This post is a little different from the others. Sadly, this list never made it to the site at the time. It came right around the period when our team was shifting from running a full-time movie blog to a more sporadic, passion-project kind of operation. Everyone was a little burnt out, and despite how much we’ve always loved putting these year-end lists together, this one just never happened.
If you’re reading this now, it’s because I finally sat down to put it together in 2018 — but for the sake of continuity, I’m posting it as if it were published in early 2014, right alongside the others. Maybe that’s a weird move, but hey — it’s my blog, so I get to make the rules.
Because I never wrote the original list at the time, I don’t have those initial reactions or explanations saved. And while I’m sure my feelings on some of these films have shifted a bit over the years, that’s part of what I love about doing these posts. They act as time capsules. They capture not only the movies themselves but how I felt about them in the moment — or, in this case, how I felt a few years later with a little distance. It’s a unique snapshot: close enough to remember why I loved these films, but far enough removed to see them in a slightly different light.
One thing that really stood out to me when revisiting 2013 was just how loaded the year was. My top 25 was strong, and honestly, any of the movies below could have been a top-five contender in a lesser year. I know every year starts to look stronger in hindsight, but I did a quick scan of the surrounding years, and this one really does stand above the rest. Each of these titles is something I’m genuinely excited to talk about — and unlike some years, I didn’t struggle to fill out the list. These all earned their place.
15. The Conjuring
This movie has absolutely held up in my house — so much so that I’ve even shown it to my daughters (they loved it… even if they didn’t sleep well afterward). I’ve long believed The Conjuring would have received awards recognition if it hadn’t been a horror film. The story is intricately crafted, but what continues to impress me most is the cinematography — it’s stunning, immersive, and elevates the material far beyond standard genre fare. The scares are great, the tension is relentless, and the performances feel grounded and believable. It’s a film so well made that I don’t even think of it as a “Halloween movie” — it’s just a great movie.
14. The Kings of Summer
I’m a sucker for a good coming-of-age story, and this one is a gem that far too many people missed. If you were a kid who spent summers roaming the outdoors with your friends, this movie will hit you square in the nostalgia. It captures that bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood — the push and pull between growing up and holding onto the carefree days of youth. There’s heart, humor, and a warm sense of discovery throughout. If those themes resonate with you, you’ll find a lot to love here.
13. Prisoners
The tension in this film is unrelenting. It’s a story about how far we’d go to protect the people we love — and how easily that instinct can lead us into darkness. What could have been a standard thriller becomes something far more compelling thanks to Denis Villeneuve’s expert direction and powerful performances from Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal. It’s not “fun” viewing, but it’s gripping and deeply human, exploring morality, desperation, and justice with real nuance. I remember going in expecting a generic procedural, and instead, I got one of the most intense experiences of the year.
12. About Time
This remains one of the sweetest, most heartfelt films I’ve seen in the last decade. I initially watched it just because I was on a Rachel McAdams kick — I hadn’t heard much about it otherwise — and I was completely blown away. The film is a perfect blend of sci-fi and romance, using its time-travel conceit not as a gimmick but as a deeply meaningful storytelling tool. Domhnall Gleeson and McAdams are endlessly charming, and the emotional payoff of their story hits hard. It’s the rare romantic comedy that’s as clever as it is touching. (Pro tip: bring tissues for the ending.)
11. All Is Lost
This is one of those films that demands patience — and rewards it tenfold. Nearly the entire movie is Robert Redford alone on a boat, fighting for survival. That premise means limited rewatchability for most people, but Redford’s performance is so magnetic that you can’t look away. The film’s tension builds naturally and relentlessly, and its depiction of the human spirit’s resilience is powerful. It’s also fascinating to pair this with Gravity (which appears later on this list) — both are stories of isolation and survival, one at sea and one in space. This one is quieter, but no less impactful.
10. Blue Jasmine
I’ll admit, my memory of this film has faded over time — but I remember loving it when it came out. Cate Blanchett is phenomenal here, navigating a character who teeters between entitled and deeply sympathetic. The film examines post-recession realities and the fragility of identity with sharp, character-driven storytelling. Blanchett’s performance alone makes it worth revisiting, and Andrew Dice Clay’s surprising dramatic turn was another standout. It’s a great example of a film that works almost entirely as a character study — and a very effective one at that.
9. The Spectacular Now
Another coming-of-age story, and another reminder of why I love the genre so much. This film nails the awkwardness, joy, heartbreak, and messy beauty of young love. Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley are perfectly cast and have an effortless chemistry that makes their relationship feel authentic and deeply affecting. The movie captures that pivotal moment in life when everything is changing, and nothing feels certain. It’s emotional and relatable, and it hits just about every note I want from a story like this.
