My Top 25 Films Of 2022: One Critic’s Best Of The Year List

Last year 2021 gave us what I found to be a ridiculously stacked year for film with a little something for every kind of movie fan. Hell my favorite film from last year, In The Heights, is an all-timer for me now. So you can understand if I came into 2022 with a little trepidation as to how you follow a movie year like that. But after watching 290 feature-length narratives for the season, I have to confess I think this one may have just surpassed the last.

On a personal level I saw growth as a critic. I went from having just had to give up my podcast with my brother in February to going at it on my own with a newsletter. I joined two critics associations and began to attend press screenings and get inundated with FYC screeners in both my inbox and mail box.

But as to the content of what played on the screen – 2022 saw big spectacle blockbusters that put the MCU to shame, a small independent movie that pulled off becoming a hit with general audiences, an Indian film that took the world by storm, multiple sequels that arguably surpassed their originals including the biggest box office story of the year, breakthrough performances from newcomers, and awards-worthy turns from veterans who will finally get their time in the sun on the red carpet. The story of movies this year has been the return of the blockbuster genre films that have been able to hold their own in a superhero-dominated world and thus capturing the hearts of audiences, critics, and what is shaping up to be the the most populist looking Oscars slate since I can remember.

Here are my personal top twenty-five favorite films from the year. I know it sounds like a lot but we’re talking about twenty-five movies that stood out from a field of nearly three hundred that I watched; oh and I promise to be brief with each mention. Now remember this is a PERSONAL list and you may see some favorites of yours from the year not in here. It doesn’t necessarily mean I didn’t like it, I just didn’t have it in my top twenty-five. I’m sure there will be more “Best Films of the Year” articles streaming into the web and they’re all sure to be different in some form or another – which is what makes these fun. Anyhow, without further adieu this humble critic’s choices for the best films I saw in 2022.

 

#25. Elvis

Every year we get more than a few cradle-to-grave biopics that follow the same old rise-and-fall formula of one of those old-school “Behind The Music” VH1 shows. But if anyone can give that kind of film its own unique flavor, Baz Luhrmann is the man. With Elvis he gives us a fast-paced, kinetically frenzied, ride that is part-musical and part-drama. Through the eyes of Colonel Tom Parker (Played by an over the top Tom Hanks in a fat-suit) we see Elvis’ career play out but with comic panels, wording that blazes past the screen, the greatest hits from “the king of rock and roll” playing alongside modern renditions, and the best male lead performance of the year in my book from Austin Butler as the titular role. This isn’t so much a biopic as it is a colorful roller caster ride through one of our favorite icon’s life; and though it does run a tad too long, its a movie that has won folks over with its originality just like Presley did when he had the girls going crazy with a gyrate of the hips.

 

#24. The Woman King

When pictures started to come out of Viola Davis in character for The Woman King, some thought we were looking at a would-be Oscar baity period drama. But what we got is a period action epic that features an almost all female ensemble that make their male counterparts in other similar films look like posers. The movie allows the female warriors to have plenty chances to get their fight scenes, but there’s a character drama in here as well in the quieter moments. Its a film about sisterhood that somehow pulls off shades of other similar action films typically starring men such as a Seven Samurai or a Gladiator. In its over two hour runtime you come to go from being intimidated by these mighty warriors to feeling like you’re a part of them. Even the dudes will be rooting for these women to kick ass.

 

#23. Beast

The memes for this movie center around getting to see Idris Elba punch a Lion, and you do get to see that amazing sight, but Beast is one of the better creature features I’ve seen in quite sometime now. If you know me, you know how much the subgenre means to me and what a sucker I am for it. In this film the Lion in question is built up well as the dangerous rogue threat it is and you find yourself rooting for Elba’s character to get out alive with his two daughters as you wonder what will finally keep the creature down for good. The finale had me on the edge of my seat, and the way it was resolved had me almost jumping out of it with excitement. The film’s Lions are visual effects, but they are so well done that they show triple the emotion and personality that we got from 2019’s The Lion King remake.

