I hope everyone is having a wonderful and safe New Years celebration! I don’t know what 2024 will bring but I wish for nothing short of great things for my awesome readers! I wanted to end the year with my top 10 favorite movies of 2023. This certainly wasn’t easy. There were so many contenders and narrowing my list down to 10 choices was nearly impossible. I hope you enjoy and let me know your favorite movie released in 2023! (POSSIBLE SPOILERS!!!)

10. Leo

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): A 74-year-old lizard named Leo (Adam Sandler) and his turtle friend decide to escape from the terrarium of a Florida school classroom where they have been living for decades.

I’m not going to lie, I really wasn’t planning on watching this film. It didn’t seem like I would like it, but I was pleasantly surprised! For starters, I love that it’s a musical and each song was catchy and memorable. I love how we get to hear each child’s story and how Leo helps them with their struggles at home. Plus Sandler and Bill Burr have a great back and forth throughout the film. It was genuinely heart-felt and hilarious and I believe it’s one of Sandler’s best!

9. Totally Killer

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): When the infamous “Sweet 16 Killer” returns 35 years after his first murder spree to claim another victim, 17-year-old Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) accidentally travels back in time to 1987, determined to stop the killer before he can start.

Now, I’m not a huge fan of time travel movies, but combining it with the slasher genre definitely made me a fan! This film also kept the old school killer mystery element that had me guessing until the very end. The characters were hilarious and had great chemistry. Kiernan Shipka is a wonderful lead and it was great seeing Julie Bowen be a bada**!

8. Vacation Friends 2

Synopsis: Reunited with their eccentric friends Ron (John Cena) and Kyla (Meredith Hagner), Marcus (Lil Rel Howery) and Emily’s (Yvonne Orji) trip takes a turn for the worst when Kyla’s criminal father drags them all in a whirlwind of trouble.

After watching the first Vacation Friends movie, I really didn’t know where they could possibly take the story. To my surprise, I believe everything was better the second time around. Steve Buscemi was a perfect addition to the cast and was a real scene-stealer. The story was gripping, entertaining, and amusing. Not only do I like this film more than the first, I now find myself hoping for a third movie!

7. Five Nights At Freddy’s

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): A troubled security guard begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. During his first night on the job, he realizes that the night shift won’t be so easy to get through. Pretty soon, he will unveil what actually happened at Freddy’s.

Admittedly, I never played the Five Nights At Freddy’s games, but it definitely didn’t deter me from enjoying the film. After watching this movie, I became so fascinated with the games’ lore that it became a tiny obsession for days. This was a great start to a potentially successful franchise. The movie has a hell of a cast and twists and turns that’ll make your head spin. Plus, the music was very nostalgic and very fitting!

6. The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Synopsis: A plumber named Mario (Chris Pratt) travels through an underground labyrinth in search of his brother, Luigi (Charlie Day).

This was a very fun adventure! The animation was amazing, and I love that it had genuine laugh-out-loud moments. The cast and characters were all great and I love that they changed Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) from a constant damsel in distress to a woman who can handle the dangers that surround her. I’m very glad I didn’t let the film’s backlash stop me from seeing it, because I would’ve really missed out.

5. Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): A group of cold case investigators stay at the Carmichael Manor. After four nights, the group was never heard from again. What is discovered on their footage is even more disturbing than anything found on the Hell House tapes.

The Hell House franchise is easily on its way to becoming my all time favorite horror franchise. Time and time again, each film has sent chills down my spine while simultaneously grasping my attention with its fascinating story. The Carmichael Manor certainly hasn’t broken its streak of intriguing horror. It kept me terrified throughout and it left me wanting more!

4. The Last Voyage Of The Demeter

Synopsis (provided by IMDB.com): A Crew sailing from Varna by the Black Sea to England find that they are carrying very dangerous cargo.

In my opinion, the Dracula story has been done to death. It was so great realizing it’s still possible to provide a fresh take on an old story. This film was both thrilling, suspenseful, and shocking. It was bloody and truly striking. The setting was amazing and really perfected the feeling of isolation. I feel I should also mention the beautiful music because that was the aspect that stuck with me the most.

3. The Equalizer 3

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) finds himself at home in southern Italy but he discovers his friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.

I feel this was a very well done (possible) conclusion to the Equalizer franchise. I really love the small Italian community. I also love that we still got the blood and brutality that made the first 2 films so great. The cast was fantastic and the characters were unforgettable. It was entertaining from start to finish and I think it’ll be one of my go-to movies.

2. Champions

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): A former minor-league basketball coach is ordered by the court to manage a team of players with intellectual disabilities. He soon realizes that despite his doubts, together this team can go further than they ever imagined.

For starters, this film was very reminiscent of one of my favorite movies The Ringer, only this one was more heartwarming and less offensive. The characters were all wonderful and everyone’s performances were fantastic. Everyone had their own different personality and they all just clicked with each other. It’s easily become one of my favorite sports comedies!

1. Evil Dead Rise

Synopsis (provided by IMDb.com): A twisted tale of two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons, thrusting them into a primal battle for survival as they face the most nightmarish version of family imaginable.

I’m sure my number 1 choice was not surprising to any of you. Getting to see this movie on the big screen was a very thrilling experience. This movie was horrifying, grotesque, and full of everything I hoped for in an Evil Dead film! It has the perfect villain and a killer protagonist. It caught me by surprise with every scene and even though I’ve seen it 10 times already, it still sends a chill down my spine.

Honorable Mentions:

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines

A Haunting In Venice

Missing