Top 10 Best Movies of 2022

2022 was an epic year in the world of film, offering a smorgasbord of cinematic gems that had us glued to our seats. Whether you're into tear-jerking dramas or pulse-pounding action flicks, there was no shortage of silver-screen magic this year. As the credits roll on 2022, let's take a stroll down the red carpet and celebrate the show-stopping movies that wowed both audiences and critics.

This top-ten roundup features films that didn't just rake in the bucks at the box office or earn standing ovations from critics. They also sparked conversations, ignited imaginations, and touched hearts. From spellbinding stories and unforgettable characters to themes that struck a chord, these movies are more than just two-hour escapes. They're modern masterpieces in the making.

The Top Ten

The Batman

Directed by Matt Reeves, The Batman features Robert Pattinson in the lead role, with a star-studded supporting cast including Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, Colin Farrell as the Penguin, and Paul Dano as the Riddler. Set in a noir-inspired version of Gotham City, the film is a gritty and action-packed exploration of the early years of the Caped Crusader's crime-fighting career.

So, right now, at the moment of writing, The Batman is considered the best movie of 2022 on this site. And you know what? Even though it's not quite my favorite movie of the year, this placement is deserved. The Dark Knight might still be my favorite Batman movie, but this doesn't make The Batman 2022 bad at all.
In fact, I would say that this is the movie that portrays the character of Batman/Bruce Wayne the best, on top of doing Catwoman and The Riddler the best. It also has quite the emotional moment and an amazing soundtrack. If you want proof that DC is on fire lately when it comes to film quality, especially when compared to what Marvel has done lately, movies like this and The Suicide Squad are proof of this.
Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick is far from a masterpiece, but the action is cool, the movie knows well about planes, and there is actually a good message in here. It could have been even better, though. Go watch Cars 3 if you want a better movie about passing the torch to a new generation.

When I went to the movie theater, I wasn't expecting much, but it was a very good picture.
It's so good, and I would suggest to other people that they should see it.

Definitely the best movie of the year. Tom Cruise is a great actor and stuntman. Miles Teller did a great job too.
Lots of action and tense moments. I'm glad I got to see this movie in cinemas.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

This movie has some of the most creative and coolest action scenes of the MCU, but I wish the story was more emotional and less messy.
Everything Everywhere All at Once

This is going to win Best Picture. It has to. So much of this film was absolutely incredible. Completely original. Such a breath of fresh air and so beautifully shot and acted. Everything about this movie is amazing.

I laughed, I cried, and I held off going to the bathroom for a long time because I didn't want to miss a second.
A fantastic film worthy of a Best Picture nomination.

This movie is so funny, creative, and emotional. My favorite movie of 2022 so far, and it might be hard to beat.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2

I absolutely LOVE this movie! I watched it on May 17, 2022, a month after its release. It not only improved the story but also added new characters just as good as Movie Sonic. My favorite one being Movie Tails, voiced by his video game counterpart's current voice actress as of 2022, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, aka Colleen Villard. I also loved Movie Knuckles, voiced by Idris Elba. Also, Jim Carrey's performance as Eggman was spectacular.

The first movie was good but felt a little lackluster as a "Sonic" movie. This, however, took great elements from the franchise and had amazing characterization. Here's hoping for the third movie to be even better!
Jurassic World: Dominion

Fun movie. As good as the others in the franchise. Good special effects as always.

Awesome movie. Imagine living with dinosaurs in real life?

Baby raptor. Cute little baby raptor.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

This movie goes so hard! Amazing action scenes and animation to go with it, amazing characters, very interesting themes, and hilarious in some moments.
How is a Puss in Boots sequel so good?!

This is one of the best animated movies I have seen in years. I really hope DreamWorks keeps on making movies like this.

It's a sequel to a spin-off of one of the greatest franchises of all time.
Avatar: The Way of Water

I think the climax of this movie drags on a little bit too much, but otherwise, the directing is on point with beautiful scenery, and there are many interesting and very emotional moments. I might even prefer this over the original Avatar movie. Overall, a great film.

