Beer and Skittles: A 2023 Watchlist

Intro

Happy New Year! Technically, it just means that the Earth has completed another revolution around the Sun. To us, it’s an excuse to celebrate by staying up all night to watch fireworks or party with our friends. It’s an opportunity to forget the things that went wrong the last time and start afresh. But, it isn’t long before reality sets in, and we return to our routines. And, when that happens, we can always count on a good movie or TV show to escape from reality and fill in the gaps with feelings we rarely get to experience in our day-to-day lives. So, whether you’re a casual moviegoer or a film connoisseur, we’ve got your back with a comprehensive list of movies and TV shows to keep an eye out for in 2023. From action-packed movies and shows that are bound to give you an adrenaline rush to sappy romances that will make you believe in true love, we’ve covered all the bases in this list!

Drama

Movie: Oppenheimer

Veteran filmmaker Christopher Nolan brings to life the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American physicist credited with the invention of one of the deadliest weapons of all time – the atomic bomb. The film is set against the backdrop of World War II and features Hollywood heavyweights such as Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, and Rami Malek. Filmed almost entirely in black and white and including explosion scenes shot sans CGI, be sure to check it out when it drops in theatres this July.

Release Date: July 21, 2023

Movie: Killers of the Flower Moon

In this gritty Western crime drama based on a bestselling book inspired by a true story, Martin Scorsese sheds light on a gruesome string of murders committed in 1920s Oklahoma after the discovery of oil on the tribal lands of the Osage Nation. The film is helmed by the dynamic duo of Robert De Niro as William Hale, a cattle rancher suspected of orchestrating the killings, and Leonardo DiCaprio as his nephew who must decide whether his loyalties lie with his Osage wife or his uncle. Touching on hot-button topics such as racism and greed, Killers of the Flower Moon will hit theatres in May before streaming exclusively on Apple TV+.

Release Date: May 2023

TV Show: Daisy Jones and the Six

The pseudo-documentary based on the novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid and loosely inspired by Fleetwood Mac chronicles the meteoric rise and subsequent fall of a fictional rock band in the epoch of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Riley Keough embodies the siren Daisy Jones, a drop-dead gorgeous girl with the voice of an angel who gets her big break when her path crosses with The Six, an up-and-coming band headlined by Sam Claflin’s ruggedly handsome and immensely talented Billy Dunne. Prepare to be enthralled by the character dynamics and original music when Daisy Jones and the Six drops on Amazon Prime Video this March. 

Release Date: March 3, 2023

TV Show: The Idol

From the sick and twisted minds of the creator of Euphoria, Sam Levinson, and 8-time Grammy winner, The Weeknd, comes a show that portrays Hollywood in all its glory and gore. Everyone’s favourite nepotism baby, Lily Rose-Depp stars as Jocelyn, a pop star who melts under the heat of the spotlight and falls into the arms – and bed – of enigmatic cult leader Tedros, played by the Weeknd. Uninhibited and risqué, The Idol is not for the faint of heart as it charts the turbulent relationship between Jocelyn and Tedros in the hedonistic cesspool of sex, booze, and drugs that is Hollywood. The show which also stars Jennie Kim and Troye Sivan is set to release sometime this year on HBO and HBO Max.

Release Date: Within 2023

Comedy

Movie: Barbie

Love her or hate her, you can’t deny that Barbie is a cultural icon. Hence, it’s no surprise that everyone is excited to see Margot Robbie breathe life into the plastic doll in Barbie. The film is directed by Greta Gerwig and features a star-studded cast including but not limited to, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferell, Simu Liu, Emma Mackey, and America Ferrera. However, the plot of the movie remains a question mark at the moment, with Ferrera saying, “ People don’t have any idea what to expect [with the film], and I think that that’s the right vibe.” Although there have been rumours about multiple Barbies appearing and calls to expect the unexpected, audiences can definitely count on the movie to bring out their inner child and feature stunning outfits. So, find out just how fantastic life in plastic is this July in theatres only!

Release Date: July 21, 2023

Movie: Legally Blonde 3

Reese Witherspoon returns as the beauty with brains, Elle Woods in the third installment of the cult classic Legally Blonde nearly ten years after the release of the second film. According to the film’s screenwriter, Mindy Kaling, the film will see how an older and wiser Elle copes with life in the 21st century while paying homage to the iconic moments in the original films. Legally Blonde 3 will most likely be released this year and it has been speculated that many of the original cast members such as Jennifer Coolidge and Luke Wilson will reprise their roles in the films. 