 

#22. Puss In Boots: The Last Wish

Had you told me that one of my favorite films from the year would be a Puss In Boots movie, as in the character from the Shrek films, I would have told you you’ve misconstrued my tastes. But someway, somehow this sequel to the just decent at best 2011 spinoff managed to surpass all expectations. The animation is beautiful, the characters all have arcs that make them feel relatable, the humor had me laughing out loud, and it explores the theme of confronting death in a masterful manner. This movie is proof that even while trying to follow-up on an uneventful previous film, you should still strive to produce a quality product and Puss In Boots: The Last Wish has that in spades.

 

#21. Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers

If I told you that Disney Plus would come out with a Chip N’ Dale movie that broke the fourth wall on the television industry, poked fun at nostalgic fan conventions, had a plot involving bootleg DVDs of Disney movies, and would feature animated characters such as an adult overweight Peter Pan, the actual old Sonic live action movie design from the first trailer of that film, and even a cameo from South Park‘s Randy Marsh, you probably would have thought I was on something. Then you would have told me that Disney would never allow such a project to be green-lit anyways. But it all happened and Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers exists for us to watch the animation industry’s own multiverse tale play out with no limitations to the ways it breaks all the rules of a movie of this kind from this company. Its a fun, hilarious film that constantly had me shouting “They allowed this?!” out loud at my TV.

 

#20. Thor: Love & Thunder

Post Avengers: Endgame the MCU has taken its lumps even as it continues to make bank at the box office. Phase four has turned out to be the most divisive phase of the franchise as questions have emerged as to how much content they’re pumping out and how it affects the quality of storytelling as they try to find their footing in a post-Thanos timeline. Of the three films released this year only one got a great reception and awards speculation – Thor: Love & Thunder was not that movie. The god of thunder is beloved by the public but reception to his films have seen their ups and downs, and many felt this fourth film of the superhero leaned in too much into comedy and didn’t take itself serious enough. But I dissent. Yes this is very much a comedic movie as much as it is a superhero action film, but it touches on themes of faith, mortality, sacrifice, love, and responsibility. Not to mention Christian Bale’s performance as the villain Gorr the God Butcher gave us one of the more layered baddies of a franchise that is short on those. Shoot me, but I had a ton of fun with this movie and its actually my personal favorite of the three MCU movies we got this year.

 

#19. Bardo, False Chronicle Of A Handful of Truths

When the film festival season started we all knew Alejandro González Iñárritu’s latest was being talked up as major awards player. But overnight the film’s awards chances tanked as the reception was so negative that Iñárritu actually cut down the film by the time it hit general audiences’ theatres. This is a near three hour achievement of amazing cinematography, set designs, and surreal moments that include a baby being forced back into his mother’s womb, our protagonist talking to his dead father, and bodies stacked on the street for Cortez to stand over them as Mexico’s conqueror – among others. This movie is not for everyone, in fact at my critics screening we had walk-outs. But I was taken aback by how much I enjoyed it and I don’t think its a coincidence that generally its those of us in the Hispanic community that have reacted to it favorably. Its Iñárritu’s 8 1/2 and he explores imposter syndrome, the dual identities of those of us who weren’t born here, and dealing with loss. Plus it features an amazing club dance scene that is among my favorite in film for the year.

 

#18. Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio

We somehow ended up with several adaptations of the classic tale of Pinocchio this year and only Guillermo Del Toro could make his stand out as the definitive one to watch. With the use of stock motion animation, Del Toro’s spin on the fable features themes of religion, fascism, grief, and death. Its the first adaptation of the story that I think goes toe-to-toe with the iconic 1940 Disney animated film. In fact the cricket in this movie, Sebastian J. Cricket, puts old Jiminy to shame thanks to a spirited voiceover performance from Ewan McGregor.

 

#17. Downton Abbey: A New Era

Downton Abbey is in competition for my favorite television series of all-time – and if you know how little I care these days for TV you know that means something. This second film improves on the first, which felt like a series reunion more than an actual follow-up to the series itself. With this feature the series sees a proper finish that ends in such a way that it may just give your fellow DT fanatic tears as the credits roll. Its everything we enjoy about the show all condensed to two hours in what otherwise would’ve been a whole season.

