It’s time to review our top 10 films and television shows of 2023. But first, the biggest takeaway of the past year: The business has flipped back. No, we’re not talking about the end of six months of guild strikes. We’re talking about the creative punch of theatrical releases vs. the magic of television. For most of this decade, you could argue that the work conducted on the smaller screen (well, they aren’t that small anymore) was overall more challenging, creative, and impactful than the work on the big screen. The reasons for this were plentiful, but that historic trend appears to have come to an abrupt end.
READ MORE: The Playlist’s top 21 Films of 2023
The era of Peak TV clearly “peaked” in 2022. The strikes pushed some series originally planned for this year to 2024, but the streamer spending had already slowed down. And moving forward? Everything we’ve heard from the industry grapevine suggests series such as “Beef,” “Somebody Somewhere,” “Our Flags Mean Death” and even “The Curse” will now be few and far between. Hollywood is cyclical though. Give it a few years and networks and streamers will be spending more again. Maybe.
In terms of cinema (well North American-based cinema), filmmakers finally freed themselves from the shackles of a pandemic-induced financing funk. To be fair, the studio business hasn’t recovered to 2019 levels and indie production is a decade past its golden age, but companies such as A24, NEON, and MUBI are a lifeline to arthouse venues an art form that is beginning to shine once more. As for the studios, it’s hard not to ignore the lessons of the “Barbienheimer” phenomenon ($2.5 billion combined worldwide), but you know those bean counters will insist it’s a one-off. Maye.
Our wishes for 2024? The Cineramadome Theater reopens earlier than 2025 and Netflix joins Apple and Amazon Studios in putting its movies in theaters with box office results. Neither will happen, but dare to dream, right?
Keeping all that in mind. Our top 10 films and television selections for the past 12 months.
Note: As always, films are included based on their screening date, not their release date in theaters.
_____
TOP 10 FILMS OF 2023
“The Zone of Interest”
An utter masterpiece. My review from Cannes.
“Past Lives”
One of the biggest tearjerkers of the year and the first of two incredible playwrights who segued to auteur directorial debuts on this list. In this case, the fantastic Celine Song.
“Poor Things”
Emma Stone is even more extraordinary than you think she is. Yorgos Lanthimos has an even bigger imagination than anyone thought possible. The combination is pure cinematic gold.
“Oppenheimer”
Christopher Nolan made his first true art film and it was a bigger hit than even he imagined. Take note. Oh, and Ludwig Göransson‘s score!
“All of Us Strangers”
One of those reviews where, after thinking about it for weeks, you realize you should have graded it an A- instead of a B+.
“Perfect Days”
Wim Wenders with one of his best films at the spry young age of 78. Koji Yakusho with a heartbreaking performance for the ages.
“La Chimera”
A disheveled Josh O’Connor living in squalor in a small Italian village while speaking almost completely in the nation’s language is just one enticing morsel of Alice Rohrwacher‘s fantastical slow-burn of a thriller centered on a bunch of modern-day grave diggers.
“Saltburn”
Emerald Fennell has no fear as a filmmaker and it’s utterly electrifying. And she knows when to drop a banger of a music cue.
“Janet Planet”
The second great playwright to drop a directorial auteur debut as Annie Baker‘s semi-autobiographical drama simply soars.
“His Three Daughters”
Carrie Coon and Elisabeth Moss are superb, but Natasha Lyonne gives arguably the best performance of her career in this moving and intimate drama.
Notable: “Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce,” “May December,” “Cassandro,” “The Boy and the Heron,” “The Teacher’s Lounge,” “Barbie,” “Dumb Money,” “Le Pot-eu-Fou (The Taste of Things),” “Passages,” “Eileen,” “Monster,” “Air,” “Magazine Dreams,” “Rye Lane,” “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” “Robot Dreams”
TOP 10 TELEVISION OF 2023
“Succession” S4
“You are not serious people.” What a way to go out.
“Barry” S4
Bill Heder and Alec Berg crafted a final season that throws our anti-hero in surreal directions, takes gutsy time jumps, and features a heartbreaking turn from Anthony Carrigan you can’t forget.
“Beef”
Lee Sung Jin‘s dark comedy is already a quintessential L.A. TV series, but, also, arguably the best television program Netflix has ever released.
“Dead Ringers”
Stylish, smart, sexy, horrifying, and thought-provoking, and features the best performance by an actor in any medium this year. Bravo Rachel Weisz. Bravo.
“The Bear” S2
The “yes Chef” phenomenon may have stretched itself a bit too thin in its second go around, but its incredible ensemble still made it an altogether captivating watch.
“Somebody Somewhere”
An essential American series on the bonds of true friendship. And Bridged Everett singing “Gloria” is one of the most joyous moments on television this year.
“The Last of Us”
Never played the video game. Didn’t think yet another post-apocalyptic series could suck me in. Didn’t matter. I’m hooked.
“Loki” S2
A stellar, somehow underrated second season featuring superb performances from Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, and new addition Ke Huy Quan. New series main directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead killed it.
“Our Flag Means Death” S2
A queer comedy miracle. Any further seasons are a gift.
“The Traitors” (U.S.)
The best new reality competition series in eons featured a finale twist that shocked even the producers, a hilarious run by contestant Kate Chastain, and an Emmy-worthy hosting turn from Alan Cumming.
Notable: “Poker Face,” “Strange New Worlds” S2, “Only Murders in the Building” S3, “Schimgadoon” S2, “Gen V,” “The Curse,” “The Other Two” S3, “Foundation” S2, “A Small Light,” “Hunters” S2, “History of the World, Pt. II,” “Invincible” S2, “Colin From Accounts,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race” S15