THE MARVELS, AQUAMAN 2, THE HUNGER GAMES & More! Here Are The Most Anticipated Films Of Fall 2023!

While several big name films - including Dune: Part Two - moved into 2024 due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, there are still an ample amount of high profile films heading our way this Fall and we've spent some time this week compiling a list of the twenty films that we're most looking forward to seeing. 

From big-budget comic book movie sequels like The Marvels and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to prestige dramas like Killers of the Flower Moon and Napoleon as well as plenty of Oscar hopefuls like Ferrari and Saltburn and animated adventures like Wish and Migration, we have a little bit of everything for everyone!

Click on the "Next" button below to check out our Top 20 picks (sorted by release date) and be sure to share what you're looking forward to in the comments!

Killers of the Flower Moon

Martin Scorsese. Leonardo DiCaprio. Do you really need more convincing to see what is already being hailed as one of the best films of the year?

Synopsis: At the turn of the 20th century, oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation, who became some of the richest people in the world overnight. The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder. Based on a true story and told through the improbable romance of Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), “Killers of the Flower Moon” is an epic western crime saga, where real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal. 

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, John Lithgow, Brendan Fraser, Tantoo Cardinal, Cara Jade Myers, JaNae Collins, and Jillian Dion

Director: Martin Scorsese

Release Date: October 20 (theatrical & IMAX); TBD (Apple TV+)

Pain Hustlers

Emily Blunt and Chris Evans partner for the David Yates-directed crime drama Pain Hustlers, which is due out on Netflix later this month, where Blunt's character finds herself inadvertently thrust into the middle of a criminal conspiracy in the pharmaceutical world. 

Synopsis: "Dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter, Liza (Emily Blunt) lands a job from Pete (Chris Evans) at a failing pharma start-up, where Liza’s charm, drive, and guts catapult her into the high life and the company into the center of a criminal conspiracy with dire consequences."

Cast: Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O'Hara, Andy Garcia, Jay Duplass, Brian d'Arcy James, Chloe Coleman, Aubrey Dollar, Amit Shah, and Willie Raysor

Director: David Yates

Release Date: October 20 (theatrical); October 27 (Netflix)

The Killer

Following the excellent biopic Mank, David Fincher is back after three years with The Killer, a neo-noir action thriller based on a French graphic novel series of the same name, which stars Michael Fassbender in the lead role. The trailer was just released, but we wouldn't be surprised to get another more expansive look relatively soon, especially with the film due out in theaters at the end of the month.

Synopsis: After a fateful near-miss, an assassin battles his employers and himself on an international manhunt he insists isn't personal.

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Charles Parnell, Kerry O'Malley, Sala Baker, Sophie Charlotte, Tilda Swinton, Arliss Howard, Emiliano Pernía, and Gabriel Polanco

Director: David Fincher

Release Date: October 27 (theatrical); November 10 (Netflix)

The Marvels

Just a few days after Loki is expected to wrap its sophomore season, Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) partner up in The Marvels, which should be the final Marvel Studios entry of the year... and possibly the last MCU film we see for a while since the strikes have delayed production on a number of Marvel projects, including Deadpool 3. So, enjoy! 

Synopsis: Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan, Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol's estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team-up and learn to work in concert to save the universe as "The Marvels."

Cast: Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, Zawe Ashton, Gary Lewis, Park Seo-joon, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, Samuel L. Jackson, Lashana Lynch, Randall Park, Daniel Ings, Colin Stoneley, Shamier Anderson, Abraham Popoola, Ffion Jolly, Caroline Simonnet, and Jessica Zhou

Director: Nia DaCosta

Release Date: November 10 (theatrical)

Tiger 3

After this past January's record-breaking launch for Pathaan, the YRF Spy Universe returns this Diwali with Tiger 3, the hotly-awaited fifth installment in the now-firmly established cinematic universe that, over the next few years, is expected to unite many top Bollywood stars in some of the biggest films India has ever produced. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif return for chapter three, which will also feature a timely special appearance from Shah Rukh Khan, and presumably tease the next installment, the epic team-up film Tiger vs. Pathaan. 

