Whether in cinemas or on streaming, movies have given us a lot to thrill and think over in 2023.
The first half of the year brought plenty of action with fresh adventures from archeologist Indiana Jones (And the Dial of Destiny), secret agent Ethan Hunt (Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning), and fast and furious family man Dom Toretto (Fast X). Superheroes poured forth for better (Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse, Blue Beetle, The Marvels) and worse (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Flash, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania). Comedy got raunchy with No Hard Feelings, Bottoms, and Dicks: The Musical. Animated offerings spanned from the frolicking trolls (Trolls Band Together) to a high-spirited shapeshifter (Nimona) and the latest meditation from Hayao Miyazaki (The Boy and the Heron).
And of course, summer movie season climaxed with Barbenheimer, the head-to-head of Christopher Nolan's World War II drama Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig's violently pink and gleefully wild comedy Barbie.
With fall came a flood of daring dramas based on real events, ranging from the Leonard Bernstein-focused Maestro, the opioid crisis-centered Pain Hustlers, the true crime-influenced May December, the epic war story of Napoleon, and the deadly conspiracy at the heart of Killers of the Flower Moon. Meanwhile, romance bloomed in the colorful environment of Rye Lane, the restrained sci-fi of Asteroid City, the city streets of Past Lives, and the lusty shadows of Saltburn.
Coming-of-age stories were big and beautiful, boasting an ardent adaptation of a Judy Blume classic (Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret), an awe-inspiring anime (Suzume), a butt-kicking fantasy (Polite Society), a snarling comedy (The Holdovers), and a globe-trekking journey of lust and learning (Poor Things). Then, thanks to a menacing M3GAN, a stalking Boogeyman, beguiling ghosts, and repugnant demons, horror had such a good year we gave its best its own list.
This is all to say that it's been an extraordinary year in cinema, which made crafting a top 10 Best Films for 2023 virtually impossible. We couldn't stop. So, here is our top 25 ranked.
Whether you're seeking to laugh, cry, marvel, or lose your mind, we've got a film that's sure to please. Here are the best movies of 2023.
25. Polite Society
One of our favorites out of Sundance, Polite Society comes from writer/director Nida Manzoor, who also created the sensational series We Are Lady Parts. In her feature directorial debut, Manzoor genre-blends, combining elements of martial arts movies, Bollywood musicals, and coming-of-age comedies to dazzling effect.
Polite Society centers on two British-Pakistani sisters: Ria (Priya Kansara), who dreams of being a stuntwoman, and Lena (Ritu Arya), whose artistic aspirations have been recently crushed. They support each other's "unconventional" goals, even when the rest of the world doesn’t. But when Lena receives a seemingly covetable marriage proposal, Ria’s worldview is placed in peril.
What ensues is an irresistible series of events, underscored by family and sisterhood but punctuated with tons of action, extravagance, and laughs. The film is truly one-of-a-kind — an explosive watch. — Meera Navlakha, Culture Reporter
How to watch: Polite Society is now streaming on Prime Video.
24. M3GAN
2023 got off to a strong start with M3GAN, a killer doll horror romp with an AI twist. The titular toy was intended to shoulder the care of a grieving kiddo who'd recently lost her parents. But when her devotion turns deadly, it's up to her creator (Get Out's Allison Williams) to stop the singing, dancing, killing machine.
We fell hard for M3GAN when she first slayed in a teaser with some sharp choreography. Seeing how the emerging fandom for the movie skewed young, Blumhouse went back into the editing bay, turning Akela Cooper's R-rated script into a PG-13 release. Yet cutting some gore didn't detract from the glory of queer horror's latest icon. Directed by Gerard Johnstone, M3GAN not only boasted sensationally scary sequences that scratch that evil-kid itch, but also a biting sense of humor that had us rooting for this femme slasher, whether she was whispering pop songs, terrorizing a child bully, or threatening this film's frustrated Final Girl.
Critics cheered and so did audiences, leading M3GAN to box office success and to score a green light for a sequel. Here's hoping this time she'll go full musical.
How to watch: M3GAN unrated is now streaming on Prime Video.
