The Best Films of 2022
After 2021 saw movie theaters come back, 2022 was an even more remarkable year for cinema with everything, at last, feeling normal. In 2022, so many films I was looking forward to did not disappoint and left me with some of my favorite theatrical experiences of all time. In terms of the theater/streaming service “war,” Netflix actually extended an olive branch by releasing “Glass Onion” in over 600 theaters for a week. I hope that this is a sign of things to come, especially since the film did well for its limited run.
However, while the films of 2022 were fantastic, several of the year’s best films didn’t do well financially. So many films that I loved and thought deserved greater recognition didn’t get that which has filled me with a mixture of sadness and anger. Fortunately, some of them did get that recognition and I hope they become more popular in the future.
But first, before I get to the top 15 films of the year, here are some honorable mentions:
Bodies Bodies Bodies: This delightfully twisted parody of whodunnits and slashers made for one of the best dark comedies of the year. With a limited setting and a cast of pretentious and comically unlikable young people, this is the perfect film for Gen. Z to laugh at themselves.
The Black Phone: An incredible tribute to 1970s horror, The Black Phone has all the makings of an early Stephen King book (fitting, since King’s son Joe Hill wrote the original story) with a whole cast of great child actors, fantastic suspense and a chilling performance by Ethan Hawke as “The Grabber.”
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent: If you love over-the-top Nicolas Cage films and bromance comedies, this is the film for you. Nicolas Cage is delightfully awesome and silly as he takes on his most daring role: himself. Pedro Pascal is also a lot of fun with the friendship he develops with Cage being unbelievably adorable. This is the kind of film you want to put on, watch with your bros and just have a good time, but be prepared to watch “Paddington 2” afterwards.
The Northman: Robert Eggers’ third film is easily his most epic with a chilling revenge story set in 10th Century Scandinavia and a merciless leading performance by Alexander Skarsgård. Along with a phenomenal ensemble cast, featuring one of the best performances by Nicole Kidman, and some stellar action, this is a medieval epic worth checking out.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: Sam Raimi’s return to superhero films was most welcome with his twisted take on the Sorcerer Supreme. This film was everything I wanted with horror elements, fantastic action and an unique exploration of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and all its other universes. If Sam Raimi isn’t making a delightful weird horror film for his next project, I hope that this return to the comic book genre is more than a one-off occurrence.
Barbarian: One of the most interesting horror films of the year, “Barbarian” was a completely unpredictable ride that combined exceptionally dark themes with some unexpected comedy. With an outstanding lead performance by Georgina Campbell and a fantastic screenplay by director Zach Cregger, this was a very original horror film that made me wonder what’s next from this filmmaker.
Moonage Daydream: One of the year’s best documentaries, “Moonage Daydream” gives you both everything and nothing about the life of David Bowie. The film is not your traditional documentary with modern talking heads or a straightforward narrative. Instead, the film feels like an artistic dive into Bowie’s mind with trippy imagery, brilliant never-before-seen footage of the artist’s personal life and, of course, a great catalog of songs. This is the perfect film to encapsulate the glam rock god.
The Woman King: This action epic has some of the most badass battle sequences of the year alongside powerful performances from the likes of Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch and John Boyega. Gina Prince-Bythewood’s direction is stellar as she takes us to 19th Century Benin and makes an epic that fans of historical action films will thoroughly enjoy.
She Said: A powerful film from the same vein as “All the President’s Men,” “The Insider” and “Spotlight,” this nail-biting journalism story shows all the hard work that went into bringing down Harvey Weinstein. Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan’s performances as Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey really hit hard and Maria Schrader’s direction is very good at bringing us into this world of investigative reporting.
The Banshees of Inisherin: This dark comedy has some of the greatest drama of the entire year along with some laughs that you aren’t sure you should be having. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson give some of the best performances of their careers and their readings of writer/director Martin McDonaugh’s dialogue are some of the most engaging out of any 2022 film.
The Whale: A commanding film about compassion and kindness, Brenden Fraser’s performance alone is a masterclass of acting and the big reason to see “The Whale.” Along with some stellar work by actors Sadie Sink and Hong Chau and fantastic direction by Darren Aronofsky, this is one of the most superbly acted films of the year.
