Now that we are nearing the end of 2023, we wanted to compile a quick movie list for you to binge on the weekend. Here are some unique movies we think everyone should check out on Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, and Amazon Prime.
1. They Cloned Tyrone
Platform: Netflix
Initial release: June 14, 2023
The Online Response:
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus) | 95% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | 100% |
| IMDB | 6.6/10 |
| Metacritic | 74% |
| 91% |
A clever sci-fi mystery led by the talented John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris will see an unlikely trio stumble upon a government conspiracy. Filled with absurdist humour and satire, this inventive movie is worth a look.
2. Rebel Moon Part One – A Child of Fire
Platform: Netflix
Initial release: December 15, 2023
The Online Response:
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus) | 25% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | 63% |
| IMDB | 5.7/10 |
| Metacritic | 32% |
| 91% |
If you love Zack Snyder’s works, especially the director’s cut of Justice League, you will enjoy this sci-fi space opera that is already getting an extended cut and a part two. Explore Zack Snyder’s fictional universe where a power hungry militaristic empire picks the wrong farming colony to terrorize and one villager who has decided enough is enough.
3. Leo
Platform: Netflix
Initial release: November 17, 2023
The Online Response:
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus) | 82% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | 92% |
| IMDB | 7.0/10 |
| Metacritic | 65% |
| 78% |
It is an Adam Sandler movie, enough said! All jokes aside, this animated musical comedy is a fun idea about a classroom pet who wants freedom before he dies but ends up saving his class from a horrible substitute teacher. I think we all had one of those, shudders.
4. The Creator
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Initial release: September 29, 2023
The Online Response:
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus) | 66% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | 76% |
| IMDB | 6.8/10 |
| Metacritic | 63% |
| 78% |
Many in the real world believe AI will take over the world and here is a movie that might show us what it would be like. This science fiction action flick will have you immersed in its spectacular visuals and solid writing. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the same director of the amazing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, prepare for a story that doesn’t play it safe and feels refreshingly exhilarating.
5. Guardians of Galaxy Vol. 3
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Initial release: May 4, 2023
The Online Response:
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus) | 82% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | 94% |
| IMDB | 7.9/10 |
| Metacritic | 64% |
| 89% |
Hands down the best of the MCU: Phase Five releases currently, this tear-jerker of a movie explores Rocket’s past. If you do not shed any tears or at least feel teary-eyed during this movie, you sir are either robots without an emotional chip or one of those “professional critics”.
6. Flamin’ Hot
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Initial release: May 4, 2023
The Online Response:
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus) | 69% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | 88% |
| IMDB | 6.9/10 |
| Metacritic | 58% |
| 86% |
A fun comedy-drama to balance against all the sci-fi movies on this list, Flamin’ Hot is one of those based on true story movies. Which generally is code for not historically accurate at all but still a super fun watch. Follow Richard Montañez’s retelling of how he as a janitor became an Executive who invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
7. Air
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Initial release: April 5, 2023
The Online Response:
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus) | 93% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | 98% |
| IMDB | 7.4/10 |
| Metacritic | 73% |
| 87% |
Batman, Ben Affleck, directs a biographical sports drama about how Sonny Vaccaro, Nike, and Micheal Jordan revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture. With a phenomenal casting for a movie about a business negotiation, that has no real right to be this fascinating, it is a clear slam dunk to watch.
8. Suzume
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Initial release: November 11, 2022
The Online Response:
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus) | 96% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | 98% |
| IMDB | 7.7/10 |
| MyAnimeList.net | 8.3/10 |
| 96% |
If you love Makoto Shinkai’s previous works, Your Name and Weathering with You, you will surely not have missed this movie. For those who haven’t heard of any of these, Suzume tells the riveting and beautiful story of a 17-year-old high school girl and a young stranger who must team up to prevent a series of catastrophes from happening around Japan. A must-watch for any anime fan.
9. Merry Little Batman
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Initial release: December 8, 2023
The Online Response:
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus) | 96% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | 75% |
| IMDB | 6.4/10 |
| Metacritic | 74% |
| 48% |
An animated superhero film, Merry Little Batman will have us follow Damian as he takes on Joker’s plot to ruin Christmas in Gotham. A campy fun adventure, this movie will show viewers a nice fresh take on Damian that might make you like him.
Honourable Mention: The Boy and the Heron (君たちはどう生きるか)
Platform: In Cinemas Now
Initial release: July 14, 2023
The Online Response:
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critic Consensus) | 96% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Score) | 89% |
| IMDB | 7.7/10 |
| Metacritic | 91% |
| 88% |
Hayao Miyazaki is back at it again with another anime that will take you on a roller coaster of emotions. This time the film centres around a young boy, Mahito, who struggles to fit into a new town after his mother passes. However, he comes across a talking heron that tells him that she still lives. Follow Mahito on his quest to find his mother. This emotional journey might just give you the best closure to an eventful 2023.