23. Nimona
From his comic book series like Lumberjanes to his Netflix reboot of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, ND Stevenson has cemented himself as a whiz at delivering LGBTQ stories with a fantastical edge. 2023's adaptation of Stevenson's graphic novel Nimona is no different. The film — canceled by Disney, then resurrected at Netflix — is a rollicking fantasy romp about challenging authority and accepting others for who they truly are.
Nimona transports us to a futuristic medieval world where knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is on the run for a crime he did not commit. However, it's his label as a "villain" that brings shapeshifter Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) into his life. More comfortable as a shark than a human girl, Nimona is a delightfully deviant fiend who wants nothing more than to stick it to the all-powerful Institute. She and Ballister make quite the odd pair — she wants to wreak havoc, he just wants to clear his name — but together, they may just defeat an evil lurking in their kingdom.
Between some electrifying fight scenes and its graphic animation style, Nimona is a blast of a viewing experience. But its message and LGBTQ visibility is what truly sets it apart. Not only is Ballister's relationship with knight Ambrosius Goldenloin (Eugene Lee Yang) a key element of the film, but Nimona's own fluidity and negotiation of her identity calls to mind transness in a meaningful, important way. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Nimona is now streaming on Netflix.
22. Rye Lane
One of the most joyful movies of 2023 hands down is this rom-com out of England. Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson star as Yas and Dom, two losers in love who share dazzling chemistry. Sure, they might be hot off some crushing break-ups, but a meet-not-so-cute in a public toilet leads to one of those impromptu day-long dates that you remember for a lifetime. And viewers are invited to come along for the ride!
Directed by Raine Allen-Miller, Rye Lane not only thrills audiences with a winsome romantic comedy romp, but also awes us with the visual splendor of its titular, colorful London neighborhood. Per our review: "Allen-Miller captures Rye Lane and its assortment of shops, street art, and eccentric characters with such passion and detail that you can almost smell the burritos baking or reach out and touch the fresh produce glistening in the brightly painted stalls."
And that's not all! This mirthful movie also weaves in wild comedy; a Love, Actually cameo you'll drool over; and the ultimate scene of showing up an ex. Whether you're in a relationship, single, or "it's complicated," Rye Lane is sure to win your heart.
How to Watch: Rye Lane is now streaming exclusively on Hulu.
21. Beau Is Afraid
Among the most polarizing films of 2023, Beau Is Afraid challenged audiences to a point of frenzy. Writer/director Ari Aster made his name with mind-bending, stomach-churning horror hits like Hereditary and Midsommar. Then, he teamed with a star-stuffed cast — including Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Ryan, Nathan Lane, Parker Posey, Bill Hader, and Patti LuPone — to deliver a tale of fear that wasn't scary so much as it was a singular blend of neurotic comedy.
Beau Is Afraid follows the eponymous coward (Phoenix) on a bizarre and winding odyssey to visit his mother (LuPone). This deceptively simple premise pitches audiences into a minefield of a mental health crisis, steering from an urban war zone to a psychologically twisted suburbia to a heady theater camp, and beyond. Some cheered Aster's epic exploration of fear, anxiety, and mother-son relationships turned deeply toxic. Others jeered the film's mind-bending plot twists and methodical pacing. But love it or hate it, it's hard to argue against the mastery of cinematic carnage Aster has unleashed here.
Hell, for the sex scene alone, we'll never be able to forget Beau Is Afraid.
How to watch: Beau Is Afraid is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video and now streaming on Paramount+.
20. Zone of Interest
Jonathan Glazer's magnificent, disquieting drama The Zone of Interest is one of the more unsettling film experiences of the year, thanks to the juxtaposition of a subtly violent soundscape with scenes of domestic normalcy.
Based on Martin Amis's 2014 novel, The Zone of Interest makes you a deeply uncomfortable guest in the well-appointed home of the longest-serving Auschwitz commandant, Rudolf Höss (an impeccable Christian Friedel), his wife Hedwig (an unnerving performance by Anatomy of a Fall star Sandra Hüller), and their children. Just beyond the Höss family's lush garden wall lies Auschwitz itself, where over 1.1 million men, women, and children — about one million of which were Jewish — were murdered.
