By Jaden Shniderman
2023 was a smashing success for movies this year! Every movie this year has left a lasting impression on me that I haven’t experienced in so long.
Last year when I made my Top 10 List, ranking the movies came pretty naturally and easy, but not this time. Making this year’s top 10 list was unimaginably difficult. It could be entirely possible that this order changes in due time, but for now, here are the 10 best movies that 2023 had to offer.
Before beginning this list just a reminder that this ranking does not reflect AllTheClassics’ opinions, these are my opinions of what I think were the best films of the year. Also, I want to give a potential spoiler warning for any of the movies I discuss here. I will try my best to avoid spoilers, but some of my favorite aspects of these ten films involve major plot points. So this is your warning.
Also, check out the honorable mentions for the year. As stated before this was an incredibly tough year to rank, so I strongly urge you to check out the honorable mentions from this year as much as the ones being ranked, as I think you will enjoy them immensely.
Honorable Mentions:
Bottoms (dir. Emma Seligman)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (dir. James Gunn)
Godzilla: Minus One (dir. Takashi Yamazaki)
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (dir. Davis Guggenheim)
May December (dir. Todd Haynes)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (dir. Aaron Hovarth and Michael Jelenic)
Now without further ado,
These are My Top 10 Movies of 2023.
#10: The Iron Claw (dir. Sean Durkin)
Kicking off this list is the unbelievable true story of the Von Erichs, often regarded as “The Kennedys of the Wrestling World.” The Iron Claw is perhaps A24’s most emotional and heartfelt film in their catalog yet.
Some who watch this movie will go in expecting a wrestling biopic, and while it is that, The Iron Claw is deep down an examination of how mental trauma and parental abuse can destroy everything and everyone you love.
The Iron Claw follows Kevin Von Erich, brilliantly portrayed by Zac Efron. Kevin goes from a family man who adores his brothers and loves wrestling, to a broken soul surrounded by grief, slowly beginning to realize the callous nature of his father Fritz. Watching this transformation is devastating on all accounts. This movie does a great job of not pulling any punches as the circumstances grow worse for this family.
What makes The Iron Claw so special is that there’s something in it for everybody. If you’re a wrestling fan you’ll enjoy the stunts and theatrics that all actors had to partake in. If you’re a drama fan, you’ll appreciate the dynamics of the Von Erich family and the themes of mental health provided. If you’re a fan of biographies, you’ll admire the historical context/elements of the movie. The Iron Claw has something not just entertaining but meaningful for all who watch.
Chronicling is one of the most fascinating tragedies in the world of wrestling, there is a lot to love with The Iron Claw!
#9: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (dir. Jeff Rowe)
Moving on from one of the most devastating movies about brotherhood to one of the most uplifting movies about brotherhood.
If you were to tell me last year that a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie would be on my end-of-the-year list, I would have called you crazy, but here we are.
What has always made the TMNT so charming is that anyone can find themselves in these turtles. Whether it's with your brothers or close friends, we all know of (or are) a Leo, Donnie, Raph, or Mikey in our own lives. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem works well because it recognizes this universal emotion amongst all fans of the franchise.
What impressed me about this movie was the filmmakers were able to honor the classic Ninja Turtle tropes while creating a unique story compared to previous interpretations. In most interpretations, the Turtles will often have arguments that turn into hostile divisions among the brothers. Here, they may disagree at times, but the four always maintain loyalty to each other, which I really admire. In the past, Leonardo was always the leader, Donatello was the brains, Raphael was the hothead, and Michelangelo the impulsive little brother. While these identities are prevalent in the movie, the brothers are much more than their standard archetypes. In other interpretations, our “heroes in a half shell” are the only interesting characters in their world. But here characters such as Master Splinter, April O’Neil, and Superfly are fleshed out and enjoyable as well.
Cinematically, the movie is enriched with gorgeous and vivid animation that you’ll never want to avert your eyes from. Considering this movie is animated, the fact that every voice actor had such amazing chemistry with each other was impressive. From cast and crew interviews it’s easy to tell that everyone absolutely loved working on this project, which always forecasts a great movie.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem brings out that nerdy teenager in everybody and just so happens to be insanely entertaining in the process.
