Entertainment
The Best Movies of 2023: From ‘Barbie’ to ‘M3gan’ and Everything In-Between on December 11, 2023 at 2:51 am Us Weekly
Warner Bros./Universal (2)
This is a Top 20 Movies of 2023 post, so obviously we must start with … Taylor Swift.
Seriously.
Go back to October, when the devastating SAG-AFTRA strike was still in full throttle. High-profile projects like Dune 2 had been jettisoned to 2024; the films that were being released couldn’t benefit from proper promotion. An industry that had barely emerged from the pandemic seemed on life support. Only true cinephiles cared about going to the movies.
Then Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour arrived.
The concert movie was nearly three hours in length and offered exactly zero minutes of backstage footage from her mega-selling tour. Whatever. Fans who did catch the live show clamored at the chance to relive their summer memories — and those who missed it were afforded a front-row seat at a fraction of the cost. The audiences didn’t just passively sit and watch as if it were an eat-your-vegetables period piece, either. They sang and danced and turned it into a joyous $150-million-grossing interactive experience.
Now, Swift happens to be a celebrity of unparalleled popularity at the moment. Go ahead and name a comparable actor who can draw in crowds of that magnitude — and don’t say Tom Cruise or Leonardo DiCaprio. (Ahem: Disappointing ticket sales for Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part I and Killers of the Flower Moon.) Not even the great Beyoncé could pull off a similar box-office feat with her own well-reviewed Renaissance Tour concert flick.
Still, even after The Eras Tour hits streaming, belting out “Cruel Summer” alone on the couch is bound to yield diminishing returns. Queuing up your favorite movie with a few clicks may be convenient, but there’s still something enormously satisfying about taking in a film on a big screen. And when that film actually delivers on its promise . . .?! The communal endorphin rush can’t be denied.
Enter this year’s Top 20. Admittedly, none of these picks prompted live sing-a-longs. Yet they all succeeded in striking a chord from deep within. (And, because this is still 2023, several picks are available to watch at home right now.) Go check them out. Or, put it this way: Baby just say yes.
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
1. ‘Barbie’
Want to know how to think out of the (pink) box? Take the seemingly-perfect doll (Margot Robbie) and wake her up to the harsh gender-imbalanced realities beyond the utopian Barbieland. But director Greta Gerwig’s smart modern comedy truly resonated with kids of all ages because its impactful messaging came wrapped in delightful candy-colored entertainment. Plus, Ryan Gosling proved he Ken do it all. (Max on December 15; available for purchase on digital and on-demand)
2. ‘Maestro’
In his sophomore directing effort, Bradley Cooper takes on iconic West Side Story composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. Yet this is no ordinary womb-to-tomb biopic. Using artful construction and a towering score from the musical genius himself, Cooper focuses on Bernstein’s troubled decades-long romance with the beguiling Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). Not pitch perfect, but pretty darn close. (In select theaters; Netflix on December 20)
3. ‘American Fiction’
For this blistering satire — which won the top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival — a frustrated academic and author (a never-better Jeffrey Wright) decides to single-handedly rail against an industry that tends to celebrate Black storytelling with traumatic and poverty narratives. Amid the outrageously funny moments, it shines as a relatable and poignant family melodrama. Bravo. (In theaters December 22)
4. ‘AIR’
A historical foot note in which a Nike marketing whiz (Matt Damon) attempts to sign Michael Jordan to a shoe contract in 1984 has inspired a totally terrific movie. In fact, considering that Air Jordans now epitomize corporate American culture, it’s a minor miracle director Ben Affleck (who also plays Nike CEO Phil Knight) delivered such a shaggy underdog story about gumption, optimism and faith. (Prime Video)
Universal Studios
5. ‘Oppenheimer’
There’s a reason audiences were blown away (sorry!) by Christopher Nolan’s epic. Despite a heady subject matter — the creation of the atomic bomb — and challenging non-linear three-hour-long narrative, it’s a fascinating and technically excellent look at one of the most important chapters in 20th century history. A first-rate ensemble that included Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and Emily Blunt helped too. (Available for purchase on DVD, digital and on-demand)
