The Best Movies of 2023 So Far, Ranked (2024)

2023 has been a terrific year for cinema, with many new films proving to be a hit with both audiences and critics. While certain franchise tentpoles have fallen short of expectations, arthouse films and independent features have been consistently terrific this year, providing excellent counterprogramming against the bigger blockbusters.

From gripping films contemplating the very nature of human existence to animated masterpieces with emotionally resonant stories, 2023 has given audiences some of the best films in recent memory. With examples from all around the world, the best films of the year so far give audiences an excellent view of the state of cinema in 2023.

Updated on December 18th, 2023 by Jordan Iacobucci - This list has been updated to include more recent releases in 2023, as well as updated rankings based on a collection of aggregator review scores.

25 John Wick: Chapter 4

9

10

John Wick: Chapter 4

R

Action

Crime

Thriller

John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.

Release Date

March 24, 2023

Director

Chad Stahelski

Cast

Keanu Reeves , Donnie Yen , Bill Skarsgard , Laurence Fishburne , Hiroyuki Sanada , Lance Reddick

Runtime

169 minutes

Main Genre

Action

John Wick: Chapter 4 is the fourth and supposedly final entry in Keanu Reeves's esteemed action franchise. The film sees the titular assassin finally go head-to-head with the High Table in his most action-packed adventure yet. The sequel is often acclaimed as one of the best entries of the franchise, as well as one of the best action films in recent years.

John Wick: Chapter 4 Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 94%
• IMDb: 7.7/10
• Metacritic: 78

24 The Wonderful World Of Henry Sugar

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar

PG

Adventure

Comedy

Chronicles a variety of stories, but the main one follows Henry Sugar, who is able to see through objects and predict the future with the help of a book he stole.

Release Date

September 27, 2023

Director

Wes Anderson

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch , Ralph Fiennes , Dev Patel , Ben Kingsley , Richard Ayoade

Runtime

39 minutes

Main Genre

Short

Writers

Wes Anderson , Roald Dahl

Characters By

Roald Dahl

Where to watch

Netflix

Based on the Roald Dahl short story of the same name, The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar is a new short film from director Wes Anderson. Newly released on Netflix, the film follows Benedict Cumberbatch as Max Engelman, a.k.a. Henry Sugar, a man who causes quite a stir when he uses meditation techniques to cheat at a casino.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 95%/Audience Score: 82%
• IMDb: 7.4/10
• Metacritic: Metascore 85

The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar again proves that Anderson's directorial style is the perfect medium in which to adapt Roald Dahl's iconic works. Sporting an all-star cast including Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and more, this is one short film that is certainly worth a viewer's time. With an abbreviated runtime, it may not be the sweeping epic that some other films of the year have been, but it is certainly worthy of a mention when it comes to 2023's best movies so far.

23 Birth/Rebirth

Birth/Rebirth is a new, horror-filled take on the classic story of Frankenstein, originally written by Mary Shelley. The film tells the disturbing story of a woman who is horrified to learn that she must siphon biological material from pregnant mothers in order to sustain a young girl whom she has brought back to life.

Birth/Rebirth Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 95%/Audience Meter: 75%
• IMDb: 6.1/10
• Metacritic: Metascore 77

Since its release, Birth/Rebirth has received high praise from critics for its unconventional scare tactics. However, the film has also proven to be somewhat more divisive with general audiences, holding it back from being counted higher among 2023's best movies. Even so, as one of the most terrifying psychological horror films of the year, Birth/Rebirth doesn't pull its punches, delivering a truly twisted tale that viewers won't soon forget.

22 Blue Jean

Originally released in last year's Venice Film Festival, Blue Jean finally hit theaters in early 2023. The film is set in 1998 and follows a British gym teacher who worries that a student is about to make her sexuality public. The film is written and directed by Georgia Oakley in her feature film debut and stars Rosy McEwen, Kerrie Hayes, and Lucy Halliday.

Blue Jean Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 95
• IMDb: 7/10
• Metacritic: 87

Blue Jean won the Giornate Degli Autori's People Choice Award after its debut at the Venice Film Festival, setting the film up for more accolades down the road. Praised for its direction, screenplay, and the performances of its lead actresses, Blue Jean has received nothing but critical acclaim.

21 The Boy And The Heron

10

10

The Boy and the Heron

PG-13

Animation

Adventure

Drama

A young boy named Mahito yearning for his mother ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning. A semi-autobiographical fantasy from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.

