After a few years in hibernation, the box office is set to roar back to life in 2023. From summer
blockbusters to spooky fall treats, these are the major sequels that you're going to want to see.
In 2018, "Searching" offered audiences a tight, tense thriller about a desperate
father frantically trying to locate his missing daughter, told entirely through
screens. Using phones, computer monitors, and televisions, "Searching" managed to
weave the everyday technology used by its main characters into its central narrative,
turning what could've been an eye-rolling gimmick into a compelling storytelling device. However,
the mystery told in "Searching" felt pretty definitively concluded by the end of the film,
which makes the idea of a sequel somewhat surprising.
And yet that's what we're getting, with Deadline reporting in August of 2019 that "Searching 2",
now titled "Missing," is in the works. It will mark the directorial debut of Will Merrick and
Nick Johnson, who edited the original film and will also be penning part two. But before you
worry that making a sequel to the innovative thriller pushes the boundaries of plausibility,
rest assured that this follow-up won't be hurling John Cho's David Kim into an improbable scenario.
Instead, "Missing" will focus on June, a character played by Storm Reid, who will
have to use her online savvy after her mom and her mom's boyfriend go missing in South America.
Prepare for high stakes and plenty of cyber-sleuthing
when the film hits theaters on January 20, 2023.
Back in 2012, probably no one predicted that the stripper film "Magic Mike" would go on to
spawn a successful trilogy, but the story is set to continue in "Magic Mike's Last Dance."
Original movie helmer Steven Soderbergh is returning to the director's chair,
and Channing Tatum will reprise his semi-autobiographical role as Mike Lane.
The plot finds Mike working as a bartender in Miami, where he
meets a lonely socialite played by Salma Hayek. Impressed by his dancing abilities,
Hayek's character decides to take Mike to London and help him put on his own theatrical show.
"Come with me to London. Let's go."
Of course, the stress of treading the boards and navigating a new
love affair will definitely cause some difficulties for our flexible protagonist.
Soderbergh has majorly emphasized the romance in this one,
which will supposedly show Mike in a serious relationship for the
first time. Soderbergh said during a roundtable interview in early 2022,
"The third [movie] is the sort of apex of everything that we've been talking about in
that area. Not just taking the dancing to another level but really getting into the relationship
aspect that's been an undercurrent in all of the films. Like Mike has a full-on relationship that's
at the center of this movie, while all this stuff is going on, and we haven't done that before."
"Creed II" ended with Michael B. Jordan's Adonis Creed a victor in
the boxing ring and a father of a baby girl with his fiancée,
Bianca. So where will "Creed III" take us? More importantly, who's going to take us there?
In addition to starring in the film, Jordan will make his directorial debut with "Creed
III." The story is said to revolve around a contentious friendship-turned-rivalry.
In "Creed III," Adonis Creed will have to fight Damian "Dame" Anderson,
a boxer just getting out of prison after 18 years and a childhood friend of Creed
with something to prove and a lot of resentment for his old associate.
Playing Damian "Dame" Anderson will be "Lovecraft Country" actor Jonathan Majors,
fresh from his role as Kang the Conqueror in "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania."
On his "Creed III" role, Majors told NME,
"With intimacy comes complexity. It's he and I.
It's a story about these two men trying to work something out."
They'll go toe to toe on March 3, 2023.
Before the bodies of the latest victims of the Ghostface killer even had a chance to cool off,
a sequel to 2022's newest "Scream" installment had already been greenlit by Paramount.
The fifth installment in the "Scream" franchise once again saw Sidney Prescott,
Gale Weathers, and Dewey Riley on the run from a killer in a Ghostface mask,
along with a host of new characters, many of whom were fated for a bloody end.
The sixth "Scream" film will once again be helmed by the filmmaking trio Radio Silence,
with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett directing and the third member, Chad Villella,
executive producing. The plots of "Scream" films are always kept heavily under wraps,
but it looks like Ghostface is leaving Woodsboro to terrorize
the Big Apple, with "Scream 6" taking place in New York City.
