According to IMDb’s Most Anticipated Movies and Series of 2023, the comedy Barbie is the most anticipated movie, while the horror sci-fi drama The Last of Us is the most anticipated TV show. Are there any more horror shows on the TV series and streaming list? And what about the movie list? Did any scary movies make the top 10 there?
Spoiler: Yes!
Before we take a closer look, let’s first discuss how IMDb, the world’s most popular and authoritative source for information on movies, TV shows, and celebrities, compiled its list.
Rather than base its annual rankings on small statistical samplings or reviews from professional critics, IMDb determines its list of the most anticipated titles by the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb. This exclusive and definitive data is derived from the IMDbPro movie and TV rankings, which are updated weekly throughout the year.
“IMDb customers are eagerly anticipating tales of iconic childhood characters like Barbie, Ariel, and Winnie-the-Pooh, as well as new storylines from popular video game franchises Mario, and The Last of Us,” said Nikki Santoro, IMDb chief operating officer. “What a lineup of incredible titles coming in 2023 for entertainment fans to start loading onto their IMDb Watchlists.”
Okay, now that we know the list is truly reflective of viewer interest, let’s unpack what titles made the top 10 in both movies and TV shows.
IMDb’s Most Anticipated Movies of 2023*
Exact release dates have been included if they’ve already been announced, as have trailers if they’ve already been released. All synopses are from IMDb.
1. Barbie
Release date: July 21, 2023
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Synopsis: Barbie lives in Barbie Land and then a story happens.
2. Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey
Release date: February 15, 2023
Genre: Horror
Synopsis: It follows Pooh and Piglet as they go on a rampage after Christopher Robin abandons them for college.
3 Killers of the Flower Moon
Release date: 2023
Genre: Crime, Drama, History, Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis: Members of the Osage tribe in the United States are murdered under mysterious circumstances in the 1920s sparking a major F.B.I. investigation involving J. Edgar Hoover.
4. Oppenheimer
Release date: July 21, 2023
Genre: Biography, Drama, History,
Synopsis: The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
5. The Little Mermaid
Release date: May 26, 2023
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Synopsis: A young mermaid makes a deal with a sea witch, to trade her beautiful voice for human legs so she can discover the world above water and impress a prince.
6. The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Release date: April 7, 2023
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Synopsis: The story of The Super Mario Bros. on their journey through the Mushroom Kingdom
7. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Release date: June 30, 2023
Genre: Action, Adventure
Synopsis: Experience the return of legendary hero, Indiana Jones, in the fifth installment of this beloved swashbuckling series of films. Finding himself in a new era, approaching retirement, Indy wrestles with fitting into a world that seems to have outgrown him. But as the tentacles of an all-too-familiar evil return in the form of an old rival, Indy must don his hat and pick up his whip once more to make sure an ancient and powerful artifact doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
8. John Wick: Chapter 4
Release date: March 24, 2023
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Synopsis: John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
9. The Expendables 4
Release date: September 22, 2023
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Synopsis: The Expendables will square up against: an arms dealer who commands the might of a massive private army.
10. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Release date:
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Synopsis: Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne, along with Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne, explore the Quantum Realm, where they interact with strange creatures and embark on an adventure that goes beyond the limits of what they thought was possible.
*Among the movies with planned releases in 2023, these 10 were consistently the most popular with IMDb users, as determined by the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide in 2022. This exclusive data is derived from the IMDbPro movie rankings, which are updated weekly throughout the year. IMDb users can add these and other titles to their IMDb Watchlist, and get alerts when they become available.
IMDb’s Most Anticipated New Series of 2023*
Exact release dates have been included if they’ve already been announced, as have trailers if they’ve already been released.
1. The Last of Us
Release date: January 15, 2023
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Synopsis: Joel and Ellie, a pair connected through the harshness of the world they live in, are forced to endure brutal circumstances and ruthless killers on a trek across post-pandemic America.
