2022 saw plenty of mesmerizingmusicalsstriking viewers with awe.Elvis(2022) would be one of the most prominent musicals, being nominated for multiple Academy Awards and featuring many of “the King’s” iconic songs. We would also see musical adaptations such asRoald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical(2022) on Netflix as well asSpirited(2022), the musically comedic adaptation of Charles Dickens' famousChristmas Carol.
On this list, we are going to look ahead to the near future as we go over the most anticipated musical projects coming in 2023. We will have a primary focus on musical films, but we will also be including projects that fall under the “musical biography” and “musical series” genres. We’ll be basing our rankings on each project’s anticipation as well as glimpses at any relevant information that is available at the time of writing.
8Spinning Gold
While films such asElvis(2022),Bohemian Rhapsody(2018), andRocketman(2019) would shed their focus on the performers,Spinning Gold(2023) will focus on the man behind the scenes. In this instance, that man is Neil Bogart (Jeremy Jordan), the founder of Casablanca Records. With the focus on a man who has been a part of many different artists' careers, this film’s musical acts will be varied and nostalgic. The cast involved have experience in the music industry, with Wiz Khalifa playing George Clinton, Jason Derulo playing Ron Isley, Sam Harris as Paul Stanley, Ledisi as Gladys Knight, and more. The film is set to arrive soon, with its current release date scheduled for March 31st.
7Spellbound
While not much is known about this animated film’s story, what we do know about the team behind the film has us excited for what is to come. Skydance Animation has already released its debut production inLuck(2022). With that film helping to build a good rapport with Apple,Spellbound(2022) will also see a release on Apple TV Plus, with a United States release date currently set for June 18th.
The music for this film is guaranteed to be stellar, with Alan Menken leading the charge. Menken is known for his extensive work with Disney on films such asAladdin(1992 & 2019),Pocahontas(1995),Tangled(2010), and more. The castwill include Rachel Zeigler, who has played Maria inWest Side Story(2021), Jordan Fisher, who has performed in multiple stage musicals, notably as John Laurens/Phillip Hamilton inHamiltonand Mark Cohen inRent: Live, and Nicole Kidman, who has played Satine inMoulin Rouge(2001) among others.
6The Color Purple
The Color Purpleis a story about African-American women’s hardships in 1900s Southern America and has gone through many mediums. In 1982, the story was told for the first time in a published novel authored by Alice Walker, which would go on to win a Pulitzer. It would then be adapted into a film in 1985 with Steven Spielberg at the helm. Then, in 2005, the story would take to the stage in the form of a musical. This musical will return the story to film, with a release date of December 20th. And with such a strong story and music, this film needed powerful voices, and they delivered with additions such as Fantasia, H.E.R, Ciara, and Halle Berry being cast in the movie. Establishedactors such as Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, & Corey Hawkins will join them.
5Trolls Band Together
The only sequel to make this list,Trolls Band TogetherorTrolls 3(2023), is the third entry in the main series of films featuring Poppy (Anna Kendrick), Branch (Justin Timberlake), and all of their friends as they work together to face another threat to their peaceful and musical existence.
After Branch managed to get his color back inTrolls(2016) and the team helped to bring all the different Troll tribes together inTrolls World Tour(2020), one has to wonder what the next threat the group faces could be. And as for the music that may be involved, we’ve already seen the six tribes: Pop, Hard Rock, Country, Funk, Techno, Classical, and multiple sub-genres. Perhaps it’s time to see a new genre take center stage. Families will be excited to return to theaters on November 17th.
Related:Trolls 3 is Coming Exclusively to Movie Theaters for Thanksgiving 2023
Audiences have wondered what exactly goes on in the mind of Willy Wonka, the seeming madman behind the chocolate factory. We’ve seen his maniacal machinations first inWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factory(1971) and again in the remakeCharlie and the Chocolate Factory(2005). Mr. Wonka seems to hold little regard for the state of his visitors and maintains a posture that could lead one to believe he’s losing his sanity.
Wonka(2023) will see Timothee Chalamet playing a young Willy Wonka, andaudiences will finally seewhether this odd personality is one that Wonka had adapted from his personal experiences or if he had this personality from a young age. We will also see performances from actors such as Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins, and Matt Lucas. Keegan-Michael Key will also be performing, notable as he has recently performed an emotional role as Tom Hawkins inThe Prom(2020).
With Disney’s focus being split among so many stellar franchises, 2023 only sees the debut of one new musical franchise.Wish(2023) follows the story of the star that many Disney characters have wished upon throughout the decades of films Disney has released. This film was announced as a passion project meant to celebrate the 100th year of operations for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Star is going to become an anthropomorphized character accompanying the latest character to make a wish. This young lady is Asha, who is to be played by Ariana Debose, known for her Academy-award-winning performance as Anita inWest Side Story(2021).Alan Tudyk is also set to feature, voicing Asha’s goat companion. The film is currently set for release on November 22nd.
2Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies
For years, the hit filmGrease(1978) helped launch a musical play into the limelight with performances by John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, and more. While the follow-upGrease 2(1982) wouldn’t be met with the same fanfare, the original entry is still lauded as one of the best musical films ever. And that leads us to our only entry on this list to be a musical television series.
Coming to Paramount Plus on April 6th,Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladieswill see the beginning of the high school clique known as the Pink Ladies. This series will focus on new characters four years before the film’s events. With these young ladies set to take over the social hierarchy of Rydell High, one can only wait for the upbeat songs this nostalgia-driven series can deliver. And this is only a precursor to the expanded world of Grease, as there is also a prequel filmSummer Lovin’in production.
Related:Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies: Trailer Breakdown
1The Little Mermaid
Ever since 2010, whenAlice in Wonderland(2010) hit theaters, Disney has been cashing in on nostalgia,remaking many animated musicalclassics in the live-action format. In 2023, we see the live-action remake ofThe Little Mermaid, and this film will star Halle Bailey as Ariel, the young mermaid who gives up her voice for a chance at true love with Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) on land.
This film is set to employ CGI to help bring Ariel’s seafaring friends to life. Joined by Flounder (Jacob Tremblay), Scuttle (Awkwafina), and Sebastian (Daveed Diggs), Ariel must contend with the machinations of themalevolent Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), who is looking to become the most powerful figure in the sea by taking King Triton’s (Javier Bardem) trident. Featuring the classic music that Disney fans are familiar with, many look forward to reliving this film’s magic and introducing it to the next generation.
