The year 2023 has brought many unforgettable movies, with sequels to popular franchises such as John Wick, Creed, and Scream. The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Air have also been released, receiving positive feedback from critics and audiences. Marvel and DC have released movies too, with the third Ant-Man film and the second Shazam film being among them. Legacy sequels about a boxer, a monosyllabic assassin, and a masked murderer have also done well at the box office. In addition, a certain duo of Brooklyn’s finest plumbers has won over audiences with their Bowser-beating antics. This article presents the top 10 most popular movies of 2023 so far, based on their domestic box-office earnings.
11. Jesus Revolution – $49 million The movie is based on the true story of the Calvary Chapel movement. Jesus Revolution has done great business so far, grossing $49 million against a $15 million budget. The film revolves around Southern California pastor Chuck Smith, played by Kelsey Grammer, who struggles to inspire his congregation due to his inability to connect with the youth. One day, Chuck meets hitchhiker Lonnie Frisbee, played by Jonathan Roumie, a free-spirited hippie traveling around and spreading the word of Jesus. Initially skeptical, Chuck and Lonnie eventually find common ground and become an “odd couple” as they partner up to evangelize hippies.
10. Shazam! Fury of the Gods – $56.6 million Shazam! Fury of the Gods is the sequel to 2019’s Shazam! The film follows Billy Batson, played by Asher Angel, known by his superhero identity Shazam, played by Zachary Levi, and his foster siblings as they adjust to their new lives as teenage superheroes. They are thrust into a battle with the Daughters of Atlas: Anthea, Kalypso, and Hespera. Unfortunately, the movie has not done as well as expected at the box office. With a budget of nearly $125 million, the film has only grossed $45 million domestically and $102 million worldwide.
9. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves – $62.2 million Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves stars Chris Pine, Regé-Jean Page, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Sophia Ellis, and Hugh Grant. The movie is directed and written by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, the duo behind the comedies Horrible Bosses and Game Night. Despite the movie’s comedic and somewhat campy tone, it has already grossed over $60 million in a short period of time and could be the start of a new franchise.
8. Cocaine Bear – $64 million Cocaine Bear has the potential to win Best Picture at the 2024 Oscars. The movie is entertaining and ridiculous at the same time, making it the perfect form of escapism. The premise is simple, with a bear ingesting cocaine, which leads to all sorts of hijinks. The movie has grossed $64 million so far.
7. M3GAN – $95 million M3GAN is a horror movie about a female tech executive who creates a lifelike doll that goes on a killing spree. The movie stars Kate Mara, and although it received mixed reviews, it has grossed $95 million so far.
6. Creed III – $125 million Creed III stars Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa. The movie follows Adonis Creed as he faces off against Viktor Drago, the son of Ivan Drago, who killed his father, Apollo Creed. The movie has grossed $125 million so far.
5. John Wick: Chapter 4 — $124.5 million (projected) Keanu Reeves in a scene from John Wick: Chapter 4. Lionsgate John Wick: Chapter 4 won’t be released until May 27, 2023, but it’s already one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. The John Wick franchise has been a huge success for Lionsgate, with the first three movies grossing over $585 million worldwide on a combined budget of $155 million. The fourth movie sees Keanu Reeves’ titular character team up with Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King to take down the High Table, the organization that controls the world of assassins. The trailer released last month has already generated a lot of buzz and excitement, with fans eagerly anticipating the release of the film.
4. Scream 5 — $167 million Scream 5 poster. Scream 5 is a direct sequel to the 1996 original film and is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. The movie sees the return of Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, along with a new generation of characters who find themselves targeted by the Ghostface killer. The film has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, with many praising the film’s clever writing, suspenseful moments, and the return of the franchise’s beloved characters. Scream 5 has already grossed $167 million worldwide on a budget of $25 million, making it one of the most successful horror films of the year so far.
3. Air — $240 million Ryan Gosling in a scene from Air. Air is a disaster film directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, and Chris Hemsworth. The film follows a group of passengers on a transatlantic flight who must fight for survival after the plane’s oxygen system fails. Air has received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the film’s intense action and suspenseful moments, while others have criticized the film’s lack of character development and plot coherence. However, the film’s impressive box office performance cannot be denied, with Air grossing over $240 million worldwide on a budget of $100 million.
2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie — $400 million Chris Pratt in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a live-action adaptation of the popular video game franchise, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. The film sees Chris Pratt and Charlie Day playing the roles of Mario and Luigi, as they travel to the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach from the evil Bowser, played by Jack Black. The film has received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the film’s humor and faithfulness to the source material, while others have criticized the film’s convoluted plot and inconsistent tone. However, the film’s box office performance cannot be denied, with The Super Mario Bros. Movie grossing an impressive $400 million worldwide on a budget of $150 million.
1. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania -212$ million is the much-anticipated third film in the Ant-Man trilogy and the first film in Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The movie offers a glimpse into how Marvel is laying the groundwork for its Multiverse Saga, which is expected to be the overarching story for the next phase, similar to the Infinity Saga. Despite grossing over $200 million domestically, the film has underperformed at the box office and received the lowest CinemaScore in MCU history. However, with the upcoming release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in May, it is likely to surpass Quantumania financially and critically. If not, the Marvel brand could be in trouble. Don’t miss out on the latest superhero blockbuster – catch Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania now in theaters.
In conclusion, 2023 has already seen some major successes at the box office, with sequels, adaptations, and original films all performing well. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the film industry, audiences continue to flock to theaters to see the latest releases. With several major releases still to come, including the highly anticipated Marvel film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, it remains to be seen which films will ultimately come out on top.