6. ‘Anatomy of a Fall’
Confirmed: The Palme d’Or winner from the Cannes Film Festival is no esoteric sleep aid. On the contrary, this thriller in which a German novelist (Sandra Huller) stands trial for the murder of her possibly depressed husband crackles with twisty intensity. Featuring a blind boy that maybe can’t be trusted, a hero of a dog and an ending that begs for deep analytical discussion. (In theaters)
7. ‘The Holdovers’
Cheers to a sensitive 1970-set tale about damaged souls who push each other through disappointment. Paul Giamatti is an ultra-curmudgeonly teacher at an all-boys boarding school tasked with watching a student (Dominic Sessa) over Christmas break. Along with the school’s grieving cafeteria manager (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), the trio forge a bond during the most wonderful — albeit loneliest — time of the year. And they do it without resorting to easy sentimentality. (In theaters and available for purchase on digital and on-demand)
8. ‘Past Lives’
This tender romance and Sundance gem spans 24 years and two continents. Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae-Sung (Teo Yoo) are childhood friends in South Korea who reconnect as adults. But because life is messy, Nora is now married and knows that, despite the pair’s palpable chemistry, she just can’t chuck her reality to fulfill her fantasy. (Right?!) This realization only makes the pair’s wide-ranging conversations more poignant and bittersweet. (Available for purchase on digital and on-demand)
9. ‘Poor Things’
Barbie channels Frankenstein in this buzzy and beyond-unhinged stunner. Emma Stone delivers a career re-defining performance as Bella Baxter, an unhappy wife brought back to life with a new brain in 19th century Europe. She proceeds to embark on a journey of sexual discovery and liberation. Be forewarned that the latest from director Yargos Lanthimos (The Favourite) is odd to the extreme with a perverse sense of humor. It’s also stuffed with joy. (In theaters)
Courtesy of Netflix
10. ‘May December’
A beyond-unconventional love story is the basis for a riveting character study with off-kilter comedic energy to spare. Gracie (Julianne Moore) and her much-younger husband (Riverdale’s Charles Melton) are still trying to shake the stigma of their illicit 90s-era liaison. Then a TV actress (Natalie Portman) swoops into town to shadow Gracie for an indie film. The film plays like both a twisted thriller and a nefarious satire on celebrity. (Netflix)
11. ‘Fair Play’
Here’s your basic 90s-era thriller complete with bloody period sex, forbidden workplace romance, male jealousy, uncomfortable misogyny, alcoholism, erectile dysfunction, corporate gameplay, finance mumbo jumbo, a pushy New York mother and totally bonkers last scene. So, how are you not streaming it right now?! (Netflix)
12. ‘Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret’
The well-worn Judy Blume novel that got us all through middle school also got through the adaptation process with flying colors. Just like the original bittersweet coming-of-age source material, the recently uprooted sixth-grader (Abby Ryder Fortson) tries to find her place in the world. Though set in 1970, every moment still rings painfully yet hilariously true. You must, you must, you must seek it out. (Streaming on Starz; available for purchase on digital and on-demand)
13. ‘The Burial’
The solid fact-based courtroom drama isn’t nearly as grim as the title implies. After a funeral home owner (Tommy Lee Jones) finds himself mired in a bad business deal, he enlists the help of flashy lawyer (Jamie Foxx). Despite their unlikely partnership, the two figure a way to make it work while exposing corporate corruption and racial injustice. Those issues aside, the movie surprisingly excels as a rousing crowd-pleaser. (Prime Video)
14. ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
No doubt there’s lots to admire about Martin Scorsese’s sprawling epic, which examines the tragic true story behind a series of murders in Oklahoma’s Osage Nation in the 1920s. Start with sturdy performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro — always so intimidating as The Bad Guy — and standout Lily Gladstone. Even at 206 minutes, the story moves briskly; certainly faster than last year’s interminable Avatar sequel. So where was that gut-punch moment? (Available for purchase on digital and on-demand)
