You know the drill: another year, another Top Ten Best Movies list. 2022 has been a rather excellent year for movies, so much so I actually struggled keeping this list to just ten films. For this year’s top ten I tried to look for the films that were not only excellent in all areas but also have that replay value; these are the best movies of the year that I wouldn’t mind rewatching over and over again.

These films may not be the most perfect, with some of them even being pretty damn controversial. But like all the film lists I write about these are the films that made me feel something this year; they range from the most entertaining to the most existential to the most emotional.

This year’s list is coming later than most other lists since I like to give as many smaller movies you might not have heard about a chance. This list is also coming at you a lot earlier than I’d normally like to put out my top ten lists, so with that there will be some movies that aren’t on this list simply because I didn’t get to see them at the time this list gets published. If I do end up seeing something that deserves a spot in my top ten I’ll be sure to update it on my Letterboxd which you can check out here.

Alright I’ve rambled on long enough, here are the Top Ten Best Films I’ve seen in 2022:

10) RRR

Director: S.S. Rajamouli

Starting the list is by far the biggest surprise for me in 2022. In a year where classic popcorn flicks like Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water made a big comeback in theaters after two years of COVID, none were as epic and insanely fun as RRR. This Tollywood film has got it all: stupidly fun action sequences, a freaking banger of a musical number, and a simple but engaging story lead by two memorable protagonists. It’s not the most challenging film I’ve seen all year but the simplicity and charm in this dummy-fun epic bromance flick leaves a better impression on me than most films I saw in 2022. If this sounds like a film you might like then by all means check it out on Netflix and hopefully this will open the doors for you to explore other international films you might enjoy out there.

9) Fire of Love

Director: Sara Dosa

Photo: Courtesy National Geographic Documentary Films

Hey you know me, I’m the documentary guy, and have I got the documentary for you. Fire of Love is a documentary about French volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft, who together filmed and documented many of the world’s volcanoes, educating the public about these violent forces of nature and saving thousands of lives as a result before their untimely deaths in 1991. The footage shot by the Kraffts are not only informative on how volcanoes function, they’re also gorgeously captured; this is a documentary that really makes the most of a theatrical viewing. The information presented is insightful and incredibly interesting, the editing gives the film a unique and almost playful personality, and the film’s soundtrack accompanies this doc beautifully. This is a documentary that needs to be seen in the biggest screen possible and one that’s definitely worth checking out. See it today on Disney+.

8) Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Director: Joel Crawford

You know if you were to tell me one of the most introspective films of 2022 about the importance of making the most of your life would be freaking PUSS IN BOOTS 2, I’d scoff right at your face, but here we are. I’ll be honest though it did take a moment for me to truly “get” this film. I didn’t quite love it the first initial watch, but considering just how loved this film is by even the harshest critics I gave it another shot, and it did indeed get better a second time. Right out the gate the animation is extremely vibrant and heavily stylized to give the film an appropriately story book-like feel. All the characters are very memorable and have their own character arcs that feel very natural. The action is fast-paced, the villains are actually intimidating, the music is fun, and the film’s message is fantastic. Kids will no doubt enjoy the film for its high energy and colorful animation, but adults will very much appreciate its surprisingly mature take on what life should all be about. Believe the hype and go check this film out in theaters and VOD today.

7) Decision to Leave

Director: Park Chan-wook

It’s always a treat when Park Chan-wook comes out with a new film. Park Chan-wook is arguably my favorite South Korean director working today, making such great films like The Handmaiden, Thirst, and the iconic Korean classic Oldboy, one of my all time personal favorite films. His latest film Decision to Leave is easily the “safest” film he’s made by far while not sacrificing what makes Park such an iconic Korean director. Park’s direction is, as usual, fantastically sleek and polished; the cinematography is inspired and the editing is as quirky as it is sharp. The chemistry between Park Hae-il and Tang Wei is electrifying, the writing is incredibly layered, and the plot unfolds into a wild rollercoaster that’s hard to predict where it’ll lead. This is a very Hitchcockian and somewhat erotic thriller that makes for an excellent starting point when diving in to Park Chan-wook’s illustrious filmography. Check it out today on MUBI.

6) The Northman

Director: Robert Eggers

It’s Shakespeare but with Vikings, what’s not to like? Much like Robert Eggers’s previous films, The Northman is a film that just gets better over time. For my complete thoughts you can read the full review I wrote for the film here, but to summarize Eggers’s latest film is a stunning and visceral revenge flick that doesn’t get made too often, especially by a major Hollywood studio. It’s got more restraints than you would normally see in an Eggers film as a result, but it still fits beautifully among the auteur’s filmography as an ambitious epic with a lot going on beneath the layers. I’m glad big Hollywood studios are taking more of a risk producing films like this one, I’ve seen it several times already and I have no problems seeing it again some more. Go support this film and check it out today on Amazon Prime.

5) The Banshees of Inisherin

Director: Martin McDonagh

The Banshees of Inisherin was a film I was looking forward to all year. I’ve loved all of Martin McDonagh’s films I’ve seen so far and this film might be my current favorite from the Irish director. In addition to boasting one of the most profoundly meaningful and best written screenplays of the year, this film is also beautifully shot and excellently acted. Colin Farrell gives probably my favorite performance of the year from a lead actor; he can give a showy performance while also maintaining that fine line of subtlety in his delivery of emotions. Brendan Gleeson also gives a very nuanced performance and the chemistry between him and Farrell makes for an entertaining watch. The rest of the cast was also fantastic, the score this time around is a lot more memorable than McDonagh’s last film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and McDonagh expertly balances the film’s tone between darkly funny and darkly haunting. This is a fantastic film that I’m sure will garner a lot of awards’ attention and I highly recommend you check this film out now on HBO Max.

