22. ELVIS

Whenever a Baz Luhrmann film comes out, people tend to moan and groan, and I fall into the trap of thinking I won’t like it. And for the most part, I’m always wrong. “Elvis” was a tough sell for me because as much as I appreciate his significance in music history, I generally didn’t grow up listening to him. Top that off with Tom Hanks in a fat suit with a weird accent, and my expectations were in the basement. However, Luhrmann’s bombastic style mixed with a year’s best performance from Austin Butler lands “Elvis” as one of my favorite films of the year.

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2h 39m
Budget: $85 million
Worldwide Box Office: $288,670,284
8-TIME ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE

21. BABYLON

“Babylon” is a far cry from Damien Chazelle’s previous work (“Whiplash,” “La La Land”). It’s not as concise and thought-provoking. Chazelle takes chances and somehow delivers a new look at old Hollywood, which I marvel at being possible. It’s glamourous and debaucherous, with impressive performances from Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt.

Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: December 23, 2022
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Runtime: 3h 9m
Budget: $80 million
Worldwide Box Office: $63,379,032
3-TIME ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE

20. THE BATMAN

Matt Reeve’s dark take on “The Batman” was overly long and perpetually drab. The world-building is limited, with much of the film happening at Penguin’s nightclub through repeated visits. One of the most significant selling points of the film was a unique take on the Riddler, played by Paul Dano, but he’s barely in it, and instead of him facing off with the caped crusader in the climax of the film, it’s filled with a bunch of nobodies. That said, Zoe Kravitz, as Catwoman, is a huge proponent of making it so watchable. Colin Farrell is unrecognizable as the Penguin, and John Turturro as Carmine Falcone is at least exciting casting. Robert Pattinson won’t win any “best Batman” votes, but he’s serviceable.

Directed by: Matt Reeves
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: March 4, 2022
Genre: Superhero
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2h 56m
Budget: $200 million
Worldwide Box Office: $770,945,583
3-TIME ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE

19. BODIES BODIES BODIES

Films like “Bodies Bodies Bodies” don’t get made every day. With its young cast, neon glow, and Gen Z dialogue, it felt new, which is hard to come by. Screenwriter Sarah DeLappe does an excellent job weaving comedy with thrilling mystery, delivering one of the most jaw-dropping endings of all year. Not all the performances land, but Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, and Rachel Sennott are standouts.

Directed by: Halina Reijn
Studio: A24
Release Date: August 5, 2022
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 35m
Budget: Under $30 million
Worldwide Box Office: $13,929,670
2-TIME FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS NOMINEE

18. GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

As good as Rian Johnson’s first “Knives Out” was, I thought it impossible to make anything as fresh and exciting. However, his follow-up, “Glass Onion,” is admirable. With an ensemble cast that rivals the first film, including a scene-stealing performance from Janelle Monae, the mystery is slightly less engaging than the first, and the revelations are less exciting. Yet, Johnson continues to give Agatha Christie a run for her money.

Directed by: Rian Johnson
Studio: Netflix
Release Date: November 23, 2022
Genre: Thriller
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2h 20m
Budget: $40 million
Worldwide Box Office: $13,280,000
ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE

17. BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER

Ryan Coogler deserves some praise for course-correcting following the passing of Chadwick Boseman. He took an impossible situation and turned it into an enjoyable experience. Tenoch Huerta Mejía as the villain, Namor, steals the show, with Angela Bassett in an Oscar-worthy performance and Letitia Wright taking over the mantle of the Black Panther brilliantly.

Directed by: Ryan Coogler
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: November 11, 2022
Genre: Superhero
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2h 41m
Budget: $250 million
Worldwide Box Office: $859,207,913
ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER & 5-TIME NOMINEE

16. DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

Introducing the multiverse into the MCU is no small feat, and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” easily accomplishes it. Although not diving deep into the concept, the use of Doctor Strange and newcomer America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), who can teleport from one dimension to another, is an excellent stepping-off point. One thing that’s kept Marvel movies thriving is their ability to adhere to different film genres. Putting Sam Raimi in charge of a Marvel horror film is genius. Plus, Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) as the villain makes the film feel incredibly special.

