2020 Oscar Predictions

Just another Oscar predictions list. These aren't my opinions, they're simply ordered by my predicted likelihood of a nomination. Subject to change.

Best Actor

1. Adam Driver- Marriage Story

Adam Driver has become quite the rising star over the last few years and I'd argue that he gives his best performance to date in Marriage Story. He's already garnering nominations left and right and the film is also a potential Best Picture frontrunner.

2. Joaquin Phoenix- Joker

Joker has been a controversial and divisive movie, but most seem to be in agreement that Joaquin Phoenix's performance is the best part. Like Driver, he's scoring nominations everywhere and is likely a lock for a nod at this point.

3. Leonardo DiCaprio- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

This is Leo's first movie since he won an Oscar for The Revenant 4 years ago and he seems likely to score another nod this year with a performance that's received nods by the Golden Globes, Critic's Choice, and SAG.

4. Taron Egerton- Rocketman

Rocketman came out awhile ago but that hasn't stopped Egerton's performance from being recognized by the Golden Globes and SAG. He's not as safe of a bet but seems like a probable nomination.

5. Christian Bale- Ford V. Ferrari
Bale's in 5th and his slot will definitely be one for the taking. Still, Bale has received 4 Oscar nominations in the last 9 years so the Academy clearly likes him and he probably shouldn't be discounted.

6. Adam Sandler- Uncut Gems

Sandler is getting career-best praise for Uncut Gems, but this might be a case of a film being too underseen to get proper recognition. Still, he won Best Actor at the National Board of Review and over the last 10 years, only 2 NBR Best Actor winners weren't nominated at the Oscars, so that's gotta count for something.

7. Robert De Niro- The Irishman

Honestly kinda surprised De Niro isn't more of a contender, though I guess he's more subdued and ambiguous than Pesci and De Niro. Still, he scored a Critic's Choice nomination and is in a Best Picture frontrunner so maybe he'll sneak his way into a nomination.

8. Antonio Banderas- Pain and Glory

Banderas has been a known actor for awhile but has never scored an Oscar nomination. I'm not sure he'll get in for a Spanish-language film not seen by many, but he's been recognized at the Golden Globes and Critic's Choice.

9. Eddie Murphy- Dolemite is My Name
Eddie Murphy gives quite a comeback performance in his first R-rated comedy in 20 years. He's quite the charismatic dude and based on his Golden Globe and Critic's Choice nods, could be a contender, though he'd likely be the film's sole nomination.

10. Jonathan Pryce- The Two Popes

Pryce has been a respected actor for awhile, kinda shocking to think he's never scored an Oscar nod before. Well, it doesn't get much baitier than playing the Pope so we'll see if the Academy takes the bait.

11. Robert Pattinson- The Lighthouse

Your day will come, Robert. And if it doesn't, that's on them.

12. Daniel Craig- Knives Out

Honestly just happy he got that Golden Globe nomination. Deserved it for the commitment to that accent.

13. Mark Ruffalo- Dark Waters

Not a film that's gotten much award recognition, but it's a good movie and I'm kinda shocked this "important issue" type of film is being ignored this awards season.

Best Actress

1. Scarlett Johansson- Marriage Story
I sometimes forget that Johansson wasn't nominated for Lost in Translation over 15 years ago, and hasn't received a single Oscar nomination to date. But she seems to be a lock for Marriage Story and I wouldn't be surprised if she managed to score a win because she seems to have much more hype than everyone else.

2. Charlize Theron- Bombshell

Although still actively working, Theron hasn't received an Oscar nomination for nearly 15 years but she's getting a lot of acclaim for her work in Bombshell that seems likely to score her another nomination.

3. Renee Zellweger- Judy
Judy is Zellweger's comeback film, although some have argued it's a great performance in a mediocre film, that might be enough to get her in. 

4. Saoirse Ronan- Little Women

Ronan scored her 3rd Oscar nomination at just 23 years old. The Academy clearly likes her and everyone is liking Little Women. Her snub at SAG didn't help but I think she'll work her way in.

5. Cynthia Erivo- Harriet

Erivo's sudden onslaught of nominations surprised me because the film seemed to have come and gone fairly quickly. If nominated, she'd likely be the sole nomination so I'd argue she's on shaky ground but getting in at Critic's Choice, SAG, and Golden Globes is impressive.

6. Lupita N'yongo- Us

Lupita N'yongo was recognized at Critic's Choice and SAG but not the Golden Globes. She's also in a horror film, which posits a bit of an uphill battle when it comes to Oscar recognition. 

7. Awkwafina- The Farewell

Awkwafina has a good narrative, being a comedic actress who was able to show her dramatic abilities. The Academy loves a good narrative and she's scored Critic's Choice and Golden Globe nominations (snubbed at SAG). But she's not a lock and we'll see if the Academy still remembers an A24 film that got released in the Summer. 

8. Ana De Armas- Knives Out

Ana De Armas had been in previous films but she's recognized as the breakout star of Knives Out, scoring a Golden Globe nomination.

9. Florence Pugh- Midsommar

It's gonna be a Hereditary situation all over again. Maybe someday people in Ari Aster films will get Oscar nominations.

10. Alfre Woodard- Clemency

Alfre Woodard's performance as a prison warden is garnering her lots of acclaim and opening right at the end of the year seems to have potential for an upset if enough people check out her film.

