20. Fly Me to the Moon
With the powerhouse pairing of Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum, on top of a great screenplay full of touching and laugh out loud moments, Fly Me To The Moon is an out of this world tale.
19. Nosferatu
With a towering lead performance from Lily-Rose Depp and a gorgeous beauty to the film that plunges audiences in a horrifying vision of terror, Nosferatu marks the best film from Robert Eggers to date.
18. Alien: Romulus
Face huggers and chest bursters and xenomorphs, oh my! The Alien franchise returns with a vengeance to the big screen in what is easily one of its best entries thanks to the visionary direction of Fede Álvarez. What ensues is a two hour, heart pounding thrill ride that calls back to some of the franchise’s best moments both narratively and artistically, taking the franchise back to its horror roots while pushing it in an exciting direction that is going to both excite and scare fans to death. With the outstanding performances of Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson and Archie Renaux leading the film, Fede Álvarez’s twisted and mortifying vision of outer space terror comes to life with stunning cinematography, bombastic sound design and outstanding practical effects at every turn, making Alien: Romulus equally as dazzling as it is terrifying in one of the best horror films of the year!
17. The Fall Guy
While David Leitch has made a name for himself making action heavy, revenge based films, his crowning achievement to date is without question The Fall Guy. It’s a callback to the larger than life action blockbusters of the 1990s, that combined with a love of filmmaking intertwined with the action romantic comedy story, Leitch has created one exciting and wildly entertaining trip to the cinema that must be experienced on the big screen. With the dazzling pairing of Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt who set the entire screen on fire with their off the charts chemistry, David Leitch orchestrates a jaw dropping symphony of jaw-dropping action sequences, memorable needle drops, hilarious moments and passionate romantic moments, ensuring that The Fall Guy is not only one of the best action romantic comedies to ever grace the silver screen, but one incredible tribute to the stunts department that captures the love of filmmaking in every scene!
16. Music by John Williams
With a resume of some of the most impactful films on popular culture and cinema since the 1970s, the legacy that John Williams has made for himself is unmatched except for the genius creative minds in cinematic history and the most legendary composers the world has ever seen, giving documentarian Laurent Bouzereau plenty of material to cover while painting this personal portrait of cinema’s greatest composer. Told through insightful interviews from John Williams and his greatest collaborators such as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, there is no doubt that Music By John Williams is one of the year’s best documentaries that is not only a must see film that perfectly captures the genius, creative talents and personality of the legendary John Williams, but a film will have viewers hooked on John Williams’ musical scores and being lost in the genius of his work as they listen to his musical scores on loop for days after watching the film!
15. A Complete Unknown
Music biopics are always crowd pleasers, but when crafted with such talent both in front of and behind the camera, they can easily become one of the best films of the year, and that is exactly what James Mangold accomplishes with A Complete Unknown. Effortlessly capturing the eccentricity and allure of Bob Dylan while chronicling the events of his career that led to his infamous performance at the Newport Folk Music Festival in 1965, Mangold not only evokes spectacular performances from his entire cast in one of the most captivating films of the year, but he does so using the words and music of a music icon that changed American music forever. Led by a transformative and incredible performance by Timothée Chalamet that ranks among one of his finest performances to date, featuring fantastic supporting turns from Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Scoot McNairy and Edward Norton with stellar live music performances throughout, A Complete Unknown marks a tremendous music biopic from James Mangold that is not only among the year’s best films, but a brilliant biopic that captures the music, talent, legend and enigma that is Bob Dylan.
14. Conclave
It’s hard to imagine that one of the most thrilling films of the year full of backstabbing and savagely funny moments is a film about electing the next Pope, but Edward Berger never for a second ceases to amaze with his latest film. As gorgeous to watch as it is darker in subject matter, the adaptation of Robert Harris’s novel is as sharp as Succession with its calculated moves and counters creates an exciting and nerve wracking papal election, that is brought to life by one of the most talented casts of the year and an outstanding musical score from Volker Bertelmann that heightens the paranoia with every attack of the string quartet. Under the brilliant direction of Edward Berger that evokes two of the best performances of the year from Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini who will both leave you in awe of their talents, Conclave is both a thrilling game of politicking and betrayal and a reflection on faith that results in one of the most sensational films of the year.
