Top 11 Best Movies to Watch in Theaters This January 2023 - Latest Update

The Female Boss House is a highly anticipated film for this year’s Lunar New Year. Set in the lively backdrop of Saigon, the story revolves around the lives of people living in a bustling apartment complex, capturing the energetic and busy lifestyles of ordinary working-class citizens. The film features familiar faces like NSUT Ngọc Giàu, Lê Giang, Khả Như, and Uyển Ân, all playing members of a large family. With multiple generations under one roof, tensions arise, such as the strained relationship between the mother (Lê Giang) and her daughter Ngọc Nhi (Uyển Ân), who faces the pressures of living with her family. Phú Nhuận (Trấn Thành), Ngọc Nhi’s husband, feels overshadowed as the only man in the household.

One distinctive feature of the film, beyond its simple yet relatable portrayal of everyday life, is the absence of male characters. Unlike the film *Bố Già*, which centers around a father and son, *The Female Boss House* focuses entirely on the women of the family. With only one man, Phú Nhuận (Trấn Thành), in a house full of women, the film explores what kinds of events arise from this dynamic. Come to the theaters this Tết season to find out more.

Release Date: 22/01/2023
Cast: Huỳnh Uyển Ân, Lê Giang, NSND Ngọc Giàu, Khả Như, Song Luân
Director: Trấn Thành
Producer: Trấn Thành

Unlike the first installment set in modern times, *Sisters Together 2* takes us back to the vibrant streets of old Saigon. This film draws inspiration from the famous true story of two iconic beauties of the past century, Ba Trà and Tư Nhị. While Chi Pu and Thanh Hằng in the first film portrayed bold, modern feminist figures, Ngọc Trinh and Minh Hằng in the sequel will bring a more vintage, classic approach to these roles.

In *Sisters Together 2*, the duo of Minh Hằng and Ngọc Trinh bring to life the legendary figures of Ba Trà and Tư Nhị, two of the most celebrated women in Saigon’s history. Early glimpses of their costumes reveal a luxurious, old-school elegance, capturing the timeless beauty of the past. How will the real-life story of Ba Trà and Tư Nhị unfold on the big screen? What transformations will Minh Hằng and Ngọc Trinh undergo to successfully embody these two icons of beauty? Head to the cinema this Tết to discover the fascinating story of these “sisters of beauty”.

Release Date: 22/01/2023

Cast: Ngọc Trinh, Minh Hằng

Director: Vũ Ngọc Đãng

*Missing* follows the story of Grace (Nia Long) and her boyfriend Kevin Lin (Ken Leung) as they embark on a vacation to Colombia. After a few days without contact, Grace's daughter June (Storm Reid) is horrified to discover that her mother has mysteriously disappeared. June must now break into her mother's social media accounts in search of clues, uncovering dark secrets that Grace has been hiding for years. June is bombarded with questions about Grace's relationships and Kevin's true identity. Is he the criminal mastermind responsible for Grace's abduction?

This time, the team behind the success of *Searching* returns for *Missing*. Director Aneesh Chaganty serves as a producer alongside Natalie Qasabian and Sev Ohanian, with Nick Johnson and Will Merrick, the editors of the previous film, stepping in as directors.

With an experienced team, a thrilling script, and many mysteries to unravel, *Missing* promises to be a gripping, high-quality thriller that will captivate audiences.

Release Date: 22/01/2023

Cast: Storm Reid, Joaquim de Almeida, Ken Leung, Amy Landecker, Daniel Henney

Director: Nicholas D. Johnson, Will Merrick

Producers: Natalie Qasabian, Sev Ohanian, Aneesh Chaganty

Every year during Tết, moviegoers eagerly anticipate the release of high-energy films, and *The Master Con Artist Meets the Ultimate Trickster* is the final Vietnamese film to join the 2023 Lunar New Year box office race. While films like *House of Grandma* offer a gripping drama and *Sisters Together 2* blends humor with psychology, this film stands out with its pure comedic approach.

