Top 10 Movies In November 2023: Blockbuster Breakdown

9 months ago By Neil Ross

November 2023 has turned out to be a blast for movie buffs around the world! The box office rocked like a see-saw alternating between successful and disappointing seasons. While some films soared to new heights, others stumbled in their quest for glory. Let’s unpack the blockbuster saga, and explore the highs, lows and captivating stories that made November an unforgettable cinematic spectacle.

1. Napoleon Breaks Ridley Scott’s 13-Year Opening Curse

Release Date: November 22, 2023
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Tahar Rahim, Ben Miles, Vanessa Kirby, Ludivine Sagnier, Matthew Needham
Studio(s): Apple, Scott Free Productions

Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” defied expectations and finally ended a 13-year opening curse. The historical drama starring Joaquin Phoenix grossed an impressive $78.8 million in its worldwide opening weekend. Notably, it outshone Scott’s previous “House of Gucci,” pulling in a $34.2 million win domestically over the extended Thanksgiving weekend.

2. Disney’s Animated Misstep: Wish

Release Date: November 22, 2023
Directors: Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn
Cast: Ariana DeBose, Alan Tudyk, Chris Pine, Dee Bradley Baker, Frank Welker
Studio(s): Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios

In contrast to the success of “Napoleon,” Disney’s “Wish” faced a tough journey at the box office. Falling short of forecasts, it earned just $31.7 million in its opening weekend, far from the $45M-$65M expected. The film struggled in the shadow of “Troll’s Band Together,” with a worldwide total of $49.6 million.

3. The Hunger Games Spinoff Soars: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Release Date: November 17, 2023
Director: Francis Lawrence
Cast: Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Tom Blyth, Jason Schwartzman, Peter Dinklage, Josh Andrés, Josh Andrés Rivera, Viola Davis
Franchise(s): The Hunger Games

Back in Panem, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” dominated the roast in November. Despite a record low opening of $98 million worldwide, the movie franchise crossed the $3 billion mark. Francis Lawrence’s guidance ensured that the Hunger Games legacy flourished, making it the standout of the month.

4. Taika Waititi’s Misfire: Next Goal Wins

Release Date: November 17, 2023
Director: Taika Waititi
Cast: Michael Fassbender, David Fane, Oscar Kightley, Beulah Koale, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana

Taika Waititi’s “Next Target Wins” stumbled in November. With an opening weekend of less than $2.5 million, the film faced stiff competition. The negative reviews and other film delays were disappointing, a rare stumbling block for a generally successful director.

5. Thanksgiving Terror: Slashing Box Office Records with “Thanksgiving”

Release Date: November 17, 2023
Director: Eli Roth
Cast: Addison Rae, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Patrick Dempsey, Nell Verlaque, Milo Manheim, Gina Gershon
Genres: Horror, Thriller

“Thanksgiving” broke a whopping slew of box office records. Nominally, it dropped a record-low 31% in its second week after grossing $11.1 million over the holiday weekend. With a total of $29.3 million, “Thanksgiving” broke through to victory, standing out in the haunting 2023 landscape.

6. Scorsese’s Epic Journey: Killers of the Flower Moon

Release Date: October 20, 2023
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Louis Cancelmi, Scott Shepherd, Jillian Dion, Jesse Plemons, JaNae Collins, Robert De Niro, Jason Isbell, Cara Jade Myers
Budget: $200 million

Martin Scorsese’s crime drama “Killers of the Flower Moon” continued its impressive run in November, crossing the $150 million mark worldwide. Despite a hefty $200 million budget, the film’s critical acclaim and powerful storyline helped earn it a spot in Scorsese’s list of highest-grossing masterpieces The film proved that, cinematically, rhetoric can often mask economic values.

7. Trolls Band Together: Animated Harmony Triumphs

Release Date: October 13, 2023
Directors: Walt Dohrn, David P. Smith
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Rachel Bloom, James Corden, Ron Funches, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige, Sam Rockwell, Kenan Thompson

The third installment of the thrilling Trolls franchise, “Trolls Band Together,” proved to be a formidable force at the box office. With $146.7 million worldwide, the film’s $30 million domestic opening weekend surpassed the underperforming “lust” milestone. With its vibrant visuals and infectious musical numbers, Trolls continued to captivate the audience, making the franchise a triumphant return.

8. Five Nights at Freddy’s: Blumhouse’s Record-Breaking Horror Flick

Release Date: October 27, 2023
Director: Chris Columbus
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

“Five Nights at Freddy’s” was released by Blumhouse in late October and continued an exceptional run through November. The horror film proved its enduring popularity by becoming the highest grossing Blumhouse film of all time. With nearly $50 million domestically in November alone, the film’s success marks another milestone in horror and solidifies its status as a cultural phenomenon.

9. The Marvels: MCU’s Unexpected Stumble

Release Date: November 10, 2023
Director: Nia DaCosta
Cast: Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Teyonah Parris, Zawe Ashton, Rami Malek
Budget: Over $270 million

“The Marvels,” the highly anticipated sequel to Captain Marvel, stumbled out of the gate, earning just $46.1 million in its opening weekend. Despite being a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the film faced difficulties in making a profit, especially with a reported budget of over $270 million if this unexpected stumble was a drag they deviate from the usual MCU box domination.

10. The Eras Tour: Taylor Swift’s Cinematic Triumph

Release Date: October 27, 2023
Director: Taylor Swift
Genres: Documentary, Music

Though it premiered in October, Taylor Swift’s concert film “The Eras Tour” topped in November as well. Breaking several records, the film surpassed the $250 million mark worldwide, cementing its position as the 10th highest grossing film of 2023. Swift’s film career has demonstrated the staying power of her fans have exceptionally interesting records of his music.

Conclusion: November 2023 – A Cinematic Rollercoaster

November 2023 released a roller coaster of films, earning both unique and low ratings. From damning historical dramas to animated missteps and wild triumphs, the month highlighted a variety of content that audiences want as the film industry eagerly anticipates its release released in December, and the legacy of November’s box office surprises will surely reverberate in industry conversations for months to come.