We’re in an era of superheroes and supervillains, and this year might hold the biggest movies yet. Marvel will see the introduction of its next universe-level threat in Kang the Conqueror. The DCU is introducing exciting new heroes while wrapping up the stories of original ones. And Sony is continuing its Spider-Man villain-verse with arguably its most intriguing project to date.
Here are all the superhero movies hitting theaters in 2023.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – Release Date: February 17, 2023
Scott Lang and Hope van Dynereturn to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. With Janet van Dyne and Hank Pym, and Scott’s daughter Cassie Lang, the family finds themselves exploring new lands when an invention of Cassie’s sucks them into the Quantum Realm. While there, however, they come up against an incredibly dangerous threat in the form of Kang the Conqueror, a genius and time traveler who can make and break entire timelines.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods – Release Date: March 17, 2023
Billy Batson and his foster siblings, who transform into superheroes by saying “Shazam!”, return in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. When the villains the Daughters of Atlas come to Earth to acquire a weapon that could destroy the world, Billy and his siblings are forced back into action. Billy finds himself having to make peace with the gods themselves because of taking their powers for granted.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – Release Date: May 5, 2023
In Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Release Date: June 2, 2023
Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar-winning Spider-Verse saga in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, an epic adventure that will transport Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man across the Multiverse to join forces with Gwen Stacy and a new team of Spider-People to face off with a villain more powerful than anything they have ever encountered.
The Flash – Release Date: June 16, 2023
The long-awaited The Flash is set to reboot the DCU with a version of the Flashpoint event from the comics when it hits theaters this year. Barry Allen, a.k.a. The Flash, travels back in time to stop his mother’s murder. However, it sets off unintended consequences – and unintended timelines – that will rip apart and reshape the very fabric of time and space.
The Marvels – Release Date: July 28, 2023
The end of the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel set up the events of The Marvels, previously known as Captain Marvel 2. Superheroes Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan suddenly find themselves swapping places with each other every time they use their powers and it’s up to them to figure out why. However, teaming up won’t come so easily. Carol is cocky and used to doing things her way. Monica’s feelings toward Carol are complicated, to say the least. And Kamala is just starstruck by her favorite superhero, Captain Marvel, every time they meet.
Blue Beetle – Release Date: August 18, 2023
Later this year, DC gets its first big-screen Latino superhero with Blue Beetle. When a Mexican teenager named Jaime Reyes (played by Cobra Kai breakout star Xolo Maridueña) stumbles across a mysterious blue scarab, it binds to his spine and gives him superpowers and a powerful suit of alien armor. He becomes the superhero known as Blue Beetle, eventually becoming a member of the Teen Titans and, later, the Justice League.
Kraven the Hunter – Release Date: October 6, 2023
While details are still being kept well under wraps, Kraven the Hunter is shaping up to be one of 2023’s most interesting superhero movies. In it, Russian immigrant (and longtime Spider-Man foe) Sergei Kravinoff is on a mission to prove that he is the greatest hunter in the world. There are rumors it could adapt parts of the Kraven’s Last Hunt storyline from the comics, and writer Richard Wenk has indicated he was envisioning something like Kill Bill in terms of approach, so it’s really anyone’s guess what it will be. Still, Kraven is an interesting character and this film could be great if they crack the right angle.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom – Release Date: December 25, 2023
When an ancient power is unleashed, Aquaman must forge an uneasy alliance with an unlikely ally to protect Atlantis, and the world, from irreversible devastation. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom closes out the year with a Christmas release so, naturally, not much is known about it yet other than that brief synopsis. If it’s anything like its predecessor, though, it should be a bonkers time underwater.
