Top 5 Rotten Tomatoes Certified Fresh Movies of 2023
Experience the thrill of the silver screen's finest! Discover the ultimate 2023 must-watch movies, as Rotten Tomatoes unveils their highest-rated gems Prepare to be captivated by Rye Lane, Godzilla Minus One, Blackberry, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, and the sensational slam dunk of The First Slam Dunk!
Finally! The cinema has made a real comeback. Presenting the top 5 highest-rated movies of 2023, as per Rotten Tomatoes.
The trend of going to the movie theater is officially back, and 2023 brought some exceptional films.
2023 has been a standout year on the big screen, with highly anticipated movies like Barbenheimer (Barbie and Oppenheimer combined), Killers of the Flower Moon, John Wick: Chapter 4, and Across the Spider-Verse. Despite the hype, the top 5 highest-rated 2023 movies on Rotten Tomatoes might be unexpected for some. Here's a complete breakdown of the top 5 ranked movies on the platform, listed in reverse order.
5. Rye Lane – 98%
The unassuming British romantic comedy Rye Lane pleasantly surprised audiences in 2023, aiming to revolutionize the genre. This led to its placement as the fifth highest-rated movie of 2023 on Rotten Tomatoes.
Rye Lane, with a stellar Tomatometer rating of 98%, depicts the story of two young individuals recovering from heartbreak, who bond over a particularly eventful day in South London. The film was met with critical acclaim upon its release, with praise for the standout performances of David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah, as well as the film's direction, style, and originality.
Alison Willmore of Vulture remarked, "Rye Lane invites the audience to fall in love with Dom and Yas, and if that doesn't happen, it will leave you utterly captivated by its portrayal of South London and the feeling of endless possibilities while wandering and seeing what each day may hold."
Rye Lane can currently be streamed on Hulu.
4. Godzilla Minus One – 98%
Debuting on the big screen in the last quarter of 2023, Godzilla Minus One received immediate acclaim for its focus on human characters and captivating special effects.
Earning a 98% rating, the film is ranked as the fourth highest of this year's movie releases. Set in a war-torn Japan, a new threat arises in the form of a colossal monster resembling a supernatural lizard. Shikishima, driven by a personal mission, joins forces with a team of seasoned veterans to confront and defeat the creature known as Godzilla.
Katie Prout of the Chicago Reader wrote, "While Godzilla may be the main attraction, this movie also delves into themes of PTSD, shame, survivor's guilt, and the idea that we are more than our past mistakes." As of now, Godzilla Minus One can only be seen in theaters.
3. Blackberry – 98%
Before the iPhone took over, there was a small device called the Blackberry – a tale that was turned into a movie in 2023. The film was better received by fans than the actual phone, earning a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Blackberry tells the story of the rise and fall of the world's first smartphone, which had a significant impact on large corporations before succumbing to competition from Silicon Valley. Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton play the roles of company co-founders Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie. According to Brent Simon of AV Club, the film invests heavily in its characters and presents a workplace dramedy about industry outsiders crashing the party, rather than romanticizing the company's history.
2. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret – 99%
Are you there, God? It’s her, Margaret – angsting her way to being the second highest-rated movie on Rotten Tomatoes. Sometimes, those teenage years really do pay off.
With a 99% Tomatometer rating, the film adaptation of Judy Blume's classic 1970 novel follows eleven-year-old Margaret as she moves to a new town and begins to contemplate life. She leans on her mother Barbara and her grandmother Sylvia, as they all navigate finding happiness in the next phase of their lives. Alonso Duralde at The Film Verdict praised the movie, stating that "Judy Blume’s landmark YA classic makes it to the screen five decades later, still packed with laughs, poignance, bitter truths, and the enduring embarrassments of adolescence."
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
1. The First Slam Dunk – 100%
While the game may be legendary, the top movie might be a surprise for some. The anime sensation The First Slam Dunk is the only film to maintain a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
With a runtime of just over two hours, The First Slam Dunk takes place at The Shohoku High School, where the basketball club prepares for a crucial match against Sannoh High School. The film delves into the achievements and past of each member, bringing high-stakes animated drama to the screen.
Ross McIndoe of Slant Magazine remarked that "The First Slam Dunk" is capable of consistently delivering new tactics, surprises, and changes to the screen that will captivate even the most experienced sports film enthusiasts. Though "The First Slam Dunk" is not yet available on streaming platforms, it can be enjoyed in theaters.
Explore our upcoming hubs:
- Fantastic Four
- Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
- Avengers: Secret Wars
- Marvel Zombies
- The Marvels
- Agatha: Coven of Chaos
- Blade MCU
- Captain America 4
- The Boys Season 4
- Avatar 3
- Batman: The Brave And The Bold
- Beetlejuice 2
- Blade
- Deadpool 3
- Dune 2
- Gladiator 2
- Mission: Impossible 8
- Mortal Kombat 2
- Beyond the Spider-Verse
- Superman: Legacy
- Thunderbolts
- Venom 3
- Wicked
- 1923 Season 2
- Citadel Season 2
- Daredevil: Born Again
- Euphoria Season 3
- Severance Season 2
- Stranger Things Season 5
- The Last of Us Season 2
- The Mandalorian Season 4
- The Penguin
- The Sandman Season 2
- The White Lotus Season 3
- Wednesday Season 2
- Yellowjackets Season 3
Editor's P/S
As a movie enthusiast, I am thrilled to see the resurgence of the cinema experience in 2023. The top 5 highest-rated movies on Rotten Tomatoes have truly captured the essence of storytelling and cinematic excellence. Each film offers a unique perspective, from the heartwarming romantic comedy of Rye Lane to the thought-provoking drama of Blackberry.
The diversity of genres represented in these movies is a testament to the creativity and talent within the film industry. From the captivating special effects of Godzilla Minus One to the coming-of-age journey of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, there is something for everyone to enjoy. These movies have left a lasting impression on me, and I highly recommend them to fellow movie lovers.
