Hey everyone! We’ve begun a new year, and here at Reel Heels that means taking a look back at the year that was in movies and television! For this installment, we will be looking at the 40 feature films released in 2023 that I watched for the first time. So without further ado, let’ begin!
40. Renfield
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We begin this year’s list with a film that I was anticipating pretty highly, as a movie with Nicolas Cage as Dracula seems like it should work like gangbusters, especially given that Cage had been on something of a hot streak of late. It has a good cast, and there are parts of it that do work, but overall I was left disappointed in a movie that had promise but never lived up to it.
39. Shazam: Fury of the Gods
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I thought the first Shazam movie was a lot of fun and was one of the better movies in the DCEU, but the sequel doesn’t quite live up to promise of the first. Zachary Levi doesn’t quite match the personality of the young version of Billy in this one creating for a much stranger dynamic, and the laughs are fewer and further between. Where the first movie was a fun surprise, this one ultimately leaves the viewer wanting more.
38. The Flash
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The DCEU clearly put a ton of eggs into this basket, and it backfired tremendously on them, in no small part due to the legal problems of the star at the center of it. Made worse is the fact that there are multiple versions of that star throughout the entire film. There are some things to like in this, as Michael Keaton does some solid work in his return as Batman, and Sasha Calle is a really good Supergirl, but there is some really bad CGI before you even factor in the ghoulish revivals of numerous dead actors. This movie was hoping to jumpstart the next phase of DC movies, but it seems like this will be pretty abandoned going forward.
37. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
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The final film of the DCEU sees Jason Momoa return as Aquaman, and if not for a subpar story, could have seen a higher spot on this list. Momoa has good screen presence and great chemistry with Patrick Wilson. There is just a lot that feels like well worn story at this point, especially at the end when we see them just basically rip off the ending of the first Black Panther and first Iron Man movies simultaneously. The post credit scene does feel like a summary of the DCEU all boiled down to one scene.
36. Blue Beetle
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The highest ranked DCEU film on the list, Blue Beetle is a movie that has nothing egregiously bad about it nor any problematic stars like the rest of the DCEU movies released this year, but there is also nothing that truly shines in it. The ensemble is all solid, and the story is ok albeit a bit predictable, but it never really rises to a level that makes it stand out. We will see if James Gunn determines to save this character going forward for the new DC continuity, and I would appreciate seeing the whole ensemble again, just hope that it’s in a stronger movie.
35. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
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The first MCU entry on the list, the third Ant-Man movie promised to be the biggest and most dramatic one in the franchise yet. However, that came at the expense of some of the things people liked about the Ant-Man movies such as the comedic chemistry of the ensemble. By committing to the Quantum Realm, they lose a lot of the size shifting hijinks that we have come to appreciate from these characters while being in a digitally rendered world for the entire film which shows strain multiple times. All of this still doesn’t even include the fact that this film is a major commitment to another actor who had his share of legal problems this year, leaving the MCU in a precarious spot going forward.
34. The Little Mermaid
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The latest of the live action Disney remakes is the Little Mermaid. Halle Bailey is terrific as Ariel, and Melissa McCarthy makes for a solid Ursula. However, like some of the other remakes, it takes a vibrant cast of non-human characters and makes them feel completely lifeless by presenting them as “realistic.” This movie functions very well as a soundtrack but loses a lot of the charm that the original provides. With that said, you could do much worse with some of the other remakes we’ve seen.
33. Scream VI
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Scream VI sees Ghostface and company move on from Woodsboro to New York City, providing an ample playground for Ghostface to cause some terror. While the move may signal the franchise getting bigger, it isn’t always better. It’s a fine installment, but it’s not the finest that the Scream franchise has to offer, and sadly, this may be the last time we see most of this cast due to factors outside of the box office. Still, it’s a fun time, and fans of the franchise will still have a solid ride.
32. Fast X
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As someone who enjoys the Fast and Furious movies more than I ever expected to, I was excited to see the latest installment, especially as it connects with Fast Five (one of the best of the series). Jason Momoa is clearly having a ball as the villain, playing his most gleeful version of the Joker, and while that does a lot, it doesn’t save the movie from being one of the weaker installments in the franchise. It also has maybe the funniest cliffhanger and cameo I’ve seen in quite some time, so it’s something of a mixed bag, which is a fair installment in the Fast Saga.
