After a unique year for the genre, every upcoming superhero movie in 2023 has an important role to play in the movie landscape, especially for the MCU and DCEU. The rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2008 and increasing competition from DC and Sony's Spider-Man franchises have made it so comic book movies are frequently some of the most popular films each year. 2022 was no different, as nine superhero movies were released from various existing cinematic universes and a few new attempted franchise starters. This does not even take the various superhero TV shows releasing on network television and streaming services into account, which are set to extend the DC and MCU release timeline respectively.

2023's superhero movies represent more examples of how the genre is changing and evolving as time goes on. MCU Phase 5 kicked off in full force with three highly anticipated sequels, two of which end current trilogies. Meanwhile, the DCEU movie roster comes to an end in 2023, as DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran prepare plans to reboot the DC Universe. Sony is also set to continue exploring two sides of its Spider-Man franchises, one with strong multiverse connections and one that is another Spider-Man villain solo film. All in all, 2023 brings eight superhero movies that encompass the MCU, DCU, and Spider-Verse.

Related: All Marvel Movies Releasing In 2023

2 The Marvels - November 10, 2023

The final MCU 2023 movie arrives on July 28 with The Marvels. Directed by Candyman's Nia DaCosta, the Captain Marvel sequel is releasing four years after the original. It stars Bris Larson's Carol Danvers, Iman Vellani's Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris' Monica Rambeau. The Marvels' story is still mostly unknown, although it was teased through Ms. Marvel's post-credits scene and showing Carol and Kamala Khan swapping places. The movie does include Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) again and introduces Zawe Ashton as a mysterious new villain. The Marvels is also expected to feature more of the Skrulls and Kree, reportedly even answering questions left by the original movie.

Related: The Marvels: Cast, Story & Everything We Know

1 Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom - December 25, 2023

The final upcoming 2023 superhero movie arrives on December 25 when Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom debuts. The sequel to 2018's surprise box office hit is once again directed by James Wan and brings Jason Momoa back as Arthur Curry. Aquaman 2 is taking the story in a surprising direction, as the movie has been described as a buddy adventure film with Aquaman and his villain half-brother Ocean Master (Patrick Wilson). It is also known that Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) returns, but it remains to be seen if Mera (Amber Heard) will make the final cut. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is planned as the final DCEU film.

Related: Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom: Cast, Story, & Everything We Know

Superhero Movies Already Released In 2023

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania - February 17, 2023

2023's first superhero movie was Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which debuted in theaters on February 17. Directed by Peyton Reed, the movie began MCU Phase 5, serving as audience's initiation into the Multiverse Saga. The sequel brings back franchise leads Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, for a story that follows Ant-Man, Wasp, Hank Pym, Janet van Dyne, and a recast Cassie Lang getting stuck in the Quantum Realm. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania also introduced Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), who is set to be the MCU's big bad throughout the Multiverse Saga.

Shazam: Fury of the Gods - March 17, 2023

The first DC superhero movie of 2023 arrived on March 17, when Shazam: Fury of the Gods hit theaters. Coming four years after the original film was released, Shazam 2 was directed by David F. Sandberg, and once again starred Zachary Levi and Asher Angel as Shazam/Billy Batson. The entire Shazam Family cast also returned, alongside the introduction of DC's Daughters of Atlas - Hespera (Helen Mirren), Kalypso (Lucy Liu), and Anthea (Rachel Zegler) - who played both villains and allies in the movie.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 - May 5, 2023

The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise returned after a six-year hiatus when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 released on May 5, finishing the movie trilogy. The 2023 superhero movie was directed by James Gunn and brought the original Guardians team together one more time before the new Guardians of the Galaxy team formed. The story follows Star-Lord's (Chris Pratt) search for Gamora (Zoe Saldaña) and Rocket's (Bradley Cooper) origin. The team also will fight the villainous High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) and Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), with the latter becoming a part of the new Guardians roster, finally capitalizing on the character's introduction in 2017.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - June 2, 2023

The first of Sony's 2023 superhero movies was Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which debuted in theaters on June 2. The sequel to Sony's surprise animated hit Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse retains writers Phil Lord and Chris Miller but brings in a new trio of directors with various experience in the genre. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's story follows Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), and Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) once more as they get wrapped up in a multiversal Spider-Man fight. This includes utilizing Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac), Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya), Spider-Woman (Issa Rae), and more.

The Flash - June 16, 2023

Another multiverse 2023 superhero movie arrived on June 16 when Warner Bros. finally released The Flash. Originally announced in 2014, the long-awaited solo film for Barry Allen comes from IT director Andy Muschietti, and retained controversial star Ezra Miller after their past DC movie appearances. The Flash's multiverse story allows Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton's Batman to play roles and explain the introduction of Supergirl (Sasha Calle). The story follows Barry Allen trying to save his mother from dying which changes the universe, and received a less than stellar reception upon its release.

Blue Beetle - August 18, 2023

The DC 2023 movie slate also saw Blue Beetle release in August. The film stars Cobra Kai's Xolo Maridueña and is an origin story for Jaime Reyes, a Latino teenager who bonds with a symbiotic scarab that gives him superpowers, transforming him into Blue Beetle. It is directed by Ángel Manuel Soto (Charm City Kings) and marks the first feature film live-action appearance by the comic character. Blue Beetle is also the first superhero movie starring a Latino hero.