The year 2023 proved to be a rollercoaster for the film industry, with both highs and lows. Despite the writers’ and actors’ strikes that disrupted production and pushed back some highly anticipated titles, Hollywood managed to deliver some exceptional movies that captivated audiences worldwide. Here is a list of the top 10 best Hollywood movies of 2023. (We are leaving the two much talked about films of the year – Barbie and Oppenheimer off our list to highlight the other ones!)
1. Past Lives
“Past Lives” is a profound debut by playwright Celine Song, drawing on her personal experiences. The film follows a writer, played brilliantly by Greta Lee, as her childhood crush from Korea returns to her New York life. The movie delves deep into relationships, fate, and the roads not taken, navigating the complexities of a romantic triangle drama.
2. Poor Things
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, “Poor Things” is an inspired riff on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Emma Stone delivers a spectacular performance, blending physical comedy, intellectual curiosity, and gleeful licentiousness. The film’s supporting cast, including Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, and Ramy Youssef, leave no weak link in this breathtakingly original adaptation.
3. All of Us Strangers
In “All of Us Strangers,” Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, and Claire Foy form a tight-knit ensemble in Andrew Haigh’s dreamy metaphysical ghost story. The film explores romantic and familial love, delving deep into the complex relationships between gay men and their parents. Adapted from a Japanese novel, this emotional depth charge leaves a lasting impact.
4. Killers of the Flower Moon
Directed by Martin Scorsese, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is a late masterwork that offers an enthralling account of the ruthless elimination of wealthy Osage landowners in early-1920s Oklahoma. Robert De Niro delivers a monstrous performance, while Leonardo DiCaprio skillfully portrays a gullible character. Lily Gladstone steals the show with her magnificent portrayal of a cruelly wronged woman.
5. Fallen Leaves
Aki Kaurismäki returns after six years with “Fallen Leaves,” a beautifully crafted tale of romantic missteps. Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen expertly portray lonely souls searching for connection in a dingy but frozen-in-time milieu. With winking cinephile references and Kaurismäki’s unique style, this film is both dour and droll.
6. The Zone of Interest
Jonathan Glazer’s bone-chilling snapshot of a family living in the shadow of Auschwitz, “The Zone of Interest,” reinvents the Holocaust drama with a nerve-jangling sound design. As we witness the horrors of the concentration camp, Glazer demonstrates that what we hear can be even more shocking than what we see. The film serves as a haunting reminder that evil can lurk underneath our complacent reality.
7. Showing Up
Kelly Reichardt’s collaboration with Michelle Williams and Jon Raymond, “Showing Up,” has a low-key vein of humor that recalls the eccentric microcosms of Robert Altman. Set around the now shuttered Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland, the film depicts a flinty sculptor’s frantic preparations for a solo gallery show amidst the chaos of her messy family. Funny and affecting, this film showcases the challenges of making art amidst turmoil.
8. Anatomy of a Fall
Sandra Hüller gives a captivating performance in “Anatomy of a Fall.” As a camp commandant’s icy wife and an unapologetically brittle author accused of murdering her husband, Hüller showcases her versatility and control. Justine Triet’s drama blurs the lines between a courtroom thriller and a journey into the recesses of domestic life, challenging viewers to invest in an inscrutable woman.
9. Perfect Days
Wim Wenders returns to the Japanese capital with “Perfect Days,” a serene film that offers a poetic account of one man’s hard-earned peace and contentment. Kōji Yakusho delivers a masterful portrayal of a middle-aged man living a life of monastic austerity, finding beauty in the simplicity of his daily routine. Wenders’ film is a quiet reflection on finding solace in chaotic times.
10. Passages
Franz Rogowski shines in Ira Sachs’ bruising Paris-set drama, “Passages.” Rogowski plays a narcissistic film director caught in a romantic triangle between Adèle Exarchopoulos and Ben Whishaw. The film delves into the formation and collapse of relationships with an absence of sentiment, leaving audiences captivated by the intense performances of the stellar cast.
In conclusion, despite the challenges faced by the film industry in 2023, Hollywood managed to deliver a diverse range of exceptional movies. From profound dramas to inventive adaptations, these films showcased the talent and creativity of the industry’s brightest stars. These best Hollywood movies of 2023 will stand the test of time and continue to be celebrated for years to come.
