Top Ten Films of 2023

The 2023 year in film felt like, above all else, a return. A return to a time when people actually showed up to the movie theater, as evidenced by the fact that this year the domestic box office topped $9 billion for the first since 2019; a return to a time when, due to the success of things like Barbenheimer, movies took center stage in our cultural landscape; a return to a time when the highest grossing films of the year didn’t all feature capes and tights; and a return to a time when it felt like audiences were more interested in seeing stories they hadn’t seen on screen before, rather than the same old IP being trotted out. It’s true, in a year defined by some genuinely innovative and captivating blockbusters—as well as films from masters of the industry like Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, Michael Mann, Sofia Coppola, David Fincher, Ari Aster, Yorgos Lanthimos, and others—it was hard for film fans not to think to themselves “we’re so back” frequently throughout the course of 2023.

It certainly wasn’t all positive all the time though. Most notably, the WGA and SAG strikes are the two other factors that really define this movie year as well. In terms of what we saw on screen though, I must admit I was almost overwhelmed with the amount of great films we received this year. And even though the recent trajectory of the film industry has given us lots of reasons to question whether or not what we saw in 2023 is truly a sign of things to come, or more of a pleasant detour on our frightening road to a bleak future, I’m choosing to enjoy the moment we’re in rather than prognosticate about what is ahead of us. We just got finished with arguably one of the three best films years of the century so far, and are about to embark on what looks to be the most intriguing awards season since late 2019/early 2020. So I say let’s enjoy this while we can.

(Honorable Mentions: Asteroid City, Afire, Poor Things, Barbie, Bottoms, Showing Up, Ferrari, Priscilla, The Iron Claw, You Hurt My Feelings, Passages, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret)

10. How to Blow up a Pipeline

Daniel Goldhaber’s adaptation of the 2021 nonfiction book of the same name is one of the best blueprints I’ve ever seen for how to make a film with a strong central political message still be wildly entertaining to audiences. Goldhaber, along with screenwriters Ariela Barer and Jordan Sjol, managed to turn what is essentially a piece of academic writing into a thrilling heist film. They absolutely deserve to be applauded for pulling off that difficult feat. It’s rare to see a movie this overtly political be presented to audiences in such a bold way. It is Goldhaber’s unselfconscious approach to the political aspects of his story that make this film so special and effective though. What separates this film from some other recent movies that have attempted to tackle big issues in our culture is that How to Blow up a Pipeline is not afraid to be direct with audiences about its ideas. The filmmakers don’t give themselves anything to hide behind, which is incredibly admirable. As I already mentioned though, the secret to this film’s success is that it is still ultimately very entertaining. It features some terrific filmmaking, an ensemble cast all giving great performances, and a ticking clock plot that has the viewer on the edge of their seat for much of this film’s 104 minute runtime. It’s not hard to see that the sense of urgency that is present for the characters in the story is mirrored by the sense of urgency that the filmmakers clearly believe is vital for tackling some of the climate-change-related issues that are explored in this film.

9. The Zone of Interest

Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest was undoubtably the most tense viewing experience I had all year long. That tension is built by what Glazer chooses not to show in this story of a commandant of Auschwitz living a “normal” domestic life with his family in their home that is located directly next to the camp. The immense restraint that is shown by Glazer gives audiences a new way to explore history that we’ve never really seen in popular culture before. And, the things that Glazer does choose to feature in his story make viewers wrestle with difficult ideas, like the concept of complicity. This film is clearly interested in what is going on around us as we all live our everyday lives, as well as how and why we’re able to compartmentalize certain things. In terms of the filmmaking, I would argue that The Zone of Interest is the most well crafted movie of the year. From the sound design, to the lighting and the utilization of color, every aspect of this film feels both masterfully executed and intensely worked over. Ultimately, this film is defined by its themes though. It leaves the viewer with so much to discuss and consider, even if it is uncomfortable to do so. And can’t it be argued that that is the whole point of art?

