In a year filled with blockbusters and box office successes, 2023 saw several films make a significant impact on the global box office. From superheroes to animated favorites and iconic video game characters, audiences flocked to theaters to experience these cinematic adventures. Let's take a closer look at the highest-grossing movies of the year.

Starting off the list is "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," the Marvel superhero film that may not have received the best reviews but still managed to earn a respectable $476 million worldwide. Despite its slow start, the movie secured the tenth spot in the top-grossing films of the year.

In June, Disney's animated feature "Elemental" took center stage, banking close to $500 million globally. While some considered it a commercial disappointment, it found redemption when it arrived on Disney+ later in the year.

Tom Cruise, known for his box office power, added another successful film to his repertoire with "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One," raking in over $567 million. Though not his most financially successful venture, it solidified his position as a reliable crowd-puller.

Disney's live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid" starring Halley Bailey swam its way to the seventh spot, earning over $569 million. While it may not have matched the success of previous Disney remakes, its performance speaks to the ever-present popularity of the studio's films.

Sony's "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" soared into the sixth position with its visually stunning animation and highly regarded critical acclaim. The film swung its way to over $690 million at the global box office.

Unsurprisingly, the "Fast and Furious" franchise continued its trend of high box office earnings with "Fast X," racing past the $700 million mark to secure fifth place for the year. Vin Diesel's charisma and adrenaline-fueled action proved to be a winning combination yet again.

Disney's "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" took audiences on one last cosmic adventure, earning an impressive $845.5 million and becoming the studio's most successful movie of 2023. As the final installment in the Guardians saga, it marked the end of an era for writer-director James Gunn.

Capturing third place was Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer," the director's most successful non-Batman film to date. Starring Cillian Murphy in a standout performance, the movie delved into the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic bomb, ultimately grossing $950.5 million.

In a surprising turn of events, the top spot was claimed by the long-awaited "Super Mario Bros. Movie." Nintendo's iconic video game characters leaped onto the big screen and amassed a staggering $1.361 billion. Eclipsing all previous video game adaptations, it became the highest-grossing video game film of all time.

Not far behind, Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" movie seized the second place, earning a whopping $1.441 billion. Margot Robbie's portrayal of the iconic doll resonated with audiences, sparking conversations and memes. While Robbie has announced that a sequel is unlikely, the success of "Barbie" has already inspired a live-action "Legend of Zelda" movie deal with Sony.

As 2023 comes to a close, these top-grossing films have left their mark on the global box office. From superheroes to beloved animated characters and nostalgic video game icons, these movies have entertained audiences around the world and solidified their place in cinema history.