This week on Episode 515 of the InSession Film Podcast, we discussed the best movie scenes of 2023. With the exception of doing our Top 10 movies of the year, this is the most challenging exercise we do on the show. The amount of great scenes in a given year is always dense, but in a deep, deep year like 2023? It’s almost impossible to narrow down. However; there were a few that resonated on a profound level. Some scenes connected in an emotionally striking way. And then there were a few that were just jaw-droppers. This year provided many incredible moments that we will soon not forget. It may have been an arduous task, but it’s always some of the most fun as we dive into our year-end fun. That said, here are our lists:
(Note: Please keep in mind that we each had different criteria for our selections)
JD
1) Auditorium Speech – Oppenheimer
2) Ending Goodbye – Past Lives
3) Adam/Father Scene – All of Us Strangers
4) Ending Theater Scene – Killers of the Flower Moon
5) Rudolf’s Legacy – The Zone of Interest
Brendan
1) Auditorium Speech – Oppenheimer
2) Ending Scene/Song – Perfect
3) Paul Stands Up for Angus – The Holdovers
4) Movie Theater Scene – Fallen Leaves
5) Hot Dog Reveal – May December
Honorable Mentions (Combined)
Joke/Breakdown – Anatomy of a Fall
“I’m already in pain” – Anatomy of a Fall
Flashback Argument Scene – Anatomy of a Fall
September – Robert Dreams
Wizard/Mahito Scene – The Boy and the Heron
Kingdom Collapse – The Boy and the Heron
Tom Sawyer Montage – The Iron Claw
Bar Scene – Past Lives
Plane Crash – Society of the Snow
Diner Scene – All of Us Strangers
Power of Love Scene – All of Us Strangers
Staircase Fall – John Wick Chapter 4
Overhead Sequence – John Wick Chapter 4
Alien Scene / Song – Asteroid City
Augie / Midge Scenes – Asteroid City
Margot Robbie Scene – Asteroid City
Visiting Grave Scene – Ferrari
Crash Scene – Ferrari
Enzo / Laura’s Big Fight – Ferrari
Stagg R Leigh – American Fiction
Grandmother Scene – The Zone of Interest
Hedwig Fighting for Home – The Zone of Interest
Elizabeth’s Monologue – May December
Rooftop Scene – May December
Ending Goodbye – The Holdovers
Christmas Dinner – The Holdovers
“I believe we did” – Oppenheimer
Trinity Test – Oppenheimer
Kitty Testifies – Oppenheimer
Miles / Gwen Upside Down Scene – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Miles Chooses Own Path – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Stage Play Sequence – Beau Is Afraid
I’m Just Ken – Barbie
Opening Sequence – The Killer
Barbara Explaining Her Parents – Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.
Cathedral Scene – Maestro
Opera Scene – Maestro
Fire Scene – Killers of the Flower Moon
’54 Godzilla Theme – Godzilla Minus One
Bella’s First Adventure – Poor Things
Hostel Sequence – Poor Things
The Swan Sequence – The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Opening Cooking Scene – The Taste of Things
Final Shot – The Taste of Things
Ending Sequence – Master Gardener
Everything with Rocket – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3
“because you have boats!” – Napoleon
Final Scene – Monster
“Hell No” – The Color Purple
Hopefully you guys enjoyed our lists and if you agree or disagree with us, let us know in the comment section below. There are so many other scenes that we wanted to mentioned, but let alone others that were more on your radar. That is to say, your list could look very different than ours given the amount of great scenes we saw in 2023. That being said, what would be your Top 5? Leave a comment in the comment section or email us at [email protected].
For the entire podcast, click here or listen below.
For more lists done by the InSession Film crew and other guests, be sure see our Top 3 Movie Lists page.
