The 36 best movies of 2023 to stream on Netflix, Max, Disney Plus, and more

Stream one or more of these fantastic films before 2023 ends

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It’s time to bid adieu to 2023 – and that means it’s also time to reflect on the year’s line-up of great (and not-so-great) movies.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a definitive guide of the best films of the past 12 months, with critically acclaimed and money-spinningnew moviesaplenty to watch on the world’sbest streaming services(you can also read ourbest shows of 2023article if you’re after something more long-form).

Below, you’ll find sections for each streaming giant and the films that deserve your attention before 2024 arrives. For those of you worrying that we’ve only covered films that launched exclusively on streaming platforms, fret not. There’s a section at the end for theatrical-only releases that are worth watching, and, where applicable, we reveal where you can stream them, too.

So, without further ado, here’s TechRadar’s 38 best films of the year. Happy holidays!

Best Apple TV Plus movies of 2023

Flora & Son

Recently,Applehas made a habit of releasing fantastic, award-winning movies in the latter part of the year –2022’s Best Picture Oscar winnerCODA, for instance – andFlora and Soncould be the latest flick to join such esteemed company.

The intimate Irish musical comedy-drama is a stunning piece of cinema that’ll make you laugh, cry, and feel joy all at once. With powerhouse performances from leading duo Eve Hewson and Jack Reynor and an emotive and relatable story, expectFlora and Sonto make a play for some of 2024’s top film prizes.

Killers of the Flower Moon

Okay, it’s technically a joint Apple-Paramount Pictures enterprise and isn’t actually onApple TV Plusyet, butKillers of the Flower Moonwill arrive on the streamer sometime next year, so it deserves its place here.

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Regardless of whether it should be part of this category or the theatrical releases later,Killers of the Flower Moonwould’ve made it onto our end-of-year list anyway. Martin Scorsese’s latest crime epic, a western set in 1920s Oklahoma, shines a light on US corporate greed, deeply embedded racism born out of jealousy and spite, and the callous treatment of the Osage Nation. A brutal, dramatic, and heart-breaking movie, buoyed by Lily Gladstone’s stunning performance in particular, is arguably Scorsese’s best work in years.

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie

Few docufilms earned a place in our 2023 best movies guide, but given the poignant atmosphereStillgenerates, we had to include it.

Focusing on iconic actor Michael J. Fox and his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s diseaseStillis a powerful piece of media that paints the legendaryBack to the Futurestar as more than the hero he’s portrayed as. It’s an unforgettable documentary that illuminates the joy of life as much as the somberness of the illness Fox combats every day. An inspirational 90-minute film that – yes, it’s an oversight on our part – we’ll be adding to ourbest Apple TV Plus movieslist shortly.

Tetris

After ahem putting the building blocks in place for this flick in mid-2020, Apple’sTetris– a biographical thriller that told the tale of the massively popular video game’s creation and the Cold War-era copyright battle that ensued – made its TV Plus debut earlier this year.

And it racked up quite the double ahem score upon release. The Taron Egerton-starring film currently holds 82% critical and 87% audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, which proves even video game-based biopics are seemingly immune from the game-movie curse that plagued the entertainment industry for decades. A fun film that did the business after having things triple ahem stacked against it.

Honorable mentions:Sharper,Stephen Curry: Underrated,The Velveteen Rabbit

Best Disney Plus movies of 2023

Elemental

After being dubbed by some critics as the worstPixarmovie ever made, it might surprise you to seeElementalon this list. So, why is it? Well, because it’s actually a good movie that, upon its streaming release,broke Disney Plus' most-watched movie record.

It’s not a top-tier Pixar film – read ourPixar movies rankedarticle to see where we placed it – nor is it one of the 36best Disney Plus movieswe’ve seen, butElementalhas a lot going for it. In typical Pixar fashion, it delivers an emotion-filled narrative, is wildly creative, and some of the visuals are drop-dead gorgeous. Just one look at the kinetic nature of flame-based character Ember and the fluidity of water-based individual Wade should be enough to prove Pixar is still one of the best in the business when it comes to beautifully animated movies. One of just two Disney-developed films to come out of 2023 with its head held high.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

The only one of threeMarvelmovies in 2023 that was a) critically and commercially successful and b) fantastic yet poignant,Guardians of the Galaxy 3was a perfect trilogy capper for theMCU’s beloved ragtag of spacefaring misfits.