8. Her
I love films that explore our relationship with technology, and Her is one of the most thought-provoking examples I’ve ever seen. The premise — a man falls in love with an AI operating system — sounds far-fetched, but watching this movie five years later, it feels alarmingly plausible. Joaquin Phoenix delivers one of his most absorbing performances, and the film’s commentary on connection, isolation, and the evolving definition of relationships is both timely and timeless. It’s a love story, a cautionary tale, and a mirror held up to our increasingly digital lives — all wrapped into one beautifully crafted film.
7. Inside Llewyn Davis
In another year, this might have been my #1. It’s got so many elements I love — folk music, 1960s New York, striking cinematography, and that signature Coen brothers storytelling. What keeps it from climbing higher is its deliberate emotional coldness. Oscar Isaac is excellent, but the character’s detachment makes the film more observational than empathetic. That’s not a flaw — it’s clearly intentional — but it does make the experience feel more distant. Still, it’s a gorgeously made film with memorable music, richly drawn characters, and one of the funniest intentionally bad songs ever put on screen.
6. Mud
Yes, another coming-of-age story — but this one feels especially magical. Like Stand By Me, it’s a story about ordinary kids on an extraordinary adventure. There’s a fairytale quality to it, even as it stays grounded in real-world stakes. Matthew McConaughey is pitch-perfect in the title role, and seeing the story unfold through the boys’ eyes gives the whole film a sense of wonder and curiosity. It’s a slow burn, especially early on, but if you let it pull you in, it’s a deeply rewarding experience.
5. Before Midnight
I absolutely adore this series. Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, and Richard Linklater continue to capture lightning in a bottle with each installment, and I hope they never stop revisiting these characters. Before Midnight is, like its predecessors, a film built almost entirely on dialogue — and that’s exactly what I love about it. It’s intimate, thoughtful, and beautifully written, and it captures the evolving dynamics of love and partnership with rare authenticity. Spending two hours with Jesse and Celine just talking is something I’ll never get tired of.
4. Snowpiercer
There’s some debate about which year to classify Snowpiercer under — it officially released in the U.S. in 2014, but internationally in 2013 — so I’m counting it here (and I’m not taking it off my 2014 list either). This is a bold, imaginative piece of science fiction, full of energy and constantly surprising turns. The pacing is relentless, the social commentary is sharp, and the world-building is fantastic. It’s the rare action film that’s both wildly entertaining and thematically rich, and I loved every minute of it.
3. Gravity
Few theatrical experiences have stuck with me the way Gravity has. I vividly remember gripping the armrests during long stretches of the film, my muscles tense from the sheer intensity of what I was watching. It’s a masterclass in cinematic immersion — a film that feels like it’s happening to you. Sandra Bullock’s performance anchors the story emotionally, and Alfonso Cuarón’s direction is nothing short of breathtaking. The film loses a bit of rewatch value since it’s largely a one-character, one-setting experience, but as a big-screen spectacle, it’s unforgettable.
2. The Way Way Back
One final coming-of-age film for this piece, and easily my favorite of the bunch this year. There’s something so honest and heartfelt about this story — it feels real. I connected deeply with it, especially because of my own experiences working a summer job at a movie theater with some of my best friends (many of whom now write for this blog). Watching the main character’s summer unfold brought me right back to that time in my life. And Sam Rockwell? He’s electric here. I don’t know why he doesn’t have an Oscar, but this performance is another reminder that he absolutely should.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street
I knew this would be my #1 from the moment I walked out of the theater. It might feel strange to name a film about greed, excess, and financial corruption as my favorite of the year, but The Wolf of Wall Street hits every chord for me. It’s a thrilling, hilarious, vulgar, endlessly watchable ride through the chaos of 1990s Wall Street — a world I find endlessly fascinating. I’ve always been drawn to stories about business and finance, especially the darker, messier sides of those worlds, and this film captures that energy perfectly. It’s indulgent and over-the-top, but it’s also an incisive portrait of ambition and self-destruction. And above all, it’s just an incredibly fun movie to watch.
Final Thoughts
This list was a long time coming, but I’m glad it’s finally out in the world. 2013 was a remarkable year for film — one filled with bold ideas, emotional stories, unforgettable performances, and movies that have only grown richer with time. Looking back, what stands out most to me is how many of these films explore deeply human experiences: growing up, falling in love, struggling to survive, questioning our morality, and chasing ambition — often at a cost.
The movies that resonated most with me were the ones that gave me something to feel: tension, wonder, nostalgia, heartbreak, joy. And even years later, I still think about these stories, characters, and moments. That’s the magic of movies — they don’t just entertain us in the moment; they stay with us, shaping how we think and how we remember.
If there are any titles here you haven’t seen, I can’t recommend them enough. Each one is worth your time, and together they paint a pretty vivid picture of what made 2013 such a special year for cinema.