Every year, we rank our favorite movies of 2023, the masterpieces and unique oddities that stunned us. Werank our favorite comedies, horror films, animated movies, international films, dramas, and so on. Inevitably, though, there is a selection of movies that gets left out despite being genuinely good enough to recommend with vigor. These are the good — and some even great — movies that would’ve possibly made the cut in a different year, but just couldn’t beat the competition this time. Here are 20 movies, from really good to downright great, that didn’t make ourBest Movies of 2023.
20Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle
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A superhero story from DC,Blue Beetletells the tale of a recent college graduate, Jaime Reyes (Xolo Mariduena) who returns to his hometown only to be left with no purpose. While looking for one, he accidentally stumbles upon an ancient scarab that harbors alien biotechnology, and it picks Jaime as its host. Jaime slowly learns what the Scarab is capable of after being bestowed with a new power, but there are many who seek this ancient relic and will stop at nothing to obtain it.
A Bit of Originality in the DCU
Although Blue Beetle is introduced in some measure as anorigin story for the Mexican superhero, it is much more than that. The directors have crafted it with great care and love, and it is evident throughout the film in the form of Jaime Reyes' character as well as many other societal issues. Furthermore, DC’s attempt to bring some novelty pays off brilliantly, although the story feels generic for the modern audience.Stream onMaxor rent or buy on digital platforms.
19Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle: Mutant Mayhem
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhemexpands this beloved franchise as it takes place after years of the turtles being concealed from the human world. They’ve finally achieved their freedom from their father. In the hopes of winning the hearts of New Yorkers and becoming recognized as normal teenagers, the Turtles undertake heroic acts like saving innocents. However, when the evil Superfly unleashes an army of mutants on New York City, the Turtles must find a way to stop their invasion to become the heroes they have always wanted to be.
Incredible Animation Makes These Turtles Stand Out
It’s a film that many fans of the franchise were not expecting, but it certainlyflipped their expectations. The film has about everything one might desire from an animated movie, minus some originality and some cringe comedy moments. Its visuals bear a resemblance to Spiderverse films, but in a way that makes everything pop and provides a different perspective on the turtles, showing them in a way we’ve never seen them before.Stream onParamount+and rent or buy on digital platforms.
18Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard King
Black Cloveris among the best anime series of recent years, but even with 170 episodes, it never received the movie treatment it deserved.Black Clover: Sword of the Wizard Kingsought to remedy this. The story follows Asta, a boy who is born without magic in a world where it is seen as a sign of strength, and despite not possessing the very thing he needs to fulfill his dream of becoming the Wizard King, he strives earnestly. However, four banished Wizard Kings suddenly return to the Clover Kingdom to destroy it, and it is now up to Asta and his fellow mages to do everything they can to stop them.
A Stand-Alone Anime Not to Forget
The film has truly outdone itself with its magnificent animation and the story that pushed the shonen genre to new heights. Since it is not a canon story, you do not need to watch the entire anime, although it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the characters. Unfortunately, 2023 had some incredible animated films (The Boy and the Heron, Nimona, Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Leo, Aurora’s Sunrise, etc.), andBlack Clovercan’t just compete. Still, it shouldn’t be forgotten as a result.Stream onNetflix.
Related:Best Action Movies of All Time, Ranked
17The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaidis controversial. While some consider it to be an abject disgrace, others believe it is the best Disney live-action ever made. We think it’s a pretty goodremake of the original movie, certainly not offensive but nothing amazing either. The story follows a mermaid princess named Ariel, who is obsessed with the surface and humans. After a fated encounter with a prince, she makes a deal with the sea witch to turn her into a human, but there are always consequences, and if the prince doesn’t kiss her in three days, she must return to the water to become the witch’s slave forever.
Halle Bailey Is a Genuine Star
Beautiful visuals bring the beloved story to life in stunning fashion, with the voice acting providing a superb update from those audiences may have been accustomed to in the cartoon version. Despite all the criticism, undue pressure, and downright nastiness star Halle Bailey had to deal with, she performed wonderfully as Ariel and silenced critics in the best of ways with her performance.Stream onDisney+and rent or buy on digital platforms.
16Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
With recent MCU movies working solely to set up the story for the future,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3stands on its own. In the film, Peter Quill has drenched himself in grief over Gamora’s tragic demise, but time waits for none as an intergalactic maniac threatens the fate of the universe with his sinister plans, forcing the group to save it one last time.
An Emotional Farewell to the Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxyhas long been one ofthe most beloved sub-franchisesin the Marvel Cinematic Universes, thanks to its trademark and eccentric humor that sets it apart from other MCU projects. The final chapter of the Guardians, however, served more as a fitting conclusion to the epic saga, bidding farewell to the fans with a heartfelt premise and near flawless execution of its themes that gave characters like Rocket more depth as his backstory is explored.Stream onDisney+and rent or buy on digital platforms.