AMarvel Phase 5film that wasn’t afraid to push the boundaries of what’s possible for a PG-13 flick – those Rocket flashbacks werereallytough to watch –Guardians 3was also as funny, heartfelt, action-packed, and bizarrely imaginative as we’d hoped. It did a wonderful job of simultaneously acting as a springboard for moreGuardians of the Galaxyadventures to come and a worthy send-off for some of its cast and director James Gunn (Gunn’s now leading development on Warner Bros' rebooted DC Cinematic Universe (DCU)). If there’s a more consistently terrific MCU film trilogy than theGuardiansone, we’ve yet to see it.

Honorary mentions:Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,The Little Mermaid,World’s Best

Best Hulu movies of 2023

No One Will Save You

Per Rotten Tomatoes, general viewers weren’t totally enamored with this unusual take on the archetypal alien invasion story. But we thinkNo One Will Save Youwas visually and narratively unique enough – its somewhat anti-climactic ending will throw you for a loop, to be fair – to merit greater recognition from its worldwide audience (it’s available on Disney Plus internationally).

Led by an impressive performance from Kaitlyn Dever – the talented star does all the heavy lifting in thisHuluflick –No One Will Save Youis a fraught sci-fi thriller that packs as much of an emotional punch as it does from action and tension-filled perspectives. With a 93-minute runtime, it doesn’t outstay its welcome, either.

Quiz Lady

Despite the fact it stars two heavyweights in Sandra Oh and Awkwafina, we’ll admit we weren’t enthused byQuiz Lady’s trailer.

Oh, how wrong we were to judge it on its two-minute teaser.Quiz Ladyis a delightful comedy equipped with multiple laugh-out-loud scenes and a surprisingly touching plot that allows its stars to showcase their impressive acting range. It won’t be for everyone but, if we learned anything from dismissingQuiz Ladybefore it was even out, it’s that you should watch it before you form an opinion. One to add to ourbest Hulu moviesguide? You betcha.

Rye Lane

What can we say aboutRye Lanethat hasn’t already been said? Considering the superlatives that have been thrown its way since its May 2023 debut, not much else.

A quintessentially British film,Rye Laneis a hilarious yet achingly human story about two 20-somethings who find solace in each other after both experiencing break-ups and partake in a couple of (read: many) capers along the way. Sure, it might sound clichéd and schlocky, butRye Laneis a beautiful flick that champions Black excellence, twists the rom-com formula on its head, and comes packaged with an infectious vibe that’ll make you look at life differently once the credits have rolled. One of 2023’s biggest surprises.

Honorable mentions:Boston Strangler,Clock,Flamin' Hot

Best Max movies of 2023

Barbie

We umm’ed and aah-ed about including the highest-grossing movie of the year (and one of thebest Max movies) on this list. But, in the end, we felt it had enough to guarantee itself a spot.

We jest, of course, there was no wayBarbiewasn’t going to make an appearance here. Not only did it financially outshine every other film with its eye-watering $1.5 billion global haul, but it’s also an amusing, vibrant, and highly entertaining movie that’s as thematically rich and emotionally engaging as it is enjoyable. Ryan Gosling stole the show as Ken, Margot Robbie proved (if it was ever in doubt) she’s a top acting talent, the set design was stunning, the soundtrack infectious (if ‘I’m Just Ken’ doesn’t win 2024’s Best Song Oscar, we riot)… everything aboutBarbiewas nigh-on perfect. Life in plastic truly is fantastic. And, withMax’s subscriber woes continuing,Barbie’s streaming debut couldn’t have come soon enough.

Blue Beetle

Like Marvel, the soon-to-be-deceased DC Extended Universe (DCEU) ensured Warner Bros' superhero franchise had a 2023 to forget. Indeed, with films includingShazam!: Fury of the GodsandThe Flashbombing at the box office (at the time of writing, the jury is still out onAquaman 2), the DCEU’s rebirth under Gunn and Peter Safran is a necessity.

But there was one – again,Aquaman’s sequel notwithstanding –DCfilm deserving praise. Who would’ve thoughtBlue Beetle, the least high-profile DCEU flick of the year, would be its savior? Indeed, with positive critic and audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, viewers clearly enjoyed what it had to offer. Sure, its origins-centric plot was a rehash of what we’ve seen countless times before in the superhero genre, but there was plenty to like about Blue Beetle, which is out now onMax. Namely, the genre’s long-overdue authentic Latin American representation, plus its pleasing blend of creative action, belly-laughing humor, and heightened drama. We’ll take more of Jaime Reyes' adventures in the DCU, Messrs Gunn and Safran.

