We’re coming to the end of the year, meaning it is time to look back on the year that was. This week I’ll be offering my 10 best in different categories. Stay tuned each day as I count down a new category leading up to New Year’s Eve. And join Eric and I on Saturday, December 30 as we share our Top 12 movies of the year on the This Week at the Movies podcast.

No. 10: Theater Camp
About: This one debuted at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, which is where I saw it. Molly Gordon, who stars, co-wrote the script with co-director Nick Lieberman and Noah Galvin. This takes place at a Theater Camp and there is a lot of comedy in the production, which co-stars Ben Platt, Ayo Edebiri and Jimmy Tatro, among others. I enjoyed the production and the comedy here.

No. 9: You Hurt My Feelings
About: This one also debuted at Sundance, but I saw it later in the year. When I caught it, I was glad that I did. This film, from Nicole Holofcener, follows a married couple (Julia Louis Dreyfuss and Tobias Menzies) who are having some troubles. Both are somewhat stuck in their careers and need to find a better way to be honest with one another. The comedy is subtle and situational here, but it works beautifully for me.

No. 8: Polite Society
About: Another film that screened at Sundance, but I saw this one in the Spring when it debuted in theaters. It’s about two sisters—Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya—who have a close relationship and a unique way of seeing the world. The bright colors and originality here stand out, but it’s the back-and-forth between Kansara and Arya that brings the heart out for me.

No. 7: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
About: This was another Spring release. It bowed at the end of March and far surpassed my expectations for its action and comedy. Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez, in particular, are pure delights here. This movie had me laughing out loud a number of times. It’s a very clever and well-executed action-adventure tale.

No. 6: Asteroid City
About: Wes Anderson has a unique style and it either works for you or it doesn’t. In most cases, it works for me. That was the case with his latest, which debuted this summer. There’s a great cast and a unique setting and story. The pacing of the dialogue and the delivery, particularly from Jason Schwartzman in the lead role, works well here.

No. 5: Rye Lane
About: Yet another Sundance film, this one debuted on Hulu in the Spring. It focuses on a pair of South Londoners (David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah) who meet cute and go on adventure. It’s delightful and pulls you into the narrative. Oparah and Jonsson are great in the lead roles, but I really enjoyed the direction from Raine-Allen Miller, too. It’s a fun film that more people need to check out.

No. 4: The Holdovers
About: Alexander Payne’s films aren’t generally big laugh-out-loud affairs. But the way he puts together his scripts and characters I often find amusing. That’s the case here, with some great back-and-forth between Paul Giamatti and Dominic Sessa. There is plenty of heart here, too, but I enjoyed the comedy in the story. It’s a fun Christmas tale as well.

No. 3: Joy Ride
About: This is the big, bold summer comedy for 2023. It came out in early July, stuffed between epic blockbusters, which might have caused it to slip between the cracks for some. But I loved this tale of four friends and an adventure in China. Ashley Park is great, as is Stephanie Hsu. But for me, the real MVP is Sherry Cola, whose Lolo is the hit of the film for me. Great works from director Adele Lim as well.

No. 2: American Fiction
About: This was a limited release near the end of the year, so doubtless more will discover this film as it goes wide January 5. Suffice to say, the script and the story, centered around disgruntled writer Monk Ellison (Jeffrey Wright) hit for me. Writer/director Cord Jefferson delivers a film that’s engaging and really fun at times. Sterling K. Brown is the MVP of the film with his strong supporting role.

No. 1: Poor Things
About: This is a black comedy for sure, but that’s probably true of a lot of selections on this list. This film, based on the books from Alasdair Gray is a lot of fun. I liked the script from Tony McNamara and the direction from Yorgos Lanthimos works really well. But this hums thanks to a brave and beautiful performance from Emma Stone. It’s weird, wild and likely won’t be for everyone, but it worked for me. It got a limited release to end the year and is worth seeking out if it’s playing near you.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.