Hey guys, hope you had a wonderful 2022. It’s that time of the year again. I’m here to list down the best movies that we got this year. Now, a couple of things before we begin. I have not seen every film that came out this year, no one can. So, this list would only feature the best films from what I’d seen all year. These are not the most technically supreme or perfect films, these are simply my picks or my favorite movies that have come out this year. So, if your favorite movie doesn’t appear on this list don’t freak out. If after reading this list you go back to my reviews of these films and find inconsistency in the rankings like I’d rated “Movie A” 4 out of 5 stars and “Movie B” 3 out of 5 stars, yet on the list Movie B is ranked higher than Movie A, its because I know the film deserved a good rating but for me Movie B is closer to my heart.
Hence, the inconsistency. Also, I’m not going to write a review of these films, those are available on the website. I’ll briefly talk about them and move on. To wrap up, these are just my opinions, you don’t have to agree with them. I’m sure each one of you would have different best movies list for this year and it is okay, this is mine so let’s not waste more time and begin right away. Important Note: The Banshees of Inisherin, Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Babylon, Prey, The Whale, and The Menu. These are some of the films that I’m sure would’ve featured on this list but they were not released in the region that I live, hence, I couldn’t review them and would not be featuring on the list. Now moving on to the main event!
15) X
Written & Directed by Ti West, X follows a group of individuals who go to a remote farm in the 60s to shoot a porn film, but not just an ordinary porn film, no sir, an artsy porn film. Mia Goth’s performance in this film is amazing. West’s direction is at its best in this film, the he has designed some of the sequences, it is so well done. The film is political horror, it might feel didactic at times but it is hilarious, bloody, empowering women and overall just the perfect slasher film that you’ll see this year.
14) Tár
I know there will be two sides on this debate, one who’ll argue that Tar (review) should’ve featured much higher on the list while the others who’ll say that this shouldn’t be on the list at all. Well, I lie somewhere in the middle. I know what Fields was trying to with the film, it is the perfect zeitgeist of the times that we live in. Cate Blanchett is enchanting as always but the film does have its flaws. Its a brilliant film, not for everyone but I liked it. Fields’ direction is lovely. It is definitely going to win big at the Oscars next year.
13) Pearl
Oh…. that smile still sends chills down my spine. Once again, written & directed by Ti West, this is a prequel to X. West is the only filmmaker to feature twice on this list. Mia Goth’s performance in this film is surely in the Top 3 that I’ve seen this year. Pearl (review) is a very different film than X. Maybe not even a horror film but the theme and Pearl’s complex character keeps us hook but more than anything else, Mia Goth’s performance is what actually makes this film work. If there was a lesser actor, it wouldn’t have been effective. I mean a 10 minute monologue, wow. Goth had also co-written the film with West and it shows in her performance.
12) Fall
Stranded on an abandoned 2000 feet high radio tower, friends Becky and Hunter must find a way to get down. Fall (review) is one of the most unique films that I’ve seen all year. It is definitely scary, dark, packs in a great deal of character and for sure the set-ups and payoffs in the writing are amazing. The sense of dread in the film was unreal. Stephen King regarded this film as the scariest film of 2022. It has some technical flaws like weak VFX but I think that is ignorable. Overall, a good survival thriller.
11) Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Unlike the Disney live-action remake that we got this year, del Toro’s Pinocchio (review) is supremely soulful and packs in a lot of messages and lessons that are valid in this day and age. del Toro’s retelling of the original classic story is headed in the right direction as it updates the story to what children need to understand today. It is not simply a cautionary tale, meant to teach children not to lie, it is more than that. In fact, it has mature themes like mortality and self-identity. Real tearjerker.
10) The Batman
There you go, the only Superhero film in the entire year that was worth talking about. This is also the only superhero film in this list. Oops, spoiler alert. When I watched Matt Reeves’ much awaited The Batman (top moments) early this year, I was like this is good, not even close to the Dark Knight trilogy but yeah overall, it was an exciting watch. However, as the year went by I realized this is the best Superhero film of the year, not because the film aged well, no, it is because of the mediocre superhero movies that we’ve gotten this year.
9) The Fabelmans
A semi-autobiography of the legend himself, Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans (review) is the second most heartfelt movie of 2022. The first will feature on this list soon. It is really a love letter to all his fans. I love the family that he has shown us. Paul Dano delivers his best performance of 2022. Gabriel LaBelle is amazing in the film as well. Truly, you’ll laugh, love, cry and go through all kinds of emotions in this lovely story that is being told from the heart. I hope this is not the last film of Spielberg but if it is then he has ended his illustrious career on a great note.