Creed III

Considering it was developed byAmazonStudios subsidiary MGM,Creed IIIcould’ve found a spot in our Prime Video section. With Warner Bros distributing it internationally, though, we felt it best to place it here.

The third entry in theRockyfranchise’s spin-off is a testosterone-fuelled sports drama that might be the best film in theCreedseries so far. In ourCreed IIIreview, we said it “punches above its weight without its star attraction” (that beingRockyicon Sylvester Stallone) and “delivers a one-two punch of style and substance to largely break free of theRockyseries' commanding presence”. Its biggest issue? Its association with troubled actor Jonathan Majors – antagonist Damian Anderson – whose career appears to be over after he was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend.Majors was fired by Marvel as Kang the Conqueror in the wake of his conviction, too.

Honorable mentions:Evil Dead Rise,Saltburn,Wonka

Best Netflix movies of 2023

Extraction 2

Sometimes, you can’t beat a frenetically paced, explosive action movie – andNetflixdelivered the goods withExtraction 2in mid-2023.

The heart-pounding follow-up to 2020’sExtraction(shocking, we know), this Chris Hemsworth vehicle ensured the streaming giant’s burgeoning action-movie franchise is going from strength to strength. Whether it’sExtraction 2’s bruising one-shot sequence that took four months to shoot, the unrelenting pace of its physically demanding story, or the fact that the combined efforts ofbothExtractionfilms helped the movie series make Netflix history, Extraction 2 showed its predecessor wasn’t a mere flash in the pain for the world’s leading streaming platform. With another sequel andpotentialExtractionTV spin-offalso in development, there’ll be more Tyler Rake in our lives pretty soon.

Maestro

The second feature film directed by Bradley Cooper,Maestrolooks like it’ll be Netflix’s big hope on the 2024 awards circuit.

And with good reason. It’s been praised by anyone who’s watched it, the biographical drama – which depicts acclaimed US composer Leonard Bernstein’s (Cooper) relationship with his wife Felicia Montealegre (the incomparably brilliant Carey Mulligan) – earning rave reviews from all corners of the industry. Like cinematic poetry in motion, one of 2023’snew Netflix moviesis a deeply intimate story that fizzles and cracks equally with musical pomp and bravado. Stick it on your watchlist.

Nimona

Nimonaarrived to little fanfare when it made its Netflix debut in mid-2023, but the cyberpunk-cum-fantasy movie didn’t take long to steal our hearts with its empathetic plot, crude humor (as crude as it can be for a family-friendly film), gorgeous visuals, and believably rich characters.

Its PG rating allowed it to tackle some pretty dark topics – parts of its final act are a heart-breaking visual representation of depression and societal isolation – that might make it unsuitable for the youngest viewers. But Nimona’s ability to find the right balance between its weighty subject matter, frolicking and slapstick action, suspenseful and tender drama, and stirring queer representation make it a cut above many other animated films. Easily one of thebest Netflix moviesof the year.

They Cloned Tyrone

If you haven’t watchedThey Cloned Tyroneyet, a) what are you doing? and b) go, rectify that immediately. No, we’re not messing around here. It might have gone under the radar – it arrived on Netflix on the same day (July 21) that cultural phenomenon Oppenheimer opened – but the John Boyega-starring sci-fi comedy-mystery film is an absolute treat.

Honestly, our words don’t do justice to one of the most mind-bending, underrated 70s-era Blaxploitation flicks we’ve seen in a long, long time. Not convinced? Go and read ourexclusiveThey Cloned Tyroneinterview with Boyegato learn more. Then, go and stream it. Then go and read ourThey Cloned Tyroneending explainedarticle to find out more about what the heck happened in its final moments from Boyega himself. Not only is it one of the best films on Netflix in 2023, but one of the year’s best movies, period.

Honorable mentions:Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget,El Conde,Kill Boksoon,Leo,Leave the World Behind,Love at First Sight,NYAD,You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah

Best Paramount Plus movies of 2023

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

You wait years for a good Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) movie, and then very few people go and see it.

Those of you who watchedDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thievesin theaters and/or onParamount Pluswill know how good it is. The on-screen chemistry between its main cast members – including Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, and Hugh Grant – is second to none, while its DnD references are plentiful, its action and humor highly entertaining, and its story wholesome. An underappreciated big-screen offering that requires a bigger audience.

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning – Part One

LikeThey Cloned Tyrone,Mission Impossible 7wasn’t as successful as it should’ve been because, just one week later, the cinematic juggernaut known as Barbenheimer made its presence known.

