As the curtains close on another year of cinematic excellence, 2023 has proven that the film industry continues to thrive. This year’s offerings have undoubtedly left their mark on the big screen, from breathtaking summer blockbusters to countless Halloween thrillers. But with such a selection, which movies from this past year are truly the best? In this exhaustive roundup, imaginative filmmakers and mesmerizing performances will be assessed to determine which movies of 2023 deserve a lasting legacy for years to come.
10: Thanksgiving
Horror movies rarely secure high rankings due to their inherently unsettling and occasionally grotesque nature. However, Thanksgiving not only embraces this quality but ingeniously turns it into an asset. The film commences on Black Friday with a riot that claims multiple lives within the first five minutes, setting a chilling tone. From there, the film’s strong plot and unwavering suspense launches it to nearly the best horror movie of the year. Unbeknownst to the group of protagonists, the killer, disguised as John Carver, unleashes a sinister plan, orchestrating a series of revenge killings to terrorize the city. At a methodical pace, he plucks his victims, offering horror fans numerous jump scares and over-the-top gore, imprinting lasting and haunting images in viewers’ minds.
9: Saw X
No horror movie executes gore as effectively as the Saw series. Contrary to the rest of the series, the film is shot from the perspective of a cancer-stricken Cramer who, in pursuit of a cure, ventures to Mexico only to discover he has been deceived. As always, the movie is full of ingenious traps – possibly the most gruesome yet – aimed to take the lives of those who scammed him. Saw X includes Amanda and Hoffman from the original series, alongside the new characters, reinvigorating one of the longest-running horror franchises. However, unlike many horror series’ reliant on jump scares and violence, Saw distinguishes itself by emphasizing a gripping and intellectually stimulating plot. Even after 10 films, Saw continues to be a unique and intriguing film series, with fans flocking to the theaters to see each new release.
8: Gran Turismo
Quite the opposite of the aforementioned horror movies, Gran Turismo is the true underdog story of a failed race car driver, Jack Salter, as he transforms the best Gran Turismo players into professional drivers. The film kicks off with a Gran Turismo tournament, where top racers will be selected to train under Salter in order to compete in the world’s most prestigious races. Great acting and a memorable score make Gran Turismo an emotional rollercoaster. Full of action-packed scenes, the film ends with an inspirational monologue, delivered exceptionally by David Harbour, instilling a feeling of triumph over the audience as Salter’s top student enters his final race.
7: Air
At the seventh spot is an early 2023 release that delves into Nike’s quest for the most significant athlete contract in history, centered around the iconic Michael Jordan. Air is told from the perspective of Nike’s sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, as he empathizes with the Jordan family to earn their trust and agree to a contract. Directed by Ben Affleck and based on real events, the sports drama brings a story of dedication, risk, and perseverance to life. Per usual, Matt Damon’s performance throughout the movie is impeccable, consisting of one of the greatest monologues from a movie this year. Additionally, Viola Davis shines in her role as Jordan’s mother, adding depth to the character as she struggles to help her son make the right decision. Interestingly, the movie does not give a speaking part to the role of Michael Jordan. Instead, his parents and the representatives at Nike are able to convey the importance of Jordan’s legacy without him uttering a single word. The film goes on to explain the historic effects of the contract, most notably a royalty clause introduced by Deloris Jordan. Every aspect of Air works in harmony to create a tranquil but suspenseful theater experience leaving viewers to reflect on their newfound knowledge of the greatest basketball player of all time.
6: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (Part 1)
No film compilation would be complete without featuring a Tom Cruise movie, which holds true as his latest addition to the Mission: Impossible series, Dead Reckoning (Part One), secures the sixth spot on this list. This time, Ethan Hunt and the impossible mission force embark on a journey to acquire a new and potentially world-destroying weapon. Brimming with the trademark thrills of Tom Cruise films, Dead Reckoning meets and exceeds all expectations, throwing the 61-year-old actor off cliffs and into enthralling fights on moving trains. Despite enjoying senior discounts at the theater, Cruise continues to enhance his filmmaking prowess with each new release. As consistent with the previous Mission Impossible films, the seventh installment delivers persistent suspense and emotionally charged scenes, leaving viewers begging for part two at the abrupt but gripping conclusion.
5: Sound of Freedom
As the most controversial movie of this year, Sound of Freedom has certainly left its mark on the film industry. Exposing the activity of global child traffickers, it tells the true story of Tim Ballard, a former United States government agent as he quits his job and risks his life to rescue kidnapped children from South America. As Ballard travels to Mexico, no viewer can refrain from feeling indignation towards the traffickers as they casually explain their “business” and treat his visit as a joke. Directed by Alejandro Monteverde, Sound of Freedom calls viewers to action —its extremely effective message is supported by its superb cinematography and score. Bringing to light one of the most monstrous acts perpetrated by humanity, Sound of Freedom is a film that, upon viewing, embeds itself deeply in the viewer’s conscience, leaving a permanent mark that can never be forgotten.
