Best Movies of the Year: 2023

Last updated: August 13, 2024

A city populated by the elements of nature? Check. A journey involving a boy, his sister, and a magical elephant? Check. And the most talked-about doll of the century? Of course! From cinema seats to our own couches, these movies held our full attention -- and sparked important conversations, too. Editorial Director Betsy Bozdech, Head of Streaming Movies Beth Pratt, and Executive Editor Danny Brogan carefully selected the titles on this list to showcase the best of the best movies released this year. Check out their great selections, and then dive into the rest of our favorite media picks from this year, linked below.

Check out the rest of our Best of 2023 favorites: TV Shows | Books | Video Games | Podcasts | U.K./International Films

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PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie: A young boy with brown hair and brown eyes sits in a red race car

MOVIE

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie

age 5+

Superpowered pups use teamwork, courage vs. evil scientist.

September 29, 2023 2023 PG (92 minutes)

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Elemental Movie Poster: Ember and Wade look at each other, against a black background

MOVIE

Elemental

age 6+

Heartfelt, romantic fable about immigrant experience.

June 16, 2023 2023 PG (103 minutes)

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Ernest & Celestine: A bear and a mouse swing on a rope through a city

MOVIE

Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia

age 6+

Charming sequel about friendship, art has occasional peril.

September 1, 2023 2023 NR (80 minutes)

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Movie Poster: Michelangelo rides a skateboard with the movie's title on the underside, while the other turtles are shown underneath

MOVIE

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

age 8+

Clever, tween-friendly animated reboot has action violence.

August 2, 2023 2023 PG (99 minutes)

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The Little Mermaid Movie Poster: Ariel sits on a rock under the sea, surrounded by fish and other undersea creatures

MOVIE

The Little Mermaid (2023)

age 8+

Halle Bailey dazzles amid more intense live-action scenes.

May 26, 2023 2023 PG (135 minutes)

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The Magician’s Elephant movie poster: Peter and the elephant.

MOVIE

The Magician's Elephant

age 8+

Child bravely faces danger in book-based tale of hope.

March 17, 2023 2023 PG (103 minutes)

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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: Movie Poster

MOVIE

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

age 9+

Spidey sequel is an action-packed delight; peril, violence.

June 2, 2023 2023 PG (140 minutes)

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A Million Miles Away movie poster: Michael Peña as migrant worker turned astronaut José Hernández.

MOVIE

A Million Miles Away

age 10+

Positive messages in migrant-turned-astronaut underdog tale.

September 15, 2023 2023 PG (120 minutes)

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Chang Can Dunk Movie Poster: Bloom Li alone on the court.

MOVIE

Chang Can Dunk

age 10+

High school underdog tale has bullying, life lessons.

March 10, 2023 2023 PG (107 minutes)

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LIFT Movie Poster: A male ballet dancer is mid jump, and a little girl dancer looks at him

MOVIE

LIFT

age 10+

Poignant, inspiring doc about shelter kids who learn ballet.

September 15, 2023 2023 PG-13 (87 minutes)

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The Boy and the Heron Movie Poster: Mahito stands next to the ocean

MOVIE

The Boy and the Heron

age 10+

Breathtaking personal story has self-harm, smoking.

December 1, 2023 2023 PG-13 (124 minutes)

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The First Slam Dunk Movie Poster: Five animated teenage Japanese basketball players look ready to compete

MOVIE

The First Slam Dunk

age 10+

Basketball anime about personal loss is a winner; language.

July 28, 2023 2023 PG-13 (124 minutes)

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True Spirit is based on a real story of a girl who sailed around the world.

MOVIE

True Spirit

age 10+

Teen faces perilous scenarios in inspirational true tale.

February 3, 2023 2023 NR (109 minutes)

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World's Best movie poster: Indian American boy with backpack and holding black lunch bag center stands in front of colorful mural of boombox and himself and father rapping into microphones

MOVIE

World's Best

age 10+

Great songs, positive themes in sincere family comedy.

June 23, 2023 2023 PG (101 minutes)

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Afghan Dreamers movie poster: girls work together on project

MOVIE

Afghan Dreamers

age 11+

Inspiring docu shows power of education, hope; violence.

May 23, 2023 2023 NR (72 minutes)

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Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret: Movie Poster: Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) stands underneath the movie's title

MOVIE

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

age 11+

Faithful Blume adaptation explores puberty and religion.

April 28, 2023 2023 PG-13 (105 minutes)

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Barbie: Movie Poster: Barbie and Ken on a giant pink-and-white B

MOVIE

Barbie

age 11+

Clever, colorful comedy with sophisticated themes, script.

July 21, 2023 2023 PG-13 (114 minutes)

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Nimona movie poster: Shapeshifter and knight to the rescue.

MOVIE

Nimona

age 11+

Book-based tale has both violence and positive messages.

June 30, 2023 2023 PG (101 minutes)

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The League Movie Poster: A baseball jersey and gear are pictured, with the words "The League" in black

MOVIE

The League

age 11+

Insightful, informative Black baseball docu; violent images.

July 7, 2023 2023 PG (103 minutes)

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Blue Beetle Movie Poster: A collage of the main characters

MOVIE

Blue Beetle

age 12+

Loving family, intense scenes in DC's Latino superhero tale.

August 18, 2023 2023 PG-13 (127 minutes)

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