2022 Ranked: Movies

 Welcome to my 2022 Ranked list for Movies! 

Rules for my rankings are simple, the page contains my ranking from worst to best of all the movies I've experienced over the course of the past year. 

Please be aware these rankings are purely subjective and are based on my own personal opinion.

41. Halloween Ends

Halloween Ends is a major waste of time. The core appeal of any of these films is Michael Myers himself and this film forgets that rule majorly. It's a confusing mix of ideas with a pace that drags to an excruciating degree. It's writing feels constantly insulting in the way it re-writes and ignores important plot elements from the prior two films; all to give attention to a new killer plot which is not what anyone coming to see this film wanted to see.  I had very little expectations going into this movie, yet somehow even then it managed to underwhelm me. What an utter disappointment of a film.

40. Morbius

Morbius accomplishes very little during it's 104 minute runtime. It's a fundamentally boring film with little substance to it. Even worse is it wastes a really good collection of actors on this bland script too. There's just nothing compelling about the films narrative or it's visual scope. While I don't hate the film, I most certainly didn't like it and it continues to reinforce why Sony's projects don't have much hope behind them.

39. The 355

For such a unique premise, The 355 doesn't make use of it's set up all that well. Following a joint mission by the worlds top female intelligence agents to track down a lethal hacking tool; The 355 struggles to come out as anything other than generic. The only thing keeping this film worth the watch is the compelling performances by it's main cast along with some fun action sequences. The rest of the film however can't help but feel poor in comparison and ultimately The 355 fails to live up to it's premise properly.

38. The King's Man

The King's Man is equal parts good, equal parts bad. It's hard to recommend this film to fans of the prior two films on account of it being hindered narratively, tonally and pace-wise by one major plotline running all throughout it's runtime. When the film isn't focusing on the one particular storyline and focuses on the core Kingsmen action and humour, I think it can be rather enjoyable. The main highlight is easily Rhys Ifans as Rasputin, he steals every scene he's in with an amazing performance which is cut short way too soon.

37. Licorice Pizza

Licorice Pizza is too problematic a film for me to praise or recommend. Pivoting around a 15 year old boy and a 25 year old girl, the film tries to set up an endearing and comedic relationship between them. What you actually get is a really tone-blind film that ignores the fact that it's two main characters are really unlikable. The only thing giving this film the step up is it's strong cast of characters which are played by some really good actors and a distinct style and theme worked all throughout. 

36. The Lost City

There's nothing all that groundbreaking about The Lost City. While it looked to have an interesting set-up, I think the film ultimately fails to do anything new and ends up falling in with the rest of the jungle/action/comedy genre's entries. That's not to say there's no value or entertainment to be found here, it is a notably funny film which I feel is given enough life by it's captivating cast to keep the laughs coming to give you a somewhat fun time.

35. Violent Night

Violent Night is a novel concept but an un-novel film. David Harbour does his very best to keep this  Christmas action/comedy going but too many underlining factors stagger the film from being anything more then average. It's better elements include Harbour and John Leguizamo's performances as well as some really fun and brutal action sequences. The rest of the film however struggles to deliver itself with weak writing and poor pacing. 

34. Men

Alex Garland's Men is a sadly disappointing entry into the horror genre. I found the initial idea it was presenting to be interesting on a conceptual level, with a solid premise and a impressive set of actors behind it, but it loses it's appeal all too easily with an inconsistent pacing and a over-reliance on weird visuals to convey the story. It's not a downright horrible film, but it misses the mark on a lot of elements.

33. Nightmare Alley

Nightmare Alley isn't a perfect film, I think it's runtime and narrative are at odds with one another and it's really noticeable in the 2nd half of the film. Though in all honesty I think it's still a somewhat enjoyable film despite it's shortcomings. It has a lot of style and substance in it's visual design and the story is carried superbly by a star-studded cast. It's a visual tale which despite it's flaws does achieve it's core message.

32. Operation Mincemeat

Operation Mincemeat is an interesting retelling of the real life events in which Great Britain pulled one of the greatest deceptions in history. It's a commendable story which is given a lot of value from it's strong cast of characters. Despite it's interesting plot and captivating cast however, the film struggles to justify it's runtime with a collection of subplots that feel notably tacked on.