13. Strange Darling
Every year or two, there is one film that is so shocking and startling that it has audiences talking about it long after they watch it, urging their friends to see the film before its big reveal is spoiled, and this year that honour belongs to Strange Darling. JT Mollner has crafted one unique, twisted and genius thriller that is directed to perfection and told in an unconventional manner, which amplifies that nerve wracking experience viewers will have watching this film. Headlined by two marvellous performances from Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner, beautifully shot by Giovanni Ribisi and with one wicked story that you won’t ever forget, JT Mollner’s sophomore feature film becomes one haunting cinematic experience that ensures you will be left speechless by the sheer brilliance of Strange Darling.
12. Saturday Night
Under the careful guidance of Jason Reitman, there is not a single minute of SATURDAY NIGHT that does not capture the comedic talents of the stars of the first ever episode nor the forces at work against Lorne Michaels as he was on the verge of changing television forever. Featuring one of the best ensemble casts of the year with remarkable performances from Dylan O’Brien, Cory Michael Smith and a scene stealing Tommy Dewey, SATURDAY NIGHT not only captures the essence of the infamous late night television show and ever mounting stakes working against Lorne Michaels to bring the show to air, but creates one of the most thrilling and hilarious motion pictures of the year!
11. The Substance
In a year of already great horror films, The Substance comes out as a late addition to the lineup and washes the competition away with a tidal wave of blood and gore in one of the year’s most shocking films. With an exceptional technical craft in every aspect of the film, Coralie Fargeat unleashes her daring vision on audiences tackling themes of age, image and violence in one of the most unsubtle yet effective ways possible. Led by the dazzling pairing of Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley delivering two of the year’s most intoxicating performances, The Substance is a true home run for Coralie Fargeat that delivers an unforgettable film that horror fans will not soon forget!
10. Longlegs
It’s hard to imagine that it’s been over twenty years since the last great horror serial killer film with The Silence of the Lambs, but we finally have the first horror film to be worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence as it. Osgood Perkins has crafted an impeccable horror film that instantly gets under your skin resulting in one of the most nerve wracking theatrical experiences in recent memory and one of the greatest serial killer horror movies of all time. There is no question that Osgood Perkins’ direction and story ensure that this film will instantly get under your skin and that Maika Monroe’s lead performance is stellar, but it is the unhinged and mortifying performance from Nicolas Cage as the titular serial killer that is the fuel of nightmares that makes Longlegs not only one of the greatest horror films in recent history, but one that you won’t ever forget!
9. The Wild Robot
The Wild Robot is the best animated film of the year and the clear best choice for the Academy Award for Best Animated Picture. Not only is it impeccably crafted by Chris Sanders that delivers an animated visual experience that is gorgeous and unlike any other in the genre, it is also a moving film that is destined to resonate with audiences of all ages for years to come. From a deeply moving story that simultaneously fills the audience’s heart with joy and will leave them an emotional wreck, stunning animation thanks to the combination of painted art and computer generated animation, and an incredible voice cast led by the extraordinary Lupita Nyong’o, The Wild Robot becomes both an animated masterpiece for DreamWorks Animation and the best film of Chris Sander’s directorial career to date!
8. Challengers
By the time the final act begins, it is evident that Challengers is a game, set and match for Luca Guadagnino. In every aspect of the film, it’s a magnificent piece of storytelling that completely snares the audience’s attention as this steamy love triangle unfolds on screen that is sure to raise your heart beat for many reasons throughout and leave you speechless when the screen cuts to black and the credits begin rolling. Led by the sensational performances of Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, Challengers hits with a wicked backhand that boasts a seductive and enthralling screenplay from Justin Kuritzkes brought to life by outstanding cinematography, bombastic sound design and one of the best musical scores from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross to date, serving up true grand slam that is one of the year’s best films!
7. Civil War
While it’s not the divisive politically charged war film that audiences expected it to be based on the film’s title and the trailer, Alex Garland has not only directed another perfect film, but has highlighted the importance of wartime journalism, which is something we need to be reminded of in today’s world. Visually arresting and haunting, there is not a second of Alex Garland’s latest film that does not scream masterpiece with its gripping and harrowing vision of a war torn America that focuses on truth and journalism that is led by two spectacular performances from Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeny, easily cementing Civil War as not only one of the best films of the year but one of A24’s best films to date!