Directed by: Sam Raimi
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Release Date: May 6, 2022
Genre: Superhero
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2h 41m
Budget: $200 million
Worldwide Box Office: $955,775,804

15. GIRL PICTURE

There’s something honest and vibrant about the young women in the Finnish film “Girl Picture.” Their situations may not be original, but because they are so endearing, it’s easy to get invested.

Directed by: Alli Haapasalo
Studio: Strand Releasing
Release Date: August 12, 2022
Genre: Drama
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 1h 40m
Budget: $—
Worldwide Box Office: $724

14. THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING

How can you not love Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton together in a film about a modern-day genie in a bottle? The storytelling here may be wild, but I appreciated the chances it took and thoroughly enjoyed the stories of love and passion throughout the genie’s lives. “Three Thousand Years of Longing” is a strange follow-up to “Mad Max: Fury Road” by director George Miller, but I enjoyed it.

Directed by: George Miller
Studio: United Artists Releasing
Release Date: August 26, 2022
Genre: Drama
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 48m
Budget: $60 million
Worldwide Box Office: $20,272,142

13. MURINA

Gracija Filipović’s performance in “Murina” was breathtaking. Few other actors can captivate the way she does as a young woman who dreams of leaving her abrasive father and docile mother when a family friend (Cliff Curtis) comes to visit their remote island along Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Directed by: Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic
Studio: Kino Lorber
Release Date: July 8, 2022
Genre: Drama
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 1h 34m
Budget: Under $30 million
Worldwide Box Office: $408,213
3-TIME FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS NOMINEE

12. MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON

“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” tapped into my emotions like no other film of 2022. The grace with which Jenny Slate and her team broach the topics of aging family members, death, and following your dreams is awe-inspiring. The originality and ease at which Slate can make you laugh with her sweet little voice deserve praise. Even the seamless animation of the shells with their live-action counterparts is a magic trick in and of itself. A film like Guillermo del Toro’s “Pinocchio” deserves to be celebrated, but my Oscar-winning choice would have been “Marcel.”

Directed by: Dean Fleischer-Camp
Studio: A24
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1h 29m
Budget: Under $30 million
Worldwide Box Office: $6,864,296
ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE

11. NAVALNY

Never have I seen a documentary that played out more like a fictional espionage film than last year’s “Navalny.” Capturing the real-life assassination attempt on Vladimir Putin’s rival, Alexei Navalny, the excitement kicks in when he and his associates attempt to get Putin’s men to confess by impersonating officials on the phone. Alexei is a charismatic man with high hopes for Russia, and you root for him, but with an ending still playing out today, you know there will eventually be a follow-up documentary.

Directed by: Daniel Roher
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: April 11, 2022
Genre: Documentary
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 38m
Budget: $—
Worldwide Box Office: $107,021
ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER

10. CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH

“Cha Cha Real Smooth” was the first film that I fell in love with last year. Cooper Raiff is a remarkable writer, director, and actor with a unique voice. His movie gives off “Ted Lasso” vibes with its ever-positive demeanor yet sometimes heavy subject matter. Dakota Johnson has a highlight performance as his much older love interest. With a hopelessly romantic lead character at the story’s center, I connected with him.

Directed by: Cooper Raiff
Studio: Apple TV+
Release Date: June 17, 2022
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 47m
Budget: $—
Worldwide Box Office: $—

9. THE MENU

First of all, Anya Taylor-Joy has become one of my favorite actresses, so if she stars in a film, I usually end up loving it. “The Menu” is the same. With a story that unfolds unexpectedly, Ralph Fiennes plays a world-famous chef serving a meal to a group of specially selected people. The night plays like a snowball gaining size as it rolls down a hill, bringing nefarious elements. Everyone involved with this film took a chance, and I love them all for it.