15Cocaine Bear
Cocaine Bear
Keri Russell and Ray Liotta Will Fight a Drug-Fueled Grizzly in Elizabeth Banks' upcoming thriller Cocaine Bear.
Very loosely “inspired by true events,“Cocaine Beardelivers exactly what the title promises. It is a creature feature with an all-star cast. Director Elizabeth Banks' background in comedy fits the tone and style. Telling the story about a bear that stumbles across a cocaine drop and gets high off it, the film departs from reality by making this bear go on a drug-fueled rampage, leaving a trail of brutally mauled bodies in its wake.
A Ridiculous Fun-Fest
Cocaine Bearis over the top and violent but rarely at the expense of making the audience laugh in horror. While it has a B-movie premise and embraces the schlock element, it also delivers the best version of that concept while never taking itself too seriously. With some great gore andCocaine Bear’s decked-out ensemble cast, it’s a fun movie and very entertaining.Stream onPrime Videoand rent or buy on digital platforms..
14The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movieis nearly the biggest film of 2023, just barely beaten byBarbie, and third place is pretty far away. It’s a genuine surprise considering the miserable efforts to bring the Super Mario Bros. to cinematic life before, and the usual box office returns for video game adaptations. Something about this one really took off, though. Maybe it’s the brightly colored, simple adventure story, very much in keeping with the spirit of the video games, or maybe it’s the great voice cast, despite the controversy of Chris Pratt’s casting.
A Great Voice Cast
The A-list voice castall fit their roles perfectly and bring new dimensions to these icons. Aside from Pratt, there’s Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, and Fred Armisen, who all have a lot of fun and thankfully don’t attempt to be too method. WhileThe Super Mario Bros. Moviecertainly could benefit from a stronger script, the film nonetheless delivers on giving the audience a fun time at the movies.Stream onNetflixand rent or buy on digital platforms.
This ultra cool horror flick took its subgenre to new heights with some great modern twists.M3GANfeatured a brilliant engineer who designs an interactive and very lifelike doll to comfort her grieving niece. Initially, the highly intuitive doll which runs onsome very complex AIexceeds expectations. However, it’s soon clear that once she imprints on her primary function, she will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Given the advanced nature of her programming, sentience isn’t far away and that’s when the real trouble begins.
Great Marketing and a Quality Product
Famed producer Jason Blum kicked off 2023 with a bang by droppingM3GAN. Even before its release, thismovie about a killer dollhad gained a massive boost in popularity thanks to memes and viral TikToks. January is typically seen as a slow month for films where studios release some of their weakest films, butM3GANdelivered a quality horror film that also knew how to embrace and engage its target audiences. With a sequel already confirmed,M3GANis now a hot horror property with a franchise in the making.Stream onPrime Videoand rent or buy on digital platforms.Check out our interview with Jason Blum (and James Wan) for another 2023 horror film,Insidious: The Red Door, below:
Missingis a standalone sequel to the surprise 2018 hitSearchingand also, through clever easter eggs, is connected to 2020’sRun.Missingfollows a young girl trying to find her missing mother, and uses the samescreenlife filmmaking techniquesofSearching. Storm Reid anchors the film, and with supporting roles from Nia Long, Amy Landecker, Ken Leung, and Tim Griffin, this is a techno-thriller worth checking out.
A Strong Screenlife Sequel
Fantastic performances all around and a clever premise make this a sequel that doesn’t disappoint. With an amazing use of the screenlife technique of only using screen imagery (computer screens, video calls, messages, etc.) to tell a story, the film also wonderfully emotes the main character’s troubles as she desperately searches for her mother. Over all, it’s a solid film and one is highly recommended for audiences looking for something a little different.Stream onNetflixand rent or buy on digital platforms.
11Infinity Pool
Infinity Pool
InfinityPoolsees James Foster (Alexander Skarsgard), a struggling writer, travel to an isolated resort in a fictional Third World country with his wife, Em (Cleopatra Coleman). While they envision a beautiful vacation with pristine beaches and exceptional service from the resort’s staff, the couple ventures outside the resort grounds after being guided by a seductive woman named Gabi (Mia Goth), only to discover that their vacation has turned into a nightmare following an unexpected incident.
A Surreal Nightmare
Written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg, isa deeply unsettling filmthat depicts horror in a surreal and hallucinogenic (and highly Freudian) fashion. While the entire concept is bonkers and creates a distinct kind of eerie feeling, Cronenberg’s twisted and imaginative effort is a frightening addition to the horror mystery genre.Stream onHuluand rent or buy on digital platforms.