Release Date: Within 2023

TV Show: Poker Face

Although the title might suggest otherwise, Poker Face has absolutely nothing to do with the hit song by Lady Gaga. From the mind behind Knives Out, the show follows Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie as she goes on the run after the death of her friend and finds herself entangled in the lives of those she meets on the road. Each episode of the show will centre around a fresh mystery with different settings and guest stars. Familiar faces such as Adrien Brody, Chloë Sevigny, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Benjamin Bratt are set to make guest appearances in the show which releases this January on Peacock.

Release Date: January 26, 2023

TV Show: Never Have I Ever (Season 4)

Never Have I Ever will return to Netflix for its fourth and final season this summer. Although last season’s final episode ended with anti-hero Devi living out our enemies to lovers fantasies by knocking on Ben’s door in the middle of the night, showrunner Lang Fisher stated that the love triangle is far from over as former flame, Paxton will continue to have a prominent role in the show. The show will also explore Devi’s mother, Nalini and her cousin, Kamala’s love lives without forgetting the shenanigans of Devi’s best friends. Beloved for its nuanced portrayal of being a modern-day teenager, the show is sure to leave us with plenty of heartfelt and hilarious moments before it takes its final bow this year.

Release Date: Within 2023

Family

Movie: The Little Mermaid

Disney shows no signs of slowing down in its endeavour to suck the soul out of beloved animated classics and churn out run-of-the-mill live-action remakes. Its next victim is none other than The Little Mermaid. Unless you’ve been living under the sea this whole time, you’re probably familiar with the tale of mermaid Ariel swimming against the current and rising above the surface to fulfill her fantasies of being a part of the human world. Although the film is guaranteed to make a splash at the box office when it releases this May, the decision to cast a woman of colour, Halle Bailey as Ariel has proved to be quite polarising, with some accusing Disney of pandering to woke culture while others applauded them for their inclusivity. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether the remake will manage to capture the magic of the original.

Release Date: May 26, 2023

Movie: Wonka

This December, feast your eyes on Timothée Chalamet as he harnesses the vocal and dance talents of his alter ego, ‘Lil Timmy Tim’ from his infamous ‘Statistics’ music video to play the iconic Willy Wonka. So, let your imagination run wild as you follow Wonka along on his wacky adventures and lose yourself in the fantasy as Wonka sings and dances his way towards building a chocolate empire. Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, and more star alongside Chalamet who has some big shoes to fill with legendary actors such as Johnny Depp and Gene Wilder having previously portrayed the eccentric yet endearing character. 

Release Date: December 15, 2023

TV Show: That 90s Show

The Y2K trend is here to stay with The 90s Show, a spin-off of That 70s Show which airs on Netflix this January. The show takes place in the summer of ‘95 when Leia Forman visits her grandparents’ house in Wisconsin and follows in the footsteps of her parents by bonding with the kids in the neighbourhood. Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp return as Red and Kitty Forman in this sitcom-esque show that promises to make you nostalgic for a bygone era while tickling your funny bone.

Release Date: January 19, 2023

TV Show: American Born Chinese

Based on the graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of growing up as a child of immigrants and figuring out how to fit into a system that was never built with you in mind. We see this struggle through the eyes of Jin Wang, played by Ben Wang, who copes with feelings of loneliness and alienation by seeking refuge in fantasy realms populated by characters from Chinese mythology. The show which is directed by Shang Chi’s Destin Daniel Cretton and stars Everything, Everywhere, All at Once’s Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu will premiere on Disney+ this year.

Release Date: Within 2023

Romance

Movie: Red, White & Royal Blue

Based on the #BookTok favourite by Casey McQuiston, this LGBTQ romance tells the story of star-crossed lovers Alex, the son of the first female U.S. President, and Henry, the Prince of England. The movie shows us how love can grow from the unlikeliest of places when the pair’s childhood rivalry blossoms into friendship and eventually love. However, they are forced to keep their relationship under wraps due to their familial obligations. Starring Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex and Nicholas Galitzine as Henry, find out if love prevails this year on Amazon Prime Video.

Release Date: Within 2023

Movie: Love Again 

After the death of her fiancé, a distraught Mira tries to numb the pain by sending romantic texts to his old phone number. Of course, it’s quite impossible for him to reply from beyond the grave, but her texts aren’t exactly falling on deaf ears either. Enter Rob Burns, a journalist who has been assigned the number for his work phone and ends up falling head over heels for Mira. Sure, it sounds a little cliche, but get ready to bring the tissues out as you watch Mira find love once again when she thought she had lost it forever. Starring Priyanka Chopra and Sam Heughan as the romantic leads as well as featuring a cameo and original song by Celine Dion, catch Love Again this May, only in cinemas.

