I find myself holding onto a substantial amount of movies I have yet to get to, simply because there is so much good stuff to watch and I haven’t had time to fit them all in.

I think the 2023 movie experience was as good as ever and we’re lucky to live in a time where this much quality stuff is available to us at the touch of a button.

I selected movies that were my personal favorites and the reasons I chose them are included, but this is knowingly a biased list based on my personal taste.

This is subjective evaluation.

[SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT]

1/7/2024 - From various corners of the world, I hear people saying that it was a terrible year for movies.

Surprisingly, my perspective is different, as I find myself holding onto a substantial amount of movies I have yet to get to, simply because there is so much good stuff to watch and I haven’t had time to fit them all in.

This includes movies like The Boy and the Heron, May December, Poor Things, Godzilla Minus One, Corner Office and Fingernails that I have been excited to see.

What I’m saying is I just don't buy into the idea that this year has been a bad one for movies.

Given the sheer abundance of films released every year, I simply find it implausible to declare an entire year as lacking in cinematic quality. I tend to look on the bright side of things.

With that being said, I think the 2023 movie experience was as good as ever and we’re lucky to live in a time where this much quality film is available to us at the touch of a button.

And, without further ado, here’s my five favorite movie movies of the year 2023:

5. Merry Little Batman

I enjoyed this one a lot, perhaps because of my daughter. She might be too young to watch it, but I let her watch anyways.

I appreciated its originality and spending time with classic characters, in canon, with very low stakes.

The unique spin and the animation styles, reminiscent of illustrations in Captain Underpants books, added to its appeal.

The premise was a refreshing take as a light and fun Batman tale, deviating from how Batman content usually comes packaged.

This year, I've become more open to animated films, influenced by solid new movies like Into the Spider-Verse and then basically rewatching the last decade of Pixar movies with my daughter.

I've underestimated this genre for too long; animated films can hold immense value.

7.9/10

Merry Little Batman filmmakers: Mike Roth, Morgan Evans, Jase Ricci, Yonas Kibreab, Luke Wilson

4. Fair Play

Recommended by my parents and proved to be quite interesting. It's the kind that challenges and exposes negative patriarchal norms in a more real way.

The film shows vivid toxic masculinity manifesting from the highest and darkest egos and portrays its main female character as complex, far from being an angel.

But you see her annoyed with certain things her fiancé is doing and certain things her boss is doing, much of it is unfair, to say the least.

Despite the inclusion of explicit scenes, everything serves a purpose to the narrative.

What stuck with me the most was the exploration of gaslighting, but it also shows how Phoebe Dynevor’s character is so much more talented than anyone else in her office.

Her portrayal, especially at the conclusion, establishes her as a true badass.

8.3/10

Fair Play filmmakers: Chloe Domont, Phoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich, Eddie Marsan, Rich Sommer

3. Killers of the Flower Moon

A genuinely intriguing and expansive story unfolds, featuring fascinating cultures and bold choices by Martin Scorsese.

Memorable scenes, classic De Niro moments, and standout performances from the cast, including DiCaprio and Jesse Plemons, make you appreciate the mastery of filmmaking.

Leo plays a different character, and the side characters add depth to the narrative. Lily Gladstone deserves high praise, along with De Niro, while Jesse Plemons and Brendan Fraser make outstanding appearances.

I look forward to watching this masterpiece again; it's a captivating and startling storytelling about a chapter in Native American culture, specifically the Osage.

I previously reviewed the movie in detail…

9.3/10

Killers of the Flower Moon filmmakers: Martin Scorsese, Eric Roth, David Grann, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons.

2. Oppenheimer

Similar to Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer boasts an elite director, a historical epic, and a rich, sprawling story with outstanding side characters. What sets Oppenheimer apart is its exploration of the philosophy of science and warfare, creating a more complex central conflict.

Unlike the clear-cut morality in Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer gets into the grand question of creating a nuclear weapon with potential world-ending consequences. The central character grapples with being exceptionally intelligent and empathetic, in contrast to the morally lacking characters in Killers of the Flower Moon.

Leo and Cillian’s characters are pretty much polar opposite ends of the spectrum of intelligence and morality.

Oppenheimer had historical figures like Einstein and President Truman, played perfectly by renowned actors, and it made the story more epic to me.

As well as Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt doing exquisite work in supporting roles. It was an embarrassment of riches to be honest.

9.4/10

Oppenheimer filmmakers: Christopher Nolan, Kai Bird, Martin Sherwin, Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr.

1. Past Lives

This became my favorite due to its stillness, quietness, and emotional impact without relying on violence, huge stakes, or star-studded casts.

It’s an incredible exploration of relationships across generations, geography, and even lifetimes. A unique love story perspective, maintaining a philosophical depth. All while keeping the central characters believable and relatable.

Unlike the characters in my second, third, and fourth favorite movies of the year, who often embody negative traits, violence, or greed, everyone in this film is likable.

Despite exploring normal connections (not life-or-death) between people, the film manages to be as profound as those addressing nuclear weaponry and acts of murder.

Anyways, this was my movie of the year for what it achieved with such a muted premise. It was the deepest of all five of the movies on this list in my opinion.

Really, my top three favorite movies of the year are of equal achievement, but Past Lives did the most with the least, which to me, gave it the nod.

9.4/10

Past Lives filmmakers: Celine Song, Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro

Let me know your favorite movies in the comments!

• Honorable Mentions: Beau is Afraid, Spiderman Into the Spiderverse, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, Elemental, Trolls 3.

• Yet to Watch: Poor Things, The Zone of Interest, Fingernails, May December, The Boy and the Heron, Corner Office, Dream Scenario.