A musical action epic, some historical fiction, emotional family stories, a giant alien, and a whole bunch of A24, 2022 was a great year for movies. We asked our writing team to pull together their list of the top movies of 2022. Now, we know there are still a couple of films left in 2022, but since we’ll be taking some time to break for the holidays, we’re publishing it early.
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In order for a film to make our top movies of 2022 list it had to have had a release on either streaming or in theaters during the calendar year of 2022. This means films that got pushed back but screened at festivals before this year could qualify, and of course, we’re including streaming originals as well. So without furth ado, here are our top movies of 2022.
15. The Northman
Director: Robert Eggers
Writer: Sjón, Robert Eggers
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman,Claes Bang, Ethan Hawke, Anya Taylor-Joy
Where to Watch: Prime Video
“The Northman is a film I can recommend to anyone with a love for Vikings, revenge stories, action, fantasy, and the actors on the screen too. It’s violent and beautiful, cutting away at traditional narrative and throwing the audience into Viking storytelling and culture. Not to mention, it’s amazing to finally see Skarsgård in a role that pushes past genre actor who is there brood and look gorgeous. If there is any film that solidifies Skarsgård’s talent and drive, it’s The Northman. ”
14. The Batman
Director: Matt Reeves
Writer: Matt Reeves, Peter Craig
Stars: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell
Where to Watch: HBO Max
“The Batman serves as a superhero-infused take on the noir genre, with Robert Pattinson diving deep into the Dark Knight’s state of mind. If this film turns out to be a success—and it probably will be—I look forward to Reeves’ take on other elements of the Batman mythos.”
13. The Menu
Director: Mark Mylod
Writer: Seth Reiss, Will Tracy
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau
Where to Watch: Currently in theaters
“Easily one of the best films of the year, The Menu manages to be just as hilarious as it is aggressive. The laughs help the critique go down well and show that satire doesn’t need to be subtle, but can rather blow a door open and still succeed. Sharp, cruel, and cathartic, The Menu is sublime.”
12. The Woman King
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Writer: Dana Stevens, Maria Bello, Dana Stevens
Stars: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, John Boyega, Jordan Bolger
Where to Watch: Prime Video
“The Woman King is a fantastic film that not only shows exactly why Gina Prince-Blythewood should helm action and drama alike, but also that Viola can easily best any action star on the screen. A great theatrical experience, and an even greater story, this is one to watch the moment it comes out. It’s an action epic that is sure to make everyone stand up and cheer.”
11. Emergency
Director: Carey Williams
Writer: K.D. Dávila
Stars: RJ Cyler, Donald Elise Watkins, Sebastian Chacon, Sabrina Carpenter
Where to Watch: Prime Video
“Emergency is a film that’s equal parts hilarious and horrifying, weaving clever social commentary into the college party subgenre. Whether you’re a fan of Get Out or Superbad, this film is definitely worth a watch. I look forward to seeing what Williams brings to the table with his next film.”
10. Avatar: The Way of Water
Director: James Cameron
Writer: James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman, Shane Salerno
Stars: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Kate Winslet
Animation Studio:Wētā FX
Where to Watch: Theaters Now
“Avatar: The Way of Water is gorgeous and is a reminder of exactly why the first film was so beloved: the world. Vast and unique with stunning underwater sequences, I could watch forever with Simon Franglen’s emotive score. Additionally, the action, for as little as I talked about it, is something to absolutely write home about. It’s loud but crafted beautifully in the way a successful blockbuster should be. Better than the first, it’s easy to see how the world of Avatar can continue to grow, as it should. I want more Pandora, and I hope I don’t have to wait 14 more years for it.”
9. Top Gun: Maverick
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Writer: Peter Craig, Justin Marks, Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie
Stars: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Monica Barbaro, Bashir Salahuddin, Jon Hamm
Where to Watch: Paramount+
“Top Gun: Maverick proves to be a near-perfect legacyquel, with its adrenaline-laced dogfights grounded by a top-tier performance from Tom Cruise. If you’re a fan of the original Top Gun or you love a great action movie, you owe it to yourself to check this one out – preferably in IMAX.”