Release Date: May 12, 2023

TV Show: Bridgerton (Season 3)

In Julie Andrews’ a.k.a. Lady Whistledown’s voice:

Dearest readers, rumours that Bridgerton shall return to Netflix with its third season have been spreading like wildfire amongst members of the ton. As the ton’s most trusted source of information, I am pleased to announce that the gossip is indeed true! After the realisation that her love for Colin was unrequited and a quarrel with Eloise caused their friendship to splinter, Penelope Featherington resolves to double down in her efforts to find a suitor this season. Meanwhile, Colin Bridgerton returns from his travels a changed man, only to discover that the once doting Penelope is now indifferent to his charms. Determined to gain her trust once more, he offers to help Penelope in her search for a husband by giving her lessons on confidence but ends up falling for her instead. Presently, I cannot divulge further details on next season’s events. However, I can say with utmost certainty that the heat will be turned all the way up when Season 3 arrives on Netflix this year.

Release Date: Within 2023

TV Show: Heartstopper (Season 2)

The runaway hit based on the series of graphic novels by Alice Oseman picks up right where it left off with Nick coming out to his mom and making things with Charlie official. The show, which has been applauded for its realistic portrayal of adolescence and accurate representation of the LGBTQ community will delve into how Nick’s peers respond to this change in the status quo and will also explore Charlie’s mental health struggles. Nevertheless, there will still be plenty of sunshine this season as the gang ventures to Paris – the city of love – for their field trip. Let Heartstopper break your heart and put it back together over and over again when it releases on Netflix in the fourth quarter of the year.

Release Date: Q4 2023

Animation

Movie: The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Listen up 90s and 00s kids, it’s Mario time! This April, get ready to feel nostalgic as Mario and the gang go from our tiny Nintendo DS Screens to the big screen. The animated film is based on the premise of the video game which takes place in the Mushroom Kingdom and follows Mario, Luigi, and Toad on their quest to rescue Princess Peach, who has been abducted by Bowser. Mamma mia, am I right? Based on the latest trailer, the movie features stunning visuals and plenty of references to the franchise, although Chris Pratt’s performance has come under scrutiny for sounding too different from the original. Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, and Seth Rogen also lend their voices to the film.

Release Date: April 7, 2023

Movie: Elemental

Pixar welcomes you to Element City, which is home to air, water, fire, and earth! The story centres around the aptly named fire element, Ember who struggles to find her place in the city due to traits entirely out of her control. A chance encounter with Wade, a water element, develops into a friendship, changing her outlook on life. Based on the teaser trailer, it is apparent that Pixar has brought their A-game to this one with fleshed-out world-building and unique character designs. Be sure to catch the movie in cinemas this June and eventually on Disney+.

Release Date: June 16, 2023

TV Show: Velma

Full of butts and gore, this animated show is definitely not for kids! Scooby-Doo’s crime-solving extraordinaire, Velma (voice by Mindy Kaling) teams up with Daphne (voiced by Constance Wu) to solve the murder of their classmate. Along the way, they come across drug dealers, body parts, and even a little romance. Velma drops this month on HBO Max and is a must-watch for fans of the original Scooby-Doo franchise.

Release Date: January 1, 2023

Horror/Thriller

Movie: Scream 6

“What’s your favourite scary movie?” If Scream is your answer, you’re in for a treat. After a ten-year break, the Scream franchise is back in full swing. As this ongoing saga continues, the “requel” Scream (2022) introduced a brand-new batch of fresh faces and a new pair of final girls. Scream 6 picks up right where the previous film left off: four Ghostface survivors travel from Woodsboro to New York City in quest of fresh starts and to flee their town’s sordid history.

Sam and Tara Carpenter, the sister duo played by Melissa Barerra and Jenna Ortega, will be returning. Unfortunately, due to a salary disagreement, Neve Campbell will not return as Sidney Prescott. It will be the first Scream movie without Sidney, which is quite disheartening. However, Courteney Cox is essentially resurrecting the legendary Gale Weathers.

Release Date: March 10, 2023

Movie: The Nun 2

The Nun, which debuted five years ago as the highest-grossing film in the renowned Conjuring universe, gave us the creeps with its tale of the notorious evil nun, VALAK. She is now coming back to the theatre with a sequel to haunt us even more. With a priest’s murder and an evil entity’s taunting, the narrative transports us back to 1956. Sister Irene is once again pitted against the demonic force VALAK.