Synopsis: Following the events of Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), War (2019), and Pathaan (2023), Avinash Singh Rathore alias "Tiger", is framed as a traitor, where he goes on a life-threatening crusade to clear his and his family's name.

Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Emraan Hashmi, Revathi, Riddhi Dogra, Vishal Jethwa, Kumud Mishra, Ranvir Shorey, Anant Vidhaat Sharma, Gavie Chahal, Varinder Singh Ghuman, and Shah Rukh Khan

Director: Maneesh Sharma

Release Date: November 10 (theatrical)

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes opens just a week after The Marvels, so it'll have its work cut out for it at the box office, but there's also plenty of reason to be optimistic as the previous four films all performed admirably during the same launch window, while facing similar competition from Marvel.  

Synopsis: THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.

Cast: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman, Peter Dinklage, Josh Andrés Rivera, Viola Davis

Director: Francis Lawrence

Release Date: November 17 (theatrical)

Next Goal Wins

Michael Fassbender is due for a really big fall with both David Fincher's The Killer and Taika Waititi's sports comedy-drama Next Goal Wins, which should easily be one of the most anticipated films of the year. 

Synopsis: NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Chris Alosio, Taika Waititi, Will Arnett, and Rhys Darby

Director: Taika Waititi

Release Date: November 17 (theatrical)

Saltburn

Following the excellent Promising Young Woman, director Emerald Fennell returns to theaters this fall with the psychological thriller Saltburn, which received near-universal acclaim after its premiere at Telluride this past summer.

Synopsis: Academy Award-winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) brings us a wicked tale of privilege and desire. Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.

Cast: Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Alison Oliver, Archie Madekwe, Carey Mulligan, Paul Rhys, Lolly Adefope, Ewan Mitchell, Sadie Soverall, Millie Kent, and Reece Shearsmith

Director: Emerald Fennell

Release Date: November 17 (theatrical)

Good Burger 2

'90s kids rejoice, we're heading to Good Burger! It's been a little over 25 years since we last saw Kenan & Kel take down Mondo Burger, but the pair have reunited for this long overdue sequel, which seems like it'll serve up some heavy nostalgia and maybe some light-hearted fun for new generations as well. 

Synopsis: Dexter (Kenan Thompson) and Ed (Kel Mitchell) are back in an all-new movie after more than 25 years! Stream Good Burger 2 exclusively on Paramount+ this fall.

Cast: Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Josh Server, Lori Beth Denberg, Alex R. Hibbert, Kamaia Fairburn, Fabrizio Guido, Elizabeth Hinkler, Emily Hinkler, Anabel Graetz, Jillian Bell, Lil Rel Howery, Carmen Electra

Director: Phil Traill

Release Date: November 22 (Paramount+)

Leave the World Behind

Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail is at the helm of Leave the World Behind, an upcoming psychological thriller that boasts quite an impressive cast and a mysterious premise, so there are more than enough reasons to tune in and find out what happens next.

Synopsis: A family’s (Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke) vacation is upended when two strangers (Mahershala Ali and Myha’la) arrive at night, seeking refuge from a cyberattack that grows more terrifying by the minute, forcing everyone to come to terms with their places in a collapsing world.

Cast: Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha'la, Kevin Bacon, Farrah Mackenzie, and Charlie Evans

Director: Sam Esmail

Release Date: November 22 (theatrical); December 8 (Netflix)

Maestro

Bradley Cooper returns for his A Star is Born encore with the similarly musically themed Maestro, which will tell the true story of the marriage between composer Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre, with Cooper playing the former and Carey Mulligan playing the latter.

Synopsis: Maestro is a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between cultural icon Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art, Maestro, at its core, is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love.

