Every filmmaker deep down is hoping for applause. When their film fades to black and the credits start to roll, they wait with bated breath for the sound of clapping hands — for the theater to fill with notes of adoration and praise. Within that applause comes the filmmaker’s own validation, an audible thumbs-up for their work. The opposite reaction is almost too much to bear: a deafening and uncomfortable silence — the muted sound of disappointment and negativity.
Film festivals, particularly in Cannes and Venice, are known fortheir long, drawn out standing ovations. And typically the longer the applause lasts, the better the movie is. Here are ten movies from 2023 that received standing ovations, ranked by how long they lasted.
10Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny — 5 Minutes
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Review:A Terrific Send-Off to an Icon
Harrison Ford returns toone of his most iconic roles: Indiana Jones. Touted as the final entry in the franchise,Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyfollows the famed archaeologist in yet another adventure uncovering a historical artifact — one that could rewind time and alter the course of World War II.
A Hollywood blockbuster likeIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyisn’t the kind of movie that you’d expect to find at the Cannes Film Festival. Yet this is where the movie had its premiere, where it received a five-minute standing ovation. Sounds good, right? Well, not exactly. Despite this impressive length of time, the ovation was reportedly “lukewarm” among the divided critics in the audience, and was probably more for Harrison Ford than the movie itself. And it was all downhill from there.Dial of Destinyturned out to be a box office bomb, and another major setback for Disney.
Stream Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny on Disney+
9The Killer — 5 Minutes
The Killer
The Killer Review:David Fincher and Michael Fassbender’s Existential Assassin Thriller
The Killeris a classic revenge tale fromacclaimed director David Fincher, and was his second film with streaming giant Netflix. After botching a hit, a professional assassin goes on aJohn Wick-style killing spree, tying up loose ends and hunting assassins before they get to him first.
The Killerpremiered at the Venice Film Festival, which makes sense given Fincher’s esteemed reputation within the world of cinema. The film was given a limited release before streaming on Netflix a couple of weeks later. Despite positive reviews from critics, audiences trashedThe Killerfor being dull and pretentious.
Stream The Killer on Netflix
8Asteroid City — 6 Minutes
Asteroid City
Asteroid City Review:Wes Anderson Delights and Confounds with His Most Abstract Film
Set in a retro-futuristic version of 1955,Asteroid Cityfollows a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention in the middle of the desert, which becomes disrupted by an alien visitor. It features everything you’ve come to expect from a Wes Anderson film: an ensemble cast, quirky charm, pastel colors, and a highly stylized look.
UnlikeIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, aWes Anderson film is exactly the kind of movie that you’d expect to find at the Cannes Film Festival. And naturally, it was well-received.Asteroid Citygarnered a six-minute standing ovation. It was also in the running for the Palme d’Or, the highest prize awarded in Cannes. AlthoughAsteroid Citydidn’t make as much of a splash as earlier Anderson films, it still received generally positive reviews from audiences and critics.
Stream Asteroid City on Prime Video
7Ferrari — 6 Minutes
Enzo Ferrari (Adam Driver) is caught between multiple crises, including the decline of his auto empire. Set in the summer of 1957, Michael Mann’sFerrarifollows the entrepreneur’s launch into the Mille Miglia, a treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy.
Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Ferrariwas met with a 6-minute standing ovation. This praise seemed to be mostly for Adam Driver, whose riveting performance had audiences on their feet.Ferrarialso competed for the Golden Lion, the highest prize awarded at the festival, though it lost to another film on this list.
6Jeanne du Barry — 7 Minutes
Jeanne du Barry
Jeanne du Barry is a historical drama that tells the story of the titular character who, on her journey out of the clutches of poverty, catches the eye of King Louis XV. Concealing her identity from him, Jeanne earns his favor, and the two fall in love, but upon moving to Versailles to deepen their relationship, scandal strikes France’s court.
Based on a true story,Jeanne du Barryfollows the titular character (Maïwenn), who becomes the paramour and favorite lover of France’s King Louis XV (Johnny Depp). The film famously co-stars Johnny Depp in his first major role since his controversial, highly publicized trial with ex-wife Amber Heard.
