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The 16 Best Movies of 2023 So Far (and 40 More We Can't Wait For)

This year truly has a bit of everything.

Headshot of Evan RomanoBy Evan Romano
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Sony/Searchlight/Disney

After 2022, it's hard to remember how much danger it felt like ~the movies~ were in, back in, say, 2020 and the early part of 2021. Movies like Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water dominated the box office on the big screen, in such a significant, dramatic way, that drama like 2020's "Tenet has been delayed over and over again" feels like a distant memory.

But 2022 didn't just see success at the movies by way of the box office; we also saw movies that managed to remind us why we love this stuff in the first place. The Whale ushered in a masterful, acclaimed, comeback performance from Brendan Fraser. Tár and The Banshees of Inisherin gave us some incredible performances from Cate Blanchett and Colin Farrell that left us thinking for a long time. The Batman and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever proved that superhero movies can be artful, Sam Raimi took his shot with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to prove that an old horror master can still make things happen with a big budget, and Steven Spielberg showed us how one of the greatest directors of all time (Steven Spielberg) came to be in The Fabelmans.

2023 is hoping to keep that momentum going. We've got horror coming in droves, with camp (M3GAN), franchises (Scream 6), and possible works of genius (Ari Aster's Beau is Afraid) all arriving in the first half of the year alone. Liked Top Gun: Maverick? Well, Tom Cruise may be going even bigger with Mission: Impossible —Dead Reckoning Part One, the seventh film in his long-running stunt-heavy spy franchise. And if you love good directors, well, this will be a year for you: Martin Scorsese's The Killers of the Flower Moon will land on Apple TV+ (with Jesse Plemons, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Robert De Niro in tow), David Fincher's The Killer will hit Netflix, and both Greta Gerwig's Barbie and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer will hit theaters—on the same day in July.

If you were questioning how movies would recover from the lows of 2020... you can probably stop now. This year will keep us entertained, happy, and excited. And these are the movies we think will be able to do it.

1

M3GAN

universal m3gan
Universal

The year starts off with a bang, as this instantly-iconic murderous android doll—think Chucky meets Small Soldiers—lived up to its full campy, murderous, wildly-entertaining potential. If you have the option, we recommend watching the unrated cut; this sort of movie makes much more sense with all the blood and gore intact.

Stream It Here

2

Missing

missing movie
Sony Pictures

The people behind 2018's underrated and very thrilling Searching (which starred John Cho and told almost its entire story through a computer screen) are back for a spiritual sequel with Missing, with The Last of Us and Euphoria star Storm Reid taking the lead. And it's just as fun, with just as many wild twists as the original. We are on board with them making as many movies in this little series as possible. And once you check this one out, if you like fun mysteries, you will be too.

Stream It Here

3

Infinity Pool

infinity pool
NEON

The idea of a "Nepo baby" has been a topic of frequent discussion recently, but you don't hear it too much when talking about Brandon Cronenberg, the son of legendary director David Cronenberg. That's probably because Brandon (who directed the awesome, intense, and grossly-brutal Possessor) clearly has the same kind of talent that his famous father (The Fly, The Brood, Crimes of the Future) has. Infinity Pool stars Alexander Skarsgård and 2022 horror darling Mia Goth (X and Pearl) in a story that takes us to a luxurious vacation resort—before things start getting really, really weird. The movie is a bit out there, and very, very intense as far as sex and violence goes. But it's a fun time, especially for anyone who enjoys surreal and experimental thriller/horror worlds. Think of this one like the weirdest White Lotus you'll ever see.

Stream It Here

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4

Knock at the Cabin

knock at the cabin
Universal

M. Night Shyamalan's movies may not always hit, but we will always commend him for being one of the few auteur filmmakers in the business who's always trying to bring something new and exciting to the table (OK, outside of his Avatar movie. We can forget about that one). Knock at the Cabin—based on the novel Cabin at the End of the Worldfinds a family taking a trip to a secluded cabin only to be confronted by violent conspiracy theorists (led by Dave Bautista)who hold them hostage for increasingly wild reasons. It's not the best movie of the year, but, like most M. Night movies, it's certainly a ride worth taking. Maybe the creepiest and most committed that Bautista has ever been, and with a supporting cast that includes Ben Aldridge, Jonathan Groff, and Rupert Grint, among others.

