Top ^new^ — Disney Movies 2023
For the first time since 2014 (excluding the pandemic), Disney did not have a billion-dollar film
emerged as a major commercial and critical winner, other high-budget titles like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny The Marvels struggled to meet financial expectations Top Disney Theatrical Releases of 2023
For a blog post about the top Disney movies of 2023, you can frame it around the company's 100th-anniversary celebration. While the year was financially challenging for the studio, it produced several visually unique and nostalgic titles. Disney at 100: Ranking the Best Movies of 2023 disney movies 2023 top
Directed by Gareth Edwards, this 20th Century Studios sci-fi epic was widely praised for its stunning visual effects, original world-building, and relatively modest budget.
| Film | Studio/Label | Release Date (US) | Short summary | Box-office & reception | Key cast/creative | Why it mattered | |---|---:|---:|---|---:|---|---| | Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania | Marvel Studios | Feb 17, 2023 | Third Ant-Man film; Scott Lang faces Kang the Conqueror and multiversal stakes. | Huge global gross for a Phase 5 opener; mixed-to-positive reviews focusing on spectacle and villain. | Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors (Kang); dir. Peyton Reed | Introduced Kang as MCU multiverse antagonist with major franchise consequences. | | The Little Mermaid (live-action) | Walt Disney Pictures | May 26, 2023 | Live-action remake of the 1989 animated classic, centered on Ariel. | Very strong box office; polarized critical reaction but praised for performances and musical moments. | Halle Bailey (Ariel), Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem; dir. Rob Marshall | High-profile remake—commercial success and cultural conversation on casting and modernization. | | Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny | Lucasfilm | June 30, 2023 | Final outing for Indiana Jones (franchise send-off); treasure-hunt adventure with time-related MacGuffin. | Major release with substantial box office but mixed reviews; noted as Harrison Ford’s swan song. | Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge; dir. James Mangold | End of an era for the iconic franchise; bittersweet fanfare. | | Elemental | Pixar Animation Studios | June 16, 2023 | Romantic/dramatic story set in a city where people are embodiments of elements (Fire, Water, Earth, Air). | Solid box office and generally positive reviews for visual worldbuilding and emotional core. | Voices: Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie; dir. Peter Sohn | Original-concept Pixar with emphasis on community, identity, and empathy. | | The Marvels | Marvel Studios | Nov 10, 2023 | Sequel/ensemble linking Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau with cosmic threats. | Strong brand visibility; mixed critical reception and uneven box-office vs. expectations. | Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Teyonah Parris; dir. Nia DaCosta | Expanded MCU cosmic roster and introduced character-team dynamics. | | Wish | Walt Disney Animation Studios | Nov 22, 2023 | Original animated musical exploring the origin of the “wishing star,” blending classic Disney musical elements with modern sensibilities. | Positive to mixed reviews; noted for stylized animation and homage to Disney’s legacy. | Voices: Ariana DeBose; dir. Chris Buck & Fawn Veerasunthorn | Disney Animation’s centennial-era celebration of franchise themes and visuals. | | Strange World | Walt Disney Animation Studios | Nov 23, 2022 (limited late 2022) — notable in early 2023 discussions | (Included because it influenced 2023 Disney animation discourse) Adventure in an unknown world; family legacy themes. | Underperformed theatrically but gained niche fan appreciation. | Voices: Jake Gyllenhaal; dir. Don Hall | Example of Disney taking creative risks in animation storytelling. | For the first time since 2014 (excluding the
The year 2023 was a monumental milestone for The Walt Disney Company as it celebrated its . However, the centenary turned out to be one of the most turbulent, fascinating, and fiercely debated periods in modern cinematic history. While the studio generated billions of dollars globally, it also broke an eight-year streak by ceding the ultimate global market share crown.
: Harrison Ford returned for his final outing as the legendary archaeologist. The film grossed worldwide and remains a significant title for its legacy as a Lucasfilm production under the Disney umbrella. | Film | Studio/Label | Release Date (US)
Pixar Animation Studios delivered an underdog story with Elemental . Set in a bustling metropolis where fire, water, land, and air residents live together, the plot follows the unlikely relationship between the fiery Ember and the go-with-the-flow Wade.
When we look back at the cinematic landscape of 2023, one word defines the House of Mouse: It was the year Disney turned 100 years old. It was also the year the "Pixar Purge" (theatrical vs. streaming debate) reached a fever pitch. And, most notably, it was the year the public finally drew a hard line in the sand regarding superhero fatigue and franchise bloat.