Jeanne du Barryhad its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. It was gifted with a seven-minute standing ovation, thoughthis was mostly for Johnny Depp.Jeanne du Barrymarked his return to cinema, his big comeback, and audiences were eager to extend their love and support for him. The movie itself was panned by most critics, proving once again that a standing ovation doesn’t necessarily equate to an incredible work of art.
5Priscilla — 7 Minutes
Priscilla Review:A Sobering, Mesmerizing Look at the Priscilla and Elvis Nobody Knew
2022 was all about Elvis. But in 2023, it’s all about Priscilla. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sophia Coppola,Priscillafocuses on the ex-wife of rock and roll’s most famous artist, painting a very different picture from the Austin Butler counterpart. Serious and intimate, it captures the relationship between Priscilla and Elvis, even its darkest, most sobering moments.
Priscilladebuted at the Venice Film Festival.The audience bestowed it with a seven-minute standing ovation— and this time, it seems, the praise was warranted. It received positive reviews from critics, most of whom praised the performances of Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi as Priscilla and Elvis respectively.
Rent Priscilla on Amazon Prime Video
4Maestro — 7 Minutes
Maestro Review:Bradley Cooper’s Stunning Biopic of an American Musical Icon
A blend of black-and-white and color cinematography,Maestrotells the life of famed composer Leonard Bernstein (Bradley Cooper), spanning his illustrious career and marriage to Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan).Maestrowas Cooper’s second directorial effort andpremiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a seven-minute standing ovation.
The biopic was also nominated for the Golden Lion, but likeFerrari,it didn’t go home with the award.Maestrodid, however, snag several Golden Globe nominationsand many positive reviews. Cooper and Mulligan were praised for their transformative performances, despitethe controversy around the former’s prosthetic nose.
Stream Maestro on Netflix
3May December — 8 Minutes
May December
May December Review:Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore Psychologically Duel Over the Truth
InMay December,Gracie (Julianne Moore) and her scandalous relationship with her husband, which began when she was only 13 years old, is the basis of the film. It stars actress Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman), who travels to Savannah, Georgia to meet and study Gracie to prepare for her new role.
May Decemberpremiered at the Cannes Film Festival. When the film cut to black, it was embraced with an eight-minute standing ovation. The praise forMay Decemberextended well beyond Cannes. The film racked up critical acclaim, as well as a few Golden Globe nominations along the way.
Stream May December on Netflix
2Poor Things — 8 Minutes
Poor Things
Poor Things is a sci-fi romance film from The Lobster director Yorgos Lanthimos. The story focuses on the bizarre and fantastical world of Bella Baxter after a scientist named Dr. Godwin Baxter brings her back to life. The film is based on the 1992 novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray.
Poor Things Review:A Bold and Daring Cinematic Endeavor
Based on the novel of the same name,Poor Thingsfollows Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young Victorian woman who’s crudely resurrected by a scientist after her suicide. It’s basically the 2023 version of Mary Shelley’sFrankenstein.And like Frankenstein’s monster,Poor Thingsis a mishmash of parts, a blend of fantasy, black comedy, romance, and science fiction. And they all come together to create one of the best and most memorable films of 2023.
Poor Thingshad its triumphant premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Not only did it earn the longest standing ovation of the night (8 minutes), but it claimed the festival’s highest honor: the Golden Lion. It’s since garnered critical acclaim, particularly for Stone’s performance, as well as a number of Golden Globe nominations.
1Killers of the Flower Moon — 9 Minutes
Killers of the Flower Moon
Killers of the Flower Moon Review:Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio’s Exhaustive Crime Epic
Based on a true storyand the non-fiction book of the same name,Killers of the Flower Moonis a crime epic that follows the investigation into a series of murders among the Osage Native Americans after oil is discovered on their tribal land. It’s the latest film from acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, bringing together two of his favorite collaborators: Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro.
There was a lot of hype aroundKillers of the Flower Moon,given its cast and director. And for most movie-goers, the film lived up to the hype, especially at the Cannes Film Festival. It received an impressive nine-minute standing ovation. Despite its extreme length and slower pace,Killers of the Flower Moonhas been hailed as one of the best movies of 2023.
