Honorable mention: The Witch and Swiss Army Man, which are too difficult to rank. I also don't like including documentaries with feature films so outstanding documentaries including Cameraperson, Tickled, and Tower are not included in this list.
41. Hail, Caesar!
Hail, Caesar is one of the least accessible films by the Coen Brothers and definitely not one of their best, but it's still enjoyable, especially thanks to Alden Ehrenreich (who was just cast as a young Han Solo). His hilarious performance makes the film worth every penny I spent on it.
40. The Accountant
The Accountant rests on Ben Affleck's shoulders who fortunately makes the movie work by not taking a more hammy approach to his character, helping create a solid thriller.
39. Deepwater Horizon
One of two Peter Berg films to come out this year based on a tragic true story starring Mark Wahlberg as a working-class man who says goodbye to his wife in the morning as he intends to enjoy an ordinary day at work only for an explosion to change everything. But hey, it works.
38. Don't Breathe
Although I felt it collapsed a bit near the end, Don't Breathe largely makes the most of its high-concept plot.
37. Hush
A standard home-invasion film with one notable gimmick: the main character is deaf. While not flawless, Hush manages to bring some solid thrills out of this gimmick, thanks to the performances of its two leads and sympathetic protagonist.
36. Finding Dory
Finding Dory could've done more to separate itself from its predecessor, but the nostalgia worked and the film's sweet tone and hysterical voice acting made it worth the watch.
35. Midnight Special
One of two Jeff Nichols' films to come out this year, Midnight Special is incredibly light on exposition, but still manages to create an original and engaging tale with creative visuals and a beautiful score.
34. Deadpool
It's for a very specific audience, but Deadpool largely delivered on everything fans of the comic were hoping for. The script is crude and funny, the action is entertaining, and Ryan Reynolds is wonderful as the title character.
33. Paterson
Paterson is extremely simple as one might expect from a Jim Jarmusch film. Similarly, it also features a very humanistic lead performance from Adam Driver and very authentic dialogue that makes the film worth the watch.
32. Captain America: Civil War
Another day, another Marvel film, but this one's pretty damn good. Excellent action scenes, a morally complex story, and one of the best MCU villains ever thanks to Daniel Brühl, Civil War doesn't quite match up to The Winter Soldier (my favorite MCU film) but it's pretty close.
31. Snowden
Snowden is easily Oliver Stone's best film in a LONG time (not that that's saying much), tackling the film's complex real-world issues is an engaging way.
Snowden is easily Oliver Stone's best film in a LONG time (not that that's saying much), tackling the film's complex real-world issues is an engaging way.
30. Jackie
The plot is short, spanning only a week, but Natalie Portman's excellent performance (not too mention a strong performance by the late John Hurt) and the stunning cinematography and costume design make Jackie feel like more than the standard biopic fare.
29. Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures comes off as a pretty standard feel-good film, but the strong performances and the script that sends moving messages without preaching greatly elevates the film into something really moving.
28. Hacksaw Ridge
The second best film about a devoutly Christian Andrew Garfield going to Japan during a period of violence, Hacksaw Ridge also serves as a solid comeback for director Mel Gibson.
27. Lion
Sure it's sentimental and baity, but the strong dual performance from Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel help transcend the film into something genuinely heartfelt.
Sure it's sentimental and baity, but the strong dual performance from Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel help transcend the film into something genuinely heartfelt.
26. Nocturnal Animals
Basically destined to be divisive, I still thought Nocturnal Animals benefits from the gorgeous cinematography, strong acting, and straightforward, but still engaging premise.
Basically destined to be divisive, I still thought Nocturnal Animals benefits from the gorgeous cinematography, strong acting, and straightforward, but still engaging premise.
25. Zootopia
Zootopia is equal parts funny and thoughtful, with excellent voice acting and strong world-building.
24. 10 Cloverfield Lane
10 Cloverfield Lane succeeds largely due to its original premise and unpredictable script, but perhaps will be remembered most for having one of John Goodman's best performances
10 Cloverfield Lane succeeds largely due to its original premise and unpredictable script, but perhaps will be remembered most for having one of John Goodman's best performances
23. Eye in the Sky
Eye in the Sky portrays drone warfare in a morally ambiguous way that only serves to amp up the tension. The excellent performances from the ensemble including Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman, and Barkhad Abdi, help sell the film's complexity even more.
22. The Jungle Book
Jon Favreau's rendition of the Jungle Book is worth the viewing alone for the pure visual spectacle, but he even kept me entertained with its surprisingly complex script.
21. The Nice Guys
Shane Black returns to his "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" roots in The Nice Guys, a dark crime comedy that manages to be both hilarious and messed up (but mostly the former).
20. Keanu
It was just a funny film.
19. Loving
Jeff Nichols took a huge risk when he took such an understated approach to the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, but it pays off, resulting in a nuanced story that never feels melodramatic, but creates an honest feeling between its two leads.
18. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
The great Taika Waititi hits it out of the park again with Hunt for the Wilderpeople. It's incredibly funny, heartwarming when it needs to be, and simply one of the most consistently entertaining and fun films of the year.
18. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
The great Taika Waititi hits it out of the park again with Hunt for the Wilderpeople. It's incredibly funny, heartwarming when it needs to be, and simply one of the most consistently entertaining and fun films of the year.
17. Elle
Isabelle Huppert gives one of the best performances of the year in Elle, while Paul Verhoeven proves that he's still capable of making original, daring movies. Not for the faint of heart though.
16. Kubo and the Two Strings
Kubo and the Two Strings features some of the best stop-motion animation I've ever seen and can appeal to a wide variety of audiences with its mix of humor and drama.
Kubo and the Two Strings features some of the best stop-motion animation I've ever seen and can appeal to a wide variety of audiences with its mix of humor and drama.
15. Other People
Jesse Plemons, Molly Shannon, and Bradley Whitford give tremendous performances in Other People, which uses its straightforward premise to create a really authentic look at familial relationships
14. Captain Fantastic
Captain Fantastic is yet another showcase of Viggo Mortensen's acting ability while actor Matt Ross (Big Love, Silicon Valley) proves that he's a name to look out for as a writer and director.
Captain Fantastic is yet another showcase of Viggo Mortensen's acting ability while actor Matt Ross (Big Love, Silicon Valley) proves that he's a name to look out for as a writer and director.
13. Fences
Fences does little to make itself more cinematic than its source material, but when you get career-best work from Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, it's hard to care.
Fences does little to make itself more cinematic than its source material, but when you get career-best work from Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, it's hard to care.
12, Arrival
Denis Villeneuve proves with Arrival that he's more than capable of handling Blade Runner 2049 with the films beautiful but non-flashy visuals, strong performances, and thoughtful script.
11. American Honey
A 2 hour and 40 minute film about a bunch of young people selling BS prescription magazines shouldn't be this entertaining, but the performances by Sasha Lane and Shia Labeouf make it work far better than I would've ever expected.
A 2 hour and 40 minute film about a bunch of young people selling BS prescription magazines shouldn't be this entertaining, but the performances by Sasha Lane and Shia Labeouf make it work far better than I would've ever expected.
10. The Lobster
One of the most original films I've seen in years, The Lobster matches its originality with its terrific performances and cinematography.
9. Edge of Seventeen
Hailee Steinfeld gives her best performance since True Grit in this coming-of-age film that uses its very complex and relatable protagonist to tell its bittersweet yet incredibly engaging story
8. Manchester by the Sea
Manchester by the Sea takes a pretty straightforward story that could've been far more predictable and makes it surprising yet believable. And I think enough has been said about Casey Affleck's subtle yet emotional performance at this point.
7. Christine
An incredibly small indie film that came and went, Christine tells the tragic story of real-life reporter Christine Chubbuck, played by Rebecca Hall in an absolutely masterful performance.
6. 20th Century Women
20th Century Women has what could be Annette Bening's best performance to date, but the entire ensemble that includes Elle Fanning, Greta Gerwig, Lucas Jade Zumann and Billy Crudup all deserve a shoutout. In a perfect world, this film would've been a major contender for the SAG ensemble category.
5. Green Room
Jeremy Saulnier's follow-up to the acclaimed but underseen Blue Ruin surpassed my already high expectations. Featuring the best performance of Patrick Stewart's career as a pragmatic but ruthless Neo-nazi leader and one of the final performances of the late Anton Yelchin, Green Room is one of the most intense theater-going experiences I've had in a long time with its brutal but non-gratuitous violence and genuine scares.
4. Hell or High Water
Once a TV actor on shows like Sons of Anarchy, screenwriter David McKenzie gave a near-perfect follow up to his last screenplay, Sicario. A modern-day Western heist film, Hell or High Water largely succeeds thanks to David McKenzie's strong screenplay and the film's commitment to creating fleshed out characters.
3. La La Land
Damian Chazelle's follow-up to Whiplash is a much different film. Lighter in tone but without sacrificing stakes or conflict, the film is beautifully shot and choreographed. Chazelle's direction of the various musical numbers really has to be seen to be fully understood.
Damian Chazelle's follow-up to Whiplash is a much different film. Lighter in tone but without sacrificing stakes or conflict, the film is beautifully shot and choreographed. Chazelle's direction of the various musical numbers really has to be seen to be fully understood.
2. Silence
Martin Scorcese's passion project may have been largely snubbed by the Academy, but that doesn't take away from the film's numerous achievements. Morally complex and flawlessly acted, Silence will go down as one of Scorcese's best films.
1. Moonlight
Moonlight succeeds on every level. A powerful screenplay, amazing acting, a haunting musical score, gorgeous cinematography. The story plays out in an interesting way that's neither predictable nor preachy and it remains one of the most memorable films I've seen in a long time.
Moonlight succeeds on every level. A powerful screenplay, amazing acting, a haunting musical score, gorgeous cinematography. The story plays out in an interesting way that's neither predictable nor preachy and it remains one of the most memorable films I've seen in a long time.
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