11. Elisabeth Moss- Her Smell

Director Alex Ross Perry is campaigning for her and Moss seems like the type of actress who's gonna get the right role for an Oscar nomination sooner or later, but it's probably not happening this year.

Best Supporting Actor

1. Brad Pitt- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Putting Brad Pitt at #1 is more of an educated guess, but he's scoring the major precursors, is a very well-liked actor, and I think the Academy is ready to finally recognize him with an acting Oscar.

2. Joe Pesci- The Irishman

Pesci came out of his unofficial retirement to star in The Irishman and he hasn't been this good since Goodfellas. He's getting nominated left and right and even won at the National Board of Review.

3. Al Pacino- The Irishman

Al Pacino has been nominated 8 times, but it's been over 25 years since his last nomination. That seems likely to end this year. The only question is whether he and Pesci could cancel each other out but I could picture them both getting in.

4. Tom Hanks- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Everyone loves Tom Hanks, including the Academy, but he hasn't actually been nominated for an Oscar in nearly 20 years. He didn't get in for Captain Phillips, Bridge of Spies, or The Post, but he seems like he might have a chance for A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, as he's already scored all the major precursors.

5. Anthony Hopkins- The Two Popes

Hopkins, like Hanks, is one of the most respected actors working today, but he hasn't actually scored an Oscar nomination for over 20 years. It might change this year with a performance that's been recognized by the Golden Globes and Critic's Choice.

6. Willem Dafoe- The Lighthouse

Probably too artsy and weird for the Academy but Willem Dafoe gives what might be the performance of his career in The Lighthouse and at least the Critic's Choice awards were willing to recognize that.

7. Jamie Foxx- Just Mercy

Foxx's performance in Just Mercy is being praised by some and his best performance in over a decade and his SAG nomination solidifies that people are paying attention.

8. Song Kang Ho- Parasite

First off, he's one of my favorite actors so although unlikely, I'm kinda pulling for him. Last year, we had a foreign language film (Roma) that was a Best Picture frontrunner and squeezed in two unexpected acting nods when the Oscars were announced. Maybe it could happen again this year.

Best Supporting Actress

1. Laura Dern- Marriage Story

Laura Dern seems pretty beloved in Hollywood and has a fun and showy supporting role in an acclaimed Best Picture winner. Is she a lock for a win? Not yet, but it certainly seems more than possible.

2. Margot Robbie- Bombshell

Margot Robbie received her first Oscar nomination 2 years ago and seems to be viewed as the highlight of Bombshell, garnering nominations everywhere.

3. Jennifer Lopez- Hustlers

Jennifer Lopez has never scored an Oscar nomination, which seemingly could finally change this year as she's scoring the major precursors.

4. Scarlett Johansson- Jojo Rabbit

Could Scarlett Johansson get a second nomination alongside Marriage Story? Yep, it's certainly possible and the Critic's Choice and SAG seem to agree, but this feels less locked than her Marriage Story performance. 

5. Florence Pugh- Little Women

If Florence Pugh won't get recognized for Midsommar, this'll have to do.

6. Nicole Kidman- Bombshell

She's lacking the recognition of her co-stars but Kidman did get recognized at SAG. Could she squeeze in? Maybe.

7, Shuzhen Zhao- The Farewell

Nominate Shuzhen Zhao, you cowards! 

8. Kathy Bates- Richard Jewell

Richard Jewell has underperformed at the box office which doesn't help but Kathy Bates has received a Golden Globe nod and a win at the National Board of Review. She could be a dark horse.

9, Annette Bening- The Report

Bening scored a Golden globe nod, which many found surprising. Probably won't get in but she is playing a real person in a "big issue" film.

Best Director

1. Bong Joon Ho- Parasite

2. Martin Scorsese- The Irishman

3. Noah Baumbach- Marriage Story

4. Sam Mendes- 1917

5. Quentin Tarantino- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

6. Greta Gerwig- Little Women

7. Pedro Almodóvar- Pain & Glory

8. Todd Phillips- Joker

9. Taika Waititi- Jojo Rabbit

10. The Safdie Brothers- Uncut Gems

11. Robert Eggers- The Lighthouse

12. Lulu Wang- The Farewell

13. James Mangold- Ford v. Ferrari

14. Marielle Heller- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

15. Terrence Malick- A Hidden Life

Films to see in Fall/December 2019

It's September 2019, so it's time for another movie ranking list. Hopefully it'll be a good season.

40. Lucy in the Sky 
So apparently this film isn't very good, but I won't lie, I thought the trailers were pretty intriguing. Plus, Noah Hawley is directing it. Can't be that bad, right?

39. Sound of Silence

An IFC film centered on a "house tuner," (Peter Sarsgaard) working on the sonic environment of homes.

38. Little Monsters

A zombie comedy starring Lupita Nyong'o and Josh Gad

37. Gemini Man

Okay, this looks pretty bad...but it's Ang Lee. It can't be too awful, can it?

36. Motherless Brooklyn

A noir crime film directed by and starring Edward Norton. His character has Tourette's so we'll see if that works well or goes horribly wrong.

35. Frozen 2

No comment.

34. Low Tide

An A24 crime drama about a group of friends who find treasure on the Jersey Shore.

33. Bombshell

The second dramatization of Fox News to come out this year after Showtime's The Loudest Voice, starring Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie, and John Lithgow. Directed by Jay Roach who also directed the HBO political dramas Recount, Game Change, and All the Way.

