The Absolute Best Movies of 2016

Looking back at cinema’s packed release calendar, this collection brings together standout features from studios big and small, along with vital entries from the indie, international, and animation scenes. You’ll find English-language dramas, genre films, and celebrated works from across Asia and Europe, all presented with key production details that help explain how each project came together.

Each entry below lists the core creative team, principal cast, and notable release or awards context. To keep things clean and consistent, titles are wrapped in single quotes, headings carry the release year, and the paragraphs stick to concrete information about the films themselves.

‘Moonlight’ (2016)

Written and directed by Barry Jenkins, based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play ‘In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue’, this drama stars Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, Alex R. Hibbert, Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, and Janelle Monáe. The film was produced by A24, Plan B Entertainment, and Pastel, with James Laxton as cinematographer, Joi McMillon and Nat Sanders as editors, and Nicholas Britell composing the score.

Principal photography took place in Miami and surrounding areas and was captured digitally on ARRI Alexa cameras with anamorphic lenses. It premiered on the festival circuit before expanding to a wider release and earned multiple guild and critics’ prizes as well as the Academy Award for Best Picture, with a triptych structure following the protagonist across three stages of life.

‘La La Land’ (2016)

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, this original musical stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, with supporting roles by John Legend and Rosemarie DeWitt. Summit Entertainment and Black Label Media produced the film, with cinematography by Linus Sandgren, production design by David Wasco, and a score and songs by Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul.

The film was shot across Los Angeles locations, including the Hermosa Beach pier and Griffith Observatory, and features choreographed set pieces captured in long takes. It premiered at a major international festival, won multiple Golden Globes, and received numerous Academy Award nominations, including wins for Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Cinematography.

‘Arrival’ (2016)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Eric Heisserer from Ted Chiang’s short story ‘Story of Your Life’, this science-fiction drama stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker. Paramount Pictures released the film, with production by Lava Bear and 21 Laps, cinematography by Bradford Young, editing by Joe Walker, and music by Jóhann Jóhannsson.

Principal photography took place in and around Montreal, with large-scale set construction for the shell interior and a distinctive visual language built around overcast natural light. The film screened at major festivals before wide release and received multiple Academy Award nominations, including a win for Best Sound Editing.

‘Manchester by the Sea’ (2016)

Written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, this drama stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Lucas Hedges, and Kyle Chandler. Produced by Amazon Studios alongside K Period Media and The Media Farm, it features cinematography by Jody Lee Lipes, editing by Jennifer Lame, and music supervision emphasizing classical pieces.

Filmed on location in coastal Massachusetts towns, the production made extensive use of practical locations and winter exteriors. The film premiered at Sundance, was acquired for distribution in a widely reported deal, and later received Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay.

‘The Handmaiden’ (2016)

Park Chan-wook directs and co-writes with Chung Seo-kyung this Korean-language adaptation of Sarah Waters’s novel ‘Fingersmith’. The film stars Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo, and Cho Jin-woong, with production by Moho Film and financing from CJ Entertainment.

Shot in South Korea and Japan, the film features period production design, elaborate costuming, and a multi-part narrative structure. It premiered at Cannes in Competition, won the BAFTA for Film Not in the English Language, and was widely recognized by critics’ groups worldwide.

‘Your Name.’ (2016)

Written and directed by Makoto Shinkai, this animated feature from CoMix Wave Films features character designs by Masayoshi Tanaka, music by Radwimps, and art direction by Takumi Tanji. The voice cast includes Ryunosuke Kamiki and Mone Kamishiraishi in the original Japanese version.

The film opened domestically to strong box office and expanded internationally through distributors such as Toho and Funimation. It set records for an original animated feature, won multiple awards from Japanese film academies, and inspired official novelizations and a planned live-action adaptation.

‘Zootopia’ (2016)

Walt Disney Animation Studios produced this computer-animated feature directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, co-directed by Jared Bush, with a screenplay by Bush and Phil Johnston. Voices include Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, and Jenny Slate, and the score is by Michael Giacchino.

The production used new rendering tools developed in-house to simulate fur and fabric at scale across hundreds of character models. Released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the film became a global box-office success and received the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

‘Hell or High Water’ (2016)

Directed by David Mackenzie and written by Taylor Sheridan, this crime drama stars Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges. The film was produced by Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, OddLot Entertainment, and Film 44, with Giles Nuttgens as cinematographer and Nick Cave and Warren Ellis composing the score.

Filmed across New Mexico stand-ins for Texas locales, the production relied on practical banks and roadside locations to depict small-town settings. It premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, received widespread awards attention, and earned multiple Academy Award nominations.

