2023 has felt, at least to me, like an odd year in film. Long-running, tentpole franchises misfired (I’m looking at you Mission Impossible, Marvel and Indiana Jones), while projects, which on paper, had a smaller draw, ended up smashing box office records. And, that’s before the recent writer and actor strikes are taken into account.

While those misses from fan favourites were frustrating, there was still plenty of big screen hits to keep us entertained.

Here are my top 5 cinematic releases for 2023.

Barbie

Dir. Greta Gerwig. Starring: Margo Robbie, Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera.

A year ago it would have been ridiculous to say that a live-action movie about the plastic doll most of us played with as kids would be the runaway box office success of 2023… and yet that’s exactly what happened. Greta Gerwig managed to bring a depth to the film, while fully embracing the silliness of the Barbie world. Exploring matriarchy, patriarchy and how we find our place in the wider world as individuals, Gerwig makes you laugh and cry, often within the same scene. And, I defy anyone to walk away from the Barbie movie and not have ‘I’m just Ken’ stuck in their heads… if it’s not Best Original Song at the Oscars I will riot!

Oppenheimer

Dir. Christopher Nolan. Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr.

After 18 years, Cillian Murphy finally got the opportunity to lead, rather than support, in a Christopher Nolan movie… and boy was it worth the wait! Murphy is mesmerising as the titular Oppenheimer, managing to capture both the young scientist driven by a desire to prove his theories in reality and an old man haunted by the consequences of his actions. The entire supporting cast deliver fantastic performances, in particular Emily Blunt, whose portrayal of Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty, during the McCarthy era interrogation scenes is simply breath-taking.

Also, we can’t discuss either Barbie or Oppenheimer without mentioning the incredible team behind the Barbieheimer marketing effort… which took on a life of it’s own and meant these two films dominated cinema this summer.

Wonka

Dir. Paul King. Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant and Paterson Joseph.

It was always a risk making a prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory… focusing on the young Willy Wonka… even more so when you reveal it’s a prequel to the beloved Gene Wilder version. But if anyone was going to pull it off, and create magic in process, it was the team behind the brilliant Paddington films. Wonka is both heart-warming and rip-roaringly fun. Timothée Chalamet captures the spirit of Wonka, not least his inherent oddness, while Hugh Grant’s Oompa Loompa, steals every scene he’s in. Simply put, Wonka is a joy for all, children and adults alike… but just a warning for when you watch it… it will make you hungry.

A Man Called Otto

Dir. Marc Foster. Starring: Tom Hanks and Mariana Treviño

Based on the novel, A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman (the name changed to separate this version from the original Swedish adaption), this beautiful, emotionally charged film explores the importance of connection and community… something that’s often lost or overlooked in today’s busy world. Tom Hanks delivers a quiet, yet powerful performance as Otto is forced to interact with his neighbours, both new and old, against his ‘better’ judgement. In someone else’s hands Otto could simply have been an annoying grump, but Hanks’ provides a sense of depth to the character, portraying the demons that haunt Otto, allowing the audience to both fall, and root for Otto from the very beginning.

Cocaine Bear

Dir. Elizabeth Banks. Starring: Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich and Ray Liotta.

One of the wackiest films of 2023, Cocaine Bear is loosely based on a true story and sees a brown bear in Georgia consume cocaine jettisoned from a smugglers plane over the National Forest. The film then follows here on her drug fuelled rampage through the area, and local population. Embrace the insanity and you’ll find yourself in hysterics, as the forest fills with a mother trying to find her truant daughter, the drug dealers trying to get their product back and the Park Ranger (a fantastic turn by Margo Martindale) trying her best to control the situation. I certainly haven’t laughed this much at a film in a long time!

Honourable Mentions: The Fablemans, 80 for Brady, The Great Escaper, Love Again and Sisu.

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