RESULTS: Poll of Over 100 Critics Names ‘Past Lives’ Best of 2023, So Far

Here are a few recommendations for your weekend viewing pleasure.

The critics have spoken and Celine Song’s “Past Lives” has been crowned the best film of 2023, at the mid-year mark. The film appeared in more than 1/3 of the ballots submitted.

Over 100 critics participated for this annual poll which assesses the mid-year highs of cinema. The lists submitted had to be comprised of five films, unranked. To qualify for the poll, a film had to have been released theatrically in the U.S. between the dates of January 1st, 2023 and June 30th. So, yes, Indiana Jones 5 did qualify, but only managed to garner one measly vote.

Despite many of the participants pointing out that it’s been a weak year so far at the movies, the results still proved that there were plenty of films to seek out.

Song’s film fought a fierce battle with “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” finishing ahead of the animated film by just one vote. It was the closest gap between #1 and #2 in the poll’s 8 year history. In fact, the top three films (Past Lives, Across the Spider-Verse and Air) could all figure prominently, Oscar-wise, in next year’s Best Picture race.

Six of the the top 20 films premiered at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, but were only released this year in U.S. theaters. The big surprise is how well the Dardennes’ “Tori & Lokita” and Mungiu’s “RMN” fared in the poll — both barely made a dent at last year’s Cannes, but have been embraced by U.S. critics.

RESULTS:

1. Past Lives — 39 votes
2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse — 38
3. Asteroid City —25
4. Air — 25
5. John Wick: Chapter 4 — 23
6. Blackberry — 21
7. Showing Up — 20
8. Beau is Afraid — 17
9. R.M.N. — 16
10. Tori & Lokita — 15
11. Pacifiction — 15
12. You Hurt My Feelings — 14
13. De Humani Corporis Fabrica — 11
14. How to Blow Up A Pipeline — 11
15. The Eight Mountains — 8
16. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 — 8
17. Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret — 8
18. Dungeons and Dragons — 7
19. Me3gan — 7
20. Infinity Pool — 7

Here are the ballots.