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Bradley Cooper, Matt Bomer, Maya Hawke, Sarah Silverman, Michael Urie, Gideon Glick, Sam Nivola, Miriam Shor, and Alexa Swinton

Director: Bradley Cooper

Release Date: November 22 (theatrical); December 20 (Netflix)

Napoleon

Ridley Scott and Joaquin Phoenix reteam for Napoleon, another outstanding offering from Apple TV+ that will receive an extended theatrical release prior to its streaming debut. However, since there's no word on when the film (or its rumored extended cut) will arrive on the streamer, that should give you plenty of incentive to see the film on the biggest screen possible as soon as possible.

Synopsis: He came from nothing. He conquered everything. From acclaimed director Ridley Scott, #Napoleon is exclusively in movie theaters this Thanksgiving.

Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim, Ben Miles, Ludivine Sagnier, Matthew Needham, Youssef Kerkour, Phil Cornwell, Édouard Philipponnat, Ian McNeice, Rupert Everett, Paul Rhys, Catherine Walker, Gavin Spokes, John Hollingworth, Mark Bonnar, Anna Mawn, Davide Tucci, Sam Crane, Scott Handy, and Philip Marsden

Director: Ridley Scott

Release Date: November 22 (theatrical); TBD (Apple TV+)

Wish

Disney looks to end their year on a high note with the long-awaited animated musical fantasy film Wish, which will seemingly reveal the origin of the House of Mouse's iconic wishing star. Plus, with Academy Award-winner Ariana DeBose leading the cast, expect some otherworldly musical performances that you'll likely be hearing for the next few months. 

Synopsis: In the Kingdom of Rosas, located off of the Iberian Peninsula, a 17-year-old girl named Asha senses a darkness that no one else does about the kingdom's ruler, King Magnifico. This eventually leads to her trying to make a passionate plea to the stars in a moment of need. Soon, an actual star from the sky named Star answers Asha's wish. After the star falls from the sky, it is revealed that the star has magical powers to grant wishes as well. Together, Asha and Star must overcome the evils rising in Rosas and fight for a better future for their people.

Cast: Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk, Angelique Cabral, Victor Garber, Natasha Rothwell, Jennifer Kumiyama, Evan Peters, Harvey Guillén, Ramy Youssef, Niko Vargas, Della Saba, and Jon Rudnitsky

Director: Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn

Release Date: November 22 (theatrical)

Silent Night

For the first time in two decades, John Woo has returned to Hollywood and, judging by the trailer, his latest film is one that absolutely cannot be missed as the former Mission: Impossible II and Face/Off director teams with the always underrated Joel Kinnaman (The Suicide Squad) to tell a revenge story unlike any other. 

Synopsis: "From legendary director John Woo and the producer of John Wick comes this gritty revenge tale of a tormented father (Joel Kinnaman) who witnesses his young son die when caught in a gang’s crossfire on Christmas Eve. While recovering from a wound that costs him his voice, he makes vengeance his life’s mission and embarks on a punishing training regimen in order to avenge his son’s death. Full of Woo’s signature style, Silent Night redefines the action genre with visceral, thrill-a-minute storytelling."

Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Scott Mescudi, Harold Torres, and Catalina Sandino Moreno

Director: John Woo

Release Date: December 1 (theatrical)

Wonka

We may not be getting Dune: Part Two this year, but fans can still get their Timothée Chalamet fix with the musical fantasy film Wonka, which promises to tell the untold origin story of the man behind the Chocolate Factory, which is, of course, a mystery everyone has been clamoring to have solved for generations.

Synopsis: Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book 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.

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Tom Davis, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant, Natasha Rothwell, Rich Fulcher, Rakhee Thakrar, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Simon Farnaby, Colin O'Brien, Ellie White, Murray McArthur, Tracy Ifeachor, and Isy Suttie

Director: Paul King

Release Date: December 15 (theatrical)

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Here it is, the end of the DCEU as we knew it. While many will be quick to write this one off due to its many controversies, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is still tracking to perform exceedingly well during the holiday season, although whether it actually has legs simliar to its predecessor remains to be seen. 

