones to Oppenheimer and Barbie, there will be plenty of thrilling films hitting the silver screen this year

January comes around faster than a fox when you drop a crumb next to the recycling bins. Come to think of it, now that we are in 2023, aren’t we all supposed to have robot servants and be flying around on the backs of docile dragons?  

Something 2023 should have is some interesting films to look forward to so, with that in mind, here are my picks of what might be worth looking out for over the year ahead. Expect magic, murder and mayhem. Business as usual then…

The Fabelmans 

This is Steven Spielberg’s tribute to film itself, and all the talk suggests this is a self-portrait of sorts, inspired by his childhood and early years as a filmmaker. A young person falling in love with the movies conjures up images of special films like Cinema Paradiso and Hugo, so if The Fabelmans is even half as good as those two, we may be in for a treat.  

This is the story of how life growing up shapes aspiring filmmaker Sammy Fabelman and his passion for making movies. How does someone grow up to become one of the greatest filmmakers of all time? The Fabelmans is set for a UK release on January 27. 

Killers of the Flower Moon   

The king of crime cinema is back, as Martin Scorsese gives us this adaptation of a non-fiction book by David Grann.

"It features a stellar cast, led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro"

It’s about a string of mysterious murders suffered by the Osage Indian Nation in 1920s Oklahoma. The killings took place after oil was discovered on their land so expect this to be a thriller. It features a stellar cast, led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. 

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny 

Hold on to your hats and keep your whips, er…I mean wits about you, as Harrison Ford returns as archaeologist Indiana Jones in a new adventure, this time helmed by James Mangold.  

Trailers are promising the return of Sallah, played by John Rhys-Davies, along with plenty of new characters too. The plot is unconfirmed at the moment, but it’s scheduled for a big summer release

Oppenheimer 

The development of the atomic bomb has reverberated throughout history, with such bombs used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, through to the present day, as politicians continue to use their power to threaten innocent people with today’s nuclear weapons. Physicist J Robert Oppenheimer was the director of the lab that developed the first atomic bombs but he warned against atomic warfare and uncontrolled development of nuclear weapons.  

It will, therefore, be interesting to see what angle director Christopher Nolan takes with this biopic. An all-star ensemble with Cillian Murphy in the title role, supported by the likes of Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and Rami Malek, lends the project lots of star appeal. Expect a summer release for this too. 

Barbie 

If anybody can make a success of bringing Barbie (yes, the actual toy figure) to life, then Margot Robbie probably has as good a chance as anyone of pulling it off.  

When photos of Robbie as Barbie leaked last year, they got quite a bit of attention, largely due to the vibrant colours of Barbie’s outfit. A UK summer release is on the cards. 

Knock at the Cabin 

What we have here is a cabin in the woods, with M Night Shyamalan doing his thing—which is likely an attempt to unsettle those watching.  

A family staying in the cabin are taken hostage by a group of people who say they are there to prevent the apocalypse. Shyamalan’s films are always worth trying, especially if you like a good twist or two. 

Till 

The brutal murder of African American child Emmett Till has weighed heavily on the conscience of America for 67 years. Till was just 14 years old when he was accused of offending a white woman in Mississippi in 1955, and subsequently lynched.  

Till is directed by Chinonye Chukwu and offers a consideration of the murder through the eyes of Emmett’s mother, and her fight for justice.  

Napoleon 

Not many directors make historical epics like Ridley Scott, mainly because not many directors make historical epics.  

"Although a 2023 release is unconfirmed, it seems highly possible"

Joaquin Phoenix might just be the perfect choice to play Napoleon, which means reuniting with his boss from Gladiator when Phoenix played Roman Emperor, Commodus. This is said to be quite a lengthy biopic and although a 2023 release is unconfirmed, it seems highly possible. 

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 

Now that Winnie the Pooh has entered the public domain, we have a film coming up in which old Winnie and Piglet become serial killers and start murdering people. This is not a drill, it is actually happening, and set for release next month.  

Stock up on the popcorn, it might be worth it! 

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