Nine of the most promising movies on tap this spring in Kansas City

Let’s face it: 2023 is going to be a hard year to follow, movie-wise. After “Barbenheimer,” Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and sundry Super Marios and Spider-Men, can Hollywood keep the sugar high aloft?

Sure! At least if the next few months are any indication, and if your sweet tooth involves sci-fi and an irrational craving for Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Austin Butler — all of whom happen to co-star in the season’s biggest movie, as well as a few others.

Filmgoers who aren’t fans of those actors (who are you?) will have plenty to keep them occupied, with Big Events like “Rebel Moon: Part 2,” “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (starring Kansas City’s own Paul Rudd), “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and the “Road House” reboot on the horizon. Then there’s a smattering of Sundance talkers and potential indie sleepers to round out the offerings. Not bad for a movie schedule that might look a little less pink this year, but no less promising.

Opening dates are subject to change.

‘Dune: Part 2’

Because of the writers and actors strikes last year, this hotly anticipated sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 space-desert epic was punted to 2024 — giving us that much more time to re-watch the first installment so we know what the heck is going on!

Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides, who’s on a revenge tour to search for the villains who destroyed his family. With luck, we’ll finally get to see the chemistry Chalamet and Zendaya developed in Part 1 pay off; and the addition of Butler and Florence Pugh promises oodles of intrigue. Opens March 1.

‘Love Lies Bleeding’

Rose Glass’ eagerly awaited follow-up to her horror movie “Saint Maud” stars Kristen Stewart and Anna Baryshnikov as a gym manager and a bodybuilder who fall in love and embark on a journey through the underbelly of the American West. Ed Harris, Jena Malone and Dave Franco co-star in the film, which received strong reviews out of Sundance last month. Opens in Kansas City March 15.

‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’

Like “Love Lies Bleeding,” Kobi Libii’s satire — starring Justice Smith as a young man who is recruited into a secret society whose members dedicate their lives to making white people’s lives easier — comes by way of the Sundance pipeline. Reviews out of Park City, Utah, name-dropped “American Fiction” and “Sorry to Bother You.” Big shoes, for sure. We’ll see if they fit. Opens March 15.

‘Shirley’

Regina King stars in this dramatization of the life and career of trailblazing congresswoman and presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm, written and directed by John Ridley.

Ridley’s “Jimi: All Is by My Side” (2013) was an exceptionally intriguing interpretive history of Jimi Hendrix; it will be fascinating to find out how he reimagines Chisholm, whose contributions to American political life have gone unheralded for too long. Terrence Howard, Lance Reddick and Brian Stokes Mitchell co-star. March 22.

‘Challengers’

Zendaya again! This time in a Luca Guadagnino confection set in the professional tennis world, with Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist completing a tantalizing romantic triangle.

I stipulate that the best tennis movie in recent memory is 2017’s “Borg vs. McEnroe” (watch it, you’re welcome), but this looks like a thoroughly gorgeous diversion that’s a lot less taxing than actually taking to the court. Opens April 26.

‘The Fall Guy’

Ryan Gosling is sure to be Kenough as Colt Seavers, a stunt man who’s enlisted to help save a multimillion blockbuster that happens to be directed by his ex. This looks silly and maybe even dumb — but also smart, in that way Gosling has perfected in “The Nice Guys” and last year’s “Barbie.” And with Hannah Waddingham and Emily Blunt along for the ride? What’s not to like? Opens May 3.

‘IF’

This fantasy-comedy, written and directed by John Krasinski, revolves around a charming (and maybe alarming) premise, whereby a girl copes with the difficulties in her life with the help of other people’s imaginary friends, who’ve been discarded or outgrown.

Ryan Reynolds stars, along with Krasinski, Matt Damon and Blunt — and the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Steve Carell, Maya Rudolph and Sam Rockwell. Opens May 17.

‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’

Anya Taylor-Joy stars in George Miller’s follow-up to the gangbusters Charlize Theron vehicle “Mad Max: Fury Road,” an origin story of Theron’s character, who epitomized steely-eyed badassery and super-fancy driving. Chris Hemsworth co-stars. Opens May 24.

‘Hit Man’

If you thought Glen Powell had sparkle and swagger in “Top Gun: Maverick,” and if you thought he was downright adorable opposite Sydney Sweeney in “Anyone but You,” just wait until you see him in the movie that, more than anything in his career, showcases his versatility and innate charm.

Richard Linklater writes and directs this adaptation of a true story, about a mild-mannered professor who winds up moonlighting as a hired assassin; Linklater adds a steamy love interest played by newcomer Adria Arjona. Smart, sexy and fun, this one’s the whole package. Opens June 7.