With 2024 around the corner, it’s time to list my favorite movies of 2023! Just like what happened last year, the main awards contenders are loved by the majority of people but simply didn’t impact me the same way, so my list will probably be a bit different.
There are, of course, some movies I sadly won’t be able to see in 2023, most notably, The Color Purple, The Iron Claw, and The Zone of Interest.
Also, even though Barbie and Oppenheimer are not on my list, I thoroughly enjoyed “Barbenheimer” and the whole experience they brought to theaters over the summer!
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
10 – Wish
It’s a shame that the movie celebrating 100 years of the Walt Disney Company wasn’t really well received, but I still enjoyed it a lot! I loved the songs, especially “This is the Thanks I Get?” and “At All Costs.” The story is also very sweet, discussing the power of wishes and if we should rely on others for our wishes to come true. There are many Easter Eggs of previous Disney movies, such as Snow White, Peter Pan, Bambi and, of course, Pinocchio, the movie that originated “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
9 – Air
Sports movies that don’t necessarily focus on the sport itself are usually very interesting, like Moneyball. Air shifts even more the focus from the sport and tells the story of how Michael Jordan signed a contract with Nike that would change how athletes do business. It was a very clever choice not to show Michael Jordan in the movie and, instead, discuss how his mother (Viola Davis) played an important role in the deal. It is also always great to see Matt Damon!
8 – Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Possibly the most underrated movie of the year, Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. was a delight from beginning to end. It’s a very sweet and somewhat naive look on how girls dealt with growing up in the 1970s. Abby Ryder Fortson is a revelation as Margaret, but it’s Rachel McAdams who steals the spotlight as her mother. Kathy Bates is always fun to watch as well!
7 – Elemental
Elemental, Pixar’s first romantic comedy, was even better than what I was expecting. I knew it would discuss a relationship between water and fire, but I didn’t know it would involve discussions about immigration, prejudice, family, and tradition. The animation itself is jaw-dropping and the world-building is so well done that I wish Disney would include Element City as a land in their parks.
6 – The Killer
After being very disappointed with Mank, I was relieved that David Fincher went back to his usual style with The Killer. Michael Fassbender is great as a nameless paid assassin who makes a mistake and needs to deal with the consequences. The voiceover is a good tool, especially early on, when we just witness him waiting for almost 20 minutes. But, just like he says “if you are unable to endure boredom, this work is not for you,” if you are not able to deal with slower pacing and heavy voiceover, this movie is not for you either.
5 – Maestro
Despite its many problems – mainly Bradley Cooper’s choice of camera placement – I still really enjoyed Maestro. I was able to see it in theaters and the shared experience made the movie even better, especially the famous cathedral scene, where we’re basically just witnessing an orchestra performing live. Bradley Cooper really gives his all as Leonard Bernstein, with the help of prosthetics, but Carey Mulligan really shines as his wife Felicia Montealegre and the movie chooses to focus on their complex relationship.
4 – Anatomy of a Fall
If you love courtroom dramas, Anatomy of a Fall is definitely the movie for you. Sandra Hüller is spectacular as Sandra Voyter, a writer being accused of murdering her husband (Samuel Theis). Milo Machado Graner is also very good as her blind son and the only witness who can help to solve the case.
3 – Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part 1
I might be very biased, since I’m a big fan of the Mission: Impossible franchise, but Dead Reckoning – Part 1 was a thrilling experience! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and didn’t even notice the running time. You can read my full review here.
2 – American Fiction
American Fiction was the best surprise I had in theaters in 2023. I had barely heard of it and I had a blast! It’s funny, sad, though-provoking, and everything in between. Jeffrey Wright is amazing as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a novelist-professor who’s frustrated his latest book isn’t getting published because it’s not considered “Black” enough. The movie touches on many universal themes and can be very sad at times, but it has plenty of funny moments.
1 – Killers of the Flower Moon
I was not expecting to have Killers of the Flower Moon as my favorite movie of 2023, but here we are! Despite its long running time and its flaws, such as unclear timeline, it still managed to keep me interested the whole time. The ending is also one of the main reasons why it left a mark on me. You can read my full review here.
Let’s hope there are even more exciting movies in 2024!
