2023: My Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Films of 2023

Five Nights at Freddy’s

This movie made the list because it was the first “horror” film that my kids ever were super excited to see. It was really a great film, and a fantastic intro to horror for them, and I love that I was able to share that experience with them. I’ll never forget this one because of that — 4 out of 5.

Knock at the Cabin

I went into this one without knowing pretty much anything about it other than it was based on a book (that I also have never read). It was a very interesting and unique (and pretty dark) story, but I really enjoyed it overall — 4 out of 5.

No One Will Save You

This one hardly had any spoken dialogue, but it didn’t take away from any of the suspense or creepiness! I really, really enjoyed this film (and the film’s score was fantastic too) — 5 out of 5.

Infinity Pool

This is one of the most strange films I think I’ve ever watched. I had a bewildered look on my face for most of it, but even still, I really enjoyed it a lot! And then of course, Mia Goth is absolutely amazing — 4 out of 5.

The Blind

Before going to see this one at our church, I read a couple of Phil’s books. In one of them, I got a lot of the background information of what this film was going to be about — but it was way more impactful to see it on the screen after having read about it in his own words. Fantastic film, and I love that family — 5 out of 5.

Sound of Freedom

The subject of this film was super heavy, but I feel like this is something that every adult should watch. This type of thing happens every single day all over the world (and yes, in our own country too), and far too many people are just completely oblivious to it. Definitely a must-see — 5 out of 5.

The Exorcist: Believer

Coming off of Halloween Ends (which I’m still trying to convince myself that it “wasn’t that bad”), David Gordon Green decided to try his hand at a new film in the Exorcist franchise. And oh man did he ever catch a ton of flack for this one — haters came out of the woodwork to blast him for it…but honestly, that’s not the experience that I had with this one. I absolutely LOVED it, and I was just stoked to have new life breathed into this franchise again — 5 out of 5.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Holy smokes, this film was so much better than I even hoped and dreamed! We took the kids to see it on opening weekend and all of us sat wide-eyed with huge smiles on our faces all the way through. It was jam-packed with blissful nostalgia, it was absolutely gorgeous, and it was just tons of fun. I am SO excited about the future sequels + the immense potential that Nintendo and Illumination just unlocked with this bad boy — 5 out of 5.

Talk to Me

Ok, total transparency here: I thought this film was going to be stupid when I watched the trailer the first time. But it was an A24 film, and I typically enjoy everything I watch from A24, so we gave it a shot once it hit digital….And I’m so glad we did! As you see, it nearly jumped all the way to the top of my favorite films of the year! Definitely give this one a shot if you haven’t already — 5 out of 5.

Evil Dead Rise

Similar to the new Exorcist film, Evil Dead Rise caught some flack once it was released — and just like The Exorcist: Beginning, I don’t care what the haters said. Alicia and I went to the theater to see this one on opening weekend too and we absolutely loved it! That opening title scene man, whew *praise hands* — 5 out of 5.