That doesn’t mean Tom Cruise’s penultimate outing as everyone’s favorite CGI fugitive, Ethan Hunt, isn’t worth your time, though. In ourMission Impossible 7review, we called it the “electrifying summer movie that cinemas need right now” as theaters worldwide struggled to sell tickets. Of course, Barbenheimer changed that, but Cruise and co. still put out an action-heavy, globetrotting, and high-stakes adventure that’ll set your pulse racing when you watch it on Paramount’s streaming service. And you will watch it because you’ll want to be caught up on its story before the eighthMission Impossibleflick brings the curtain down on Hunt’s near-30-year journey in 2025.

Scream VI

With its predecessor giving the cult horror movie series' a new lease of life in 2022,Scream VIcontinued the franchise’s upward trajectory with a blood-curdling new entry in early 2023.

With the series' razor-sharp meta storytelling as frightening as ever and a new setting and characters ripe for another murder spree from everyone’s favorite slasher villain Ghost Face,Scream VIdoled out another narratively clever but no less gruesome (and funny!) installment for the long-running horror franchise. One of thebest Paramount Plus moviesto stream today – and, withScream VIIin development (though without Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega), you might need to watch it to stay up-to-date on its multi-film story arc.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

With 2019’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse changing the animated genre game, Paramount decided its latest attempt at creating a marvelousTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesfilm needed a (pizza) slice of the new-age animation pie.

The result is a visually arresting coming-of-age tale that puts the ‘teenage’ aspect of heroes in a half shell’s latest cinematic outing front and center. Emboldened by its own wholly original animated flair, a sincere story about adoptive family, creative action, and punchy jokes,Mutant Mayhemis a thunderously enjoyable return for Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Order yourself an authentic Italian-style pepperoni pizza and guzzle it down while you stream this charming flick.

Honorable mentions:80 For Brady,Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie

Best Peacock movies of 2023

Five Nights at Freddy’s

Another film that was trounced by critics upon release, the long-gestatingFive Nights at Freddy’smovie makes it onto our list based on its audience reception and unexpectedly great box office performance.

Indeed, despite launching simultaneously in theaters and on the NBCUniversal-ownedPeacockplatform, the horror movie, based on Scott Cawthon’s massively successful indie game series namesake, grossed almost $300 million globally. That made it Blumhouse Production’s most profitable flick ever and will likely ensure numerous sequels are greenlit. A campy, 80s-style slasher that’ll make you think twice about messing around any Chuck E. Cheese-like animatronics, it’s an easy enough watch to maintain your attention.

M3GAN

Five Nights at Freddy’sfilm adaptation wasn’t the only delightfully cheesy horror movie of 2023. Buoyed by that iconic dance number that appeared in its first trailer – a cringe-laden boogie that went viral on social media sensationTikTok–M3GANproved to be another unexpected smash hit for Universal Pictures and Blumhouse.

It didn’t do much differently from countless other fright-inducing flicks centered around artificial intelligence (AI), butM3GAN’s appeal lies in its unapologetic silliness (see the aforementioned dance as proof of that), plus its ability to marry surprisingly comedic moments and gruesome chills to thrill and entertain. One of thebest horror movies of 2023.

Oppenheimer

We’ve mentioned Barbenheimer a couple of times above, and this is the second, far more serious half of 2023’s most significant cinematic event. At three hours long, Christopher Nolan’s latest film epicOppenheimerwill test your runtime patience. The biographical thriller’s subject matter – an embellished retelling of the atomic bomb’s creation – also makes for a difficult watch.

But, spurred on by Nolan’s masterful cinematography and penchant for physical effects, coupled with Oppenheimer’s absolutely stacked A-list cast – all of whom are at the top of their game (special mention to Cillian Murphy for his breath-taking and potentially award-winning turn as the titular theoretical physicist) – it’s an absolute masterpiece. A film that deserves multiple viewings to be appreciated and one that’ll likely shake up the order of ourChristopher Nolan movies rankedpiece.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

The final film of 2023 that divided critics and casual film fans into two distinct camps (the former disliking it, the latter loving it),The Super Mario Bros. Moviedeserves its place here for being the second highest-grossing film of the year alone.