6. Twisters
In the words of Glen Powell’s Tyler Owens, “if you feel it, CHASE IT!” It has been a long time since audiences have been treated to such an outstanding disaster film, but Twisters rejuvenates the genre with one heart pounding, grandiose blockbuster experience that calls back to the genre’s finest films. Paying homage to both the original fan favourite and the disaster genre, director Lee Isaac Chung displays his sheer might as a filmmaker, delivering one gripping theatrical experience with technicals so powerful, that it is sure to rip the roof off your local cinema as you enter the storm. Led by the dynamic and sensational duo of Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell who do exactly what movie stars are meant to do, while Lee Isaac Chung’s masterful direction and Joseph Kosinski’s intelligent story fuel the storm for one whirlwind cinematic experience, Twisters is the epitome of a blockbuster full of thrilling set pieces, incredible visual effects work, and unabashed entertainment from start to finish.
5. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
While he sadly passed away twenty years ago this October, Reeve’s life is being immortalized in the new documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story that tells his life story, both as a Hollywood star and a family man, in one of the most beautiful, emotional and incredible documentaries that I have ever seen that will not leave a single dry eye in the audience. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story captures the hero that Christopher Reeve was both on screen and as an ordinary man in a powerful documentary that pays tribute to the beloved movie star he was and the change he and his family made in the world, resulting in one of the best documentaries of the decade!
4. Deadpool & Wolverine
As you sit and the nostalgia fueled ride that is Deadpool & Wolverine, it is evident that this is more than just another Marvel film, but a true labour of love from everyone involved. Bringing back Hugh Jackman for the long teased Deadpool and Wolverine team up gives fans the buddy Marvel film we never knew we wanted, full of outrageous comedic moments, perfect needle drops and highly entertaining action sequences in a film that is going to emotionally touch anyone who is a fan of the Fox Marvel films. And all the credit belongs to Ryan Reynolds whose signature, unrestrained fourth wall breaking humour and love for the characters in this film informs every decision made regarding its development, resulting in one truly crowd pleasing experience that will be the film that he will forever be remembered for. With the unforgettable pairing of and performances from Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman that brings this ode to an ending of an era of Marvel filmmaking, Deadpool & Wolverine is an educated wish that results not only in the best film of the summer, but one beautiful cinematic experience that ranks among the greatest superhero films of all time.
3. Hit Man
While I have been championing Hit Man since seeing it on the festival circuit at both last year’s Toronto International Film Festival and this year’s Sundance Film Festival, nothing can prepare you for the dazzling, wildly entertaining and all encompassing cinematic experience that Glen Powell and Richard Linklater have conjured up. Glen Powell delivers a career best performance in addition to penning a phenomenal screenplay with director Richard Linklater, that combined with the lovely and captivating Adria Arjona and their fiery romantic chemistry, makes Hit Man not only the most entertaining experiences that you will have at the cinema this year, but one of the year’s undisputed best films!
2. Dune: Part Two
Nothing can prepare you for the overwhelming and exhilarating experience that is Dune: Part Two. It is grand cinematic filmmaking at its finest that not only demands to be seen on the biggest screen you can find, but reminds you why watching a film of this scale at a cinema is an experience to cherish. And the best part is that Denis Villeneuve still has one more story left to tell with the script for Frank Herbert’s second novel in the series, Dune: Messiah, already in the works. Anchored by amazing performances from Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson and Austin Butler, Denis Villeneuve’s vision for Frank Herbert’s revered novel is nothing short of cinema at its finest with one of Hans Zimmer’s finest musical scores to date, stunning cinematography from Greig Fraiser and an incredible screenplay that will simultaneously send chills down your spine while making your jaw hit the floor, that allows Dune: Part Two to give a whole new meaning to the terms epic and masterpiece!
1. Wicked
Not only is Wicked perfect in every way imaginable that will no doubt have audiences singing its songs for days to come, but it's a heartfelt and beautiful adaptation of the beloved musical full of love, friendship and resonate themes in today’s world that still has a marvelous spell to still cast on viewers next year with Wicked: For Good. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deliver two out of this world, awards’ worthy performances that bring their beloved characters to life like never before, allowing the musical genre to reach epic heights under Jon M. Chu’s masterful direction, bringing to life a technical marvel that makes Wicked not only the film adaptation that fans only dreamt of, but one magical movie musical that defies gravity and expectations in every way imaginable!
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