32. The Current War

The Current War first premiered at TIFF two years ago to mostly negative reviews. Now it's finally getting a theatrical scene, with new scenes added and other scenes cut out. Whether or not this new version will get a better reception remains to be seen.

31. The Aeronauts

Hey it's Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones working together again after The Theory of Everything. That's kinda cool, right?

30. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

No Comment.

29. Judy

Renée Zellweger is Judy Garland.

28. Just Mercy

Directed by Daniel Dustin Cretin (Short Term 12), Just Mercy stars Michael B. Jordan as lawyer Walter Stephenson as he fights cases for the wrongly convicted in Alabama. Jamie Foxx and Brie Larson co-star.

27. The Good Liar

Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren star as an aging conman and his mark respectively.

26. Hustlers

A recently released true crime film that's received critical and box office success, telling the story of strippers robbing stock traders and CEOs who visit their club. Stars Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu.

25. The Laundromat

Stephen Soderbergh's latest film which has received mixed reviews. It stars Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, and Antonio Banderas and dramatizes the Panama Papers scandal.

24. Joker

A film that has already received much controversy prior to its wide release, the R-rated film stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker in an origin story separate from any larger cinematic universe.

23. Doctor Sleep

Following the success of The Haunting of Hill House, Mike Flanagan's new film is an adaptation of Stephen King's novel, which is a sequel to The Shining.

22. Ford v. Ferrari

I am not especially familiar with the Ford v. Ferrari story, but Christian Bale is usually reliable and I like James Mangold (Walk the Line, Logan, 3:10 to Yuma).

21. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Tom Hanks is Fred Rogers, but Matthew Rhys (The Americans) is in it too and more people should be appreciating that fact.

20. Clemency

Alfre Woodard stars as a prison warden dealing with a couple recent executions and issues in her personal life. 

19. 1917

Directed by Sam Mendes with cinemtography by Roger Deakins, 1917 is set in...1917 and tells the story of British soldiers during the First World War.

18. Queen & Slim

Based on a screenplay by Lena Waithe (Master of None, The Chi), the film tells a sort of modern day Bonnie and Clyde story, as a couple on their first date goes on the run after accidentally killing a police officer. The film's cast includes Daniel Kaluuya, Bokeem Woodbine, Chloë Sevigny, and Flea.

17. The King

Directed by David Michod (Animal Kingdom) with a screenplay by Michod and Joel Edgerton, The King stars Timothee Chalamet in a really bad haircut as King Henry V

16. Dark Waters

New film from Todd Haynes and the second film starring Mark Ruffalo to deal with the DuPont family after Foxcatcher. 

15. Knives Out

Rian Johnson's follow up to the divisive Last Jedi is very different, a whodunit with a big ensemble cast. The film has been acclaimed by critics but I'm curious if he'll make a film that's divisive with audiences again.

14. Ad Astra

James Gray's space adventure movie starring Brad Pitt. Film seems to be a bit divisive but there's a percentage of people who really LOVE it. 

13. Little Women

Greta Gerwig's second film after Lady Bird said to be more focused on themes than a straightforward narrative.

12. Jojo Rabbit

Called an "anti-hate satire", Taika Waititi's controversial new film centers on a young boy growing up in Nazi Germany who begins questioning the beliefs he's been taught after meeting a Jewish girl. 

11. Harriet

Biopic about Harriett Tubman starring Cynthia Erivo, who had a minor breakout last year with Bad Times at the El Royale and Widows.

10. The Report

Adam Driver, Annette Bening, and Jon Hamm star in this film that follows the Senate Intelligence Committee as they investigate the CIA's use of torture following the September 11 attacks.

9. Pain and Glory

A Spanish drama directed by Pedro Almodóvar and starring Antonio Banderas, following "A film director reflects on the choices he's made in life as the past and present come crashing down around him."

8. A Hidden Life

Terrence Malick's latest film features the final performances of the late Michael Nyqvist and Bruno Ganz. The film tells the story of Franz Jägerstätter, a German conscientious objector who refused to fight for the Nazis.

7. Honey Boy

Shia LaBeouf wrote the screenplay for this film that is clearly based on his own life, telling the story of a child actor over many years. LaBeouf portrays the father of the actor.

6. Waves

The new Trey Edward Shults film stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. (who he previously worked with in "It Comes at Night"), Sterling K. Brown and Lucas Hedges, following a family in Florida navigating loss.

5. Marriage Story

Noah Baumbach's new film stars Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. All 3 of them have gotten some of the biggest raves of their career in the story of a marriage falling apart. Two trailers were released simultaneously, each one focusing on a different character.

4. The Irishman

Martin Scorcese's passion project is finally happening with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci highlighting the cast. The mob film is set over many decades with CGI being used to de-age the actors. How this will look in the final project remains to be seen but the project is certainly ambitious, said to be 209 minutes total.

3. Uncut Gems

Good Time was one of my favorite movies of 2017. Adam Sandler is an actor who I think rarely picks good projects but I also know that he can be excellent when working with directors who actually care. So this collaboration has certainly caught my interest.

2. The Lighthouse

The Witch was a film I liked quite a bit but didn't love. That said, it was clear that Robert Eggers had a lot of potential as a filmmaker. By all accounts, The Lighthouse is ansflfmls improvement over The Witch, with many going so far as to label it a masterpiece.

1. Parasite

Bong Joon-Ho is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. That's all.

