The 20 best breakout movie performances of 2023

Actress and singer Halle Bailey took on the iconic role of Disney Princess Ariel in 2023’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Despite receiving abhorrent hate from internet trolls, Bailey proved them all wrong and showed that she was the perfect and only choice for Ariel. The young star perfectly captures Ariel’s innocence, curiosity, and charm while having the vocal abilities to match. Her rendition of "Part of Your World" makes for one of the most powerful movie moments of the year. 

Fans were transported back to the world of Panem in the 2023 prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The film follows a young President Snow as a mentor during the tenth games, long before his tyrannical rise to power. Newcomer Tom Blyth plays young Coriolanus Snow and manages to bring charisma to and garner empathy for this undeniably evil character. Blyth brilliantly balances both Snow’s remaining humanity and his cutthroat ambition. 

Charles Melton may best be known for playing Reggie Mantle in the teen TV series Riverdale, but the actor showcased a completely different side of himself with his heartbreaking performance in May December . Melton plays a husband and father married to the woman who groomed him at thirteen years old. As the character comes to terms with the reality of his situation, Melton gives a gut-wrenching turn and steals scenes from seasoned co-stars Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman.

Sofia Coppola’s biopic Priscilla tells the famous love story of Elvis and Priscilla Presley through Priscilla’s point of view, which is far more unflinching and dark than the fairytale we all know. Both child and adult Priscilla are played by Cailee Spaeny, who is superbly convincing portraying both stages of her life. Spaeny brilliantly embodies Priscilla as a lovesick teenager and a woman oppressed and worn down by a toxic marriage. Elvis may be the star, but Priscilla shines here thanks to Spaeny. 

British rom-com Rye Lane manages to breathe new life into an overtired genre thanks to a vibrant setting and creative direction. The film, which follows two Londoners who bond over a day as they recover from bad breakups, is anchored by the chemistry between leads David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah. It is Oparah, in particular, who steals the show as Yas, bringing complexity and energy to this delightfully entertaining and chaotic character. Oparah cements herself as one to watch.

Sunny Sandler, daughter of Adam Sandler, proves she isn’t just another "nepo baby" with her surprisingly charming turn in Netflix’s You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah. Children of actors who go on to follow in their parent’s footsteps don’t always have the same talent, but young Sandler proves to be a genuine star as a teen determined to have the most epic Bat Mitzvah ever. Her famous dad only has a small supporting role in the film, allowing the young actress to carry it all on her own.

The Color Purple is reinvented for a new generation with a movie adaptation of the Broadway musical. American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino plays the lead role of Celie, whom she previously played on stage in the Tony Award-nominated production. The film marks Barrino’s big-screen debut, and she acts and sings her heart out as Celie, a woman who finds hope and strength in the face of trauma over several decades. Barrino is the beating heart of The Color Purple and completely soars.

Dominic Sessa was originally only supposed to be an extra in Alexander Payne’s dramedy The Holdovers but ended up scoring one of the leading roles alongside Hollywood veteran Paul Giamatti. Remarkably, this is Sessa’s acting debut, which is hard to believe thanks to such a confident and assured performance. Sessa plays a brainy but rebellious student who is forced to stay at school over the holidays and forms an amusing bond with his cranky teacher, played by Giamatti.

Ariana Greenblatt has quietly been making waves as a child actress, appearing in Avengers: Infinity War as young Gamora and 65 alongside Adam Driver. In 2023, she starred in the biggest movie of the year, Barbie . Greenblatt plays Sasha, the teen daughter of America Ferrera’s Gloria. Sasha is a feisty Gen Z who is well past playing with Barbies and doesn’t see their value. Greenblatt holds her own alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling and makes up the film’s emotional core alongside Ferrera. 

Polite Society was the action comedy of 2023 with a feminist twist. The film is led by newcomer Priya Kansara as Ria Khan, a teenage girl who dreams of becoming a stuntwoman and must save her sister from her impending marriage. Kansara is a total boss and hilarious as Ria, who you can’t help but root for. She is fierce, sharp, and slightly unhinged. Kansara makes Ria a hero for our times, as she kicks butt and takes names while looking fabulous in a sari.

