The 10 best movies of 2023 so far and where to watch them
2023 has already delivered a grand buffet of captivating cinema that have left audiences enthralled and eager for more. In this year's cinematic landscape, filmmakers have pushed boundaries, captivated emotions, and transported audiences to captivating worlds.
We've witnessed biographical comedies that make us laugh, animated masterpieces that transport us to new worlds, and horror flicks that test our gag reflexes. Meanwhile, the resurgence of beloved action franchises and a few superhero additions have reignited the excitement of long-time fans while providing fresh perspectives for newcomers.
Whether you're a fan of heart-stopping thrills or whimsical adventures, 2023 has delivered the goods. With each film vying for the title of "the best of the best", it's a race to the finish line to see which one will claim the crown (for now). With such a diverse lineup, 2023 is proving to be a remarkable year for cinema, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating what's yet to come.
NOTE: Our lineup consists of films that have released and will compete in the 2023-2024 awards season to prevent overlaps with the previous year.
For now, here are the 10 best films of 2023 (so far), and where to watch them:
10. Air
Air is a thrilling drama-comedy about the not-so-thrilling business deal between Nike and Michael Jordan, a revolutionary collaboration whose impact can still be seen in Air Jordans (and its knock-offs) all over the world.
If you’re looking for a satire on corporate deals or the white rich corporate folks, Air is not that film. The characters in Air are just passionate about their job and want to secure a trailblazing deal. That’s about it. So, as an escapist tale of how (arguably) the world’s greatest shoe was born, Air serves its purpose well and soars high like the shoe’s namesake.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
READ OUR REVIEW: Air Movie Review: Ben Affleck tells the Air Jordan story sans Michael but it is more fun than expected
9. Beau is Afraid
You might know Ari Aster from Hereditary, a story that begins with a woman grieving her mother and later gaslighting her son for another death in the family. You might also know Ari Aster from Midsommar, a story that begins with a woman grieving the death of her sister and then finding herself in a Swedish cult of sorts.
This year, the writer-director is back with a three-hour-long self-indulgent nightmare fuel aka Beau is Afraid. Love it or hate it but you can’t just get it out of your mind. Aster’s bizarre ambitions border both artistic genius and artistic pretentiousness. Ultimately, it’s the genius that surpasses pretentiousness but at a perplexing genre-bending pace.
Where to watch: In theatres
READ OUR REVIEW: Beau is Afraid and the audience is mindf**ked: A Review
8. Blackberry
The Canadian biographical comedy-drama offers a captivating exploration of the rise and fall of the iconic BlackBerry line of mobile phones. Directed by Matt Johnson and featuring a talented cast led by Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton, the movie cleverly adapts the book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry by Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff.
The film's blend of comedy and drama strikes the right balance, offering moments of levity without undermining the seriousness of the events. Combined with its thoroughly Canadian sensibility, Blackberry becomes a highly entertaining and enlightening cinematic experience that sheds light on a generation-defining phenomenon.
Where to watch: TBA
7. John Wick 4
The fourth installment in stuntman-turned-filmmaker Chad Stahelski’s John Wick franchise marks the last in the cinematic franchise. Yet even as a ‘videogame’ movie, the film seems to elevate and exaggerate all that we have come to love and enjoy from the medium to a whole new level.
John Wick 4 certainly sets new standards for action films, thanks in large part to its technical prowess and should most definitely be giving the rest of the year’s blockbusters a run for their money.
Where to watch: Lionsgate Play
READ OUR REVIEW: John Wick 4 Review: The greatest 'videogame' movie ever
6. Creed III
The latest installment in the Creed franchise draws heavy inspiration from popular anime known for their intense action scenes, over-the-top fighting styles, and dramatic character relations.
With Creed III’s unreserved tributes to anime classics, Michael B Jordan has helmed a multicultural touchstone and one of the most entertaining cinematic experiences of the year.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
ALSO READ: Michael B Jordan pays tribute to Naruto, Dragon Ball Z and more with anime-inspired Creed III
5. Nimona
Directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, Nimona is a delightful computer-animated film that successfully combines science fiction, fantasy, adventure, and comedy. Based on the graphic novel by ND Stevenson, the movie takes place in a futuristic Middle Ages setting and follows the journey of the titular character, voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz, and her former knight partner, played by Riz Ahmed.
What sets Nimona apart is its ability to tap into a rich emotional vein while seamlessly weaving in thoughtful queer allegories. Nimona stands out as a revisionist fairytale that fearlessly charts its own course both visually and narratively.
Where to watch: Netflix
4. Evil Dead Rise
In the latest installment of the beloved horror franchise, writer and director Lee Cronin astutely captures the essence of what makes the series so cherished and offers a thrilling spectacle of gore that is also accessible to newcomers (if they can stomach it).
Cronin understands what makes the franchise so beloved and delivers a movie that both long-time fans and ‘fresh victims’ can enjoy. Evil Dead Rise offers a heart-stopping, immersive horror experience that stays true to the franchise's roots while also introducing new elements that make it accessible to newcomers. From the practical effects to the spine-tingling sound design, every aspect of this film has been meticulously crafted to keep you on the edge of your seat and test your gag reflex to its very limit.
Where to watch: Apple TV
READ OUR REVIEW: Evil Dead Rise Review: A heart-stopping, immersive horror experience
3. Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3
The third and final chapter in James Gunn’s beloved MCU franchise takes us deeper into the backstory of its witty raccoon pilot, wrapping up character arcs and bringing their journeys to a surprisingly satisfying close amid the MCU in comparative shambles.
The MCU has stumbled in its recent endeavours, leaving fans longing for the magic of old. With Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, we are reunited with beloved characters we've known and cherished for years, marking a necessary shift from lacklustre experiments and disappointing debuts. The film provides a rare emotional payoff that probably won’t be as easily replicated in this franchise for the foreseeable future.
Where to watch: In theatres
READ OUR REVIEW: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 Review: The Space Idiots finale rockets beyond expectations
2. Suzume
Best known for his stunning visuals, intricate storytelling, and deep emotional resonance; Japanese auteur Makoto Shinkai's latest work tells the tale of the titular Suzume - a precocious and solitary teen who resides with her aunt following the untimely passing of her mother.
It's in the tiny details, the painstaking effort that goes into each frame, where the essence of the film lies - in the little things. Suzume is a feast for the eyes and the soul that proves beyond all doubt, Shinkai is a master of elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary.
Where to watch: TBA
1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K Thompson, the sequel to 2019’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has proven itself as an animated masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of the genre like its predecessor, and an array of different storytelling elements play an integral role in capturing the film's vibrancy and distinct visual style.
With its profound emotional resonance and rich world-building, Across the Spider-Verse has captivated the hearts and minds of millions across the world and definitely goes above and beyond all its hype, making it the finest film we've seen this year so far.
Where to watch: In theatres
Time will tell whether these films stand the test of the rest of 2023. We have a lot more cinema yet to come in the next few months.