20 – The Wandering Earth When it comes to disaster movies, I will never not watch one, The Wandering Earth is such an ambitious idea that you are engaged in just how big the idea is, the science seems to make this even more enjoyable, if you liked Armageddon, you will only find yourself enjoying this movie.
19 – Ready or Not Ready or Not is a film that has made quite a few of my lists this year, it is a horror comedy that follows one woman on her wedding day that must go through one final traditions before being welcomed into the family, a random game, she draws Hide n Seek, which turns into an extreme game of life or death, where she must survive the night. Samara Weaving steals the movie, giving one of the best performances of the year, putting herself well and truly on the map.
18 – Stuck Stuck is a musical follow six strangers from six different cultural backgrounds who become trapped on a subway train, where they each get to shine the spotlight on the problems they are facing in life, each learning valuable life lessons along the way. The music here is fantastic and the idea that people will never learn other people’s problems until they listen only helps this film get to the next level, barely seen, but one you need to find.
17 – Marriage Story Marriage Story might well be one of the hardest watches of the year because of just how heart breaking some of the scenes are, though the performances from Driver and Johansson are truly remarkable, we will feel each and everybody blow the two hit on each other.
16 – Fisherman’s Friends Fisherman’s Friends follows a Sea Shanties band of fisherman that get signed by a record label and manage to get a top ten hit in the UK music charts, based on the real band and their incredible success story.
15 – Rocketman Rocketman is the biopic based on Elton John’s struggles with his vices, drugs, drink and sex, it shows how he went from small time, to biggest star in the world and just how everything spiralled out of control. Taron Egerton shines in this film where he brings the living legend to life with ease and should easily be on the shortlist of best actor of the year.
14 – The Two Popes The Two Popes follows the electing of the pope after John Paul II dies and what follows as the scandal as the two most respected men in the church discuss their ideas of moving the church into the future, this is such a compelling movie to see how the two look to solve the problems they are facing.
13 – Little Monsters Little Monsters is the second musical on the list, this is a horror comedy that follows a teacher and chaperone who on a school trip must protect the children after a zombie outbreak hits the petting zoo. Lupita Nyong’o is fantastic with a smile that could light up any room, as she remains positive for all the school children. This might be a light film, but it is a lot of fun that is easy to watch.
12 – Godzilla: King of the Monsters Godzilla: King of the Monsters is easily the most visually appealing movie of the year, the monster creations and battles are truly fantastic, it might not have the deepest human characters, but we only want to watch the monsters fight in this film.
11 – Departures Departures follows a hypochondriac who meets a terminal ill teenager that gives him a new friendship, with a new view on life, this is a film that will make you smile, cry and open your eyes, with a great post Game of Thrones role for Maisie Williams too.
10 – Le Mans 66 (Ford v Ferrari) Le Mans 66 follows the battle between the manufactures competing in the Le Mans race, we see how Ford wanted to make a statement by becoming one of the biggest worldwide brands in racing. As a racing fan, this is one I could have watched for days on end, with brilliant performances from Christian Bale and Matt Damon too.
9 – Alita: Battle Angel Alita: Battle Angel is one of the most fascinating films, using newer technology to bring the film to life, we follow an android who learns about the corruption within the world and looks to fight back against the people trying to control everything, while learning about her own past.
8 – Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood Quentin Tarantino’s latest film pays respect to Hollywood itself as it looks to put his own spin on the Sharon Tate murders, which does see us following the neighbor as he looks to find his own place in the Hollywood system where he is stuck between TV and Film. We have stunning performances from the whole cast, with funny and intense scenes along the way.
7 – Ad Astra Ad Astra follows one man on a secret mission across the universe as he must track down his father’s lost spaceship around Neptune after it looks like it will be bringing a threat to Earth. It what is one of the most visual space movies you will ever see, this is beautiful to watch and one that will engage us from start to finish.
6 – Avengers: Endgame Avengers: Endgame is the final chapter in the Infinity Saga which answers the big question, what has happened to the characters that turned to dust and how will they get back at Thanos. While the film might deal with a lot of issues, it does also take us back to major moments in the whole saga with surprise appearances and a breath taking ending.
5 – John Wick Chapter 3 John Wick Chapter 3 picks up right where the last one finished, showing how John is now the enemy and must look for a way to solve the problems he is facing, with amazing fight sequences, a continuing world building process, we are left with only wanting to learn more from this universe.
4 – Fighting With My Family Fighting With My Family follows the early career of Paige in the world of WWE, we see how her time wrestling with her family gave her a chance to work for the biggest company in the world, one that will put her to the true test, in a heart warming comedy. As somebody who watch wrestling as the real-life debut of Paige, this is one of the most enjoyable films of the year with wonderful performances through the whole film.
3 – Knives Out Knives Out is a who dun it with its own flair that is just a pure enjoyment, we got such a massive cast of big name actors who just want to shine through the film too. Rian Johnson has bounced back from the abuse he suffered after the Last Jedi with an instant classic in the comedy genre.
2 – Us Us is a horror that follows a family that are getting terrorised by their doppelgangers who want their lives, it is filled with symbolism and with an ending that will leave you guessing and questioning just what to think about the outcome. This is a film that is truly compelling when it comes to the ending and one that you could think about for days, weeks or even months.
1 – Doctor Sleep Doctor Sleep is the long awaited sequel to The Shining, it follows Danny all grown up as he steps into battle with a cult that hunts down people with the Shining to suck the life out of them to maintain their own immortality. Rebecca Ferguson shines in the villainous role and with a director who isn’t afraid to spin who experiences the horror, we get a true masterpiece.
