I know this came late, but I also needed time to digest the year of film in 2018. In the end, it was a great years for films big and small. We all screamed “Wakanda Forever,” some of us (me) cried at a family hugging on the sand at the beach, and we all gasped at the world’s biggest movie star’s big leap that ended with a broken ankle.

Making this list was an agonizing time for me. There were many films to go through as I saw close to 100 films this past year. I even recorded a podcast with my best friend X where we discussed my top 10 films, and I realized after that I was a little wrong. Now in the end, I can now safely say that I’m happy with what I picked, and these are my top 10 films of the year. But before I start, I’m going to go ahead and talk a little about my honorable mentions.

10. American Animals

American Animals is easily the most overlooked movie of the year. You can say it is also one of the most competently made, and unique films as well. The film recounts a real life heist as told by the actual individuals involved. I would call the fact-based drama very funny, deep, experimental, tense, and downright fascinating as the perpetrators describe their crime as it is being enacted.

9. Mission Impossible: Fallout

I.Loved.This. MI6 was full out action porn. It is hard to outdo the 5 other movies in the series, but somehow this seemed to do so. From the beautiful Halo jump, to Henry Cavill reloading his fists, to racing in the streets of France, every moment hit. Beautifully shot and extremely technically done, this belonged on the list.

8. Hereditary

After watching the trailer and the A24 stamp before experiencing this horror masterpiece, I could feel my butt in a movie theater seat right away, and that’s what happend. Hereditary is loaded with memorable scenes, tension building, and terrifying *cluck* noises. The film’s horror works on the physical, and metaphysical levels with the movie’s deeper themes. In the end I was loving the divisive ending, and should stay in my horror film rotation for years to come.

7. Annihilation

Coming off of Ex Machina, I was very excited to see what Alex Garland would deliver with Annihilation. Unsurprisingly he delivered with his adaptations of the Jeff Vandermeer’s book of the same name. Very Beautiful, imaginative, and deep with themes of self-destruction. I loved being in a different world where the way we perceive science is flipped on its head. And oh yeah, That bear scene.

6. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Easily the best surprise of the year as a superhero movie from Sony somehow snuck its way on our lists, and into our hearts (yeah I know, corny). This movie redefines what a superhero movie can be, and what animation can do. It is hard leaving the movie theater to a more fun experience than this one. Thanks for opening this universe to what Spider-man can be.

5. Avengers: Infinity War

Infinity War might be my favorite superhero movie ever made. It might also be one of the greatest feats in cinema’s history. Compiling characters and stories for over 10 years, everything comes to a bang and ends with a finger snap felt around the world. I watched this for a second time recently, and noticed how well balanced it is. Every character is needed for something important, and AIW also features one of the best villians in the MCU.

4. 8th Grade

I really wrestled with this movie as my #1 as 8th Grade is a film that everyone should watch, child or adult. 8th Grade is an accurate depiction of what kids and adults go through in this era of social media. The film acts as a beautiful portrait of an introverted teenage girl tries to survive the last week of her disastrous eighth grade year before leaving to start high school.

3. Roma

Alfonso Cuarón’s new film is insanely beautiful. Roma is perfectly shot, well written, and might be a flawless film. I can’t go on without talking about the long breathtaking takes that are dispersed throughout the film. As an ode to his caregiver growing up, Cuarón’s film is a must watch that would move your soul if you have a pulse. New favorite of his.

2. Sorry To Bother You

Easily the most audacious film of the year, Sorry To Bother is a very creative way of storytelling. Very funny, witty, and delivers sharp metaphors and deeper meanings that will get you thinking as soon as you leave the theater and/or home. Great to see one of the up and coming stars Lakeith Stanfield knock it out with this one. Also: Tessa Thompson going full Tessa Thompson. Must watch.

1. Bad Times at the El Royale

As I said before this list agonized me. A few films deserved to be #1, but in the end Bad Times had it all for me. Great story. Great characters. Great actors. Great performances. Great tension building. Exciting. Surprising. Beautiful. It had it all, the setting was almost a character itself. Everything that makes a great film, this film had it. Every plot point comes together, and is woven together perfectly. I don’t want to say anything about the plot here, I just want you to watch it. I am sure this will be a favorite years from now and I’m calling it.

Honorable Mentions:

A Star is Born, Shoplifters, First Reformed, Mandy, Ready Player One, You Were Never Really Here, Game Night, Blockers, Black Panther, Won’t you be my Neighbor, Three Identical Strangers

I know, I know. 11 honorable mentions is a bit much, but that goes to show you how much I loved 2018 films. I couldn’t go anywhere without talking about the “biggest” film of 2018, Black Panther. The Japanese film Shoplifters was the intimate portrait of a family that I needed. Ready Player One was one of the most fun you can have in a theater. As of now I have seen Mandy twice, and still love the new Cult Classic as Nicolas Cage goes total badass. It pained me not to put First Reformed on this list, with a terrific directorial job, and Ethan Hawke was just magic. Also loved what Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga did with A Star is Born, which should get a bunch of nominations. You Were Never Really Here was beautifully dark and twisted as Game Night and Blockers were funny as hell. And I had to put these 2 documentaries on this list as Won’t You Be My Neighbor and Three Identical Strangers are a must watch. Now let’s get to the best of the best.

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