Courtesy of TIFF
15. ‘Dream Scenario’
Wake up and listen up: An indie focusing on a mild-mannered biology professor is a wildly imaginative comedy and thought-provoking social satire. Nicolas Cage’s Paul Matthews is the definition of average — until he starts popping up in people’s dreams. Even when the narrative takes a more sinister turn, the knowing laughs never stop. And in a career spanning more than 40 years, Cage gives one of most endearing performances to date. (In theaters)
16. ‘You Hurt My Feelings’
Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays a neurotic New York City writer — as if there are any other kind! — and devoted wife and mother. All is sufficiently fine in her little world until she overhears her therapist husband (Tobias Menzies) criticizing the quality of her unsold new novel. This breezy effort from writer-director Nicole Holofcener (Enough Said) astutely examines what and how we choose to fib to protect the people we love. And for all its laughs, not once does the movie resort to wacky sitcom-like hijinks. (Available for purchase on digital and on demand)
17. ‘NYAD’
This legit feel-gooder centers on the remarkable real-life feat of athlete and journalist Diana Nyad (Annette Bening). After turning 60, she decides to free-swim the 110 miles from Cuba to Key West. No faux Disney princess, Nyad can be controlling and arrogant — especially to her best friend and coach (Jodie Foster). But these qualities work in her favor as she sets out on her historic swim. Inspirational rah-rah fare aside, two bona fide movie stars show how an adult friendship can go the distance. (Netflix)
18. ‘Priscilla’
If Elvis presented the King of Rock ‘n Roll as a razzle-dazzle music icon struggling with his demons, this drama plays like the other side of the record. The softer side. And a necessary one. Using delicate touch, writer and director Sofia Coppola shows how a teen Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny) was wooed by significantly older rock star Elvis Presley. Beyond the pretty dresses and nail polish, there’s a transfixing and tart portrait of marital loneliness. (In theaters)
19. ‘Dumb Money’
Because of the dual strikes, this wickedly entertaining comedy was undervalued at the box office. Maybe it’s fitting? Nonetheless, buy in to the hard-to-believe true story of the Boston finance misfit (Paul Dano) who took on The Man by sinking $50,000 into GameStop stock. The cast, which also includes Seth Rogen, Sebastian Stan, America Ferrera and Pete Davidson, are all winners. (Available for purchase on digital and on demand)
Courtesy of Youtube
20. ‘M3Gan’
Hey, it’s the anti-Barbie doll! But this weird little demon still delivered both laughs and thrills. Bring on the sequel. (Available for purchase on digital and on demand)
Warner Bros./Universal (2) This is a Top 20 Movies of 2023 post, so obviously we must start with … Taylor Swift. Seriously. Go back to October, when the devastating SAG-AFTRA strike was still in full throttle. High-profile projects like Dune 2 had been jettisoned to 2024; the films that were being released couldn’t benefit from
Us Weekly Read More
By Bolanle Media | July 2, 2026
Photo: Tyla at the 2026 Met Gala in custom Valentino — days before making the biggest business move of her career.
There are career moves, and then there are statements. Tyla just made a statement that will be studied in music business classrooms for years.
The South African superstar — born Tyla Laura Seethal, 24 years old, and already the proud owner of two Grammy Awards — has officially signed a multi-million dollar global deal with Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s powerhouse entertainment company, walking away from Epic Records to align herself with the most influential roster in the music business. The signing was confirmed across social media with a major digital announcement this week, and the reaction from industry insiders was immediate — shock, admiration, and the quiet acknowledgment that someone just changed the trajectory of African music forever.
From “Water” to a Global Phenomenon
Let’s not forget where this all started. In 2023, a 21-year-old from Johannesburg released a song called “Water” that nobody could quite categorize and everybody needed to hear. Within weeks, it had sparked one of the most viral TikTok dance challenges of the decade, charted simultaneously across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Africa, and earned Tyla a Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance — the first year that category even existed.
