In 2023, there was a major five-month Hollywood strike which caused some delays to movies which means that we have more titles to look forward to this year. There are also a bunch of sequels, horror titles, and comic book movies on the film calendar.

Whether you’re a cinema-goer, or if you’re more into streaming flicks from the comfort of your sofa, here are 15 of the most highly anticipated titles you’ll want to add to your must-watch list.

1. The Fall Guy (May 3)

Image Credit: IMDb

If you couldn’t get enough of Ryan Gosling after the Barbie movie, the Canadian heartthrob is back as Colt Seavers, an action choreographer past his prime. A remake of the 1980s TV series, Colt finds himself working on a film set with Tom Ryder, a famous actor for whom he had doubled who goes missing which leads to the film being in danger of shut down.

The working class hero has to track him down and win back the love of his life all while trying to do his day job. Nothing could go wrong, right?

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Stephanie Hsu.

2. IF (May 16)

Image Credit: IMDb

This is probably the shortest movie title ever (along with IT) and is a live-action/animated fantasy comedy film. Bea, a young girl, gains the superpower ability to see people’s imaginary friends (IFs) for short who have already been abandoned by the children they helped. She embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect the forgotten IFs who have grown up.

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinki and the voices of Steve Carrell, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Awkwafina.

3. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 23)

Image Credit: IMDb

The post-apocalyptic action adventure film serves as a spin-off and prequel to the 2015 movie (which snagged 10 Oscar nominations) and is the fifth film in the franchise. It delves into the origin story of the renegade warrior Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) before she encountered and teamed up with Mad Max. Chris Hemsworth co-stars as the Warlord Dementus, who leads the biker gang that kidnaps Furiosa when the world fell.

Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke.

4. Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes (May 23)

Image Credit: IMDb

It seems like it’s the year of sequels and this one takes place three centuries after 2017’s War of the Planet of the Apes. Many ape societies have become the dominant species, while humans have been reduced to a feral-like existence. One ape leader begins to enslave other groups to find human technology, while another ape, who watched his clan be taken, embarks on a journey to find freedom that will define a future for apes and humans. Crossing our fingers that this never comes true in real life.

Starring: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy.

5. The Garfield Movie (May 23)

Image Credit: IMDb

Everyone’s favourite furry orange furball is back! The grouchy lasagna-loving indoor cat is about to have a wild outdoor adventure. Garfield unexpectedly reunites with his long-lost father, a scruffy street cat named Vic. Together with his canine pal Odie, they are forced from their life of comfort to embark on a high-stakes heist. We imagine that they’re going to steal cat food or lasagna, perhaps?

Starring: Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult.

6. Inside Out 2 (June 13)

Image Credit: Disney Movies

It’s a Pixar movie, so you know you gotta add it to your calendar. When the first animated film came out in 2015, the colourful characters captured everyone’s and you still see their images printed on merchandise everywhere. The movie delves into the mind of Riley who has just entered teenagehood and the headquarters is undergoing demolition. This time, new Emotions are joining the old crew made up of Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust; Anxiety is now on board and she’s not alone.

Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan.

7. Despicable Me 4 (July 4)

Image Credit: Wikipedia

This is one the kids will love. Gru the world’s favourite supervillain turned Anti-Villain League agent returns for more Minions mayhem with his wife and fellow agency Lucy, their three adopted girls. Their family has welcomed a new member, Gru Jr, who is intent on tormenting his dad. When they become targeted by escaped criminal Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend, they are forced to go on the run.

Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Joey King, Sofía Vergara, and Miranda Cosgrove.

8. Deadpool & Wolverine (July 26)

Image Credit: Marvel Studios

It’s been six years since the last Deadpool movie and this marks Marvel’s first R-rated film (18+). Comic book fans won’t want to miss the pairing of two iconic characters played by Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.

It will also be part of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) franchise along with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Marvels and Captain America: Brave New World.

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corin, Matthew Macfadyen.

9.Alien: Romulus (August 16)

Although there isn’t an official poster yet and not many details have been released, the sci-fi horror film is a standalone instalment in the Alien franchise set between the events of the 1979 Alien movie and 1986’s Aliens. Its premise is based on a group of scavengers who depart for their home planet and steal equipment from an abandoned spaceship. However, they end up unleashing baby Xenos and the terrifying Xenomorph. Note that there is apparently some very graphic violence in the movie.

Starring: Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, David Jonsson.

10.Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (September 6)

Image Credit: IMDb

The sequel to Tim Burton’s classic about a mischievous ghost recruited to haunt a house has been 36 years in the making. This fantasy horror comedy film interestingly stars the original stars of the show Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O’Hara. The cast and crew have been relatively tight-lipped on the storyline so far but it will reveal more about the titular character’s past and the future of the Deetz family.

Starring: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara and Jenny Ortega.

11.Transformers One (September 13)

Confusingly titled Transformers One, it is actually the eighth instalment in the series. The animated film and will be an origin story set on the planet Cybertron which will centre on how Optimus Prime and Megatron’s relationship soured from being brothers-in-arms to mortal enemies.

As reported by Screen Rant, its source material closely follows early adaptations of the characters, as portrayed in The Transformers animated TV and comic series. This sets the film further apart from the live-action films and brings about opportunities to introduce audiences to Autobots and Decepticons unseen in other film adaptations. It has been confirmed that the characters of Alpha Trion, Sentinel Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron, and Optimus Prime will appear.

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Jon Hamm, and Laurence Fishburne.

12.Joker: Folie a Deux (October 4)

Image Credit: Todd Phillips | Instagram

You could say that this is the movie version of Lady Gaga’s song ‘Bad Romance’ with the Joker & Harley Quinn’s tumultuous love story in Arkham Asylum being the focus of the narrative. Joaquin Phoenix, who won an Oscar for Best Actor reprises his role as the madcap titular character while Lady Gaga joins him as his lady love, Harley Quinn. Todd Phillips also takes the helm as director once again in this sequel.

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Zazie Beetz.

13.Venom: The Last Dance (November 8)

Plot details still haven’t been released whilst the movie title for the third instalment of the franchise was only released recently. Fans can look forward to Tom Hardy reprising his role as the Marvel Comics character lethal protector Eddie Brock/Venom. The first two films earned a combined $1.3 billion (RM6.11 billion) at the box office so let’s hope this one lives up to the hype.

Starring: Tom Hardy, Juno Temple, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Clark Backo.

14.Moana 2 (November 28)

Interestingly, this was developed as a TV series but Disney CEO Bob Iger said they decided that it deserved a theatrical release instead. Walt Disney Animation Studios will be bringing fans of the incredibly popular franchise on a new voyage with Moana, Maui, and a new crew. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must embark on a new unprecedented journey into the far seas of Oceania.

Note: There is no news yet on whether Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson will be back to voice Moana and Maui, respectively, but we can’t imagine the movie without them!

15.Wicked Part 1 (November 28)

Image Credit: IMDb

This stars our Malaysian pride Michelle Yeoh so you know you’ve gotta watch it! Fans of the Tony-award-winning musical have been hyping this movie ever since the news came out as it’s a two-part film adaptation of the beloved musical. A vivid reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, it shows how Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) a green-skinned woman turns into the Wicked Witch of the West and becomes friends and later rivals with Galinda Upland (Ariana Grande) who will be known as Glinda the Good.

Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater.

Featured Image Credit: Marvel Studios, Todd Phillips | Instagram, 20th Century Studios​