4: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Of the limited number of book-to-movie adaptations released this year, the new Hunger Games movie, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, undoubtedly tops the list. Based on the novel by award-winning author Suzanne Collins, the two- hour and 45-minute film flies by, clutching viewers’ unwavering attention as they explore Coriolanus Snow’s early life. Although Snow is the antagonist of the main Hunger Games trilogy, Tom Blyth’s remarkable performance leaves the audience rooting for him even as he transforms from an innocent teenager fighting for the lives of innocent civilians into the malicious and cruel President Snow that readers have come to despise. Rachel Zegler’s performance can be considered exceptional as well, including the addition of her singing incredible voice that moved even the most stoic of viewers to tears. Supporting roles played by Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Josh Andes Rivera, and Jason Schwartzman are executed to perfection coupled with the film’s phenomenal cinematography, CGI, and soundtrack unequivocally affirm its position as one of the greatest movies of the year and the finest installment of The Hunger Games series to date.
3: Asteroid City
Entering the top three, most of the films discussed have had a few significant stars. However, none compare to the stacked cast of Asteroid City, which includes Scarlett Johanson, Jason Schwartzman, Tom Hanks, Jeff Goldblum, Maya Hawke, Bryan Cranston, and more. As usual, Wes Anderson seamlessly incorporates his distinctive directorial style into the film, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience that leaves the audience questioning the intricacies of life. The storyline follows the experience of a writer in the making of a play of the same name which features a grieving father taking his family to compete in a junior stargazing event. Adding to the signature “Wes Anderson look” — with vibrant colors, innumerable symmetrical shots, and monotone dialogue, the movie takes place in three interwoven parts: the film we see in color, and the black and white dramatization of a television program broadcasting the play and the hidden life of the actors of the play. Progressing throughout the story, intricate parallels emerge between the lives of the actors and the characters they play, adding a third narrative to the already complex movie. For almost 100 minutes, the audience is left trying to piece together the confounding story of Asteroid City, hoping the ending will make the meaning of the film apparent. However, Anderson’s commentary on the meaninglessness (and value) of life leaves viewers to interpret his message, the implications of which transcend how we live today.
2: Spider-man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part 1)
As we approach the most impressive films on our list, we land on Joaquim Dos Santos’s long-awaited sequel to the critically-acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. With its stunning animation and impertinent humor, Across the Spider-Verse could easily be considered one of the greatest movies of all time. Its intricate plot, captivating storylines, relatable characters, and gripping soundtrack remove any doubt of giving the movie five out of five stars. The story unfolds as Miles Morales is catapulted across the multiverse with an elite team of Spider-People to vanquish their most formidable adversary to date. Nonetheless, Miles and Gwen still form a deep connection with the audience, resulting in unexpected intense heartfelt scenes that enrich the action-packed narrative. Additionally, the comic book-style animation provides Across the Spider-Verse with a nostalgic atmosphere that transports viewers back to their childhood, bringing the cherished stories to life in a way they could have never imagined. In the final minutes of the movie, the audience is left with an incredibly suspenseful cliffhanger scene, forcing them to impatiently wait for the next sequel. The only adequate pastime being endlessly rewatching the first two movies of what could be the greatest trilogy of all time.
1: Oppenheimer
The top spot on this list undoubtedly goes to Oppenheimer: the true story of the most dangerous man to ever live. Based on Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s American Prometheus, Oppenheimer explores the psychological effects of America’s “Manhattan Project” on J. Robert Oppenheimer and his colleagues during World War II. The film unfolds through the eyes of two highly influential men involved in the creation of the first atomic bomb. Director Christopher Nolan manages to keep the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the entire three-hour long film, giving even the most dialogue-heavy scenes a level of suspense surpassing that of most horror movies. He employs black and white scenes to signify the perspective of Lewis Strauss, while the color scenes follow J. Robert Oppenheimer. Illuminating the repercussions of the Manhattan Project, the film’s thrilling sequences and mesmerizing visuals leave the audience stunned and speechless. As expected, the film has a star-studded cast, consisting of Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, and more. Perfecting almost every aspect of filmmaking in Oppenheimer, Nolan has crafted one of his best movies yet – a cinematic reminder to the world of the perils associated with prioritizing power and status over what is ultimately best for humanity.
The diverse array of films featured in this top-10 list displays the richness and creativity inherent in the world of cinema with each movie contributing to the assorted montage of the year’s cinematic landscape. Bidding farewell to the cinema of 2023, it will be a challenge to supersede this year’s exceptional film production.
