Warner Bros. marks 100th anniversary with epic 2023 film lineup

 

Warner Bros. Discovery has officially kicked off its global centennial campaign, Celebrating Every Story, ahead of the Studio’s 100th anniversary on April 4, 2023.

David Zaslav, Chief Executive Officer, Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “The name Warner Bros. is synonymous with entertainment, and we are honored to be celebrating this iconic studio’s centennial and the rich heritage that stretches back to the four brothers who founded it in 1923. Over the past 100 years, Warner Bros. has created some of the most recognizable and beloved films, TV shows and characters ever made, and has been the place for impactful storytelling that both defines and reflects our culture."

"We are excited about our company’s bright and dynamic future and, as we embark on its second century, to continue to tell the kind of great stories that entertain, inform and inspire audiences around the world.”

As a gift to fans and moviegoers, Warner Bros. Pictures is marking this historic occasion by offering a robust line-up of movies for all audiences in 2023. Anchored by DC superhero films (Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle), epic action thrillers (Dune: Part Two, Creed III, The MEG 2: The Trench), plus a treasure trove of crowd-pleasing titles that span the genres, Warner’s formidable slate is shaping up to be its biggest and strongest ever in years.

Check out the studio’s slate coming to a theater near you in 2023.

Magic Mike's Last Dance

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes the third installment of the blockbuster Magic Mike film franchise starring Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek Pinault.  Oscar-winner Steven Soderbergh returns to direct from a script by Reid Carolin. 

[Read my review of Magic Mike's Last Dance here.]

Creed III

Release date: March 1

After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian—a fighter who has nothing to lose. 

Suzume

Release date: March 8

Cinema doors will open soon for SUZUME - the much-awaited hit anime movie from the same director of blockbuster hits Your Name and Weathering With You, Director Makoto Shinkai. 

Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Release date: March 15

Billy Batson and his fellow foster kids are still learning to juggle teenage life with having adult superhero alter-egos. But when the Daughters of Atlas, a vengeful trio of ancient gods, arrive on Earth in search of the magic stolen from them long ago, Billy – a.k.a. Shazam – and his family are thrust into a battle for their superpowers, their lives, and the fate of their world.  The film stars Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Rachel Zegler, Adam Brody, Ross Butler, Meagan Good, D.J. Cotrona, Grace Fulton, with Lucy Liu, with Djimon Hounsou, and Helen Mirren. 

Air

Release date: April 19

From award-winning director Ben Affleck, Air reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand. This moving story follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time. Written by Alex Convery and starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Marlon Wayans, with Chris Tucker and Viola Davis. 

The Flash

Release date: June 14

Ezra Miller stars as Barry Allen, a.k.a. The Flash, who pushes the limits of his superpowers in the DC superhero’s first-ever standalone feature film. 

Barbie

Release date: July 19

To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken.  Oscar-nominee Greta Gerwig directs this eagerly anticipated comedy starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman and Will Ferrell, from a screenplay by Gerwig & Noah Baumbach. 

Meg 2: The Trench

Release date: August 2023

Dare to go deeper in this sequel to the 2018 cult classic The Meg. Jason Statham returns, starring alongside Cliff Curtis, Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy and China’s biggest action star, Wu Jing. Directed by Ben Wheatley from a screenplay by Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber and Dean Georgaris, screen story by Georgaris and Hoeber & Hoeber, based on the novel The Trench by Steve Alten. 

Blue Beetle

Release date: August 2023

Recent college grad Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) searches to find his purpose in the world when fate intervenes and Jaime unexpectedly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology, the Scarab, and is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero Blue Beetle. 

The Nun 2

Release date: September 2023

The sequel to the worldwide smash hit The Nun follows Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga) as she once again comes face to face with the demonic force Valak—The Demon Nun.  Storm Reid and Bonnie Aarons also star. 

Dune: Part Two 

Release date: November 2023

Denis Villeneuve returns to direct this highly anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning Dune, penned with Jon Spaihts and based on the Frank Herbert novel.  This follow-up film 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.  The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux and Souheila Yacoub.

Wonka

Release date: December 2023

Directed by Paul King (the Paddington films) from an original screenplay by Simon Farnaby & King, Wonka stars Timothée Chalamet and a star-studded ensemble.  Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the jewel in the Roald Dahl crown and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, Wonka tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.