8) Elvis
Bazz Luhrmann’s Elvis (Review) was the only film that impressed me during the summertime except for Maverick. The film was extremely stylish, soothing to the eyes, had great music, amazing visuals, good story and a fantastically unreal performance from Austin Butler as the King of Rock and Roll music- Elvis Presley. There is a god status given to the legendary figure in the film but at the same time, Luhrmann doesn’t shy away from showing us the human within the god. The man who was struggling with so much. I loved the film!
7) Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery!
Rian Johnson has done it again. He made a Knives Out sequel and still managed to surprise us. Now, like many people, I didn’t find Glass Onion (review) better than Knives Out. I truly believe that the first one is too good to beat. However, that doesn’t mean the sequel is bad, in fact it is one of the best this year has to offer. Packed with powerful performances and great writing, this film is funny, twisty, shocking as well as a murder mystery at the same time. Johnson definitely uses some great tricks to keep us guessing.
6) Smile
Smile (Review) is one of the most unique and suspenseful films of the year. The concept of the film is so unique as it thematically rich and gutty. The performances from Sosie Bacon and Caitlin Stasey are really powerful. The film is dark and twisted. It doesn’t have gory visuals but definitely packs some disturbing images that will stay with you. The ending of the film is what makes it absolutely horrifying. A horror movie like this is very difficult to find these days that has been crafted so meticulously. Hats off, Parker Finn!
5) Avatar: The Way of Water
Guess what, James Cameron gets it right once again. I don’t think so there is anything new I need to tell you about Avatar: The Way of Water (review) as you know what you’re in for. Cameron has crafted a film that is so technical superior that only he can top it. The visuals in this film are unreal, really you will not find a more beautiful looking. I’m aware that the story has problems where it almost seems like the film has no plot but I loved and adored the film as Cameron has placed the emotional connection in the right place. It is not better than the original Avatar but it is a worthy sequel.
4) Everything Everywhere All At Once
This is the one film that has featured on literally every Top 10 movies lists of the year. I mean every. I checked many lists before formulating mine and EEAAO (review) has impressed people worldwide. Don’t get me wrong the film is absolutely weird. It is what Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness should’ve been. Despite all the sci-fi jazz the film manages to navigate through our characters and showing us their different versions and complexities making it a wonderful, funny and soulful experience. One of the most original films that I’ve seen all year. Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan are superb!
3) Barbarian
Zach Cregger’s Barbarian (review) is the one horror film that impressed me the most this year. It had no extraordinary concept like Smile but the way it was crafted, from the writing, direction, acting was just so good. The first half hour of the film is the most suspenseful I’ve been all year. After which the way the film handles all its reveals is so good. Barbarian can be hilarious at times as well. There are some dumb decision taken by characters but I can ignore that because of the sheer thrill that it offers. Just like X it is audacious as it defies its genre quite a bit.
2) Top Gun: Maverick
You knew this one was coming, of course it was. It made me root for a franchise that knew nothing about. This is probably the only sequel that we’ve gotten this year which is better than the original. It is still the highest grossing film of the year, until Avatar 2 beats it. Top Gun: Maverick is the most fun movie of the year. It was my favorite movie until just a few days ago where it got demoted. If you have not seen this one, you’re missing out on some major fun. The best big budget film of the year which made my summer better. Watch it on the biggest screen equipped with the best speakers possible.
1) Cha Cha Real Smooth
I know! No big blockbuster to end on. Trust me all year long Maverick was my favorite film, Barbarian came very close but couldn’t dethrone it but just a few days ago when I was watching all the films that I’d missed this year, I came across this beauty. I’d downloaded it and kept it because when it came out, it was making headlines. I didn’t watch it for some reason. I’m so glad I did. Cooper Raiff, what a talent man! He is so good in the film. Dakota Johnson as well, so elegantly and effortlessly seducing. This the funniest film of the year.
But guess what it is not even trying to be funny. The writing is so natural and in sync with the performances that in the entire runtime except for the emotional moments, it will make you smile. The film is also thematically rich and beautiful. I loved and adored the end. Apple TV is seriously making some excellent content this year. Although, I don’t think so anything was better than this. It is such a good coming of age story about age, human relationships and the concept of love. If you haven’t watched this then you haven’t watched the best film of the year!
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