I watched 127 films from 2023. Everything from drama, comedy, documentaries, sci-fi, horror, foreign, animated, concert films, & more. These films were all the rage in my book this year. These were my favorites.

1. NYAD

Based on the true story of Diana Nyad, who broke records by being the first person to ever swim from Cuba to the U.S. nonstop—and at the age of 64 mind you. Annette Bening, who plays Nyad, and Jodie Foster, who plays her coach Bonnie Stoll, give performances of a lifetime. All the while, the cinematography by Claudio Miranda and editing by Christopher Tellefsen help to tell this story that will inspire you and remind you that you are never too old to pursue your dreams.

2. THE ZONE OF INTEREST

This was a surprise to me. The story of Rudolph Höss and his family whose backyard shares a wall with the Auschwitz concentration camp. Höss is the head of the camp and is trying to build a dream life for himself. The film is the best representation I’ve seen in a long while of how selfish human beings can be, even in the face of tragedy. Beautifully shot and masterfully told, the entire cast shines. The result is a heart-wrenching tale that stays in your mind.

3. POOR THINGS

This sci-fi dramedy by Yorgos Lanthimos is bound to become a classic. The art direction highlight the futuristic elements, while the performances by Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, and Willem Dafoe endear and captivate you at every moment. Without skipping a beat the film seduces you and reminds all we really want is to be loved. Tony McNamara writes the thought-provoking screenplay.

4. WHEN EVIL LURKS

This supernatural psychological horror hails from Argentina. Written and directed by Demián Rugna, the story centers around a village that is under attack by a demonic entity attempting to be born into the physical world. The story and visuals haunt you and the brilliant acting makes you invested in the struggle. I could not stop thinking about this movie for days.

5. THE HOLDOVERS

Destined to be become required Christmas viewing, this gem directed by Alexander Payne hits all the marks. Paul Giamatti & Da’Vine Joy Randolph head this ensemble cast about a history teacher who unwillingly has to chaperone a handful of students at a college who have nowhere to go during winter vacation. It moves you while handing out plenty of laughs.

6. BLACKBERRY

Based on the true story of the rise and fall of the cell phone company BlackBerry, the film spirals down into a hole you are desperately hoping the central characters will manage to get out of unharmed. With a great script co-written by Matthew Miller & Matt Johnson (who also directed), and great performances all around.

7. GODZILLA MINUS ONE

In my opinion, this Japanese installment is the best Godzilla movie ever! The story weaved around the disastrous attack grabs you by the heart making you invested in every moment. The actors are superb, while the writing, directing, and visual effects by Takashi Yamazaki will leave you breathless. The films is thoroughly stylized in a beautiful way. Even if you’ve never seen a Godzilla movie, it won’t matter. This stands alone and is truly a gem!

8. ASTEROID CITY

This lovely dramedy written & directed by Wes Anderson is one of his best gifts to the world yet. An all-star cast led by Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzman, Adrien Brody, Steve Carell, and many more, round up a strange tale about a small town neighboring an atomic test site that is unexpectedly visited by an alien.

9. A HAUNTING IN VENICE

Produced and directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also stars, this is great adaptation of the 1969 Agatha Christie novel of the same name. Also starring Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, & Camille Cottin, this ensemble is on point. The tension in the writing, fine art direction, and beautiful cinematography, make you feel you’ve been transported to the old times of Hollywood’s finest whodunit films.

10. MAESTRO

A biography shining light into the life of America’s first renowned conductor Leonard Bernstein, who also composed an array of what came to be American classics for musical theater, opera, & more. Written by Josh Singer & Bradley Cooper (who also directs and stars in the main role), this film draws you in with its tour de force vibrato, excellent acting, and splendid score.

11. SISU

This surprise from Finland, was a rollercoaster of thrills from beginning to end. With minimal dialogue, you can’t help but to be glued to the action. The story centers around a Finnish commando and gold trader who tries to protect his way of life from a Nazi death squad. This is a visually stunning and smartly crafted relic.

12. TAYLOR SWIFT: THE ERAS TOUR

Yes, she made the list. And if you haven’t seen it, don’t frown upon it. I don’t even consider myself a diehard fan of Taylor Swift’s, but the cinematography here defies any other concert film I’ve ever seen. The concept of each musical number is clear, visually striking, and full of message. I encountered a fully realized artist who is sure of herself and what she has to say, and already has countless well-composed hits in her discography.

13. PAST LIVES

This Korean pitch-perfect romantic drama is moving in all the right ways. The film is about two childhood friends who are separated only to find themselves reconnecting as adults and feeling that the connection is much deeper than they thought. Sharp performances by Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. It also has stunning direction by Celine Song, in her directorial debut.

14. ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET.

This coming-of-age romantic comedy drama is inspiring and makes you believe that there’s more to life than meets the eye. Faced with a move to New Jersey from NYC, a teenage girl has an adventurous summer learning about love, spirituality, and what it means to have faith. Based on the 1970 novel of the same name by Judy Blume, it has a gorgeous screenplay and direction by Kelly Fremon Craig.

15. ALL OF US STRANGERS

This romantic fantasy thriller made me forget I was watching a movie. It pulled me into the journey of the main character, who when faced with the death of his parents when he was 12 years old, decides to pretend they’re still alive. When he reaches the same age they died, his world unravels and he has to learn to let go. Great performances by Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, and Claire Foy.

16. BEING MARY TYLER MOORE

This HBO documentary film shone light into the icon, feminist phenomenon that was Mary Tyler Moore. Gathering interviews from Moore alongside personal accounts and retelling of her greatest achievements, we see a great human being who cared deeply about her craft. Moore pushed boundaries fearlessly and shifted power dynamics as she went.

17. THEATER CAMP

With an all emsemble cast led by Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Amy Sedaris, Will Ferrell, and more, this endearing story touched a heartstring. The camp has only a few days to find a way to pay off their debt before they are taken over by an evil company who plans to demolish it. Having worked as a teacher at an arts camp myself I couldn’t help but to be transported back with this mockumentary comedy.

18. THE HATCHED WIELDING HITCHHIKER

This Netflix documentary was as shocking as it was a statement on mental health. Following the life of the Caleb Lawrence McGillvary who in 2019 became famous for being filmed by a reporter for retelling a crime he witnessed. At first being cited as the hero of the event, we dive deep into his social media fallout and eventual surprising murder trial.

19. MAY DECEMBER

Inspired by the true life story of the scandal surrounding 34-year-old Mary Kay Letourneau, who pleaded guilty in 1997 for having relations with a 12-year-old boy. The film stars Natalie Portman who is an actress studying the life of the convicted woman in order to portray her in a soon-to-be-shot adaptation. Julianne Moore leads the cast alongside Charles Melton, who plays her husband, in nuanced, haunting, and complex performances.

20. THE BOY AND THE HERON

Dazzlingly directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this Japanese animated adventure fantasy is pure magic! A boy finds an abandoned tower in his hometown, which leads him to a fantastical new world with many wonders. Amongst them a talking grey heron that sends him to an adventure of a lifetime. It is by far the best animated movie of the year!