The Best Movies of 2023

Although it's a bit late, we finally have our list of best films of 2023. Unfortunately, it's taken us a while to watch them all but enjoy what Wildfire Reviews thinks as the best movies of the year.

1) John Wick: Chapter 4

The final installment of the Wick film series with Keanu Reaves was by far it's best. An incredibly long run time doesn't stop this film but being one of the best action movies released in modern times, with amazing cinematography and a fascinating story line to end the series on. This film will help propel the John Wick movies to become Keanu Reeve's greatest movie achievements in his career.

2) Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Part 1

Speaking of action movies, let's not forget who the king of action these days is: Tom Cruise. With someone who influenced Keanu Reaves on doing the stunts for the John Wick movies, the stunts this man pulls off in this film is worth watching alone. However, the acting, characters and plot of the new mission is nothing short of amazing, and perhaps the best one of the series. Familiar faces return, and it's no doubt that this is one of the best series you can watch in film today.

3) Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

The only reason why this isn't the best movie of the year is because animated films just can't compete with live action ones. This film was an absolute blast to watch in theaters and on the small screen at home. The incredible animation is back with the second movie in the trilogy, and this time, the story and complex characters are even greater. This film really brings the story of Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy, who are more or less side characters in the spider-verse to the main screen in wonderful, glorious ways.

4) Oppenheimer

Chrisopher Nolan's latest film is no doubt one of, if not the best of his entire career. Everything about it is great, from beginning to end. However, what truly makes this film special is the acting by everyone involved. Robert Downey JR gives the performance of his career and up and coming actor Cillain Murphey deserves an oscar for his performance as Oppenheimer. However, it's not the best movie on our list because the movie isn't for everyone, and you need to be in the right frame of mind to watch it. It's also over three hours long, which is a long time for any movie.

5) Killers of the Flower Moon

Speaking of length, let's not forget Martin Scorsese's new epic, Killers of the Flower Moon. At 3 in half hours, it's brutal in run time-which is another reason why this film isn't higher on this list. However, Killers of the Flower Moon is truly a beautiful, yet depressing film. It isn't Scorsese's best film, however, it's extremely interesting from beginning to end. What highlights this film isn't necessarily the acting of Leonardo Dicaprio or Robert Deniro, but new comer Lily Grandstone. She is truly exceptional in her part, and every time she's on screen is a complete joy to watch.

6) Are you there God, It's Me, Margarit?

We can't forget the indie films that came out this past year. This coming-of-age story maybe the sweetest movie of the year, and captures your attention the entire time despite being about young girls. The film is both wonderfully directed and shows incredible acting by everyone involved.

7) Evil Dead: Rise

Despite not having Ash Williams in it, the new Evil Dead movie is nothing but a fun time. It's more gory than funny, but the film stays true to the older movies as well as giving as a new deadite slayer everyone can enjoy. And that's saying a lot, since Bruce Campbell is no doubt the king of the Evil Dead universe. Evil Dead Rise was worked on by an entire female cast and director, and it takes the franchise to a new and great interesting ways. Hopefully, more films will be made continuing these characters stories.

8) Barbie

No best of 2023 film list can be complete without the #1 of the year, Barbie. Although it was more silly than anything else, the film did have some important messages within it. Of course, we can't forget the incredible performances by Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie, who each made this film great. Despite being silly, Barbie was pure entertainment from beginning to end and a great new look to the beloved dolls.

9) When Evil Lurks

At truly fascinating and terrifying film, this foreign Argentinian movie is pure horror at it's heart. Despite having subtitles, the film will keep you at the edge of your seat and with the lights on from beginning to end. It has non stop both thrilling and gruesome scenes that make demonic possession work in this case.

10) Meg3an

We'll round out this list by bringing in another horror flick that came out in early 2023. A female version of Chucky, Meg3an isn't to be missed by any horror fan. It surprisingly has a good story, great acting and good plot with direction, which is rare for almost any film. It's both funny and serious at the same time, and it sure knows how to captivate it's audience. Meg3an works as a great new horror flick, and may have a cult following one day.