Avatar: The Way of Water: James Cameron’s long awaited sequel to the highest grossing film of all time did not disappoint in taking me to this amazing world in the depths of space. While the film’s story does have the same flaws as the first film, “The Way of Water” is a visually stunning experience that needs to be seen on the big screen, preferably in IMAX and 3D.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio: This loving stop-motion film is easily the best cinematic version of the classic story since Disney’s 1940 animated film. The animation has such a life to it and the actors behind these puppets give it their all. But it’s Guillermo del Toro’s whimsically dark direction that makes his “Pinocchio” film one that kids and adults alike will enjoy.
The Menu: A comically dark satire, “The Menu” takes on the world of culinary arts with such tact that it’s infectious. With a star-studded cast including Anya-Taylor Joy, Ralph Fiennes, Nicholas Hoult and John Leguizamo, this is a hilarious film that you should enjoy if your sense of humor is sick enough.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish: A surprising animated film, this sequel to a spin-off of the “Shrek” franchise is just as good as the first two “Shrek” films with incredible action, energized animation and some real heartfelt moments. If this is the jumpstart to the “Shrek” franchise, I can’t wait to see what comes in the future.
Turning Red: Like “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” “Turning Red” is full of vibrant energy and a heartfelt story that appeals to both kids and adults. I wish it was released in theaters instead of on Disney+ but I’m glad that I saw the film all the same.
Like “The Menu,” “Triangle of Sadness” is a brilliantly acted satire that takes on the wealthy and privileged by placing them in a situation where their resources are completely useless. Woody Harrelson, Charbli Dean and Dolly de Leon deliver some amazing performances in a film that doesn’t hold its punches. This Palme d’Or winner was a lot of fun to experience in theaters, but do be cautious if you’re squeamish.
14. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
My favorite animated film of the year, it’s hard to think of a more wholesome and pleasant main character than Marcel. By combining adorable animation with a mockumentary style of filmmaking, I felt such a strong attachment to Marcel and his journey to find his family. Please check this out when you have a chance.
One of the year’s funniest films, the fact that it bombed at the box office is unbelievably frustrating. Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller’s screenplay is littered with great jokes and Eichner and Luke Macfarlane have amazing chemistry in a romantic comedy that represents both genres equally. The film is a fantastic romance story that gives you so much to appreciate. Who would have thought that Billy Eichner singing a song modeled after Garth Brooks was what we needed.
Choosing between these two films was impossible so I put them both on the list. They both are fantastic horror films within a brand new franchise that could not be any more different. “X” is a marvelous homage to 1970s exploitation slasher films while “Pearl” is a more disturbing character study that also functions as a prequel to “X.” With stellar writing directing by Ti West and excellent performances by Mia Goth in both films, I am incredibly excited for the third film in this series, “MaXXXine,” which is currently in development.
Cate Blanchett delivers one of the best performances of her whole career in “Tár,” a compelling character study that takes on the world of classical music. The more time you spend with Lydia Tár, the more you both admire and despise her. Either way, you can’t take your eyes off of her as she descends more into the depths of her own misery. Todd Field’s engaging narrative is not to be trifled with and made for one of the most three-dimensional characters I’ve seen in any 2022 film.
B.J. Novak’s directorial debut resulted in a strange and silly comedy that will leave you wanting to go to Texas and have a bite to eat at the nearest Whataburger. Novak’s leading performance is comically brilliant and brings you back to his excellent work as an actor, writer and director on “The Office.” Along with some colorful characters played by Boyd Holbrook, Issa Rae and Ashton Kutcher, this film not only satirizes true crime and podcasts, but also manages to make its own engaging narrative as a crime comedy.
The third film from writer/director Jordan Peele, “Nope” combines the social relevancy of Peele’s earlier work with the spectacle of great monster and science fiction films like “Jaws” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” With some magnificent performances by Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, a strong visual style, some truly disturbing scenes and commentary on the ethics of entertainment, this is an alien story that is unforgettable.
