2023 was defined by excess—big budgets, big swings, and even bigger disappointments. Franchise fatigue became impossible to ignore, while a handful of smaller films quietly reminded everyone what cinema does best. This tier list separates noise from substance.
S-Star Ranking - All-Time Greats - Reserved for films that transcend their release year. These are the rare titles that leave a permanent mark on cinema, influence the industry, and continue to be discussed, studied, and rewatched years later. Craft, impact, and legacy all align here. Very few films earn this rank, and that scarcity is the point.
- N/A
5-Star Ranking - Best of the Best - Exceptional films operating at the highest level of filmmaking. Strong direction, performances, and execution elevate them above their peers, even if they don’t redefine the medium or achieve long-term cultural immortality. These are the best films of their year and stand as near-flawless examples of their genre.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3
- Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
- The Creator
4-Star Ranking - Top 10 Worthy - Well-crafted, confident films that excel in multiple areas and earn their place among the year’s standouts. They may have minor flaws or limited scope, but the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. Highly recommended viewing and often among the most enjoyable or impressive releases of the year.
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
- Godzilla Minus One
- Extraction 2
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- The Marsh King's Daughter
3-Star Ranking - Good Entertainment - Solid, watchable films that do their job well. They entertain, engage, and deliver on their premise without pushing boundaries or taking major risks. These are enjoyable experiences, even if they’re unlikely to linger long after the credits roll.
- Poor Things
- John Wick: Chapter 4
- Barbie
- Renfield
- Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
- A Haunting in Venice
- The Last Voyage of the Demeter
- Cocaine Bear
2-Star Ranking - Wasted Potential - Films with promising ideas, talent, or concepts that fail to come together. Whether due to weak execution, poor pacing, tonal confusion, or studio interference, these movies fall short of what they could have been. Frustrating more than offensive.
- Evil Dead Rise
- The Boogeyman
- The Flash
- The Marvels
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
- Meg 2: The Trench
- Saw X
- Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
1-Star Ranking - Total Garbage - Broken films with little to no redeeming value. Poorly written, badly executed, or fundamentally misguided, these releases fail on nearly every level. Watching them feels like a chore rather than an experience, and they serve as cautionary tales rather than entertainment.
- Nimona
- Scream VI
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods
- Cocaine Shark
Conclusion
For every bloated spectacle, there was a reminder that restraint still matters. 2023 didn’t lack talent—it lacked focus. The best films cut through the clutter by remembering the basics.
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