#8: Saltburn (dir. Emerald Fennell)
When I first saw the trailer for Saltburn I had no idea what kind of genre this movie was going to be. Now after watching it, I still have no idea what genre this movie was and I mean this in the best way possible. Saltburn is a dark comedy, a psychological thriller, a devastating gut punch, a disgusting fetishized look at British aristocracy, an idyllic 2000s coming of age, and so much more. But above all that, it’s something I had so much fun watching.
Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi lead a cast of fantastic performances. The chemistry between the two of them is so fascinating. In what might be the most aesthetically pleasing film of the year, Saltburn thrives off its sexy production design and costumes.
Saltburn is a movie that is riddled with so many twists and turns. I can understand why maybe some viewers could be disillusioned by these, but I was left speechless after witnessing all the revelations unfold.
No matter how you feel about this movie, two facts are true. First, you will never be able to look at bathtubs or graveyards the same way ever again. Second, you will never be able to forget the exhilarating mania that is Saltburn. (Especially the last scene)
#7: American Fiction (dir. Cord Jefferson)
Both the most wholesome and poignant movie of the year, American Fiction does what any great film does, it opens a conversation. American Fiction is two stories in one movie. Filmmaker Cord Jefferson manages to make both storylines deeply meaningful, a task that could’ve been a tall order for any other director.
The first arc follows Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, an African-American writer who is disillusioned by the one-dimensional views most Americans have on African-American culture. He realizes that the only books that are successful by African-American writers are ones where black characters are reduced to diminishing stereotypes. In a moment of retaliation, Ellison decides to write a book parodying these out-of-touch concepts, which proves to be a massive hit amongst readers and critics. American Fiction shows audiences how progressiveness can turn into bigotry if not reflected carefully. Then it encourages audiences to examine how their own prejudice could seep its way into their treatment of people.
The second arc of this movie revolves around Monk traveling back home to visit his family after a series of major events occur in his life. While at first dreading the idea of seeing his family again, Monk slowly learns to love his family no matter how unconventional they may be. In Monk’s wild family are his eclectic brother Cliff, his dementia-suffering mother Agnes, wholesome housekeeper Lorraine, and new flame Coraline. They are easily the heart of this movie. They help Monk grow as a person through their sage wisdom, which carries its way to the hearts of the audience. American Fiction at its core is a beautiful movie about celebrating the people who made you who you are.
American Fiction is the kind of movie that everyone needs to see nowadays. Humorous, heartbreaking, and a deeply human movie that will only age better with time.
#6: The Boy and The Heron (dir. Hayao Miyazaki)
If there’s one thing you should know about Hayao Miyazaki is that he never misses and with The Boy and the Heron he maintains that track record.
I can’t talk about a Hayao Miyazaki movie without mentioning the ambitious imagination he possesses. His creativity knows no bounds as he makes characters and creatures come to life that would have only existed in vivid dreams. His world-building is stupendous and complements the journey that Mahito, our protagonist, goes on.
But the aspect that struck deepest with me deepest was the film's overall message. We can’t bring back the ones that we lost but we can appreciate the people who are still here. As someone who has dealt with grief in more ways than one this year, I found this movie to be meaningful. Its messaging is something that everyone will be able to resonate with and how it’s conveyed in the movie is nothing short of profound.
The Boy and The Heron doesn’t just pay homage to its Ghibli predecessors like Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle. It also stands strongly on its own as a meaningful, unique entry in the Studio Ghibli catalog.
#5: Poor Things (dir. Yorgos Lanthimos)
Poor Things is the most surprising movie of the year for me. I went in fully expecting something artsy and pretentious, but instead got a hilarious and touching movie, which paid homage to films from an era long ago.
First and foremost the world-building and production design of this movie are magical. Yorgos implements a mysticism in this movie that blends the past with a not-too-distant future. The movie is so visually pleasing it took everything not to blink lest I miss another fantastic shot.
This movie is a character study above all else as we watch Bella Baxter mentally come of age. Watching her development was entertaining and outstanding.
Normally I’m critical of movies with a long run time. But here I believe that this movie benefited from its long run time. If this movie was shortened it would’ve been a detriment to the story. Additionally, the film is so naturally paced and never feels dull for a second.
The performances across the board are phenomenal, but the standout is Emma Stone. To any other actress, Bella Baxter would’ve been a near-impossible character to portray compellingly, but Emma Stone takes on this juggernaut of a role so effortlessly. She has become my pick for winning the Best Actress Oscar this year.