The Under the Skin director reunited with musician and composer Mica Levi and sound designer Johnnie Burn to create a disturbing sonic environment informed by the Nazi atrocities happening just offscreen. The contrast of the Höss family's blissful everyday life with the sounds of the nearby camp, with its omnipresent gunshots and screams, renders The Zone of Interest a chilling portrait of complicity. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
How to watch: The Zone of Interest is now playing in theaters.
19. The Teachers' Lounge
Murder, mayhem, high-stake heists, and sexual intrigue: These are the electrifying elements that often come into play in a top-notch thriller. The Teachers' Lounge boasts none of the above. And yet it just might be the most nerve-shredding thriller of the year.
The film's premise is boldly low stakes: cracking the case of who is pulling off a series of petty thefts — cash and pencils — at a German junior high. Such banal crime shouldn't be interesting, much less enthralling. However, co-writer/director Ilker Çatak masterfully composes a sadistically tense narrative that touches on ethics, racism, loyalty, and the grim side of sticking to your principles. Led by Leonie Benesch as a tenacious teacher, this lean, slow-burn thriller is so ruthlessly riveting you might have a panic attack.*
How to watch: The Teachers' Lounge is now playing in theaters
18. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
In 2023, Judy Blume's classic coming-of-age novel Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret became a classic coming-of-age movie, thanks to writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig. The Edge of Seventeen director brings the adolescent woes of Margaret Simon (Abby Ryder Fortson, in a star-making turn) to life with humor, warmth, and empathy, all while keeping the spirit of Blume's work well and truly alive.
Margaret is already experiencing a lot of changes as the film opens. She's moving away from New York City to a suburban life that neither she nor her family are familiar with. But when she enters her new middle school class, she's hit with an even bigger challenge: the oncoming threat of puberty. Between her fretting about bras, periods, pads, and crushes, Margaret also ponders her relationship with God due to her parents' differing religious backgrounds. It's a lot of material to sift through, but Fremon Craig treats each obstacle with the significance it deserves, all while expanding on the stories of women around Margaret, like her mother (Rachel McAdams) and her grandmother (Kathy Bates). There's no doubt that puberty is a weird time for everyone, but it's a treat to relive your own adolescence alongside Margaret in this sweet, honest adaptation. — B.E.
How to watch: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is now streaming on Starz.
17. Bottoms
This was a stupendous year for queer comedy, thanks to a trio of outrageous movies that all made this list. It's difficult to pick a favorite, but Bottoms — which centers on a fight club of teen girls — definitely hits the hardest. The Bear's breakout It Girl, Ayo Edebiri, teamed with Shiva Baby's director Emma Seligman and scorching star Rachel Sennott for a teen comedy that both paid tribute the genre and gleefully dragged it to filth.
Desperate to catch the eye of the cheerleaders they're crushing on, "ugly and untalented" gays Josie (Edebiri) and PJ (Sennott) concoct a lie about being bad girls — the kind who go to juvie and learn to brawl. And one good lie leads to a violent after-school activity, which leads to homemade explosives, sloppy sexcapades, and the most bizarre scene involving pineapple juice you'll ever see. But that's not all. With a wicked wit, Bottoms not only roasts the supposed "glory days" of teendom but also takes shots at rape culture, pushes queer lust to awkward (and relatably so) places, and brings on the blood. This comedy went so hard it not only had critics raving, it had audiences cheering out of its SXSW premiere and ever since.
How to watch: Bottoms is now streaming on MGM+.
16. Barbie
Frankly, the promotional journey for Barbie was so full of pink, so joyful, so fun, that would have been Kenough. The movie could have been a silly trifle, and we'd likely have been pleased. But writer/director Greta Gerwig brought us the universally heralded coming-of-age comedy Ladybird and then the rapturous re-imagining of Little Women. Her Barbie wasn't going to stop at playful. Instead, it parodied the patriarchy with horses, Stallone-inspired fashion, and a rousing dream ballet fueled by an actual banger, "I'm Just Ken."