That win wasn’t just personal. It was a signal. African music — Afrobeats, Amapiano, and now what Tyla herself calls A*Pop — was no longer knocking at the door of the global mainstream. It had walked through it. And Tyla had handed it the key.
What followed was a whirlwind two years of sold-out shows, magazine covers, red carpet domination, and a growing reputation as one of the most stylistically fearless artists on the planet. She attended the 2026 Met Gala — her third consecutive appearance — wearing a custom Valentino gown dripping in diamond chains with a sweeping teal skirt, styled by the legendary Law Roach, with beauty by Pat McGrath. The look was breathtaking. But it was also strategic. Every Met Gala appearance, every fashion moment, every carefully placed interview has been building toward exactly this: the infrastructure to match the vision.
What Roc Nation Actually Means
To understand why this deal matters, you have to understand what Roc Nation actually is — because it is not simply a record label.
Founded by Jay-Z in 2008, Roc Nation is a full-service entertainment company with divisions spanning artist management, touring, brand partnerships, film and television, sports management, and philanthropy. Its roster has included Rihanna, Alicia Keys, J. Cole, Big Sean, Lil Uzi Vert, and Megan Thee Stallion — artists who didn’t just sell records, but built multi-decade cultural empires that extended into fashion, film, business, and beyond. The through-line isn’t genre. It’s scale.
For Tyla specifically, the Roc Nation deal unlocks a completely different level of access. We’re talking about premium budgets for music videos and live production, top-tier brand partnership pipelines with luxury and lifestyle companies, film and television placement relationships that most artists spend a decade trying to build, and the kind of media weight that gets you on the cover of Vogue, Time, and Billboard in the same calendar year. Roc Nation doesn’t just manage artists — it engineers icons.
On the African music side, Tyla joins fellow Roc Nation signee Ayra Starr, the Nigerian pop star who inked her deal in 2025, deepening the label’s clear and deliberate strategic investment in African pop as the next dominant global genre. Jay-Z is not betting on a trend. He is betting on a generation.
The Album That Could Rewrite the Playbook
The timing of this signing is not accidental — it is surgical.
Tyla’s highly anticipated sophomore album, A*POP, is officially set to drop July 24, 2026, just three weeks away — a 14-track project that she has described as unapologetic, globally ambitious, and deeply rooted in her South African identity while simultaneously reaching for something universal. The lead single “She Did It Again” features Swedish pop titan Zara Larsson, a collaboration that announces in no uncertain terms that Tyla is not staying in any lane she didn’t build herself.
With Roc Nation’s full machine now behind the album rollout — promotional infrastructure, media relationships, tour routing, brand activations — A*POP arrives with a runway that Epic Records simply could not have provided at this scale. The industry is already paying attention. For music supervisors, film and TV executives, brand marketers, and entertainment investors reading this right now — put A*POP on your radar immediately. This is the kind of release that shapes culture, not just charts.
The Bigger Picture Nobody Is Talking About
Here is what gets lost in the excitement of a big announcement: the systemic significance of what Tyla just did.
The music industry’s historical relationship with African artists has been, at best, transactional — major labels slow to invest, quick to cash in on a viral moment, and consistently reluctant to build the kind of long-term infrastructure that turns an artist into a brand. Tyla has navigated that system with remarkable intelligence, refusing to be reduced to a trend, building her artistic identity on her own terms, and now — at 24 — arriving at the negotiating table with enough leverage to choose Roc Nation on her terms.
That matters. Not just for Tyla, but for every African artist watching this unfold from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Cape Town, and Houston. It is proof that the path from regional phenomenon to global superstar is not only possible — it is being paved right now, in real time, by a young woman from Johannesburg who refused to shrink.
For media companies, content platforms, entertainment executives, and brand strategists operating in the African diaspora space — this is your data point. African pop is not a niche. It is not a trend. It is not a moment. It is a movement, and Tyla just secured the most powerful co-sign available in the global music business to lead it.