Taissa Farmiga and Bonnie Aarons return as Sister Irene and Valak, respectively, along with Storm Reid, star of HBO’s Euphoria, as a new addition to the cast. The Nun 2 welcomes back Michael Chaves, known for The Curse of La Llorona, The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It, in the director’s chair and the Conjuring franchise’s godfather James Wan as the producer.

Release Date: September 8, 2023

TV Show: You (Season 4)

Get ready for another series of adventures and crimes involving our favourite stalker, Joe Goldberg. After murdering his wife, Love Quinn, giving away his child, and fabricating his own death, Joe hinted he had migrated abroad by hiding in the streets of Paris discreetly. All signs pointed to him heading to Paris in search of Marienne Bellamy, his librarian sweetheart who uncovered the truth about his deranged, violent proclivities in the Season 3 finale. Besides that, a new potential love interest has also been further highlighted by recent information.

Badgley will return as Joe Goldberg and take on the role of the show’s director as well, and Tati Gabrielle will reprise her role as Marienne Bellamy. Season 4 will feature a number of new cast members, including Charlotte Ritchie as Kate, who will become Joe’s latest fixation despite her initial disdain for him.

Release Date: Part 1 February 9 2023, and Part 2 March 9, 2023

Superhero

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 2023 is a pivotal year. It was the period when the iconic battle against Thanos unfolded, snatching the beloved Iron Man from the fans. However, it is also the year for a lineup of action-packed, reality-altering, web-shooting Marvel flicks. Phase 4 was completed in November with the enormous success of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and this year we begin Phase 5 with a number of films and television programmes, carrying the legacy forward. The line-up, in order of release, is as follows:

• Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – February 17, 2023
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – May 5, 2023
• The Marvels – July 28, 2023
• Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse – June 2, 2023

Some of the returning actors in Phase 5 films include Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Lashana Lynch, Christ Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Karen Gillian, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, and Hailee Steinfeld. Several new characters are also joining us this time, including Will Poulter as Adam Warlock and Jonathan Majors as the fearsome Kang, who is believed to be one of the Avengers’ greatest threats to date.

Marvel debuted its TV show format in 2021 with the release of WandaVision, which went on to receive numerous accolades. Positive fan feedback encouraged them to improve and bring back more characters for the television platforms. We have been promised three eagerly anticipated shows this year that will continue the story of this new chapter. Although the public has not yet been given the release dates for the shows, it is anticipated that they will air in the summer or fall. The lineup is as follows:

• Secret Invasion
• Loki Season 2
• Ironheart

The returning cast members for these projects include Dominique Thorne, Martin Freeman, Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Don Cheadle, and Samuel L. Jackson. Emilia Clarke and Olivia Colman in Secret Invasion are the much-anticipated new additions to the family.

Action

Movie: Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning Part One

Tom Cruise’s daring stunts are insatiable, and it appears that we don’t have to wait long for more. In the seventh and final installment of the wildly successful blockbuster series Mission: Impossible, Cruise will return to the role of Impossible Missions Force (IMF) agent Ethan Hunt to face a perilous new adversary.

Although the plot has been scarcely described, Cruise did note in his interview with Empire that he would be riding a motorcycle off a cliff in this new movie, which would be one of the riskiest things he’s ever done. Tom Cruise is back in the role of the adventurous agent Ethan Hunt, while Rebecca Ferguson is back as his MI6 partner Ilsa Faust. Hayley Atwell, best known for her role as Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was the first major new casting announcement for the final instalment. Atwell will play the mysterious figure, Grace and serve as the film’s female lead.

Release Date:  July 14, 2023.

TV show: The Last Of Us

This is every gamer’s dream come true. After years of attempts, HBO finally succeeded in turning the critically acclaimed video game into a show. This 10-episode series will take viewers on an emotional rollercoaster and leave them craving for more at the end. As far as we are aware, the show is based on the first two segments of the game, which mostly concentrate on the characters’ journeys and backstories.

A smuggler named Joel is hired to escort a teenage girl named Ellie through a post-apocalyptic United States. Ellie is immune and might be able to assist in discovering a cure despite the fact that an infection has decimated the country. Along the route, the escort and the teen stumble into danger from menacing fungus-infected creatures and violent individuals.

The icing on the cake was the casting of people’s favourite television dad, Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller, and Game of Thrones star Belle Ramsay as Ellie Williams. More game characters are brought to life by Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Nico Parker as Sarah, Joel’s biological daughter, and Storm Reid as Riley Abel, Ellie’s best friend and future love interest. The show has been listed as one of the most expensive television shows ever produced.

