It is that time! 2024 is here which means I can list and rank each film I saw that came out in 2023. I only saw 14 films last year, which is probably a bit lower than usual. There were some big ones I still need to see that I haven’t yet. For now, here are my 14 2023 films, in order, with rankings and a short review of each. The Letterboxd link to this list is here: Letterboxd List Link

#1 - Killers of the Flower Moon (dir. Martin Scorsese)

Score: 4.5/5

This movie was incredible. One of Marty’s best. Not much I can say about it that isn’t already said - it’s heartbreaking and expertly crafted, and the performances are unmatched.

#2 - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (dir. Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, Kemp Powers)

Score: 4.5/5

It look me a long time to figure out if I liked this better than the first one or not - I don’t think I do, but it’s awfully close. This is probably the last vestige of creative superhero filmmaking left.

#3 - Oppenheimer (dir. Christopher Nolan)

Score: 4.5/5

Just like Killers of the Flower Moon, here we have a veteran director giving us some of his best and heaviest work. This movie is further proof that science is witchcraft, me and all my homies hate science. This review written by MISTER BULTITUDE GANG amirite?

#4 - Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 (dir. James Gunn)

Score: 4.5/5

Alright, this really surprised me. I am totally done with the MCU at this point, and didn’t even watch this film for a long time after it released. Guardians has always been the best part of the MCU, because it’s the only series treated like actual movies and not products. This was a perfect ending to the trilogy, and I’m glad Gunn was able to complete it.

#5 - A Haunting in Venice (dir. Kenneth Branagh)

Score: 4/5

Speaking of trilogies, this entry in Branagh’s Agatha Christie remakes/adaptations trilogy is easily the best of the three. While the first two (Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile) were simplistic, overly produced, ham-fisted CGI fests (though still fun and enjoyable), this movie was subtle, stylistic, and deftly directed. This one actually felt like a murder mystery rather than a Mission: Impossible movie.

#6 - Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (dir. John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein)

Score: 4/5

Another surprising turn of events is that the D&D movie didn’t suck. It was actually super fun, and just goofy enough to not be idiotic. It’s a great time and exactly what it needs to be.

#7 - The Killer (dir. David Fincher)

Score: 4/5

Not Fincher’s best by a long mile, but definitely not his worst. Rather than being great or super impressive, this movie was just fascinating. Worth a watch, and solid all around.

#8 - Evil Dead Rise (dir. Lee Cronin)

Score: 4/5

As a huge horror fan, and specifically an Evil Dead fan, I was worried about this movie. Did we really need another Evil Dead? Turns out, the answer was yes. Evil Dead may be the only horror franchise where every single sequel, remake, and reboot has been really good. Not for the faint of stomach.

#9 - Cobweb (dir. Samuel Bodin)

Score: 3.5/5

Sleeper flick of the year, this is a fantastic and atmospheric horror flick with a LOT going for it. What idiot at the studio decided on a July release when this movie literally takes place on Halloween? And zero promotion at all? This movie was done dirty by the studio. I have a lot to say, but won’t for sake of spoilers. The only reason this movie is a 3.5 instead of a 4 or 4.5 is the ending, which is rather lame.

#10 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (dir. James Mangold)

Score: 3/5

Now we are past the good stuff and into the rest. This movie sucks. Okay, well, it doesn’t suck. But it’s not good. I had high hopes for this because of Mangold being attached as director, but this is a movie that never should have been made, or at the very least, should have an entirely different script and director. And a CGI deepfake young Harrison Ford for the first half hour? This movie is dystopian. There are only 3 Indy movies.

#11 - No One Will Save You (dir. Brian Duffield)

Score: 3/5

Forgettable, generic, but well-crafted and an interesting premise. Could have been much better than it was. Rule #1 of horror: DON’T SHOW THE MONSTER UNTIL YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO. This movie would have been way better if it followed the rule. Now that I think about it, that applies to Cobweb too.

#12 - Barbie (dir. Greta Gerwig)
Score: 2.5/5

I’m at a loss as to where we are in the timeline. I have nothing to say about this that won’t upset everyone, so I’ll just say that I desperately want someone to go back in time and try to explain this film to a 17th century Pilgrim. That would be fun.

#13 - Renfield (dir. Chris McKay)
Score: 2/5

This movie is something that could be a really good MadTV sketch, dragged out into a 90 minute snoozefest. It didn’t fully commit to the goofiness, and it couldn’t decide what it wanted to be. Also, it criminally underused Nicholas Cage, who was the only reason anyone even saw it. This movie had 3 good jokes and that’s it.

#14 - Knock at the Cabin (dir. M. Night Shyamalan)

Score: 1.5/5

Please don’t make me talk about this movie. This is so incredible bad that I think I pooped my pants when I watched it. I did it voluntarily, just so I could get up and leave. I have been a staunch M. Night defender for a long time, but this is unforgiveable. Also, why do we keep asking Dave Bautista to act? It just feels mean. Anyway, this is legitimately one of the worst movies I have ever seen. Also it’s uh, extremely “you-know-what,” which won’t age well in a few hundred years.

Alright guys, that’ll do it. I appreciate you reading. If you disagree with something, leave a comment and I’ll judge you.

Favorite (and Least Favorite) Films of 2023