Top 10 Most Anticipated Franchises Returning in 2023
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Most Anticipated Franchises Returning in 2023. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most hyped movies from existing franchises that will be releasing during 2023. Since cinematic universes like the MCU have releases virtually every year, we’ll focus on individual franchises within them. Keep in mind that some of these films are without official titles and release dates are subject to change. If there’s a 2023 film you can’t wait for that you can’t believe didn’t make our list, we anticipate seeing your comments about them.
#10: “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” (2023)
“The Hunger Games” franchise (2012-)
“The Hunger Games” films have been some of the most successful based on young adult novels. After the release of a prequel novel during the COVID-19 lockdown, fans have been clamoring for an adaptation, and we’ll be getting one next year. While we’ve only gotten a teaser trailer as of this writing, the film will go into the origins of President Snow, the main antagonist of the mainline films. Along with the series’ trademark battle royale spectacle, we’ll also see the beginning of Snow’s rise to power and his descent into being the callous villain we all know and hate.
#9: “Fast X” (2023)
“Fast & Furious” franchise (2001-)
The “Fast & Furious” franchise may reportedly be ending soon, but there’s still more high-speed action to come! Reportedly, the penultimate entry in the “Fastchise” will see the introduction of Jason Momoa as one of the film’s main antagonists. He’ll be joined by returning villain Cipher, played by Charlize Theron. While plot details are as scarce as the presence of physics in these movies, we’re certain that with the power of family and fast cars on their side, Dom and the crew will overcome any challenges they face from their foes. Oh, and did we mention family?
#8: “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (2023)
“Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise (2014-)
While the Guardians haven’t been absent from the MCU - what with their appearances in “Avengers” movies, “Thor,” and their very own holiday special - it’s still been six years since their last proper sequel. Naturally, “Vol. 3” will at last deal with the fallout of a past version of Gamora traveling to the future. Adam Warlock will make his debut after being teased during a credits scene in “Vol. 2,” and some of the veteran Ravagers will also return. We can’t wait to see how this loveable band of misfits will stumble their way through saving the galaxy again.
#7: “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” (2023)
“Indiana Jones” franchise (1981-)
“Indiana Jones” movies have taken the titular archeologist on adventures throughout the decades, but this new installment may put him in the strangest shoes yet as he deals with espionage surrounding the 1960s space race. New big names attached include Mads Mikkelsen and Antonio Banderas, and the movie will also see the return of fan favorite sidekick, Sallah. “Indy 5” will be the first in the series not to have a George Lucas story or be directed by Steven Spielberg. However, the film will be directed and co-written by James Mangold, the man behind “Logan,” so our hopes are high that he can give everyone’s favorite adventuring archaeologist a fitting sendoff too.
#6: “Creed III” (2023)
“Rocky” franchise (1976-)
The third installment in the “Creed” films carries on the legacy of the “Rocky” franchise, though without its former titular character. However, the “Creed” movies have proven worthy successors. “Creed III” sees Adonis “Donnie” Creed reunite with Damian Anderson, a former friend fresh out of prison. He and Donnie have a complicated past, and his long-simmering grudge looks to explode in the ring. “Creed III” also sees star Michael B. Jordan pulling double duty by making his directorial debut. The trailer certainly looks promising, and you’d have to knock us out to keep from seeing this threequel.
#5: “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (2023)
“Ant-Man” franchise (2015-)
Marvel movies are always highly anticipated releases, but “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” has fans especially excited. From the trailer, it seems like Scott Lang’s daughter Cassie gets him and his friends lost in the Quantum Realm, kicking off a monumental micro adventure. Within the surprisingly vast and tiny realm, they run into Kang the Conqueror, a tyrant who spans time and universes. The preview promises a strange and exciting new landscape to explore within the MCU, as well as the proper introduction to the villain poised to be the next big bad for the universe at large.
#4: “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (2023)
“Mission: Impossible” franchise (1996-)
“Mission: Impossible” movies usually promise plenty of incredible stunts and amazing twists, but “Dead Reckoning’s” first part already looks like it may exceed expectations! Along with Ethan Hunt’s usual crew, “Dead Reckoning Part One” will feature new faces, played by Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales and Pom Klementieff. There are also apparently going to be connections that hearken back to the series’ first film. The teaser may not go into details, but the varied locales and incredible set pieces on display look jaw dropping! And the fact that this is just part one?! July of 2023 can’t come soon enough!
#3: “Dune: Part Two” (2023)
“Dune” franchise (2021-)
The first part of “Dune” blew everyone away by taking the sci-fi epic and finally giving it the big screen adaptation it deserved, drawing in new fans in the process. In the second half of the adaptation we’ll learn more about the Fremen, we’ll experience more sandworms, there will be war, and Paul will rise. “Dune: Part Two” will also delve into more political maneuvering, as the Harkonnens and the Emperor’s household take a more hands-on approach to Arrakis. We’ve just gotta say that casting Christopher Walken as the ruler of the known universe might be the best casting decision anyone’s ever made.
#2: “John Wick: Chapter 4” (2023)
“John Wick” franchise (2014-)
The assassin that makes other killers sleep with the light on is returning soon! John Wick has been betrayed and targeted by the High Table, the mysterious organization that runs the world of assassins he’s entrenched in. Now, to escape them, John may have to challenge them directly. In addition to familiar faces, “Chapter 4” continues the series’ trend of casting incredible martial artists like Hiroyuki Sanada and Donnie Yen. While we’re positive John Wick will kill everyone in his path, it’s how he’s going to do it that has us hyped!
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Evil Dead Rise” (2023), “Evil Dead” franchise (1981-)
A New Film a Decade in the Making! Can Our Souls Take It?
“Scream” 6 (2023), “Scream” franchise (1996-)
This Untitled Sequel Will Hopefully Remind Us Why We Love Scary Movies
“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” (2023), “Shazam!” franchise (2019-)
More Crossovers & More of the Shazam-ily? Sign Us Up!
#1: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023)
“Spider-Verse” franchise (2018-)
Although only a small teaser scene has been released, some details about its plot are known. Miles Morales will venture into other realities and encounter more Spider-People, with some returning web-slingers and some new. The time-traveling Spider-Man 2099, seen in “Into the Spider-Verse’s” post-credits scene, will play a more major role this time, for instance. Miles’s budding romance with Gwen Stacy is also reportedly a focus. We also fully expect plenty of Spidey Easter eggs and even more dazzling animation. “Into the Spider-Verse” was the animated Spider-Man crossover movie we didn’t know we needed. Its sequel, on the other hand, is one we definitely know we want!