Release Date: January 15, 2023

Adventure

Movie: Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny

In this fifth installment of the series, the distinguished adventurer, Indiana Jones, is taking a farewell ride before hanging up his hat and the whip. We don’t know much about the movie, but it is claimed to be set against the backdrop of the 1960s space race, with Wernher Von Braun, the notorious Nazi rocket scientist, serving as the inspiration for the nefarious Voller.

The ensemble cast has a number of outstanding performers, including Mads Mikkelson as Voller and Boyd Holbrook as Voller’s enforcer Klaber. But more significantly, “Fleabag” star Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays Indiana Jones’ goddaughter, his new accomplice, and perhaps future successor to the whip and fedora.

Release Date: June 30, 2023

TV Show: Shadow And The Bone (Season 2)

Calling all the Fantasy genre and Ben Barnes fangirls to reunite once again with Season 2 of Shadow and Bone approaching soon. The first season’s storylines, which saw Mal and Alina evading the Darkling, will be continued in this new season. The two closest friends go on a quest to locate the final magical Amplifiers, which was hinted at in Season 1 , in order to prevent the Darkling from obtaining them and to grant Alina the necessary strength to demolish the Shadow Fold.

The original cast is returning with Jessie Mei Lei as Alina, Ben Barnes as the Darkling, Freddy Carter as Kaz Brekker, Amita Suman as Inej Ghafa, and Kit Young as Jesper Fahey. Wylan the Sixth Crow and the mercenaries Tamar and Tolya make brief cameo appearances as well.

Release Date: March 16, 2023

Science-Fiction

Movie: Dune (Part two)

The first part of Dune was the ideal fusion of science fiction and Timothée Chalamet’s magnetic charisma. It rapidly rose to the status of the book and was hailed as one of the best movies of 2021. The director Denis Villeneuve decided to divide Frank Herbert’s book into two parts; Part One ended on a major cliffhanger, and this year a sequel will be released to wrap up the plot.

The plot of the film centres around Paul Atreides, who joins Chani and the Fremen in their quest for vengeance against the criminals who murdered his family. He must avert a horrific future that only he can see by choosing between the love of his life and the destiny of the universe.

Timothée Chalamet reprises his role as Paul Atreides in the sequel, and with him will be Zendaya’s Chani, Rebecca Ferguson’s Lady Jessica, Javier Bardem’s Stilgar, Stellan Skarsgard’s evil Baron Harkonnen, and Dave Bautista’s “The Beast.” The buzz around the movie escalated when “Elvis” star Austin Butler and “Midsommar” star Florence Pugh were revealed as new co-stars.

Release Date: November 3, 2023

TV Show: The Mandalorian (Season 3)

Pedro Pascal is gearing up to deliver the best dad roles in 2023, and we cannot thank him enough for that. After two years, he is set to return as Din Dajrin, also known as The Mandalorian, soon. Season one introduced us to the undeniably adorable father-son duo, Mando and Grogu (baby Yoda), who had become a fan favourite dynamic, and now the iconic combo comes back with more space adventures.

The third season picks up after the events of the Disney+ miniseries, The Book of Boba Fett from 2021, which had Mando  as a guest. Grogu had chosen to remain with Mando rather than become a Jedi, and they were seen travelling to “the living waters” beneath the planet Mandalore in order to restore Din Djarin’s honour and his identity as a Mandalorian after he violated the creed. Mando also triumphed in combat against Moff Gideon, taking possession of the Darksaber in the process. This could be a bone of friction between Moff and Mando, as well as Mando and Bo-Katan, who desire the Darksaber to rule over Mandalore.

Undoubtedly, Pedro Pascal reprises his role as The Mandalorian/Din Djarin, Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon, and Katee Sackhoff as Bo-Katan Kryze. The cast members have guaranteed that the new season will be better and denser with action and character beats while also being darker than earlier seasons.

Release Date: March 1, 2023

Conclusion

TV shows and movies have long been considered a means to escape from reality. Whether it’s soaring through space in Star Wars or climbing a skyscraper with Tom Cruise, it’s a simple act that allows us to flee the brutality of the actual world and enter an alternate universe for a few moments. It is hard to predict the ups and downs we may encounter this year, but at least a fantastic movie or show is assured to be ready for us at home to take our mind off things and help us rejuvenate.

Written By: Ruby and Priyanka

Edited By: Caitlin