‘Hacksaw Ridge’ (2016)

Directed by Mel Gibson and written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight, this biographical war film stars Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, and Teresa Palmer. Cross Creek Pictures, Summit Entertainment, and Icon Productions produced the film, with Simon Duggan as cinematographer and John Gilbert as editor.

Principal photography occurred in Australia with large battle set builds and extensive practical effects supplemented by digital work. The film premiered on the festival circuit and received Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing, with additional nominations in top categories.

‘Hidden Figures’ (2016)

Directed by Theodore Melfi and written by Allison Schroeder and Melfi, this historical drama stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, with Kevin Costner and Mahershala Ali. The production companies include Fox 2000 Pictures, Chernin Entertainment, and Levantine Films.

The film was shot in Georgia, using period-accurate costuming and production design to depict space-program facilities. It received the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and earned Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress.

‘The Witch’ (2016)

Written and directed by Robert Eggers, this period horror film stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, and Kate Dickie. The movie was produced by Parts and Labor, Rooks Nest, and RT Features, with Jarin Blaschke as cinematographer and Mark Korven composing on the hurdy-gurdy for its distinctive score.

Filmed in Ontario with historically sourced costumes and sets, the production emphasized natural light and authentic dialects drawn from period texts. It premiered at Sundance, where Eggers won a directing prize, and later received wide release through A24.

‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ (2016)

Laika produced this stop-motion fantasy adventure directed by Travis Knight, from a screenplay by Marc Haimes and Chris Butler. The voice cast includes Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Rooney Mara, and Ralph Fiennes, with music by Dario Marianelli.

The film involved complex motion-control rigs and one of the largest stop-motion puppets built to date for a giant skeleton sequence. Distributed by Focus Features and Universal internationally, it received Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Visual Effects.

‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ (2016)

Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy from a story by John Knoll and Gary Whitta, this standalone entry stars Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, and Mads Mikkelsen. Lucasfilm produced the film, with Greig Fraser as cinematographer and Michael Giacchino composing the score.

Shot at Pinewood Studios and on international locations including the Maldives and Jordan, the production used a combination of practical sets and ILM visual effects. Released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it achieved major global box office and introduced new characters into the franchise’s canon.

‘Deadpool’ (2016)

Directed by Tim Miller and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, this Marvel-based action-comedy stars Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T. J. Miller, Gina Carano, and Brianna Hildebrand. The film was produced by 20th Century Fox, Marvel Entertainment, and TSG Entertainment.

Principal photography took place in Vancouver with second-unit stunt work highlighted by freeway and warehouse sequences. The movie set opening-weekend records for an R-rated release at the time and led to a quickly greenlit sequel continuing the character’s storyline.

‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, this Marvel Studios production stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, and Chadwick Boseman. Trent Opaloch served as cinematographer, with Henry Jackman composing the score.

Filmed across locations in Georgia and Germany, the production introduced Boseman’s Black Panther and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man to the franchise’s ensemble. Released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the film achieved one of the year’s top worldwide grosses and anchored the studio’s ongoing slate.

‘Toni Erdmann’ (2016)

Written and directed by Maren Ade, this German-language comedy-drama stars Sandra Hüller and Peter Simonischek. The film was produced by Komplizen Film with international co-producers, and features cinematography by Patrick Orth and editing by Heike Parplies.

It premiered in Competition at Cannes, where it received the FIPRESCI Prize and extensive critical recognition. The film later won multiple European Film Awards, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and inspired plans for an English-language remake.

‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ (2016)

Taika Waititi writes and directs this New Zealand adventure-comedy starring Julian Dennison and Sam Neill, with supporting roles by Rima Te Wiata and Rachel House. The film is produced by Piki Films, Curious, and the New Zealand Film Commission, with Lachlan Milne as cinematographer.

Shot across New Zealand’s bush and rural locations, the production used a modest budget with emphasis on location work and practical effects. It became the country’s highest-grossing local film upon release and won national film awards for direction and performance.

‘The Nice Guys’ (2016)

Directed by Shane Black and co-written with Anthony Bagarozzi, this action-comedy stars Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, along with Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, and Kim Basinger. The film was produced by Silver Pictures and Waypoint Entertainment, with Philippe Rousselot as cinematographer and Joel Negron as editor.

Production recreated period Los Angeles through sets and costuming, with principal photography centered in Atlanta for logistical reasons. John Ottman composed the score with David Buckley, and the movie earned strong home-entertainment and streaming traction following its theatrical run.

‘Nocturnal Animals’ (2016)

Written and directed by Tom Ford, adapted from Austin Wright’s novel ‘Tony and Susan’, this thriller stars Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Focus Features distributed the film, which features cinematography by Seamus McGarvey and a score by Abel Korzeniowski.