8. Saloum
Director: Jean Luc Herbulot
Writer: Jean Luc Herbulot, Pamela Diop
Stars: Yann Gael, Evelyne Ily Juhen, Roger Sallah, Mentor Ba
Where to Watch: Shudder
“Saloum is a genre-bending gem of a film, expertly weaving together a revenge narrative with notes of horror, action, and Westerns. Definitely check it out if you have the chance – it’s one of the most surprising films of the year, and is more proof that foreign films are the place for action fans to get their fill.”
7. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Director: Guillermo del Toro & Mark Gustafson
Writer: Guillermo del Toro, Patrick McHale, Matthew Robbins, Carlo Collodi (based on the book by)
Stars: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Burn Gorman, Ron Perlman, Finn Wolfhard
Animation Studio: Netflix Animation
Where to Watch: Netflix
“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio manages to take the story of a real boy and surround it with grief and war, exploring the darker elements of life through a childlike whimsy without losing any of its teeth. Grief and pain are as present as love and belonging. Trauma and fear dance with comedy and fantasy. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio captures the complexity of the world and the humans in it, and how we can survive after it all too.”
6. Aftersun
Director: Charlotte Wells
Writer: Charlotte Wells
Stars: Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, Celia Rowlson-Hall
Where to Watch: Prime Video
“I don’t know how to effectively convey the way Aftersun lowered me into sadness. Slowly, methodically, but most important, empathetically. What do we do with our memories after we lose a person in them? For some, you live in them. For others, you try to find the moments when they could have revealed something to you. And for Sophie, it feels like both.”
5. The Banshees of Inisherin
Director: Martin McDonagh
Writer: Martin McDonagh
Stars: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan
Where to Watch: HBO Max
“At first, the film starts as a simple comedy: two friends fall out, and you think, “Oh, it’s only a matter of time until they patch things up.” But McDonagh isn’t interested in an easy resolution. And despite Colm’s insistence that he just doesn’t like Pádraic anymore, there’s a deeper reason behind his decision to cut off their friendship. Colm has fallen into a depression regarding his own mortality and is resolved to make a better life for himself; Pádraic just doesn’t fit into that life.”
4. Nope
Director: Jordan Peele
Writer: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Brandon Perea, Steven Yeun
Where to Watch: Peacock
“Loose threads and all, NOPE is proof of Peele’s genre mastery. When all is said and done and the credits roll, NOPE is what sci-fi-horror should be. It’s imaginative, kinetic, smart, and one hell of a ride.”
3. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Director: Sophie Hyde
Writer: Katy Brand
Stars: Emma Thompson, Daryl McCormack
Where to Watch: Hulu
“Good Luck To You, Leo Grande is a sweetly vulnerable look at what sex can mean for people and how the intimacy experienced physically can extend to emotional relationships and growth…There is joy in this film and understanding, but above all else a push to accept yourself the way you are.”
2. RRR
Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Writer: S.S. Rajamouli, Vijayendra Prasad
Stars: N.T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan Teja, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt
Where to Watch: Netflix
“A colossal orgy of mindblowing action featuring gravity-defying action, heroic poses, a badass homoerotic bromance, a highly satisfying anticolonialism rhetoric, motorcycles being used as freakin’ swords, and the best musical sequence you will ever see. Yeah, RRR kicks all the butts.”
1.Everything Everywhere All At Once
Director: Dan Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Writer: Dan Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Stars: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong
Where to Watch: Prime Video
“Everything Everywhere All At Once is everything. The Daniels’ brilliant use of comedy, action, and drama showcase their genre strengths in a way you wouldn’t expect. Without much left to say, Everything Everywhere All At Once sticks every single landing it tries to make and offers up a unique and emotional take on the multiverse.”
With so many movies, there are a few honorable mentions like Decision to Leave, Inu-Oh, and Prey, narrowly missing spots on the top movies of 2022 list. Did your favorite of the year make the list? Which would you add to the top movies of 2022? Let us know on social media: @butwhythopc.