31. M3gan
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One of the latest Blumhouse productions, M3gan deals with an AI doll that goes rogue and turns murderous. There is an inherent campiness to it, and there are some fun and frightful moments throughout, but it never really hits the heights to take it to a horror/comedy classic. It’s certainly fun, and worth a watch, but not quite the pinnacle of what this studio is capable of.
30. Cocaine Bear
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If there was a winner for title that best sums up the movie, this one would certainly be near the top. If you want a movie where a bear does cocaine, this is the movie for you. If that isn’t your kind of movie, you probably won’t like this one. But it’s a fun ride with a really solid cast, and while it’s never an excellent movie, it’s one that kept me engaged throughout and has a lot of fun with its premise.
29. The Marvels
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This film is the latest movie in the MCU, and it certainly was very talked about as one of the lowest grossing movies that Marvel has produced (superhero fatigue has definitely been prominent this year). However, this film featured some really good chemistry among the three leads, along with solid action scenes and some funny sequences as well. It’s not the best that the MCU has to offer, but there are certainly ones below this one, and if you give it a chance, you’ll find a solid outing.
28. Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
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The latest film in the Transformers franchise serves as a prequel, but it also is one of the best that the Transformers have produced (admittedly a fairly low bar). There are fun characters from both the humans and robots, and some pretty well done action sequences. It’s far from a masterpiece, but when it comes to this year’s batch of blockbusters, it has good heart and a good sense of humor, so it’s able to elevate past some of its peers.
27. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
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The fifth Indiana Jones film sees Harrison Ford returning once again to one of his iconic characters, this time under the direction of James Mangold. Given Mangold’s success with Logan along with one of the most reliable villain actors in Mads Mikkelson, this one seemed like a slam dunk. While it surpasses the 4th film in the franchise, it still is a far cry from the heights that Indiana Jones is capable of. With that said, if this is the last we see of this character, you could do much worse than this send off.
26. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
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This prequel in the Hunger Games franchise reminds viewers of the things they love about this universe with great characters and human drama with life or death stakes. Rachel Zegler is great as expected, and Jason Schwartzman steals every single scene he appears in. However, the portion of the movie following the games can’t really match the emotional stakes of the games and continues for too long to keep the viewer invested throughout as it is both rushed and too long to follow the climax. I feel the studio worried about splitting this book into two movies given it was a mistake last time, but it could have helped in this instance as the games and the District 12 parts seem like two different stories.
25. Dumb Money
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Dumb Money tells the real world story of people on Reddit investing in GameStop and skyrocketing the share price as Wall Street was betting on it to fail. This movie features an all star cast, headlined by Paul Dano, and they all deliver solid performances. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but as an entertaining little guy vs. the big billionaires story, it is able to tell a good story even if it hits some well worn story beats.
24. The Super Mario Bros Movie
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One of the biggest movies of the year, The Super Mario Bros Movie features a star studded group of voice actors to bring these iconic characters to life. Chris Pratt plays the titular role, but Jack Black steals the show as Bowser. It’s a fun movie that’s full of Easter eggs for fans of the games. It’s not the best animated movie of the year, but it’s entertaining and has a solid amount of heart. Plus, it’s got a song that is bound to get stuck in your head.
23. The Haunted Mansion
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The latest Disney movie to be an adaptation of one of their theme park attractions, the latest Haunted Mansion adaptation sees some grim grinning ghosts coming out to socialize. I thought this one was a much better adaptation than the Eddie Murphy version, as this cast had good chemistry, and were able to hit some nice comedic and touching beats. Lakeith Stanfield is great as the heart of the film as he continues to show his ability to carry a movie. If you’re a fan of the ride, I think you should have a fun time with this one.
22. A Haunting in Venice
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The latest Kenneth Branagh adaptation of an Agatha Christie mystery might potentially be the best of the three, but it is without question the most visually interesting and tense mystery of the series. Branagh is back as Hercule Poirot, this time for a Halloween whodunnit, featuring another great ensemble. You’ll find yourself trying to solve the mystery alongside the renowned detective, but you will also be entertained from start to finish.
21. Creed III
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Michael B. Jordan returns for the third time as Adonis Creed, but this one also marks his first time in the director’s chair (a rite of passage for the lead of a movie in the Rocky universe). He faces one of the biggest villains of the franchise in a bit of art imitating life. The fight scenes are strong, and there are a lot of great character drama moments. There is one Rocky sized hole in this film, but even so, it’s still another solid addition in the Rocky-Creed franchise.