Sadly, it looks like a key player in the "Scream" franchise won't be showing up
this time — Neve Campbell as Sydney Prescott. As reported by Deadline,
Campbell wasn't happy with the offer she got from the studio to have her reprise her classic role.
Prepare to enjoy this super scary movie on March 10, 2023.
A dazzlingly original film full of humor, action, comic book theatrics, and heart,
2018's "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" earned $375 million at the global box office,
took home an Academy Award for best animated feature,
and became one of the most critically acclaimed superhero movies ever made.
Naturally, a follow-up was officially announced in
November 2019, with Christopher Miller and Phil Lord returning as producers,
along with new director Joaquim Dos Santos and screenwriter David Callaham. In April 2021,
Variety revealed that Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson would join Dos Santos as co-directors.
According to a Deadline report from November 2022, Miles — this universe's Spider-Man — will team up
with a group of other Spider-based heroes to wage battle against a super-powered villain.
According to Sony Pictures Animation's Twitter account, the villain is known as the Spot,
an inter-dimensional baddie able to sprint through the multiverse at incredible speeds.
"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" was initially set to hit theaters in April 2022,
but Sony pushed the release to June 2, 2023, and also split the film in two. The third
film in the series, "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse," will arrive on March 29, 2024.
Directed by Steven Caple Jr., "Transformers:
Rise of the Beasts" will bring back the popular Autobots, while introducing several "Beast
Wars" characters like Maximal leader Optimus Primal, who will be voiced by Ron Perlman.
With a cast that includes Anthony Ramos, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage,
and Pete Davidson, the movie will take place in the 1990s,
as the Autobots and Maximals do battle with the Decepticons, Predacons, and Terrorcons.
"Stand down!"
"I'm not the one to fear, Prime."
The main villain of "Rise of the Beasts" will be the Terrorcon Scourge, and the film will
also introduce his sidekick Nightbird, although voice actors have not yet been confirmed for
either character. "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" is set to hit theaters June 9, 2023.
Caple will be working from a script written by Joby Harold,
who was also responsible for the screenplay for "King Arthur:
Legend of the Sword." He also wrote for Disney+'s "Obi-Wan Kenobi" series.
The director is best known for directing "Creed II," starring Michael B. Jordan.
"Rise of the Beasts" is expected to kickstart a new "Transformers" series
of at least three movies, promising plenty of Autobot action for many years to come.
As part of Disney's whirlwind of announcements during their 2020 Investor Day event,
the studio reaffirmed that a fifth installment in the iconic Indiana Jones franchise is on
the way and will once again star Indy himself, Harrison Ford. At 80 years old, Ford will likely
be retiring his trademark whip and fedora by the end of "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny."
However, we do know he'll be joined in his adventure by Phoebe Waller-Bridge of
"Fleabag" fame, who will be playing Indy's goddaughter, Helena. Mads Mikkelsen of
"Hannibal" will play the villain of the piece, a Nazi scientist working for the
U.S. government during the Space Race, and he'll be joined by a packed cast,
including John Rhys-Davies reprising the role of Indy's trusted companion Sallah. They'll all
be accompanied by a score from John Williams, who's returning for Indy's newest adventure.
In the director's chair for "Indiana Jones 5" is James Mangold, who previously directed
2017's "Logan," which served as the seeming final adventure for Hugh Jackman's Wolverine
and Patrick Stewart's Charles Xavier. While "Indiana Jones 5" isn't likely to
skew as dark as "Logan," we can only hope that it's just as moving of a farewell.
We'll see if they stick the landing when the film hits theaters on June 30, 2023.
The long-running "Insidious" franchise is getting a fifth installment. And this time,
franchise star Patrick Wilson will be settling into the director's chair.
The first two films follow a couple whose young son is haunted by otherworldly beings
and what happens when the family fights back, while the third and fourth are prequels that
focus on the psychic who aided the heroes of the first two films. "Insidious 5" will
follow the son from the original movie, now a decade older, as he heads off to college.
