The Best Lifetime Movies So Far In 2023

Listen, we know we are barely into the year, but we are already looking forward to all of the cheesy Christmas movies that are going to drop this holiday season. Do we get excited every year to see all the new Lifetime movies that are coming our way? Yes. Do our parents record them for us so that we can watch them all when we go home for Christmas? Duh. Does a single teardrop go down our collective cheeks when the mean Wall Street guy who came to tear down the local family inn has a change of heart and comes back to win the girl? Absolutely. Lifetime Christmas movies have truly become a part of pop culture, and we are here for it.

But those weren't the original Lifetime movies, oh no, sirree. Those of us OG Lifetime movie fans remember that Lifetime is known for tragic biopics, chaotic plots, and unbelievable twists. Think "woman falls in love with the pool boy who happens to be her biological son that she placed for adoption and is now back and seeking vengeance" type of plots. And, boy oh boy, they are just as, if not more riveting, than the cheesy Christmas movies that Lifetime has been known for as of late.

So to help educate those new to this type of film, and to help narrow down the choices for those who know and love these movies, here are the best Lifetime movies so far in 2023.

Starting off this list hot is "Reba McEntire's The Hammer." This movie obviously stars Reba McEntire, as well as Melissa Peterman (known for "Reba" and the Hallmark Christmas movie, "Haul Out the Holly") and Rex Linn (who starred in "CSI: Miami" and "Better Call Saul").

"Reba McEntire's The Hammer" features McEntire as Kim Wheeler, who is appointed as a judge in Nevada after the previous judge dies mysteriously. According to Lifetime, "As the investigation of the former judge's death heats up, Kim's sister Kris (Peterman), who runs the local brothel, suddenly becomes the prime suspect, and Kim must work even harder to make certain the appropriate justice is served."

McEntire told Yahoo she was "a little rusty on my acting," but her cast thankfully helped her prepare. "Reba McEntire's The Hammer" came out on January 7, 2023. One IMDb user wrote, "All I can say is I want more!" With McEntire at the helm, we are sure this movie is definitely worth a watch either way.

"A Deadly Mistake" is a thriller film that stars Philip Boyd (known for "The Haves and the Have Nots" and "The Single's Guidebook"), Christie Leverette (known for "Murder at Blackthorne Manor" and "Sistas"), and Cameron Jebo (known for "Power Rangers Megaforce" and "A Christmas Princess").

"A Deadly Mistake" was released in Europe earlier this year, and premiered in the U.S. on June 2, 2023. The film is described on the Reel One Entertainment site: "After a car accident leaves her boyfriend in a coma, April's panic attacks return and make her life a living hell. However, once she accepts the kindness of a stranger trying to help her, she realizes that he might not be the stranger she thought he is." The screenwriter, Stephen Romano, says the film is a "squirmy, soapy scandal story."

Now, these are the types of plots we're talking about! We love when a mysterious past comes back to haunt a protagonist. 

"She Inherited Danger" stars Sarah Fisher (a familiar face to the Lifetime fan, known for "Degrassi: The Next Generation" and "Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist"), Conner Floyd (known for "The Young and the Restless" and "The Last Deal"), and Preston Ward (known for "Tulsa King" and "Shapetown, USA"). "She Inherited Danger" is about a young woman who "inherits her grandfather's theater and plans to sell it, but things get dangerous when she changes her mind and decides to reopen the beautiful landmark property herself" (via Lifetime).

Floyd told Digital Journal about working with director Peter Foldy: "I love working with Peter Foldy, he is the man. It is always good to see him and to work with him. ... Peter is super creative, and he has a great eye."

"She Inherited Danger" was released on March 3, 2023, to mixed reviews. One IMDb reviewer says, "Good Friday night movie with an interesting plot! Recommended!" While another reviewer on IMDb wrote, "Not worth a watch." We'll let you decide.

"The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story" stars Katie Douglas (known for Netflix's hit show "Ginny & Georgia" as well as "Pretty Hard Cases"), Cara Buono (known for Netflix's "Stranger Things" and "Mad Men"), and Kristian Bruun (known for Netflix's "The Recruit" and "Orphan Black").

