Mark your calendars for these upcoming must-watch films
2023 has been a good year for movies thus far, especially with our theaters being graced by the likes of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,’ ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,’ ‘Creed III,’ and so many more blockbusters and hidden gems. But the year isn’t done yet, in fact, we’re just halfway there and I can confidently say that the best is yet to come.
Here are eight upcoming films to watch out for:
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Harrison Ford is back to play his iconic role for one last time! ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ shows an aged, mellowed-out Jones in the twilight of his career. And although he is considering retirement, taking a step back isn’t as simple as it is for individuals who’ve led lives as thrilling as his. He is once again, for the final time, taken on a journey of a lifetime, where the fate of the world and his past collide. Ford is joined by the likes of Phoebe Waller-Bridge who plates Helena Shaw, his goddaughter, and Mads Mikkelsen as Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi.
‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ hits theaters nationwide on June 28.
As an added bonus, Ayala Malls Vertis North is hosting the Philippine premiere of ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ And it’s definitely going to be BIGGER and BETTER as fans catch their favorite archaeologist on the A-Giant Screen—Ayala Malls’ largest cinema screen that’s four times bigger than the regular, with Dolby Atmos technology! What’s more, fans of all ages can immerse in Indiana Jones’ exhilarating adventures by joining the experiential activities lined up for the movie premiere on June 25 and the opening weekend on July 1 and 2.
Oppenheimer
Likely to be one of the biggest films of the year, ‘Oppenheimer’ is set to explore the events leading up to the invention of the atomic bomb. The movie is directed by Christopher Nolan and features a star-studded cast including the likes of Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, and Florence Pugh among others.
In an interview with WIRED, Nolan shared, “It is an intense experience, because it’s an intense story. I showed it to a filmmaker recently who said it’s kind of a horror movie. I don’t disagree. It’s interesting that you used the word nihilism earlier, because I don’t think I’d quite managed to put my finger on it. But as I started to finish the film, I started to feel this color that’s not in my other films, just darkness. It’s there. The film fights against that.”
‘Oppenheimer’ hits theaters nationwide on July 19.
Kraven the Hunter
Ever since ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’ first hinted at the eventual appearance of the beloved web-slinger’s rogues gallery, The Sinister Six, Marvel fans have been salivating at the prospect of finally seeing Kraven the Hunter on the big screen. A fantasy, years in the making, and we’re finally getting what we wished for. And almost a prophecy in itself, I remember seeing fan-made illustrations of Aaron Taylor-Johnson playing the iconic villain – talk about manifesting it into existence.
‘Kraven The Hunter’ by Sony Pictures Entertainment explores the titular character’s origins, set before he comes into contact with Spider-Man. The film is directed by J.C. Chandor. Taylor-Johnson is joined by Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott, and Russell Crowe.
‘Kraven The Hunter’ hits theaters on October 6 in the United States. Currently, there is no specified date for the Philippine release.
Insidious: The Red Door
‘Insidious: The Red Door’ takes place 10 years after the events of ‘Insidious: Chapter 2’ – a continuation of the original story following the two most-recent prequels: ‘Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)’ and ‘Insidious: The Last Key (2018).’ The film follows Josh (Patrick Wilson) and Dalton Lambert (Ty Simpkins) as they are haunted by repressed memories from their prior encounters with the otherworldly.
There is much we don’t know about the other side, and we can be sure that they can’t be banished so easily. “They suppressed our memories, but I can still feel something following us,” said Wilson’s character in the latest trailer for the film.
The movie is directed by Wilson in his directorial debut. Joining him and Simpkins are Hiam Abbass, Sinclair Daniel, Andrew Astor, and Rose Byrne.
‘Insidious: The Red Door’ hits theaters nationwide on July 7.
Dumb Money
‘Dumb Money’ follows the unlikely yet true tale of the rise of the once capitalist juggernaut, GameStop. The film follows Keith Gill (Paul Dano) as he unwittingly challenged and forced the hand of wall-street top dogs and high-profile conglomerates. A regular guy caught in the middle, Gill is forced to wonder whether or not he has bitten off more than he can chew.
The film’s official synopsis reads, “Dumb Money is the ultimate David vs. Goliath tale, based on the insane true story of everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (yes, the mall videogame store) into the world’s hottest company. In the middle of everything is regular guy Keith Gill (Paul Dano), who starts it all by sinking his life savings into the stock and posting about it. When his social posts start blowing up, so does his life and the lives of everyone following him. As a stock tip becomes a movement, everyone gets rich – until the billionaires fight back, and both sides find their worlds turned upside down.”
Joining Dano are Pete Davidson, Vincent D’Onofrio, America Ferrera, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley, and Seth Rogen. It is directed by Craig Gillespie, written by Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo, and is based on the book ‘The Antisocial Network’ by Ben Mezrich.
‘Dumb Money’ hits theaters on September 22 in the United States. Currently, there is no specified date for the Philippine release.
Barbie
Arguably the greatest product marketing scheme to date (one of the most expensive as well given its 100 million USD budget), ‘Barbie,’ starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling takes us on an adventure of a lifetime from the utopian Barbie Land to dull real world – backdropped by an unexpected existential crisis.
Greta Gerwig (‘Little Women,’ ‘Lady Bird’) directs the film based on a screenplay by Noah Baumbach (‘Marriage Story’). Also joining Robbie and Gosling are America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell, Dua Lipa, and Simu Liu among others.
‘Barbie’ hits theaters nationwide on July 19.
Dune: Part Two
The continuation to Denis Villeneuve’s six-time Academy Award-winning ‘Dune,’ this latest installment follows the next part of Paul Atreides’ (Timothée Chalamet) journey towards redemption and revenge against House Harkonnen – this time alongside his newfound love Chani Kynes (Zendaya) and the rest of the Fremen.
The film’s official synopsis reads, “Dune: Part Two’ will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”
‘Dune: Part Two’ includes an ensemble cast featuring the likes of Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux to name a few.
‘Dune: Part Two’ hits theaters nationwide on November 3.
Haunted Mansion
“You try. You fail. You try. You fail. But the only true failure is when you stop trying.” This line by Jennifer Tilly as Madame Leota in the 2003 ‘The Haunted Mansion’ will remain forever iconic to me. And while the upcoming 2023 reboot follows its own story based on the Disney attraction, the mere association with the Eddie Murphy classic leaves room for much anticipation.
The film’s official synopsis reads, “In this mysterious comedic adventure based on Disney’s classic theme parks attraction, a doctor and her nine-year-old son, looking to start a new life, move into a strangely affordable mansion in New Orleans, only to discover that the place is much more than they bargained for. Desperate for help, they contact a priest, who, in turn, enlists the aid of a widowed scientist-turned failed-paranormal expert, a French Quarter psychic, and a crotchety historian.”
‘Haunted Mansion’ stars LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jared Leto. The film is directed by Justin Simien, and produced by Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich.
‘Haunted Mansion’ hits theaters nationwide on July 26.