20. Knock at the Cabin
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The latest from M. Night Shyamalan is a return to form in this paranoid thriller about the end of the world. Dave Bautista continues to flex his acting muscle and make his case for being the best wrestler turned actor in an understated performance. There are twists and turns to keep you invested, and overall, it’s a well done movie that will be fun to revisit down the road.
19. Beau is Afraid
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Ari Aster has cemented himself as one of the most unique directors working today, and Beau is Afraid is another singular entry in his filmography. Joaquin Phoenix delivers one of his best performances as Beau, and this movie features some wickedly funny moments. It could possibly be a little shorter, but the themes and hyper reality make for a movie unlike any other that came out this year.
18. Elemental
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The latest film from Pixar takes the four elements and creates a vibrant world with a compelling star crossed lovers story in what slowly became another hit for the studio. While it may not be the absolute best from Pixar (a high bar to clear), it signals a return to form with a tale that will make viewers of all ages laugh, cheer, and cry.
17. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
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Dungeons and Dragons was one of the most surprisingly fun movies of the year, with Chris Pine clearly having a ball as the lead in a great ensemble. This movie combines action, fantasy, comedy, and emotion in a way that feels as if you are playing the classic role-playing table top game. Even if you’ve never played a game of DND in your life, you will certainly have a ball with this movie.
16. Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1
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The latest Ethan Hunt and friends adventure continues the death defying thrills that we have come to expect from Tom Cruise in this franchise (and his other movies as well), and it does so in ways that still amaze. It may not quite be the pinnacle of this series, but it’s certainly another great installment. The box office wasn’t as big as normal for this series (in part due to the huge movies that came out the following week), but don’t let that fool you, because the Mission: Impossible movies are still rolling full steam ahead as some of the best blockbusters around.
15. The Creator
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The latest from Gareth Edwards (best known for 2014’s Godzilla and Star Wars: Rogue One) is something you don’t see much of these days: an original high concept sci-fi movie. However, if this movie is an indication, we should be seeing a lot more of them, because it absolutely dazzles. There are things that I absolutely loved in this movie, and the world feels so real, it’s hard to believe this movie is capable of all the things it pulls off with a much lower budget than many of the films on this list. There are real world parables, and the chemistry of the actors makes every scene feel alive. This will be a movie that people will discover down the road and fall in love with.
14. Poor Things
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The latest from Yorgos Lanthimos is in some ways a reimagining of Frankenstein, only with Emma Stone playing the creation. Yet there are plenty of differences between this film and that story, so even if that’s the jumping off point, Poor Things becomes wholly new by the end of the film, much like the arc that Stone’s character follows. Stone is brilliant here, as are all the primary cast, and while this movie may push some viewers boundaries a bit, at its heart, it’s a story about a woman discovering who she is while making sense of the world around her with plenty of laughs to go around.
13. Asteroid City
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Wes Anderson had a busy year between this feature and the Roald Dahl shorts he made for Netflix, but Asteroid City is a major return to form for the director. His trademark visual style is on full display here, and the cast features some of the best performances in Anderson’s filmography. Jason Schwartzman, Scarlet Johansson, and Margot Robbie in particular all shine, and fans of Anderson’s previous films should enjoy this one for sure.
12. Godzilla Minus One
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Godzilla Minus One is the latest Godzilla film from the Japanese studio Toho, which is the original studio for Godzilla, and it is maybe the best film to feature the iconic character. There were things that I felt I had never seen before with a Godzilla movie, and the action scenes are absolutely breathtaking. The human characters are also terrific and actually made me tear up at the end of the film, which I did not expect from a Godzilla movie. The whole thing is made even more impressive by the fact that the budget is tiny compared to most American block busters, so when looking at this movie, it’s amazing that it looks so well done on a shoestring budget.
11. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
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I have been a Ninja Turtle fan for my entire life, and this version might be the best adaptation we’ve ever had. The animation is wonderful, the chemistry between the Turtles is as good as it has ever been, and the story is a non stop fun ride. The Turtles deal with acceptance and insecurity, all while being the heroes that they are, and oh yeah, they are actually teenagers in this one. The “No Diggity” scene was one of my favorites in any movie this year, and I will be very excited every time I rewatch this one going forward.