Release Date

December 8, 2023

Director

Hayao Miyazaki

Cast

Soma Santoki , Masaki Suda , Takuya Kimura , Aimyon

Runtime

2 hours 4 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Writers

Hayao Miyazaki

Production Company

Studio Ghibli, Toho Company

A Japanese animated movie adapted from the 1937 novel How Do You Live?, The Boy and the Heron is the latest film from acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki. The film follows a 12-year-old boy who discovers that his recently deceased mother may not be dead after all. Teaming up with a mysterious heron, the boy goes on an adventure in a brand-new world to find her. The English dubbing features a cast of well-known actors, including Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Mark Hamill, Karen Fukuhara, and more.

The Boy And The Heron Ratings And Scores

• Tomatometer: 96%
• IMDb: 7.7/10
• Metacritic: 92

20 Anatomy Of A Fall

Anatomy of a Fall

R

Crime

Drama

Thriller

A writer is thrust into a harrowing legal battle when her husband falls to his death under mysterious circumstances. As the investigation unfolds, her life and career come under intense scrutiny, revealing hidden secrets and personal struggles. The courtroom drama delves deep into themes of truth, perception, and justice, challenging the protagonist to navigate a web of suspicion and doubt while defending her innocence.

Release Date

May 22, 2023

Director

Justine Triet

Cast

Sandra Hüller , Swann Arlaud , Antoine Reinartz , Samuel Theis

Runtime

151 minutes

Main Genre

Drama

Writers

Justine Triet , Arthur Harari

Production Company

Les Films Pelléas, Les Films de Pierre, France 2 Cinéma

The French courtroom drama Anatomie d'une chute, or Anatomy of a Fall, follows Sandra, a writer who is forced to prove her innocence when she is arrested for the mysterious death of her husband over a decade earlier. Her son, Daniel, tries to help his mother as the only witness to his father's death, despite being blind.

Anatomy of a Fall Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 96%
• IMDb: 7.9/10
• Metacritic: Metascore 87

Anatomy of a Fall is a cleverly constructed film that never forgets its emotional core in the relationship between Sandra and Daniel. Dealing with the loss of Daniel's father, the mother and son find a way back to each other amidst extreme circumstances, leaving audiences both inspired and entertained.

19 They Cloned Tyrone

They Cloned Tyrone

R

Action

Comedy

Mystery

A series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio onto the trail of a nefarious government conspiracy in this pulpy mystery caper.

Release Date

July 21, 2023

Director

Juel Taylor

Cast

Jamie Foxx , Kiefer Sutherland , Teyonah Parris , John Boyega

Runtime

122 minutes

Main Genre

Action

Released by Netflix, They Cloned Tyrone is a new science-fiction film starring Jon Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Fox. The film follows Fontaine, a drug dealer who, with the help of one of his customers and a local sex worker, discovers that the government has been secretly cloning the residents of their neighborhood.

They Cloned Tyrone Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 95%
• IMDb: 6.6/10
• Metacritic: 74

Despite its wild premise, They Cloned Tyrone is easily one of Netflix's best films of 2023. Thanks in large part to its terrific cast, the Netflix Original expertly navigates its larger-than-life story with clear direction. After a series of mediocre receptions to its big-budget films, Netflix can take several lessons from the critical success of They Cloned Tyrone when working on its upcoming projects. Even so, it is clear that the streamer hasn't yet committed to quality over quantity and, while They Cloned Tyrone is a good step in the right direction, it isn't perfect.

18 Earth Mama

Earth Mama is an A24 movie based on The Heart Still Hums, a short film originally created by Savannah Leaf and Taylor Russell. The film follows Gia, a single mother expecting her third child, and the support she received from her neighbors and friends as she attempts to connect with her two oldest children, who have been put in the foster care system.

Earth Mama Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 96%
• IMDb: 7/10
• Metacritic: 85

Despite its heavy subject matter, Earth Mama shines in the glimmer of hope that remains steady throughout the entirety of the film. Audiences immediately identify with Gia and her struggles, fighting alongside her as she works to get back what she lost. The film tackles several heavy topics gracefully, leaving audiences inspired by the strength of one very real mother.

17 The Blue Caftan

The Blue Caftan is a Moroccan drama following a husband and wife whose relationship is thrown into turmoil after they hire a new apprentice to help them in their tailor shop. Filmmaker Maryam Touzani directs based on a screenplay she co-wrote with Nabil Ayouch. The Blue Caftan also stars Lubna Azabal, Saleh Bakri, and Ayoub Missioui.

The Blue Caftan Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 96%
• IMDb: 7.6/10
• Metacritic: 83

The Blue Caftan has received acclaim from the festival circuit, with specific praise directed at Touzani for her filmmaking abilities. After its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, The Blue Caftan became Morocco's submission for Best International Feature at the Academy Awards, though it did not ultimately receive a nomination.

16 R.M.N.

R.M.N. is a film by Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu that takes place in a Transylvanian mountain village. Tensions rise in this normally sleepy town when two foreign men are hired to work in a local bakery. The film stars Marin Grigore, Judith State, and Macrina Bârlădeanu.