"The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story" is based on the true story of Kara Robinson. Robinson was abducted by serial killer Richard Evonitz in 2002 at the age of 15 in South Carolina, but she eventually escaped and even helped the authorities find him. In 2019, Robinson told a Lifetime panel, "As a survivor, I did not see anything in the media experiencing a traumatic event the way we experienced it. I wanted to tell it differently than what you see on TV" (via Boston Herald).

"The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story" was released February 11, 2023, to mostly positive reviews, with IMDb users saying, "An excellent movie to watch and follow what's been happening."

"The Surrogate Scandal" stars Catherine Dyer (known for Apple TV+'s "The Morning Show" and Netflix's "Stranger Things"), Luisa D'Oliveira (known for the holiday movie, "A Christmas Proposal" and "The 100"), and Matthew James Dowden (who is a Hallmark and Lifetime movie staple and has starred in films such as "The Holiday Sitter" and "North to Home").

"The Surrogate Scandal" follows Amelia as she investigates the death of daughter Beth, who served as "a secret surrogate for celebrity couple Grace and Alex Hardy. Amelia believes Beth died under suspicious circumstances and poses as a nanny in order to infiltrate the Hardy household" (via Lifetime).

"The Surrogate Scandal" came out on March 12, 2023. That Best Darn Girls Movie Reviews reviewed "The Surrogate Scandal," giving it 4.5/5 stars and saying, "Now, this one has a lot of twists and turns. So make sure you watch it from the beginning to the end. ... This film is fun and packs all the Lifetime plot points in one movie."

"A Rose for Her Grave: The Randy Roth Story" stars Chrishell Stause (whose claim to fame came from the reality show "Selling Sunset" as well as "Days of Our Lives"), Colin Egglesfield (known for the romantic comedy "Something Borrowed" and "Rizzoli & Isles"), and Laura Ramsey (known for "Hindsight" and "White Collar"). "A Rose for Her Grave: The Randy Roth Story" is based on the true story of convicted murderer Randy Roth, who is known for killing his wife to collect her life insurance plan.

The cast spoke with TVMeg about the film, with Egglesfield praising his fellow actors: "It was easy for us to just step into these characters ... what was really important with the story is that, for us to be able to go to these deep dark places, we needed to be able to trust each other."

"A Rose for Her Grave: The Randy Roth Story" came out on February 18, 2023, to lukewarm reviews. One IMDb user says, "Overall this LTM avoids the tropes of many failed ones, not devolving into horrendous dialogue, craptastic acting, and trash characters. I enjoyed it as a casual watch." And honestly, for a Lifetime movie, that's pretty high praise.

Our next film, "My Daughter's Deadly Roommates," stars Lily Brody (known for "Call Me Crazy" and "Susie Searches"), Cassidy Edwards (known for "The Town Inside"), and Grace Montie (known for "A Baby at Any Cost" and "Montford: The Chickasaw Rancher").

Lifetime describes "My Daughter's Deadly Roommates" as a film about a young woman starting college, where she "quickly finds herself trapped inside a secret society that has sinister motives. As the society isolates her from her family with increasing intensity, she must decide whether to resign herself to their deadly manipulation, or if she will fight back to stop them once and for all." 

"My Daughter's Deadly Roommates" came out on January 27, 2023, and had some pretty good reviews, with one IMDb user saying, "Good acting and a solid script make this one of the better Lifetime movies so far this year! Definitely worth a watch!"

"Spinning Out of Control" stars Ria Ridley (known for "Secrets in the Building" and "A Day in the Life of a Serial Killer"), Kelcie Stranahan (known for "Designed for Death" and "The Stalker Club"), and Sharlene Radlein (known for "Your Face" and "An Essential Delivery").

Lifetime describes the plot for "Spinning Out of Control" as: "After winning a contest, Natalie Clark rides her free stationary bike daily, guided by her stunning and inspiring virtual instructor Lia Sterling. Natalie becomes infatuated with Lia and attempts to befriend the fitness mogul in real life. When Lia steps away from virtual training to focus on her personal life, Natalie initiates a sinister plan to eliminate everyone in Lia's life, so Natalie can have her as her own permanent trainer and best friend." As Peloton fans, we are into this. 

