As we approach year-end and head into the holidays next week, Kidscreen‘s writers are looking back on the shows, movies and products that brought them the most joy in 2023.

DRESSING BARBIE (Harper)

One of the best things about Barbie (besides her cinematic triumph this year) is her legendary wardrobe, and my eyes were practically glued to the non-fiction book Dressing Barbie when I dived into it this past summer. 

Brimming with archival photographs, the book offers insights from Mattel veteran Carol Spencer, who designed outfits for the beloved doll for four decades. Contextualizing Barbie’s sartorial reinventions, Spencer dives into topics like why the 1973 oil embargo had an exceptional effect on Barbie, where she found inspiration to style Ken with bell bottoms, and how a time constraint prompted the idea for ’90s bestseller Totally Hair Barbie.

Image courtesy of Nila Comics.

PONNIYIN SELVAN (Nila Comics)

The 1950s Tamil novel Ponniyin Selvan moved from page to screen in 2022 and 2023 as a stunning same-name film duology. Kalki Krishnamurthy’s magnum opus is a historical fiction novel set in the 10th-century Chola empire, outlining power struggles, relationships and deceit. I loved the films and spent the year seeking out other adaptations of Ponniyin Selvan—just to get a little more immersed in this world and its characters. 

One of my favorites is a comic book series published by Chennai-based Nila Comics since 2017. It’s beautifully illustrated and breaks down the complex plots to be more accessible for teen readers. I grew up reading a lot of history, mythology and folktales, so re-experiencing Ponniyin Selvan in this format had me feeling nostalgic for the days when I would come home from school and excitedly flip through the latest release from Amar Chitra Katha (one of India’s oldest comic book publishers). 

Image courtesy of Playground Entertainment and MASTERPIECE.

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL (Playground Entertainment)

My friend introduced me to this charming show that kept her company on PBS (US) and Channel 5 (UK) during the pandemic. Based on a series of classic books by British author James Herriot, it follows veterinary surgeons in a 1930s Yorkshire-based clinic, and is great for animal lovers of all ages. 

Besides the breathtaking scenery and lovable characters, what also struck me was the earnestness—it’s something that I feel has become a little scarce in pop culture these days. I’m catching up on the third season now, which is perfect timing because the show has just returned with a fourth season that’s airing in the UK now and coming to the US next month.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 (Marvel Studios)

All good things must come to an end, and Guardians of the Galaxy is no exception. I loved the conclusive third movie in this series. Rocket Raccoon’s tragic backstory is expertly woven into the narrative by writer/director James Gunn, while still having everything fans loved about the previous two films, from the signature needle drops to the beautiful VFX work. 

Being in an audience that laughed, cheered and cried together served as a reminder of why cinemas wouldn’t and shouldn’t ever go extinct—there’s nothing like collectively experiencing a great film with an enthusiastic crowd. Staying up all night for the IMAX marathon? Totally worth it.  

I’m looking forward to all of Gunn’s upcoming work, including Coyote vs. Acme (which he produced and wrote for) and, of course, his take on the most iconic hero of them all in Superman: Legacy (coming up in 2025).