2019 Academy Awards: Final Predictions for Winners in all 24 categories

Here are my final predictions for the Academy Awards in every category. These are ranked in terms of likelihood of winning, not my personal rankings. For the top 8, I've also included my favorite of what was nominated and what I actually think deserves to win regardless of if they were nominated or not.


Best Picture

1. Roma

2. The Favourite

3. Green Book

4. Black KkKlansman

5. A Star is Born

6. Vice

7. Bohemian Rhapsody

8. Black Panther

Roma seems like a fairly safe bet here, though maybe The Favourite could have some goodwill going its way. Green Book did win at the PGA, which is often a precursor to the Best Picture winner, but there have been several exceptions including in recent years (The Big Short and La La Land won but lost at the Oscars). Green Book also didn't get nominated for Best Director. The last time a film won Best Picture without a directing nomination was Ben Affleck in Argo, and those were very unusual circumstances where Affleck was viewed as a Best Director frontrunner before his snub. Still, Green Book could appeal to older Academy voters, but I think most agree that Roma has the biggest chance.

My Pick of the Nominees: The Favourite (Roma would be an equally worthy winner)

My Actual Pick: The Favourite

Best Director

1. Alfonso Cuarón, Roma

2. Spike Lee- BlacKkKlansman

3. Yorgos Lanthimos- The Favourite

4. Adam McKay- Vice

5. Paweł Pawlikowski- Cold War

It's going to Alfonso Cuarón. I really can't imagine it going to anyone else this year. 

My Pick of the Nominees: Alfonso Cuarón- Roma

My Actual Pick: Alfonso Cuarón- Roma

Best Actor

1. Rami Malek- Bohemian Rhapsody

2. Christian Bale- Vice

3. Bradley Cooper- A Star is Born

4. Viggo Mortensen- Green Book

5. Willem Dafoe- At Eternity’s Gate

Well, we all know Ethan Hawke would be the frontrunner in a just world, but this isn't a just world. As it is, it's probably going to Rami Malek, who admittedly is the best part of a very flawed film and definitely helps elevate it a fair bit, though I'd still rank him 4th of the nominees, only above Viggo Mortensen. Christian Bale could potentially win for Vice. It'd be his second Oscar, but first in the leading actor category, but Malek definitely has the edge with the SAG and BAFTA wins. Bradley Cooper is the next most likely, but he hasn't been noticed much this awards season. Viggo Mortensen and Willem Dafoe definitely aren't winning.

My Pick of the Nominees: Willem Dafoe- At Eternity’s Gate

My Actual Pick: Ethan Hawke- First Reformed

Best Actress

1. Glenn Close- The Wife

2. Olivia Colman- The Favourite

3. Melissa McCarthy- Can You Ever Forgive Me?

4. Lady Gaga- A Star is Born

5. Yalitza Aparicio- Roma

This is Glenn Close's 7th nomination and now she might finally win, after being recognized at the Golden Globes, SAG, and Critic's Choice. She only lost at the BAFTAs to Olivia Colman. I do think Colman gave the better performance, but even Academy voters who agree with me may still feel inclined to award Glenn Close due to her long-time unrecognized status, while Colman will likely have future chances. Whether or not you agree with that logic is irrelevant. After all, Al Pacino won an Oscar for Scent of a Woman, his eighth nomination, but very few would call that his best performance. So I'm rooting for Colman, but I'll definitely be happy for Close if she does win.

My Pick of the nominees: Olivia Colman- The Favourite

My Actual Pick: Olivia Colman for The Favourite or Toni Collette for Hereditary. I don’t know. They’re both perfect.

Best Supporting Actor

1. Mahershala Ali- Green Book

2. Richard E. Grant- Can You Ever Forgive Me?

3. Sam Elliot- A Star is Born

4. Adam Driver- Black KkKlansman

5. Sam Rockwell- Vice

Conventional logic dictates that this Oscar is going to Mahershala Ali. He's won at the 4 big precursors and he's been the one controversy-free element of Green Book's controversial last couple months. The only question is will the Academy want to award him again just two years after Moonlight? It's possible. Jason Robards won Best Supporting Actor two years in a row for All the President's Men and Julia. But maybe Richard E. Grant could sneak in for an upset win or Sam Elliot's status as a respected veteran actor could do him some favors. Adam Driver definitely isn't winning, but I'm sure he'll have plenty of nominees to come. I adore Sam Rockwell, but everyone knows his nomination for Vice is a filler slot.

My Pick of the Nominees: Sam Elliott- A Star is Born

My Actual Pick: Steven Yeun- Burning

Best Supporting Actress

1. Regina King- If Beale Street Could Talk

2. Rachel Weisz- The Favourite

3. Amy Adams- Vice

4. Emma Stone- The Favourite

5. Marina de Tavira- Roma

Definitely between Regina King and Rachel Weisz. Rachel Weisz has the advantage of having previously been nominated in every major awards body as well as being in a Best Picture contender. Regina King, in contrast, was snubbed at SAG and BAFTA. Rachel Weisz won at BAFTA while Emily Blunt, who wasn't nominated, won at SAG, which helps King's chances. Regina King has won often when she is nominated, most prominently at the Critic's Choice and Golden Globes. This situation somewhat resembles 2015 with Regina King being akin to Sylvester Stallone and Rachel Weisz being akin to Mark Rylance. It was Mark Rylance who ended up winning, but I'm still giving Regina King the slight edge. Rachel Weisz has already won and the Academy might not feel the need to award her again when there's another acclaimed performance in the mix. It'll be a nail biter.