31. Hocus Pocus 2

While not nearly as captivating as the original Hocus Pocus movie, I think Hocus Pocus 2 does enough to present itself as a moderately entertaining experience.  I think it's strongest element is it's comedy with Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy relishing being back in the roles of the Sanderson Sisters. It's just a shame a lot of the other supporting elements of the film feel weaker in the wake of their stellar chemistry and performances.

30. Uncharted 

Uncharted doesn't break any conventions or set a new precedent for action movies or video game adaptions. It's simply a fun popcorn flick in a lot of ways. It attempts to adapt all the best elements of the video games on the big screen while weaving it's own original narrative. Not all of it works but it's hard not to appreciate the character interaction between Nate and Sully and how cool some of the larger action set pieces are. 

29. Sing 2

Sing 2 does a good job reinforcing the charm and allure of the original. While it doesn't hit all the marks in terms of expanding the character's personal stories even further, it does feel consistent in it's overarching narrative. Introducing a nice collection of new characters the film feels much more confident in how it delivers the musical experience with a grander vision and style. 

28. Jackass Forever

After 12 years since their last theatrical outing, it's nice to see the Jackass crew haven't matured or grown up when it comes to putting one another in dangerous and hilarious situations. Despite the time that's passed, the inherent charm that brought so many fans into this franchise doesn't look to have wavered one bit and it ends up forming quite a poignant feeling that can be easily felt throughout the course of Jackass Forever. 

27. The Northman

The Northman is a film that ultimately feels more style than substance. It's a commendable product for the most part, held together with a brilliant cast and a beautiful visual style but is ultimately let down  by a predictable and underwhelming narrative. I think there's more here to enjoy than dislike though but it's worth recognising what holds back the film from feeling truly great.

26. Lightyear

Lightyear does a good job it outlining and showcasing what the film Andy saw over 26 years ago was to make him want his very own Buzz Lightyear toy. Chris Evans does a job playing a grounded interpretation of the titular character in his very own origin film. While fun and moderately entertaining it's hard not to feel it does falter when it comes to the overarching plot and the inclusion of Zurg. As far as Pixar films go, I've seen better but then again much worse.

25. Death on the Nile

Death on the Nile is a very competent adaption of Agatha Christie's famous novel; serving as the 2nd instalment in Kenneth Branagh's series about Hercule Poirot. The film is a very engaging watch for any murder mystery fan, it's held up by a wealth of strong performances, beautiful cinematography and a truly engaging plot tied behind the tragedy of love. While it doesn't break any new ground in terms of narrative, I do appreciate how the film does it's very best to reflect the original story while putting some original plot beats in it to further define Poirot as a character.

24. Thor Love and Thunder

Taika Waititi's 2nd attempt to handle the Thor franchise sadly underdelivers just as much as his prior work in my opinion. Filled with a lot of style and humour, it's easy to appreciate that this film is Waititi's creative vision, but it feels like it comes at the expense of the films actual story and characters. It's sad to see these characters simply stagnate like this, I know there's more that can be done with Thor and his friends than just to be 120 minute joke machines, but it feels like any potential of actual development dissipates in the shadow of the movies humorous intentions.

23. Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers

Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers is a really funny and clever film. It's narrative set up while notably predictable serves as a foundation for a fantastic commentary on the relevancy of the comedy duo and the wider animated world in a modern age. Packed with a stellar comedic cast , the film oozes charm with so much comedy and wit that recognises the legacy of the beloved chipmunks in fantastic way.

22. X

X is a very interesting horror film which is layered in the typical style and substance you would expect from an A24 produced film. It's horror themes are projected in more ways than just violence, as it utilises a uncomfortable sense of physical and psychological tension to convey themes of age and regret. While it's a slow burn for a majority of it's run, it caps off with a brutally violent climax which earns it's X rating so to speak.