Watch this space. Very closely.
Follow @bolanlemedia on Instagram for real-time music, film, and entertainment industry news. Read more at bolanlemedia.com
AfriqueFest: Pan-African Musical Experience — World Cup Edition is set to take over Noto Houston on Sunday, June 28, bringing together East, South, and West African sounds in one immersive celebration of music, culture, and connection. Presented by Experience Noir and Bolanle Media, the event is designed as a cinematic night for the culture, blending global energy with Houston nightlife in a way that feels elevated, intentional, and deeply rooted in African creativity.
Spotlight on DJ Shinski
At the heart of this year’s experience is DJ Shinski. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and now based in Houston, DJ Shinski has built an international name off high-energy sets that move effortlessly across Afrobeats, Amapiano, hip‑hop, dancehall, reggae, and electronic sounds.
He has also become Africa’s most‑subscribed DJ on YouTube, crossing the 2‑million‑subscriber mark and turning his mixes into a global destination for music lovers.
DJ Shinski’s style is precise but unpredictable: one moment it’s classic Afrobeats, the next it’s East African anthems, then a run of throwback hip‑hop or R&B that still feels fresh. That ability to read a room and connect multiple worlds in a single set is exactly why AfriqueFest is building so much of the night’s energy around him.
At AfriqueFest, DJ Shinski helps drive the Safari Grooves segment, representing East and Central Africa from 4 PM to 6 PM. Expect a journey that moves from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Addis, and beyond, all filtered through his signature “vibes on vibes” approach behind the decks.
DJ Tunez and the rest of the night
Supporting that energy, DJ Tunez leads the Gold Coast Beats chapter from 8 PM to 10 PM, bringing his own Nigerian‑American Afrobeats pedigree to the stage. Together with the Diamond Rhythms segment (South) and a curated roster of DJs, the night stretches across the continent in three distinct musical chapters, all connected by a single dance floor.
Hosted by @chris_gone_crazy, @kingdrewwskyy, @roselynomaka, and @samsnewleaf, AfriqueFest is positioned as more than a party—it’s a celebration of sound, style, and Pan‑African identity in Houston, with DJ Shinski anchoring the experience from the moment doors open.
Brought to you by Bolanle Media & Experience Noir
Brought to you by Bolanle Media and Experience Noir, this World Cup edition of AfriqueFest is crafted as a night where global DJs, storytellers, and music lovers collide and create a shared cultural memory. With DJ Shinski front and center—and DJ Tunez helping close the night—guests can expect a show that reflects both the future of African nightlife and the power of the diaspora to create unforgettable live moments.
If you want to experience DJ Shinski live at AfriqueFest, now is the time to lock in your spot. Purchase your tickets now at AfriqueFest.com and get ready for a night of music, movement, and culture at Noto Houston.
Laughter Meets Inspiration: Our Ladies Show Lands on The Roku Channel
A bold new sketch comedy series for women premieres June 13 across the U.S., U.K., and Canada — arriving on the back of a festival-winning run that has critics and audiences already paying attention.
It isn’t every day a brand-new comedy arrives already wearing a row of trophies. Our Ladies Show does. The seven-episode inspirational sketch comedy series — created, written by, and starring Christin Jezak — begins streaming on The Roku Channel on Friday, June 13, 2026, available free to viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Produced in partnership with global media services leader Encompass Digital Media, the series sets out to do something rare in today’s streaming landscape: make women laugh out loud and leave them lifted. In a media moment crowded with noise and cynicism, Our Ladies Show is a deliberate counterweight — comedy with a conscience, built for women of every age and background.
A Show Built Around Real Life — and Real Laughs
Each of the seven episodes opens with a monologue from one of the cast members introducing the theme, then rolls into three or more sketches that hit the subject from every comedic angle. The series tackles the things women actually carry: holding grudges, comparison, beauty, patience, gift giving, the importance of community, and dealing with anxiety.