Regarding his directorial duties, Wilson said in a statement,
"I'm honored and thrilled to be at the helm of the next 'Insidious' installment,
which will provide an amazing chance to unpack everything the Lamberts went through a decade ago,
as well as deal with the consequences of their choices. Directing the movie is
both professionally and personally a full circle moment for me, and I am extremely grateful to be
entrusted in continuing to tell this frightening and haunting story. Into the further we go..."
The script for "Insidious 5" was penned by Scott Teems and based on a story by Leigh Wannell, who
wrote the first four "Insidious" films. The fifth one will creep into theaters on July 7, 2023.
When "The Meg" swam into theaters, many dismissed it as ridiculous – think "Jaws,"
but a lot dumber. But this megalodon movie earned some serious coin at the box office,
drawing $528 million worldwide against a $130 million budget. After all, this is a
movie where Jason Statham goes to war with a gigantic shark. Who doesn't want to see that?
"I'm gonna make this thing bleed."
After audiences went into a feeding frenzy for the film,
plans were almost immediately set in motion for a sequel. In October 2020,
Warner Bros. confirmed that "Rebecca" and "High Rise" filmmaker Ben Wheatley will be
helming the shark-tastic sequel. We don't really know what the plot will be, but since "The Meg"
is actually based on a series of books by Steve Alten, the sequel might draw on the next novel,
which involves an even bigger shark, as well as the giant, crocodile-like Kronosaurus.
"Meg 2: The Trench" will be swimming into theaters on August 4, 2023.
After his Oscar-nominated performance as Macbeth in "The Tragedy of Macbeth,"
Denzel Washington began prepping to pivot into a very different role by
returning to "The Equalizer" franchise, in which he plays ex-Marine Robert McCall,
who tends to go on violent vigilante tears when people he cares about are harmed.
"Alina, the girl you beat half to death, her life's gonna go on."
The first "Equalizer" film saw Washington's character protecting
a teenage sex worker from the Russian mafia, while the second caught up with
him as he avenged the death of one of his friends from the first film.
"The Equalizer 3" will once again be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who helmed the first two films.
Although no official plot details are known yet, Fuqua mentioned in 2018 that he had big
plans to take Robert McCall to Europe in his next adventure. Fuqua told /Film in June 2022,
"I think that's the key,
to learn more about Robert McCall. We're shooting it in Italy, so that'd be fun."
As for Washington, he's looking forward to returning to the role of McCall, telling Collider,
"I gotta get in shape and start beating people up again. I get to beat people up again. 'The
Tragedy of Macbeth' and then going and beating some people up. Can't get any better, right?"
The movie will also see Washington reunite with Dakota Fanning. The
two famously starred together in Tony Scott's 2004 thriller "Man on Fire."
Valak is back. The demonic nun — who's been haunting the "Conjuring" universe
ever since the second film in the franchise — is getting her very own sequel. "The Nun"
terrorized audiences back in 2018, scaring up a whopping $365 million across the globe.
And whether you're a Hollywood producer or a malignant evil entity, money talks.
Speaking of "Malignant," Akela Cooper — the screenwriter behind James Wan's
absolutely bonkers 2021 thriller — is going to pen the script for "The Nun
2." If she can bring the same wild energy to Valak's tale that she brought to Gabriel's,
then this next installment in the "Conjuring" franchise will be something special indeed.
"You've been a bad, bad boy, Gabriel."
There's no word yet on the plot, but we're waiting with bated, terrified breath. "The Conjuring:
The Devil Made Me Do It" director Michael Chaves will helm this sequel,
which will take place in 1950s France and see Sister Irene face off with Valak.
Bonnie Aarons is set to reprise her role as the demonic villain, Taissa Farmiga will be back as
Sister Irene, and Storm Reid has been cast in a lead role. In October 2022, Deadline noted the
additions of Anna Popplewell and Katelyn Rose Downey. Popplewell will play a parochial school
teacher, and Downey will portray her daughter. Prepare to be scared on September 8, 2023.