21. Turning Red

Despite not feeling like it's intended audience, there was a lot of heart and charm to appreciate behind Turning Red. Following the exploits of a young girl as she finds herself at a turning point in her life where she turns into a giant red panda, the film tackles puberty and family expectations in a funny and endearing manner. On top of the charming writing and tone, the film showcases PIXAR's animation style as it continues to develop and improve year after year. 

20. Black Adam

Black Adam was a film I went into with low expectations but I find myself with very little negatives to say about it. I think it's the best anti-hero film we've had in the superhero genre so far. It's positive elements can be found in many forms, including it's fantastic cast and fun action sequences. The only thing which drags it down for me is it's tendency to overdo it with showcasing Black Adam's superior powers with music beats and some slightly cringe writing. I think that element obviously stems from The Rocks passion for the project but it isn't enough to stop me from enjoying the film as a whole.

19. Black Panther Wakanda Forever

Black Panther Wakanda Forever is a beautiful film which proudly celebrates the legacy of the late Chadwick Boseman. It's a smartly established continuation of all the stakes set up in the prior film. It's performances and emotional core serve as the films best strengths but even they aren't enough to save the film from being weighed down by it's long-winded pacing and lack of commendable action sequences.

18. Bullet Train 

Bullet Train is film that justifies it's viewing on the premise alone. I love how humorous this film is able to be while weaving a surprisingly clever narrative. A lot of it's core strength is projected by it's collection of characters, all brought to life wonderfully by it's strong cast. I love how creative it has to be in setting up dialogue and action sequences within the confines of it's limited set and it't that restriction which allows the film to approach it's audience on a more confident footing.

17. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore 

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore did a brilliant job in reengaging me back into the series after the disappointment that Crimes of Grindlewald ended up being.. It's a notably more focused and competent installment, held together with a delightful cast of characters and a magical world brimming with so much charm and allure. 

16. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness

Multiverse of Madness is a very competent film and probably one of the more stylistic MCU films we've had in a while. Sam Rami's unique horror style is layered all throughout this movie and it's carried forward by a collection of strong performances and interesting visuals. While it doesn't utilise the concept of the Multiverse nearly as much as I hoped, I can't fault the film for doing it's very best to tell it's own unique premise which is grounded in the major development Strange and Wanda have had up to this point.

15. Elvis

Elvis Presley was for many people, a legend and a king. His latest film does a brilliant job in reflecting on the singers life and the influence he had on so many people. It's held together with some brilliant performances and a narrative which does it's very best to be a different kind of story compared to most bio-pics. The only element worth criticising is it's questionable editing choices, but these are par for the course with most of Baz Luhrmann's films and it doesn't detract from the films overall quality.

14. See How They Run 

See How They Run is a clever and fast paced murder mystery. It's dynamic cast help flesh out the intriguing yet all around funny premise based around the murder of a American film director. It's sharp and witty script is supported even more with a cinematic style which feels very focused and creative. On the whole it's a very competent and fleshed out movie experience that I would happily suggest to any murder mystery fan.

13. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Nicolas Cage is a wonderfully bizarre and mesmerising actor with an incredible filmography. His latest film does a great job in reflecting on his career in a way that feels comedic and intelligent. Despite a few undercooked parts, the film stands out due to the on-screen performances of Cage and Pedro Pascal who make the film into such a delight to watch unfold. 

12. Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Not only matching the same level of entertainment of it's predecessor, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 feels like a bigger and bolder sequel in every way.  Introducing Tails and Knuckles into the narrative was a wonderful step for the film to take, and they are brought to life by some stellar performances by Colleen O'Shaughnessey and Idris Elba respectively. It's rare to have a video game movie be this fun to sit through but Sonic is 2 for 2 now in proving the genre is capable of succeeding on the big screen.

11. The Black Phone 

Scott Derrickson is a master at mixing a grounded reality with supernatural elements in his horror films. The Black Phone feels no different in this regard. Focusing on a serial child abductor called the Grabber, the film follows the perspective of a young boy he abducts as he tries to escape his fate with the help of the ghosts of his child victims. It's a brilliantly suspenseful film, filled to the brim with a grounded style and it's supported by some brilliant acting from it's cast; especially Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames

10. Phantom of the Open

Craig Roberts' Phantom of the Open is a beautifully funny film. Telling the tale of the worlds worst golfer from Barrow-in-Furness, Maurice Flitcroft takes on the challenge of trying to qualify for the Grand Open but ends up scoring the record breaking worst score that makes him infamous. The core appeal of the film is easily in it's humour and emotion which is projected by a star-studded cast of characters.