A blend of action and comedy, the movie follows the hilarious antics of two con artists, Tú (Anh Tú) and Khoa (Mạc Văn Khoa), under the direction of Võ Thanh Hòa. The plot follows Khoa, a small-time conman who dreams of a big break, as he meets Tú, a more experienced trickster, on Phú Quốc Island. Together, they plan a series of increasingly outrageous schemes. But what seemed like the perfect duo soon unravels into a series of hilarious misadventures, especially as their gang grows to include characters like the comical Mr. Năm (Nhất Trung) and the mischievous little boy Mã Lai (Ngọc Phước).

Release Date: 22/01/2023

Cast: Nguyễn Anh Tú, Mạc Văn Khoa

Director: Võ Thanh Hòa

If you're looking for a family-friendly movie packed with humor, heart, and energetic tunes, *The Mummy: The Adventure to London* is the perfect pick for the first day of the Lunar New Year 2023 (Year of the Cat).

Set in an underground world, the story unfolds in a thriving mummy kingdom with a history stretching back thousands of years. As tradition demands, Princess Nefer must marry Thut, although neither of them is happy with the arrangement. However, Thut is bound by a divine order to marry Nefer within seven days, along with the precious Pharaoh's ring. Trouble strikes when the ring is stolen, and Thut, Nefer, her younger brother Sekhem, and their lovable crocodile companion Croc must journey to London to recover the stolen treasure.

Thut is a charming young man admired by many women, but he yearns for freedom and a life without commitments. Nefer, on the other hand, is a strong-willed princess eager to escape her noble status and pursue her passion for music. Though they are as different as fire and water, constantly clashing, the two eventually become fantastic travel companions, discovering the best qualities in each other as they embark on their European adventure.

Release Date: 22/01/2023

Cast: Joe Thomas, Eleanor Tomlinson, Celia Imrie, Hugh Bonneville, Sean Bean

Director: Juan Jesús García Galocha

Producer: Jordi Gasull

Having already captured the hearts of Vietnamese audiences, the adorable penguin Pororo from South Korea is back this Lunar New Year to cause a stir at the box office with *Pororo: The Dragon Castle Adventure*.

The story begins when the mysterious wizard Gad appears in a dragon castle deep within the mountains, attempting to claim the throne by stealing the 'Dragon's Heart' — a powerful gem sealed by the dragon king Arthur. Meanwhile, Crong accidentally absorbs the power of the Dragon's Heart and transforms into a giant version of himself, putting Pororo and his friends in danger. Together with Arthur, Pororo and his friends journey to the dragon castle, building an invincible mechanical dragon to reclaim the Heart and save their friends from the evil wizard Gad.

As a beloved animated series for kids, Pororo is back with his quick wit and cleverness, ready to captivate young audiences once more. What surprises await in this new adventure? Will they succeed in rescuing their dear friend?

Release Date: 22/01/2023

Cast: Lee Sun, Lee Mi-ja, Kim Hyeon-ji, Hong So-young, Jung Mi-sook

Directors: Yun Jae-wan, Kang Seung-hun

Producers: Kim Hyun-ho, Woo Ji-hee

This January, the mischievous and charming fat cat Maurice will make his big screen debut in *The Amazing Maurice*. The animated film features the voices of Hollywood stars such as Emilia Clarke, Hugh Laurie, and David Thewlis. It's already becoming one of the most highly anticipated animated films for the Lunar New Year holiday.

The story follows Maurice, the cunning, clever cat with an extraordinary talent for deception. Maurice, Keith, and a group of sly mice arrive in the small town of Bad Blintz, where their usual scam involves the mice pretending to overrun the town while Keith offers ‘mouse-catching’ services in exchange for money. However, they encounter Malicia, the strong-willed daughter of the town’s mayor. The group must now work together to face a real villain behind the mysterious disappearance of the town’s food supply, which also threatens Maurice and his crew.

