12 Must-Stream 2023 Movies to Watch on Your Phone Now

Cinephiles, rejoice! 2023 has been another great year for film despite the major disruption from much-needed writer’s guild strikes, and the result of this is a great selection of movies that you can watch comfortably at home all from your mobile phone screen.

Thanks to the Netflix app and the Prime Video app, enjoyers of film can truly watch feature-length favourites from any location – and with mobile devices continuing to improve their displays and processing, it’s only going to get better. 

This year has seen several top films get released onto the streaming platforms – and we’re here to detail which ones are worth your time. We’ve selected our top twelve choices, with the help of the home of film aficionados IMDb’s rating system.

From horror debuts to all-important sequels, there’s a wide selection of films to enjoy on our list. 

Ready to watch? Download the Netflix or Prime Video apps and watch along in the order we’ve provided below. 

John Wick Chapter 4 – Prime Video – IMDb rating (7.7)

The fourth instalment in what many call the best action film franchise ever to be created is currently the highest rated of the quadrilogy – and with an all-star cast featuring Donnie Yen and Bill Skarsgard, it’s clear to see why. 

We’d recommend catching up with the series and watching the first three films before this one, but when you’re ready it’ll be waiting for you on Prime Video. 

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar – Netflix – IMDB rating (7.4)

This short film, with a runtime of 37 minutes, might be perfect for a morning train commute. Wes Anderson, with an exceptional British cast of Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley and Richard Ayoade, among others, chronicles several stories from the mind of the great Roald Dahl. 

For fans of director Wes Anderson, it’s a must-watch, but for others, it may leave a tangy taste. 

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. – Prime Video – IMDb rating (7.4)

This coming-of-age comedy-drama follows Margaret as she moves from the city to the suburbs, navigating new friends, feelings, the beginnings of adolescence and religion.

Based on a book by Judy Blume, this hit flick has gone under the radar since releasing in the UK in May – but it’s well worth a watch for a feel-good feature film. 

Till – Prime Video – IMDb Rating (7.2)

Released in the UK in January, Till offers a poignant, emotional viewpoint of Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of Emmett Till – the fourteen-year-old boy lynched in 1955 Mississippi while visiting his cousins. The film follows the true story of her journey of grief and action as she vows to expose the racism behind the attack and have those involved brought to justice.

The film uses 27 years’ worth of research from Keith Beauchamp, whose efforts led to the re-opening of Till’s case by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2004. It’s an important, meaningful story that is a must-watch.

The Burial – Prime Video – IMDb Rating (7.1)

Academy Award Winners Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones combine in this drama inspired by true events. The film follows a funeral home owner as he enlists a smooth-talking attorney to save his family business after a handshake deal turns sour. 

Expect laughter, warmth and tempers to flare as this unlikely pair exposes corporate corruption, racial injustice and more in a film that sees Jamie Foxx pull out an almost-perfect performance. 

Talk to Me – Netflix – IMDb Rating (7.1)

The highest-rated horror film of 2023, Talk to Me comes from directorial debutants Danny and Michael Phillipou – otherwise known as YouTube’s Australian stunt-mad twins ‘RackaRacka’. 

This film is a must-watch from our perspective, debuting at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival in January before being picked up for distribution by independent entertainment company A24. It’s not too scary, so if you usually give horror a miss, we recommend giving Talk to Me a little try.

Jawan (Extended Cut) – Netflix – IMDb Rating (7.1)

Jawan is yet another success for Bollywood following the hit RRR, with this flick directed by Atlee (Arun Kumar) receiving critical acclaim from critics, with praise for its screenwriting, action sequences and musical score. The film is the highest-grossing Indian film of 2023, and the second highest-grossing Hindi language film of all time. 

The film stars Bollywood royalty Shahrukh Khan, who in terms of his audience size and income is one of the most successful film stars in the world.

Extraction 2 – Netflix – IMDb Rating (7.0)

Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as Tyler Rake in the second instalment of the Extraction series. It’s your typical action thriller with a load of guns, explosions and stunts, but offers a bit more depth than a lot of other options on the market too.

The second film is considered better than the first – so maybe delve into the first Extraction offering before you take a look at this option on the Netflix app.

Reptile – Netflix – IMDb Rating (6.8)

Justin Timberlake returns for his first physical film in a few years in ‘Reptile’, where he’s joined by excellence in the form of Benicio Del Toro. It’s a directorial debut for Grant Singer, best known for directing music videos for Taylor Swift, and it doesn’t disappoint!

Prepare yourself for a complex, developed plot that weaves webs across its 2-hour and 14-minute run time. If you’re a fan of the detective genre and fancy a cosy evening, this one is for you.

The Killer – Netflix – IMDb rating (6.8)

David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club, Gone Girl) returns with his latest film, featuring Michael Fassbender as an assassin who has to face the actions of a fateful near miss.

Based on the graphic novel of the same name, the film has been a passion project for Fincher and makes for a fun watch that is well-shot and well-scored. Give it a go if you’re looking for an evening of entertainment. 

Creed III – Prime Video – IMDb Rating (6.7)

For fans of the Rocky series, it’s time to download the Prime Video app. The third film in the Creed series was released earlier this year and is currently one of the most popular films on the platform. 

Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut – while also playing the titular Adonis Creed – doesn’t quite hit the heights of the other two films in the series, but it’s another great sports film to add to an ever-growing collection. Performances from Jordan and the likes of ‘villain’ Jonathan Majors are great too and ensure the film is a relevant part of the trilogy.

They Cloned Tyrone – Netflix – IMDb Rating (6.6)

This film was a part of the Blacklist, an annual compendium of the most well-liked scripts that were never produced. This has included Oscar winners like Juno, Argo and Jojo Rabbit. 

In the film, unlikely trio Fontaine (John Boyega), Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) and Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris) almost fall upon a government conspiracy and chaos ensues as they uncover the mysteries that are afoot. It’s a really fun watch and one that you’ll be sure to revisit.

If you’re not a fan of the Netflix app or Prime Video app on mobile, then you could always take a look at the Disney+ app – which is home to several new releases too.

Disney originals The Little Mermaid, The Shepherd and Elemental are all worth a watch – albeit for when you’re in different moods – while the third instalment of the Poirot series A Haunting in Venice is a spooky murder mystery for a cosy evening in. 

Speaking of third instalments, if you’re a fan of Marvel films then Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 needs to be the next thing on your mobile phone screen, with the film receiving a 7.9 rating on IMDb! 

When you’re regularly streaming video, whether at home or during a commute, longer battery life and higher screen resolutions are important. Devices are becoming more and more attuned to providing the best capabilities, and some of the leading phones on the market are perfect for Netflix and the like.

We’ve prepared a blog on the best phones for streaming films which includes both Apple and Samsung options.

Time to settle in, get the snacks and load up the relevant apps – there are a lot of films to get through.