Buckle up for a cinematic thrill ride through the best movies of 2023! Uganda’s fastest-growing online magazine is here to guide you through a year that’s been nothing short of blockbuster brilliance. These best movies of 2023 have been ranked according to their rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a certified movie rating platform. The percentage tagged against each movie title represents the percentage of people who liked it from the total number of people who watched it.
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January Kick-Off: Surprises and Scares!
The year kicked off with a bang, delivering unexpected genre hits in January like “M3GAN” from Blumhouse, Gerard Butler’s airborne adventure “Plane,” the mysteriously captivating “Missing,” and the chilling “Infinity Pool” (see the best horror movies of 2023). No February release secured the Certified Fresh stamp, with even the usually reliable Steven Soderbergh’s “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” and Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” hitting a speed bump. However, March more than made up for it with a string of Certified Fresh releases, including the highly anticipated “John Wick: Chapter 4,” “Creed III,” and “Scream VI.”
April Showers: Variety and Brilliance | Best Movies Of 2023
April brought a downpour of diverse movie releases. From the inside-baseball basketball drama “Air” to the anime fantasy “Suzume,” the return of “Evil Dead” with “Rise,” and the YA adaptation “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” the month was a feast for movie lovers. Guy Ritchie’s “The Covenant” even claimed the title of his best-reviewed movie ever.
May Marvels and Smaller Gems: Blockbusters and Hidden Treasures!
Summer officially kicked off with “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” and while blockbusters like “Fast X” and “The Little Mermaid” didn’t receive as much critical fanfare, smaller releases like “BlackBerry,” “You Hurt My Feelings,” and “The Wrath of Becky” filled the gap.
June Journeys: Spider-Verse, Asteroids, and Past Lives!
June took us “Across the Spider-Verse,” over “Asteroid City” (with a quick stop in “Element City”), and into the depths of “Past Lives.” A journey worth every cinematic mile.
July Joys and Impossible Missions: Barbie, Nolan, and A24 Horrors!
July set the stage for the dual juggernaut of billion-dollar “Barbie” and Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending “Oppenheimer.” A24 contributed to the horror success with “Talk to Me,” and we embraced a new entry on the best Asian American movies list with “Shortcomings.”
Summer Farewell and Denzel’s Return: September Surprises!
As the summer closed out, “Blue Beetle” gave us one last superhero gasp, paving the way for Denzel Washington’s return in September’s “The Equalizer 3.” “Saw X” and “A Haunting in Venice” surprised as the first Certified Fresh entries in their respective franchises. And Wes Anderson sealed his status as a critical darling with two winners in 2023 – “The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar” and “Asteroid City” from June.
Top 40 Best Movies of 2023
- The First Slam Dunk (100%) – A heart-pumping manga adaptation that shoots and scores.
- Shayda (98%) – An understated yet impactful story of female empowerment.
- Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (99%) – Effervescent and refreshingly frank about puberty.
- Fallen Leaves (97%) – A quirky tale of star-crossed lovers.
- Rye Lane (98%) – A smart, funny, and heartwarming rom-com.
- Joyland (98%) – A bittersweet exploration of gender and sexual fluidity.
- Monster (97%) – Gently devastating in its compassion.
- The Beasts (98%) – Tension and unease spread like wildfire in rural Galicia.
- Full Time (98%) – A gripping performance reminding us that staying financially afloat is a thriller.
- Aloners (98%) – A meditation on isolation with poignant explorations of grief.
- The Innocent (98%) – Giving heavy material an appealingly light touch, fast-paced fun anchored in palpably honest emotion.
- Klondike (98%) – Offers a bleak portrait of a war-torn Ukrainian village. We see the mordant wit of someone who understands that for civilians, the mundanities of life must go on.
- Past Lives (97%) – A remarkable debut for writer-director Celine Song, using the bonds between its sensitively sketched central characters to support trenchant observations on the human condition.
- BlackBerry (97%) – With intelligence as sharp as its humor, takes a terrifically entertaining look at the rise and fall of a generation-defining gadget.
- Return to Seoul (97%) – Sensitively attuned to its protagonist’s quest. This movie uses one woman’s story to explore universal truths about the human condition.
