The Best Movies Of 2023
From nostalgic IP to thrilling book adaptations to terrifying horror films, the writers of Pop Culture Planet are sharing the Best Of 2023.
Barbie
Bringing in an astounding $1.34 billion globally at the box office, Barbie was not only a surprising phenomenal success, but also the highest-grossing film directed by a woman ever, and rightfully so. The visuals alone were worth the theater ticket price, transporting me back to my childhood. And that’s what Barbie is all about at the end of the day — girlhood.
This film carefully utilized comedy, unforgettable musical moments (“I’m Just Ken!”), and the dolls we all once loved to showcase that young girls not only ditch their Barbie dolls as they grow up, but the positivity that came with them. Why is it acceptable for men to still play video games, play with legos, and overall maintain aspects of their childhood that bring them happiness when women are forced to grow up? Even if you didn’t quite like the film, you couldn’t deny the community and the beautiful togetherness that is womanhood at the theaters. Finally, we have a visual representation of the transition of girlhood into womanhood, and we have Greta Gerwig to thank for that.
Barbie is streaming on Max.
- Danielle Forte
Dark Harvest
Dark Harvest is the most underrated horror movie of 2023, delivering a new horror icon with the murderous pumpkin-headed scarecrow Sawtooth Jack. The terrifying legend wreaks havok on a small Midwestern town every Halloween, but it’s not just Jack that brings the horror. With the energy of The Hunger Games meets The Purge, the people of the town are just as guilty. Based on the book by Norman Partridge, director David Slade brings viewers copious amounts of blood, violence, and manglings that aren’t for the faint of heart.
Watch Dark Harvest on MGM+.
- Kristen Maldonado
Joy Ride
With one of the best ensembles of the year, Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu are magic together in Joy Ride. It follows a group of friends who go on a wild adventure that tests their friendship in ways they’d never expect. The film subverts expectations and the model minority trope when it comes to these women and non-binary actors. They are loud, insecure, sexual, awkward, confident, and messy, really giving us a wide range of Asian characters that we haven’t seen on screen before.
Joy Ride has got everything — it’s raunchy, hilarious, and emotional. It’s a must watch!
Watch Joy Ride on Hulu and Starz,
- Kristen Maldonado
Missing
A captivating film from start to finish, Missing highlights the dangers of modern dating for women, but also how social media and technology aid in our day-to-day lives. The film is told all through screens and security cameras, compelling the audience to search for June's (Storm Reid) mother in tandem with her. Reid takes audiences along the rollercoaster ride that is revealing the truth behind her mother’s disappearance. She is incredible in this role and captured the true essence of the anxiety a teenage girl would really experience throughout a traumatic ordeal such as her own.
Directors Nicholas D. Johnson and Will Merrick also creatively employ various social media platforms throughout the film and the unique ways in which they all individually string together to assist in a missing person’s case. Oh, and, if anything, this film is a not-so-gentle reminder that we should all probably change our passwords once in a while.
Streaming on Netflix.
- Danielle Forte
Nimona
Based on the award-winning graphic novel by ND Stevenson comes Nimona. It follows former knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) who is wrongfully accused of killing the queen. While attempting to clear his name, he meets shapeshifting teen Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) who has aspirations of being his evil sidekick.
It explores a fascinating tale of what it means to be villainized for being different and finally finding your community. A must watch, Nimona is dynamic, inclusive, rebellious, and utterly punk rock.
Watch on Netflix.
- Kristen Maldonado
Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer took over pop culture in 2023 alongside its opening day companion Barbie. The three hour long biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb, follows the physicist from his early career in teaching all the way through to post-World War II investigations. Played by Cillian Murphy, the famous scientist was the director of the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory that is credited for creating the atomic bomb. Without framing Oppenheimer as a sort of mad scientist, the film delves into the reasoning and justification behind creating such a deadly weapon. Many people may assume that in creating a weapon of this nature that the scientists behind were in full support of its use against enemy countries or citizens, but the film also depicts Oppenheimer’s moral ambiguity around the creation and use of the bomb.
The movie sucks you in the immediately, with close up shots of the scientist that almost look 3D in the way the visuals are manipulated. Sound quality is often overlooked in films, but Nolan definitely prioritized that in Oppenheimer. Not only was the use of sound and score incredible, but he knew when to pull back and allow the silence to frame the visuals. He also didn’t rely on the explosives and action of the violent weapon to carry interest throughout the film. With an incredibly star-studded cast and compelling performances, this film is one of the best to come out this year.