In our view, though, it’s also a very enjoyable family-friendly flick. Universal and Illumination’s animated take on the legendaryNintendomascot’s beloved game series – and the various characters, worlds, and franchisesMariohas spawned since – is a phenomenal love letter to the character’s illustrious history. There are Easter eggs aplenty, fun-filled set pieces, an all-star voice cast (let’s not talk about Chris Pratt’s divisive Mario voice, though), and an original song from Jack Black that’s sure to giveBarbie’s ‘I’m Just Ken’ a run for its money at next year’s award ceremonies.A dazzling Super Star of a video game moviethat’s sure to get a sequel or five, based onThe Super Mario Bros. Movie’s post-credit scenes.

Honorable mentions:Cocaine Bear,Eileen,Trolls Band Together

Best Prime Video movies of 2023

Air

LikeTetris, a movie chronicling the creation of the first pair of Nike Air Jordan basketball sneakers doesn’t sound all that appealing. And yetAiris an engrossing slam dunk of a biographical sports drama you won’t want to miss.

Thanks to Alex Convery’s crackling script, Ben Affleck’s artistic direction, and the lively performances of its A-list cast,Airscored surprisingly high among us, our fellow critics, and general audiences. Indeed, it left every ounce of creativity on the court to give us one of thebest Prime Video moviesof 2023. You’ll need to pull a trick shot on us to even attempt to convince us to change our minds.

A Million Miles Away

Another drama-filled biopic now, albeit one that shoots for the stars in different ways to Air. This Michael Peña-starring film about José M. Hernández’s dream to become a real-life astronaut is intoxicatingly inspirational and confirms that, if you have a burning lifelong ambition to do something, you’ll find a way to achieve your goal.

A beautifully shot movie with excellent performances from its predominantly Latino cast – the film’s true-to-life Mexican representation is a joy to behold –A Million Miles Awaywill have you weeping tears of joy by the time its credits roll. A truly heart-warmingPrime Videoflick.

The Burial

Jamie Foxx has had an eventful year (to put it mildly) off-camera, but he’s still starred in two of the best movies of the year – Netflix’sThey Cloned Tyroneand this Amazon Original that reaffirms our love for a classic David versus Goliath story.

Based on true events,The Burialis a crowd-pleasing and intelligent courtroom drama that places two juggernaut actors – Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones – at the heart of its narrative and allows them to showcase their substantial acting chops. You’ll laugh and occasionally get choked up, which are always signs of a good movie. Case closed.

Red, White, and Royal Blue

Red, White & Royal Bluewasn’t on our bingo card to be one of Prime’s best films of 2023. Based on its trailer, it looked like a pretty formulaic rom-com – but, once again, its positive reception upon release proved us wrong.

An amusing and adorable movie, the fictional tale of a US president’s son and a member of the British Royal family starting a secret gay romance is a triumph, and we don’t just mean from a genuine LGBT-plus representation viewpoint. You might wonder what all the fuss is about after 15 or 20 minutes but, by the time its final scene rolls around, you’ll have spent much of its runtime smiling, chuckling, and feeling full of heart. A sweet and sexy flick unafraid to be as real as possible.

Totally Killer

Back to the Futuremeets your favorite 70s or 80s slasher inTotally Killer, a rollicking sci-fi horror mashup that has tons of fun with its twist on the timeless, well, time-travel story.

It’s a tad tropey in places, especially with its plot beats that appear like they’ve been pulled verbatim from classic horrors likeHalloween. Mostly, though,Totally Killeris a witty and slick multi-genre offering that doesn’t come across as contrived or glib in its premise and conventional horror movie character design. A funny and suspense-riddled film that might become a spooky season staple for years to come.

Honorable mentions:Cassandro,Merry Little Batman,Sitting in Bars With Cake,Somebody I Used To Know

2023’s best of the rest movies

BlackBerry

Where to stream:AMC Plus (US), rent or buy (Australia), unavailable in the UK

Completing our 2023 triumvirate of movies telling the tale of a product’s creation,BlackBerryis a smart and surprisingly funny feature film documenting the rise and fall of the generation-defining mobile phone.

StarringIt’sAlways Sunny in Philadelphia’s Glenn Howerton andHow to Train Your Dragon’s Jay Baruchel, the highly entertaining IFC Films-distributed flick’s framing as a workplace dramedy works well, as does its positioning as a bizarre funeral-style send-off for the once-beloved gadget. It doesn’t ahem dial it in. In ourBlackBerryreview, we called it “a bittersweet comedy with a sting in its tail, and a stark reminder that innovation waits for no one”.

Bottoms

Where to stream:MGM Plus (US), unavailable in the UK and Australia

Rowdy male-centric teen comedies used to dominate the movie landscape but, in recent years, it’s been riotous female-fronted flicks, such as 2019’sBooksmart, that have become the norm.

