The Best Movies of 2013

16.9k votes 2.4k voters 215.7k views163 items

List RulesOnly movies released in theaters in 2013.

A list of the best movies of 2013, as ranked by movie fans and critics. Every year, around the holiday season, film critics and fans alike gather together to proclaim that a select few movies were the best the film world had to offer during the year. For some, the best movies are those that evoke an emotional response and memorable acting performances. For other movie fans, it’s the entertainment value of a film that earns its place on the “best of” lists. Whatever the personal preferences of the movie viewer, people have strong feelings about what they believe is the best movie of the year.

The films on this list are among the best movies made in 2013. These films gathered strong reviews from the most respected film critics in the country, entertained audiences across the globe, and stayed in their thoughts long after the credits rolled. This list includes movies of many different genres, as well as both indie and major studio releases.

What are the best movies of 2013? While much of the debate rests on personal taste, the movies on this list received great reviews, captured the attention of the audience, and earned a place in cinema history. For more 2013 movie lists, check out Ranker's lists of the funniest movies of 2013 and the most overrated 2013 films.

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The Wolf of Wall Street
Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey
Released: 2013
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American biographical black comedy film directed by Martin... more
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Prisoners
Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal
Released: 2013
Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Prisoners is a 2013 American drama thriller film directed by Denis Villeneuve. Two young girls... more
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12 Years a Slave
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender
Released: 2013
Directed by: Steve McQueen
12 Years a Slave is a 2013 period drama film directed by Steve McQueen, based on the 1853... more
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Frozen
Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel
Released: 2013
Directed by: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Chris Buck
Frozen is a 2013 American 3D computer-animated musical fantasy–comedy film produced by Walt... more
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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Banks
Released: 2013
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
This film is a 2013 American science fiction action film based on Suzanne Collins' dystopian... more
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Gravity
Sandra Bullock, George Clooney
Released: 2013
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
Gravity is a 2013 science fiction thriller film directed, co-written, and produced by Alfonso... more
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Star Trek Into Darkness
Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch
Released: 2013
Directed by: J.J. Abrams
Star Trek Into Darkness is a 2013 American science fiction action film. It is the twelfth... more
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Iron Man 3
Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr.
Released: 2013
Directed by: Shane Black
Iron Man 3 is a 2013 superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced... more
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Dallas Buyers Club
Jennifer Garner, Matthew McConaughey
Released: 2013
Directed by: Jean-Marc Vallée
Dallas Buyers Club is a 2013 American biographical drama film, co-written by Craig Borten and... more
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American Hustle
Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams
Released: 2013
Directed by: David O. Russell
American Hustle is a 2013 American comedy-drama film directed by David O. Russell. It was... more
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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Cate Blanchett, Evangeline Lilly
Released: 2013
Directed by: Peter Jackson
The Hobbit: There and Back Again retitled to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is a 2013... more
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We're the Millers
Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts
Released: 2013
Directed by: Rawson Marshall Thurber
We're the Millers is a 2013 American comedy film directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber. It stars... more
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Monsters University
Helen Mirren, Kelsey Grammer
Released: 2013
Directed by: Dan Scanlon
Monsters University is a 2013 animation adventure comedy film directed by Dan Scanlon.... more
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The Conjuring
Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson
Released: 2013
Directed by: James Wan
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Her
Scarlett Johansson, Olivia Wilde
Released: 2013
Directed by: Spike Jonze
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Now You See Me
Morgan Freeman, Isla Fisher
Released: 2013
Directed by: Louis Leterrier
Now You See Me is a 2013 American thriller film directed by Louis Leterrier. An F.B.I. Agent... more
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Captain Phillips
Tom Hanks, Catherine Keener
Released: 2013
Directed by: Paul Greengrass
Captain Phillips is a 2013 American biographical thriller film directed by Paul Greengrass and... more
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Lone Survivor
Mark Wahlberg, Eric Bana
Released: 2013
Directed by: Peter Berg
Lone Survivor is a 2013 American film written and directed by Peter Berg, and starring Mark... more
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Despicable Me 2
Russell Brand, Steve Carell
Released: 2013
Directed by: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
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World War Z
Brad Pitt, Matthew Fox
Released: 2013
Directed by: Marc Forster
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Man of Steel
Henry Cavill, Amy Adams
Released: 2013
Directed by: Zack Snyder
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This Is the End
James Franco, Jonah Hill
Released: 2013
Directed by: Evan Goldberg, Seth Rogen
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The Wolverine
Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto
Released: 2013
Directed by: James Mangold
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Thor: The Dark World
Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman
Released: 2013
Directed by: Alan Taylor
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Beautiful Creatures
Emmy Rossum, Emma Thompson
Released: 2013
Directed by: Richard LaGravenese
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