The Absolute Best Movies of 2022
There was no shortage of standout filmmaking in 2022, with directors returning to long gestating passion projects, franchises finding fresh momentum, and international features breaking through to wider audiences. The year delivered inventive genre work, intimate character studies, and technically ambitious blockbusters, all of which kept theaters buzzing and streaming platforms busy.
Below is a curated roundup of notable titles from that year. Each entry highlights key creative credits, core story details, awards or box office milestones, and a quiet nod to the company that brought the film to audiences.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022)
Joseph Kosinski directs with Tom Cruise reprising Pete Mitchell alongside Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Glen Powell, and Monica Barbaro. The story follows an elite training assignment where Maverick prepares a new class of aviators for a near impossible mission while confronting the legacy of his late friend and the risks of pushing the envelope at supersonic speed.
The film became the highest grossing title of Cruise’s career with strong repeat attendance and premium format turnout. It reached theaters worldwide under the banner of Paramount Pictures, whose summer rollout helped drive a robust theatrical recovery.
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)
Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert write and direct, with Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, and Jamie Lee Curtis leading the cast. The plot centers on a laundromat owner who is swept into a multiverse conflict that reframes her family dynamics and personal history through absurdist action and inventive sci fi concepts.
The production blended martial arts choreography with practical effects and creative editing on a modest budget, later earning major awards recognition across acting, directing, screenplay, and best picture categories. It reached cinemas and platforms through A24, which supported an extended theatrical run.
‘The Batman’ (2022)
Matt Reeves reimagines the character in a detective driven crime saga starring Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, and Colin Farrell. The narrative follows Bruce Wayne in year two of his vigilante work as a serial killer’s clues expose corruption and secrets across Gotham City.
The film pairs grounded action with a noir investigation structure and a long form runtime, spawning spin off plans for television. It opened wide in early March with Warner Bros. Pictures overseeing the global release and later a high profile streaming window.
‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ (2022)
James Cameron continues the Pandora saga with Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang returning. The plot shifts to the oceans as the Sully family seeks refuge with a reef clan while a human threat resurfaces, expanding the worldbuilding with underwater ecosystems and new Na’vi cultures.
The production utilized performance capture designed for aquatic settings and large scale visual effects that pushed rendering pipelines. The film launched worldwide at the end of the year through 20th Century Studios with a staggered rollout that emphasized premium screens.
‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ (2022)
Martin McDonagh writes and directs, reuniting Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson with Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan in key roles. Set on a remote Irish island, the story follows two lifelong friends after one abruptly ends the friendship, triggering a community wide ripple of consequences.
The film earned multiple festival prizes and later prominent awards nominations for acting, screenplay, and best picture. It reached audiences through Searchlight Pictures, which platformed the release from festivals into theatrical expansion.
‘Tár’ (2022)
Todd Field returns to features with a psychological drama starring Cate Blanchett, Noémie Merlant, Nina Hoss, and Sophie Kauer. The narrative tracks a renowned conductor at the height of her career as professional pressures and personal choices converge ahead of a major recording.
The production integrates original orchestral sessions and on location work with the Dresden Philharmonic, blending classical music craft with character study. Focus Features handled the theatrical rollout, building momentum from festival premieres to national release.
‘RRR’ (2022)
S. S. Rajamouli directs a historical action epic headlined by N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan, with Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt in supporting roles. The plot imagines a friendship between two revolutionaries in 1920s India as they mount daring operations against colonial authorities.
The film became one of the highest grossing Indian features of the year and gained international attention for large scale set pieces and musical sequences. Its North American theatrical presence was coordinated with Variance Films, which helped power special screenings and encore events.
‘Aftersun’ (2022)
Charlotte Wells makes her feature debut with Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio as a father daughter pair on holiday. The story unfolds through memory and recorded footage as an adult revisits a formative trip and the small moments that took on deeper meaning over time.
The film drew praise for its intimate approach to storytelling and later earned major nominations for acting and first feature recognition. A24 guided the limited release and platformed it to reach a broader audience through specialty theaters.
‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ (2022)
Rian Johnson writes and directs with Daniel Craig returning as detective Benoit Blanc, joined by Janelle Monáe, Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, and Dave Bautista. The plot centers on a tech magnate’s private island gathering that turns into a layered investigation of hidden agendas.
The production features elaborate puzzle box design, location work in Greece, and an ensemble driven structure that rewards close viewing. Netflix backed the film and introduced it with a limited theatrical window ahead of a global streaming debut.
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ (2022)
Edward Berger adapts Erich Maria Remarque’s novel with Felix Kammerer leading a cast that includes Albrecht Schuch and Daniel Brühl. The narrative follows a young German soldier on the Western Front as the realities of mechanized warfare dismantle early notions of heroism.
The film emphasizes trench logistics, sound design, and large format battlefield staging, later winning multiple craft awards alongside best international feature. Netflix distributed the adaptation worldwide, pairing festival premieres with a streaming release.
‘The Northman’ (2022)
Robert Eggers directs a Viking revenge saga starring Alexander Skarsgård, Anya Taylor Joy, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, and Claes Bang. The plot follows a prince who escapes a coup and later returns to fulfill an oath, with mythic visions intersecting with brutal survival.
The production features Icelandic locations, historically informed costuming, and practical action complemented by visual effects. Focus Features released the film in theaters, supporting premium format bookings and an early video window.
‘Prey’ (2022)
Dan Trachtenberg directs a prequel set in the 1700s with Amber Midthunder as a Comanche warrior who confronts an alien hunter. The story positions the central character’s tracking skills and clan dynamics against the escalating threat of the Predator’s technology.