8. Anatomy of a Fall

Anatomy of a Fall may be the most fun film to talk about from 2023. Its grim subject matter wouldn’t immediately make you think that though—the film tells the story of a woman who is suspected of killing her husband. The movie ultimately works because inside that story lie several thought-provoking ideas about the ways in which we search for order to explain the complexities in life, as well as an ending that makes the viewer immediately want to discuss the film with anyone else they know who has seen it. That ability to seamlessly merge the somewhat sensational aspects of this story with the complex themes present in the screenplay is perhaps the most impressive thing that director Justine Triet did with this film. The movie does manage to be exceptionally entertaining, at times very funny, and fascinating to discuss and theorize about—but that “fun” quality does not at all cheapen the story or make the film feel any less substantial. It still leaves the viewer with deeply compelling questions and ideas about how our life is frequently defined by what we choose to believe is the truth. Also, it contains multiple incredible performances—most notably from Sandra Hüller, Antoine Reinartz, and Swann Arlaud—as well as one particularly special scene, in which the viewer is shown an argument between a husband and wife, that could be considered one of the best of the year. The script deserves praise as well. It is a dense piece of writing that features long dialogue-heavy courtroom scenes, but manages to keep the viewer engaged throughout. Clearly, there is a lot to recommend about this film.

7. The Killer

David Fincher’s abilities behind the camera are well known at this point—he is widely accepted as a master of his craft—but one still can’t help but be taken aback by the visually stunning nature of this film. When watching The Killer, it is made clear to the audience that there are few directors on the planet who are able to have as much control over the aesthetic of their films as Fincher does. The movie does more than just look good though. Its wildly smart and funny script makes it one of the most clever films of the year. Fincher, a man who understands the importance of entertainment, makes sure it’s never too clever for its own good though. The film contains healthy doses of action, humor, and drama—and Fincher finds a way to balance all of those elements perfectly. Moreover, while some detractors of the film criticized it for being slight, it clearly has a lot to say about our current culture as well. In fact, if you take away the murder of it all, the existential crisis that Michael Fassbender’s titular character goes through in this film can and should resonate with most, if not all, viewers of the movie. Only Fincher is able to explore a journey like that in such an entertaining and amusing fashion though.

6. May December

The brilliance of May December lies in the way Todd Haynes chooses to frame this film. In an age when the overuse of the word “camp” can be exasperating, it is Haynes’ genuinely campy approach to this story that ultimately makes this movie so successful. Haynes is able to guide the viewer through this potentially controversial material effortlessly and, when appropriate, find the humor in it. It is easy to imagine how awfully this movie could have gone had it been in other hands. There is a meta aspect to this film that could have been nauseating if not executed properly. Haynes is able to do more than just wink at the audience though. Instead, he actually makes us meaningfully think about our society’s relationship to, and infatuation with, real life stories that are similar to the one at the center of May December. Of course, Haynes is supported in his efforts by Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Melton—who star in the film and each give incredibly memorable performances. The film is able to perfectly blend the comedy that Moore and Portman provide with the profoundly heartbreaking emotion that Melton adds. Given the nature of the story, it is quite the astonishing achievement.

5. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

In 2023, we potentially saw the end of an era for comic book films in Hollywood. Obviously, superhero movies are not going to go away entirely but we clearly saw a shift in audience interest this year. The MCU struggled to connect with both fans and mainstream audiences more so than ever before, the DCEU decided to completely shut down and start over, and none of the top three films at the worldwide box office were superhero related. As much as the decline in comic book movie popularity may be welcomed by film fans like myself who have grown somewhat tired of the stranglehold that the MCU has had on movie culture over the last 10 to 15 years, the success of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse does prove one thing to be true—the problem is not that there is something inherently wrong with these stories, it is that there is something wrong with the way many of these movies are made. This film is proof that, even in 2023, there are genuinely compelling and creative ways to tell comic book stories. It is impossible to watch Across the Spider-Verse and not feel a palpable energy that has been missing from recent MCU and DCEU offerings. In my opinion, the Spider-Verse films are one of the few actually good franchises actively going in Hollywood right now—and I look forward to seeing how the next film in this series builds upon the success of this movie, just as Across the Spider-Verse did with 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse.

