The 20 Best Netflix Original Movies of 2023
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Netflix has quite a few surprises up their sleeves. As usual, the streamer is planning to release loads of new television series next year, but it seems they’re also focused on producing Netflix Original Films. When 2023 rolls around, Netflix will offer its viewers a host of new films hailing from just about every genre imaginable — so buckle up, it’s going to be a big year for you and your couch. To make things easier, Esquire parsed through the upcoming releases and curated a list of Netflix’s most anticipated films of 2023. Check it out!
Pamela, A Love Story (January 31st)
Pamela Anderson is finally telling her story in Pamela, A Love Story. In this documentary the legendary actress and model takes viewers through her early career, marriages, scandals, activism, and yes, the tape too. Pamela, A Love Story will give viewers an unfiltered look at the life of one of Hollywood's most infamous stars.
Your Place or Mine (February 10th)
Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher are keeping the romcom industry alive with their new flick, Your Place or Mine. In this movie, the actors play Debbie and Peter, two best friends with polar opposite personalities. After they decide to swap houses, and lives, for a week the two discover that they might be exactly what the other needs.
Murder Mystery 2 (March 2023)
In this sequel Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston play Nick and Audrey Spitz, two detectives who have opened their own private agency. But when they try to get the business up and running, a friend of theirs is kidnapped at his own wedding, which launches a new, hilarious, investigation.
Leave The World Behind (2023)
The upcoming thriller, Leave The World Behind, follows a family vacation that’s interrupted by two strangers who announce an imminent blackout. With everyone scrambling to keep their families safe, they’ll have to find a way to survive the mysterious circumstances.
Shirley (2023)
Shirley is an upcoming drama about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for President of the United States. The film will share Chisholm's life story — from a young activist, to becoming the first Black woman elected into congress, and her historic presidential run.
Damsel (2023)
Damsel stars Millie Bobby Brown, as a young woman who agrees to marry a handsome prince. But her fairytale takes a turn when she learns her new in-laws recruited her to be an ancient sacrifice. When she is thrown into a cave with a vicious dragon, she’ll have to learn how to save herself.
Some people believe that movies are best seen on the silver screen—you know, squished in uncomfortable chairs, seated beside strangers, with nothing but an overpriced bag of popcorn to ease the pain. It might be an unpopular opinion, but I disagree. If you really want the full experience, try watching Nicole Kidman's iconic AMC speech on YouTube before queuing up a movie.
If you're also a theater-averse individual, I'm willing to bet that your first stop on a weekday night is Netflix. And you know what? It's been a pretty stellar year in film for the streamer. With the help of stars such as Myha’la Herrold, Julianne Moore, and Bradley Cooper, and more, Netflix closed the year on a stellar—and possibly awards-worthy—note. Looking for a lighthearted comedy? Try Sandman’s You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. Want a thriller? The Killer is waiting for you. Is a drama more your speed? Look no further than Maestro and American Symphony.
Below, we’ve rounded up the 20 best Netflix original movies of 2023. Enjoy, folks.
The Killer
David Fincher's latest thrill ride, The Killer, will leave you breathless. The film stars Michael Fassbender as The Killer, a nameless assassin who—after butchering a hit job—has to clean up his own mess. Come for the image of Fassbender pounding a McDonald's combo, and stay for what's easily the greatest fight scene of the year.
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Maestro
With Maestro, Bradley Cooper could be primed to nab the Best Director nomination that eluded him at the 2019 Academy Awards— when he went unrecognized in the category for A Star Is Born. His newest acting-directing effort, Maestro, follows the life of American conductor Leonard Bernstein. As his career takes off, Bernstein meets and falls in love with Felicia Montealegre, a Costa Rican actress.
In theaters
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Leave the World Behind
What would you do if the world suddenly came to an end? In Leave The World Behind, two families are forced to rely on each other during an unexplained apocalypse. To make matters worse, they’re trapped on Long Island in a vacant beach town, without cell service or access to the news. In other words? Pure chaos. As if we would expect anything else from an adaptation of a Rumaan Alam novel.
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American Symphony
American Symphony follows Jon Batiste's quest to compose his first symphony. That dream is interrupted when his partner—the author Suleika Jaouad—learns that her cancer has returned. While battling her diagnosis, Jaouad and Batiste work together to complete each other's works of art. "I feel like we’re living a life of contrasts, Jaouad says in the film." It’s true—they are. Still, they find a way to create beauty in the face of hardship, while loving each other along the way.
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May December
Want to see Todd Haynes get weird—again? Well, set aside two hours for May December. Here's the first thing you should know: May December is a work of fiction, but it’s based on Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau’s real-life courtship—which landed the
Letourneau in jail. (In short: Fualaau was a minor when they met.) We won't spoil anything more about May December from here, but rest assured—it features Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Melton at the height of their powers.