 

#16. Mrs. Harris Goes To Paris

Given how many film adaptations this book has received you’d think a new one wouldn’t stand out. But this does thanks in large part to Lesley Manville’s great performance as the titular role in what isn’t typically the kind of character we get to see her play. The adventures we go on with Mrs. Harris are even more fun to follow her on thanks to some of the best cinematography and costume designs of the year in film. You know a movie about a woman seeking a dress has done its job when it makes a certain thirty-three year old film critic cry when she finally gets to wear it.

 

#15. Living

A British spin on the 1952 Kurosawa classic Ikiru sounds like a blasphemy to classic cinema. But thanks to one of the year’s best performances from Bill Nighy, beautiful cinematography, and what I think is an improved pacing compared to the original, Living somehow pulls it off. While the 1952 film will always remain unmatched, this now makes a nice companion piece that highlights how universal our determination to make something out of life is.

 

#14. The Outfit

This directorial debut from screenplay writer Graham Moore is like watching a modern day Hitchcock thriller. Within the same space and under two hours runtime, Moore’s storytelling makes us feel tension from just the small talk between various criminals trying to one up each other, and the head of a tailor shop stuck in the middle of it all. Mark Rylance really makes this work as our lead giving an air of a man with mystery and class; and the film somehow manages to put his skills as a tailor work with the mob story its trying to tell. As revelations unfold and actions begin to see their consequences, you’ll find yourself guessing as to how our protagonist is going to get himself out of each predicament he find himself in.

 

#13. The Northman

I’ve never been the biggest Robert Eggers fan. I love his style of direction and mood setting, but I respected his previous works much more than I liked them. The Northman however is Egger’s most accessible film to date. This Viking tale of betrayal, revenge, and love has plenty lore from the iconic warriors even up to us getting to see the gates of Valhalla. It also tells its story in a raw manner that doesn’t hold back. This Hamlet-like tale features incredible fight scenes, spooky and supernatural atmospheric moments, a blooming romance, and a big stunning twist and turn that sets up the final act. It all culminates towards a final confrontation on a raging volcano that your eyes must feast on to believe.

 

#12. The Fabelmans

Stephen Spielberg is behind some of my all-time favorite movies like Jaws or Jurassic Park, but I have to admit I haven’t really loved a film of his since 2012’s Lincoln. He’s been more hit-and-miss for me personally over the last decade, and if you’ve read me before you know my less than favorable thoughts on last year’s West Side Story. But with his auto-fictional new film The Fabelmans he finally gave me a movie that made me remember who he was. While I wouldn’t rank this above similar movies like last year’s Belfast, it does manage to capture that child-like wonder and excitement in the discovery of film in one’s life, and it follows up on that by giving us great scene after great scene of our protagonist getting better and better at making his own films. And as someone who doesn’t particularly care for divorce films this movie’s family drama is done in a way that doesn’t feel too melodramatic and serves a purpose to the progression of the main story in how it defines Sammy Fabelman as an artist in the making. But don’t let that keep you from thinking this movie doesn’t have its comedic or charming moments as it is very much a crowd-pleaser.

 

#11. Women Talking

In lesser hands an adaptation to a book about women discovering men in their religious community have been sexual assaulting them would become a story that beats you over the head with themes that border on “all men are and all religion is evil”. But Sarah Polley’s brilliant script and direction make Women Talking a story that has so many layers to the conversations these women have that I found myself floored at just how much ground it covers in under two hours. Every little potential reality on the aftermath and trauma these women face is touched on. Women question their faith, women are embolden in their faith, justifiable rage at and fear of the men is explored even while the women stop to think about their own sons, women change their opinion on what to do now as conversation and debate goes on, and there’s one male character in this that shows us glimpses of hope for both what a good man can be and what a positive religiosity can look like. And somehow there’s little moments of comedic relief that don’t feel out of place from the rest of the film. By the time the credits rolled I was touched by the hope the film finds a way to end with even with such a dark subject matter at hand. What Polley pulled off with this adaptation should be taught in screenplay classes.

