And just like that, it’s 2023. However, as we all know January isn’t a great month for movies. It was slim pickings to even get five worthy additions for this list. There’s a Gerard Butler action movie called Plane, and a Tom Hanks movie about a grumpy old man who becomes less grumpy because of his winsome neighbours (the movie’s title is A Man Called Otto, if you’re eager to check it out). Those two movies didn’t make the list because they didn’t seem like they would be very good. Here’s hoping the ones on this list of the biggest new movies of January 2023.
New Movies of January 2023
1. M3GAN | January 6th, 2023
M3GAN set the internet ablaze with her amazing dance skills and feud with Chucky, so it’s no surprise the movie’s on this list. The script is penned by Akela Cooper, from a story she devised together with James Wan, and as we all know, the pair worked on Malignant as well. As you can imagine, we’re expecting a no-holds-barred good time. Wan calls the movie Annabelle meets The Terminator, which is quite the description.
Directed by Gerard Johnstone, M3GAN follows Gemma (Allison Williams), a robotics engineer who designs a robot doll for her niece Cady (Violet McGraw) called M3GAN. M3GAN and Cady get along swimmingly, until M3GAN starts to develop a mind of her own and evolves into something that Gemma can’t control.
2. Alice, Darling | January 20th, 2023
Don’t Worry Darling was plagued with controversy and poor critical reception upon its release. Let’s hope that similar fates don’t await movies with the word ‘Darling’ in the title.
Anna Kendrick plays Alice, a woman pushed to the breaking point by her psychologically abusive boyfriend, Simon (Charlie Carrick). While on vacation with her two girlfriends, Alice rediscovers who she is and starts to see the toxic relationship for what it is. She allows herself to push past the bonds of codependency she has with him, but Simon’s not going to let go so easily.
The early reviews have been quite complimentary, and hopefully the momentum continues when the movie gets its full release.
3. Missing | January 20th, 2023
Searching, directed by Aneesh Chaganty, was one of the best movies of 2018. Missing is in the same franchise, with the entire story told through screens. However, based on the trailer, it does feel less organic than Searching, but if you enjoy movies with this premise, then this should be quite the treat.
When her mother (Nia Long) disappears while on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend Kevin (Ken Leung), June’s (Storm Reid) is desperate for answers but can’t seem to get any. Stuck in Los Angeles, June refuses to just wait for news to come her way, and utilises all means to try and find her mom before it’s too late. However, as she digs into her mother’s disappearance, her digital sleuthing raises more questions than answers.
4. Teen Wolf: The Movie | January 26th, 2023
If Teen Wolf the TV series isn’t something you know, then you can’t sit with us. Just kidding, but you should still check out the original series.
Most of the original cast are resuming their roles for this movie, though fans are disappointed that Dylan O’Brien and Arden Cho are not returning as well. The details of the plot in question aren’t fleshed out exactly, but we know that it takes place in Beacon Hills and the gang are taking on shapeshifters of some kind. Crystal Reed, who exited the series after her character’s death, is also somehow back. I guess when the premise of your show is supernatural, no one’s ever truly dead.
The film stars Tyler Posey, Holland Roden, Shelley Hennig, Crystal Reed, Orny Adams, Linden Ashby, JR Bourne, Seth Gilliam, Colton Haynes, Ryan Kelly, Melissa Ponzio, Dylan Sprayberry, Tyler Hoechlin, Khylin Rhambo, Ian Bohen, and Roscoe. Like I said, the gang’s back together again.
5. Shotgun Wedding | January 27th, 2023
In Shotgun Wedding, couple Darcy (Jennifer Lopez) and Tom (Josh Duhamel) gather their families for the ultimate destination wedding, and now, just as celebrations are underway, the couple find themselves getting cold feet. Suddenly, everyone’s lives are in danger when the entire party is taken hostage. Darcy and Tom need to work together to save their loved ones – if they don’t kill each other first.
Shotgun Wedding is directed by Jason Moore, the same director of Pitch Perfect and Sisters. Besides Lopez and Duhamel, the film also features a talented and star-studded cast, with the likes of Jennifer Coolidge, Sônia Braga, Cheech Marin, Selena Tan, D’Arcy Carden, Callie Hernandez, Desmin Borges, Steve Coulter, and Lenny Kravitz.
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