2023 saw the release of two such movies,Joy RideandBottoms, but the latter edges out a place on our best movies list. A fresh, sardonic take on the classic high school comedy,Bottomsis clever, hilariously crude, and even a touch violent (albeit played for laughs) on occasion. A biting riposte to its male contemporaries and a must-see production before 2024’sMean Girlsmusical remake dominates the conversation.

The Boy and the Heron

Where to stream:only available in theaters

Billed as legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki’s final film – spoiler, it isn’t anymore –The Boy and the Heronis another masterpiece from Studio Ghibli, i.e. one of the world’s leading animation studios.

As weirdly creative and wonderfully realized as many of Miyazaki’s other seminal works,The Boy and the Heronsoulfully explores its deep-seated themes through a rich and expectedly quirky animated lens. This is yet another example of the excellence Miyazaki and Ghibli demand from every single one of their projects. If this had been the famous filmmaker’s final hurrah, what a way it would’ve been to bow out. Another uniquely elegant and strange gem in Ghibli’s glorious crown.

Godzilla: Minus One

Where to stream:only available in theaters

LikeThe Boy and the Heron, this Toho-developed movie is still a theatrical exclusive at the time of writing. But you should stomp your way to a nearby movie theater to watchGodzilla: Minus Onebecause, frankly, it’s one of the best kaiju movies we’ve seen in a long time – and we’re including Legendary’s Monster-Verse films here, too.

With a story anchored on engaging and relatable characters – Apple’sMonarch: Legacy of MonstersTV show has somewhat addressed this specific Monster-Verse flaw, though – as well as outrageously stunning visuals and action,Godzilla: Minus Onegives the iconic kaiju a movie that, like its titular protagonist, will stand the test of time.

John Wick: Chapter 4

Where to stream:Starz (US), Prime Video (UK and Australia)

Everyone’s favorite dog-loving assassin made his long-awaited comeback this year, and his last (or latest, depending on who you listen to) cinematic outing is arguably his best.

John Wick: Chapter 4is, in our view, a fittingly stylish and blood-bath-based send-off for the character. It’s brutal, extravagantly over-the-top, and lays down even more in-universeJohn Wicklore that’s ripe for exploration in prequels, sequels, and present-day spin-offs alike. Skip the first of those side projects –The Continental: From the World of John Wick– and wait for the Ana de Armas-starringBallerina, streamChapter 4over and again, or read ourJohn Wickmovies in orderguide instead.

Past Lives

Where to stream:rent or buy worldwide via Amazon,MicrosoftStore,Google Play, andYouTube

One of two A24-developed movies to make this list,Past Livesis a spectacular feature debut from Celine Song that puts a mature and sensitively handled South Korean spin on romantic dramas.

Full disclosure:Past Liveswill make you weep but in a strangely juxtaposing manner. An uplifting yet melancholic tale about the notion of destiny, love, the life choices we make, and how they’re beautifully intertwined despite the heartache we feel when we have to let someone go. A mesmeric and touching film.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Where to stream:Netflix (US), rent or buy (UK), Prime Video (Australia)

We’re just going to say it:Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseis a masterpiece. Its story is heroically compelling, its complex characters fully realized, its visuals breath-taking, humor and action well put together, and its soundtrack is an absolute banger. What isn’t there to love about this animatedSpider-Manendeavor, which is one of thebest superhero moviesof all time?

Okay, the crunch conditions its VFX team was under to get it out of the door put a dampener on things, and we seriously hope they won’t be subjected to that during production on its sequelBeyond the Spider-Verse. That glaring issue notwithstanding,Across the Spider-Verseis a titan of the superhero film genre. See where we ranked it in ourbestSpider-Manmoviesguide.

Talk to Me

Where to stream:Netflix worldwide

One of the most creative horror movies in years,Talk to Meleft us spellbound with its creepy ambiance, gory nature, and freaky jump scares.

Bolstered by an unpredictable plot, visionary direction from first-time feature film directors RackaRacka – otherwise known as twin brothers Danny and Michael Phillipou – and a terrifyingly good cast, Talk to Me will have you on the edge of your seat from the outset. An incredibly effective and chilling fright-fest that eschews clichés in favor of telling a compelling, unsettlingly terrific original movie.

Honorable mentions:Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,Fallen Leaves,Fast X,The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,Joy Ride,Polite Society,Poor Things,Saw X,Sound of Freedom,Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

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