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Whether in cinemas or on streaming, movies have provided a plethora of excitement and contemplation in 2023. The first half of the year saw a surge of action with new escapades from iconic characters like archeologist Indiana Jones (“And the Dial of Destiny”), secret agent Ethan Hunt (“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning”), and the fast and furious family man Dom Toretto (“Fast X”). Superheroes took center stage with films like “Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse,” “Blue Beetle,” and “The Marvels,” while comedies took a raunchy turn with titles like “No Hard Feelings,” “Bottoms,” and “Dicks: The Musical.” Animated offerings ranged from the playful trolls in “Trolls Band Together” to the thought-provoking narrative in Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron.”
Summer movie season reached its peak with the clash between Christopher Nolan’s World War II drama “Oppenheimer” and Greta Gerwig’s vibrant comedy “Barbie.” Fall brought a wave of daring dramas based on real events like “Maestro,” “Pain Hustlers,” “May December,” “Napoleon,” and “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Romance flourished in films like “Rye Lane,” “Asteroid City,” “Past Lives,” and “Saltburn,” while coming-of-age stories captivated audiences with adaptations like “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” the animated wonder “Suzume,” the fantasy adventure “Polite Society,” the comedic gem “The Holdovers,” and the enlightening journey of “Poor Things.” Horror also had a successful year with memorable films that left a lasting impact.
It has undeniably been an extraordinary year for cinema, making it challenging to compile a top 10 Best Films list for 2023. Therefore, we present our ranked top 25 films, catering to a wide range of emotions and preferences. Whether you’re in the mood for laughter, tears, awe, or mind-bending twists, there is a film from 2023 that is bound to satisfy your cinematic cravings.
**Polite Society**
“One of our favorites out of Sundance, “Polite Society” introduces us to a unique blend of genres, combining martial arts, Bollywood musicals, and coming-of-age elements. The film follows two British-Pakistani sisters, Ria and Lena, as they navigate their unconventional dreams amidst societal pressures. Directed by Nida Manzoor, “Polite Society” offers a dazzling experience filled with action, humor, and sisterly bonds.”
**M3GAN**
“Kicking off the year with a thrilling horror romp, “M3GAN” presents a killer doll with an AI twist. The film follows the eerie journey of the titular toy and her creator’s desperate attempts to stop the chaos. Directed by Gerard Johnstone, “M3GAN” captivated audiences with its blend of horror, humor, and suspense, earning praise and a green light for a sequel.”
**Nimona**
“Bringing a high-spirited shapeshifter to life, “Nimona” explores a fantastical world filled with adventure and intrigue. Directed by [Director’s Name], the film offers a visually stunning and emotionally resonant tale that captivates both young and adult audiences alike.”
From his comic book series like Lumberjanes to his Netflix reboot of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, ND Stevenson has cemented himself as a whiz at delivering LGBTQ stories with a fantastical edge. 2023’s adaptation of Stevenson’s graphic novel Nimona is no different. The film — canceled by Disney, then resurrected at Netflix — is a rollicking fantasy romp about challenging authority and accepting others for who they truly are.
Nimona transports us to a futuristic medieval world where knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is on the run for a crime he did not commit. However, it’s his label as a “villain” that brings shapeshifter Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) into his life. More comfortable as a shark than a human girl, Nimona is a delightfully deviant fiend who wants nothing more than to stick it to the all-powerful Institute. She and Ballister make quite the odd pair — she wants to wreak havoc, he just wants to clear his name — but together, they may just defeat an evil lurking in their kingdom.
Between some electrifying fight scenes and its graphic animation style, Nimona is a blast of a viewing experience. But its message and LGBTQ visibility is what truly sets it apart. Not only is Ballister’s relationship with knight Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang) a key element of the film, but Nimona’s own fluidity and negotiation of her identity calls to mind transness in a meaningful, important way. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch:Nimona is now streaming on Netflix.