My Pick of the nominees: Regina King- If Beale Street Could Talk

My Actual Pick: Regina King- If Beale Street Could Talk

Best Original Screenplay

1. The Favourite (Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara)

2. Green Book (Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie and Peter Farrelly)

3. First Reformed (Paul Schrader)

4. Roma (Alfonso Cuarón)

5. Vice (Adam McKay)

I wished the race was between The Favourite and First Reformed, because I'd be happy to see either one win. As it is, it's more likely between The Favourite and Green Book. I still think The Favourite will edge out but there is a chance older Academy voters will take more to Green Book. Roma is fantastic, but it's a primarily visual film, so it won't be winning here. Adam McKay's definitely not winning. 

My Pick of the Nominees: First Reformed or The Favourite

My Actual Pick: Uh...First Reformed or The Favourite

Best Adapted Screenplay

1. BlacKkKlansman (Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee)
2. Can You Ever Forgive Me? (Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty)

3. If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins)

4. A Star is Born (Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper & Will Fetters) 

5. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (Joel & Ethan Coen)

This one is really tough. It's definitely between Can You Ever Forgive Me or BlacKkKlansman. I keep going back and forth with my predictions here. Can You Ever Forgive me won at the WGA (Writers Guild Awards) but I wouldn't be surprised if the Academy wants to give Spike Lee something, even if it's a shared award. So why am I giving BlacKkKlansman the edge? It was nominated for Best Picture. Can You Ever Forgive Me wasn't. The last time a film won Best Adapted Screenplay without a Best Picture nomination was Gods and Monsters 20 years ago.

My Pick of the Nominees: If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins)

My Actual Pick: The Death of Stalin (Armando Iannucci, David Schneider, Ian Martin)

Other Predictions (Without Rankings):

Best Animated film: Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse (Alt: The Incredibles 2)

Best Foreign language film: Roma (alt: Cold War)

Best Original Song: Shallow (A Star is born)

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Vice

Best Visual Effects: Avengers: Infinity War (Alt: First Man)

Best Documentary: Free Solo (Alt: Minding the Gap)

Best Costume Design: Black Panther (Alt: The Favourite)

Best Original Score: This one is tough, but I'm going with If Beale Street Could Talk, which would be a worthy winner (Alt: Black Panther)

Best Sound Editing: First Man (Alt: A Quiet Place)

Best sound mixing: Bohemian Rhapsody (Alt: First Man)

Best Editing: Vice (Alt: The Favourite). Or maybe Bohemian Rhapsody could win. It won at the BAFTAs. I don't know. The Favourite should win, but Vice is the flashier film. Just don't give it to Bohemian Rhapsody, please.

Best Production Design: The Favourite (Alt: Black Panther)

Best Cinematography: Roma (Alt: The Favourite)

Best Animated Short: Bao

Best Documentary Short: Period. End of Sentence

Best Live Action Short: Marguerite

My Favorite Movies of 2018

I'll preface this by saying that ranking movies is incredibly difficult, especially when films are so different from one another. I was basically able to narrow it down to this but there's different room for this order to rearrange, especially upon rewatch. And obviously this is just my personal opinion. These first 8 films I don't really have much to say about right now, so I'll just list them and move on (maybe I'll update these entries later with actual thoughts)

71. Crazy Rich Asians

70. Upgrade

69. Halloween

68. Creed II

67. The Incredibles 2

66. The Wife

65. Green Book

64. Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot



63. Game Night
Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a studio comedy with cinematography this good, what the hell?



62. Outlaw King
A sort of successor to Braveheart, Outlaw King is mostly entertaining thanks to some genuinely well-shot and intense action scenes.



61. A Quiet Place
Nowhere near the best horror of the year, but there is something to appreciate about the minimalist approach, not to mention some cool creature designs and tense moments.



60. Deadpool 2
Look, you either go for this or you don’t. I was mostly entertained.



59. Mid 90s
Jonah Hill’s directorial debut has some issues, but the camerawork does a great job at making you feel like you’re in the 90s and it’s got some really immersive performances, particularly by the non-professional actors.



58. Zama
I’ll admit I appreciated the film’s technical achievements more than its narrative, but if you’re looking for a good film about colonialism, this is definitely worth a watch.



57. Unsane
Also known as the film that Stephen Soderbergh shot on an Iphone. I wasn't a big fan of how the story played out in the 3rd act, but there's a lot to appreciate about the film's visual style and Claire Foy is top-notch.



56. The Old Man and the Gun
This is said to be Robert Redford’s final acting performance and it’s a pretty solid send-off. It’s got a breezy tone reminding me of films like Catch Me if you Can that makes for an entertaining experience.



55. Mary Poppins Returns
Emily Blunt had some big shoes to fill by taking over as Mary Poppins, but she largely succeeded and the result is a fun little film with catchy music, though I do wonder how many young kids will be able to follow the banking plotline.



54. Disobedience
Set in an Orthodox Jewish community, Disobedience is a really good acting showcase with Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, and Alessandro Nivola all bringing a lot to their characters.



