From long-awaited feature films with huge budgets to smaller independent pictures, not to mention summer blockbusters, the year 2022 had such a variety of films to offer audiences. The anticipation makes this year’s films stand out so much compared to past years. An abundance of movies released in 2022 has been on the public radar for years, and the hype surrounding these projects was so great. A perfect example of this isJames Cameron’s epicAvatarsequelAvatar: The Way of Water, which wasreleased on December 16. This film was in the works for nearly 13 years, making its big debut one of the most exciting films to be released this year.
Nostalgia has also been a key element when looking at this year’s most successful films. There was a variety of biopics made, but the best must be Baz Luhrmann’sElvis. Austin Butler stars as the king of rock and roll giving the performance of his career in this epic journey through the greatest singer of all time life. Everything about this movie from the production value and the editing to the incredible musical performances left audiences at the edge of their seats. Movie remakes can often come off as cheap and overused, but Tom Cruise’sTop GunsequelTop Gun: Maverickturned out to be the perfect summer blockbuster. Earning well over $1 billion at the box office and receiving 96% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, this movie was above and beyond all expectations. There were so many great movies to come out of 2022, here are the ten best that you need to see.
10Where the Crawdads Sing
Where the Crawdads Sing, released in July 2022, is a Hello Sunshine Production adapted from the novel of the same name. Daisy Edgar-Jones stars as Kya Clark, an outsider who lives out by the marsh and has been picked on by members of her community for as long as she can remember. Everyone fears the marsh girl even though she lives a simple and peaceful life dedicated to nature and understanding the world around her. When a wealthy young man is found dead out by the marsh, everyone in the town is quick to accuse Kya of the crime, because they are scared of anyone who doesn’t live the same lifestyle as them. This romance/mystery is a must-watch with an ending that is sure to shock audiences.
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9Bones and All
This dark love storystarring Timothée Chalametand Taylor Russell is one that will leave you still thinking about the film for days after seeing it. From the outside, it seems as thoughBones and Allis a story about cannibalism, and while that is a part of the movie, at its core, the film is a love story. The two lead characters Lee and Marin feel alone in the world, trying to come to terms with their urge to feed on other humans until suddenly they meet. Through falling in love with each other, they are able to heal parts of themselves they thought were forever broken. Luca Guadagnino, who previously worked with Chalamet onCall Me by Your Name,does a beautiful job of capturing stunning cinematic images throughout the two-hour film.
8The Fabelmans
Steven Spielberg’sThe Fabelmansis a story about a young man named Sammy Fabelman, who falls in love with movies after a trip to the theater with his parents. The boy begins dedicating his time to making his own at-home films with the support of his mother and the people around him. Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Julia Butters, Judd Hirsch, David Lynch, and Seth Rogen star in this drama/coming-of-age movie. Spielberg is one of the most loved and celebrated directors of all time. His films have helped shape pop-culture and the film industry as we know it today. There is something special about each of his movies andThe Fabelmansis no exception to this.
Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes star in the horror/thrillerThe Menu. The film follows a group of ultra-wealthy and famous people who have been selected to attend a private dinner at one of the most remote and exclusive restaurants in the world. This seemingly incredible experience with a world-renowned chef, who designed a menu specifically for these guests, turns dangerous very quickly. After strange behavior takes place, the guests realize that they have been brought to this island to die. The chef, played by Ralph Fiennes, believes that people like them have contributed to the downfall of his craft — and, ultimately, society. Margot Mills, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, figures out what is happening and does everything to try and escape this nightmare of a dinner.
6The Whale
The Whaleis an incredibly sad story about an overweight man who let himself go after the tragic death of his partner. Charlie’s depression caused him to gain a life-threatening amount of weight, lose contact with his daughter, and never leave his home. Inevitably, the weight he gains catches up to him and his body begins to fail. Before he dies, it’s Charlie’s wish to try and reconnect with his daughter, who initially wants nothing to do with him. He needs to know that she is a good person and will be ok so that he can feel as though he has done something good with his life. The highlight of the film is without a doubt Brendan Fraser’s performance. This role allows audiences to see aside of Fraser that we have never experienced before.
5Top Gun: Maverick
The biggest summer blockbuster of the year was easilyTop Gun: Maverick.This widely successful sequel to the 1986Top Gunfilm made a killing at the box office earning well over $1 billion. Tom Cruise is no stranger to epic and dangerous stunts; his fearlessness when it comes to trying new things on film makes for the most suspenseful and thrilling scenes. Miles Teller also stars in the movie as Bradley, and won the hearts of fans everywhere afterTop Gun: Maverick.People love this movie, and the talk about creating another movie for the franchise has already been joked about (viaEsquire).
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4Avatar: The Way of Water
James Cameron’sAvatar: The Way of Waterwas certainly the most anticipated movie of 2022. Since the release of the firstAvatarin 2009, Cameron has been working on the second film. Nearly 13 years later, after the release date had been pushed back numerous times, the film was finally released on August 19, 2025. With a run time of three hours and 13 minutes, this movie is packed with breathtaking imagery that takes us out of this world entirely.Avatar: The Way of Wateris one of the biggest contenders for Best Picture and Best Director this upcoming awards season. The third film in the series has already been filmed and, as of right now, it is planned to have a total of five films in theAvatarfranchise.
Damien Chazelle’s epic drama/comedyBabylonis a spectacle of the unbelievably wild period of time in film history when movies were transitioning from silent films to talkies (viaBBC). Diego Calva, Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Jovan Adepo, and Li Jun Li star as five individuals who work in different areas of the film industry and the hardships they face trying to be successful. Every time you think you’ve seen the most outrageous scene in the film, something even wilder comes along. Aside from the brilliant music, set design, cinematography, and directing, the performances given in are incredible.Babylonis a must-watch and definitely one of the most entertaining films of 2022.
2Women Talking
Women Talkingis another film predicted to have great success come award season time. This drama, directed by Sarah Polley, follows a group of women in the same religious colony who struggle with their identity, faith, and unity after an abundance of sexual assaults take place. This powerhouse cast consists of Claire Foy, Jessica Buckley, Rooney Mara, and the incredible three-time Academy Award-winner Frances McDormand.Women Talkingis one of the highest-rated films of the year, with a 90% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Baz Luhrmann’sElvisis the incredible story of how the king of rock n' roll, Elvis Presley, came to be. Austin Butler gives the performance of his career starring as Elvis, and embodies the singer in every way possible. There is truly no one else who could have played this role quite as perfectly as Butler.Elvisgives audiences a look inside the painful truths of Elvis' life, from the death of his mother to his addiction to pills, and the abuse and betrayal he suffered from his long-time manager Colonel Tom Parker — all while showcasing the amazing ways Elvis shaped pop culture, and touched so many lives. To this day, Elvis Presley is one of the most beloved and famous artists to ever exist, andElvisis a beautiful tribute to his life.