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You are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
Ah, teenage angst is alive and well! You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah is a touching coming-of-age film starring Adam Sandler’s whole family. The movie follows Stacy Friedman (Sunny Sandler) during the months leading up to her bat mitzvah. Stacy has the whole night planned out, but her party goes awry when she and he best friend fight over a popular boy in their class.
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Mixed by Erry
Mixed by Erry is an Italian film that chronicles the lives of an aspiring DJ and his two brothers in the 1980s. When Luigi D’Oriano (AKA Erry) wants to make it big, he decides to smuggle mixtapes across Naples as a shortcut to stardom. Somehow, the scam turns him and his brothers into beloved record producers. But their fame is threatened when authorities investigate their rise to the top.
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John Mulaney: Baby J
OK, this isn't exactly a movie, per se, but can you make an exception for John Mulaney? The comedian's latest Netflix special, Baby J, comes five years after he took a break from performing. Shot in February 2023 at the Boston Symphony Hall, Baby J sees Mulaney return to his comedic roots. He tells wild stories, reckons with his past, and makes people laugh along the way.
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The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this whimsical Roald Dahl adaptation as Henry Sugar, a wealthy man with far too much time on his hands. One day, he decides to gamble for fun. But first, he has to figure out how to cheat without getting caught. Really, though, all we have to tell you is that this is a Wes Anderson-directed project.
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The Deepest Breath
Directed by Laura McGann, The Deepest Breath is one of the most striking adventure-sports documentaries since Free Solo. The film follows the world of deep-sea diving, which, yes—is exactly as terrifying, impressive, and beautiful as you'd think.
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Heart of Stone
Heart of Stone is a spy thriller that stars Alia Bhatt, Gal Gadot, and Jamie Dorman. The film follows the group as they play lethal super-spies, who are tasked with fighting the worlds most ruthless criminals. It's a Netflix action romp, if we've ever seen one!
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They Cloned Tyrone
John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris star in They Cloned Tyrone, a sci-fi thriller that's just as fun as it sounds. In this film, a series of strange events brings the trio together and forces them to uncover a government conspiracy. With yet another Esquire digital cover star (the indomitable Boyega) stealing the show, we highly recommend you don't miss this one.
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Pamela, a love story
Pamela Anderson finally shared her truth in Pamela, a love story. In this documentary, the legendary actress and model takes viewers through her early career, marriages, scandals, activism, and yes, the tape. Pamela, A Love Story gives viewers an unfiltered, empathetic look at the life of one of Hollywood's most infamous stars.
See the original post on Youtube
Luther: The Fallen Sun
Your favorite Idris Elba-played detective is back, friends. The critically acclaimed psychological thriller ran for five seasons on BBC from 2010 to 2019. Now? We have (at least) one last dance with John Luther via a new film, thanks to Netflix.
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Bill Russell: Legend
Another year, another stellar portrait of a sports GOAT. It doesn't get much better than Bill Russell: Legend, where the also-great director Sam Pollard explores the legacy of the Boston Celtics icon.
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The Mother
In The Mother, Jennifer Lopez plays a retired assassin who comes out of hiding to protect her estranged daughter—who suddenly finds herself in danger.
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Your Place or Mine
Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher kept the rom-com industry alive with their new flick, Your Place or Mine. In this film, the actors play Debbie and Peter, two best friends with polar-opposite personalities. After they decide to swap houses–and lives!—for a week, the two discover that they might be exactly what the other needs.
See the original post on Youtube
JUNG_E
This sci-fi-thriller takes place in 2194, after a catastrophe nearly destroys the earth. A civil war breaks out amongst the remaining survivors—which leaves revered general Major Jung-e in a coma. Jung-e’s brain is donated to a science lab called Next Generation, and converted into an AI robot that can continue leading the war in a simulation. Meanwhile, her daughter begins working for Next Generation so she can access her mother's brain and discover national secrets. It's a doozy, people, but well worth your time.
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Murder Mystery 2
In a sequel to this particular Sandman special, Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston play detectives Nick and Audrey Spitz. Murder Mystery 2 delivers the goods—a brand-new, hilarious investigation, as well as plenty of Sandlerian antics.
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Extraction 2
At long last, we managed to extract Extraction 2 from the Netflix vault. Listen, we hardly remember Chris Hemsworth's action-thriller, because it debuted about a month after the start of the pandemic. But Hemsworth wouldn't stop posting pictures from the set of Extraction 2–and now, it's finally here, explosions and all.
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