Movies 2023 Top [upd] - Disney

Director: Nia DaCosta Domestic Box Office: $84,479,155 Global Box Office: $197,000,000

Directed by Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn, Wish introduced a unique watercolor-animation style that blended traditional 2D hand-drawn aesthetics with modern 3D digital animation. The film follows Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose), a sharp-witted idealist who makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. A Tribute to Legacy disney movies 2023 top

This was a massive success domestically but saw softer numbers internationally. There is no debate about the number one spot for the list

There is no debate about the number one spot for the list. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is not just the best Disney movie of the year; it is arguably the best Marvel movie since Avengers: Endgame . | Film | Studio/Label | Release Date (US)

| 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. |

Intended to officially kick off Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing the villain Kang the Conqueror, Quantumania started strong but dropped sharply in subsequent weeks. While its total gross looks substantial on paper, mixed reviews and high production and marketing costs meant the movie struggled to generate a true theatrical profit for the studio. The Financial Challenges and Lessons of 2023