Best Movies Released in 2023: Updated with Oscars and Golden Globes

2023 has been a great year for movies. There have been a number of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films released, from big-budget blockbusters to indie gems. In this article, I will be highlighting the 20 best movies of 2023. An updated list of movies of the year.

The Best Movies of 2023 That You Need to See

I chose these movies based on their critical acclaim and box office success. I also tried to include a variety of genres, so there is something for everyone on the list. 

These are just a few of the many great movies that have been released in 2023. I highly recommend checking them out if you haven't seen them already.

Related post: The TOP 3 "best movies of all time" lists by film critics

Here is the list:

1. Killers of the Flower Moon (crime drama)

A true-crime story about the Osage Nation murders in 1920s Oklahoma. Directed by Martin Scorsese, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Jesse Plemons.

2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (animated superhero)

The sequel to the critically-acclaimed animated film, following Miles Morales as he travels to different universes to team up with other Spider-People. Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson.

3. Oppenheimer (biographical drama)

Christopher Nolan brings Oppenheimer's story to life with breathtaking grandeur and Cillian Murphy's mesmerizing performance.

4. Past Lives (drama)

A South Korean film about two childhood friends who are reunited after being separated during the Korean War. Directed by Jin-mo Yang, and starring Lee Byung-hun and Shin Min-ah.

5. Barbie (comedy)

Greta Gerwig's subversive take on the iconic doll is sharp, hilarious, and surprisingly insightful, redefining live-action toy movies.

6. John Wick: Chapter 4 (action)

The fourth installment in the John Wick franchise, following the hitman's quest for revenge. Directed by Chad Stahelski, and starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Ian McShane.

7. Poor Things (horror)

This twisted, darkly comedic tale of Victorian mad science and female empowerment is both grotesque and strangely fascinating.

8. No Hard Feelings (dark comedy)

A dark comedy about a man who is forced to confront his past when he returns to Iran. Directed by Faraz Shariat, and starring Payman Maadi and Navid Negahban.

9. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (action, space adventure)

Buckle up for an emotional rollercoaster ride through the cosmos alongside everyone's favorite dysfunctional family. This hilarious and action-packed space opera delivers stunning visuals, laugh-out-loud moments, and surprising twists that leave you wanting more. Prepare to unravel the Guardians' pasts, face intergalactic threats, and witness the power of found family bonds - all set to a killer soundtrack.

10. Asteroid City (comedy)

A comedy about a group of people who gather in a small town to attend the wedding of a young couple. Directed by Wes Anderson, and starring Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and Adrien Brody.

11. Anatomy of a Fall (psychological thriller)

An atmospheric and suspenseful examination of obsession and privilege, keeping you guessing until the very end.

12. Polite Society (comedy-drama)

A comedy-drama about a group of British Muslims who attend a summer party in the English countryside. Directed by Nida Manzoor, and starring Riz Ahmed, Claire Rushbrook, and Adeel Akhtar.

13. The Holdovers (comedy-drama)

Alexander Payne's bittersweet look at college life during the pandemic captures humor and melancholy with poignant nuance.

14. Sharper (thriller)

Sharper is a 2023 American crime thriller film directed by Benjamin Caron and written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka. The film stars Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith, Briana Middleton, and John Lithgow. It follows a professional con artist who is released from prison after serving a five-year sentence. She sets her sights on a wealthy art collector, but her plans are complicated when she starts to develop feelings for him. 

15. May December (comedy)

This unexpected rom-com challenges ageism and societal expectations with wit and surprising charm.

16. BlackBerry (biographical comedy-drama)

BlackBerry is a 2023 Canadian biographical comedy-drama film about the history of the BlackBerry line of mobile phones. It is directed by Matt Johnson from a script by Johnson and producer Matthew Miller, which was adapted from Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff's book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry, and stars Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton in the lead roles as Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, respectively.

17. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (action)

Tom Cruise's signature adrenaline-pumping stunts and IMF hijinks are always a safe bet for action fans. This could replace or join John Wick: Chapter 4 within the "Action" category, depending on your preference for spy thrills vs. hitman mayhem.

18. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (comedy-drama)

A coming-of-age story about a young girl who is trying to figure out her place in the world. Directed by Karen Maine, and starring Rachel McAdams, Carrie Coon, and Common.

Related post: The Best Movies of 2022: A Must-Watch List for Film Lovers

Related post: The 20 Best Movies of 2021: A Must-See List for Any Film Buff

Now let’s look at the Golden Globe Awards to see which movies of 2023 this prestigious cinema award chose. 

Golden Globes 2024: The Winners and the Highlights

The Golden Globe Awards are one of the most prestigious and glamorous events in the film and television industry. They honor the best of both domestic and international productions, as voted by the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The 81st Golden Globe Awards were held on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, and hosted by comedian Jo Koy. The ceremony was full of surprises, emotions, and memorable moments. 

The Golden Globe Awards are given to the film and TV content released between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year12. Therefore, the movies that won or were nominated for the 2024 Golden Globes are from 2023

Here are some of the winners and the highlights of the night.

• Best film - drama: Oppenheimer
• Best film - musical or comedy: Poor Things
• Best foreign language film: Anatomy of a Fall (France)
• Best animated feature film: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
• Best television series - drama: Succession
• Best television series - musical or comedy: The Bear
• Best limited series, anthology series or TV movie: Beef

What are your favorite movies of 2023? Let me know in the comments below.

Oscar nominations 2024: Honoring the best films of 2023

The Oscar nominations for 2024 were announced on January 23. The Academy Awards honor the films that were released in the previous year, the films that came out in 2023. The top-nominated film of the year is “Oppenheimer”, with 13 nominations, followed by “Poor Things” with 11 and “Killers of the Flower Moon” with 10. The 96th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 10, and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

The Best Picture nominees for the 2024 Oscars are:

1. American Fiction
2. Anatomy of a Fall
3. Barbie
4. The Holdovers
5. Killers of the Flower Moon
6. Maestro
7. Oppenheimer
8. Past Lives
9. Poor Things
10. The Zone of Interest

Best international feature