- Jordan Bohan
Red, White, and Royal Blue
Based on the book by Casey McQuiston, Red, White, and Royal Blue follows the enemies to lovers story of first son of the United States Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), and Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine).
The two hour runtime flies by as the movie packs in a lot including royal duty, fan-focused Easter eggs, political drama, and the characters’ queer identities — plus a funny, tender, and truly romantic love story. Galitzine and Perez are the perfect pair and truly bring the characters to life right off the page, warranting fans to demand the alleged 3 hour long directors cut. The film delivered an Internet frenzy of fans especially during the strike giving support to the movie when the actors and writers could not.
Streaming on Prime Video.
- Jordan Bohan
Scream VI
You can say a lot about Jenna Ortega, but one thing will always remain true, this woman stays booked — deservedly so. Ortega, along with co-star Melissa Barrera, who plays her over-protective sister Samantha, give a captivating performance throughout Scream VI. The film draws in audiences’ attention immediately by showing a Ghostface killer being revealed and then killed off in the first few minutes. The franchise is known for its satire, poking fun at horror movies, and following the same plotlines as them — and Scream VI delivers on all ends, from the gore all the way to the perfectly timed comedic relief.
With a uniquely fresh and talented cast all while tying in cast members from the preceding films, Scream VI has something for everyone — for loyal Scream fans to new fans alike.
Streaming on Paramount+.
- Danielle Forte
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Turtles in a half shell, turtle power! The beloved superhero film franchise Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made its return to the big screen and it didn’t disappoint. The turtle brothers really left their mark using contemporary slang for the younger kids while giving older fans much needed nostalgia. The teen voice cast authentically captured the meaning of loyalty, brotherhood, and wanting to fit in. The animation is unique and eye catching.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is an all around great family movie, filled with laughs and, of course, ninja-style combat. There’s even a mid-credits scene that sets the stage for what’s to come in a sequel featuring a familiar villain… I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Watch on Paramount+.
- Sam Schultz
Theater Camp
When the beloved founder of a rundown theater camp in upstate New York falls into a coma, its up to her bro-y son and the eccentric staff to keep the camp afloat in Theater Camp.
This movie is a self-deprecating satire of the theater community, while also being a love letter to it. Broadway veterans Ben Platt and Noah Galvin bring an authenticity to the story, while Jimmy Tatro brings the universal humor. It’s joyful, nostalgic, and will have you laughing the entire time.
Theater Camp is streaming on Hulu.
- Kristen Maldonado
The Creator
In The Creator, a future war between the human race and artificial intelligence rages on. A team is put together to kill The Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who created a world-ending weapon. But what happens when that weapon is actually an AI in the form of a young child?
This ambitious sci-fi odyssey delivers a profound take on humanity, acceptance, and freedom. We get a career best performance from John David Washington, while Madeleine Yuna Voyles proves she’s a young actor to watch.
Watch on Hulu.
- Kristen Maldonado
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
I cannot get enough of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and neither can the Internet. This movie is truly incredible with amazing performances from the main cast and the tributes that touch our hearts like Wovey and Reaper. Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler both gave top-tier performances as Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray Baird. They are a powerful duo who’s on-screen chemistry drives the story further. It’s amazing to think that this is only Zegler’s third big picture role, with more projects to come in the near future.
My TikTok For You Page has been filled with edits of the film ranging from the romance, the betrayals, revenge, and heartbreaking moments. Everyone hungers for something and I hunger for more Songbirds & Snakes content!
- Paola Cardenas
The Super Mario Bros Movie
This was the year for nostalgic-feeling movies (*wink, wink Barbie), which brought the inner child out in everyone. The Super Mario Bros Movie excited the older generation who hold fond memories of playing the various Mario games on their Nintendos, as well as the younger generation who hold a current love for the characters and games.
Mix all of that in with leading voices such as Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Jack Black and you have a box office success!
Watch on Netflix.
- Danielle Forte
You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah
Adam Sandler brings his real life family together for Netflix’s You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah. Sunny Sandler stars as Stacy who dreams of having the most epic bat mitzvah ever with her best friend, but things take a turn when middle school drama threatens their friendship.
The film is full of heightened, over-the-top humor that will have the whole family laughing. Despite some extreme issues in their friendship, we even get to see the young characters take accountability for their actions.
You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah is streaming on Netflix.
- Kristen Maldonado
