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It seems like each year goes faster than the lastx, because it's already time for the 2023 Movie State of the Union. There have been a handful of strong movies so far this year (much more than at this time last year) and the rest of the year looks promising.

This year has produced some hits ("The Super Mario Bros. Movie" is currently the highest grossing movie of the year), but has shifted the conversation on what is a predetermined success at the box office ("The Flash" has done surprisingly lackluster business). In between the IP and questionable effects that come with it, there have been smaller and quieter movies that have stood out amidst the noise.

The five best films of the year so far, in alphabetical order, are:

Air: Ben Affleck returns to the director's chair for his fifth feature behind the camera with "Air," which plays like a good-ol'-fashioned matinee movie for 90s-era adults. Matt Damon stars Sonny Vaccaro, who takes it upon himself to court Michael Jordan to sign with Nike to create one of the most famous sneakers in the world. Affleck co-stars as Phil Knight, and Viola Davis - as always - steals every scene as Jordan's mother.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret: To call a movie charming can sometimes seem condescending, but "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" is non-stop charming. Writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig adapts the Judy Blume book of the same name to great effect. Craig understands young people (as proven with her last movie, the terrific "The Edge of Seventeen") and humanizes them on screen instead of making them collections of quirks and clichés. Abby Ryder Fortson is a major breakout as Margaret, and Rachel McAdams gives a warm and empathetic performance as her mother.

Past Lives: The fact that "Past Lives" is Celine Song's directorial debut is stunning. There's such a subtle confidence to her writing and directing, it could make seasoned directors jealous. "Past Lives" is about Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), who were childhood best friends and reconnect over the years. "Past Lives" explores the nagging questions of what if? in quiet and profound ways.

A Thousand and One: In another assured feature debut, A.V. Rockwell's "A Thousand and One" is about as lived-in as a movie comes. Teyana Taylor gives, perhaps, the performance of the year so far, as Inez, who kidnaps her son from foster care. The movie spans many years, as Inez and Terry, in different ways, grow up together in New York City and adapt to the ever-changing times. "A Thousand and One" presents tough moral questions and gives the audience a chance to walk in Inez's shoes without ever judging her.

You Hurt My Feelings: Writer-director Nicole Holofcener doesn't always get credit for just how funny her movies can be. She re-teams with Julia Louis-Dreyfus (who starred in her 2013 film "Enough Said"), who plays a writer named Beth. She overhears her husband (Tobias Menzies) saying he doesn't like her new book, which sends Beth spiraling. "You Hurt My Feelings" feels slight on its surface, but takes a bittersweet look at creatives and their insecurities (and narcissism) in surprisingly honest ways.

There have been several other great movies worth seeking out, but these five have been the standouts of the year, so far. Let us know in the comments what you've enjoyed at the movies so far this year!