After a few years when the movies were struggling, 2022 saw film come back in a major way. Thanks to Tom Cruise, an abundance of Marvel films, and the return of the Jurassic world yet again, 2022's box office was the biggest its been in years, and with the recent releases of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Avatar: The Way of Water, it seems like the theatrical experience isn’t going anywhere any time soon. As a great scholar once said, heartbreak feels good in a place like this.
But beyond financial success, 2022 has been a brilliant year for film. From massive blockbusters to nuanced indie films, this year has been packed to the brim with great films, to the point that it's hard to narrow down the best of this remarkable year to just 25 films (hence the notable absence of Morbius. Sorry Morbi-heads). With form-breaking documentaries, stunning animated films, moving dramas, hilarious comedies, and formidable releases from around the world, 2022 has had something for everyone.