22. Rye Lane
One of the most joyful movies of 2023 hands down is this rom-com out of England. Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson star as Yas and Dom, two losers in love who share dazzling chemistry. Sure, they might be hot off some crushing break-ups, but a meet-not-so-cute in a public toilet leads to one of those impromptu day-long dates that you remember for a lifetime. And viewers are invited to come along for the ride!
Directed by Raine Allen-Miller, Rye Lane not only thrills audiences with a winsome romantic comedy romp, but also awes us with the visual splendor of its titular, colorful London neighborhood. Per our review: “Allen-Miller captures Rye Lane and its assortment of shops, street art, and eccentric characters with such passion and detail that you can almost smell the burritos baking or reach out and touch the fresh produce glistening in the brightly painted stalls.”
And that’s not all! This mirthful movie also weaves in wild comedy; a Love, Actually cameo you’ll drool over; and the ultimate scene of showing up an ex. Whether you’re in a relationship, single, or “it’s complicated,” Rye Lane is sure to win your heart.
How to Watch:Rye Lane is now streaming exclusively on Hulu.
The director of “Under the Skin” teamed up with musician and composer Mica Levi and sound designer Johnnie Burn to create a disturbing soundscape influenced by the Nazi atrocities nearby in “The Zone of Interest.” The juxtaposition of the Höss family’s idyllic daily life with the sounds of the nearby camp, including gunshots and screams, paints a chilling picture of complicity in the film.
“How to watch: The Zone of Interest” is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
“19. The Teachers’ Lounge”
“The Teachers’ Lounge” is a thriller that stands out by not featuring the typical elements of murder, mayhem, or high-stake heists. Despite its seemingly low-stakes premise of solving petty thefts at a German junior high, the film delves into themes of ethics, racism, loyalty, and the consequences of standing up for one’s principles. Led by Leonie Benesch, the movie offers a tense narrative that is both gripping and thought-provoking.
“How to watch: The Teachers’ Lounge” is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
“18. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”
Based on Judy Blume’s novel, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is a coming-of-age movie that captures the adolescent struggles of Margaret Simon with humor, warmth, and empathy. The film explores Margaret’s challenges as she navigates puberty, relationships, and questions about her faith. Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, the adaptation beautifully portrays the nuances of growing up in a new environment.
“How to watch: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is now streaming on Starz.
Frankly, the promotional journey for Barbie was so full of pink, so joyful, so fun, that would have been Kenough. The movie could have been a silly trifle, and we’d likely have been pleased. But writer/director Greta Gerwig brought us the universally heralded coming-of-age comedy Ladybird and then the rapturous re-imagining of Little Women. Her Barbie wasn’t going to stop at playful. Instead, it parodied the patriarchy with horses, Stallone-inspired fashion, and a rousing dream ballet fueled by an actual banger, “I’m Just Ken.”
Margot Robbie was picture-perfect as a Barbie who realizes the world is much bigger than the dreamhouse-dotted Barbie Land. Ryan Gosling could win a rare comedy Oscar for his delightfully deranged take on the insecure man doll who couldn’t cope, and so turned to conquering. (Napoleon relates!) While detractors have argued the film’s girl-power messaging is simplistic, it’s hard to deny that Gerwig did more with this IP than we could have dreamed. Sure, Barbie is a glossy toy commercial. But it’s a glossy toy commercial that not only has something to say, but does so through spectacular filmmaking that folds in eye-popping practical effects, enthralling details, discontinued dolls, and jokes that were way outside the box. From Weird Barbie to that on-point Pride and Prejudice mini-series namedrop, Barbie had us so giddy that we felt like kids again.
How to watch: Barbie is now streaming on Max.
Asteroid City
2023 was already reveling in Wes Anderson’s vibes on Tiktok, so we were all primed for the king of twee to return to cinemas with his latest. And Asteroid City delivered, exploring this adored auteur’s favorite themes of self-doubt, soul-searching, awkward romances, and deeply flawed parents with all the wit and whimsy we’ve come to expect.