The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where Taylor-Johnson received an acting prize, before continuing through the fall festival circuit. It received multiple nominations from major awards bodies, with particular recognition for supporting performance and production design.

‘Lion’ (2016)

Directed by Garth Davis and written by Luke Davies from Saroo Brierley’s memoir ‘A Long Way Home’, this drama stars Dev Patel, Sunny Pawar, Rooney Mara, Nicole Kidman, and David Wenham. Producers include See-Saw Films, Aquarius Films, and Sunstar Entertainment, with Greig Fraser as cinematographer and Volker Bertelmann and Dustin O’Halloran composing the score.

Filming took place in India and Australia, with location work in Kolkata and Tasmania. The film premiered at a major festival, earned strong audience awards, and later received Academy Award nominations in categories including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress.

‘Silence’ (2016)

Directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Jay Cocks and Scorsese from Shusaku Endo’s novel, this historical drama stars Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, and Liam Neeson. The project was developed over many years, produced by Fabrica de Cine and AI Films, with Rodrigo Prieto as cinematographer and Thelma Schoonmaker as editor.

Principal photography occurred in Taiwan with extensive period set construction and location shooting. The film was released by Paramount Pictures in the United States after a high-profile awards-season rollout and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.

‘Paterson’ (2016)

Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, this character study stars Adam Driver and Golshifteh Farahani. Amazon Studios acquired U.S. distribution, with Mark Friedberg as production designer, Frederick Elmes as cinematographer, and Affonso Gonçalves as editor.

Filmed on location in New Jersey, the production used a compact schedule and recurring visual motifs to depict a week in the protagonist’s routine. It premiered at Cannes to strong notices from international critics and later earned multiple independent film nominations.

‘A Monster Calls’ (2016)

Directed by J. A. Bayona and written by Patrick Ness from his novel, this dark fantasy stars Lewis MacDougall, Felicity Jones, Sigourney Weaver, and Liam Neeson as the voice of the Monster. It was produced by Apaches Entertainment, River Road Entertainment, and Telecinco Cinema, with Óscar Faura as cinematographer and a score by Fernando Velázquez.

The film combined live-action with extensive visual effects and water-ink-style animation for storybook sequences. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and received accolades for visual effects and music across various regional awards bodies.

‘Swiss Army Man’ (2016)

Written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, this off-beat adventure stars Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe. A24 distributed the film, which features music by Andy Hull and Robert McDowell and cinematography by Larkin Seiple.

Shot largely outdoors with practical effects and minimal CGI, the production became a breakout at Sundance, where it received a directing award. The film later toured additional festivals and developed a strong following through specialty theatrical and home platforms.

‘Train to Busan’ (2016)

Directed by Yeon Sang-ho and written by Park Joo-suk, this Korean-language action-horror stars Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, and Ma Dong-seok. Next Entertainment World handled distribution, with cinematography by Lee Hyung-deok and music by Jang Young-gyu.

The film was primarily set on a moving train, using a combination of built sets and carefully choreographed stunt work. It screened at international genre festivals, achieved significant box-office success in multiple territories, and later spawned an animated prequel and a follow-up feature.

‘The Edge of Seventeen’ (2016)

Written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, this coming-of-age comedy-drama stars Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Haley Lu Richardson, and Kyra Sedgwick. STX Entertainment distributed the film, with production by Gracie Films and Black Label Media, cinematography by Doug Emmett, and music by Atli Örvarsson.

Principal photography took place in and around Vancouver doubling for a Pacific Northwest high school setting. The film premiered at TIFF, earned a Golden Globe nomination for its lead performance, and gained strong word-of-mouth through theatrical and home release.

‘Jackie’ (2016)

Directed by Pablo Larraín and written by Noah Oppenheim, this biographical drama stars Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, and Billy Crudup. Fox Searchlight Pictures released the film, produced by LD Entertainment and Why Not Productions, with Stéphane Fontaine as cinematographer and Mica Levi composing the score.

Principal photography took place largely in Paris, with interiors doubling historic Washington settings, alongside select work in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. The film premiered on the festival circuit and earned multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Score.

‘Fences’ (2016)

Directed by Denzel Washington from August Wilson’s Pulitzer-winning play and a screenplay by Wilson, this drama stars Washington and Viola Davis. Paramount Pictures distributed the film, produced by Bron Creative, Macro, and Scott Rudin Productions, with Charlotte Bruus Christensen as cinematographer.

The production used Pittsburgh locations and a concentrated ensemble-driven approach faithful to the stage work. It received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, with additional nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor.

Share your favorite picks and any essential titles we missed in the comments!