The protagonist, Asha, is bland. The "wish" logic is confusing. It feels less like a celebratory masterpiece and more like a direct-to-video sequel from 2003.
Let’s address the tide in the room. Before release, the internet was a storm of hot takes. But when Halle Bailey opened her mouth to sing “Part of Your World,” the ocean went silent. This wasn’t a remake; it was a reclamation. Bailey’s Ariel wasn’t just a girl who wanted legs—she was an explorer, a scientist of the surface, with a voice that felt like sunlight on water. Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula chewed the scenery in the best way possible, and the updated lyrics gave Ariel a fierce agency the 1989 version only hinted at. It landed at #3 not because it was flawed, but because the top two were simply untouchable.
user wants a long article for the keyword "disney movies 2023 top". This likely involves listing the top Disney movies released in 2023. I need to gather information on Disney's 2023 releases, including box office performance, critical reception, and perhaps rankings. I'll search for lists, roundups, and specific details. search results provide various potential sources. I'll open some of them to gather detailed information. have gathered information from multiple sources. Now I need to structure the article. The user wants a long article for the keyword "disney movies 2023 top". The response should include a comprehensive list of top Disney movies from 2023, with details like box office performance, critical reception, and rankings. I will search for more specific details on each film, including plot summaries and notable aspects. have gathered information from multiple sources. Now I need to structure the article. The user wants a long article for the keyword "disney movies 2023 top". The response will include a comprehensive list of top Disney movies from 2023, with details like box office performance, critical reception, and rankings. I'll organize the article with an introduction, then list the movies in a ranked order, providing details for each. I'll also include a summary table and concluding thoughts. Now I'll begin writing. 2023 was a year of mixed results for Disney, with some high-profile disappointments and a box office landscape that proved challenging for several big-budget features, there were still a number of films that captivated audiences. For fans looking to revisit the best the studio had to offer, or to explore the titles that defined this unique year in cinema, this guide covers the top Disney movies of 2023, assessing their performance, critical reception, and lasting impact.
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 movies 2023 top
LaKeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Jamie Lee Curtis
$569 Million (Global) The Verdict: A cultural lightning rod that broke even.
Disney has been trying to capture the lightning of Pirates of the Caribbean for two decades. Haunted Mansion (2023) is their best attempt yet. Ignore the trailers—this film is genuinely scary for a PG-13 rating. The protagonist, Asha, is bland
This is not a film for children who want slapstick. It is a meditative, surreal journey through grief, legacy, and the creative process. The hand-drawn animation is breathtaking—specifically the sequences of the "Warawara" floating through the sky. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, beating out Disney’s own Wish .
(Data compiled via Box Office Mojo nominal global tracking metrics). Deep Dive: Top Disney Movies of 2023 ### Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (International Distribution Partner) June 2, 2023 Genre: Animated / Sci-Fi / Action Core Cast: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac Let’s address the tide in the room
: Director Peter Sohn drew deep personal inspiration from his youth as the son of immigrants in New York City. The romantic comedy-drama followed the fiery Ember and watery Wade, serving as a visual metaphor for cultural intersection and tolerance. After a quiet opening weekend, Elemental at WDW Magazine highlighted how spectacular word-of-mouth transformed the film into a massive, profitable sleeper hit. 4. Wish 2023 Worldwide Box Office
Disney dumped it in July against Oppenheimer and Barbie . That was a crime. The cast (LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito) has incredible chemistry. Stanfield, playing a widowed physicist, brings real pain to a movie about a ghost bride.
James Gunn’s trilogy capper is brutally emotional, chaotic, and hilarious. The plot focuses on Rocket Raccoon’s traumatic origin story, which involves animal cruelty that is surprisingly intense for a PG-13 film. Yet, Gunn balances the darkness with genuine heart. The hallway fight scene (set to "No Sleep Till Brooklyn") is an instant classic, and the ending gives every character a perfect send-off.
For a blog post about the top Disney movies of 2023, you can frame it around the company's 100th-anniversary celebration. While the year was financially challenging for the studio, it produced several visually unique and nostalgic titles. Disney at 100: Ranking the Best Movies of 2023