In A Man Called Otto , Tom Hanks plays a grumpy old widower who doesn't want to go on after the death of his wife. While the legendary Hanks is reliably wonderful in the lead, Marina Treviño as Marisol, Otto’s new neighbor, steals the film. Marisol has just moved in with her husband and children, and her energy, friendship, and persistence help bring Otto back to life. Treviño exudes irresistible warmth and charm, giving Hanks a run for his money. 

Abby Ryder Fortson is no stranger to Hollywood, having played Cassie Lang in the first two Ant-Man movies. However, she proves herself to be a bonafide young talent in the titular role of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Based on Judy Blume’s iconic coming-of-age novel, Ryder Fortson is relatable and endearing in her performance as Margaret, an eleven-year-old girl on the cusp of adolescence. She beautifully embodies the trials and tribulations of being a young girl.

Wonka is the musical origin story of Roald Dahl's famous chocolatier, this time played by Timothée Chalamet. As Chalamet sings and dances his way through this delightful family film, he is accompanied by Calah Lane as Noodle, an orphan who teams up with Willy Wonka to make chocolate. Lane will steal your heart as Wonka’s little partner, adding emotional depth and resonance to an already whimsical and wondrous film. The film may be called Wonka, but Lane is its beating heart. 

Jennifer Lawrence cemented herself as a comedy star in No Hard Feelings but wouldn’t have been able to do so without her equally talented co-star, Andrew Barth Feldman. Feldman plays Percy, an introverted and awkward 19-year-old whom Lawrence’s down-on-her-luck Maddie is hired to date by his parents. Feldman is hilarious and totally lovable as Percy, proving he has the chops to tackle more comedy in the future. He also performs a surprisingly great rendition of "Maneater" by Hall & Oates. 

Actress, singer, model, and dancer Teyana Taylor blew audiences away with her lead performance in Sundance 2023 hit A Thousand and One. Taylor plays a fierce and passionate mother who kidnaps her son from the foster care system and is determined to reclaim her own home and stability. Taylor flawlessly personifies parental love and motherly instinct in her tour de force showcase. She disappears into the role and produces something completely organic and moving.

As the daughter of U2’s Bono, it is no surprise that Eve Hewson is as talented as her father, which she showcases through her electric performance in Flora and Son. The film is set in Dublin and follows single mom Flora, who tries to connect with her rebellious son by taking guitar lessons from an L.A. musician over video. Hewson is ridiculously charismatic as Flora and brings so much authenticity and humor to her performance, managing to step out of her father’s shadow.

It is difficult to take control of a scene when you’re sharing it with Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, but Lily Gladstone manages to do just that in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Gladstone plays Mollie Burkart, a member of the Osage Nation whose family is being targeted in a killing spree. Gladstone brings a quiet power to her portrayal, stealing scenes from DiCaprio and De Niro, and it is her performance you’ll be thinking about when the credits roll.

Raunchy comedy Joy Ride follows a group of Asian-American friends on a wild road trip across China in search of one of their birth mothers. The film is stacked with an impressive cast, but it is Sabrina Wu as the socially awkward and K-pop-loving Deadeye who is the MVP. Wu brings much-needed sweetness and heart to the R-rated flick, playing the most wholesome member of the gang. Their comedic timing and deadpan delivery are brilliant, and Deadeye’s devotion to BTS makes them even more lovable. 

Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City features one of the most stacked casts of 2023, yet it is young Jake Ryan who manages to stand out amongst A-listers like Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansson. In the sci-fi comedy, Ryan plays Woodrow, the sensitive and intelligent son of Jason Schwartzman’s Augie Steenbeck. Ryan perfectly matches Anderson’s unique rhythm, tone, and humor, and the director is known for working with the same actors, so don’t be surprised if Ryan becomes his new leading man.

Saltburn was arguably the most talked-about movie of 2023, thanks to its twisted characters and shockingly explicit scenes. One of the most interesting characters in the film is Farleigh, the American cousin of Jacob Elordi’s wealthy Felix, whom Archie Madekwe plays. When Barry Keoghan’s Oliver visits Felix’s estate, Farleigh doesn’t trust him for one moment and will not be replaced by him. Madekwe’s confident, playful, and intense turn makes for one of the film’s wickedly entertaining highlights.