Design by Madison Echlin.
—2022 has been an explosive year for the film industry, with the releases of “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Wednesday.” As we close out the year and venture into 2023, there is much more entertainment to expect.
Here’s a list of upcoming movies and TV shows to look forward to at the end of the year and into 2023.
“Avatar: The Way of the Water” (Dec. 16)
It’s been a long time coming, but the second installment of the 2009 sci-fi epic “Avatar” will finally hit the theaters this month. With the movie running for 3 hours and 12 minutes, its trailer gives us a taste of blue-tinged landscapes, detailed CGI and majestic music. The sequel sees Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, and Netriyi, played by Zoe Saldana, fighting to protect their newly-formed family and Pandora from outsiders. Hopefully, James Cameron will fuel the nostalgia, passion and wonder we’ve been missing.
“Babylon” (Dec. 23)
From the director of “La la Land,” “Babylon” boasts a star-studded cast of Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Tobey Maguire, Diego Calva and Olivia Wilde, among others. The period piece-action-comedy is set in the Golden Age of Hollywood and focuses on film assistant Manny Torres, played by Calva, as he pursues a career in acting. Equal parts laughter, heart, bloody action and wild spectacle, “Babylon” may be one for the history books.
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” (Dec. 23)
Noami Ackie is Whitney Houston in this biopic. Directed by Kasi Lemmons and written by Anthony McCarten, writer of the “Bohemian Rhapsody” film, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” focuses on the late R&B icon’s rise to fame, as well as her relationship with record producer Clive Davis, played by Stanley Tucci. With scenes including Houston’s famed national anthem rendition and the performance that got her discovered, this film will be important in cementing the singer’s legacy of unmatched vocal ability.
“Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania” (Feb. 17, 2023)
Following the end of Marvel’s Phase 4 with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” this third installment in the beloved Ant-Man movies marks the beginning of Phase 5. “Quantumania” follows Scott Lang or Antman, played by Paul Rudd, and Hope van Dyne, played by Evangeline Lilly, as they are transported to the Quantum Realm. In addition to dangerous adventures and interactions with strange creatures, this movie will also introduce Kang the Conqueror, who is set to be the next cross-movie villain in the MCU.
“1923” (Dec. 18)
“1923” is the second prequel series to the Paramount+ series, “Yellowstone,” a neo-Western drama centered around the Dutton family, owners of the largest ranch in Montana. Following the first Yellowstone prequel show “1882,” “1923” delves into the family 40 years later with Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren playing Jacob and Cara Dutton, respectively. The show will focus on the Duttons as they navigate natural disasters, crime and economic crises.
“Emily in Paris,” Season 3 (Dec. 21)
After ending Season 2 with a cliffhanger, Netflix has confirmed that Emily Cooper will be staying in the city for a third season of romantic struggles, Vespa rides and questionable fashion choices. We last saw Emily, played by Lily Collins, being asked to join her boss Sylvie in the latter’s venture to start her own firm. Also, friend and love interest Alfie, played by Lucie Laviscount, asked Emily to start a long-distance relationship with him. Only Season 3 will tell what Emily decided and what the consequences will be.
“That 90s Show” (Jan. 19, 2023)
Set about 20 years, after the iconic “That 70s Show” with Topher Grace and Laura Prepon, “That 90s Show” centers around Leia Forman, the teenage daughter of Grace and Laura’s characters, Eric Forman and Donna Pinciotti respectively, as she spends the summer of 1995 with her grandparents. This Netflix reboot will also see cameos from Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher.
“YOU,” Season 4 (Feb. 9, 2022)
The last time we saw Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgley and his navy baseball cap, he was stalking the streets of Paris undetected after murdering his equally, if not more psychotic wife, Love Quinn, played by Victoria Pedretti. After giving away his baby and faking his own death, Joe seems to now be pursuing his librarian crush, Marienne Bellamy, played by Tati Gabrielle, who discovered his murderous pastimes in the Season 3 finale. This fourth season of “YOU” is sure to be, in typical Joe Goldberg fashion, twisted and horrifyingly thrilling.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
