Sci-fi has always been an exploration of what the world could be. It can show idyllic futures or post-apocalyptic nightmares. It can be used as a vehicle for deep explorations of complex topics or create fun escapist adventures. At its core, sci-fi scratches that particular part of our brain that wonders what the world might look like. 2023 has been a pretty strong year in science fiction, offering a little something for everybody of all ages.
Updated May 9, 2023: If you're a fan of all things Sci-Fi, you'll be glad to know this article was updated by Amanda Minchin to reflect ongoing releases.
Television series like The Last of Us have received critical acclaim and high ratings. Marvel fans have been enjoying films like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and the recently released Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The Flash is set to conclude its run on television. Star Wars fans have already had four television series The Bad Batch, The Mandalorian, Visions, and Young Jedi Adventures. As 2023 moves forward, it's time to survey what's left of the selection of sci-fi shows and films due to premiere this year. Hopefully, audiences will be astounded by the vital commentary, fascinating characters, and alluring scenery these select cinemas and shows have to offer.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is the latest entry in the Transformers film series and a sequel to 2018's Bumblebee. The film is set to introduce fan-favorite characters from The Beast Wars series as well as the fan-favorite villain Unicron. Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback will star as the main humans. Peter Cullen reprises his role as Optimus Prime with Ron Perlman, Pete Davidson, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, and Colman Domingo joining the voice cast. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts opens in theaters on June 9, 2023.
Gen V
Audiences have been on the edge of their seats ever since this highly anticipated spin-off to The Boys was teased in 2022. Gen V is based on the We Gotta Go Now story arc of The Boys comics. Eric Kripke's latest expansion follows burgeoning superheroes attending the fictional Godolkin University. Owned by Vought International, the college aims to prepare its super-powered students to become the superheroes of tomorrow.
The casting of the series looks quite promising. Jaz Sinclair of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina fame stars as Marie Moreau. She is joined by former castmate Chance Perdomo, along with Patrick Schwarzenegger and Lizzie Broadway. Furthermore, Jessie T. Usher, Colby Minifie, and P.J. Byrne reprise their roles as the arrogant A-Train, the calculated Ashley Barrett, and filmmaker Adam Bourke respectively.
Given what audiences know about the roster of The Boys, the teachers, and products of this school will be nothing short of terrifying. Audiences should expect the same vapid, dangerous, and materialistic traits found in the heroes we love to hate in this new set of supers. The upcoming series practically guarantees a new flock of fan favorites for avid watchers of The Boys. With a strong cast and a compelling story, this heavily anticipated spin-off will likely become yet another hit for Amazon Prime.
The Three-Body Problem
The Three-Body Problem is expected to arrive in 2023 on Netflix. Based on the science fiction novel of the same name, Liu Cixin's novel chronicled the adventures of a Chinese scientist who makes a landmark discovery while working to untangle an ominous conspiracy that threatens to destabilize the scientific community.
Announced in late 2020, David Benoif and D.B. Weiss (of Game of Thrones) were revealed to be the developers behind the show, co-writing alongside Alexander Woo. Liu Cixin has also been invited to the show as a consulting producer. The series itself is expected to star Benedict Wong, Eiza Gonzales, and Tsai Chin. Much like the novel, the series is expected to integrate virtual reality as the basis of the world. This particular virtual reality program allows scientists to communicate with an extraterrestrial species whom some welcome while others perceive as a threat.
The novels contain rich lore and unique themes centered around the Century of Humiliation, The Chinese Cultural Revolution, and how those two eras lay the groundwork for China's future. It will be intriguing to witness whether the Netflix-assisted crew can capture the essence of the novels while adhering to Netflix's criteria for success. Interestingly enough, the book has already been beaten to the punch by another Chinese adaptation this year.
The Mothership
Halle Berry is by no means a stranger to science fiction fans and is set to star in the Netflix film The Mothership. The film finds Berry and her children abandoned on their rural farm after her husband mysteriously disappears. Soon after, they discover a strange, extraterrestrial object hidden beneath their home and set out to find out the truth behind his sudden disappearance. This sci-fi adventure, written and directed by Matt Charman, is planned for release later this year.
Asteroid City
In Asteroid City, the year is 1955. A fictional desert town has been invaded by members of the annual Junior Stargazer Convention. Soon, the town and the world will find themselves irreversibly disrupted by a series of reality-changing events. Wes Anderson's take on the space race is decidedly quirky. Anderson is known for his world-building aesthetic, in which the most minute details are created in his image.
This film will, of course, host an impressive cast, including, but by no means limited to, Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie, and Jeff Goldblum. It's set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, followed by a widespread release in June.
They Cloned Tyrone
Another sci-fi original set to premiere this year, They Cloned Tyrone is a pulpy sci-fi adventure that will star John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, Kiefer Sutherland, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Jamie Foxx, respectively. Foxx is no stranger to the Netflix movie scene, having starred in Day Shift last year and shooting the upcoming Back in Action with Cameron Diaz. Foxx also serves as a producer for this movie.
Frankly, the title alone sets the tone for this dark comedy sci-fi. Non-traditional to its core, this investigation into the nefarious medical dealings of Uncle Sam in the Black community (already a hot button historically) will likely take center stage in the film. They Cloned Tyrone will premiere at the American Black Film Festival in June before its released on Netflix in July.
Ahsoka
Developed by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni for Disney+, Ahsoka stars genre powerhouse Rosario Dawson finds herself once again in the titular role following the character's most recent iteration in The Mandalorian. The series starts after the fall of the Galactic Empire and follows the former Jedi Knight as she investigates a newly emerging intergalactic threat. Star Wars fans have been clamoring for more of this awesome character since she was first introduced in The Clone Wars in 2008 as Anakin Skywalker’s newly assigned Padawan learner.
