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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
