Disney: Movies 2023 Top
We have to include it because it is technically a Disney movie, but Quantumania was the wake-up call Marvel needed. It signaled "superhero fatigue" had finally arrived.
The Problem: A green screen hellscape. Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror is terrifying and brilliant, but he is trapped in a plot involving MODOK (a giant floating CGI head) that looks unfinished. Paul Rudd looks exhausted.
The Verdict: Only for MCU completionists. It is the lowest-rated Disney movie of 2023 by audience score.
Release: June 16, 2023 Global Box Office: ~$496 Million
Elemental is perhaps the most fascinating case study of the year. Initially written off by industry pundits after a disastrous opening weekend ($29.6 million), the film became a textbook example of "long legs" at the box office, eventually becoming one of the highest-grossing animated films of the year globally.
Box Office: $845 Million (Global) The Verdict: The only unqualified win.
In a year of misfires, James Gunn’s swan song proved that Marvel isn't dead—it’s just tired of being formulaic. Vol. 3 succeeded because it broke the Disney mold. It was R-rated in spirit (though PG-13 in reality), featuring animal cruelty, existential dread, and a genuine ending that didn't set up a sequel.
Why it worked: Disney allowed Gunn to prioritize character over universe-building. Audiences are starved for closure in an era of endless spin-offs. Rocket Raccoon’s backstory made adults cry, not because of spectacle, but because of writing. Top takeaway: When Disney trusts auteurs, they print money.
Disney has been trying to recreate the magic of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise using the Haunted Mansion ride for years. The 2023 version starring LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, and Owen Wilson tried hard to be scary and funny, but it mostly ended up being exhausting.
Despite a fantastic cast and gorgeous gothic production design, the script was overstuffed with backstory. It landed in the middle of a crowded July (Barbenheimer destroyed it) and vanished from theaters within weeks. Is it worth watching on Disney+? Sure, for a rainy night. But does it belong on a Disney movies 2023 top list? Only at the very bottom.
2023 was a strong year for Disney, delivering a mix of nostalgic live-action remakes, fresh animated adventures, and late-year family films that balanced heart, humor, and spectacle. Below are standout Disney releases from 2023, why they worked, and who should watch them.
To summarize, here is the definitive tier list for Disney’s 2023 output:
Looking ahead: 2024 promises Inside Out 2 and Deadpool 3, but 2023 will be remembered as the year Disney realized that "Top" doesn't just mean box office gold—it means storytelling that respects the audience's intelligence.
Which of these disney movies 2023 top films did you watch? Did Elemental make you cry, or was Wish a waste of time? The debate is open.
Looking back at 2023, Disney's 100th anniversary year brought a huge mix of heavy hitters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe , heartwarming disney movies 2023 top
originals, and live-action reimaginings of absolute classics.
Here’s a breakdown of the top Disney movies from 2023 for your next movie night. The Animated Big Hits
: This Pixar film follows Ember (fire) and Wade (water) in a city where different elements live together. It was highly praised for its world-building and for tackling deep themes like the immigrant experience
: Released for Disney’s 100th anniversary, this musical-comedy tells the origin story of the iconic wishing star. It’s available on
and features a unique art style inspired by hand-drawn animation. Once Upon a Studio
: Technically a short film, this 100th-anniversary celebration brought over 400 Disney characters together for a group photo . It’s a nostalgic must-watch for any long-time fan. Action & Blockbusters Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
: Often cited as the best MCU film of the year, this final chapter for the original team focused heavily on Rocket Raccoon’s emotional backstory. Critics from The Walt Disney Company and fans alike rated it as essential viewing. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
: Harrison Ford returned for one last adventure as the legendary archeologist. You can catch Indy walking around Adventureland in Disneyland to celebrate this release. The Marvels
: Carol Danvers, Kamala Khan, and Monica Rambeau teamed up in this high-energy sequel. While it had a rocky box office run, many fans on called it an underrated entry in the franchise. Live-Action & Streaming Favorites The Little Mermaid : Halle Bailey stars as Ariel in this visually stunning remake
that brought the underwater world to life with fresh songs and modern effects. Haunted Mansion
: Based on the iconic theme park ride, this supernatural comedy features a massive cast including LaKeith Stanfield and Rosario Dawson. It’s a great family-friendly pick for those who like a few "spooky" laughs. Flamin’ Hot : Eva Longoria directed this biopic (streaming on Disney+ and Hulu
) about Richard Montañez, the janitor who claimed to have invented the iconic Flamin' Hot Cheeto.