4) TÁR

Director: Todd Field

So this is a film I didn’t expect to love this much when I first heard about it. TÁR is a deeply haunting and oddly funny character study that only gets better the more I think about it. Todd Field’s first film since 2006 showcases a writer/director that has never lost his touch despite not being behind the camera for over fifteen years; the cinematography is fluid, the editing is concise, the writing is layered with so much depth and detail on its title character, and the film peels back those layers in a methodical way. All this is capped by a phenomenal and hypnotic performance from Cate Blanchett, who commands the reins in every scene and keeps all eyes on her, cementing her as one of the greatest actresses of our generation. TÁR is a masterclass film that needs to be checked out by everyone willing to take the dive. See it today on VOD.

3) Everything Everywhere All at Once

Director: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

The anti-thesis to the claim, “originality in Hollywood is dead.” Everything Everywhere All at Once is a wildly creative joyride. I already had high hopes for the Daniels after being thoroughly entertained by what they put out so far, but this film was everything I could’ve imagined from them and more. It’s not only a crazy high-octane martial arts flick, it’s also a compelling family drama that deals with deep existential themes like nihilism, the probability of every event in the universe, and what really goes in an everything bagel. The performances are all top notch, the editing and CGI are impressive, the writing is ingenious, and the action sequences are so much fun to watch. This is a special kind of film that doesn’t come often in this day and age so please do yourself a favor and check it out today. This film is available to watch on Showtime.

2) Aftersun

Director: Charlotte Wells

Just goes to show what kind of amazing movies you can run into when you look outside the normal blockbusters. Charlotte Well’s directorial debut Aftersun is a phenomenal hidden gem. The film explores the complex relationship of a idealistic but depressed father played by Paul Mescal and his inquisitive daughter played by newcomer Frankie Corio through their last vacation trip together. Mescal’s performance was absolutely brilliant; he perfectly portrays a man trying to hide his grief and maintaining a façade so that his daughter can have fun on this trip together. Frankie Corio also gives a fantastic performance for someone her age. The way the film reveals its story is done so beautifully that it rewards those who see it more than one time. The score is haunting, the use of home video is great, and the last twenty minutes or so is among one of the most heart-wrenching climaxes I’ve seen all year; seriously, you are not prepared for how this film ends. This is a fantastic and emotional film that needs to be seen by more people. Please check it out on VOD and see for yourself.

1) Babylon

Director: Damien Chazelle

Yeah yeah I know, now hear me out. Sure this is yet another movie that glamorizes just how great movies are. Sure this is a three hour monstrosity filled with endless amounts of sex, drugs, and bodily fluids of every kind. Sure this is about as self-indulgent as any film from an auteur director can get, one especially as visually distinct and successful as Damien Chazelle. I can understand why this is both a box office bomb and a critical failure.

But you know what? I’ve never had this much fun experiencing all this chaos in a theater in a long time. Damien Chazelle’s Babylon is a wild fever dream that encapsules everything I love about the theater experience. In some ways this film is much like a western in how it portrays the last years of the Roaring 20’s in Hollywood; People come to this wild and untamed environment to strike gold and live the life of a movie star, indulging in copious amounts of drugs, booze, and lust, before the reins get pulled in an attempt to establish order and civility to the west with the introduction of “talkies” and the infamous Hayes Code.

Chazelle navigates us through this tumultuous period in Hollywood’s history in such perfect momentum thanks in part to Justin Hurwitz’s electrifying jazzy score and a slew of fantastic performances. Margot Robbie was stellar, Diego Calva was great, and Brad Pitt gives one of the best performances I’ve seen from him so far. The cinematography is stylish, the production design and blocking is magnificent, all these details are enough to make this film one of my favorites of the year, but in classic Chazelle fashion the whole film builds up to an explosive and poignant finale that seals the deal for me as the best film I’ve seen in 2022. It’s currently playing in theaters now and I highly recommend you check it out while you can.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

All Quiet on the Western Front: The classic story gets a gritty and sleek update in this German adaptation of one of the most harrowing tales of WWI ever told, despite making some questionable updates to the narrative. Available on Netflix.
Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths: Alejandro González Iñárritu’s latest Mexican epic may be as massive and far-reaching as the filmmaker’s ego, but DAMN does it look good. Available on Netflix.
The Fabelmans: Steven Spielberg’s loving semi-biopic about how he got into film that’s worth checking out if you aspire to be a filmmaker yourself. Available on VOD.
Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio: In a year full of Pinocchio adaptations, Del Toro’s take offers a very unique and existential spin on the classic story. Available on Netflix.
Men: Alex Garland’s latest film is a certified weird-ass A24 horror classic. Available on VOD.
Nope: Jordan Peele returns with a fun sci-fi thriller that further showcases the filmmaker’s mastery of the frame. Available on Peacock.
The Quiet Girl: A simple but emotional Irish film that will tug every heartstring imaginable. See it in theaters.
Triangle of Sadness: Ruben Östlund’s second Palme d’Or winning film is a smart and clever satire boasting a sharp screenplay and some pretty realistic looking projectile vomiting (not for the faint of heart, obviously.) Available on VOD.
Wildcat: An emotional documentary about a young British veteran tasked with raising an orphaned ocelot so that it can survive out in the wild, all while battling his own inner demons. Available on Amazon Prime.
Women Talking: Women do indeed talk in a film filled with terrific performances, a melancholy score, and a fantastic screenplay boasting some heavy themes that are painfully relevant today. In select theaters now and opening wide January 23.