Give it enough time and I guarantee Poor Things will become a classic piece of cinema. Please go watch it!
#4: John Wick: Chapter 4 (dir. Chad Stahelski)
The impact the John Wick movies had on the action genre is immense. A rare example of a franchise that improves with each sequel, John Wick 4 proves itself to be its most ambitious, entertaining, and powerful installment yet.
The action sequences are second to none. Each fight sequence is glorious, I haven’t seen fight sequences as beautiful as this since John Wick 3. This installment is more dramatically focused than its predecessors but make no mistake, when the action happens it is pristine and exhilarating beyond words. Most people gloss over how compelling of a story the John Wick universe is. This fourth movie contains a superb story with fantastic world-building throughout its entirety.
However, aside from the fact that this movie is so cinematically proficient, it’s also the most fun I’ve had with a movie this year. And you could tell everybody who worked on this film had a blast while making it!
John Wick: Chapter 4 revitalizes its franchise with this unique installment. If this truly is the last time we see our friends from the underworld, it would be the best send-off I could imagine for one of the greatest movie franchises ever created.
#3: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (dir. Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson)
Are we all victims of fate? Or do we have the free will to achieve whatever goal we seek to accomplish? This is the question that characters and viewers alike wrestle with in this movie. Add onto this near-flawless filmmaking and you get the work of art that is Across: The Spider-Verse.
Across the Spider-Verse astonishes with its gorgeous animation that somehow trumps its predecessor in quality, a feat I never imagined could be possible. But the stellar visuals are complimented with equally stellar sound. With a fantastically composed soundtrack by Daniel Pemberton and Metro Boomin.
To top it off, the movie contains a wonderful script, which knows how to balance its philosophical themes and humor. Returning characters such as Miles and Gwen are even more fleshed out. New characters like Miguel and Hobie become iconic fan favorites.
While it took me a while to warm up to this movie, once I did, I realized what a masterpiece Across the Spider-Verse was. I don’t know how Beyond the Spider-Verse is going to be able to top this one but I can’t wait to see for myself!
#2: The Holdovers (dir. Alexander Payne)
A movie that is so deeply human that it feels like a loved one hugging me.
Alexander Payne crushes it in this movie on every level. His writing in this movie is spectacular, creating something so philosophically profound yet so close to home. His direction transports its viewers to 1970s New England and converts the viewers into “Holdovers.”
Following a straight-laced professor, a lost and isolated student, and a grieving chef, the three form an unexpected friendship and it is such a joy to see it blossom on screen. And it would be nothing without the impeccable performances and chemistry from Paul Giamatti, D’avine Joy Randolph, and Dominic Sessa.
With how underrated The Holdovers is becoming if this movie wasn’t already on your radar please check it out. It deserves all the praise it gets.
#1. Oppenheimer (dir. Christopher Nolan)
For all the people who are claiming that cinema is dead, I say to you that it’s a good thing Christopher Nolan knows CPR. It’s not enough to call Oppenheimer the movie that Christopher Nolan was born to create. The only superlative that is fitting is “Best Movie of the Decade So Far.”
Oppenheimer chronicles one of America’s most controversial figures, a man whose intelligence was his biggest blessing and his curse. The movie follows three important parts of Oppenheimer’s life: His life before Los Alamos, his life while working in Los Alamos, and his legal fight to clear his name against his greatest admirer/opponent Lewis Strauss. And this movie nails every single part of his life.
The visuals in this movie are spectacular. Whether it’s a big spectacle like the Trinity Test or one of the intimate moments between Oppenheimer and his cronies, the cinematography doesn’t let down for a second. But the sights to see are complimented perfectly with the sounds to hear. Ludwig Goransonn conducts a career-best score, which like the movie, will stay occupied in your mind. In what might be the best casted Nolan film, Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr, and everybody else turn in flawless performances. And the classic philosophical standpoints that Nolan covers in his writing fit this story like a glove.
2023 brought some concerns for the future of our film industry. It was easy to feel disillusioned about what lies ahead, but movies like Oppenheimer give me hope that the magic that movies and filmmakers provide still has a pulse.
Conclusion
At the beginning of 2023, I was hoping this year would be a good year for cinema, but I wasn’t expecting it to be one of the best years of cinema in modern history. I genuinely struggle to figure out how 2024 is going to top what came out this year, but I’m excited to find out!
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