Damien Chazelle’s most recent film has certainly polarized audiences and critics with a story of excess that you’re either going to love or hate. As for me, I loved it. Chazelle brings his beautiful visual style to this film, set in the early days of American cinema, and crafts a story of excess, power, greed and art that is epic in every way. “Babylon” has it all including some stellar performances by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, amazing atmosphere and beautiful music to make this film a spectacle worth seeing.
7. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
A comic book sequel that had so much working against it, writer/director Ryan Coogler and the dedicated cast and crew made a Black Panther film that paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman’s legacy while moving all of these characters forward into the future. The heroes are identifiable, the villain is layered, the action is unbelievable and the worlds are immersive. This is the best MCU film of the year and one that keeps me coming back to this wickedly entertaining franchise.
6. Everything Everywhere All at Once
This is a film that throws in everything and, somehow, manages to produce one of the most innovative, original and entertaining stories of the year. The fact that this film did so well at the box office based on word-of-mouth gives me hope for the average American filmgoer because this film had so much to offer. It’s philosophical, has complex relationships and addresses the deeper themes of family and love while also having quirky visuals, multiversal travel, an everything bagel with literally everything on it and a lot of kung fu fights. This film deserves so much, including a Best Actress Oscar for Michelle Yeoh, and to see it on the big screen was such a treat.
5. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
A sequel that lives up to its predecessor, I have seen this film three times (once in theaters and twice on Netflix) and I’m still in awe of it. The screenplay and direction by Rian Johnson is fantastic while the ensemble cast is entertaining with their quirks and shortcomings being quite memorable. I respect how Rian Johnson decided to do something completely different for this film and made a Benoit Blanc mystery that was just as engaging as the first. All I can say is that I’m excited for the next mystery starring my favorite Southern detective.
The best comic book film of the year, “The Batman” has all the gothic majesty of its source material by combining neo-noir styles with some gritty action. While several great films have been made about The Caped Crusader, like “Batman (1989),” “Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” and “The Dark Knight,” this one manages to stand apart with some gorgeous direction by Matt Reeves and some great performances by Robert Pattinson as Batman, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon and Andy Serkis as Alfred. With many villains in the story, including Paul Dano’s chilling portrayal of The Riddler and Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, the story doesn’t feel crowded and has so many twists and turns that make for a good mystery and a great Batman story. While one could argue that the comic book genre has become over-inflated, films like “The Batman” justify this genre as a necessary form of cinema that is as meaningful as it is entertaining.
As I said in my review of the film, I love Baz Luhrmann’s style of filmmaking but it has never amounted to a film that I deeply connected with. Until now. Luhrmann’s take on the King of Rock and Roll was amazing with Austin Butler giving an amazing performance as Elvis Presley while Tom Hanks is at his most despicable as the devious Colonel Tom Parker. While being set over a lengthy period of time, the film never loses sight of what matters: learning more about Elvis and giving us a solid portrait of what he was like. I felt like I gained a massive understanding of this icon and loved how Baz Luhrmann’s over-the-top style of artistry finally made a film I enjoyed.
The best action film in quite some time, “Top Gun: Maverick” is one of those sequels that blows the original out of the sky with improved characterization, excellent dilemmas and some of the most amazing action you’ll ever see. Tom Cruise is at the top of his game as both an actor and a stuntman while everyone else in the film manages to ascend to Cruise’s level as an icon of blockbuster cinema. I saw this film in theaters five times and it felt like an adrenaline rush every single time with the practical action sequences being brilliantly shot with riveting drama beneath the surface of every scene. It’s the perfect kind of blockbuster film that was worth the wait after being pushed back for so long.
Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical take on his childhood and how he came to love making movies was the kind of story that I’ve been waiting for him to make for years. This is a deeply sweet film that captures great comedy and drama from this relatable family as Sammy Fabelman (Speilberg’s avatar) begins to find himself through his art. It’s the kind of film that will really hit filmmakers right at home but is also perfect for everyone. We all have something we’re passionate about and “The Fabelmans” is all about the pursuit of passions with the understanding of the necessary sacrifices it takes to follow your dreams.
The fact that it bombed at the box office is an insult to cinema itself and I hope the film finds another life very soon. It’s one of Spielberg’s best films, his most personal work and the best film of 2022.