10. Wonka
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It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of the Paddington films, so I’ve had my eye on this one for a while as it’s the latest from director Paul King. While there are similarities between those works, this movie stands on its own as a fitting adaptation as a prequel for one of the most iconic characters of film and literature, Willy Wonka. Timothee Chalamet delights in the titular role, and the entire cast works so wonderfully together, with the musical numbers being both catchy and a visual treat. This movie has heart, humor, and it’s just a recipe for a sweet treat of a film.
9. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
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The best film of the MCU this year comes from the Guardians of the Galaxy in the conclusion of their trilogy. James Gunn continues to be one of the most reliable directors in the blockbuster game, combining action, humor, needle drops, and heart like only he can. The characters are as good as they’ve ever been, with Rocket Raccoon being the focal point of this one in a way that will bring tears to your eyes in multiple ways. If this is the last time we see this particular group of Guardians together, it is a fitting farewell and might be the best one of the series.
8. The Color Purple
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The original Color Purple film is one of the most beloved movies ever made, and so there were high expectations for this film, which is an adaptation of the Broadway musical. This film meets those expectations, and passes with flying colors. The performances are rich, the costume and set design are superb, and the musical numbers will make you feel a whole range of emotion. This movie should contend for multiple awards across a variety of categories, but even if it goes home empty-handed, it’s a movie that will stand the test of time as a story of perseverance and love in the face of adversity.
7. Air
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I am a huge Michael Jordan fan and something of an amateur sneaker head, so I was pretty excited for this film. However, even taking my biases out of it, this movie is destined to be one of the best “dad movies” going forward. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck work well together once again, and Viola Davis delivers another terrific performance as Michael’s mother. It’s odd to see a movie where Nike is an underdog, and that may rub some folks the wrong way, but I personally loved this film and look forward to watching it on random afternoons on TNT for years.
6. The Holdovers
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Alexander Payne’s latest film, The Holdovers, focuses on Paul Giamatti as a boarding school teacher who is stuck with watching students over Christmas break, and it may have become an instant holiday classic. Giamatti gives arguably the best performance of his career, in a story that balances heartache and unlikely friendship in equal parts. The screenplay is one of the best in recent memory, and the film style makes it feel like a movie that has been with us for years and years.
5. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
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The first Spider-Verse movie was one of the best animated movies and one of the best Spider-Man movies ever, so it set a high bar for the sequel, and yet, they were able to meet and surpass it. The animation is somehow even better, the story is gripping, and you will be hooked from start to finish. Some people were upset that it was a bit of a cliff hanger ending, but I think on its own merits, it is still one of the best superhero or animated or movies period of the past decade.
4. Barbie
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Barbie was the biggest hit of the year at the box office, and I think a major reason for the success was due to it being one of the best movies of the year. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling both deliver some of the best performances of their careers, and Greta Gerwig continues to be one of the best writer-directors working today. The attention to detail from top to bottom in this movie is second to none, and there is a soundtrack full of great new songs. This is a movie that will be tons of fun for years to come and be as timeless as the doll that inspired it.
3. John Wick: Chapter 4
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Most franchises are starting to show strain once they reach the fourth installment, yet somehow John Wick not only goes bigger in the 4th film with a near 3 hour runtime, but continues to innovate and elevate the action. The last hour is one of the best and most exciting stretches in any action film, with multiple sequences that made my jaw drop. If this is the final installment, the series is certainly going out on a high note and leaving audiences wanting more.
2. Killers of the Flower Moon
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The latest from Martin Scorsese is another masterpiece from one of the best directors of all time. Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro both deliver some incredible work, which is expected with any collaboration that they have with Scorsese, but it is Lily Gladstone that truly shines in a career making performance. This movie is an epic in every sense, but the relationships are what really make the message of this film hit home.
1. Oppenheimer
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Christopher Nolan has been one of the best directors in Hollywood for a long time, and Oppenheimer is perhaps the best film in his filmography. Cillian Murphy is at the absolute top of his game as Oppenheimer, and the entire star studded ensemble is firing on all cylinders, especially Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt, and Florence Pugh. Nolan uses every technique at his disposal to deliver a movie that is sure to stand the test of time as a portrait of one of the most important men of the 20th century.
So, there you have it everyone, my top 40 films of 2023. Let me know what your favorites were, and also let me know which ones I missed that would be on your list!