Anderson assembled his recurring coterie, including Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Adrien Brody, and Willem Dafoe. This time around, he also brings into his fold Steve Carell, Hong Chau, Margot Robbie, Maya Hawke, and Tom Hanks. All together in one fantastic ensemble, they unfurl the story of the titular town where a Junior Stargazer convention becomes a life-changing, world-rattling event when an alien drops by. That’s right — Wes Anderson has gone sci-fi, but in a way that is uniquely his own, where a charming color palette compliments a cerebral framing device, and loads of comically depicted existentialism. What’s not to love?
How to watch: Asteroid City is now streaming on Prime Video.
Ferrari
Director Michael Mann’s first film in eight years is a stylish, dramatic biopic delving into the life of racing icon Enzo Ferrari. Set within the ruined but optimistic post-WWII Italy, Ferrari captures the lingering dynamism of the country’s Futurist movement, in which the speed and power of the machine fuelled the very lifeblood of cities like Modena. And yes, the film boasts some of the most incredible ’50s racing scenes you’re likely to see on screen.
Adam Driver is near flawless as a perfectionist entrepreneur Ferrari, with measured physicality, internalised emotion, and a need to maintain control at all times. He’s matched by an extraordinarily intense Penélope Cruz as his wife Laura, a steadfast partner of Ferrari in business and marriage. This film focuses on a pivotal few months during which Ferrari’s infidelity, grief, and the pressure to excel on the track threatens to topple all he holds dear (though you wouldn’t ever suspect it beneath that stone facade and dark shades).
Importantly, there are some genuinely funny moments among the grim tragedy. “If there’s one thing Mann excels at with Ferrari, in a way few of his previous films have had the chance to showcase, it’s finding a deft balance between comedic and tragic tones,” writes Siddhant Adlakha in his review for Mashable. Thanks to Mann’s technical brilliance and fearless performances from Driver and Cruz, Ferrari drives laps around other racing movies, romantic dramas, and biopics alike. — S.C.
How to watch: Ferrari is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
In the film “May December,” Julianne Moore portrays a wife and mother with a troubled past, which is brought to light when a TV actress, played by Natalie Portman, wants to turn their story into a movie. Director Todd Haynes and screenwriter Steven Burch infuse the film with sharp humor, inviting viewers to laugh uproariously while also being shocked by the unfolding drama. “May December” is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
12. Saltburn
Emerald Fennell, known for her role as Midge in “Barbie,” delivers a provocative follow-up to “Promising Young Woman” with “Saltburn.” This controversial tale of class conflict, sex, and obsession has polarized critics, but admirers at Mashable appreciate Fennell’s darkly humorous approach. “Saltburn” features a stellar cast including Rosamund Pike, Jacob Elordi, Carey Mulligan, Richard E. Grant, and Barry Keoghan. The film is a blend of comedy and erotic thriller, offering a twisted and entertaining viewing experience. You can now watch “Saltburn” on Prime Video.
11. American Fiction
Writer and director Cord Jefferson makes his debut with “American Fiction,” a captivating blend of family drama and showbiz satire. Starring Jeffrey Wright as Monk Ellison, a Black novelist facing personal and professional challenges, the film delves into issues of race, creativity, and societal expectations. With a talented ensemble cast including Tracee Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown, “American Fiction” is a must-watch. You can stream it on MGM+ or rent/purchase it on Prime Video.
9. Priscilla
To the world, Priscilla Presley’s life seemed a fairy tale. Like Cinderella, she was a kind-hearted common girl plucked from obscurity to be a princess — but not by a prim, sexless prince. She was chosen by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, to live in his palace, surrounded by luxury, draped in the finest clothes, and peppered with kisses and sweet talk from the sexiest man alive. With Priscilla, writer/director Sofia Coppola takes us behind the glittery gates of Graceland to reveal the view from the inside of its gilded cage.*
A coming-of-age story tangled in a festering fairytale romance, Priscilla is a stunning and thoughtful portrait of a misunderstood icon. Cailee Spaeny delivers a nuanced performance that artfully illustrates Priscilla’s growth from starstruck teen to besotted bride to bullied wife and beyond. But Jacob Elordi, who also scorches the screen in Saltburn, is next-level as Elvis. Beyond nailing the swaggering Southern vibe of the King, he masterfully builds the shadowy self-doubts and mercurial moods that throbbed outside the spotlight. Under Coppola’s direction, these stars do more than shine; they practically explode.