In our current age of sequels, remakes, and reboots of what can sometimes feel
like every significant film ever made, revisiting one of the most iconic horror
films of all time was all but inevitable. And sure enough, "The Exorcist 2" — and "3" and
"4" — are in the works from fright factory Blumhouse Productions. David Gordon Green,
who most recently wrote and directed the new "Halloween" trilogy for the studio, will helm
the new trilogy, which will be penned by Green, Danny McBride, Scott Teems, and Peter Sattler.
The original "Exorcist" centered a on 12-year-old girl, played by Linda Blair, who was possessed by
a terrifying demon. Her mother hires two priests, played by Jason Miller and Max von Sydow,
to perform an exorcism. Although — spoiler alert — both priests died in the original film,
Ellen Burstyn will reprise her role, aiding new protagonist Leslie Odom Jr. as he searches
for help with his own possessed child. The first film in the new "The Exorcist" trilogy
will get a theatrical release on October 13, 2023, although there is a possibility that the
following two films could premiere on the Peacock streaming platform.
"The power of Christ compels you! The power of Christ compels you!"
If your kids loved "Paw Patrol: The Movie" – or if you loved it;
we won't judge – brace yourself for maximum excitement, because it's getting a sequel.
In early November 2021, Nickelodeon and Spin Master Entertainment greenlit "Paw Patrol:
The Mighty Movie," which is set to receive an exclusive theatrical release.
As for the plot, Deadline reports that "The Mighty Movie" will see a
meteor land in Adventure City — a meteor that grants superpowers to
our adorable canine heroes. Unfortunately, a mad scientist teams up with their old rival,
Mayor Humdinger, in a plot to steal their powers for dastardly purposes.
In the previous film, the cast was played by a list of all-stars, including Tyler Perry,
Kim Kardashian, and Randall Park. While none of those actors have
confirmed their involvement in the sequel, it looks like there's going to be just as
much talent on board this time around, as Taraji P. Henson has signed on to
voice an unknown character. "The Mighty Movie" hits theaters October 13, 2023.
Want to play a game? Well, Jigsaw certainly does. The notorious serial killer/world's
messiest self-help guru is coming back. In August 2022, it was announced that
"Saw 10" will ride its creepy little tricycle into theaters on October 27,
2023, just in time for Halloween. And Tobin Bell himself, the actor who's appeared as the Jigsaw
Killer in every installment except for 2021's "Spiral," will slash his way back onto the screen.
He won't be the only "Saw" alum returning, as the film will also star Shawnee Smith,
who previously played John Kramer's acolyte, Amanda Young. The film will be directed by
Kevin Greutert, who previously helmed "Saw VI" and "Saw: The Final Chapter."
Within days of the simultaneous theatrical and HBO Max release of "Dune," a sequel was
officially greenlit, with a release date set for November 3, 2023. "Dune:
Part Two" won't come as a shock to anyone who read Frank Herbert's novel or saw the first film,
which ended at what seemed to be a pretty pivotal point in the character arc of protagonist
Paul Atreides and not long after the official introduction of Zendaya's character, Chani. "Dune"
began a sprawling tale of feuding households, political maneuvering, religious intrigue,
and resource mining on the desert planet of Arrakis, told through an impressive ensemble cast.
Of course, not all the central players in "Dune" survived until the end,
but those that did are expected to reprise their roles in the sequel. Also returning
are director Denis Villeneuve and composer Hans Zimmer, the latter of whom joked in a tweet,
"Thank goodness I have some music left."
As for Villeneuve, the director clarified that he considers "Dune: Part Two" the same
movie as "Dune" rather than a traditional sequel, telling The Hollywood Reporter,
"It's not a sequel where it's another episode or another story with the same
characters. It actually has direct continuity to the first movie. It's
the second part of the big, huge movie that I'm trying to do."
