Films you should have seen in the first half of 2023

Virgin Radio

4 Jul 2023, 13:03

Credit: Lionsgate / Walt Disney Studios / Sony Pictures

Can you believe we’re over halfway through the year already? There have been some excellent movies in cinemas so far in 2023, but have you managed to catch them?

While we await the likes of Barbie, Wonka, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and the Hunger Games prequel, let’s have a look at the highlights from the first half of the year. From blockbusters to romcoms and dramas, here are some noteworthy films:

John Wick: Chapter 4

The new John Wick movie sees Keanu Reeves’ titular character uncover a path to defeating the High Table, but before he is able to earn his freedom, he must face off against a new enemy, the Marquis de Gramont, played by Bill Skarsgård.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Yes, it only came out last week, so you’d be forgiven for not having caught it yet. But if Harrison Ford’s final outing as the Indi doesn’t get you to the cinema, what will?

Speaking to virginradio.co.uk and other press from the red carpet of the UK premiere, the Hollywood star said: “I always wanted to do a movie about him at this age. It's been 15 years since we did the last one. Clearly I've aged, and I don't want to run away from it. I wanted to do a story about a guy who depended on his youth, depended on his vigour, depended on his kooky young head to be brave, but has now matured, is in a different place in life, but it's the same guy.”

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

The sequel continues with the inventiveness, stunning visuals and sound that we saw in the first animated movie. After a surprise reunion with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn's friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence.

However, when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, he finds himself pitted against the other Spiders. He must soon redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.

The Fabelmans

Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama follows young Sammy Fabelman, who falls in love with movies after his parents take him to see The Greatest Show on Earth. Armed with a camera, Sammy starts to make his own films at home, much to the delight of his supportive mother.

Speaking to virginradio.co.uk and other press on the red carpet of The Fabelmans UK premiere, the director said: “The Fabelmans is, for me, the most personal story that I've ever attempted to talk about and to show you.”

Creed III

Michael B Jordan not only starred as Adonis Creed in the latest sequel, but he also went behind the camera as the film’s director.

Creed III marks the first film in the Rocky Franchise without Sylvester Stallone as iconic boxing figure, Rocky Balboa.

Seconds out…

Scream VI

Ghostface returns… again, but this time, the mask-wearing murderer heads to the Big Apple to terrorise some familiar faces, including fan-faves played by Courteney Cox, Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera.

This new instalment also welcomes back Hayden Panettiere, and is filled with all the scares, blood and meta references that you’d hope for from the franchise.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

The third film in the series sees Will Poulter join the Marvel Cinematic universe.

The actor joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with cinch to speak about becoming a cast member. “They're the nicest bunch,” he told Chris. “I was a bit nervous as the new boy coming in. It's a huge film and they were so sweet. For a film that looks so kind of scary from the outside just in terms of the spectacle of it all and the size and whatnot, when you get on set, it runs like an independent comedy with James [Gunn - director] kind of shouting things out from behind the monitor. They're all just trying to make each other laugh and it was wicked.”

Rye Lane

This rom-com follows Yas and Dom, two twenty-somethings both reeling from bad break-ups.

They connect over the course of an eventful day in South London - helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance.

The movie has been a hit with viewers and critics alike and is well worth 82 minutes of your time.

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On

If stop-motion animation with a sweet, touching storyline is your thing, then you really should have caught Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.

The film is about a tiny talking shell (with shoes on), who lives with his grandmother and hopes to reunite with his long-lost family.

Air

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have teamed up again for a film which focuses on the rise of Nike.

The duo, who have previously performed together in the likes of Good Will Hunting, Chasing Amy and The Last Duel, play the sporting apparel company’s co-founder and executive as they bid to sign basketball legend Michael Jordan.