"Spinning Out of Control" premiered on February 10, 2023, to a mixed bag of reviews. One IMDb user said, "This Lifetime movie was well acted, written, and directed. Highly recommended!"

"Gwen Shamblin: Starving for Salvation" stars Jennifer Grey as the title character (whose claim to fame came from "Dirty Dancing"), Vincent Walsh (known for "Hemingway vs. Callaghan" and "The Young Messiah"), and Alain Goulem (known for "The Christmas Checklist" and "18 to Life"). "Gwen Shamblin: Starving for Salvation" is based on the real life of Gwen Shamblin, who is notorious for her cultlike church and diet workshop, "the weigh down" diet. 

Grey told "Good Morning America" that part of her amazing transformation for the film was the wig, along with a good dialogue coach. Turns out, she got a great recommendation for a wigmaker from none other than Jamie Lee Curtis. The costume, she said, helped her inhabit the character and the changes she went through. "She just starts to shrink and shrink. And as time goes on, her hair just gets bigger and bigger. The higher the hair, the closer to God."

"Gwen Shamblin: Starving for Salvation" premiered on February 4, 2023.

"Every Breath She Takes" stars Tamala Jones (known for "The Rookie" and "9-1-1: Lone Star"), Brian White (known for "The Black Hamptons" and "Fosters Law"), and Tisha Campbell (known for "Martin" and "Inside Job"). 

"Every Breath She Takes" follows Jules (Jones), who is trying to move on after the death of her abusive husband. But, according to Lifetime, "problems with the insurance have fingers pointing at Jules when it's found out that the fire was set intentionally. After a series of frightening events and the fact that she thinks she keeps seeing her dead husband, Jules believes she may be going crazy."

"Every Breath She Takes" premiered on March 25, 2023. The Best Darn Girls Movie Reviews reviewed the film, giving it a 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling the movie "entertaining" and recommending viewers "watch with a pen and pad" so that you can take notes on the "therapy and self-defense" tips.

"Her Affair to Die For" stars Ryan Francis (known for "Sisters" and "The Inhabitant"), Meghan Carrasquillo (known for "Hider in My House" and "Mystery Incorporated"), and Logan Mariner (known for "Homicide Hunter: Never Give Up" and "The Murder Podcast").

"Her Affair to Die For" tells the story of Alyssa, a "seductive roommate who will stop at nothing to possess" her friend's distracted father, according to Lifetime. Now, that's some roommate drama perfect for Lifetime. While this certainly sounds complicated and messy, we are here for it!

"Her Affair to Die For" premiered on January 23, 2023, and Views on Film reviewed the movie, writing, "'Affair' starts with a bang and ends with a whimper, concluding with a weak, 'Fatal Attraction'-like cessation where you say, 'Um, that's it?' 'No prize?' 'No true corollary?'" At the same time, the site praises the film's capable direction and acting.

Up next is "Who Killed Our Father?" which stars Kirsten Comerford (known for "Lucifer" and "Supernatural"), Devin Cecchetto (known for "Bad Influence" and "The Parker Andersons/Amelia Parker"), and Joanne Boland (known for "Being Erica" and "Locke & Key"). 

According to Lifetime, the film's plot is described as: "After her foster sister dies, Leila takes a DNA test and discovers the identity of her biological father and sister. But when her father is tragically murdered, and Leila travels to meet the sister she never knew, she lands herself in more danger than she ever imagined." It's a twisty thriller that finds the protagonist digging into a dark and dangerous past, and even makes her a murder suspect.

"Who Killed Our Father?" premiered on February 16, 2023. It is part of Lifetime's "Wicked Revenge" series of movies. The Cinemaholic praised the film's "engaging narrative, filled with unexpected twists and turns."

"Sisters on the Run" stars Jonathan Stoddard (known for "The Soulmate Search" and "A Prince and Pauper Christmas"), Nicole Marie Johnson (known for another movie on this list, "My Daughter's Deadly Roommates" and "A Deadly Mistake"), and Brianna Cohen (known for "Nightmare PTA Moms" and "My Sister's Serial Killer Boyfriend").

