As the pandemic began to simmer down a bit in 2022, many movie studios saw this as their chance to make some money, releasing their films to theatres to capitalize on cinemas opening their doors to the public once again. This means that 2022 saw a boom in movie releases, some good, some very, very bad. But hey, that’s the way the cookie crumbles: bad movies come out every year. No biggie. Find another and move on.
But with every bad movie, there were also good movies, and for every few good movies, there were some that were truly special. From many different genres, countries, directors, and studios,many movies in 2022 are bound to become cinematic classics that will be remembered for decades to come, and quite frankly, it’s really not difficult to tell which ones will make the cut in this regard.
10’Turning Red'
Directed by Domee Shi
Most Pixar movies can be considered classics since pretty much every movie the studio pumps out is met with high reviews from both critics and audiences.Turning Redis a bit of an exception, as not all audience reviews were unanimous, but overall, the movie was generally enjoyed, mostly for its awkward, innocent fun and its goofy premise.
The story follows a Chinese-Canadian teenager living in Toronto who has inherited her family’s curse, meaning she turns into a giant red panda at random intervals. Not only does this cause embarassment, but it also adds to the narrative of growing up and theawkwardness of adolescence. Like many Pixar movies,Turning Redis destined to become a classic, even though it might not be as popular as some of the other films by the studio.
Turning Red
9’The Batman'
Directed by Matt Reeves
Considering how poorly the DCEU handled the character of Batman, the Caped Crusader was desperately in need of a new movie, one that did the superhero justice. Enter 2022’sThe Batman, starringRobert Pattinsonas the Dark Knight. This movie, much like some previous films, presented the story with a much darker, grittier angle, one that suited the superhero extremely well.
Combine this new venture with a superb and creepy performance fromPaul Danoas the Riddler, and you’ve got the recipe for a brilliant Batman revival. Better yet, this movie isn’t really tied down by anything like the DCEU, allowing it to blossom and create its own legacy.While not the best Batman film by a mile, this one was very exciting and is bound to go down in history as one of the greatest DC films ever made.
The Batman
In a dark city plagued by crime and corruption, a masked crusader investigates a puzzling string of crimes linked by cryptic messages. His journey into the depths of the city’s sinister underworld reveals connections among its most powerful citizens and forces him to confront his own complex relationship with justice.
8’The Whale'
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
Prior to the release ofThe Whale, actorBrendan Fraserhad largely been absent from the spotlight due to personal reasons, with this film marking his long-awaited return to Hollywood. Starring as a reclusive and overweight English teacher, this psychological drama proved to be Fraser’s most difficult role yet, both physically and emotionally, as he took the audience on a journey of isolation and self-destruction.
Not everyone found this movie to be their personal cup of tea, and that’s okay, however, it was quite a popular discussion topic in the world in the weeks surrounding its release, and it did end up winning two Oscars for its heart-wrenching storyline. Brendan Fraser does an exceptional job in the main role, especially considering its one that really allows him to show his talent more than ever before.This is already a classic movie, and this status is only going to grow with time.
7’Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Okay, so a couple of different MCU films came out in 2022, but perhaps none of them had the innate quality ofBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. After the untimely and tragic passing of the original Black Panther actor,Chadwick Boseman, Marvel fans were devastated, yet also unsure of which direction the story would take. They questioned what would happen to the character now that the beloved actor was gone, but Marvel proved that they were on top of things.
While not a replacement,Wakanda Foreverproved to be not just a heartfelt tribute to a talented actor gone too soon, but a new chapter in the Marvel continuity, establishing new plotlines and allowing for a smooth transition.The MCU showed it knows how to roll with the punches, and it became abundantly clear thatWakanda Foreverwas going to be one of the finest Marvel movies to date, one that will surely be deemed a classic by future superhero fans.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Directed by Jordan Peele
Actor and comedianJordan Peeleis generally known for his sketch comedy, so when he did a complete 180 and set his sights on directing a horror movie back in 2017, fans were more than a little skeptical. However, Peele proved that he isn’t just a funny guy, but a talented director, too, as his various horror films since his first have all been smash-hits. 2022’sNopewas the third horror film he directed, which, despite its silly title, had great reviews.
The sci-fi horror masterpiece was Peele’s most ambitious project yet, one that made use of its larger budget and flashy effects for an experience that is surprisingly unnerving.Like Peele’s previous horror movies,Nopeshattered audience expectations, delivered a twisted and thought-provoking narrative, and has stayed fresh in the minds and hearts of many, which will inevitably lead to it becoming a modern classic.
5’Avatar: The Way of Water'
Directed by James Cameron
13 years after the release of the original film,James Cameron’s long-awaited sequel,Avatar: The Way of Waterwas released, and for the fans that had been patiently waiting, it certainly delivered. The CGI was just as impressive as always, and the film gave more context and lore surrounding the distant planet of Pandora, and the culture of the Indigenous Na’vi people.