R.M.N. Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 96%
• IMDb: 7.3/10
• Metacritic: 81

R.M.N. is an eerie condemnation of xenophobia and prejudice set in a peaceful mountainside village. The film manages to get its point across without being too heavy-handed, giving its audiences plenty to digest by the time the credits roll.

15 Suzume

Suzume

PG

Animation

Action

Adventure

A modern action adventure road story where a 17-year-old girl named Suzume helps a mysterious young man close doors from the other side that are releasing disasters all over in Japan.

Release Date

April 14, 2023

Director

Makoto Shinkai

Cast

Nanoka Hara , Hokuto Matsumura , Eri Fukatsu , Shôta Sometani

Runtime

122 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Suzume is a Japanese animated film by Makoto Shinkai depicting a young girl's adventure into heroism as she becomes the Earth's last line of defense against a gargantuan supernatural worm that threatens to destroy the entire planet. The animated feature includes vocal performances from Nonoka Hara, Hokuto Matsumura, Eri Fukatsu, and more.

Suzume Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 96%
• IMDb: 7.7
• Metacritic: 77

Suzume plays like a modern-day fairytale, delivering a fresh and inventive adventure that appeals to viewers of all ages. The film's animation steals the show, with visually stunning imagery that serves the story's greater purpose. While Suzume may divert its emotion through color and fun, it still manages to make its point better than some other, more depressing, films did throughout the year.

14 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

9

10

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Animation

Adventure

Action

The film follows the Turtle brothers as they work to earn the love of New York City while facing down an army of mutants.

Release Date

August 2, 2023

Director

Jeff Rowe , Kyle Spears

Cast

Rose Byrne , Seth Rogen , Jackie Chan , Giancarlo Esposito , Paul Rudd

Main Genre

Animation

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is an animated reboot of the classic kids franchise. The film follows the eponymous ninja turtles, Leonardo, Rafael, Donatello, and Michaelangelo, as they attempt to ingratiate themselves into human society. However, the machinations of the villainous Superfly threaten to destroy everything the turtles care about.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 96%
• IMDb: 7.3/10
• Metacritic: 74

Mutant Mayhem is one of 2023's best family-friendly movies, delivering a fun and action-filled story that audiences of all ages can enjoy. Moreover, the beautifully animated film takes the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise back to its roots after a series of less well-received live-action films in recent years. As successful as Mutant Mayhem became in its theatrical run, it seems inevitable that the film will kick off a whole franchise. However, it is still held back by its somewhat juvenile sensibilities, which keep the film from ascending the ranks of 2023's best films.

13 Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

PG

Superhero

Animation

Action

Adventure

Miles Morales catapults across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. When the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles must redefine what it means to be a hero.

Release Date

June 2, 2023

Director

Joaquim Dos Santos , Kemp Powers , Justin K. Thompson

Cast

Shameik Moore , Hailee Steinfeld , Oscar Isaac , Jake Johnson

Runtime

140 minutes

Main Genre

Superhero

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the long-awaited sequel to 2018's Into the Spider-Verse. The animated sequel follows Miles Morales as he delved deeper into the multiverse to discover the powerful Spider-Society, which harbors a secret that challenges his entire worldview. Across the Spider-Verse includes a massive cast that includes the vocal stylings of Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, and Oscar Isaac.

Across the Spider-Verse Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 96%
• IMDb: 8.7/10
• Metacritic: 86

Across the Spider-Verse has stunning visuals, somehow managing to improve on the award-winning animation of the original film. Moreover, the sequel's story presses the boundary of multiverse films, asking meaningful questions about fate and destiny. In an age of endless multiverse stories, the Spider-Verse franchise remains the trailblazer within the genre. More mature than Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and more innovative than Suzume, Across the Spider-Verse is undoubtedly one of the best animated films of the year.

12 Fremont

Fremont is an American drama telling the story of Donya, a refugee from Kabul, Afghanistan, who now lives in Fremont, California. Struggling with the reality of having left behind her loved ones back home, Donya seeks love and self-actualization in an unfamiliar city.

Freemont Rating Scores

Tomatometer: 97%

IMDb: 7/10

Metacritic: 72

In addition to a winning performance from lead actress Anaita Wali Zada, Fremont has received praise for its poignant storytelling, which manages to get its point across without belaboring audiences with heavy-handed exposition. Understated and subtle, Fremont is a terrific exploration of a refugee's life after escaping the horrors of war — and what exactly should come next for such a person.

11 Huesera: The Bone Woman

Huesera: The Bone Woman

Not Rated

Drama

Horror

Valeria has long dreamed about becoming a mother. After learning that she's pregnant, she expects to feel happy, yet something's off.