53. Black Panther
Black Panther is a largely fun movie with colorful characters, fascinating themes regarding isolationism, and a really good performance from Michael B. Jordan as a MCU villain with actual motivations



52. Avengers: Infinity War
I don’t really have anything to say about this film that hasn’t already been said by millions of others, but it’s the second MCU film this year to have a good villain who has interesting motivations and you could actually feel the stakes so that’s gotta count for something.



51. The Kindergarten Teacher
I’d call myself a pretty big fan of Maggie Gyllenhaal and The Kindergarten Teacher is another solid add to her resume, with one of her least  likable characters to date, but one who’s plenty compelling to watch onscreen.



50. The Other Side of the Wind
Orson Welles’ final movie, once declared to be unfinished has been edited in a feature film over 40 years later. The editing is quite unusual, featuring cameras of varying qualities and it’s probably not super accessible, but it’s a must watch for Orson Welles’ fans.



49. Support the Girls
A really nice slice-of-life look at a Hooters-style restaurant with a really incredible performance by Regina Hall



48. At Eternity’s Gate
This film may be a bit too experimental and slow for some, but Willem Dafoe is a revelation as Vincent Van Gogh, probably my favorite of the Best Actor nominees this year.



47. Annhilation
This is Alex Garland’s second film as a director after Ex Machina and while I don’t think it’s as good, it does prove that Ex Machina wasn’t a fluke. Natalie Portman is great as usual and the film definitely manages to crawl under your skin, especially in the last 20 minutes.



46. Boy Erased
I’m a really big fan of Joel Edgerton as an actor and now I think it’s safe to say I also like him a lot as a director, though there’s certainly room to grow. Going from a psychological thriller like The Gift to a drama like Boy Erased emphasizes Edgerton’s versatility. Boy Erased is a really disturbing film, but the performances from Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Joel Edgerton are worth watching if you can handle the gay conversion therapy subject matter.



45. Blaze
Blaze is the directorial debut of Ethan Hawke, one of my favorite actors working today. While I wouldn’t call it a flawless debut, I think he shows a lot of promise. There are quite a few hard-hitting moments and newcomer Ben Dickey is outstanding as musician Blaze Foley.



44. A Prayer Before Dawn
A minimalist approach helps make this atmospheric film set in a Thai prison chillingly effective. But be warned, this is not for a faint of heart, as it includes a rape scene about 30 minutes into the movie.


43. Thoroughbreds
A dark comedy about plotting murder is very much my type of film. Anya-Taylor Joy and Olivia Cooke have believable chemistry and the film serves as a solid final film for the late Anton Yelchin. A very promising debut from writer/director Cory Finley.



42. Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant are a joy to watch here, telling a morally ambiguous story with a steady balance of humor and drama.



41. Searching
I really hate the film Unfriended, so I wasn’t exactly excited for a film using the same “computer perpsective” gimmick. To say it was a pleasant surprise is an understatement. From John Cho’s performance to the plot’s development, there’s a lot to enjoy, but what really stood out to me was how creative the presentation was. It takes this gimmick and actually does something interesting with it.



40. We the Animals
A sort of Terrence Malick-esque drama focusing on a volatile family told through the eyes of the youngest son. It’s beautifully shot and has some really lovely naturalistic performances.



39. Three Identical Strangers
This was a really unusual documentary, beginning as rather lighthearted fare as three young men who were adopted into separate families discover they were triplets separated at birth. The film has some unexpected tonal shifts but it’s an engaging journey with a lot of empathy for its subjects.



38. Outside In
Independent Washingtonian filmmaker Lynn Shelton directed this drama set in Granite Falls, focusing on a man’s bond with his former teacher after serving 20 years in prison. The performances by Edie Falco and Jay Duplass really make the movie.



37. Cold War
A romantic drama set over many years in spite of a runtime under 90 minutes. I'd be lying if I said I didn't kinda wish the film was longer, but it's also pretty incredible what the film manages to achieve in such a short running time. Loved the cinematography too.



36. Mission Impossible: Fallout
Probably the best Mission Impossible film in the series, with some of the most beautifully shot and visceral action scenes and stunts I’ve seen. This was a blast to watch in the theaters. Also pretty refreshing seeing a high-budget blockbuster not have to resort to a bunch of blatant CGI for its climax.



35. Bad Times at the El Royale
This movie is a breath of fresh air, almost like Drew Goddard’s version of The Hateful Eight but it certainly has its own identity. It’d actually so refreshing seeing a big studio film with an original screenplay and a director who actually puts thought into the camerawork. Just a really entertaining movie and it’s a shame it flopped at the box office.



34. The Sisters Brothers
The Sisters Brothers isn’t quite as comedic as the trailers may have made it seen, but it’s still a very captivating movie and a real technical marvel. It’s got one of the best musical scores of the year and really cares about its characters, played to perfection by John C. Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Riz Ahmed.



33. Vice
Vice is admittedly a polarizing film, with some moments I hated (like the post-credits scene) but there’s a lot that I really enjoyed, the way filmmaking rules are broken, the performances, the makeup, the disturbing undertones. I can’t promise you’ll love it but it’s certainly not your typical biopic.



32. American Animals
A very entertaining docudrama about a robbery committed by 4 college students, American Animals really benefits from having a style that’s so clearly its own.



31. A Star is Born
As a disclaimer, I have not seen the other 3 versions of A Star is Born, though it does seem like this film hits a lot of the same beats. Still, it's got some really great performances. It almost feels like a more mainstream version of Phantom Thread (see my 2017 list). I obviously prefer Phantom Thread, but this is still a very watchable movie with strong acting, solid directing, and catchy music.



