Summary

• 2023 has been a spectacular movie year, with original, non-franchise dramas celebrated critically and commercially.
• Barbie and Oppenheimer have been the top story of 2023, offering original stories that push the medium forward.
• Outstanding drama films have been released theatrically and on streaming services, offering emotional conflicts and character-driven stories.

2023 has been a spectacular movie year, with many great dramas to explore. While many ginormous blockbusters were released, the top story of 2023 is the phenomenon surrounding Barbie and Oppenheimer, which saw original, non-franchise films celebrated critically and commercially. Outstanding drama films have been released theatrically and on streaming services like Netflix, offering original stories that push the medium forward.

Drama is a broad genre description encoming several categories but primarily focuses on plot and character-driven stories with emotional conflicts. While films like Barbie and Poor Things certainly have emotional stakes in their narratives, they've generally leaned more into comedy and wouldn't count. Movies like Creed III also had great dramatic moments, but the Creed franchise typically falls into the sports genre.

15 Air

Directed by Ben Affleck

Air isn't as good as some of Ben Affleck's best-directed movies, though it's still one of the year's most fun and entertaining drama films. The movie is built around its script and performances, with Matt Damon and ing actors Viola Davis, Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman, and Chris Messina given room to thrive with fast-paced, witty dialogue. Centered around Michael Jordan's industry-changing sneaker deal with Nike, Air captures the swagger of '80s basketball culture. It's not the most inventive film of the year, but it deserves all the credit for its clever, straightforward screenwriting expertise.

14 The Killer

Directed by David Fincher

After years, David Fincher returned to the crime genre to tell the story of an unnamed hitman, played by Michael Fassbender. While The Killer isn't one of David Fincher's best movies, any entry to his filmography is worthwhile, and the latest offers something new in its deadpan, absurdist approach to the hitman/assassin genre. It's dark and violent and has the thriller engagement Fincher is known for, but its best moments seem genuinely satirical. Not to mention, The Killer is a visually stunning film.

13 Maestro

Directed by Bradley Cooper

The highlight of Maestro is undoubtedly Bradley Cooper's performance, as he transforms into Leonard Bernstein. It's the sort of movie the Academy Awards have shined on in the past, though the overwhelming narrative for movies like Oppenheimer may see it fall short of its Oscar aspirations. Maestro falls short of other biographical pieces of 2023 due to an unexceptional script. However, it's still a moving biographical drama with brilliant acting as its centerpiece.

12 The Iron Claw

Directed by Sean Durkin

Zac Efron has been searching for prestige roles for years, and he's finally found success with A24's The Iron Claw, a biographical sports drama about the Von Erich brothers. Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson also star in the film, delivering fantastic physical performances. It's one of the most emotionally-driven, tragic sports films ever made, offering a perfect blend of humor and heartbreak.

11 Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig

Based on the classic 1970 Judy Blume, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a comedy-drama and is one of the best coming-of-age films of the year. It's funny, heartfelt, and a beautiful story about girlhood with magnificent performances from stars Abby Ryder Fortson and Rachel McAdams. Kelly Fremon Craig's adaptation nails the essence of the source material, delivering one of 2023's warmest and most intuitive movies.

10 Beau Is Afraid

Directed by Ari Aster

Beau is Afraid is one of the darker movies of 2023, following a paranoid man on his journey to visit his mother. Ari Aster's surrealist epic deserves praise for its ambition and emotional themes of anxiety and guilt. It's a wild, raunchy journey driven by a spectacular Joaquin Phoenix performance that's unlike anything he's ever done. The film has been criticized for its vast, messy narrative, though it actually fits well with the neurotic fever dream of Beau is Afraid.

9 Asteroid City

Directed by Wes Anderson

While Asteroid City leans into comedy, the foundation of the film is in its emotional, dramatic narrative, telling one of Wes Anderson's most philosophical stories. Asteroid City has an ensemble cast filled with Hollywood superstars like Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson, and its array of personalities can distract from a coherent narrative. However, the unfocused mess thematically links a film about disorganization, uncertainty, and a lack of control over life. Asteroid City is a beautiful Wes Anderson movie, and his iconic visual style is at its most vibrant.

8 Anatomy Of A Fall

Directed by Justine Triet

The courtroom is one of the best locations for cinematic drama, and the French film Anatomy of a Fall utilizes it expertly. The film is centered around a woman accused of murdering her husband, and the only witness is her blind son. It's a courtroom thriller mixed with captivating family drama and a mature examination of modern relationships. Anatomy of a Fall is one of the best international films of the year, with stellar performances and clever and immersive storytelling.

7 The Boy And The Heron

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most celebrated directors of the century, known for his distinct auteur work in animation. He returned from retirement to direct The Boy and the Heron, dubbed one of Studio Ghibli's best. The film has been celebrated for its character drama, bringing humanity to its animated cast by exploring their traumas and complexities. The Boy and the Heron is on par with the best of Miyazaki's work in of the visual spectacle, and Joe Hisaishi delivers another beautiful score.

6 The Holdovers

Directed by Alexander Payne

The Holdovers tells a familiar tale of an unlikely bond between widely different characters, though it delivers a fresh perspective. Alexander Payne's film has been compared to movies like It's a Wonderful Life and Being There and has become an instant holiday season classic. The Holdovers contains moments of both bittersweet drama and laugh-out-loud humor, and the starring performance from Paul Giamatti has been met with resounding praise.