*The Amazing Maurice* is an animated adaptation of the best-selling European children’s book *The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents*. With a captivating storyline, charming animation, and the adorable Maurice leading the way, it’s the perfect film to start the Year of the Cat (2023) off with a smile.

Release Date: 26/01/2023

Runtime: 93 minutes

Cast: Hugh Laurie, Emilia Clarke, David Thewlis, Himesh Patel, Gemma Arterton

Director: Toby Genkel

Producers: Emely Christians, Andrew Baker

In early 2023, director James Wan will team up with Blumhouse Productions for his latest horror project, *M3gan*. Known for his mastery of the horror genre with hits like *The Conjuring*, *Saw*, and *Insidious*, Wan’s return to the big screen with a sci-fi twist has generated huge excitement among both audiences and critics. The release of the first trailer has already promised that *M3gan* will be the next terrifying nightmare to haunt theaters this Lunar New Year.

The film follows Gemma (played by Allison Williams), a robotics engineer who creates M3gan, a lifelike doll powered by artificial intelligence. Marketed as a child’s companion, M3gan also serves as a helpful assistant to parents. When Gemma brings the prototype home to her newly adopted niece, things spiral out of control as the doll begins to take extreme measures to protect her friend.

Release Date: 27/01/2023

Cast: Violet McGraw, Allison Williams, Amie Donald, Jenna Davis, Ronny Chieng

Director: Gerard Johnstone

Producers: James Wan, Jason Blum

*Take Care of My Mom* is a poignant film that marks the first leading role for the beloved actress Kim Young-ok in her 65-year acting career. In this story, Kim plays Jeong Mal-im, an elderly woman with a stubborn, grumpy disposition who, despite being 85, lives independently without relying on her children, even for everyday expenses. However, her concerned son, Park Jong-wook (played by Kim Young-min), installs a surveillance camera in her home and hires a caregiver to help her with daily life.

The film explores the theme of ‘family as strangers, strangers as family,’ depicting the reality of South Korea’s aging population and the burden of financial support. Although Park Jong-wook wants to care for his mother, the challenges of his harsh reality lead him to unintentionally neglect her, leaving the responsibility of caregiving to a stranger. The film’s emotional portrayal of a mother who constantly assures her children with the words “I’m fine” is bound to move many viewers to tears.

Premiering in Vietnam just before the Lunar New Year, *Take Care of My Mom* will likely inspire those living far away to return home and reunite with their parents for the holiday.

Release Date: 06/01/2023

Cast: Kim Young-ok, Kim Young-min, Park Sung-yeon, Lee Jung-eun, Kim Hye-na

Director: Park Kyung-mok

This January, the beloved Shin-chan returns to the big screen in his 30th movie, *Shin-chan: The Legend of Ninja Mononoke* (Crayon Shinchan the Movie: The Tornado Legend of Ninja Mononoke), bringing a fresh adventure for young fans in Vietnam.

In this new chapter, viewers will revisit Shin-chan's early days when he was born, bringing joy to his family. However, things take an unexpected turn when a woman from the Hesogakure Ninja clan arrives, claiming to be Shin-chan's real mother, stating that the baby was swapped at birth. Shin-chan follows her to the Ninja village, where he embarks on a journey to become a true Ninja.

At the village, Shin-chan learns about the secret of the “Earth’s Navel,” a powerful force that the Ninjas protect. If the seal is broken, humanity will face catastrophe. Now, Shin-chan and his family must figure out how to safeguard the future of the world—and their own. What is the real story behind Shin-chan’s origins?

Staying true to its signature humor, this latest Shin-chan film will take kids and families on an exciting adventure in the Ninja village, packed with laughter and heartwarming moments about family bonds. The film also includes valuable messages about love, with emotional scenes between Shin-chan and his parents. It promises to be a warm, family-friendly start to the New Year.

Release Date: 06/01/2023

Duration: 100 minutes

Cast: Yumiko Kobayashi, Miki Narahashi, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Satomi Kourogi

Director: Masakazu Hashimoto