23 Hughest-Rated Movies of 2023, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

Think of this list as your ultimate movie buffet, featuring the cream of the crop, as picked by the critics and adored by audiences. From those mind-bending thrillers that left us wide-eyed to the tearjerkers that had us reaching for the tissues, 2023 had it all.

23. "Inside"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 62%

Willem Dafoe stars in this art thriller about a thief trapped in a luxury apartment, a study of isolation and the value of art.

22. "Beau Is Afraid"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%

Ari Aster's surreal film capturing the essence of anxiety through a bizarre journey to a mother's funeral.

21. "Asteroid City"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%

Wes Anderson's visually stunning European love story set in a postwar American Space Cadet convention.

20. "The Lesson"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 76%

A witty thriller with Daryl McCormack and Richard E. Grant, weaving a tale of manipulation, secrets, and ambition in a luxurious setting.

19. "Biosphere"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 80%

A unique sci-fi comedy exploring friendship and survival in a post-apocalyptic world, with Mark Duplass and Sterling K. Brown.

18. "Showing Up"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

A subtle character study by Kelly Reichardt, featuring Michelle Williams as an artist navigating life's small obstacles, with a humorous take on the new age community.

17. "Tori and Lokita"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

An authentic tale of two immigrants posing as siblings in Belgium, highlighting the harsh realities of immigrant life.

16. "Barbie "

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%

Greta Gerwig's take on the iconic doll, blending feminism, pop culture, and Mattel's philosophy in a box office hit. Didn't celebrate Barbenheimer? Well, you didn't live this year.

15. "The Unknown Country"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

A mesmerizing road trip drama-documentary hybrid, following a Lakota woman's journey across America.

14. "May December"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 91%

A sophisticated drama by Todd Haynes, featuring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in a story of taboo relationships and complex emotions. Catch it on Netflix in December 2023.

13. "Oppenheimer "

Rotten Tomatoes score: 93%

Christopher Nolan 's biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer, led by Cillian Murphy, combining history with Nolan's signature cinematic style.

12. "John Wick: Chapter 4"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

A high-octane action film, concluding the John Wick saga with elaborate fight sequences and stylistic flair.

11. "The Night of the 12th"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

A French police procedural that transcends the genre with its dark, meticulous storytelling and exploration of human evil.

10. "Once Within a Time"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

An experimental film by Godfrey Reggio, exploring our obsession with technology through dream-like visuals and allegory.

9. "You Hurt My Feelings"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

A comedy-drama about marriage and honesty, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus navigating insecurities after a marital fib.

8. "How to Blow Up a Pipeline"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%

An intense environmentalist thriller about a group's radical mission, offering a perfect blend of politics and suspense.

7. "R.M.N."

Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%

A profound look into Romanian xenophobia, blending morality and social issues in a dramatic narrative.

6. "Earth Mama"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%

A powerful drama about foster care and Black motherhood, marked by Tia Nomore's stunning debut.

5. "Past Lives"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%

Celine Song's directorial debut, a tender-hearted romance exploring the concept of “in-yun” and fate through a story of childhood friends reunited.

4. "LOLA"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

A groundbreaking found footage sci-fi rom-com set during World War II, blending historical events with futuristic technology.

3. "A Thousand and One"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%

A Sundance-winning film about a single mother's devotion, spanning generational changes and personal growth.

2. "Rye Lane"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%

A charming British rom-com with imaginative visuals, following two strangers on a day of unexpected adventures.

1. "Blackberry"

Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%

Captures the rise and fall of the once-dominant tech giant, offering an insightful look at capitalism in the 21st century with standout performances, particularly from Glenn Howerton.