Margot Robbie was picture-perfect as a Barbie who realizes the world is much bigger than the dreamhouse-dotted Barbie Land. Ryan Gosling could win a rare comedy Oscar for his delightfully deranged take on the insecure man doll who couldn't cope, and so turned to conquering. (Napoleon relates!) While detractors have argued the film's girl-power messaging is simplistic, it's hard to deny that Gerwig did more with this IP than we could have dreamed. Sure, Barbie is a glossy toy commercial. But it's a glossy toy commercial that not only has something to say, but does so through spectacular filmmaking that folds in eye-popping practical effects, enthralling details, discontinued dolls, and jokes that were way outside the box. From Weird Barbie to that on-point Pride and Prejudice mini-series namedrop, Barbie had us so giddy that we felt like kids again.
How to watch: Barbie is now streaming on Max.
15. Asteroid City
2023 was already reveling in Wes Anderson's vibes on Tiktok, so we were all primed for the king of twee to return to cinemas with his latest. And Asteroid City delivered, exploring this adored auteur's favorite themes of self-doubt, soul-searching, awkward romances, and deeply flawed parents with all the wit and whimsy we've come to expect.
Anderson assembled his recurring coterie, including Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Adrien Brody, and Willem Dafoe. This time around, he also brings into his fold Steve Carell, Hong Chau, Margot Robbie, Maya Hawke, and Tom Hanks. All together in one fantastic ensemble, they unfurl the story of the titular town where a Junior Stargazer convention becomes a life-changing, world-rattling event when an alien drops by. That's right — Wes Anderson has gone sci-fi, but in a way that is uniquely his own, where a charming color palette compliments a cerebral framing device, and loads of comically depicted existentialism. What's not to love?
How to watch: Asteroid City is now streaming on Peacock.
14. Ferrari
Director Michael Mann's first film in eight years is a stylish, dramatic biopic delving into the life of racing icon Enzo Ferrari. Set within the ruined but optimistic post-WWII Italy, Ferrari captures the lingering dynamism of the country's Futurist movement, in which the speed and power of the machine fuelled the very lifeblood of cities like Modena. And yes, the film boasts some of the most incredible '50s racing scenes you're likely to see on screen.
Adam Driver is near flawless as a perfectionist entrepreneur Ferrari, with measured physicality, internalised emotion, and a need to maintain control at all times. He's matched by an extraordinarily intense Penélope Cruz as his wife Laura, a steadfast partner of Ferrari in business and marriage. This film focuses on a pivotal few months during which Ferrari's infidelity, grief, and the pressure to excel on the track threatens to topple all he holds dear (though you wouldn't ever suspect it beneath that stone facade and dark shades).
Importantly, there are some genuinely funny moments among the grim tragedy. "If there's one thing Mann excels at with Ferrari, in a way few of his previous films have had the chance to showcase, it's finding a deft balance between comedic and tragic tones," writes Siddhant Adlakha in his review for Mashable. Thanks to a Mann's technical brilliance and fearless performances from Driver and Cruz, Ferrari drives laps around other racing movies, romantic dramas, and biopics alike. — S.C.
How to watch: Ferrari opens is now in theaters.
13. May December
On its surface, the latest from Todd Haynes (Carol, Velvet Goldmine) may seem like a thinly veiled reexamination of a true crime tale that had '90s tabloids absolutely obsessed. Screenwriter Samy Burch uses this familiar framework to construct a story that not only delivers a dishy parody of a melodrama, down to a string-zinging score and comically banal dialogue about hot dogs. She's also built a keen device to evaluate our obsession with true crime, for better or for ghoulish.
In May December, Julianne Moore plays a wife and mother who has a shameful (and criminal) past, which involves how she met her current husband (Charles Melton). When a TV actress (Natalie Portman) wants to turn their lives into a movie, old wounds are reopened. Beneath the blistering domestic drama, Haynes and Burch weave in a sharp and sophisticated humor that invites audiences to bark with laughter, even as their jaws drop in shock.
How to watch: May December is now streaming on Netflix.
12. Saltburn
Multihyphenate Emerald Fennell not only played Barbie's controversial Midge this year. She also unleashed an unapologetically sexy and savage follow-up to Promising Young Woman with Saltburn.