- A Thousand and One (97%) – A tribute to parental devotion and a testament to Teyana Taylor’s talent. This movie presents a heart-wrenching portrait of perseverance in the face of systemic inequity.
- Huesera: The Bone Woman (97%) – A bone-chilling body horror, offering genre fans a twisted take on What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
- The Boy and the Heron (97%) – Soulfully exploring thought-provoking themes through a beautifully animated lens, another Miyazaki masterpiece.
- Fremont (97%) – Brought to life by the empathetic efforts of a talented cast and further distinguished by striking black-and-white cinematography, takes a thoughtful — and wryly funny — look at the immigrant experience.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (96%) – With its unique visual style and a story that captures the essence of the franchise’s appeal, it is an animated treat for the whole family.
- The Holdovers (96%) – Beautifully bittersweet, this movie marks a satisfying return to form for director Alexander Payne.
- Anatomy of a Fall (96%) – A smart, solidly crafted procedural that’s anchored in family drama, finds star Sandra Hüller and director/co-writer Justine Triet operating at peak power.
- Suzume (96%) – Sees director Makoto Shinkai falling just a bit short of the bar set by previous outings — but when the results are this visually thrilling and emotionally impactful, it’s hard to find much fault.
- Birth/Rebirth (96%) – Firmly rooted in classic horror, uses a familiar framework to tease at fundamental fears from a chillingly relatable angle.
- The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (96%) – With The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Wes Anderson returns to the world of Roald Dahl — and proves his distinctive style is a comfortable fit for one of the author’s sweetest stories.
- R.M.N. (96%) – R.M.N.’s spare, elegant approach lends extra impact to a moving story that embraces life’s triumphs and tragedies with equal grace.
- Blink (96%) – A visually striking odyssey whose ambitious reach slightly exceeds its grasp, sets its sense-stunning visuals against a story that’s solidly anchored in character.
- Plane (96%) – Wielding a pair of intertwined stories, weaves an ambitious and surprising narrative that captures the human condition with both intelligence and heart.
- Element City (96%) – Element City is a thoroughly entertaining and beautifully animated family adventure that serves as a successful comeback for DreamWorks Animation.
- Cradle (95%) – Cradle takes a darkly comedic look at the frustrations of parenting. It comes with with a refreshingly empathetic perspective that adds an extra layer of depth.
- Death of the Miracle Worker (95%) – Death of the Miracle Worker adds fresh perspective to well-worn narrative territory, with a thought-provoking story elevated by its fine cast.
- Just Like in the Movies (95%) – Just Like in the Movies doesn’t quite live up to the classic rom-com it invokes. However, it does offer charming performances from its leads and some refreshing honesty in its approach to love.
- Bollywood Dreams (95%) – Bollywood Dreams serves as an entertaining showcase for its star. The flick blends romance and humor with some well-choreographed dance numbers.
- Asteroid City (95%) – Asteroid City’s visual splendor is matched by a thoughtful narrative that engages emotions and intellect, marking another strong chapter in Wes Anderson’s filmography.
- John Wick: Chapter 4 (95%) – John Wick: Chapter 4 delivers on the promise of its predecessor. It comes with high-energy action and a satisfying emotional arc for its beloved protagonist.
- Shortcomings (95%) – ‘Shortcomings’ offers an affecting portrayal of personal growth and cultural identity, supported by strong performances and a thought-provoking script.
- Barbie (94%) – Barbie may not reach the heights of its animated predecessors. However, it offers an engaging adventure for younger viewers. It is a visually stunning showcase for the iconic doll.
- Oppenheimer (94%) – Oppenheimer may not be Christopher Nolan’s most accessible film. However, its ambitious storytelling and stunning visuals make for a compelling cinematic experience.
- Talk to Me (94%) – Talk to Me blends supernatural horror with family drama, resulting in a gripping and emotionally resonant film that adds depth to the genre.
- The Equalizer 3 (94%) – The Equalizer 3 delivers the expected thrills and intensity. This is largely thanks to Denzel Washington’s charismatic performance and the film’s well-paced action sequences.
With these best movies of 2023, your festive journey and future years are guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. Stay tuned for more reviews and recommendations from Kampala Edge Times!
