Best U.K. and International Films of the Year: 2023

Last updated: December 19, 2023

A stuntwoman risks it all. Injured birds reveal hidden truths to two brothers. And two unsuspecting people find themselves in a gentle romance. That's just the beginning of what you'll find on this list, expertly curated by Danny Brogan, Head of Streaming. The picks here are primarily U.K. productions, but you'll find a few selections from places like Australia, Germany, and South Korea, too. Find your family's next watch here, and be sure to check out our Best of 2023 lists for other media, linked below.

Check out the rest of our Best of 2023 favorites: Movies | TV Shows | Books | Video Games | Podcasts

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School of Magical Animals movie poster: A girl with red hair and a blonde boy and black haired boy smile at the camera

MOVIE

School of Magical Animals

age 6+

German book adaptation is fun for kids too young for Potter.

March 24, 2023 2023 PG (93 minutes)

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Scrapper movie poster: Scrapper: A young father and his daughter playing together on the grass.

MOVIE

Scrapper

age 11+

Charming British dramedy about a child processing grief.

August 25, 2023 2023 NR (84 minutes)

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Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose movie poster: Simon Pegg as Nandor Fodor holds a glass to his head while raising an eyebrow and sitting in a chair.

MOVIE

Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose

age 12+

Reflective comedy-mystery has smoking, drinking, language.

September 1, 2023 2023 PG-13 (96 minutes)

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Polite Society poster

MOVIE

Polite Society

age 12+

Action comedy has cinematic violence, positive female lead.

April 28, 2023 2023 PG-13 (103 minutes)

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The Lost King movie poster

MOVIE

The Lost King

age 12+

Inspiring true story has strong female lead, salty language.

March 24, 2023 2023 PG-13 (108 minutes)

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Broker movie poster: Five South Korean adults of varying ages stand by a van, a middle-aged man holds a baby

MOVIE

Broker

age 13+

Korean trafficking comedy-drama evokes kindness and empathy.

December 26, 2022 2022 R (129 minutes)

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Kindling movie poster: Five young men sit together in a field, a fire burning behind them.

MOVIE

Kindling

age 13+

Poignant drama about male friendship; language, drug misuse.

October 3, 2023 2023 NR (94 minutes)

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The Miracle Club movie poster: The Miracle Club movie poster: Headshots of Kathy Bates, Maggie Smith, Laura Linney, Agnes O’Casey, and a young boy above Laura Linney walking across a bridge holding a suitcase.

MOVIE

The Miracle Club

age 13+

Heartwarming comedy-drama has mature themes, some language.

July 14, 2023 2023 PG-13 (91 minutes)

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WHAM! documentary: George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley smile to camera.

MOVIE

WHAM!

age 13+

Upbeat music documentary has strong language.

July 5, 2023 2023 NR (92 minutes)

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All That Breathes movie poster: A young Indian man stares closely at a black kite bird

MOVIE

All That Breathes

age 14+

Bird docu shows effects of climate change; some language.

February 7, 2023 2023 NR (97 minutes)

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Anatomy of a Fall movie poster: A dead man with blood coming out of his head lies on the snow while his wife and child hug.

MOVIE

Anatomy of a Fall

age 14+

French courtroom drama has violence, suicide, language.

March 13, 2024 2024 R (151 minutes)

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Goldfish movie poster: The headshots of a young Asian woman and her mother as a goldfish swims by on a beige background.

MOVIE

Goldfish

age 14+

Intimate drama on mother-daughter dynamics and dementia.

September 1, 2023 2023 NR (103 minutes)

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Blue Jean movie poster: A White woman with blond hair stares at the camera

MOVIE

Blue Jean

age 15+

British LGBTQ+ drama has sex, language, homophobia, smoking.

June 9, 2023 2023 NR (97 minutes)

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Rye Lane movie poster

MOVIE

Rye Lane

age 15+

Charming British romcom has language, some sexual content.

March 31, 2023 2023 R (82 minutes)

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The Lesson: A black image of Daryl McCormack, Richard E. Grant, and Julie Delpy against a red background.

MOVIE

The Lesson

age 15+

Intimate thriller has strong language, suicide references.

July 7, 2023 2023 R (102 minutes)

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The Road Dance movie poster: A young woman stands in a purple dress, holding flowers, with coastal scenes in the background

MOVIE

The Road Dance

age 15+

Sweeping Scottish drama has sexual assault, suicide.

October 13, 2023 2023 NR (116 minutes)

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The Royal Hotel movie poster: A side shot of characters Liv and Hanna as they look directly at the camera.

MOVIE

The Royal Hotel

age 15+

Australian Outback thriller has threat, language, drinking.

October 6, 2023 2023 R (91 minutes)

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Passages movie poster: Three figures face each other in abstract strips.

MOVIE

Passages

age 16+

Intimate French drama has sex, nudity, strong language.

August 4, 2023 2023 NR (91 minutes)

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