Critics have been polarized over this Talented Mr. Ripley-like tale of class conflict, sex, and obsession. But here at Mashable, we're in love with Fennell's wickedly funny offering. It's got everything: Rosamund Pike delivering some of the most hilariously withering lines of the year; Jacob Elordi as the portrait of blasé, hot privilege; Carey Mulligan and Richard E. Grant in small but salty supporting turns; and Barry Keoghan baring it all as a ruthless social climber. Plus, a lampooning look at '00s fashion and a killer soundtrack to boot.
Full of sick twists and jaw-dropping jokes, this comedy/erotic thriller is a deliciously nasty romp that is "bursting with lust, lies, and laughs — the kind edged with a dark snarl. If loving a movie this willfully seedy, boldly savage, smoking hot, and unnervingly sensational is wrong, then being right is boring."*
How to watch: Saltburn is now streaming on Prime Video.
11. American Fiction
Cord Jefferson, whose writing credits include such stellar TV shows as Station Eleven, Watchmen, and The Good Place, makes his directorial debut with this phenomenal film that's part family drama and part showbiz satire. Both parts pack a wallop.
Jeffrey Wright stars as Monk Ellison, a Black novelist with an upper-middle-class background who is battling on both the personal and professional fronts. At home, his family is reeling from a huge loss. At work, his prose isn't staying within the narrow expectations white editors (and audiences) have for Black stories, so his latest novel is gathering dust. Fed up, Monk plays to the racist stereotypes of drugs, crime, and bad dads in a bombastic new book. What begins as a joke swiftly snowballs into a hit that pushes the vexed intellectual into a snarling alter ego from the streets. In this scorching satire, Jefferson pulls no punches as he targets the tedious trap of playing it safe for the white mainstream. And with a cast that boasts Tracee Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, John Ortiz, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction is an absolute dazzler, full of humor and heart.
How to watch: American Fiction is now in theaters.
10. Wonka
The internet has been merciless about this Willy Wonka origin story since the first trailer hit last summer. Some called into question why the world needed an origin story for Wonka. Others snarled over the casting of Timothée Chalamet in the lead role. But we had faith in Paul King, director of Paddington and Paddington 2. And we were right.
Reteaming with his Paddington co-writer Simon Farnaby, King drew inspiration from the Roald Dahl story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well as the iconic 1971 film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory to create a wondrous cinematic confection. A new side of Chalamet is unlocked as he sings and dances with genuine glee in a family friendly tale that is as winsome as it is weird. The young Wonka teams up with an orphan girl (Calah Lane) and a scowling Oompa-Loompa (Hugh Grant) to take down the corrupt chocolate cartel. It's absurd and awesome to watch the kooky plot unfold with an array of rousing songs and an ensemble absolute stuffed with luminaries of British comedy, including Olivia Colman, Paterson Joseph, Rowan Atkinson, Mathew Baynton, Tom Davis, Jim Carter, Sally Hawkins, and more.
Check your cynicism at the door. Because Wonka is an absolute treat.
How to watch: Wonka opens is now in theaters
9. Priscilla
To the world, Priscilla Presley's life seemed a fairy tale. Like Cinderella, she was a kind-hearted common girl plucked from obscurity to be a princess — but not by a prim, sexless prince. She was chosen by the King of Rock 'n' Roll, to live in his palace, surrounded by luxury, draped in the finest clothes, and peppered with kisses and sweet talk from the sexiest man alive. With Priscilla, writer/director Sofia Coppola takes us behind the glittery gates of Graceland to reveal the view from the inside of its gilded cage.*
A coming-of-age story tangled in a festering fairytale romance, Priscilla is a stunning and thoughtful portrait of a misunderstood icon. Cailee Spaeny delivers a nuanced performance that artfully illustrates Priscilla's growth from starstruck teen to besotted bride to bullied wife and beyond. But Jacob Elordi, who also scorches the screen in Saltburn, is next-level as Elvis. Beyond nailing the swaggering Southern vibe of the King, he masterfully builds the shadowy self-doubts and mercurial moods that throbbed outside the spotlight. Under Coppola's direction, these stars do more than shine; they practically explode.
