My Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2023

2023 has been over for a week now which means it’s time for me to share my top 10 favorite movies of the year. Much like before this list is based on my personal opinion. Feel free the share your favorite movies of the year.

Honorable Mention – Once Upon a Studio:

Technically this is a short film but I kind of wish this was a full-length film. Seeing characters from every Disney movie get representation is great and I love how they animated them in the same art style from there film. Once Upon a Studio felt like a love letter to Disney animation.

10. Oppenheimer:

Objectively I’d say this is the best film of the year and my choice to win Best Picture (it would be crazy if it wasn’t nominated). Despite the long runtime this film is full of incredible directing by Christopher Nolan, amazing acting especially from Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.

9. Asteroid City:

I am not usually a fan of desert settings in media and yet Wes Anderson managed to make one amazing to look at. Everything that makes Wes Anderson’s film great from the terrific acting from the ensemble, witty writing, and of course the beautiful production design is all right here.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3:

This is an emotional, funny, and bittersweet conclusion to the most consistently great trilogy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I love how the film focuses on Rocket aka my favorite Guardian and his tragic backstory. The villain the High Evolutionary is one of those villains that you just adore to despise.

7. The Boy and the Heron:

It will be a dark day “if” Hayao Miyazaki ever directs a bad film. Everything that makes a Studio Ghibli film so great is all right here. Mind blowing animation, mature themes, amazing music by the legendary Joe Hisaishi, and terrific voice acting especially from Robert Patterson as the heron.

6. Godzilla Minus One:

Not only was this the first “proper” Godzilla film I’ve seen it’s also the first subbed film I’ve seen so this was a completely new experience for me. The characters are very likable, Godzilla is a legit intimidating force of nature, the score is epic and the climax is my favorite of this year.

5. Nimona:

I am very grateful to Netflix for picking up and releasing what would have been Blue Sky’s swan song. The futuristic/fantasy setting is unique and the vibrant animation is a real visual treat on the eyes. The voice voice acting is amazing especially Chloë Grace Moretz as the titular character.

4. Barbie:

Much like the Lego Movie, I never would’ve thought that a film about a famous toy would actually be thought provoking. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gossling are perfect as Stereotypical Barbie and Ken. The production design of Barbieland is amazing and the comedy is hilarious. The biggest surprise of the year.

3. The Holdovers:

This is a 70s style coming-of-age film you don’t want to wash your hands of (it makes sense in the movie). The Holdovers manages to find a perfect balance between being funny and emotional. The acting is also amazing especially from Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and newcomer Dominic Sessa.

2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem:

Best TMNT film! This was clearly made by people that were very passionate for the turtles and you can feel there love and respect throughout the film. I love that the turtles actually feel like teenagers for once considering they actually casted real teens and the Spider-Verse-ish animation is incredible.

1. Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse:

It wasn’t a hard decision on who would be number 1. Since January 1^st 2023, I predicted this would be my favorite film of 2023. The animation is amazing, the new Spider-Men are enjoyable, the Spot is a great villain, and the Daniel Pemberton’s score is Oscar worthy. The 20-minute prologue focusing on Gwen Stacy are some of the best first 20 minutes of any film I’ve seen. I wish Sony Animation lots of luck with Beyond the Spider-Verse.

Here’s to another year for movies.