"Sisters on the Run" is about sisters Selma and Madison. The logline reads, "When Selma pulls the trigger in self-defense to stop her abusive, dirty cop husband, she goes on the run and takes shelter with her estranged sister, Madison" (via Apple TV).

"Sisters on the Run" was released on Lifetime Movie Club in March 2023. One IMDb user rated it an 8/10 and commented on the cinematography of the film, writing that "the touching denouement of the film appropriately isolated the two sisters in a compositional frame that demonstrated the degree to which their ties were no longer broken."

"Secret Society of Lies" stars Kristen Vaganos (known for "Obsessed with the Babysitter" and "Dating After College"), Luke Charles Stafford (known for "Megalodon Rising" and "East of Middle West"), and Azizi Donnelly (known for "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" and "Baby Powder").

"Secret Society of Lies" is described by Lifetime as the story of Chrissy, a student who is attacked at a fraternity party and is "determined to expose the boys and end their reign of power." She gets help from Nathan Martel, the son of the dean, but soon realizes that those in charge will do whatever they can to silence her.

"Secret Society of Lies" came out on February 19, 2023. That Darn Girl Movie Reviews wrote that this movie will "irritate viewers and make you lose interest." On the other hand, one IMDb reviewer called it a "decent campus thriller." And fans on Twitter praised actor Kate Schettler's performance specfically.

"Drunk, Driving and 17" was released in April 2023. Starring Savannah Lee Smith and Michael Michele, the film follows a student who becomes involved in a drunk-driving car accident. According to Decider, the film was made in association with the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving to promote safe driving among teenagers.

As Smith explained to The Nerds of Color, the film was based on real events. "I think it [being influenced by true events] definitely influenced the way that I approached the project just because it is a heavy movie and its subject is one that deserves care and caution," she said. "I just really wanted to do the character and the project in general justice and try to relay the message as accurately as it was written on the page ... we actually want to leave the audience with what I think is a very important message."

Not only is this a heartbreaking watch, it's also a reminder of the ongoing problem of drunken driving among teens.

Lifetime's "Seven Deadly Sins" series focuses on a new sin with each film. "Pride," which aired in April 2023, tells the story of the pride of a reality star whose reputation falls apart.

As actor and singer Erica Campbell told Shadow and Act, the film couldn't be more timely. "The subject of addressing pride in today's time is so necessary," she said. "And to see a family like this one in the film deal with what they deal with, I think a lot of people will see reflections of themselves, and when I got that call, I was like, 'Absolutely, I'm in.'" 

As Campbell went on to explain, viewers can learn a lot about their own relationship with pride from the film. "I hope they see what the fall looks like after pride, because the Scripture says, 'Pride comes before the fall,'" she said. "When it all falls apart, sometimes that's when you become introspective."

In 2023, legendary singer Mary J. Blige teamed up with Lifetime to produce two films based on her songs "Real Love" and "Strength of a Woman." Blige told Lifetime, "As executive producer of these movies, I've been able to develop these songs into love stories with my music as a backdrop."

The first film, "Real Love" follows a college freshman called Kendra who finds herself in an all-consuming relationship. Eventually, she decides to choose herself over her relationship. "That's been the strongest song in my journey," Blige told People of the song that inspired the story. "That's what I've been searching for all my life — for real love and people. But then I've finally been working on myself and found it in myself."

This film celebrates self-love in the best way possible — whether you're a fan of Blige's music or you simply love seeing women choose themselves, this is a solid watch.

Based on Mary J. Blige's song of the same name, "Strength of a Woman" is a continuation of Kendra's story more than 15 years after the events of the first film. Like the song that inspired it, "Strength of a Woman" deals with some pretty mature themes. It premiered on June 17, 2023.

"I came right out of my divorce and wrote 'Strength of a Woman,' because I felt like I needed to empower myself and speak to myself and remind myself that I am a strong woman," Blige told Vibe. "And that's why these songs are super important."

Like the first movie, "Strength of a Woman" has Blige's distinctive creative stamp on it. As executive producer Jordan Davis explained to Forbes, "She worked with us every step of the way, between the casting and the costumes and the music, and I think that you can see her spirit in the film through the whole thing." It's no wonder these two films are two of Lifetime's best features of the year.