30. Wildlife
Wildlife is written by real-life couple Paul Dano and Zoe Kazan. Dano also directs. I'm a big fan of Paul Dano as an actor so it was exciting to see him make his directorial debut here, especially since he's worked with so many talented directors in the past (Paul Thomas Anderson, Steve McQueen, Denis Villeneuve, Spike Jonze, Ang Lee, Richard Linklater, Bong Joon-Ho). It's a promising first film, featuring great acting from its small cast and a lovely score.



29. Thunder Road
Thunder Road is an independent film from writer/director Jim Cummings, who also stars as the title character, a cop on the verge of a mental breakdown following the death of his mother and failure of his marriage. It's actually a lot funnier than it sounds and Cummings gives one of the best performances of the year, hitting both the serious and comedic moments really well.



28. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
An anthology of six short films by The Coen Brothers set in the wild west. Interestingly enough, the different shorts have a variety of tones, but they each manage to be interesting in their own way, something that I rarely say about most anthology films. I do think the first short is the best, as Tim Blake Nelson is really entertaining to watch onscreen, but it's really entertaining throughout.



27. Free Solo
As a guy who's not good with heights, this was pretty terrifying. Following a free solo mountain climber, the film has some pretty amazing shots of the climbing itself, but it also functions well as a character study. Why would someone do something so risky? Is it worth the anxiety it causes for his friends and family? A very fascinating documentary worth checking out.



26. Leave No Trace
Ben Foster proves yet again that he's one of the most underrated actors working today but Thomasin McKenzie also deserves to be mentioned as their relationship is what makes the film work so well. Writer/Director Debra Granik previously made Winter's Bone, and this film almost feels like the antithesis of Winter's Bone, right down to having Dale Dickey play a character with the opposite personality. The plot might sounds similar to Captain Fantastic (a great film that made my 2016 list) right down to both films being set in the Pacific Northwest, but Leave No Trace has plenty of differences in tone, characters, and plot development. The approach is low-key yet it still manages to earn much of its emotional beats.



25. Isle of Dogs
Your enjoyment of Isle of Dogs will likely come down to your enjoyment of other Wes Anderson films, but as a fan of his, I was almost surprised by how much this film has done for me on repeat viewings. The stop-motion animation alone is worth watching, the amount of detail and effort that went into every shot is quite admirable. It's a film that develops its own identity, far outside other animated films, one that doesn't rely on the cuteness of dogs to sell the film, one that actually creates tension. It's refreshing in a lot of ways.



24. Sorry to Bother You
Boots Riley's directorial debut is a very promising start, being a darkly comedic satire set in the world of telemarketing. It's obviously got a few derivative elements but this ultimately plays a good role in subverting expectations later on.



23. The Endless
A very strange horror film from indie directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. It's a film that's best viewed blindly, but I'll say that it's incredibly what this film was able to accomplish on a micro-budget.



22. Private Life
I had never seen Writer/Director Tamara Jenkins previous film, The Savages, but I really want to now. Telling the story of a couple in their 40s trying to have a baby, there's virtually nothing in this film that I can personally relate to, yet I felt incredibly invested in the journey the film takes you on. Paul Giamatti, Kathryn Hahn, and especially Kayli Carter all give excellent performances.



21. You Were Never Really Here
Imagine if Taken was given a much more arthouse delivery and you have something close to this film. But this isn't an action film, so much as a slow-moving psychological crime film. Joaquin Phoenix is fantastic as usual and Lynne Ramsey's direction gives a wonderful sense of atmosphere, and Jonny Greenwood's score is haunting.



20. Lean on Pete
Only my 2nd favorite "horse" movie of the year, but still pretty fantastic, led by Charlie Plummer (17 at the time of filming) giving a truly heartbreaking performance.



19. Suspiria
The cinematic equivalent of a nightmare. We don't deserve Tilda Swinton.



18. Won't You Be My Neighbor?
The documentary about Fred Rogers that you've probably already heard about. Thankfully, it does so much more than just fawn over his history. It's a film about Fred Rogers himself, the era he lived in, the impact he had, and even the toll being such an optimistic figure can have on a person.



17. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
This is the best superhero film of the year and it's not even close. It's worth watching for the unique animation alone, but it's equally elevated by the great voice-acting and well-paced plot that doesn't lose track of its characters or themes.



16. Shoplifters
Hirokazu Kore-eda won the coveted Palme d'Or for Shoplifters, a tearjerker Japanese drama that earns every emotional moment.



15. Minding the Gap
I suppose one could describe this as a superior version of Mid 90s. Both films are about skateboarding but it's not really about skateboarding. Minding the Gap is a documentary that really lets you disappear into the lives of these characters. You become greatly attached so when their flaws are exposed, it feels like a gut punch. It's not always an easy watch, but it's my favorite documentary of the year.



14. Blindspotting
"Blindspotting is the kind of film that provokes hours of conversation. Only masterpieces and memorably terrible movies do that, and this film is the former."
-Ralph Sepe



13. Paddington 2
Jeez, why is this movie so good? Like seriously, the production design is mesmerizing to look at. It's a children's film that never has a desire to cheapen itself because it's a children's film. It's heralded by people who actually work hard and take their craft seriously. It's obviously funny and optimistic in tone, but never in a way that feels cheap or forced. I don't think there's a film that's literally for everyone, but Paddington 2 comes pretty close.



