As a cinephile who has spent countless hours at the movie theater and countless more dissecting films with my fellow film enthusiasts, I can confidently say that the upcoming slate of movies in 2023 is nothing short of exhilarating! The sheer number of star-studded productions, returning franchises, and innovative projects from some of the most talented directors in the industry has me counting down the days until I can once again be immersed in the magical world of cinema.

One film that particularly catches my eye is the untitled Paul Thomas Anderson project. Having been a devoted fan of his work for years, I am beyond excited to see what he and Leonardo DiCaprio will bring to the table in this crime drama. With a cast that includes Sean Penn, Regina Hall, and Alana Haim, it’s sure to be a captivating experience that will leave audiences buzzing with conversation long after the credits roll.

However, I can’t help but feel a tinge of worry about its potential box office success. With a budget of $140 million, it will need to bring in at least $300 million worldwide to turn a profit theatrically. While Anderson’s highest-grossing movie, “There Will Be Blood,” made a respectable $76 million worldwide, I fear that this project may not be able to attract the audience numbers necessary to achieve such a feat.

But hey, as someone who once spent an entire weekend watching all of Quentin Tarantino’s films in one sitting (yes, it was a long weekend), I know that sometimes a film’s commercial success doesn’t always reflect its artistic merit. So, while I may be concerned about the financial aspect, I remain optimistic that this untitled masterpiece will be another feather in PTA’s already impressive cap. And who knows? Maybe it’ll even inspire me to try a double feature of this one and “There Will Be Blood” for my next marathon session!

The catchphrase for movie theaters and the film industry as a whole has been “Make it to 2025” since pandemic disruptions and Hollywood labor strikes caused chaos in studio release schedules and production timelines. Many potential blockbusters slated for 2024, such as Tom Cruise’s eighth “Mission Impossible” and Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World,” have been moved to this year instead, offering a wealth of films in 2025 that industry professionals hope will bring the box office close to its pre-COVID peak.

Could Ethan Hunt, alongside some of Earth’s most powerful superheroes and a fresh batch of rebellious dinosaurs, save the day? Will the charisma of Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Dwayne Johnson elevate their innovative films to success and wealth? EbMaster gazes into its crystal orb to predict the year’s victories, flops, and everything in between.

Sure Things

Avatar: Fire and Ash (Disney)

Release date: December 19th
Excitement level: It’s been three years since “Avatar: The Way of Water” raked in an impressive $2.3 billion, proving that viewers can’t get enough of the sci-fi tale of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) on Pandora’s moon. Now, James Cameron is back with the third installment, introducing us to the “Ash People” clan of the Na’vi.
Relaxation level: Perhaps three years isn’t quite enough time for “Avatar” sequels?
Prediction: Don’t count Cameron out: Disney is poised to add another $2 billion to their coffers.

The Conjuring: Last Rites (Warner Bros.)

Release Date: The movie is set to premiere on September 5
Excitement Level: Over eight films, the “Conjuring” universe has stealthily climbed to become the highest-grossing horror franchise ever.
Spine-tingling Factor: Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles as paranormal investigators in what is said to be the last installment of this series focused on the supernatural.
Shivers Induced: This year, except for a handful of low-budget horror successes, movies about eerie happenings have been underwhelming.
Conclusion: Horror enthusiasts will be drawn to “The Conjuring 4” like moths to a flame on Halloween night, ensuring substantial box office returns.

Wicked: For Good (Universal)

Release Date: November 21st
Excitement Level: Dividing a movie, especially a musical, into two parts is generally risky, but “Wicked: Part One” managed to become a box office success. Fans are eager to return to Oz for the final chapter of the story about Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande).
Calm Level: The second part features strong numbers (“No Good Deed”) and emotional moments (“For Good”), but the most memorable, catchy songs can be found in the first film.
Conclusion: Just like a seed dropped by a bird, “Wicked” is destined to leave a lasting impact as the biggest Broadway adaptation in box office history.