Related: Why Ahsoka Is a Jedi Again, Explained
The series will also serve as a continuation of the animated Star Wars Rebels storyline. Several characters from the show are set to make an appearance in the miniseries, including Hera Syndula, Sabine Wren, Ezra Bridger, and Grand Admiral Thrawn. Hayden Christensen is set to reprise his role as Anakin Skywalker, making it the first time the actor has appeared with his character's padawan. Ahsoka will also lay the groundwork for the eventual crossover film with The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett being developed by Dave Filoni. Ahoska will premiere on Disney+ in August 2023 with eight episodes.
Secret Invasion
2023 is set to be a very cosmic year for Marvel, after having just released Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, their next entry will be another sci-fi series, this time bringing it down to Earth. Fans of Nick Fury will be pleased to learn that both he will be leading the Marvel TV miniseries Secret Invasion with Cobie Smulders' Maria Hill joining him. In it, Fury finds himself once again having to recruit the best of the best after he uncovers that shape-shifting alien Skrulls have infiltrated the Earth, placing themselves in increasing positions of power along the way.
In addition to Jackson and Smulders, the cast includes newcomers Kingsley Ben-Adir, Emilia Clarke, and Olivia Colman. Ben Mendelsohn, Don Cheadle, and Martin Freeman will also reprise their roles as Talos, James "Rhodey" Rhodes, and ex-CIA agent Everett K. Ross, respectively. Secret Invasion premieres on Disney+ on June 21, 2023, and is expected to have major repercussions for the MCU moving forward.
The Marvels
Rounding out Marvel's very cosmic 2023 is The Marvels. The newly introduced Kamala Khan (Imani Vellani) will join Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) in the epic crossover event. In this film, the three heroes will find their journeys intertwined after they begin to swap places. After realizing the mishaps are connected to their powers, the trio must band together to seek out the source. This movie will act as a sequel to Captain Marvel while also serving as a continuation of Ms. Marvel and WandaVision.
Related: Does The Marvels Trailer Song Reveal a Hidden Surprise?
Candyman director Nia DaCosta has been announced as the director, adapting a screenplay she co-wrote alongside Megan McDonnell, Elissa Karasik, and Zeb Wells. The most intriguing aspect of the film is, of course, the relationship dynamics. For example, Vellani's character already has a strong sense of admiration for Captain Marvel. One can only imagine what interacting so closely with her hero will be like. The Marvels have the talent both onscreen and off, along with the established backstories necessary to produce a film that is not only action-packed and comedic but, more importantly, earnest and enjoyable to boot.
Dune: Part Two
2023 is shaping up to be a big year for the Dune franchise. Fans have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Denis Villeneuve's second installment, Dune: Part Two, ever since leaving Dune: Part One in theaters nearly two years ago. The initial installment, while celebrated, was largely seen as (necessary) exposition, a reminder to audiences that world-building for Dune is a crucial yet complex task. In taking his time with the first, Villeneuve succeeded in laying the framework for the rest of the franchise.
The second installment centers around the second half of the novel, namely documenting Paul's union with the Fremen and his thirst for revenge following the events of the first film. The film stars Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya as Paul Atredies, Lady Jessica Atreides, and Chani, respectively. Florence Pugh, of Midsommar and Don't Worry Darling fame, joins the cast as Princess Irulan, daughter of the Emperor, who will be played by Christopher Walken. In addition, Academy Award nominee Austin Butler has joined the cast as Feyd-Rautha. Dune: Part Two has all the instruments necessary for a captivating follow-up, one that could even be expanded into a third movie.
Dune: The Sisterhood
Max has also recently announced news of an upcoming series that revolves around the mysterious Bene Gesserit. Dune: The Sisterhood is a prequel that focuses on the secretive sect's inception, which takes place 10,000 years before Paul Atreides' rise.
The series will undoubtedly set the foundation for the film franchise while introducing the necessary context for people stumbling upon the Dune series for the first time. The series has faced some creative delays. One of the original series showrunners, Diane Ademu-John, stepped down in November 2022. Then in February 2023, the pilot director Johan Renck and star Shirley Henderson dropped out of the project. With the ongoing writers' strike, it is unknown if Dune: The Sisterhood will premiere in time for 2023 and may be released after Dune: Part Two.
Rebel Moon
Rebel Moon was originally Snyder's pitch for a Star Wars film that he turned into its own property. The film follows a peaceful colony threatened with invasion. The fate of the universe lies in the palms of a young woman named Kora (Sofia Boutella), who, of course, has a mysterious past of her own. The cast includes Djimon Hounsou, Charlie Hunnam, Ray Fisher, Jena Malone, Ed Skrein, and Michiel Huisman.
The premise of Rebel Moon may seem rather rudimentary at a glance. However, this will allow Synder and his collaborators to take the film anywhere they want. Snyder could create a captivating action film out of the story, or the story could dive deeper into the ramifications of space exploration with an eye to mirroring international politics today. With talks of at least a sequel already underway, Rebel Moon may very well join Netflix's modern canon of genre classics.
The Flash
The Flash is an important film for the future of DC films. It will mark the end of the DCEU that began with Man of Steel back in 2013 while transitioning into James Gunn's new DCU. The multiverse has really become a hot commodity for writers ranging from films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to the Academy Award-winning Everything Everywhere All At Once.
The movie will see Barry Allen alter the timeline and see various multiverses compelled together into a new reality. The Flash will have time travel, alternate realities, aliens, and superheroes making it a mash-up of some of the best hallmarks in science fiction. The Flash opens in theaters on June 16, 2023.