12. BlackKkKlansman
Black Klansman is easily Spike Lee's best film since The 25th Hour (2002), a film that deftly balances tone, being a sort of depressing crowdpleaser. It's not at all subtle, but that doesn't change the fact that the film has a lot of hard-hitting moments (I'm not just talking about the epilogue), with plenty of great acting and good chuckles to balance things out.



11. Widows
Maybe Widows was a bit too ambitious for its good, trying to tackle issues of political corruption, race, and gender while also trying to be an entertaining crime thriller. Admittedly the ending is a bit messy but there's still a lot here to enjoy. The plot is juggling a lot of threads, but I never felt confused or bored depending on which storyline was receiving focus, all of the performances are fantastic with special shoutouts to Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daniel Kaluuya while director Steve McQueen continues using his signature long-takes to great effect.



10. Burning
A Korean mystery drama from Lee Chang-dong, who previously directed Poetry, another film I enjoyed quite a bit. Burning is nearly 2.5 hours in length and pretty deliberately paced, but I never felt bored as the story became increasingly mysterious. I don't think it's appropriate to get into the plot, but I will say that Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead) is a revelation here. He manages to bring so much to the film through subtle mannerisms and ambiguous line delivery.



9. Eighth Grade
Maybe I'm just a sucker for these teen girl coming-of-age stories for some reason (Edge of Seventeen and Lady Bird were very high on my 2016 and 2017 list respectively), but Bo Burnham's directorial debut is definitely one of my favorite films of the year. It's a film refreshingly grounded, with Elsie Fisher and the other teens covered in acne and constantly trapped in awkward situations. The dialogue is natural in its discomfort, never feeling like people reading off of a script and I can't wait to see what Bo Burnham writes and directs next!



8. If Beale Street Could Talk
2 years after Barry Jenkins caught everyone's attention with Moonlight (My #1 film of 2016), he's making it abundantly clear that it wasn't a fluke. The ensemble is great all around, but I have to give a shoutout to Regina King who's never been this good. Likewise, many of the aspects that especially stood out in Moonlight return here such as James Laxton's color-coded cinematography and Nicholas Brittell's gorgeous musical score.



7. The Rider
A surprise hit from Chloé Zhao, The Rider stars numerous non-actors, essentially playing fictionalized versions of themselves, yet Brady Jandreau's performance is a true revelation, in this story of a Lakota Sioux rodeo star who must find a new direction in life after a career-ending injury. The Rider explores a subculture and area of America I'm largely unfamiliar with, but that didn't make me any less invested in this story.



6. Hereditary
Hereditary joins a long list of acclaimed independent horror films in recent years that get acclaimed by critics and savaged by general audiences. Needless to say, I loved it. It's a film reliant on atmosphere and character drama, building up to a finale that left me thinking about it all night. I became so invested in the characters' journeys that I really wasn't bothered at all when there wasn't a collage of scary images popping up onscreen non-stop. It's got some horrific imagery, a story that took turns I wasn't expecting, metaphors that were clear but not hamfisted, and Toni Collette giving one of the best performances of all time. For me, it delivered on everything I could ever want from a horror film.



5. The Death of Stalin
The Death of Stalin primarily plays as a pitch-black comedy, but occasionally teeters into a dark political thriller territory. Either way, it's a consistently entertaining film with a wonderful ensemble. As usual for Armando Iannucci, the dialogue is sharp and filled with humorous insults, but the film never loses sight of its context, which makes it simultaneously hilarious and horrifying.



4. First Man
It's a real shame that the controversy ate this film up. First Man is ostensibly about the moon landing, though at its core, it's an intimate film about Neil Armstrong, the man, anchored by Ryan Gosling. Damien Chazelle already established himself as a strong director with Whiplash and La La Land, but now it's clear that he's got a lot more tricks up his sleeve than some may have assumed. Justin Hurwitz' score is likewise phenomenal and the moon landing sequence is a true testament to immersive filmmaking.



3. First Reformed
Paul Schrader wrote Taxi Driver over 40 years ago and he's made it abundantly clear that he's as strong of a writer now as he's ever been. First Reformed has a lot on its plate as it attempts to tackle issues of religion and environmentalism, but it managed to hook me in from beginning to end, with the final 20 minutes being some of the most intense cinema of the year. And of course there's Ethan Hawke, giving not only the best performance of his career, but the best leading actor performance of the year. The fact that he wasn't nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars is a travesty. Not only do I think he deserved to win more than any of the nominees, I'd argue it's not even close. He's always been a terrific actor but he's never given such a commanding performance.



2. Roma

Alfonso Cuarón's first film in 5 years is also clearly his most personal. It's easily the most beautifully shot film of the year and one that hit me quite hard on an emotional level and the resonance only shines stronger on a rewatch.

1. The Favourite

After films like Dogtooth, The Lobster, and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Yorgos Lanthimos was already solidifying himself as one of the greatest filmmakers working today and The Favourite is yet another film that can be added to that list. There's so much to appreciate on a technical level in terms of music, camerawork, and natural lighting. It's a movie I really loved from beginning to end, with three of the best performances of the year by Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz and a weirdly-perfect tonal balance that manages to be both hilarious and somber. This might be Yorgos Lanthimos' most accessible film to date (and the first one he didn't write) but in no way did I feel that he compromised his strengths as a director in making this film. Indeed, it only showed his versatility.