Movie theaters can almost cheer up anyone! The smell of the buttery popcorn, the overpriced snacks, and the amazing slushies. Here is a list of the top five movies of summer 2023!
Barbie –
Starting off the list with one of the most talked about movies of this year. The movie begins with Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, living in a perfect, fantasy world by the name of Barbie Land. Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, loses himself over wanting to impress Barbie. His whole world revolved around getting Barbie to notice and love him in the way he did with her. That is until Barbie and Ken take an adventure out into the harsh realities of the real world. This movie has a very deep message that is camouflaged in comedy and a whole lot of pink. The movie accurately portrays how women are treated in the real world through a fictional perspective where the male and female roles are reversed. I think this movie is a must-see. It is imperative for, but not limited to, young girls and women everywhere to listen to the powerful speech given by America Ferrera about the struggles of women in today’s society so they understand their value. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to laugh and cry at this well-directed movie.
Barbie was a film that was buzzing as soon as any speculations started rumoring in the media. Many people found this movie to be comedic and also very inspirational. Senior Kristen Cartergine shows her feelings about the movie.
“It was a great movie. I thought it was really funny and I thought the ads were funny as well,” Cartergine said. As you can see, I am not the only one who believes this movie is worth your while.
Oppenheimer –
Next on this list is a movie that has been oddly connected to the Barbie movie by the media taking on the name Barbenheimer. The plot follows J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, as he has been selected to work on the Manhattan Project which is top-secret. A special team of scientists, including Oppenheimer, spent most of their time designing the atomic bomb for years. They permanently changed history by creating the bomb that began the world’s first nuclear explosion during World War II. Though this may be a biographical film, it is far from boring. This movie brings real-world events to life through cinematic works. People from all over are raving about this wonderful movie, going to see it simultaneously with the Barbie movie, creating a cultural experience. If you are a history fanatic and like to mix your love for films and historical events, then this is the perfect movie for you!
Many people say this movie was very well executed and will be remembered for a long time after its current relevance. Senior Payton Whalen shared his thoughts on Oppenheimer.
“A masterclass in writing and contained many themes that are still incredibly relevant today,” said Whalen. Although the movie may have a deeper story, this film is a great movie to see with friends and family.
The Little Mermaid –
Up next is a movie that was all the hype before it was even released, also receiving a lot of controversy. The Little Mermaid is a classic tale from almost anyone’s childhood. The story follows Ariel, a mermaid, played by Halle Bailey, who longs to be a part of the real world and live where the humans are. Ariel meets Prince Eric, played by Jonah Hauer-King, while he is washed up on the shore and she sells her voice to return to the human land to be with him. This film received a lot of backlash from the media simply because Ariel was played by a black woman and the original Ariel in the cartoon was portrayed by a white woman. One side of the argument is mainly referred to as “Not my Ariel” with people claiming that Halle Bailey should not have been cast as Ariel because it is changing the original princess. The opposing side of the argument is that Ariel is a fictional being and also a fish, she could be played by anyone of any race and skin color. Regardless of the controversy that is circling this movie, it was nothing short of simply amazing. From the amazing film work to Bailey’s beautiful voice and even new original songs. This is a great movie to watch if you would like to see the amazing adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
This movie being such a staple for so many childhoods everywhere made this movie so high up on people’s must-watch list. Senior Melanie Melton expressed her love for the film.
“Seeing another person that literally has the same skin color as me made me smile the entire movie. It was just so magical and special that it made my inner child so happy,” Melton stated. The Little Mermaid will resonate with children and adults from all over the world, and change the normal princess standard.
Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse –
Coming in hot, next is the sequel to Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse. The story follows Miles Morales, voiced by Shameik Moore, as he is reunited with Gwen Stacy. Together, they were launched into a new Multiverse filled with other Spider-People from any universe you can think of and there he finds himself to be on a team with the strongest members in the Multiverse. While the team disagrees on how to handle a new problem, Miles finds himself to be alone in a battle between him and all the other Spiders. This movie is very family-friendly and entertaining for people of all ages. Whether you’re a Marvel or DC fan, it’s hard to disagree with the fact that this was a wonderful film. The characters each had their own style and one character, Spider–Punk, even had various drawing styles that changed throughout the movie. It is very obvious that there was a lot that went into the production of this movie and it is shown through the amazing storyline and the great execution. I recommend this movie to all superhero fans!
Spiderman is a classic superhero that people from all different age groups enjoy. This movie takes a spin on the multiverse that Marvel Comics mentions throughout their entire franchise. Senior Cadey Oleck shares her emotions about this Marvel movie.
“The most fun I’ve ever had at a movie theater, with the best animation ever put to screen,” Oleck states. Miles Morales is a young, light-hearted superhero and he makes it easy to fall in love with his character. This movie is a great film to add to your watchlist!
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 –
Finally finishing off the list is the latest contributing movie to the Guardians of the Galaxy series. The plot follows the Guardians after finding their way through the turmoil of Avengers: Endgame. While still mourning the loss of the original Gamora, Peter Quill, played by Chris Pratt, gathers his strong group to fight for the universe all the while still defending one of their own. This not-so-simple task could potentially be the end of the Guardians if the attempt fails. This film really knows how to draw in its audience and gives a sentimental and comedic rollercoaster of emotions. Each character had their very own viewpoints and storyline and that is specific to their highs and lows. Every Guardian had a part to play to contribute to the whole picture. This movie was nothing short of a masterpiece. I more than just recommend this movie, this should be a requirement to complete your list of summer 2023 movies!
Many people, more than just myself, believe that this film is a cinematic masterpiece. Freshman Carson Hollingworth gives his strong opinion.
“Best Marvel movie in years, maybe ever. The perfect balance of drama, comedy, and action,” Hollingworth expressed. Marvel has made some amazing movies, but this one takes the cake and I’m not the only one who believes so.
As this list comes to an end, I hope you take the time to watch these listed movies. They all have very different themes but they all share one thing in common; they are all great movies and have amazing storylines. Thanks for reading!