Where to watch: HBO Max
2. Secret Invasion
Release date: 2023
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Synopsis: Fury and Talos try to stop the Skrulls who have infiltrated the highest spheres of the Marvel Universe.
Where to watch: Disney+
3. The Fall of the House of Usher
Release date: 2023
Genre: Drama, Horror
Synopsis: An unnamed narrator approaches the house of Usher on a “dull, dark, and soundless day.” This house, the estate of his boyhood friend, Roderick Usher is gloomy and mysterious.
Where to watch: Netflix
No trailer yet.
4. Love and Death
Release date: 2023
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis: Two churchgoing couples enjoy small town family life in Texas – until somebody picks up an axe. Based on the Candy Montgomery murder of Betty Gore.
Where to watch: HBO Max
No trailer yet.
5. Ahsoka
Release date: March 12, 2023
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Synopsis: Series centers on the adventures of Ahsoka Tano. A spin-off of The Book of Boba Fett.
Where to watch: Disney+
6. Masters of the Air
Release date: 2023
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, War
Synopsis: Five miles above the earth and deep behind enemy lines, eleven men inside a bomber known as the “Flying Fortress” fight for their lives against swarms of enemy German fighters. As American bombers are picked off one by one, their mission becomes very clear: survive.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
No trailer yet.
7. Ironheart
Release date: 2023
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Synopsis: Genius teenage inventor Riri Williams creates the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man.
Where to watch: Disney+
8. Echo
Release date: 2023
Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime
Synopsis: Maya Lopez must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward.
Where to watch: Disney+
9. Gotham Knights
Release date: March 14, 2023
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne is murdered and his adopted son forges an alliance with the children of Batman’s enemies. As the city becomes more dangerous, these mismatched fugitives will become its next generation of saviors, known as the Gotham Knights.
Where to watch: CW
10. The Continental
Release date: 2023
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Synopsis: The Continental is a chain of hotels located all around the world that function as a neutral territory for members of the criminal underworld. They are frequented by many hitmen and notorious murderers. (Tihs series is a John Wick spinoff prequel.)
Where to watch: Prime Video
No trailer yet.
*The 10 new TV shows and limited series that will premiere in 2023 and consistently ranked highest on the IMDbPro proprietary weekly TV rankings throughout 2022. IMDbPro rankings are based on the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide. IMDb users can add these and other titles to their IMDb Watchlist, and get alerts when they become available.
Analysis
Most Popular Genre – Movie
As far as genres go, Adventure was the most popular genre, with six of the titles falling into that category. Action came in second with four. Only one horror movie made the list.
Most Popular Genre – TV shows
Eight out of the 10 most anticipated 2023 series on IMDb’s list specify Action as at least one of their genres. Drama came in a close second with seven shows listing it among their genres. Horror only appeared in two shows.
Streamer with the Most Anticipated TV Shows
Disney+ reigned supreme with four of its 2023 offerings making the most anticipated list. HBO Max had two. Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime Video, and CW had one a piece.
Horror Ranked High
Even though it wasn’t the most popular genre, the second most anticipated movie of 2023, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, is Horror. The most anticipated new series, The Last of Us, is a multi-genre show, with Horror being one of them. Same with the third most anticipated series, The Fall of the House of Usher.
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What about you? Are you anticipating any of these movies or TV shows in 2023?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
The Fall of the House of Usher! I’m up for that!
SAME!!!! And then the Winnie-the-Pooh one…I think I’m suffering from FOMO. It has me intrigued to see what others are seeing in it that I’m missing. lol
But most of all I’m most anticipating The Last of Us. I’m a sucker for apocalypse shows like that!
Ha, Blood and Honey looks hilarious…would it be weird to say The Little Mermaid? (Dinglehoppers, unite!) But I’m a huge Indy fan, so…yeah…
Oooo! How fun! I love your picks! I’m always so curious to know what appeals to others so thanks for sharing!