Zootopia 2 (Disney)

Release date: The release date is set for November 26
Thrill factor: The top cops from Zootopia are teaming up once more for the sequel to the 2016 megahit that grossed billions worldwide.
Caution factor: History has shown us that some sequels can underperform despite their initial success, as evidenced by “Joker: Folie à Deux”, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” and “The Marvels”. These follow-ups to blockbusters didn’t live up to expectations.
Prediction: With its Thanksgiving debut, “Moana 2” currently holds the record. However, “Zootopia 2” is poised to challenge it.

Safe Bets

28 Years Later (Sony)

Release Date: The film premieres in June 20xx
Excitement Level: Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are revisiting the post-zombie apocalypse UK from their 2002 movie “28 Days Later”. In this installment, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes are the ones desperately fleeing from the undead masses.
Tension Level: With shows like “The Walking Dead” and “The Last of Us” dominating TV screens, it seems that zombie films have lost some of their allure recently.
Conclusion: If the movie delivers even a fraction of the sheer terror hinted at in its spine-tingling trailer, then these zombies are certain to draw in a hefty audience.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Disney)

Release Date: The movie is set to premiere on July 25
Excitement Level: Marvel’s legendary family makes their MCU debut, featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the main characters in a futuristic 1960s setting. Notably, this storyline diverges from the traditional MCU timeline.
Relaxation Factor: The previous “Fantastic Four” films (from the 2000s and 2015) didn’t leave a great impression, either critically or financially. Some viewers might approach this new take on the team with a touch of skepticism.
Conclusion: The upcoming “Avengers” films will be heavily influenced by the events in this movie, making it crucial to its success. Fortunately for Disney, it looks like the box office is going to feel the impact!

Jurassic World Rebirth (Universal)

Release Date: The film will be launched on July 2
Excitement Level: Starring the talented trio of Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey, this installment of a 32-year-old franchise follows a team on a mission to gather dinosaur material that could potentially cure a miracle. Gareth Edwards, known for his work on visually stunning films like “Godzilla” and “The Creator”, directs.
Relaxation Factor: With three “Jurassic World” movies in the last decade, there might be a possibility that viewers have had their fill of dinosaurs.
Conclusion: Despite the potential fatigue from previous dinosaur-themed films, let’s face it – audiences still adore dinosaurs. With this movie’s fresh cast and intriguing premise, it’s set to dominate the box office once more.

Michael (Lionsgate)

Release Date: The movie “Michael” is set to hit the screens on October 3.
Excitement Level: With musical biopics becoming increasingly popular, everyone is familiar with Michael Jackson’s extensive music catalog. Moreover, director Antoine Fuqua has cast Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, to recreate the late King of Pop’s iconic performances.
Caution Level: Jackson remains a controversial figure due to various allegations of child sexual abuse, some of which he denied. A lawsuit involving him was settled out of court in 1993, and he was acquitted on different charges in 2005. Regardless, “Michael” is expected to generate debate and scrutiny.
Prediction: Despite the controversy surrounding Jackson’s legacy, global audiences are likely to flock to see “Michael,” ensuring its box office success.

Question Marks

Good Fortune (Lionsgate)

Release Date: October 17
Excitement Level: Keanu Reeves, known as the internet’s heartthrob, stars as a literal angel alongside Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, and Sandra Oh in Aziz Ansari’s body-swap comedy, marking his directorial debut.
Relaxation Level: Commercially successful R-rated comedies are as uncommon as the possibility of actually exchanging bodies with someone else.
Prediction: Reviews will significantly influence ticket sales. However, “Good Fortune” might garner more attention if Keke Palmer manages to create memorable moments for social media during promotional activities.

Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning (Paramount)

Release Date: May 23
Excitement Level: Tom Cruise’s death-defying stunts as the most valuable agent of the Impossible Mission Force in his eighth installment promises an unparalleled cinematic experience that is best enjoyed on the largest screens available.
Concern Level: The release of “Mission: Impossible” in 2023, titled “Dead Reckoning Part One,” faced unexpected challenges. Originally expected to be a box office success following “Top Gun: Maverick,” it was overshadowed by “Barbenheimer.” This led the studio to rename the sequel. The production cost of “MI:7” amounted to nearly $300 million, and these action-adventures are becoming increasingly expensive to produce.
Prediction: Ethan Hunt’s (potentially) final mission with Tom Cruise will attract large crowds in the early summer season. However, “Mission: Impossible” may not conclude on a series peak.

