In the movie industry, the anticipation for upcoming movies is always very high, we asked Cresskill students on their opinions for their most anticipated movies of 2023. As we approach the year 2023, the world’s biggest movie hits are set to hit the big screens, including the likes of The Little Mermaid, Barbie, Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse, and so many more. However, with this in mind, many question: How do these movies already have such a massive following despite not being released yet? What is the secret behind their pre-release popularity?
We decided to create a survey to find what movies people are looking most forward to. It was important for us to group the options in specific genres and so we were able to see the particular films students are most interested in. We noticed a lot of trends when it came to the most anticipated movies. It seems as if movies that have a prequel or a sequel tend to be more popular among other movies– For example, Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse came out to be one of the most anticipated movies of 2023 with a percentage of 45.5%. Over the past few years, the Spider-Man film series has been making waves in the movie industry, captivating audiences and shattering box office records with each new release. Since the first Tom Holland movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming, hit theaters in 2017, the series has only gained momentum and unending popularity, with each film surpassing the success of its previous one. The latest movies in the series, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home, have taken the world by storm with their groundbreaking storytelling, breathtaking visual effects, and outstanding performances by the talented cast. Clearly, the Spider-Man franchise is viewed as a series force to be reckoned with in the film industry, and fans can’t wait to see what the future holds for this beloved superhero series. Cresskill students, Evelyn Hiterer and Adriana Pollando, both stated that movies with prequels might be more popular amongst viewers because they already are familiar with the content, and having a new movie related to it just brings excitement to the fans because they always want more and more of what they love. Evelyn Hiterer, a Sophomore attending Cresskill High School, said “I get very emotionally invested in movies, so when its announced that a new one will be released, I already know that I have to watch it.”
As the release of the new Barbie movie draws near, with a vote of 39.4%, many are left wondering what makes certain movies with prequels or sequels so highly anticipated. One key factor is the impact of the actors cast in such films. Despite having previously released several movies, the upcoming live-action adaptation of Barbie has generated tremendous popularity, according to data. The film promises to be different from its earlier renditions, such as the cartoon version. So, if the rehashing movies don’t really make much of an impact on the live action movie, how is the movie already so popular? The answer lies in the lead actors, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, two of the biggest names in the movie industry. Robbie, famously known for her portrayal of Harley Quinn in The Suicide Squad, and Ryan Gosling, praised for his performances in La La Land and The Notebook, already have a loyal fan following. As a result, their presence in the movie has elevated the excitement and anticipation among their fans. It is evident that the audience’s eagerness to see these actors in new and challenging roles is a driving force behind the success of prequels and sequels. And as Hollywood continues to create more such films, the impact of the actors cast will undoubtedly remain a crucial factor in determining their success.