Movies have always been a popular thing for families and friends alike to watch on any occasion. Throughout the years, movies have been becoming more developed, action-filled, story-impacting, and overall more entertaining for audiences that range from children to even the elderly. 2023 is certainly no exception when it comes to good movies being produced, so here are the top 10 best movies rated for 2023 so far.
- December-January, Avatar: The Way of Water
Avatar: The Way of Water, produced throughout 2022 and released in December of the same year, is the highest-rated movie of January 2023. With the movie’s budget being around a rough estimate of 250 million USD, this movie took late December and all of January by storm. The movie raised over 2.3 billion USD and was rated 7.6/10 on IMDb, leveling around the same 76%/100% rating from Rotton Tomatoes. The film was loved by many and it’s widely known for its flashy, colorful, and high-quality images and scenes. The animation level for effects like animals, water, floral fields, and environments. It’s no surprise this movie was the highest-rated for January.
- February, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, released February 17 2023 was the highest-rated movie for February. With the movie’s budget being around 200 million USD, it ended up raising 476 million USD in theaters. The movie being the most recent Marvel movie at the time brought in fans from all over the country to gather in theaters and watch this stunning new film. Its main aspects were less on the action side but more on the humorous and special effects for the surrounding environments. Although the ratings on IMDb and Rotton Tomatoes were around the middle ground, with IMDb giving it a 6.1/10 rating and Rotton Tomatoes giving it a 46%/100% rating, the movie was still enjoyable for many fans alike.
- March, Creed lll
Creed lll, released March 3 2023 was the highest-rated movie for March. The movie had a budget of 75 million USD, which mind you is the highest budget for a Creed movie ever recorded so far, and ended up making around 275 million USD. This movie was a hit for boxing fans and even fans of other fighting categories, making this movie loved by many alike. Although the movie was rated 6.8/10 on IMDb, which still isn’t bad at all, it was rated a whole 86%/100% on Rotton Tomatoes, which in itself is an accomplishment to get that high on Rotton Tomatoes. The movie takes a very detailed approach when it comes to the fights itself but also tells a good drama and action-filled story with origins and character development. Creed lll was a phenomenal hit and continues to be a loved movie for boxing fans alike.
- April, The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie shouldn’t even need to be talked about for how popular and loved it is. Produced in 2023 and released on April 5, The Super Mario Bros. Movie blew away the expectations of almost everyone and was a massive hit everywhere. With a budget of only 100 million USD, this movie raised well over 1 billion USD. Although the reviewers on Rotton Tomatoes didn’t seem too fond of the movie, giving it a rating of 59%/100%, IMDb gave it a 7.1/10 which isn’t bad for a movie meant for children. Speaking of which, children were obsessed and still are obsessed with this film. Adults can enjoy the movie all the same because I mean who wouldn’t wanna see their childhood hero Mario take on the iconic villain Bowser? The movie’s main aspects were its iconic characters and colorful pictures, all while adding some humor factors for fans to love for years to come.
- May, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, produced throughout 2023 and released on May 5, was the next biggest Marvel movie next to Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. With a budget of 250 million USD and a famous returning cast Marvel fans adore, the movie raised over 845 million USD. It seems as if Marvel fans weren’t the only ones who enjoyed it either, as IMDb gave it a rating of 7.9/10, Rotten Tomatoes with a rating of 82%/100%, and even Letterboxd joined in with a 4/5 rating. The movie displayed iconic amounts of heavy action and special effect usage, as well as tragic origin stories and deep storytelling to keep viewers hooked. The Guardians of the Galaxy is widely known for its amazing scenes, actors giving it their all, and colorful scenes, which this movie executed perfectly.
- June, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, produced in late 2022 and throughout 2023 was the highest-rated movie of June. Released June 2, 2023, this movie racked in fans worldwide because of the massive fanbase for all the iconic spider-people. With a budget of 100 million USD, the movie made well over 700 million USD in June. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse had high reviews from fans everywhere but it seems that the officials even agree with these high ratings. IMDb gave it an 8.7/10 rating, Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 96%/100% rating. Miguel O’Hara, Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and so many other loveable characters brought so many fans together who loved the first installment of the Spider-Verse movie series; Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. From flashy animation to deep origin stories, to complex fight scenes, to massive character development, to a whole new spectrum for storytelling, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse had it all and fans adored this movie.
- July, Barbie
Barbie, produced in 2023 and released on July 21 was the highest-rated movie for July and all around the world for a while. With a massive budget of 145 million USD, the film raised over 1.4 billion USD over the last few months and continues to grow to this day, coming close to 1.5 billion dollars soon enough. With reviews from IMDb at 6.6/10 and Rotten Tomatoes at 88%/100%, the movie is pretty well rated by all audiences. The film takes the perspective of Ken and Barbie in the real world and living in their “Barbie Land”. With the influence of the real world, Ken takes over Barbie Land and it’s up to Barbie and co’ to take it back. It’s a comedic adventure with many adult jokes if you’re perspective enough, making it all the better. But, it’s also a massively loved movie for children, boys and girls alike. The film is still watched today through Blu-ray and even most streaming websites, and I’m sure it’ll continue to make massive amounts of money as the year comes to an end in December.
- July, Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer, produced in 2023 and released July 21, was the second-best movie in July. I added Oppenheimer because although it wasn’t the best movie released this month, it was a very close second, not to mention an overall way better-rated movie than its counterpart, Barbie. With a budget of only 100 million USD, this movie raised well over and very much still rising, a solid 926.5 million USD. With some of the highest ratings I’ve personally seen, IMDb giving it an 8.6/10 and Rotton Tomatoes giving it a whole 93%/100%, this movie was loved by adults and teenagers across the country. Being a recreation of a major past event, many action fans, war fans, thriller fans, and so many more came out to see this phenomenon of a film. With very colorful explosions and detailed storytelling, this movie was loved and still is for a solid good reason.
- August, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, produced throughout 2023 and released on August 2, was the highest-rated movie of August and a fan favorite for returning TMNT fans. With a budget of 70 million USD, the film produced over 175 million USD throughout August. Although the film didn’t make a massive amount like the others on this list did, it’s still extremely popular with critics and TMNT fans alike. IMDb gave it a 7.3/10 rating, and Rotton Tomatoes gave it 96%/100%, the movie is loved for its comedic and adventurous aspects and its rating shows that all too well. The story takes place in the younger days of the TMNT, showing their earliest times and goofy personalities. Children, teenagers, and even adults could have a great time watching this movie, as some jokes are meant for adult audiences. Overall, the movie was a hit for every audience, and more movies like that are soon to come.
- September, The Equalizer 3
The Equalizer 3, produced in 2023 and released on September 1, was the highest-rated movie in September, the most current month of our year. With a budget of 70 million USD, the movie raised well over 148.1 million USD in sales. Like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, this movie wasn’t as massive as the other films on this list but not a bad movie overall. With ratings from IMDb being 7.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes with a 75%/100% rating, and even Fandango joining in with 94%/100%, this movie was pretty highly rated. I personally never watched this movie so I don’t have the most idea of what it’s about but I can assume it’s known for its action, thriller, and vigilant moments. Lots of combat, lots of violence, and lots of guns are something a lot of people can get addicted to when it comes to movies, so I can see why it’s loved by its small audience.