Directed by: Mark Mylod
Studio: Searchlight Pictures
Release Date: November 18, 2022
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 47m
Budget: $30 million
Worldwide Box Office: $79,628,200

8. WATCHER

Maika Monroe is another actress that I find myself enjoying all her work. She makes movies better with subtle stares and an adept acting style. That’s all on display in Chloe Okuno’s feature debut, “Watcher,” and it’s pivotal in achieving the permeating dread throughout the film. After moving to a country where she doesn’t speak the language, Maika’s character feels uneasy in her new apartment with the giant windows. She feels like she’s being watched and followed, and the other characters do an excellent job of gaslighting her and the audience into questioning whether any of it is accurate. I’ve never felt more in the female’s perspective than during this film.

Directed by: Chloe Okuno
Studio: IFC Films
Release Date: June 3, 2022
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 36m
Budget: $5 million
Worldwide Box Office: $3,199,952

7. THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN

“The Banshees of Inisherin” is absurd in the best ways. The film is carried by two showstopping performances from Colin Farrell and Brendan Fraser, playing two lifelong friends in a small Irish town, who come to a head when Fraser’s character no longer wants to be friends, out of the blue. Farrell spends most of the film trying to win him back but meets conflict after escalating conflict every time he does. Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan also deliver top-notch performances in one of the most darkly funny films of the year.

Directed by: Martin McDonagh
Studio: Searchlight Pictures
Release Date: November 4, 2022
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 49m
Budget: $20 million
Worldwide Box Office: $49,142,609
9-TIME ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE

6. DON’T WORRY DARLING

Olivia Wilde delivers a masterpiece in “Don’t Worry Darling,” a film that has you believing it’s one thing and then rips the world out from under you in a way once only reserved for M. Night Shyamalan thrillers. Led expertly by Florence Pugh in one of her most impressive performances yet, she plays douting housewife to the newcomer Harry Styles. With Styles’ boss (Chris Pine) looming over them, the story unravels in the most unexpected ways, delivering a mix of ethereal with sheer terror.

Directed by: Olivia Wilde
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: September 23, 2022
Genre: Thriller
Rating: R
Runtime: 2h 3m
Budget: $35 million
Worldwide Box Office: $87,609,403

5. THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT

Nicolas Cage is the best, especially when he’s allowed to sink his teeth into a role. With “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,” he’s not only allowed to but ends up playing a hyper-fictionalized version of himself. He and Pedro Pascal are the perfect comedic duo, playing off each other in the most absurd and hilarious ways. With comedy mixed with bits of action and thrills, the film ends up one of the most original concepts of the year and in Cage’s entire filmography.

Directed by: Tom Gormican
Studio: Lionsgate
Release Date: April 22, 2022
Genre: Comedy
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 46m
Budget: $30 million
Worldwide Box Office: $29,116,320

4. BLONDE

Andrew Dominik gets a bad rap. He took a chance adapting the book “Blonde,” by Joyce Carol Oates, and people hated him for it. With Ana de Armas playing a fictionalized version of Marilyn Monroe, the plot follows her as she rises through the ranks in Hollywood, attempting to turn her comedic roles into serious ones and facing sexualization and abuse around every corner. Nobody said this happened. Yet so many people scoffed at every element of the film. Armas brilliantly delivers a vulnerable and focused Marilyn, bringing to life a sensitive and thoughtful version of the character. Dominick makes unique stylistic choices, like alternating between black-and-white and color, and never pulls punches, which I fully appreciate.

Directed by: Andrew Dominik
Studio: Netflix
Release Date: August 13, 2021
Genre: Drama
Rating: NC-17
Runtime: 2h 46m
Budget: $22 million
Worldwide Box Office: $—
ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE

3. PREY

Taking a concept like the “Predator” franchise and turning it on its head, like last year’s film, “Prey,” is what Hollywood needs to do more of if they want to keep making sequels and revitalize them at the same time. Dan Trachtenberg also did this with “Cloverfield,” so I’m excited to see what he does next. Going back to the Great Plains in the 1700s and watching Comanche warriors face off with a Predator is one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever seen. Amber Midthunder delivers one of the most impressive leading debuts in recent history, carrying a “Predator” film better than Arnold Schwarzenegger. I only wish Disney had given it a theatrical run.

Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg
Studio: 20th Century Studios
Release Date: August 5, 2022
Genre: Sci-Fi
Rating: R
Runtime: 1h 39m
Budget: $65 million
Worldwide Box Office: $—

2. EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

“Everything Everywhere All At Once” accomplishes what few low-budget movies ever do by captivating audiences from all walks of life. It’s not just an arthouse movie for limited-release consumption, and it’s not a big-budget blockbuster that makes hundreds of millions at the box office. It’s somewhere in between. Shining a light on Asian-American actors while giving them the roles often meant for younger, more high-profile actors, Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan are incredible as a struggling husband and wife who suddenly find themselves multiverse jumping to stop their alter-ego daughter from destroying existence. The Daniels seem like great guys, their cast and crew love them, and with them winning multiple Oscars, including Best Picture, their arrow appears to be pointing up.

Directed by: Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Studio: A24
Release Date: July 16, 2021
Genre: Sci-Fi
Rating: R
Runtime: 2h 12m
Budget: $25 million
Worldwide Box Office: $140,110,595
7-TIME ACADEMY AWARD® WINNER & 11-TIME NOMINEE + BEST PICTURE WINNER

1. NOPE

No other film of 2022 excited me more than Jordan Peele’s “Nope.” A horror, sci-fi film, the craft on display here is unmatched. Peele, Keke Palmer, and Daniel Kaluuya have never been better, creating some of my all-time favorite characters. With a concept so original and so outside the box that it left me dumbfounded how no one had ever come up with it before, Peele has proven to be one of Hollywood’s most unique talents. Seeing this in IMAX and watching as the aspect changes during action elements on the ranch is one of the peaks of my moviegoing life thus far.

Directed by: Jordan Peele
Studio: Universal Pictures
Release Date: July 22, 2022
Genre: Horror
Rating: R
Runtime: 2h 15m
Budget: $68 million
Worldwide Box Office: $171,235,592

OVERRATED FILMS OF 2022

(Films that everyone was raving about that fell a little flat for me)

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS OF 2022

(Films that I wanted to be good and had tons of potential, but were some of the worst films of the year)

MORBIUS

The character of Spider-Man has always been my favorite. So it KILLS me to watch Sony ruining these villain-centric stories. “Morbius” is wrong on every level. The acting is terrible, the action is nasty, and the writing is horrendous. Since “Venom” was also a colossal bust, so I can’t say I’m expecting good things from the films to come.

Directed by: Daniel Espinosa
Studio: Columbia Pictures + Sony Pictures
Release Date: April 1, 2022
Genre: Superhero

FIRESTARTER

Yet another studio and director not understanding what makes a Stephen King novel enjoyable.

Directed by: Keith Thomas
Studio: Universal Pictures
Release Date: May 13, 2022
Genre: Horror

BLACK ADAM

DC has lost its way. Dwayne Johnson fits the part of Black Adam, but something is massively missing here. The performances felt phoned in, I cared very little about anyone, and it all came off so small for a big-budget epic. Here’s to hoping James Gunn can turn things around.

Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: October 21, 2022
Genre: Superhero

“BEST OF” STATS

MONTH OF RELEASE

FILMS WITH FEMALE OR DIVERSE LEADS / CO-LEADS

16 out of 22

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PASS THE BECHDEL TEST

(1) It has to have at least two [named] women in it
(2) Who talk to each other
(3) About something besides a man

16 out of 22

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FEMALE / DIVERSE / INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORS

12 out of 22

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STUDIO OF RELEASE

ROTTEN TOMATOES RATINGS

GENRE OF RELEASE

RATING OF RELEASE

RUNTIME RANGES

PRODUCTION BUDGETS

FAVORITES OF 2022

WORST OF 2022

WIDE RELEASE

FESTIVALS / STRAIGHT-TO-HOME VIDEO+DIGITAL