Synopsis: Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.

Cast: Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren, Randall Park, Temuera Morrison, Vincent Regan, Jani Zhao, Indya Moore, Ricardo Molina, Grant Huggair, Tianyi Kiy, Judy Blackett, and Pilou Asbæk

Director: James Wan

Release Date: December 20 (theatrical)

Dunki

Shah Rukh Khan has been on an absolute heater this year, and after deliver back-to-back blockbusters with Pathaan and Jawan, both of which are now among the highest-grossing Indian films of all-time worldwide, the global megastar is now looking to complete his hattrick this December with Rajkumar Hirani's Dunki. The film marks the first collaboration between India's top actor and top director, meaning expectations will be at an all-time high when it arrives in theaters and it looks more than ready to live up to the hype. No official trailer just yet, but expect that to arrive online on or around November 2, or by Diwali, at the latest.  

Synopsis: JIO Studios, Red Chillies Entertainment and Rajkumar Hirani Films come together to bring to you, the film ‘Dunki' directed by Rajkumar Hirani produced by Rajkumar Hirani and Gauri Khan. The film releases on December 22nd, 2023.

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Taapsee Pannu, Dia Mirza, Boman Irani, Dharmendra, Satish Shah, Parikshit Sahni, and Vicky Kaushal

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Release Date: December 21 (theatrical); December 22 (India)

Migration

Illumination has a long history of delivering quality animated films - including The Super Mario Bros. Movie - and it looks like they could have another big winner on their hands with Migration, which boasts a very likable cast and teases a very fun family adventure.

Synopsis: The Mallard family is in a bit of rut. While dad Mack is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, mom Pam is eager to shake things up and show their kids—teen son Dax and duckling daughter Gwen—the whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica. As the Mallards make their way South for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined.

Cast:  Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, David Mitchell, Carol Kane, Caspar Jennings, Tresi Gazal, and Danny DeVito

Director: Benjamin Renner

Release Date: December 22 (theatrical) 

Rebel Moon

Synopsis: "When a peaceful colony on the edge of a galaxy finds itself threatened by the armies of a tyrannical ruling force, Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious stranger living among the villagers, becomes their best hope for survival. Tasked with finding trained fighters who will unite with her in making an impossible stand against the Mother World, Kora assembles a small band of warriors — outsiders, insurgents, peasants, and orphans of war from different worlds who share a common need for redemption and revenge. As the shadow of an entire Realm bears down on the unlikeliest of moons, a battle over the fate of a galaxy is waged, and in the process, a new army of heroes is formed."

Cast: Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Charlie Hunnam, Michiel Huisman, Staz Nair, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Cleopatra Coleman, E. Duffy, Anthony Hopkins, Jena Malone, Ed Skrein, Fra Fee, Stuart Martin, Corey Stoll, Cary Elwes, Alfonso Herrera, Rhian Rees, and Ray Porter.

Director: Zack Snyder

Release Date: December 22 (Netflix)

Ferrari

Following a strong premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, where stars Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz received high praise, director Michael Mann brings Ferrari to theaters this Christmas and there's a lot riding on this one performing well at the box office, since rumor has it, this film's success could directly determine whether Mann will be able to make Heat 2. 

Synopsis: It is the summer of 1957. Behind the spectacle of Formula 1, ex-racer Enzo Ferrari is in crisis. Bankruptcy threatens the factory he and his wife, Laura built from nothing ten years earlier. Their volatile marriage has been battered by the loss of their son, Dino a year earlier. Ferrari struggles to acknowledge his son Piero with Lina Lardi. Meanwhile, his drivers' passion to win pushes them to the edge as they launch into the treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy, the Mille Miglia.

Cast: Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Sarah Gordon, Gabriel Leone, Jack O'Connell, and Patrick Dempsey

Director: Michael Mann

Release Date: December 25 (theatrical)