Release Date

February 16, 2023

Director

Michelle Garza Cervera

Cast

Natalia Solián , Alfonso Dosal , Mayra Batalla , Mercedes Hernández

Runtime

97 minutes

Main Genre

Horror

Huesera: The Bone Woman is a chilling new horror movie by Michelle Garza Cervera, marking the filmmaker's directorial debut. Starring Alfonso Dosal, Mayra Batalla, and Mercedes Hernández, Huesera tells the gruesome story of a pregnant woman who is plagued by visions of a supernatural world and dark magic.

Huesera: The Bone Woman Ratings

• Tomatometer: 97%
• IMDb: 6.1/10
• Metacritic: 81

Huesera certainly appeals to fans of body horror, though audiences who aren't accustomed to the genre may want to skip this film. The horror movie does what it set out to do, however, adequately terrifying viewers in a way that will certainly haunt them for weeks and months to come. Far more terrifying than Birth/Rebirth, Huesera is one of the scariest films this year, though its horror still can't measure up to the dramatic and emotional depths of certain other 2023 movies.

10 A Thousand And One

Teyana Taylor, Will Catlett, and Josiah Cross lead a terrific cast in A Thousand and One, the latest film by writer-director A.V. Rockwell. The film tells the startling story of Inez de la Paz, a woman who kidnaps her own son from foster care after she is released from prison.

A Thousand And One Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 97%
• IMDb: 7/10
• Metacritic: 81

A Thousand and One made its mark in the film festival circuit, winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. The film received widespread praise for its depiction of the difficulties associated with parenthood, which are a central theme therein. Moreover, Taylor has received particular acclaim for her role in A Thousand and One, delivering a standout performance as Inez de la Paz.

9 Return To Seoul

Return to Seoul tells the story of a young woman, Freddie, who returns to Korea after being adopted and raised in France. Returning to Seoul on a mission to locate her birth parents, Freddie isn't necessarily happy with what she finds. The film stars Ji-Min Park as Freddie and includes performances in supporting roles from Oh Kwang-rok, Kim Sun-young, and Louis-Do de Lencquesaing.

Return to Seoul Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 97%
• IMDb: 7/10
• Metacritic: 87

Return to Seoul has been the subject of near-unanimous acclaim from critics, with particular praise directed toward its story, as Freddie's personal journey leads her to a greater understanding of human nature. The film went on to become Cambodia's submission for Best International Feature at the Academy Awards.

8 The Innocent

The Innocent, also known as L'Innocent in the original French, is a comedy following a young man named Abel who is less than pleased to discover that his mother plans to marry a man incarcerated in the prison in which she works. In his attempts to break up the engagement, however, Abel unexpectedly finds himself bonding with his would-be stepfather.

The Innocent Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 98%
• IMDb: 7.8/10
• Metacritic: 67

L'Innocent originally premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year before entering the festival circuit, where it earned plenty of awards. L'Innocent's comedic yet engaging cast is a particular high point, as well as the film's winning original screenplay.

7 The Three Musketeers: Part I - D'Artagnan

The Three Musketeers - Part I: D'Artagnan

Action

Adventure

History

D'Artagnan arrives in Paris trying to find his attackers after being left for dead, which leads him to a real war where the future of France is at stake. He aligns himself with Athos, Porthos and Aramis, three musketeers of the King.

Release Date

April 5, 2023

Director

Martin Bourboulon

Cast

François Civil , Vincent Cassel , Romain Duris , Eva Green

Runtime

121 minutes

Main Genre

Adventure

Writers

Matthieu Delaporte , Alexandre de La Patellière , Alexandre Dumas père

What could have very easily been another bland retelling of the Three Musketeers story, The Three Musketeers: Part I - D'Artagnan manages to bring a fresh perspective to the tried-and-true tale originally penned by Alexander Dumas. The first of a two-part adaptation, D'Artagnan is a high-budget, action thriller, fully realizing Dumas's original story in all of its glory. The French-language film certainly leaves viewers eagerly anticipating its sequel, which hit theaters in December.

The Three Musketeers: Part I - D'Artagnan Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 98%
• IMDb: 6.7/10
• Metacritic: 78

6 Aloners

Aloners is a South Korean film following a call center employee who has become increasingly isolated from social life over the years. Consistently forced to mingle with her neighbors and coworkers, the woman begins to wonder why she has been so isolated lately. With Hong Sung-eun directing and writing, Aloners stars Gong Seung-Yeon in the main role.

Aloners Rating Scores

• Tomatometer: 98%
• IMDb: 6.8/10
• Metacritic: 72

Aloners is surprisingly relatable in its depiction of self-isolationism and overreliance on technology in place of human contact, even if its examples are meant to be extreme. In its explorations, the film tackles the importance of grieving, and socialization's help in overcoming loss, with emotional resonance.