The 8 Biggest Movies of 2023, and Whether They Were Any Good

Money says these were 2023's biggest movies. Scores say some were very expensive mistakes. Here's every big earner next to its movie.guru score.

The last one made the most money. That doesn't make it the best.

1. 8
   Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)3.7

   A $440 million shrug nobody asked for.

   Grossed $440M worldwide on a reported $205 to 215M budget, with a 2.8 movie.guru score and 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. Momoa deserved a better last swim.
2. 7
   John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)9.0

   Keanu outworked the year's blockbusters on a smaller budget.

   Reported $100M budget, $447M worldwide, a 9.0 movie.guru score and an A CinemaScore. Donnie Yen steals scenes from a guy who barely talks.
3. 6
   Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)4.4

   The priciest way ever invented to make Paul Rudd look lost.

   Reported $388.4M budget, $476M worldwide, 4.4 movie.guru score. A shrinking hero, a growing price tag, and a B CinemaScore to match.
4. 5
   Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)9.1

   A 9.1 that got outgrossed by a chocolate musical.

   Elite 9.1 movie.guru score and 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, but just $571M worldwide on a reported $291M budget. Putting Part One in the title was the real self-sabotage.
5. 4
   Wonka (2023)7.5

   Better than it had any right to be. Still safe.

   7.5 movie.guru score, $634M worldwide on a reported $125M budget. Chalamet sings and charms, but the story never takes a bite bigger than a lollipop.
6. 3
   Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)8.3

   The only Marvel movie of 2023 worth defending.

   8.3 movie.guru score, $845M worldwide, A CinemaScore. Critics were lukewarm at 64 on Metacritic, audiences beat 93% of movies. Gunn cleaned out his locker in style.
7. 2
   Oppenheimer (2023)9.3

   Best movie of the year, and it isn't close.

   9.3 movie.guru score, 90 on Metacritic, $975M worldwide on a reported $100M. Physicists arguing in rooms outgrossed two superhero franchises. Nolan just keeps getting away with it.
8. 1
   Barbie (2023)8.2

   Biggest movie of 2023, not the best, not even close.

   $1.447 billion worldwide, but its 8.2 movie.guru score trails Oppenheimer's 9.3 and IMDb sits at 6.8. Gosling's Ken carried more of this than anyone wants to admit.

$1,447 says the first comment is a Barbie defense from someone who skipped straight past #8 through #2.

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Current mood: ready to fight about it