The film was produced with extensive Indigenous casting and language options, including a Comanche dub created for authenticity. It premiered on streaming in the United States on Hulu as part of 20th Century Studios’ release pipeline for the franchise.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ (2022)
Ryan Coogler returns with Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett, introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor. The plot addresses national succession and external conflict as Wakanda navigates grief and geopolitical pressure.
The film incorporated underwater cinematography, new costume design for Talokan, and large ensemble worldbuilding. It opened globally under Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures with strong turnout across premium formats and community screenings.
‘The Woman King’ (2022)
Gina Prince Bythewood directs with Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, and Sheila Atim leading the cast. Set in the Kingdom of Dahomey, the story follows a unit of women warriors preparing for battle while internal and external forces challenge the state.
The film combined extensive stunt training with location photography in South Africa and historical consultation on period details. Sony Pictures Releasing brought the film to theaters with a late summer rollout that supported word of mouth in domestic and international markets.
‘Triangle of Sadness’ (2022)
Ruben Östlund writes and directs a social satire starring Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean, Dolly De Leon, and Woody Harrelson. The narrative follows fashion models invited on a luxury cruise that spirals into chaos before shifting to an unexpected survival scenario.
The film won the top prize at Cannes and later earned awards season recognition across key categories. Neon handled the theatrical release in the United States, expanding from specialty venues to wider bookings.
‘Turning Red’ (2022)
Domee Shi directs an animated coming of age story from Pixar with Rosalie Chiang and Sandra Oh voicing the leads. The plot follows a Toronto teenager who transforms into a red panda when emotions surge, exploring family expectations and cultural traditions.
The production features a stylized visual approach influenced by anime and early 2000s pop aesthetics, with original songs integrated into the story. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures released the film with a prominent debut on Disney+, supported by select event screenings.
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)
Joel Crawford directs with Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek Pinault returning to voice the central duo, joined by Florence Pugh, Harvey Guillén, and Wagner Moura. The story finds the feline hero reckoning with the last of his nine lives as he seeks a mythic wish while pursued by multiple foes.
The animation style blends painterly textures with dynamic camera work and action sequences designed for family audiences. Universal Pictures launched the film in theaters for the holiday corridor, complementing its DreamWorks Animation branding with a broad release.
‘After Yang’ (2022)
Kogonada adapts a short story with Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner Smith, Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja, and Justin H. Min. The plot explores a family’s efforts to repair an android companion, opening questions about memory, identity, and attachment.
The film integrates minimalist production design with gentle science fiction concepts and a contemplative score. It was introduced to audiences through A24 with a hybrid rollout that combined theaters and on demand availability.
‘Bones and All’ (2022)
Luca Guadagnino directs a road movie with Taylor Russell, Timothée Chalamet, and Mark Rylance. The narrative follows two young drifters crossing the American Midwest as they confront a condition that isolates them from others and forces difficult choices.
The film features location photography across multiple states and a textured period setting in the late 1980s. MGM released the film in the United States through United Artists Releasing, moving from festival debut to nationwide expansion.
‘Decision to Leave’ (2022)
Park Chan wook directs a mystery romance starring Tang Wei and Park Hae il. The story centers on a detective investigating a man’s death who becomes drawn to the victim’s widow, with interviews and surveillance shaping a complex relationship.
The production emphasizes meticulous framing, in camera transitions, and an atmospheric score that supports the investigative structure. MUBI handled distribution in several territories including the United States, pairing theatrical play with a curated platform release.
‘Women Talking’ (2022)
Sarah Polley adapts Miriam Toews’ novel with Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Sheila McCarthy, and Ben Whishaw. The plot depicts a group of women in a remote community as they convene to decide their future after a series of assaults.
The film was shot with a restrained palette and intimate staging to foreground dialogue and ensemble performance. United Artists Releasing managed the domestic rollout in partnership with Orion, using a platform strategy before wider availability.
‘The Whale’ (2022)
Darren Aronofsky directs with Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, and Samantha Morton. The narrative follows a reclusive teacher attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter during a period of declining health, with the story adapted from a stage play.
The production emphasizes contained interiors, practical make up design, and a focus on performance. A24 brought the film to theaters with an end of year release that supported awards qualification and expanded bookings.
‘Nope’ (2022)
Jordan Peele writes and directs with Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun in lead roles. The plot follows siblings who operate a horse training business for film productions and investigate a mysterious presence over their valley, blending spectacle with inquiry into image making.
The film features large format cinematography including IMAX sequences and day for night techniques for aerial phenomena. Universal Pictures handled the wide summer release, aligning premium screens and an extensive marketing campaign.
‘Marcel the Shell with Shoes On’ (2022)
Dean Fleischer Camp directs a hybrid feature with Jenny Slate voicing Marcel and Isabella Rossellini as Nana Connie. The story follows a small shell who lives with his grandmother in a human home and collaborates with a filmmaker to search for lost family members.
The production combines stop motion elements with live action environments using careful compositing and macro scale staging. A24 distributed the film in the United States, building from a limited start to wider family friendly playdates.
‘The Fabelmans’ (2022)
Steven Spielberg co writes with Tony Kushner and directs a semi autobiographical drama starring Gabriel LaBelle, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, and Judd Hirsch. The plot traces a young filmmaker’s discovery of cinema amid family changes, school challenges, and early creative experiments.
The production recreates period cameras and editing methods while incorporating original music by John Williams. Universal Pictures released the film with a platform strategy from festivals into holiday season theaters, followed by home viewing options.
Share your favorite picks from 2022 in the comments and tell us which ones you think deserve a spot here.
