The 20 Best Movies of 2023 So Far

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor
and Keith Kimbell, Metacritic Film Editor – July 1, 2023

Which films impressed critics during the first half of the year? In the gallery on this page we rank the highest-scoring movies debuting in theaters (or straight to VOD/streaming) between January 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023. Titles are ranked by their Metascores as of June 30, 2023 and must have a minimum of 7 reviews from professional critics to be eligible for inclusion.

8 of 21 photo by Kimstim Films

84Stonewalling

(#13) Husband-and-wife filmmakers Ji Huang and Ryûji Otsuka examine modern-day life in urban China through they eyes of an unmarried 20-year-old woman who is already struggling to begin her career when she discovers that she is pregnant. The woman's parents are played by director Ji Huang's real-life parents, one of the many layers of naturalistic detail in a film that was researched through interviews with numerous young Chinese women.

Stonewalling has yet to complete its theatrical run and is not yet available to stream.

“Stonewalling is a moving slow burn of a character study, as well as an examination of female stagnancy, personally and politically. There is a striking, human sense of suspense to the film as we worry for Lynn, and root for her to find her power.” —Peyton Robinson, RogerEbert.com

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