9. The Duke 

The Duke tells a wonderfully humorous yet surprisingly poignant tale of the real life events in which Kempton Bunton stole the famous painting of the Duke of Wellington. It's carried all throughout by the performances of it's main cast, which Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren being of particular note. It's core strength comes from it's honest representation of a man's desire to do good for the people around him.

8. Scream (2022)

Scream (2022) is one of the best horror sequels I've ever seen. It pays great tribute to the legacy of the franchise over the past 25 years while also managing to stay relevant to the modern era and do some new and compelling stuff in the wake of it. Gruesome kills, metatextual commentary and compelling performances are the foundation of any good Scream movie  and Scream (2022) has all of that and more. 

7. The Menu

The Menu is a darkly comedic love letter to fine dining. For me the films core strength is found in its genuinely original premise which goes in 100%. I love the performances in this film especially from Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy. What really sold me on the film is it's beautiful style of cinematography when it comes to reflecting the beauty and themes behind the menu's spectacular courses. It's suspenseful structure works to continuously built towards the crazy climax while offering the audience more comedic dialogue to help alleviate the tension. 

6. Nope

Jordan Peele just get's horror. Not only does he get it, he uses it as a means of expressing a lot of commentary for the audience to reflect on. Nope is one such example as it utilises a stellar cast to tackle the idea of spectacle through a creative sci-fi/horror blend. The way this film progresses is a suspenseful trip and I was really pleased to see the narrative culminate in a really satisfying way. Peele is a visionary for horror and Nope just adds another notch on his consistent record.

 

5. The Batman 

Matt Reeve's interpretation of the Batman feels notably distinct from the prior iterations of the character. It embodies a dark yet grounded style which focuses on an overarching mystery for the great detective to deduce and fight his way through.  Robert Pattinson openly shuts down the sceptics with a top tier performance as the masked vigilante along with a amazing supporting cast which helps this new interpretation of Gotham feel truly distinct.

4. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

I really enjoyed my time with Glass Onion. Like the prior movie in the Knives Out franchise, the murder mystery is tied up with clever writing and a star-studded ensemble. It's format of storytelling is notably different than it's predecessor but I personally prefer this variation this time around. It's a compelling set up which utilises it's cast to their fullest potential along with some beautiful direction and cinematography. In a lot of ways this film flows even better on repeat viewings as well, as you catch a lot of minor details that the director Rian Johnson delivers all throughout. 

3. Top Gun Maverick 

Despite having no prior history with the Top Gun series, I can happily say Top Gun Maverick was an fantastic film to get lost in. It plays tribute to the original film in a lot of interesting ways, all the while setting up a narrative which a modern day generation can easily follow. It's jet-fuelled action set pieces feel immersive to watch and have a lot of energy behind them, but the films strongest element for me is behind it's characters and their endearing relationships with one another.

2. Belfast

Belfast is a wonderfully poignant film. What Kenneth Branagh achieves in the films 90 minute runtime is nothing short of extraordinary. A compelling and endearing narrative woven in a beautifully reflective tale of one family's journey through The Troubles in the titular city. Held together with a amazing cast of characters and a beautifully set style and tone, this film did an amazing job resonating with me on a truly emotional level.

1. Everything Everywhere All at Once

Everything Everywhere All at Once is a mesmerising piece of film. It captures the concept of the multiverse with complete ease both in a storytelling sense and on a visual level too. Michelle Yeoh puts in a career defining performance as she struggles to maintain herself across the infinite spread of multiverses. There's an incredible mixture of humour, action and heart tied into every single moment in the film and it's woven immaculately up to the very end. This film captured the very essence of life in it's simplest forms by spotlighting all of it's most beautiful elements. I think this is one of the best and most important films I've ever witnessed in my entire life and I hold it's messages to close to my heart.