Guess what? The sequel to the 2009 sci-fi flick earned over 2 billion dollars. James Cameron did a great job. He went from directing Terminator to Avatar. Yep. He loves to spend money on expensive movies. I'm not kidding. This movie's budget was over 300 million dollars. It's a kids' film.
Elvis

Austin Butler did such a great job in this movie!

Austin Butler did a fantastic job as Elvis!
Bullet Train

The Newcomers

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M3GAN

This should be #1. Too badass to be this low.
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Don't Worry Darling

The Contenders

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Probably the best MCU movie this year. It has quite a lot of interesting and emotional moments, although it doesn't reach quite outstanding heights.
The Banshees of Inisherin
Thor: Love and Thunder

I have the same opinion on this movie and Thor: Ragnarok, but both in a better and worse way. Both are extremely fun and hilarious. In fact, Love and Thunder might be even funnier. However, both also leave a lot of emotional moments aside in exchange for more funny moments.
On one hand, I like how Love and Thunder tries to give us more emotions, but on the other hand, it struggles to maintain this balance of fun and emotion that would make me feel more. Some moments that should be taken seriously aren't, and that's sad.
It still does have some good emotional moments, and at worst, it is a really funny movie. If you want to watch a movie from 2022 for pure fun, go watch The Bad Guys. And if you want a better balance of emotion and humor, I think both Turning Red and especially Everything Everywhere All at Once are better at that.
The Bad Guys

This is the best non-Kung Fu Panda or How to Train Your Dragon movie DreamWorks has made since Rise of the Guardians. In terms of animation and action, this movie is absolutely top tier. It is also really funny and quite emotional in some moments. It's not particularly amazing or anything, but it's just a really nice movie.

This movie is really enjoyable from beginning to end.

Simply a generation-defining classic movie.
The Lost City

Sandra Bullock is hilarious. This movie is over the top and twisted at the same time.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Rian Johnson does not disappoint me once again. In fact, I love this movie even more than the original Knives Out.
Great twists, great actors, amazing filming, very hilarious, and many very emotional moments.

The new Knives Out film is absolutely incredible, just as amazing, shocking, and fun as the first one.
If you've never seen them, you're in for a real treat. They're absolutely fantastic.
The Northman
Turning Red

So, this is the first movie of 2022 that I saw, and I must say, it's really good. Not only does it have the best animation and humor out of all the Pixar movies, but the message and the emotional moments are very good as well. Probably one of my favorite Pixar movies ever made. Let's see in the future if there is a movie from 2022 that will be better than it.

It's no Toy Story, but that's okay. It's cute and just shows young girls being themselves without any mocking or sexualization, and the animation/color palettes are beautiful. And good on Pixar for mentioning periods in a way that isn't sexual.
Uncharted
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

This is an excellent adaptation of Pinocchio. The story knows how to be dark yet extremely charming, and there are many very emotional scenes.
Not to mention, the stop-motion animation is excellent. I haven't seen the Disney remake of Pinocchio yet, but I bet this version is much better.

How could people be so insensitive and unappreciative as to rank this version of Pinocchio lower than a live-action Disney remake of the same source material?

Get this in the top 10. It won Best Animated Feature for a reason.
Scream (2022)
Jackass Forever

It might not be subtle, but Jackass Forever is certainly the funniest comedy movie of the year!

These guys are complete lunatics!

Funniest movie of the year by far.
Nope

This is a film that folks will either look back on in 20 years and say, "That Nope movie was ahead of its time!" or they'll say, "Wow, that Nope movie was an ambitious pile of pretentious poppycock." Time will tell!
All Quiet on the Western Front

Really good film! Intense and emotional. If you're a fan of war films, then this is a must-watch.

Must be in the top 10 best movies of 2022 and one of the best in the 21st century. Some parts are funny, some are tense, and there are many, many sad parts, especially the ending.
Best of all, this is not American but German instead! Deserves to be in the top 10.
The Whale