Which of these did you catch in theaters, or are you still catching up on most anticipated Disney movies coming out in the next year?
In 2023, Disney's film slate was a mix of critical hits and notable box office challenges during its centennial year. While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 We have to include it because it is
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
The following films were Disney's primary theatrical drivers, ranked by their global box office performance: Movie Title Global Box Office Critical Reception Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ~$845.6 Million Rotten Tomatoes The Little Mermaid ~$569.6 Million Mixed (67% Rotten Tomatoes ~$496.4 Million Positive (73% Rotten Tomatoes Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ~$476.1 Million Mixed-to-Low (46% Rotten Tomatoes Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny ~$384.0 Million Mixed (69% Rotten Tomatoes Key Streaming & Special Releases
Disney also released several direct-to-streaming or smaller theatrical titles through its various labels: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
For Disney, 2023 was a year of massive franchise "threequels," highly-anticipated live-action remakes, and an eventual second-place finish in the global box office race behind Universal. While several high-budget projects were viewed as commercial disappointments, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
emerged as a definitive standout, becoming the studio's most profitable and critically acclaimed release of the year. Top Disney Releases of 2023 Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Falling out of the top five this weekend was Walt Disney's Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and horror film, Cocaine Bear. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Tom Brueggemann Four (an unusually high number) recent studio theatrical releases added PVOD home availability over the last week. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Five Nights at Freddy's
The year 2023 was a landmark for The Walt Disney Company, marking its 100th anniversary
. While the studio celebrated a century of storytelling with high-profile releases and global events, the year also brought significant challenges, as Disney faced a more competitive box office landscape and varying critical reception. Top Disney Movie Performers of 2023
Several Disney films achieved major commercial success, leading both domestic and global box office charts. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
: This Marvel Studios entry was Disney’s highest-grossing film of the year, earning $845.6 million
worldwide. It received widespread critical acclaim for its emotional depth and served as a successful conclusion to James Gunn's trilogy. The Little Mermaid : The live-action remake of the 1989 classic earned $569.6 million
globally. While it performed strongly in North America and Japan, its international reception was more varied. : After a slow start, Pixar’s became a "sleeper hit," eventually grossing nearly $496.4 million
. It was praised for its visual artistry and its themes of immigration and family. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania : Despite mixed reviews, the film grossed $476.1 million Box Office: $845 Million (Global) The Verdict: The
worldwide. It played a pivotal role in launching Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing the villain Kang the Conqueror. Celebrating "Disney100"
The centennial celebration was anchored by projects designed to honor the studio's legacy. Once Upon a Studio
: This nine-minute animated short was a centerpiece of the anniversary, featuring 543 characters
from over 85 Disney films. It combined hand-drawn and CG animation to celebrate ten decades of artistry. : Released as the 100th-anniversary feature,
aimed to serve as an "origin story" for the iconic wishing star. However, it received mixed critical reviews, with some finding it overly reliant on clichés despite its unique watercolor-inspired animation style. Box Office Challenges and Strategy
Despite having multiple films in the top ten grossing movies of the year, 2023 was the first year since 2014 (excluding the pandemic-era 2020) that Disney did not have a billion-dollar movie
. The studio also ceded its long-held title as the highest-grossing studio to Universal Pictures.
High production and marketing budgets meant that several films, including Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny The Marvels
, struggled to reach profitability during their theatrical runs. This has led to a strategic shift under CEO Bob Iger, focusing on quality over quantity
and cost-cutting measures to restore the studio's dominance in 2024 and beyond. or more details on the critical reception of a specific film from this list? Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
After all, this should have been a banner week for the actor. He ( Chris Pratt ) 's currently fronting Disney's latest soon-to-be- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Tom Brueggemann Four (an unusually high number) recent studio theatrical releases added PVOD home availability over the last week. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Haunted Mansion
The Disney movies 2023 top list teaches us a valuable lesson: Nostalgia alone doesn't sell tickets anymore (Indiana Jones). Audiences are rejecting mediocre CGI-bloated sequels (The Marvels) in favor of films with directorial vision (Guardians 3) and authentic storytelling (Elemental).
As Disney pivots into 2024, they are scaling back the number of Marvel releases and refocusing on quality animation. If you want to watch the best of 2023, make a playlist of Guardians 3, Elemental, and The Little Mermaid. Skip the rest, or wait for Disney+.