Don’t Stop at Barbenheimer: Exciting Movies Still to Grace 2023's Big Screen

As the countdown to 2024 continues with just four months remaining, the world of cinema is far from slowing down. With more promising movies like Barbie and Oppenheimer set to dominate the rest of 2023’s cinematic landscape, don’t stop going to the cinema just yet!

Here is a list of some highly anticipated upcoming films that will hit theaters in the remaining months of 2023:

Gran Turismo

Malaysia Release Date: Aug 17

From a racing simulator to the driver’s seat of a real racing car, a teenager’s dream becomes reality in this movie. The movie is based on the racing simulation video game series of the same name and is inspired by true tale of Jann Mardenborough, an aspiring Gran Turismo player who ultimately achieved his dream of becoming a professional race car driver.

Under the direction of Neill Blomkamp, with assistance from screenwriters Jason Hall and Zach Baylin , "Gran Turismo" will showcase a stellar cast, including David Harbour (Jack Salter), Orlando Bloom (Danny Moore), Archie Madekwe (Jann Mardenborough), Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner, and Djimon Hounsou.

Blue Beetle

Malaysia Release Date: Aug 17

Blue Beetle is the first film in the new DCU franchise, directed by James Gunn and Peter Safran. This movie serves as its first appearance in the world of film, having been a fixture in the realm of comics since 2006. The creation of this character is credited to Keith Giffen, John Rogers, and Cully Hamner.

The movie will star Xolo Mariduena as Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle, Adriana Barraza as Nana, Damian Alcazar as Alberto Reyes, Elpidia Carrillo as Rocio Reyes, Bruna Marquezine as Jenny Kord, Raoul Max Trujillo as Carapax, Susan Sarandon as Victoria Kord, and George Lopez as Rudy.

The Equalizer 3

Malaysia Release Date: Aug 31

Robert McCall still has one more adventure in him. The first installment of the The Equalizer series, which debuted in 2014, is a revival of the 1980s television program of the same name. The legendary actor and Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington, plays the character of Robert McCall in the movie.

Dakota Fanning, who worked alongside Washington in 2004’s Man on Fire, will also appear in The Equalizer 3.

In the final chapter of the popular franchise, Robert McCall (Washington) moves to Southern Italy to escape his past, but is reminded how his line of work can follow him anywhere in the world and finds himself meeting his match, Andrea Scarduzio.

The movie is directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Richard Wenk.

The Nun 2

Malaysia Release Date: Sept 7

Emerging from the sinister realm crafted by horror maestro James Wan, The Nun 2 is set to hit theaters five years after the debut of the first movie The Nun. 'The Demon Nun' will once again serve as the main antagonist in the upcoming installment of The Conjuring Universe. Sister Irene makes a return in this sequel to confront the demonic being known as Valak. The Nun 2 is set in France in the year 1956 and centers on the murder of a priest.

Since this is a sequel, many stars from the original movie will return, including Taissa Farmiga as Sister Irene and Bonnie Aarons as Valak/Nun. The Nun 2 will include Storm Reid, best known for her work in The Invisible Man, as the main character.

The Expendables 4

Malaysia Release Date: Sept 21

The end is in sight after an 11-year odyssey. The Expendables 4 is the fourth installment in the dynamic ensemble action-thriller franchise and features the return of the unstoppable veteran mercenary Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) and his allies.

The cast itself could well be the most fascinating element of the movie. It features an outstanding cast of action legends, including Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Randy Couture, Andy Garcia, and many more. In addition, actress Megan Fox and Indonesian actor Iko Uwais will also make an appearance.

The Exorcist: Believer

Malaysia Release Date: Oct 13

A direct sequel to The Exorcist (1973), this film is the sixth installment in the Exorcist series. The supernatural horror film is directed by David Gordon Green and written by Peter Sattler. Leslie Odom Jr, Ann Dowd, Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, Lidya Jewett, Olivia Marcum, and Ellen Burstyn are also featured in the cast.

This is the first entry in the The Exorcist franchise's planned trilogy. The second film in the trilogy, The Exorcist: Deceiver, is slated for release on April 18, 2025.

Saw X

Malaysia Release Date: Oct 27

Few things in the world of terror are as terrifying as a psycho with a twisted agenda. Saw X, directed by Kevin Greutert, is believed to resurrect the original stars of the series, Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith, and have them reprise their legendary roles as Jigsaw and Amanda Young.

Between the events of Saw and Saw II, a sick and hopeless John Kramer travels to Mexico in search of a radical and experimental medical procedure to cure cancer. But his investigation reveals a sobering fact: the entire operation is a cunning scam that preys on the most gullible for false gains. Driven by a fresh agenda, the nasty serial killer Jigsaw is coming to terrify the cinemagoers this September.

Dune: Part 2

Malaysia Release Date: Nov 3

Receiving 10 Oscar nominations for the first movie, David Villeneuve’s Dune: Part 2 will hit the cinema this November. Once more taking place in the far future and against the backdrop of the brutal Arrakis desert, main character Paul Atreides (Thimothee Chalamet), navigates a path towards his prophesied fate while fighting a deadly battle against the Harkonnen and Emperor Shaddam IV.

Amid the ongoing strikes affecting both writers and actors, certain films, such as Kraken and Spiderman: Beyond The Spiderverse, are opting to delay their release dates. According to a recent report by World of Reel, there are no signs to indicate that this movie will be postponed. We may have the chance to witness this remarkable sci-fi film without the need to wait until next year.

The Marvels

Malaysia Release Date: Nov 9

This film will feature three female superheroes, namely Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). This movie serves as the sequel to 2019’s Captain Marvel and the TV series Ms. Marvel, which aired in 2022 on Disney+.

We will also have the long-awaited opportunity to witness the Marvel debut of Korean star Park Seo Joon, who portrays Yan D'Aladna. Joining the cast are iconic SHIELD figure Nick Fury, portrayed by the incomparable Samuel L. Jackson, alongside Gemma Chan, Lashana Lynch, and numerous other talented actors.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Malaysia Release Date: Nov 17

"The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" will be helmed by Francis Lawrence and written by Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt. The fifth installment in the Hunger Games movie series, it is based on Suzanne Collins' 2020 book which serves as a prequel to 2012’s "The Hunger Games".

Taking place 64 years before the events of the first film, the story explores Coriolanus Snow's early years, his relationship with Hunger Games competitor Lucy Grey Baird, and the series of events that eventually lead to his future position as the tyrannical ruler of Panem. Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Jason Schwartzman, and Viola Davis are included in the ensemble cast.

Wonka

Malaysia Release Date: Dec 14

The anticipated musical fantasy film "Wonka" was written and co-directed by Simon Farnaby and Paul King. The movie, which stars Timothée Chalamet as the titular Willy Wonka, serves as a prequel to the 1971 movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," which was adapted from Roald Dahl's 1964 novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

The plot focuses on Wonka’s early years as an eccentric chocolatier. Fans of Chalamet, be sure not to miss this one after seeing him in Dune: Part 2!

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Keep your tickets ready and your imagination high, because there are more exciting movies yet to come on the big screen!