4. Oppenheimer

Obviously, Christopher Nolan’s film will always be remembered as part of the meme that turned into a legitimate cultural event. Oppenheimer is more than a theater experience that lived up to the hype though, it is genuinely one of the best films of 2023. Admittedly, it is also not a film without flaws. The magnitude of Nolan’s filmmaking, and the undeniable nature of it, forbade me from leaving this film outside of my top five this year though. I’ll never forget the tense feeling I had while watching the Trinity Test scene in a theater for the first time. At the risk of sounding incredibly corny, those are the kinds of moments that we go to the movies for. An equally important reason that this film landed at the number four spot on my list is the fact that I consider this to be one of Nolan’s strongest scripts to date. In the past, it has usually been the screenplays that have kept me from loving some Nolan films as much as I do Oppenheimer. It’s fair to wonder, and perhaps even poke fun at, how much Nolan sees himself in his own story here. But still, I found this script to have much more to say, and to be packed with much more ideas, than some of the film’s detractors have given it credit for. In the end, I’ll always be grateful for this film and Barbie. Despite what you think about the overall effectiveness of each film, together they gave us one of the most exciting movie phenomenons we’ve had in several years.

3. Amanda

Unquestionably, the hidden gem of 2023 is the directorial debut from Italian filmmaker Carolina Cavalli. I’m incredibly eager to follow Cavalli’s career from here on out because, with Amanda, she tapped into a frequency that I’m personally very much attuned to. This weird and hilarious tale of a lonely 20-something who attempts to convince a childhood friend/acquaintance that they are still best friends contains a tone and a style of humor that I will fall for every time. And in a year dominated by big movies with big ideas, the contained nature of this film felt like an incredibly pleasant breath of fresh air. This film may not emotionally level the audience, but it is nearly impossible for viewers not to resonate with some aspect of its story. As is always the case, the specificity of this story it ultimately what leads to it being so universal. Benedetta Porcaroli stars as the titular Amanda and, given the nature of the character, gives one of the most bizarrely captivating and endearing performances of the year. I truly hope this film is able to reach a wider audience on streaming and VOD because it deserves to be seen by more people. I am very much looking forward to what Cavalli does next.

2. Killers of the Flower Moon

With Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese proved that even in 2023 he is capable of operating at a higher level than pretty much any other director working today. This film, which tells the story of the murders of many Osage Tribe members that took place in the 1920s, is an incredibly powerful tale of the corruptive nature of greed and the way evil sometimes operates in plain sight. It’s not hard to see that the telling of this story was a deeply emotional undertaking for Scorsese. The ending of the film features an astonishingly honest moment in which the legendary director examines what stories we tell, how they are told, and who gets to tell them, in a truly self-reflective manner. Throughout the film though, Scorsese manages to expertly maneuver his way through the narrative that is part love story, part western, and part crime film. He manages to find the balance between these disparate genres as only he can, probably because this film is dealing with themes that he has been exploring for the entirety of his five decade long career. Of course, he gets magnificent performances from the films three leads—Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro—as well. Upon the conclusion of Killers of the Flower Moon, it’s hard not to feel a sense of gratitude that Scorsese is still with us and still making films.

1. Past Lives

The main reason that Celine Song’s Past Lives is at the top of my list is because there is no film from 2023 that I thought about more than this one. This is a film that sticks with you. It is impossible to watch it and not in some way reflect on your own life, your relationships, and the choices you have made once it is over. During the course of the film though, you are wrapped up in the truly touching, sincere, and heartfelt story at the center of Past Lives. In fact, from the opening scene of this film, you feel a connection to its main characters. You want to know more about them and their relationship to one another. Then, once you get to the end of the film, you are greeted with what is perhaps the most impactful and memorable ending of any film from 2023. From its deeply felt emotions, to its humor, to the ideas that it leaves you with—no film from this past year gave audiences as much as Past Lives did. Personally, I am wildly excited to follow the careers of Song, and the film’s star Greta Lee, after seeing what they both showed they are capable of with this film. It is a truly beautiful piece of art that is destined to strike a chord with anyone who takes the time to invest in it. I genuinely believe that it is a masterpiece, and am excited to crown it as my favorite film of 2023.