2023 was a very impactful year, and the incredible movies that came out were no exception. Many highly anticipated box office hits were finally released last year, satisfying fans all over the world. As the film industry made many films that inspired people on a deeper level, it is without a doubt that these films left audiences changed. Here are a few of the most notable movies released in 2023 (in no particular order). 

Oppenheimer:

Oppenheimer, released on July 21, 2023, is the three hour biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the Manhattan Project. It portrays the development of the first nuclear weapons used in World War II. The film is R-rated, starring Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and many other well known actors.

The film begins with the backstory of J. Robert Oppenheimer, portraying his life as a 22 year old doctoral student. Young Oppenheimer is then recommended to instead study theoretical physics in which he subsequently earns a PhD. In 1942 Oppenheimer realizes he could be weaponized and is recruited by Army Colonel Leslie Groves to be the Director of the Manhattan Project for the U.S. Army during World War II. This project was to develop the atomic bomb, and Oppenheimer assembled a team of elite scientists to help him. After the bomb led to a mass number of fatalities and destruction, Oppenheimer is left haunted with guilt. He believed that he had started a chain reaction nuclear arms race which would continue destroying the world. 

Oppenheimer has become a highly acclaimed film, earning numerous awards including five Golden Globes, three Critics Choice Awards, 13 Oscar nominations, and a global box office total of over 950 million dollars. It was named the third highest grossing film of 2023. It is an informative, yet captivating film which left many audiences in awe as it beautifully presented an important part of history.  

Barbie:

Barbie, also released on July 21, 2023, tells the story of the famous Mattel toy, the Barbie doll. It discusses the iconic history of the doll and the impact it has on femininity. It is a PG-13-rated film directed by award winning director, Greta Gerwig and stars actors such as Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Simu Liu, America Ferrera, Ariana Greenblat, and countless others. 

The film begins with “Stereotypical Barbie”, played by Margot Robbie, experiencing an existential crisis. She then, with Ken by her side, travels to the human world to embark on a journey of self discovery, finding the meaning behind her lost purpose in Barbie Land. Barbie arrives in Venice Beach, CA, and slowly realizes the human world is not as perfect as Barbie Land. The Mattel CEO attempts to capture Barbie, but Barbie’s original owner, Sasha, along with her mother, Gloria, help her escape. When back in Barbie Land, they realize that it has changed massively. The Barbies were now submissive to the Kens. Barbie sinks into a state of depression, and Gloria gives a speech which helps restore all of the Barbies’ self confidence. The Barbies work together, and reinstate their constitution, saving Barbie Land once and for all, and restoring the hand of power to the female heart. 

This film sent audiences into a state of nostalgia, showcasing many’s favorite doll in a new light. This film broke the box office, earning over 1.4 billion dollars in global revenue, earning the title of the highest grossing film of 2023. The film earned numerous awards including multiple Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globe Box Office Achievement Award. This film definitely has lived up to the expectations, creating numerous trends and leaving viewers in tears as they were touched by its beautiful message.

Wonka:

Wonka, released on December 15, 2023, is the musical adaptation of the background story of Willy Wonka, an aspiring magician, inventor, and chocolatier who establishes his chocolate shop at the Galeries Gourmet. It is a PG-rated film starring Timothee Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan Michael Key, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, and many others. Wonka explores the origin story of Willy Wonka, the famous chocolatier from the story of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

The film begins with Wonka being tricked into signing Mrs. Scrubitt’s contract, and in order to pay them off, Wonka plans to sell his “hoverchocs”, which is a chocolate that makes people fly. After his arrest due to selling the candy illegally, Wonka is unable to pay the fees imposed from the contract and is forced to work for Mrs. Scrubitt. Forced to leave town, but earning the help of Noodle, another forced worker for Mrs. Scrubitt, Wonka and Noodle travel to create his signature chocolate, and embark on a chocolate selling crusade to rid themselves of their debts. Using the funds raised from selling chocolates, they open Wonka’s dream chocolate store, but it is slowly destroyed by the Chocolate Cartel. When Wonka is forced to leave, he later comes back to save and rescue Noodle. They decide to infiltrate the Chocolate Cartel’s base, as the cartel tries to drown Wonka and Noodle in chocolate. But they are saved. Wonka begins to build his Chocolate factory, and Wonka’s friends are able to return to their old lives. 

