A look at 2023’s biggest movies at the box office

The year of ‘Barbenheimer’: A look at 2023’s biggest movies at the box office

Updated: 3:32 PM EST Dec 21, 2023

The box office roared back to life in 2023 and has an outside shot of hitting $9 billion, by far the best year since the COVID-19 pandemic. While cinemas have yet to return to the $11 billion mark seen from 2015-2019, this year’s grosses are a welcome bounce back for movie lovers. Check out the Top 10 grossing movies at the 2023 box office below, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com.10. Ant-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaPaul Rudd’s third solo outing as Ant-Man was met with mixed reviews from critics but was able to crack the top 10 list. The film is the first feature to place Jonathan Major’s Kang the Conqueror as Marvel’s big bad at the center of the story, and it will be the last after his December conviction for assault.Worldwide: $476,071,180Domestic: $214,504,909Foreign: $261,566,271Where to rent: Amazon Prime Video | Google Play | Apple TV9. ElementalWorldwide: $496,176,105Domestic: $154,426,697 Foreign: $341,749,408Despite Pixar’s worst three-day opening ever with $29.5 million, “Elemental” had a lengthy theatrical summer run. The Pixar movie features a love story between Ember and Wade, two Element City residents drawn together by a quirky set of circumstances that leads to a spark of love.Where to rent: Amazon Prime Video | Google Play | Apple TV8. Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part OneTom Cruise’s penchant for over-the-top practical stunts is on full display in his seventh appearance as Ethan Hunt. In addition to the kinetic fight sequences and harrowing spy antics, viewers are treated to a Cruise riding a motorcycle off a cliff. While not the runaway hit that “Top Gun: Maverick” was, Cruise proves he still has command of the box office. Worldwide: $567,535,383 Domestic: $172,135,383 Foreign: $395,400,000Where to rent: Amazon Prime Video | Google Play | Apple TV7. The Little Mermaid (2023)Worldwide: $569,626,289 Domestic: $298,172,056 Foreign: $271,454,233 Disney’s latest live-action remake features a rousing performance from Halle Bailey as Ariel, original songs from Lin Manuel Miranda and hyper-realistic depictions of classic under-the-sea characters. Leaning heavily on the 1989 original film’s plot, there are a few surprises but plenty of visual effects delights. Where to rent: Amazon Prime Video | Google Play | Apple TV6. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseWorldwide: $690,516,673 Domestic: $381,311,319 Foreign: $309,205,354 In what should be the shoo-in for Best Animated Film at the Oscars, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” unfurls the spider worlds in new and fascinating ways. Yes, we get tons more Miles Morales, but also ample screen time for Spider-Gwen and newcomer to the story, Miguel O’Hara. Unfortunately, this is part one of a two-part film. Originally slated for March 29, 2024, it’s likely to be pushed back.Where to rent: Amazon Prime Video | Google Play | Apple TV5. Fast XWorldwide: $704,709,660 Domestic: $145,960,660 Foreign: $558,749,000Yes, they are still making these. The 10th sequel of the franchise features thrilling car chases, abundant cameos and, yes, family. For a franchise that’s conquered space, who knows what the next frontier for burning rubber is?Where to rent: Amazon Prime Video | Google Play | Apple TV4. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Worldwide: $845,555,777 Domestic: $358,995,815 Foreign: $486,559,962James Gunn’s swan song to the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a fitting end to his trilogy of little-known plucky heroes who became surprise stars of the comic book movie wave. The roots of Bradley Cooper’s Rocket Racoon are explored in a series of emotional and sometimes hard-to-watch scenes, but Gunn’s nostalgic needle drops, offbeat humor and capable action set pieces add ample fun.Where to rent: Amazon Prime Video | Google Play | Apple TV3. OppenheimerWorldwide: $952,001,790 Domestic: $326,067,790 Foreign: $625,934,000It was the three-hour biopic that changed the world. Cillian Murphy turns in an iconic performance as Dr. Robert Oppenheimer in the years preceding the creation of the atomic bomb. Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt and Christopher Nolan will likely get Oscar nominations, and it would not be a shock to see a few with golden statues.Where to rent: Amazon Prime Video | Google Play | Apple TV2. The Super Mario Bros. MovieWorldwide: $1,361,354,491Domestic: $574,934,330Foreign: $786,420,161Apparently, Chris Pratt’s much-maligned Mario voice didn’t hurt the film’s bottom line. The 92-minute movie was a surprise billion-dollar boom at the box office. Audiences were enthralled by the faithful adaptation of the Mario-verse’s most celebrated iconography like Rainbow Road and Donkey Kong barrel fights. But its lasting legacy may be Jack Black’s earworm “Peaches,” an undoubtable bop.Where to rent: Amazon Prime Video | Google Play | Apple TV1. BarbieWorldwide: $1,441,818,186Domestic: $636,203,114Foreign: $805,600,000Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie blew the doors off the box office with the multi-layered, pink-powered Blockbuster. “Barbie” was an instant hit for its visually stunning set design, seamless integration and expansion of Mattel IP and biting social critiques. Where to rent: Amazon Prime Video | Google Play | Apple TVBox office numbers were collected on Dec. 21, 2023.