The comedy comes from a place of warmth rather than mockery — a “laugh at ourselves” spirit that runs through a gallery of unforgettable characters: a nosey neighbor, an overwhelmed mom, relentlessly optimistic flight attendants, beauty pageant winners past their prime, and a crew of unruly campers with a counselor who simply cannot hold it together.
Then the show does something most sketch series don’t. In the final segment of every episode, the cast gathers in a living-room setting and invites the audience in — sharing real inspiration drawn from the theme, the sketches, and their own personal stories. It’s the moment the laughter turns into something that stays with you.
The Women Behind the Show
Our Ladies Show brings together three performers with serious range:
- Christin Jezak — creator, writer, and star (Miracle at Manchester, Raising Hope, Jimmy Kimmel Live!)
- Hillary Hawkins — (Primal, Nick Jr.’s Play Along, Gullah Gullah Island)
- Sarah Hernandez — (Nefarious, Unplanned, House of Payne)
“In a world with so much division and depression, I hope women of all ages and backgrounds will watch this show, laugh, be reminded of how beautiful, unique, and loved they are, and remember how much we need each other.”— Christin Jezak, Creator & Star
Already a Festival Favorite
The series’ recurring long-form sketch, Neighborhood Watch, didn’t arrive quietly. Originally released as a web series and revamped for Our Ladies Show with new footage, sound, and music, it has been sweeping the festival circuit:
- 🏆 Best Webseries — 2026 New Media Film Festival (Los Angeles)
- 🏆 Best Web/TV Series — Paris Film Awards
- 🏆 Best Web Series — Dallas Movie Awards
- 🏅 Additional wins at the London Movie Awards, Florence Film Awards, and Hollywood Gold Awards
- 🎬 Official Selection — 2026 Harvard Divinity School Film Fest
- ⭐ Finalist — Houston Comedy Film Festival
- 📣 Three nominations — 2025 Content Christian Media Conference, including Best Actress in a TV and Web Series nods for both Christin Jezak and Sarah Hernandez
Where and When to Watch
Our Ladies Show premieres Friday, June 13, 2026, streaming on The Roku Channel — the home of premium and free entertainment — in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. All seven episodes deliver the series’ signature blend of sharp sketch comedy and genuine encouragement.
Watch the trailer now on your platform of choice:
For more information, visit www.ourladiesshow.com and follow @ourladiesshow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
About Christin Jezak
Christin Jezak has worked for over 15 years in the entertainment industry. She created and stars in Our Ladies Show and the award-winning web series Neighborhood Watch. She produced the EWTN TV program For the Sake of the Gospel and the all-women web series Ladies Keepin’ It Real, played Dr. Sam in Miracle at Manchester (starring Dean Cain, Daniel Roebuck, and Eddie McClintock), and voices Agnes in the podcast Confessions of a Catholic Single. She held a lead role in a short film for NTT Data directed by Academy Award–winning cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, has co-starred on Raising Hope, and appeared in Jimmy Kimmel sketches and a Grubhub Super Bowl commercial.
About The Roku Channel
Roku pioneered streaming on TV and is the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico by hours streamed (Hypothesis Group, Dec. 2025). The Roku Channel is the home of premium and free entertainment, alongside Roku’s Howdy and Frndly TV services. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, California.
About Encompass Digital Media
Encompass Digital Media is a global managed services company — technology-driven, software-defined, and people-powered. Trusted by world-leading broadcasters, networks, sports rights-holders, and OTT platforms, it processes over 25,000 hours of content daily, serves 850 channels to 84 countries, distributes over 243,000 live events annually, and reaches 400 million radio listeners weekly worldwide. Learn more at www.encompass.tv.
Media & Interview Requests: To interview creator Christin Jezak or the cast, contact Christin at cjezak@p2ptheatre.com.
Why Some Songs End Up in Movies—While Others Never Do
They Told Him a Black Man Can’t Learn. He Sued Them and Won.
