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Hollywood continues to release more content involving superheroes, and some very exciting 2023 superhero movies and shows are on the way. Comic book superheroes have long been part of the Hollywood system, but they have become the dominant form of entertainment over the last two decades. It is now common for the biggest movie studios to release multiple superhero films each year, creating the MCU, DCU, Spider-Verse, and more. Meanwhile, the various streaming services fighting for subscribers in the Streaming Wars also got involved with Disney+, HBO Max, Netflix, Prime Video, and more adding to the comic book arms race.

Thanks to the influx of 2023 superhero movies and a variety of enhanced individuals starring in upcoming TV shows, there is no shortage of comic book-related content coming. Nearly two dozen superhero movies and shows are coming out this year, giving audiences of different ages and tastes a wide variety to choose from. Between new MCU movies or shows, DCU movies, Arrowverse shows, and more, the number of anticipated projects continues to rise. Here are the ten most exciting superhero movies and shows of 2023.

10/10
Gen V Season 1

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Prime Video is expanding The Boys universe in 2023 in an exciting fashion, as Gen V season 1 is confirmed to release. The first live-action The Boys spinoff show takes place at a Vought college filled with a new, younger group of wannabe superheroes who must compete for the right to possibly join The Seven. In typical The Boys fashion, Gen V will be an extraordinarily gory and adult superhero show that delivers shocking moments. The connections that the spinoff could have to the main show are intriguing, and with season 2 reportedly already in development, there are plenty of reasons to look forward to Gen V's release.

9/10
The Marvels

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Four years after Brie Larson's Captain Marvel made her debut, The Marvels could be a big surprise among the 2023 superhero movies and shows lineup. The original movie was met with a mixed response, but director Nia DaCosta (Candyman) and roles for Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) immediately make the sequel more promising. It should help that Carol Danvers' personality will be able to shine in The Marvels too. Given the potential for it to help set up Avengers: Kang Dynasty and include some other MCU cameos, the Captain Marvel sequel has the makings to improve upon the original.

8/10
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

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It might be the final DCU movie before James Gunn and Peter Safran reboot the franchise, but Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom still is a fascinating project. Director James Wan returns after delivering an entertaining adventure with the first movie, and early teases for the sequel point to more of the same. The film is a buddy cop story built around Jason Momoa's Aquaman and Patrick Wilson's Ocean Master. This can give Aquaman 2 a fun dynamic at its center. With Wan's ability to weave in some horror vibes and major action sequences, it can end 2023's superhero movies and shows lineup on a high note.

7/10
Secret Invasion

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One of the more exciting upcoming MCU Disney+ shows, Secret Invasion is the Nick Fury solo adventure that audiences have been waiting for. Anticipation for the series is high thanks to it loosely adapting the famous comic event of the same name that saw Skrulls take over the world. The MCU's Secret Invasion story will be scaled down, but the mistrust and deception will be kept as what is sure to be a surprising story unfolds. Seeing more of underused characters like Nick Fury, Talos, Maria Hill, and others will be great, while Secret Invasion could be even more exciting if speculation about Chloe Bennet's Quake appearing is true.

6/10
The Flash

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Excitement is high for 2023's DC movie The Flash. The long-awaited solo film for Barry Allen comes from IT director Andy Muschietti and has repeatedly been described as one of DC's best movies since The Dark Knight. Even with some controversy swirling around star Ezra Miller, the apparent quality of The Flash sounds promising. The movie's multiverse story is also driving anticipation for the 2023 superhero movie. This explains how Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton's Batman are in the same film, as well as Michael Shannon's Zod return and introduction of Supergirl (Sasha Calle). The Flash's DCU connections could change under Gunn's leadership, but that might be for the best.

5/10
Loki Season 2

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The most exciting MCU 2023 show is Loki season 2. The first season starring Tom Hiddleston's trickster was a huge hit thanks to its multiverse-exploring story and the mystery surrounding it. Now, Loki season 2 is poised to dive even deeper into Loki and Sylvie's relationship, as well as Loki and Mobius' friendship. Little is known about the specific story that will unfold, but the ramifications of what happens could be huge. Just as the first season teased a prior multiverse war and introduced a Kang the Conqueror variant, Loki season 2 could deal with incursions or help set up Avengers: Secret Wars somehow.

4/10
Invincible Season 2

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In terms of all the 2023 superhero movies and shows, the most exciting comic book content coming to TV this year is Invincible season 2. Prime Video's animated adaptation of Robert Kirkman's comic launched in 2021 to great acclaim. Seeing what comes next for Mark Grayson, Omni-Man, Atom Eve, and others is something audiences have waited nearly two years for. With Invincible season 2 poised to introduce significant villains like Angstrom Levy and Conquest, the challenges that Invincible will face will be even greater. As long as the storytelling and animation quality remains as high as before, there's no reason not to be excited about Invincible season 2.

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3/10
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

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Kang's presence in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania helps make the first MCU Phase 5 film rise through the ranks of the most exciting superhero movies and shows of 2023. Ever since Jonathan Majors debuted as the character in Loki, audiences have been eager to see more - especially once it was announced he'd be the villain of the next two Avengers movies. Ant-Man 3 represents a chance for audiences to get a better grasp on the MCU's next Thanos. Combine that with a wacky Quantum Realm journey, Cassie Lang's superhero transformation, and more fun with Paul Rudd's Scott Lang, and Ant-Man 3 becomes a title to look out for.

2/10
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

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While Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse arrived in 2018 with minimal expectations, the opposite is true for its sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The 2023 Marvel movie brings back Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, and Peter B. Parker for another multiverse adventure. Excitement for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse can stem from a variety of factors. The movie's trailer teased the various Spider-Man variants appearing through the multiverse, including some deep-cut references. The sequel also is attempting to have an even more visually impressive animation style. There is also Miles' main story to follow. And with a sequel already planned, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse could be another memorable hit.

1/10
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

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The most exciting superhero movie or show of 2023 is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. As the first solo movie for the Guardians since 2017, many are ready to see the characters return to leading roles under James Gunn's careful direction and writing. But, Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is slated to be the final film with the current iteration of the team. That does bring a bittersweet quality to the movie, especially as speculation swirls about which characters could die, but excitement is still high.

Chukwudi Iwuji's High Evolutionary could be a great villain, while Adam Warlock's introduction is long overdue. The emotional finale is also sure to set up the MCU's cosmic future in some significant ways, making it an exciting final chapter that paves the way for more stories. The Guardians of the Galaxy 3 trailer promises an epic, action-packed, and emotional final ride for Star-Lord, Rocket, Gamora, Rocket, Groot, and others. And with James Gunn leaving Marvel for DC after the film's release, it will be fascinating to see what state the 2023 superhero movie leaves the team in.

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