 

#10. TÁR

You know you’ve constructed an incredible script and your actress has delivered a career best performance when people leave your movie googling to see if this fictional story about the fall of a respected and powerful music composer is a true story. Todd Field’s TÁR sucks us into its world with scenes of interviews that made me want to keep listening to Lydia talk about music, a one-shot scene of a tense classroom lesson that goes bad, and conversations that give us insight into the machinations and politics that go into being part of an orchestra. In some ways you can consider this almost like a female version of There Will Be Blood. As Lydia’s world spirals down it all leads up to a final scene that literally made me gasp aloud at my first viewing of the film. For my money this is the best we’ve seen yet from Field’s short but impactful directorial filmography.

 

#9. The Banshees Of Inisherin

A film about one man deciding to end his friendship with another out of the blue in twenties Ireland sounds like one with nothing much to say. But The Banshees Of Inisherin takes that starting plot point and makes its impact spread throughout the small fictional village of Inisherin as our protagonist tries to learn why his best friend suddenly doesn’t want to be drinking buddies with him any longer; and when we learn why it sets up questions about legacy and the limited time you have on this planet to make it. Its a subtle, dark comedy that finds a way to ratchet up tension and conflict all throughout its runtime as things escalate from simply ignoring a person to threats of self-dismemberment and people and animals in the two men’s lives getting caught in the crossfire. With each re-watch I’ve found more value in this Irish tragedy that Martin McDonagh has crafted, and in time it may well become known as a true classic.

 

#8. Marcel The Shell With Shoes On

The best animated movie this year for my money wasn’t a Disney film or a Netflix-backed project, but a small A24 film about a one-eyed shell named Marcel and his grandmother Connie. Shot as a pseudo-documentary to tell the story of how a recently divorced documentarian starts to interview Marcel and Connie about their lives, the story eventually becomes one of a search for family and even features a cameo from Leslie Stahl, yes THAT Leslie Stahl. Along the way the movie touches on grief, loss, and taking risks. Without needing to go for childish bottom of the barrel humor, Marcel’s antics bring a smile to everyone watching and Connie is the heart of the film. By the end you may find yourself shedding a tear.

 

#7. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

If you think telling me back in January a Puss In Boots movie would make my favorites of the year list would make me skeptical, I would have thrown you out if you told me a Rian Johnson written and directed follow-up to 2019’s Knives Out would. I’ve never been too keen on Johnson’s previous directorial efforts and I was in the minority in not being wow-ed by his 2019 twist on the “Who dun’ it?”. But with a fresh new story, fresh set of characters and suspects, and with Detective Benoit Blanc actually being featured as the protagonist of this film, Johnson finally crafted a comedic mystery film that had me laughing throughout and constantly going back and forth on who the killer was. Hell the person who bites the dust isn’t even the one I assumed it would be. Half-way through the film a major twist hits that makes you see everyone and the entire mystery itself in a whole new light; and unlike previous efforts from Johnson I actually felt like it served as a reason in the story as oppose to just being twisty for twist’s sakes. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery was undoubtedly my biggest pleasant surprise of the year.

 

#6. Top Gun: Maverick

The biggest box office story of the year was the boatloads of money off strong weekly legs that Top Gun: Maverick made. But this action summer blockbuster is a well written follow-up to the 1986 classic that proves even an action sequel can surpass its original with a well-written script that focuses on the character drama every bit as much as it does the action. Tom Cruise embodies the titular role even thirty-plus years later and we see arcs of his character’s relationships come full circle – including a meeting with his former rival “Iceman” played by an ailing Val Kilmer that will hit you in the feels, and an arc involving Miles Teller’s role as the son to “Maverick’s” late friend “Goose” . All the meanwhile we’re there with his cadets preparing for a dangerous mission and get to know each in and out of it so that when its time for said climax we’re on the edge of our seat knowing the plan and how it could go wrong. Featuring comedy, romance, emotional arcs, and edge of your seat thrills the gamble to sit on this sequel for two years paid off well with the film now setting its sights on being part of the Oscars race.