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5

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

antman and the wasp quantumania what to watch
Marvel Studios

Is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania the best movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? No, it most certainly is not. But does it introduce the MCU's new supervillain Kang the Conqueror in an effective fashion? Yes, it sure does. Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michelle Pfieffer, and Michael Douglas all return, while Kathryn Newton takes over as Cassie Lang and Bill Murray has a bizarre small role. The movie is a fun time, but now that Jonathan Majors (who plays Kang) is in some serious hot water legally speaking, we're all waiting to see if the MCU decides to recast the character before his next appearance. Regardless, Marvel fans will want to see this one for a fun introduction into the mega-franchise's new era.

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6

Cocaine Bear

cocaine bear
Universal

Cocaine Bear, directed by Elizabeth Banks and with an impressive cast featuring Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Margot Martindale, and the late Ray Liotta, is a fun and campy thriller/action/horror flick that delivers exactly what it's premise (and, of course, title) promises: a bear takes cocaine and causes a whole lot of trouble. We've got Cocaine Bear fever!

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7

Creed III

cocaine bear
United Artists

Michael B. Jordan returns to his breakthrough boxing role, this time making his directorial debut in addition to starring. His foe in the movie is a childhood friend played by Jonathan Majors. The movie earned rave reviews from both critics (with an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences (with a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes). MBJ's earned universal praise for his work behind the camera (taking influence from Anime for the fight scenes) and is now a talent to watch behind the scenes in addition to his already A-list acting career.

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8

Scream 6

scream 6
Paramount

The most consistent franchise in horror—seriously, every Scream movie is good—returns for its sixth installment, this time moving the action to New York City. It's the first film in the franchise without original final girl Neve Campbell (boo!!!), but at least Coureney Cox and Hayden Panettiere (returning from 2011's Scream 4) along with Scream (2022) stars Jenna Ortega, Melissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, and Jasmine Savoy Brown all returned.

And the movie was great! Scream VI had all the intrigue, mystery, and humor that we love in this franchise, along with some of the best chase scenes and action sequences in any Scream movie ever. Bring on Scream 7, as soon as possible!

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9

John Wick: Chapter 4

john wick chapter 4
Lionsgate

We don't need to say much more than: John Wick: Chapter 4 is the best movie of 2024 so far. This is the best-executed blockbuster sequel—on an R-rated, big-budget scale—in a long, long time. Keanu Reeves has this character down to a science, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, and the late Lance Reddick are all back for more fun, and new supporting cast members Donnie Yen, Rina Sawayama, Bill Skarsgård, and Scott Adkins are all A+ additions.

And can we talk about that last hour? We don't have to get into too much detail, but we need to at least mention that last hour. Some of the greatest action ever put on film. If you like any other John Wick movies, or action in general, do not skip John Wick: Chapter 4.

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10

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

dungeons and dragons honor among thieves
Paramount

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is a blast of a movie, a well-executed fantasy adventure with a great cast—including Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and Hugh Grant—that's got action, heart, and humor in all the right places.

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11

Evil Dead Rise

evil dead rise
Warner Bros.

Evil Dead Rise is the fifth big-screen outing for the Evil Dead franchise, which began with Sam Raimi's three films before continuing with Fede Alvarez's film in 2013. This time Irish director Lee Cronin (The Hole in the Ground) takes the helm, and he proves himself to be more than capable of carrying the violent, creepy, and darkly funny torch.

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12

Beau Is Afraid

beau is afraid a24
A24

Are you ready to be disturbed? Are you ready to be shaken to your core? Are you ready to leave a movie theater thinking "what the hell did I just watch?" Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar) is without question one of the most brilliant writers/directors in modern horror, and his new A24 behemoth of a film Beau is Afraid—coming in at 3 hours and 15 minutes—is poised to be one of the most polarizing movies of the year. And while it absolutely will not be for everyone, it was, in fact, for me.

Joaquin Phoenix stars as the titular Beau, in a movie that tells its audience immediately that they're watching a heightened world where everything for its sad-sack protagonist is at its horrifying and anxiety-inducing most. You'll spend much of Beau is Afraid wondering how much of the movie you're watching is really happening, and how much is a hallucination, eventually seeing things devolve into what's almost a David Lynch-esque abstraction of real life and pure nightmares.

Less a horror than a surreal existential dread bonanza, Beau is Afraid is also quite funny throughout. It's hard for a 3 hour and 15 minute movie to not be boring, but this movie somehow makes that time fly. By the end, you may love it, and you may very well hate it—but either way, it's a ride worth taking.