How to watch: Priscilla is now streaming on Max.
8. All of Us Strangers
Co-written and directed by Weekendhelmer Andrew Haigh, All of Us Strangers also made our Best Horror of 2023 list. However, this haunting tale of love, loss, and ghosts isn’t scary. Instead, it’s “the hottest, saddest movie of the year.”
Fleabag‘s Andrew Scott stars as a lonely writer who longs for the parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell) who died when he was a boy. When a trip back to his childhood home reveals them somehow preserved just as they were, he has an unexpected and bittersweet chance to get to know them and vice versa. Meanwhile, back at his London flat, he’s sparked a scorching romance with a needy neighbor (Paul Mescal). Both of these relationships hit friction as the dream of a person collides with the complexities of reality. All of Us Strangers is a tale of queer love and self-discovery that is breathtakingly intimate, sentimental yet not cloying, and surprisingly alive with humor. Don’t miss it.
How to watch:All of Us Strangers is now streaming on Hulu.
7. Anatomy of a Fall
In this searing courtroom drama, director Justine Triet presents the audience with a curious mystery: A man lies dead in the snow below his family’s chalet. Did he fall? Did he jump? Or did his wife Sandra (Sandra Hüller) push him?
The answer to these questions is far from Anatomy of a Fall‘s main focus. (Indeed, if you want a clear response, you’ll be disappointed.) But there’s so much more to this movie — and to Sandra’s marriage — than just wanting to know, “Did she do it?” Triet examines Sandra’s relationship with her husband through the lens of her trial, taking into account everything from warring egos to infidelity to the pressure of language barriers. What follows is brutally tense and darkly funny, a riveting experiment in cinematic allegiance that sports brilliant performances from Hüller, Milo Machado Graner, Swann Arlaud, and one very good dog. It’s no wonder Anatomy of a Fall won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. — B.E.
How to watch: Anatomy of a Fall is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
Imagine The Parent Trap as a scorching satire of queer culture and homophobic fears, and you’ll get some idea of what’s in store. It’s not just musical numbers about the joys of putting alpha males in their place, or the madcap chaos of Mullally’s ad-libs, or even national treasure Lane spitting ham at his beloved Sewer Boys. It’s also got Bowen Yang as God, and a finale number that is as joyous as it is absolutely iconoclastic. In a year peppered with superb comedies, nothing made us laugh as hard or loud or long as Dicks: The Musical.
How to watch:Dicks: The Musical is now streaming on Max.
5. Past Lives
Since its Sundance debut in January, writer/director Celine Song’s debut feature has been buzzed about as one of the best of the year. When the film finally hit theaters in June, those outside of the Park City festival bubble got to weigh in. And this romantic movie lives up to the hype!
Greta Lee, who also appears in such buzzy 2023 gems as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseand Problemista, stars as Nora, a Korean-American playwright who reconnects with her childhood sweetheart from Seoul (Teo Yoo) over a couple of heady days in New York City. Long walks and long talks scratch at the scab of what could have been, as the two share an exciting chemistry. But life is complicated — specifically, Nora is already married to the rumpled but charming Arthur (John Magaro). So, will these long-lost lovers reignite their would-be romance? Or will they have to wait for another life?
While this all sounds cerebral, Song’s script enlivens the premise with a humane and even grubby sense of humor that makes her characters feel raw and real. Yoo and Magaro represent very different forms of masculinity, but both are totally crushable. Still, Lee shines the brightest here, winning us over with her spin on Annie Hall, a romantic heroine who is a bit mixed-up and all the more lovable for it.
How to watch: Past Lives is now streaming on Paramount+.
4. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
In a year that doled out underwhelming Marvel sequels (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,and The Marvels) and wonky Disney live-action remakes (Peter Pan and Wendy and The Little Mermaid), Sony wowed us with the much-anticipated follow-up to the Oscar-winning animated hit Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse slings audiences back into the fray with Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), Gwen Stacy (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld), and Peter B. Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson). This Spidey society is run by Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac), who has the ability to travel between universes to squash the residual mayhem of the first film’s villain. But a new foe arises who threatens everything Miles holds dear.
Despite some harrowing producer behavior behind the scenes, directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson expand the Spider-Family by hundreds, inviting fans into a web of wondrous heroes and villains — including the scene-stealing Spider-Punk (voiced by Daniel Kaluuya). Mixing wildly different animation styles, this stupendous sequel risks becoming too much. Instead, it’s exhilaratingly extra, unabashedly packed with style, action, Easter eggs, and plenty of heart. If you only see one movie this year twice, make it this one.
How to watch: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now on Netflix.
3. Oppenheimer
As a director, Christopher Nolan has always been fascinated by brilliant, tormented men. Think The Prestige‘s dueling magicians, Inception and Interstellar‘s dream thieves and astronauts fighting to rejoin their families, or even the embattled Batman of his Dark Knight trilogy. So it’s no surprise that the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, yields Nolan’s finest and most devastating work yet. Here is a man whose brilliance led to a lifetime of torment, both for himself and for the entire world — a fact Nolan never shies away from.
In typical Nolan fashion, Oppenheimeris epic in scope, delivering jaw-dropping shots of New Mexico vistas, dancing particles, and of course, the fateful Trinity Test. But it’s the film’s third act that hits the hardest, as the weight of the Manhattan Project reverberates through time, extending past Oppenheimer’s life and into our present. With an unflinching focus on Oppenheimer’s flaws and a haunting lead performance from Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer becomes part tragedy, part horror movie, and entirely unforgettable. — B.E.
How to watch: Oppenheimer is now streaming on Peacock.
Exploring America’s Underbelly with Martin Scorsese
For over 50 years, Martin Scorsese has challenged audiences by exploring the underbelly of crime in America with films like Mean Streets, Goodfellas, Casino, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Gangs of New York. While many of his movies allowed audiences into the vicarious thrill of being a swaggering gangster, Killers of The Flower Moon embeds us with the titular murderers to reveal how we might be complicit in the white supremacy that gave cover to a conspiracy to commit genocide against the Osage people in the early 1920s.
Based on David Grann’s non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, Scorsese’s film focuses on the marriage between regal Osage heiress Mollie Burkhart (a riveting Lily Gladstone) and her gold-digging husband Ernest (Leonardo DiCaprio). Their romance is swiftly but solidly established, making for all the horrors that happen around it to be all the more harrowing. Scorsese is frank in the film’s violence, but by way of an inventive epilogue that includes a deeply personal touch, he strives to give a clear focus to how this tragedy speaks to America today. Rich in detail, Killers of the Flower Moon is a hard watch, but one essential for those who aren’t versed in its historical horrors — and truly one of Scorsese’s best yet.
Poor Things: A Twisted Tale of Human Discovery
One of our most anticipated movies of the year, Poor Things met our sky-high expectations with its Frankenstein makeover, full of whimsy, wonder, weirdness, and unapologetic horniness. Based on Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel of the same name, Poor Things‘ resurrected corpse is the beguiling Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), who has a grown woman’s body, a child’s mind, and a ravenous desire to know the world. This makes her more than a mad scientist/father figure (Willem Dafoe) can handle. So, off she goes on a globe-trekking fling with a devil-may-care — but hot-as-hell — rogue, played by Mark Ruffalo with a winsome gusto.
Created by The Favourite‘s writer (Tony McNamara) and director (Yorgos Lanthimos), Poor Things is mercilessly witty while unfurling a tale of human discovery and inhumane realities. A behind-the-scenes team of remarkable artists fills every frame with something beautiful and repulsive, be it costumes whose colors refer to gross anatomy or set designs that are comically phallic. As I wrote in our full review, “Poor Things is an awe-striking visual feast that satisfies the eyes, tantalizes the loins, and feeds the soul.”
