It’s been an interesting year for movies, to say the least. The movie industry has become increasingly risk-averse, mostly greenlighting sequels and reboots. However, the quality of movies this year has been significantly better than other years in the 2020s, to be honest. I saw many of the major releases this year, so let’s break down what the ten best movies of the year are, in my opinion.
10. Twisters
A modern take on the 90s classic Twister, Twisters finds itself with a fairly easy job: to provide an entertaining disaster movie. It succeeds in this department, thanks in no small part to the storm effects and the overpowering charisma of Glen Powell as a hillbilly tornado youtuber. The rest of the cast does well too. The movie isn’t perfect though– its small-town moral framework is dubious at best, and the country music-loaded soundtrack isn’t for everyone. That said, it’s still a good time in the theater. 6/10.
9. Gladiator II
Gladiator II is an interesting one because it’s a sequel to Gladiator, the best picture winner from nearly a quarter of a century ago. It should come as no surprise that the film doesn’t measure up to the original one. It isn’t shot as well, and the dialogue isn’t as good. The story also feels like a retread in some areas of the original. Regardless, Gladiator II still has plenty to offer – big, sweeping battle scenes, the magnetic screen presences of Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal, all while further developing the themes of the first movie. A good watch, if a little disappointing. 6/10.
8. Heretic
Heretic is an A24 horror film starring Hugh Grant as a devout atheist, who kidnaps a pair of Mormon missionaries. While they’re trapped in his house, Grant’s character monologues to his victims about his religious philosophies in a charismatic and sinister way. I don’t like horror movies, so to see one that took a slightly different take on the genre was refreshing. Although the second half does devolve a little into generic horror tropes, this is still a decent movie. 7/10.
7. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the tenth Planet of the Apes movie since the franchise’s origins in the 60s, and yet this series continues to find new avenues and ideas to explore. This installment finds the planet completely taken over by nature, with humans living only on the fringes, and explores themes of how legacies are distorted over time. The movie looks great and is well paced, and though it never reaches the heights of previous movies, it more than justifies the saga continuing. 7/10.
6. Wicked
I don’t like musicals, but I still got quite a bit out of Wicked. Ariana Grande delivered a surprisingly great performance, with the rest of the cast doing an amazing job as well. The production design is fantastic, with immense sets and detailed costumes creating an immersive world. The pacing is also very impressive — I didn’t feel the nearly three hour runtime at all. Unfortunately, the color grading and cinematography leaves plenty to be desired, sucking some of the wonder out of the world on display. But overall, it’s definitely worth a watch. 7/10.
5. Inside Out 2
Pixar hasn’t been in their prime for over 15 years, but every once in a while they prove they still have their unique brand of storytelling, combining endless imagination with general appeal. Inside Out 2 is a long-belated sequel that continues to explore and visualize our inner psyches. Beyond the humor and relatability, the movie’s greatest strength is its antagonist, Anxiety, who is characterized as well-meaning but potentially harmful. The end result is an entertaining and helpful movie that also helps you understand yourself better. 8/10.
4. The Wild Robot
The main draw of a movie like The Wild Robot is its presentation. With easily the most beautiful visuals out of any animated movie this year, every scene is a painting that could be framed and hung on the wall. Combined with its soundtrack and general style, this is one of the most magnificent depictions of nature I’ve ever seen. Though the plot structure isn’t perfect, there’s nothing to truly get in the way of this story. 8/10.
3. Challengers
Challengers was one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. I knew practically nothing about it going in. It’s often called the “Zendaya tennis movie” but that’s frankly doing it a disservice. It follows three morally questionable tennis players across decades of time and continuously investigates them. The style of the film is truly unique and captivating, from the eccentric editing to the pulsing score. The script is perfect, the acting is great, and every interaction is both entertaining and layered with thematic depth. So, for me, it’s one of the best movies of the year. 9/10.
2. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Furiosa was one of the biggest box office bombs of the year, and it isn’t hard to see why. It’s a prequel to a movie that was released 9 years ago in a relatively niche franchise, received next to no marketing, and it’s potentially off-putting and strange. However, the actual movie is a tremendous post-apocalyptic action odyssey. Equal parts entertaining and harrowing, it follows an absorbing rivalry between Furiosa, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, and a warlord played by Chris Hemsworth. At every step of the way, this movie goes with the most interesting possible option. It’s incredibly well-made and exhilarating for anyone. 9/10.
1. Dune: Part Two
When I first saw Dune: Part 2 back in March, I knew it wasn’t going to be topped by anything this year. Combining action epic with political thriller with sci-fi psychedelia, it stands as a towering achievement. The cast is unbelievably stacked, the visual effects are magnificent, and it has probably my favorite film score out of any movie. I have no doubt it will stand the test of time and be remembered as one of the greatest movies of the modern era. 10/10.
