Dive into the Best of 2023: Top 20 Films & Where to Stream Them!

2023 was a cinematic cornucopia, overflowing with dazzling dramas, genre-bending masterpieces, and stories that stayed with you long after the credits rolled. But with so many gems vying for your attention, where do you start? No worries, cinephiles! I’ve curated a list of the 20 best movies of 2023, paired with the perfect platforms to enjoy them from the comfort of your couch. So, grab your PJs, dim the lights, and get ready to embark on a cinematic odyssey!

Top 5 Must-Sees:

1. Oppenheimer (Christopher Nolan): Dive into the psyche of the “father of the atomic bomb” with Cillian Murphy’s mesmerizing performance. This historical drama explores the weight of scientific discovery and its ethical consequences, leaving you pondering the complexities of human choice. (Streaming on HBO Max)
2. Killers of the Flower Moon (Martin Scorsese): Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro reunite under Scorsese’s masterful direction in this haunting crime thriller. Based on the true story of the Osage Indian murders, it exposes the dark underbelly of the American Dream and the lengths people will go to for wealth and power. (Catch it in theaters or wait for its streaming debut on Apple TV+)
3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson): Miles Morales swings back into action in this visually stunning sequel. Prepare for breathtaking animation and a heartwarming story that celebrates family, friendship, and the power of believing in yourself. (Currently available to rent on digital platforms)
4. The Whale (Darren Aronofsky): Brendan Fraser delivers a tour-de-force performance as a reclusive man struggling with grief and self-isolation. The Whale is a poignant exploration of empathy, forgiveness, and the enduring power of human connection.
5. Barbie (Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach): Forget everything you think you know about the iconic doll. This live-action Barbie is a witty and subversive comedy that challenges societal expectations and celebrates female empowerment. (Currently available to rent on digital platforms)

15 More Cinematic Treats:

• Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (Christopher McQuarrie): Tom Cruise defies gravity (and logic) once again in this action-packed installment. (Coming soon to Blu-ray and digital platforms)
• Everything Everywhere All at Once (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert): Buckle up for a wild ride through the multiverse in this mind-bending sci-fi comedy. (Streaming on Showtime)
• Women Talking (Sarah Polley): A powerful adaptation of Miriam Toews’ novel that gives voice to a group of Mennonite women grappling with trauma. (Coming soon to digital platforms)
• The Fabelmans (Steven Spielberg): Spielberg reflects on his own childhood in this heartwarming coming-of-age story. (Streaming on Apple TV+)
• Elvis (Baz Luhrmann): Austin Butler channels the King of Rock and Roll in this electrifying biopic. (Available to rent on digital platforms)
• May December (Todd Haynes): A forbidden romance blossoms between a young woman and an older man in this stylish and thought-provoking drama. (Streaming on Netflix)
• Past Lives (Celine Song): Two childhood sweethearts navigate the complexities of reincarnation and soulmates in this poignant Korean drama. (Coming soon to digital platforms)
• Poor Things (Yorgos Lanthimos): A Frankenstein-esque tale of love, loss, and scientific ethics, delivered with Lanthimos’ signature quirkiness. (Coming soon to Hulu)
• Anatomy of a Fall (Caterina Stenga): An engrossing exploration of class disparities and societal hypocrisy in 19th-century Italy. (Coming soon to digital platforms)
• The Zone of Interest (Paolo Taviani): A haunting look at the Holocaust through the eyes of two young people working in a Nazi concentration camp. (Currently available to rent on digital platforms)
• Fallen Leaves (Akihiko Shiota): A Japanese drama that delves into the complexities of memory and grief after a family tragedy. (Available to rent on digital platforms)
• About Dry Grasses (Hirokazu Kore-eda): A small-town teacher in Turkey struggles to connect with his students and his own life in this meditative drama from acclaimed filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda. (Available to rent on digital platforms)

All of these films are sure to entertain, challenge, and stay with you long after the credits roll. So, what are you waiting for? Start your cinematic journey today!

Here are some additional details about each film:

1. Oppenheimer (Christopher Nolan): Cillian Murphy delivers a tour-de-force performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the brilliant physicist who led the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb. The film explores the moral and ethical implications of scientific discovery, and the personal toll it took on Oppenheimer and his family.
2. Killers of the Flower Moon (Martin Scorsese): Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro star in this gripping crime drama based on the true story of the Osage Indian murders in 1920s Oklahoma. The film explores the dark side of the American Dream, and the lengths people will go to for wealth and power.
3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson): Miles Morales returns for another visually stunning adventure in this sequel to the Oscar-winning animated film. The film features a dazzling cast of characters from across the Spider-Verse, and a heartwarming story about the power of family and friendship.
4. The Whale (Darren Aronofsky): Brendan Fraser delivers a transformative performance as a reclusive man struggling with obesity and grief. The film is a poignant and unflinching exploration of isolation, redemption, and the enduring power of human connection.
5. Barbie (Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach): Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling star in this live-action Barbie movie that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. The film is a witty and subversive comedy that challenges societal expectations and celebrates female empowerment.
6. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (Christopher McQuarrie): Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt in this action-packed installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise. The film features death-defying stunts, mind-blowing gadgets, and a plot that will keep you guessing until the very end.
7. Everything Everywhere All at Once (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert): Michelle Yeoh stars in this mind-bending sci-fi comedy that will take you on a wild ride through the multiverse. The film is a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and the infinite possibilities of existence.
8. Women Talking (Sarah Polley): Claire Foy stars in this powerful adaptation of Miriam Toews’ novel about a group of Mennonite women who must come to terms with the aftermath of sexual assault. The film is a beautifully crafted and profoundly moving exploration of faith, trauma, and resilience.
9. The Fabelmans (Steven Spielberg): Steven Spielberg reflects on his own childhood in this heartwarming coming-of-age story. The film stars Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, and Seth Rogen, and is a love letter to filmmaking and the power of movies.
10. Elvis (Baz Luhrmann): Austin Butler delivers a star-making performance as Elvis Presley in this electrifying biopic from the always-stylish Baz Luhrmann. The film is a visually opulent and musically charged journey through Presley’s meteoric rise and tragic fall.
11. May December (Todd Haynes): Michelle Williams and Judd Hirsch star in this stylish and thought-provoking drama about a forbidden romance between a young woman and an older man. The film is a moving exploration of love, loss, and the power of second chances.
12. Past Lives (Celine Song): Lee Byung-hun and Jeon Do-yeon star in this poignant Korean drama about two childhood sweethearts who reconnect after many years. The film is a beautiful and moving exploration of love, loss, and the power of memory.
13. Poor Things (Yorgos Lanthimos): Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe star in this Frankenstein-esque tale of love, loss, and scientific ethics. The film is a quirky and thought-provoking exploration of the nature of life and the limits of human knowledge.
14. Anatomy of a Fall (Caterina Stenga): Valeria Golino and Francesco Scianna star in this engrossing exploration of class disparities and societal hypocrisy in 19th-century Italy. The film is a beautifully shot and well-acted drama that is sure to stay with you long after the credits roll.
15. The Zone of Interest (Paolo Taviani): John Turturro and Mark Ivanir star in this haunting look at the Holocaust through the eyes of two young people working in a Nazi concentration camp. The film is a powerful and moving exploration of the darkest days of human history.

Where to Watch?

Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Disney+ have become treasure troves for movie lovers, offering a vast library of films, both new and classic. Many of the 2023 releases are available on these platforms, often just months after their theatrical run.

For those who prefer the big-screen experience, local cinemas are still thriving! Check out your local theater’s listings to see if any of the 2023 gems are playing. You might even be lucky enough to catch a special screening or