Top 10 Movie Fights of 2023

#10: Those Who Live in a Glass Prison Shouldn’t Throw Punches

“Fast X” (2023)

Incarcerated, Letty and Cipher have little choice but to work together. Given their history, though, Letty isn’t one to let Cipher off with a slap on the wrist. The second that she’s given an opening, Letty throws the first punch. To an extent, this long overdue fight reflects how the “Fast” franchise has evolved. It starts on a grounded note with the two trading kicks and punches, but it chucks logic out the window once they go through a plate of glass (dropping virtually no blood, of course). While the tech-savvy Cipher makes use of a nearby laser claw, Letty is more experienced in hand-to-hand combat. She delivers the winning blow, although slamming into another glass wall is nothing that Cipher can’t brush off.

#9: Into the Renaissance

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023)

Draped in the ambiance of a mood ring, every frame from Gwen Stacy’s universe would fit in at the Museum of Modern Art. It’s only appropriate that “Across the Spider-Verse” would commence with Gwen facing off against a Renaissance Man, or a Renaissance Vulture in this case. Although the two styles are on opposite ends of art history, they flow together flawlessly in a fight that blends classic and contemporary. It also takes a futuristic turn with the dimension-hopping Miguel O’Hara and Jess Drew joining the rumble. In addition to juggling styles, the sequence masterfully balances action, one-liners, and characters. As different as their approaches are, Miguel, Jess, and Gwen fight in perfect unison just as the latter falls out of sync with her father.

#8: The Kens Beach Off

“Barbie” (2023)

“Barbie” begins with two Kens ready to beach each other off. As we reach the climax, the patriarchy has brought out the toxic masculinity in all of the Kens, leading to the ultimate beach brawl. Naturally, the showdown comes complete with a power ballad and planned choreography. Although this is the Barbieland equivalent of a war zone, it maintains the essence of playtime with the Kens using tennis rackets as weapons and beach balls as ammunition. The “Kenergy” climaxes with a final dance number inspired by the dream ballet from “Singin’ in the Rain.” There are ultimately no winners on the beach battlefield. The true victors are the Barbies, who reclaim their constitution while the Kens beach one another into defeat.

#7: Ghostface Gets Gale

“Scream VI” (2023)

The sixth “Scream” movie marks a first as Gale Weathers finds herself on the other line with Ghostface. Gale is no amateur, and Ghostface is well aware of this. Realizing that Gale will be two steps ahead, Ghostface gets a three-step headstart. Gale has already survived five movies, but as Ghostface bluntly reminds her, Dewey’s luck ran out last time. Putting Gale in a vulnerable state, Ghost aims to axe off another legacy character. Armed with a gun, Gale seemingly outsmarts Ghostface with *69. She misses the mark, showing that sometimes you can bring a knife to a gunfight. A shard of glass will also do. Although Gale survives, the audience is genuinely convinced that this might be it until the paramedics arrive.

#6: Mutant Montage

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (2023)

To track down the mysterious Superfly, the Turtles must interrogate several crime families first. The backdrops range from a seedy poker table, to an Asian restaurant, to a sketchy mattress store, to a rugged pool hall, to a secret lab. Although the locales change, the sequence is ingeniously edited into one flowing fight with each of the Turtles getting a chance to shine. We see the Turtles fight as a group as well with a 360 shot that’s pure sensory overload. It’s all set to Blackstreet’s “No Diggity,” which the filmmakers struggled to secure the rights to. While alternatives were considered, no song matched the action as well as “No Diggity,” which was fortunately cleared. It’s the music that pushes this montage over the edge.

#5: A Killa Confrontation

“John Wick: Chapter 4” (2023)

John Wick shoots, stabs, and neck-snaps his way through hoards of assassins as if they were crash test dummies. Anyone who can stop Mr. Wick in his tracks has already overcome the odds. John faces his most physically imposing opponent yet in Killa Harkan, who’s built like a flight of stairs. Except this flight of stairs can throw a punch. Initially, it seems like Killa might be a pushover as he flees through a neon-lit rave. When the fight boils down to brute strength, though, the hulking Killa tosses John around like a ragdoll. Killa wins one round, knocking John down a story. John makes a comeback in round two, raining upon his heavy-hitting adversary with help from some stairs.

#4: Guardians of the Hallway

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” (2023)

Apparently, there was an unwritten rule that if a 2023 movie starred Chris Pratt, it needed to feature “No Sleep till Brooklyn.” After popping up in the “Mario” movie, the Beastie Boys song made Peter Quill’s Awesome Mix. Rocket is done running from his past, but that doesn’t mean he’ll face it alone. Entering a hallway of enemies, the sequence is shot as if it were a continuous take, seamlessly shifting perspectives from one Guardian to another. The action is slowed down to let the mayhem sink in. It’s one of the grittiest MCU fights with the absence of red blood being the only thing retraining it from R-rated territory. Like the best hallway fights, it makes a short distance feel like a murderous marathon.

#3: Training Day

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” (2023)

Tom Cruise may be the closest equivalent to a modern Buster Keaton. While Keaton is remembered as a comedian, he was just as much an action star, pulling off stunts that rival Cruise’s death-defying escapades. It’s only appropriate that “Dead Reckoning” channels “The General” with its climatic train sequence. Squaring off against Gabriel atop a locomotive, Ethan Hunt dodges all incoming obstacles, including his rival’s knife and a tunnel. The setpiece utilizes as many practical effects as humanly possible, putting the actors on a fully functional train that’ll inevitably be destroyed. The upper hand keeps changing with Ethan eventually pressing the knife against Gabriel’s throat. Gabriel gives him the slip, but even when the mission goes off the rails, Ethan holds the key to victory.

#2: Donnie Defeats Diamond Dame

“Creed III” (2023)

In the previous film, Adonis Creed settled one of Rocky’s oldest scores. “Creed III” delves deeper into Donnie’s past as he confronts a friend turned enemy, making for his most personal fight yet. As far as Damian Anderson is concerned, Donnie was not only responsible for his incarceration, but he essentially “stole” his destiny. It’s winner-takes-all as Donnie fights for the life he built while Diamond Dame attempts to reclaim what he feels is rightfully his. The fight is also internal, as Donnie wrestles with guilt and shame over how he wasn’t there for Damian during his lowest point. With more than just a title on the line, though, Donnie picks himself back up to deliver a knockout, proving that he’s still the champ.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Sibling Rivalry, “Polite Society” (2023)

The Khan Sisters Crush Each Other With Kindness

Drop Da Bomb, “Sisu” (2022)

Going Out in “Dr. Strangelove” Fashion

The Final Battle, “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” (2023)

A Campaign Well-Played

The Brute, “The Killer” (2023)

A Fight That Goes Full Fincher

Shapeshifting Showdown, “Nimona” (2023)

Unleashing the Animal(s) Within

#1: Yard Brawl

“Extraction 2” (2023)

“Extraction 2” outdid its predecessor with a 21-minute sequence that’s pure adrenaline. Executed to appear like one epic take, Tyler Rake breaks a family out of a prison with more than a few obstacles in his way. One of those obstacles is Davit Radiani, who imprisoned his family in the first place. As brutal as that match is, Davit is merely an appetizer. The main course is outside where Tyler and a shovel-wielding Ketevan must battle their way through an army of prisoners. Every time one prisoner goes down, several more jump in. Cinematographer Greg Baldi immerses us in the action, making it feel as if we’re beside Tyler as he uses anything he can as an instrument of destruction, including his own fiery first.