With the stars of the previous film reprising their roles,Avatar: The Way of Waterwas a visually stunning new adventure through a fascinating world, punctuated by Cameron’s signature sci-fi flair. Many criticized the first film as being a rehash of other stories, but its sequel felt more like a fully fleshed-out and original story, allowing the franchise to evolve into its own distinct thing. It was absolutely legendary when it came out, and the fact that another sequel is on the way shows that excitement about this movie hasn’t really died down.Considering the first movie was thehighest-grossing film of all time, it’s likely that the sequel will live up to the reputation of the original as a cinematic milestone.
Avatar: The Way of Water
Ten years after the events of Avatar (2009), Avatar: The Way of Water follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and their new family as they brave the world of Pandora and the struggles they endure to protect themselves and their people. Director James Cameron used The Way of Water to explore the oceans of Pandora and set the stage for the subsequent three sequels. In addition to Worthington and Saldana, Avatar: The Way of the Water sees the return of Sigourney Weaver, this time playing a character named Kiri, and Stephen Lang’s villainous Quaritch.
4’The Northman'
Directed by Robert Eggers
The Northmanearned positive reviews from historians with its accuracy about Viking culture and folklore, so it’s no surprise that audiences loved it equally as much. Let’s be honest, Vikings are just plain cool, and this gritty film proved just how awesome they really were. Or at least, as a concept, if not so much in their real-life barbarity. In any case, thismedieval fantasy flickis dark and mysterious, yet infinitely entertaining.
What’s really cool is that the movie is shot in English, but there’s also an Old Norse dub, meaning audiences can hear the film in the original Viking language, a language which is nearly extinct and no longer widely-spoken. For a thrilling Viking fantasy, or for fans of theVikingsTV show,The Northmanis a masterpiece, and it’s sure to become a classic as time goes on.
The Northman
3’Everything Everywhere All at Once'
Directed by Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Everything Everywhere All at Onceis, without question, one of thecraziest, most bonkers moviesyou’ll ever see in your entire life. The entire film feels like a bad acid trip, bearing some of the most ridiculous, yet admittedly imaginative concepts and visuals cinema has ever seen. But this is why the action-comedy flick works so well. It starsMichelle Yeohas a beleaguered Chinese-American immigrant who just wants to pay her taxes, byt finds herself locked in a battle for the multiverse.
The middle-aged woman discovers she has some killer martial arts skills (both literally and figuratively), and must fight various foes in order to save the multiverse from itself. Movies like this are proof that anyone who complains original movies aren’t being made anymore is a total liar, because this movie is nothing short of original. It’s a cinematic shrug, a metaphorical “f*** it” that basically includes whatever it wants to, and it doesn’t matter how off the wall it seems.It’s brilliant and creative, and is sure to be seen as a classic in the future.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
2’Top Gun: Maverick'
Directed by Joseph Kosinski
Nearly four decades after the original aerial warfare film came out, Hollywood shifted gears and prepared a sequel. Normally, sequel to beloved 80s films made decades later fail to take off, and tend to crash and burn with low ratings and embarrassing box office performances. But notTop Gun: Maverick.This return to form was flying high upon release. Ratings soared, and itperformed far better than anyone could have imagined at the box office.
The reason for this is simple: because it’s awesome. With many actors reprising their roles and some newer ones earning their wings,Top Gun: Maverickplaced viewers back on the highway to the danger zone, with new and improved visuals and equally exciting combat sequences that perfectly mirrored that of the original.There’s no doubt that this surprising sequel will be considered just as much of a classic as its predecessor.
Top Gun: Maverick
After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN’s elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.
1’All Quiet on the Western Front'
Directed by Edward Berger
The third adaptation ofErich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel,All Quiet on the Western Frontis set during the First World War, and follows the life of German recruit Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer), who, fooled by propaganda, voluntarily enlists, entering a never-ending nightmare with his childhood friends. They are subject to unimaginable horrors, ripped straight from the pages of the book, which was based on the author’s own personal experiences in the war.
This isn’t commonly seen as the greatest movie based on the book, but one cannot deny that it’s a real masterpiece. It is elegantly crafted,littered with hidden details, and won numerous Oscars, taking the Academy by storm. It’s one of the only true anti-war movies, as it depicts, with shocking cynicism, that there are no noble sacrifices, no great crusades or adventures in war, only death.It’s a bleak and depressing movie, but one that is absolutely essential to watch, and one that future generations should (and hopefully will) take into consideration going forward.
All Quiet on the Western Front
KEEP READING:10 Movies From 2023 That Are Already Considered Classics, Ranked