Stream It Here

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13

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

guardians vol 3
Marvel Studios

Before he moves to the top job at DC, James Gunn put a bow on his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy within the Marvel Cinematic Universe withVol. 3and it turned out to be probably the best movie in the expansive franchise since Avengers: Endgame (just ahead of Spider-Man: No Way Home). The whole team returns for one more adventure (though Gamora is now the 2014 version of Gamora) that puts Bradley Cooper's Rocket Raccoon at the center of everything. Newcomers include Will Poulter's Adam Warlock and the villainous High Evolutionary, played by Chukwudi Iwuji. I this movie going to make you cry? Well, it made me cry around four times. So there's that.

Buy Tickets Here

14

You Hurt My Feelings

you hurt my feelings
A24

Julia Louis-Dreyfus reteams with Enough Said director Nicole Holofcener for You Hurt My Feelings, a dramedy about trouble that can stem from the fine lines between the truth and little white lies in adult relationships.

JLD plays a novelist who, in a moment of shock, overhears her husband (Game of Thrones and The Crownstar Tobias Menzes) giving his friend (Succession star Arian Moayed) completely honest, unfiltered thoughts on her work. It's a really good, really engaging, really tight story that will probably bring on at least a conversation and two in your own life—in addition to just being a good fun movie.

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15

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

spiderman across the spiderverse part 1
Sony Pictures

Picking up a year and change after the events of 2018's mind-blowing, Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Across the Spider-Verse follows Miles Morales on his next inter-dimensional adventure—and it absolutely rules (some, in fact, might argue that it's the best Spider-Man movie ever). This movie is a visual and audio experience that will not be matched by anything else in 2023, because that would be impossible. It's an experience. It's art. It's a whole lot of fun. The cast of the original (Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Jake Johnson) are joined by Oscar Isaac (following up on his role in the credits scene of the first movie) and Daniel Kaluuya, among others. It's the first of a planned two-part story—with the next movie due in March 2024. Just get ready to take it all in.

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16

Elemental (June 16)

elemental pixar
Disney

Pixar tends to be a winning formula, and Elemental looks to be an attempt at getting back into the Soul or Inside Out lane. Sure!

17

The Flash (June 16)

the flash 2023
Warner Bros.

This movie might be a complete mess! There have been rumors for years of cameos added, cameos cut, and all sort of universe-altering plot developments. The star of the movie also spent much of 2022 as a fugitive, jumping from one unsettling headline to another.

And yet... new DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn has lauded The Flash as a truly great superhero film. And the trailer looks great and like a whole lot of fun! It's said that this could ultimately reset the entire DC universe, setting the stage for what will hopefully be a successful era of films and television to come. We're optimistic, but you have to at least be curious about how this all plays out.

18

No Hard Feelings (June 23)

no hard feelings
Sony Pictures

No Hard Feelings is a sex comedy for adults with Jennifer Lawrence in the leading role. Adult comedies with cinematic releases basically don't exist anymore, so we're excited and hopeful for this one!

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19

Asteroid City (June 30)

asteroid city
Focus Features

Wes Anderson's first of two 2023 movies will bring most of his usual gang back, along with newcomers Tom Hanks, Margot Robbie, and Steve Carell, among others. This movie is said to have more of a sci-fi plot and should be a lot of fun.

20

Indiana Jones & The Dial of Destiny (June 30)

indiana jones and the dial of destiny
Disney

Indy! He's back! Harrison Ford is putting the hat on for his first adventure since 2008's Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, this time losing Shia LaBeouf and gaining a goddaughter (played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge). Other cast members include Boyd Holbrook and Mads Mikkelsen, among others, while James Mangold (Logan, Walk the Line, Identity) takes over for Steven Spielberg as director.

And we have some good news: Dial of Destiny is a blast! Mangold just knows how to make exciting, well-made, crowd-pleasing blockbusters, and this is another feather to put into his cap. Ford is as charming as ever returning to his Indy role, while Waller-Bridge's quick wit fits seamlessly next to him. If this is really the last adventure for Indy, well, it's a hell of a way to go out.

Buy Tickets Here

Headshot of Evan Romano
Evan Romano

Evan is the culture editor for Men’s Health, with bylines in The New York Times, MTV News, Brooklyn Magazine, and VICE. He loves weird movies, watches too much TV, and listens to music more often than he doesn’t.

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