Summary

• Blockbuster movies made a comeback in 2023 with big-budget spectacles and beloved franchises dominating the box office.
• Films like Five Nights at Freddy's and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves showcased new directorial talent and delivered crowd-pleasing entertainment.
• The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour broke records and proved the commercial power of beloved IPs and female-led projects.

Blockbuster movies made a comeback in 2023, and there were several that took the title of the best of the year. After years of pandemic delays and muted box office returns, big budget cinema roared back with a vengeance. Epic sequels and franchise installments finally saw the light of day alongside splashy spectacles from top directors. Though smaller indies continued to thrive through the year, Hollywood clearly bet big on scale, stars, and beloved intellectual property. The result was an abundance of films that drew massive crowds and reaped huge grosses, proving the theatrical experience still offers something streaming cannot replace.

With Barbenheimer breaking multiple box office records, leading the charge were the kinds of movies that demand to be seen on the biggest screens, full of dazzling animation and pulse-pounding action sequences. Not everything landed, but the high points marked a promising shift for studios and theater owners alike. With numerous titles setting records, the year offered something for everyone seeking a big-screen escape. For every bomb or disappointment, a triumphant crowd-pleaser emerged to send viewers buzzing out of the theater. 2023 won't go down as a landmark year for cinema, but it indicated brighter days ahead.

10 Five Nights at Freddy's

Released: October 27, 2023

One of Google’s top trending movies of 2023, Five Nights at Freddy's dominated theaters and found a comfortable spot in the cultural zeitgeist. Smashing box office records with an $80 million debut, its unique brand of horror-comedy hybrid and sly, meta leanings clicked with mass audiences. Cleverly expanding the popular video game lore for the big screen, director Emma Tammi crafted an ingeniously chilling ambiance within the family pizza restaurant from hell. Balancing laughs and scares, the film announced exciting new directorial talent while showing the enduring appeal of practical effects and tangible tension. Propelled by word-of-mouth and buzzy pre-release hype, the stellar reception and earnings are richly deserved.

9 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Released: March 31, 2023

Among the usual serious franchise films, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves was a delightful adventure tale that garnered big success this year. It skillfully adapted the iconic game into a cinematic fantasy alive with imaginative worlds and characters, breathing new life into the genre. Led by a hugely appealing cast and swift pace, this crowd-pleasing blockbuster maximizes fun across its quest story. Director Jonathan Goldstein adeptly mixes magical action set pieces with humor, surprises, and real emotion. In today’s movie landscape of familiar formulas, Honor Among Thieves carved out its own magical, unique path, a true gem worthy of applause as 2023’s most enjoyable theater trip.

8 The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

Released: November 17, 2023

Though earning less in its opening weekend than previous Hunger Games films, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes triumphed on ambition and artistry alone. Returning to Panem after nearly a decade, this electric prequel sings thanks to world-building mastery. This installment features the most ambitious and awe-inspiring world yet, embedded with allegorical resonance. Anchored by series newcomer Tom Blyth's magnetic lead performance, Ballad breathes life into Panem’s rebellion while honoring the franchise lore. This dystopian epic shines as a testament to elevated blockbuster filmmaking, layering spectacle and meaning in equal measure.

7 M3GAN

Released: January 6, 2023

M3GAN surged onto screens when it dropped this January, making it 2023’s first great blockbuster surprise. Rather than sticking to standard horror formulas, the movie crafted its own blend of creepy doll scariness with clever satire of tech gadgets gone wrong. Additionally, the script brought emotional depth that is lacking in most horror flicks. Propelled by internet fame and the best M3GAN memes leading up to its release, the movie dominated online chatter thanks to creative twists combined with thrills from start to finish. This rare January hit didn’t just revive the box office, but renewed faith in Hollywood’s ability to produce something beyond cookie-cutter sequels and spin-offs.

6 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Released: May 5, 2023