Joining the cast for "Dune 2" are Florence Pugh, who will play Princess Irulan, and Christopher
Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV. "Elvis" star Austin Butler will portray the villainous Feyd-Rautha,
and Léa Seydoux will join the cast as Lady Margot. Unlike the first film,
"Dune: Part Two" will receive an exclusive 45-day theatrical window,
as opposed to the simultaneous theatrical and streaming release that the first film
got. This was a "non-negotiable" for Villeneuve, who says that for him,
"The theatrical experience is at the very heart of the cinematic language."
Another sequel to the 1984 mega-hit "Ghostbusters" was on the table for decades. Dan
Aykroyd had ambitious plans, but they never panned out. Instead, fans got a reboot with
2016's "Ghostbusters," which features a whole new set of spirit-trapping scientists.
"It's a classic."
That film's middling box office returns and just-okay critical reviews killed any
chances for a sequel, so Sony went back to the original "Ghostbusters" storyline with 2021's
"Ghostbusters: Afterlife." Set in the world of the original two "Ghostbusters" films,
with cameos from original cast members and appearances from characters like
Egon Spangler's daughter and grandchildren, the film was a
hit at the relatively subdued COVID-era box office, prompting Sony to order a sequel.
As the end sequence of "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" suggests, the film will
take place in New York City, just like the '80s "Ghostbusters" films,
and we know that Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon are coming back for part two.
In April 2018, the Hollywood Reporter announced that Aardman Animations will
be revisiting the hens and roosters of "Chicken Run" in a brand new sequel.
While the follow-up film was originally intended for theaters, Netflix announced
in 2020 that the streamer would actually be the home of the "Chicken Run" sequel.
The screenplay for "Chicken Run:
Dawn of the Nugget" is being crafted by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell,
both of whom worked on the original "Chicken Run," along with Rachel Tunnard. As for the director,
the film is in the fine stop-motion hands of Sam Fell, the filmmaker behind "ParaNorman."
The story will once again feature Rocky and Ginger,
now played by Zachary Levi and Thandiwe Newton, living happily in a human-free
island sanctuary with their young chick, Molly. But when chickens come under threat yet again,
Rocky and Ginger decide to leave their peaceful home to once again fight for all chicken-kind.
When the action-thriller "Extraction" hit Netflix in 2020, it was announced as the
most-watched original film in Netflix's history, making a sequel practically
inevitable. Sure enough, less than two weeks after "Extraction" premiered on the streamer,
Deadline reported that a sequel was already in the works, Chris Hemsworth set to return.
The sequel will once again center around mercenary Tyler Rake, who the first teaser
confirms survived the original film despite all evidence to the contrary. That said, writer Joe
Russo has indicated that he's just as interested in exploring Rake's backstory as he is following
him after the events of "Extraction," so the plot really could go in any direction. Although we
don't yet have a release date for "Extraction 2," we know it will be coming out in 2023.
Russo also has big plans for the "Extraction" franchise
beyond the sequel, saying at his CCXP panel,
"We are working at building out a universe of films that could
potentially explore some of the other characters from the first movie and some
new characters and see more historical interaction between the characters."
On his 35th birthday in 1988, Julius Benedict was informed that he was separated at birth
from his twin brother, Vincent, after they were both conceived in a lab as part of a genetic
experiment. "Twins" followed the unlikely duo as they reconnected and uncovered the long-buried
secrets about their past. Now, 33 years later, the Benedict clan is growing yet again in "Triplets."
The sequel will bring back Schwarzenegger and DeVito as Julius and Vincent,
and they'll be joined by Tracy Morgan as a yet-unnamed third brother. The premise,
as conveyed by original film director Ivan Reitman — who was slated to direct the sequel
until his death in 2022 — will start out similarly to the first film, with each of the brothers being
surprised to learn of another sibling's existence. Reitman said of the film's plot to Deadline,
"They don't know each other, and very early in the movie, they meet. It's how they
achieve a bond together after all these years. It's really a film about family,
and no matter how different we all are, we have to learn to get along."
Following Reitman's passing, the status of the film felt uncertain,
but Schwarzenegger seemed confident that "Triplets" would eventually move forward.
In other words, he's got a clear message to the legions of "Twins" fans the world over.
"I'll be back."