How to watch: Priscilla is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
8. All of Us Strangers
Co-written and directed by Weekend helmer Andrew Haigh, All of Us Strangers also made our Best Horror of 2023 list. However, this haunting tale of love, loss, and ghosts isn't scary. Instead, it's "the hottest, saddest movie of the year."
Fleabag's Andrew Scott stars as a lonely writer who longs for the parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell) who died when he was a boy. When a trip back to his childhood home reveals them somehow preserved just as they were, he has an unexpected and bittersweet chance to get to know them and vice versa. Meanwhile, back at his London flat, he's sparked a scorching romance with a needy neighbor (Paul Mescal). Both of these relationships hit friction as the dream of a person collides with the complexities of reality. All of Us Strangers is a tale of queer love and self-discovery that is breathtakingly intimate, sentimental yet not cloying, and surprisingly alive with humor. Don't miss it.
How to watch: All of Us Strangers is now in limited release in theaters.
7. Anatomy of a Fall
In this searing courtroom drama, director Justine Triet presents the audience with a curious mystery: A man lies dead in the snow below his family's chalet. Did he fall? Did he jump? Or did his wife Sandra (Sandra Hüller) push him?
The answer to these questions is far from Anatomy of a Fall's main focus. (Indeed, if you want a clear response, you'll be disappointed.) But there's so much more to this movie — and to Sandra's marriage — than just wanting to know, "Did she do it?" Triet examines Sandra's relationship with her husband through the lens of her trial, taking into account everything from warring egos to infidelity to the pressure of language barriers. What follows is brutally tense and darkly funny, a riveting experiment in cinematic allegiance that sports brilliant performances from Hüller, Milo Machado Graner, Swann Arlaud, and one very good dog. It's no wonder Anatomy of a Fall won the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival. — B.E.
How to watch: Anatomy of a Fall is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
6. Dicks: The Musical
Sometimes a movie comes along that is so completely outrageous that it feels like a miracle it exists at all. Dicks: The Musical is such a treasure. Writers/actors/homosexuals Josh Sharp and Aaron Jackson translated Fucking Identical Twins, a two-man comedy musical once staged in the basement of a Gristedes, into a movie musical that is not only beyond bonkers, but also features such big stars as Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, and Megan Thee Stallion.
Imagine The Parent Trap as a scorching satire of queer culture and homophobic fears, and you'll get some idea of what's in store. It's not just musical numbers about the joys of putting alpha males in their place, or the madcap chaos of Mullally's ad-libs, or even national treasure Lane spitting ham at his beloved Sewer Boys. It's also got Bowen Yang as God, and a finale number that is as joyous as it is absolutely iconoclastic. In a year peppered with superb comedies, nothing made us laugh as hard or loud or long as Dicks: The Musical.
How to watch: Dicks: The Musical is now available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
5. Past Lives
Since its Sundance debut in January, writer/director Celine Song's debut feature has been buzzed about as one of the best of the year. When the film finally hit theaters in June, those outside of the Park City festival bubble got to weigh in. And this romantic movie lives up to the hype!
Greta Lee, who also appears in such buzzy 2023 gems as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Problemista, stars as Nora, a Korean-American playwright who reconnects with her childhood sweetheart from Seoul (Teo Yoo) over a couple of heady days in New York City. Long walks and long talks scratch at the scab of what could have been, as the two share an exciting chemistry. But life is complicated — specifically, Nora is already married to the rumpled but charming Arthur (John Magaro). So, will these long-lost lovers reignite their would-be romance? Or will they have to wait for another life?
While this all sounds cerebral, Song's script enlivens the premise with a humane and even grubby sense of humor that makes her characters feel raw and real. Yoo and Magaro represent very different forms of masculinity, but both are totally crushable. Still, Lee shines the brightest here, winning us over with her spin on Annie Hall, a romantic heroine who is a bit mixed-up and all the more lovable for it.
How to watch: Past Lives is available to rent or buy on Apple TV+.
4. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
In a year that doled out underwhelming Marvel sequels (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and The Marvels) and wonky Disney live-action remakes (Peter Pan and Wendy and The Little Mermaid), Sony wowed us with the much-anticipated follow-up to the Oscar-winning animated hit Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse slings audiences back into the fray with Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), Gwen Stacy (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld), and Peter B. Parker (voiced by Jake Johnson). This Spidey society is run by Miguel O'Hara (Oscar Isaac), who has the ability to travel between universes to squash the residual mayhem of the first film's villain. But a new foe arises who threatens everything Miles holds dear.
Despite some harrowing producer behavior behind the scenes, directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson expand the Spider-Family by hundreds, inviting fans into a web of wondrous heroes and villains — including the scene-stealing Spider-Punk (voiced by Daniel Kaluuya). Mixing wildly different animation styles, this stupendous sequel risks becoming too much. Instead, it's exhilaratingly extra, unabashedly packed with style, action, Easter eggs, and plenty of heart. If you only see one movie this year twice, make it this one.
How to watch: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now on Netflix.
3. Oppenheimer
As a director, Christopher Nolan has always been fascinated by brilliant, tormented men. Think The Prestige's dueling magicians, Inception and Interstellar's dream thieves and astronauts fighting to rejoin their families, or even the embattled Batman of his Dark Knight trilogy. So it's no surprise that the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, yields Nolan's finest and most devastating work yet. Here is a man whose brilliance led to a lifetime of torment, both for himself and for the entire world — a fact Nolan never shies away from.
In typical Nolan fashion, Oppenheimer is epic in scope, delivering jaw-dropping shots of New Mexico vistas, dancing particles, and of course, the fateful Trinity Test. But it's the film's third act that hits the hardest, as the weight of the Manhattan Project reverberates through time, extending past Oppenheimer's life and into our present. With an unflinching focus on Oppenheimer's flaws and a haunting lead performance from Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer becomes part tragedy, part horror movie, and entirely unforgettable. — B.E.
How to watch: Oppenheimer is available for purchase on Prime Video.
2. Killers of the Flower Moon
For over 50 years, Martin Scorsese has challenged audiences by exploring the underbelly of crime in America with films like Mean Streets, Goodfellas, Casino, The Wolf of Wall Street, and Gangs of New York. While many of his movies allowed audiences into the vicarious thrill of being a swaggering gangster, Killers of The Flower Moon embeds us with the titular murderers to reveal how we might be complicit in the white supremacy that gave cover to a conspiracy to commit genocide against the Osage people in the early 1920s.
Based on David Grann's non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, Scorsese's film focuses on the marriage between regal Osage heiress Mollie Burkhart (a riveting Lily Gladstone) and her gold-digging husband Ernest (Leonardo DiCaprio). Their romance is swiftly but solidly established, making for all the horrors that happen around it to be all the more harrowing. Scorsese is frank in the film's violence, but by way of an inventive epilogue that includes a deeply personal touch, he strives to give a clear focus to how this tragedy speaks to America today. Rich in detail, Killers of the Flower Moon is a hard watch, but one essential for those who aren't versed in its historical horrors — and truly one of Scorsese's best yet.
How to watch: Killers of the Flower Moon is now in theaters and available for rent or purchase on Prime Video.
1. Poor Things
One of our most anticipated movies of the year, Poor Things met our sky-high expectations with its Frankenstein makeover, full of whimsy, wonder, weirdness, and unapologetic horniness. Based on Alasdair Gray's 1992 novel of the same name, Poor Things' resurrected corpse is the beguiling Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), who has a grown woman's body, a child's mind, and a ravenous desire to know the world. This makes her more than a mad scientist/father figure (Willem Dafoe) can handle. So, off she goes on a globe-trekking fling with a devil-may-care — but hot-as-hell — rogue, played by Mark Ruffalo with a winsome gusto.
Created by The Favourite's writer (Tony McNamara) and director (Yorgos Lanthimos), Poor Things is mercilessly witty while unfurling a tale of human discovery and inhumane realities. A behind-the-scenes team of remarkable artists fills every frame with something beautiful and repulsive, be it costumes whose colors refer to gross anatomy or set designs that are comically phallic. As I wrote in our full review, "Poor Things is an awe-striking visual feast that satisfies the eyes, tantalizes the loins, and feeds the soul."
How to watch: Poor Things opens is now in theaters.
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