 

#5. Avatar: The Way Of Water

Thirteen years after James Cameron’s Avatar broke box office records and found itself come oh so close from winning the Best Picture prize at the Oscars, he gambles big once again by giving us the first in a series of sequels he plans of the world of Pandora. Like its predecessor the film is an amazing visual spectacle that outshines the visuals of the biggest superhero films and Cameron’s good direction of high-concept sci-fi shines through once again. But story-wise he expands on the lore of the first movie and introduces us to the oceans of Pandora in the same way he showcased its forests and floating mountains in the original film. With a strong theme of familial bonds and opening up mysteries to be solved in future installments, I learned to care about the new characters including my favorite in a whale-like creature that makes a bond with our new protagonist that reminded me of the kaiju movies that made me get into movies in the first place. But the biggest highlight of this sequel may be the nearly one hour climatic scene in a sinking ship (que the Titanic jokes) that is up there among the best climatic confrontations in a year filled with great action films.

 

#4. Babylon

Damien Chazelle’s latest film about the transition from sound to talkies is like a marriage between Boogie Nights, Wolf Of Wall Street, and Singing In The Rain. It shows Hollywood’s debauchery without a second’s hesitation, goes for big laughs at the expense of its characters’ tragedies, and has a fourth-wall breaking finale that might be the ballsiest thing I’ve ever seen a Director do. He takes such swings in this period epic that lasts three hours and spans years in its timeline that there’s plenty mess where otherwise there is brilliance. Its easily the young auteur’s most divisive movie – and even with its all its faults I loved it. Having seen it twice as of this writing it may honestly be my personal favorite film of Chazelle’s even though from an objective level it might be his sloppiest. There were moments that had me shaking in my seat so hard from laughter and others that had me on the edge of it fearing for characters’ safety. Its not a movie that has won universal praise like his past works, but I had a blast with the ride Babylon took me on.

 

#3. RRR

India has some of the biggest and richest history of cinema in the world and yet not many films from the country have become worldwide sensations. Typically European films get all the critical praise and Asian films get all the fandom. But this year an Indian film started to gain traction through word of mouth and explode to become a culturally relevant three hour spectacle that continues to win the hearts of those who discover it. RRR is a story about the friendship of two men that speaks against colonialism, slavery, and oppression. And yet it does all this with some of the most bombastic and wildest action scenes I’ve ever seen on screen plus amazing dance sequences that have become memes. You want to know what a blockbuster action epic should be, then put on this film. I defy Hollywood to come up with something as original and as in your face as this is. India’s film commission made the awful mistake of not submitting this as their international selection for the Oscars and yet its getting plenty awards season recognition. That’s the power of naatu.

 

#2. The Batman

After a decade of being stuck with Zack Snyder’s blasphemous vision for the cape crusader, I almost forgot what a great adaptation of the world’s greatest detective disguised as a superhero could look like. But as someone who notes Batman as his second favorite fictional character of all-time behind Godzilla, I was more than happy to see Matt Reeves give us a three hour detective mystery epic that grounded the vigilante back to his roots. The character writing is superb here, and the movie doesn’t mind taking its time to tell its story – and yet with each re-watch I feel the runtime less and less. With incredible cinematography, a score that gets stuck in your head, and performances that include an unrecognizable Colin Farrell as the Penguin, this almost feels like the epitome of what a superhero movie can and should be in an era of the MCU formula. In the nearly year-long time since The Batman came to theatres its become a comfort film for me and may be in contention with The Dark Knight for my all-time favorite Batman film. Given how much I came to adore this movie it speaks a lot to the top spot’s placeholder that this isn’t my favorite film of the year.

 

#1. Everything Everywhere All At Once

Imagine how spoiled I feel that a year after In The Heights came into my life and hit me on such a personal level, a film that I would argue is a modern day masterpiece comes along as my top film of the following year. I’ve written at length about why I think Everything Everywhere All At Once is the next big movie that will be cited as the film that made future filmmakers want to make movies. Its an audacious, surrealist, hilarious, tragic, emotional, and romantic family drama disguised as a multi-verse jumping sci-fi adventure. Giving us everything from amazing fight choreography, beautiful costume and set designs, talking raccoons, sex toys used as weapons, and a line about taxes that has melted hearts. Featuring Michelle Yeoh in what may be her magnum opus performance, the comeback of Ke Huy Quan who somehow takes over the movie at times, and a breakthrough role from Stephanie Hsu that gives us one of the best movie villains I’ve seen in this era of film. For my money this is a future mainstream classic that both people off the street and film students will be talking about in the decades to come. This brilliant, crazy movie is my pick for the best film of 2022.