Wonka brought in a global box office total of over 505 million dollars, and was adored by families and fans everywhere. It is an enjoyable backstory and a twist on the original story written by Roald Dahl. It was well received earning Gold Globe nominations, Critics Choice Award Nominations, and People Choice Awards. 

The Little Mermaid:

The live action, The Little Mermaid, released on May 26, 2023 retells the iconic story of Ariel and her journey of becoming a human and falling in love. It is a PG-rated film starring Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Jonah Hauer King, Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, and Jacob Tremblay. 

Filmgoers follow Ariel, as she yearns to become human and do things humans do such as run and dance. She falls for the tricks of a sea monster named Ursula who takes Ariel’s voice in exchange for legs. Ariel washes up on shore where she must receive a true love’s kiss in order to earn back her voice. She spends much time with Prince Eric, and her sea-friends Flounder, Scuttle, and Sebastian aid her in getting the Prince to kiss her. Ursula tricks Ariel by becoming a human herself to try and get the Prince to fall in love with her instead. In the end, Prince Eric falls for Ariel and they live happily ever after. 

This film was highly anticipated, but did receive some backlash prior to its release. Nonetheless, the film was adored by many and brought back love for an iconic Disney character. This film received the recognition it deserved being nominated for numerous awards such as multiple People’s Choice awards and earning over 560 million dollars in global revenue. It was the ninth highest grossing film of 2023, becoming Disney’s seventh highest grossing remake of all time. It definitely honored and paid homage to the original animated Little Mermaid which is one of the most loved Disney films. 

The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes:

The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, was released on November 17, 2023, and is the prequel to the famous Hunger Games movies. It was a highly anticipated film, with members of the Hunger Games fandom excited to receive another movie. It is a PG-13-rated film starring Rachel Ziegler, Tom Blyth, Hunger Schaefer, and many other amazing actors. It tells the story of a time before anyone has heard of Katniss Everdeen, and shows the backstory to how the Hunger Games came to be. 

The film takes place 64 years before the 74th Hunger Games, and introduces us to an 18 year old Coriolanus Snow who must quickly rise to the top. Coriolanus is assigned to mentor a female tribute from District 12 named Lucy Gray who is a musician. Though District 12 is very poor and has never produced a victory, Snow feels that Lucy has the ability to win. We see the members of each district compete and fight to the death, including many upsetting deaths. I will not be going into detail on the overall sequence of fighting during the Games, but I will jump to the near end. Coroniolanus realizes that snakes will be dropped into the arena to kill the remaining tributes. He drops a handkerchief bearing Lucy Gray’s scent, and the snakes kill all the remaining tributes except Lucy Gray who wins the Games. Coroniolanus and Lucy Gray pursue a romance outside of the games, and he agrees to run away with her. After learning of Coroniolanus’s murders he had committed, Lucy Gray flees and he attempts to kill her, but Lucy Gray runs away and is never seen again. 

This film was adored by fans because it brought a much needed backstory to the original films to life. However, it did receive mixed reviews from critics, but it still has grossed over 330 million dollars worldwide. This film was definitely more of a fan favorite, especially those who have kept up with the book series and past films. 

Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

Taylor Swift, the American singer and songwriter, released a professionally recorded video recording of one of her concerts from The Eras Tour. It was then released in theaters, and allowed fans all over the world to experience the tour even if they didn’t score tickets. The Eras Tour is Swift’s iconic homage to her many unique albums and eras of music. Swift already made at least over a billion dollars from the tour itself, with the movie bringing in over 260 million dollars in global box office revenue. In North America, The Eras Tour, was the 11th biggest release of 2023. It was nominated for both a Golden Globe and a People’s Choice Award. The Eras Tour was an iconic film that brought fans together all over the world, and make an impact on the film industry. 

While the above were some of the most highly publicized and talked about movies in 2023, there were many other movies released last year that deserve recognition such as Poor Things, Past Lives, Saltburn, The Color Purple, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse, The Sound of Freedom, and so many other incredible films. It is recommended that you watch all of the films mentioned in this article due to their beautiful stories, and impact on viewers all over the world.