The Smashing Machine (A24)

Release Status: Untitled
Excitement Level: Dwayne Johnson returns to the wrestling world, this time portraying real-life mixed martial artist Mark Kerr in a biopic directed by Benny Safdie, known for “Uncut Gems”.
Relaxation Level: Although Johnson is just three years younger than Kerr, it remains to be seen if audiences will accept him as Kerr at the height of his career in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Conclusion: Johnson’s career has been yearning for a role like this, his first dramatic one since “Pain & Gain” in 2013. However, the film’s success relies on whether Johnson can still deliver a convincing and emotionally nuanced performance.

Superman (Warner Bros.)

Release Date: The movie is set to premiere on July 11
Excitement Level: Renowned director James Gunn brings back Superman as Man of Steel and the DC Universe in a new era, where David Corenswet’s Superman coexists with a world full of other superheroes who may not always see eye to eye.
Caution Level: The world of comic book films has evolved dramatically, and the previous solo Superman movies, such as “Man of Steel” in 2013, have faced their share of challenges. This film needs to be a grand slam to impress.
Prediction: If Gunn can successfully blend the core values of truth, justice, and the American way with the offbeat charm that made “Guardians of the Galaxy” a worldwide success, then the DC Universe is poised for greatness.

Biggest Risks

F1 (Apple Original Films and Warner Bros.)

As a long-time movie enthusiast who has seen their fair share of Hollywood blockbusters, I must say that the upcoming film featuring Brad Pitt is generating quite a buzz. Known for his exceptional acting skills and box office successes, Pitt teams up with “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer to play a retired Formula One driver mentoring a new hotshot (Damson Idris).

However, it’s worth noting that Apple, the company behind this film, has yet to produce a profitable theatrical release. In fact, their track record in this area is not encouraging at all. But if Pitt, Kosinski, Bruckheimer, and the global popularity of Formula One racing aren’t enough to give Apple its first win in theaters, I have no doubt that Tim Cook can still look forward to the launch of the iPhone 17.

In my opinion, this film has all the makings of a hit, but only time will tell if it can break Apple’s streak of unsuccessful theatrical releases. Regardless, I am excited to see how it turns out and cannot wait to watch Brad Pitt in action once again!

Snow White (Disney)

Release Date: March 21st
Excitement Level: Rachel Zegler, known for her role in “West Side Story,” lends her powerful voice to the original Disney princess, while Gal Gadot takes on an unexpected role as the Wicked Queen.
Relaxation Factor: This $240 million production has faced costly reshoots and controversy due to the actors’ views on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Some find it unsettling that these topics might overshadow a Disney musical.
Conclusion: With multiple revisits to the vault, audiences might grow weary of another live-action adaptation from the Magic Kingdom.

Tron: Ares (Disney)

Release Date: October 10th
Excitement Level: Unlike the previous two “Tron” movies, which took place predominantly within the digital realm known as the Grid, this third installment directed by Joachim Rønning (“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”) brings Jared Leto’s character into the real world.
Nervous Factor: While Leto has won an Oscar, he is not yet a box office powerhouse, which Disney requires for a sci-fi franchise that, despite its impressive appearance, hasn’t consistently demonstrated strong audience interest.
Conclusion: Achieving the global gross of $410 million from 2010’s “Tron: Legacy” may prove as challenging as getting a perfect score in Pac-Man.

Untitled Paul Thomas Anderson Film (Warner Bros.)

Release Date: The movie is set to premiere on August 8th.
Excitement Level: Renowned director Paul Thomas Anderson, known for his exceptional films like “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia” and “Phantom Thread,” has assembled a buzzworthy cast that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, one of Hollywood’s last major stars, along with Sean Penn, Regina Hall, and Alana Haim.
Relaxation Level: With an estimated budget of $140 million, the film needs to earn at least $300 million in global box office sales to turn a profit. Anderson’s most financially successful movie, “There Will Be Blood,” made $76 million worldwide.
Prediction: Despite being critically acclaimed, due to its high budget and past performance, this untitled project — believed to be a crime drama — may not be in contention for the Golden Globe awards for both critical and box office success.

2025-01-03 20:49

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