The Top 20 Best Films Of The Year 2022

The year is coming to an end and award season is upon us, which means it’s time to look back at the best stories cinema had to offer and rank the top 20 films of 2022.

Despite a lot of complaints and bickering among critics and cinephiles about what is or isn’t “real art” and “real cinema,” somehow there still managed to be a large number of excellent films released in 2022. Apparently, the forces behind the lack of theatrical appreciation and independent films and death of original content or adult dramas forgot to tell studios and filmmakers, resulting in dozens of great films this year in a wide array of different genres full of diverse voices and experiences.

The continuing Covid pandemic makes it harder to see films that receive limited release, particularly award-season releases that are just meeting the bare requirements to qualify for consideration at the Oscars, and even more especially international films that are less available yet on streaming options for those of us who are (for health reasons) limiting our attendance at indoor press screenings and theatrical runs.

As a result, while I’ve seen a lot of films this year and more than enough to assemble a strong year-end list of the best movies I’ve seen in 2022, there are still a few I’ve not seen for various reasons — most of the time, it’s because of limited access combined with several films having only just become available for home rental but without enough time for me to have this article written and published in time for the final weekend of the year.

In particular, I wanted to see The Quiet Girl, This House (Cette maison), Holy Spider, Saint Omer, Godland, Joyland, and EO, and I assume my year-end list would include at least a few of those titles had I seen them. Alas, time and release situations being what they are, I simply haven’t gotten to see them, and as a result I’m disappointed not to know if any would appear on my list. There are also a few other notable films that didn’t make my list because of my failure to see them in time, but which I’ll discuss after you see my actual list.

My choices are based on movies I’ve seen and which I consider the greatest of the year, a subjective artistic determination and thus obviously representing my own opinions and tastes. In other words, don’t get mad just because my own list no doubt isn’t identical to your own preferences or list.

Now, without further ado, here is my list of the top 20 greatest films of the year 2022…

1. The Woman King
2. Till
3. Women Talking
4. Everything Everywhere All At Once
5. The Banshees of Inisherin
6. Avatar: The Way of Water
7. Happening
8. Top Gun: Maverick
9. Decision to Leave
10. The Batman
11. Aftersun
12. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
13. All Quiet On the Western Front
14. Turning Red
15. No Bears
16. Prey
17. Saloum
18. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
19. Bones and All
20. Emily the Criminal

And there you have it, dear readers, my list of the 20 best films of 2022! I feel it’s a terrific representation of how good a year it’s been for cinema overall, and demonstrates the tremendous storytelling potential within all manner of genres and artistic approaches.

There are a few honorable mentions that didn’t make it onto the list but which I like a lot (or even love in a few cases) and want to give shout-outs — The Northman, Barbarian, Brian and Charles, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and Thor: Love and Thunder. But if you want to imagine this list as a top 25, go ahead and include these as well, although I left them off precisely because I suspect none of them would wind up left on the list if/when I eventually see the films from 2022 that I still haven’t seen yet.

Speaking of films I still haven’t seen yet, here are a few notes about some additional films that didn’t make my list because I failed to see them in time, but which are high profile or otherwise attracted attention and are included in some awards discussion.

I sadly had to skip The Fabelmans because I realized too late that it wasn’t going to be streaming on any of the services I subscribe to in time. I’m also sad Babylon hasn’t received enough of the sort of praise or reception that would compel me to see it soon for consideration for a year-end list, although I’m a big fan of Damien Chazelle’s other films so I will certain see it eventually when it’s on streaming.

And I didn’t see Tár yet because, to be quite honest, I’ve heard mixed things about the themes and intentions of the film, enough so — and from enough of the right people I trust making the sort of points that disturb me — to be concerned about it and therefore not be in a rush to see it. I do realize it is a favorite of many other critics, and I realize Cate Blanchett apparently gives a remarkable performance; but I had to make choices based on what’s available when and where I’m willing and able to watch, so I decided I’ll wait to watch it when it’s on streaming without additional purchase fees.

I’ll have coverage of the Academy Awards, including my own picks from the official nominees — you can look to this list for my top preferences for Best Picture, by the way, since these films are ranked in order on the list, although as noted earlier there are several I still haven’t seen and which might otherwise have moved into various places on the list. So be sure to check back for more reviews, box office reports, and award season updates.