2022 Movie Rankings | What We Watched
TV Cabin highlights every 2022 movie we were able to watch this year.
Before we hop in, a few disclaimers:
1) There will be some glaring misses. No Avatar: Way of The Water, Prey, Bullet Train, etc. These movies will be cycled into a separate post where we break down all the 2022 movies we didn’t get around to but were able to finally rent VOD or on streaming services.
2) To properly utilize your time, we are skipping plot summary or synopsis
3) You will disagree with us, so feel free to let us know in the comments!
This is more of a time capsule than a definitive ranking that is immune to scrutiny or a closer look. When we conduct next year’s reviews, it will hopefully be exciting to see what we liked, what we hated, and (worst of all) what movies were “just okay.”
25) Hocus Pocus 2
Lacked most of the charm from the original movie and despite a bigger budget and two decades’ worth of special effects advancements, Hocus Pocus 2 appeared cheap and looked like the entire movie was filmed in a Disney backlot. It also was a bummer to see the switch to a more “kid friendly” movie that side-stepped any real scares. I mean, Hocus Pocus killed a little girl in the first three minutes!
24) Ticket to Paradise
Despite Clooney/Roberts chemistry and a light and cheerful plot, Ticket to Paradise was the kind of movie where you wish they take a risk somewhere. Like a sleepy beach vacation, you don’t really feel bad after but you aren’t looking to go back anytime soon.
23) Where the Crawdads Sing
As much as our love for Daisy Edgar-Jones has grown this past year, even she can’t make up for a long and drawn-out love story/mystery/crime/courtroom drama that kind of sticks the landing but doesn’t really make you feel great about it.
22) Fire Island
A few funny set pieces and another solid performance from SNL cast member, Bowen Yang, lead you to a Fire Island experience that is overall worth the hype. Comedy is tough these days, so you have to admire the attempt. If you are looking for some movie magic, look up the scene where they play Heads Up!
21) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Better than the first Dr. Strange even if it goes off the rails a bit in the final act. Carefully avoids not completely shutting the book on a certain villain who everyone hopes to see again.
20) Don’t Worry Darling
The hate for this film set it up to fail, yet the star-studded cast does its best to keep the audience engaged in this psychological thriller. The twist reveal happens too late and so the last ten minutes is a nonsensical race through a desert landscape.
19) I Want You Back
An unexpected addition to the romantic comedy genre, I Want You Back deals both the laughs and the charm to keep you and your date happy throughout. It’s also great to see Charlie Day and Jenny Slate star in a movie, too bad it’s stuck in Amazon Prime algorithmic hell.
18) See How They Run
You would think with so many A-listers in this sharp and quick-witted whodunnit, you’d expect more fanfare. Regardless, it breezes through an Agatha Christie mystery with flair and gives us more of a reason to watch anything Sam Rockwell touches.
17) Decision to Leave
While not as captivating or original as The Handmaiden (2016), Decision to Leave tells a story where the viewer might not always know what is going on, but is still happy to be along for the ride. This film will certainly provide enough danger and mystery to keep audiences satisfied, even if it may not reach the daring heights of Park Chan-wook’s previous drama.
16) Vengeance
With solid jokes, a strong ensemble cast, and a likable lead character, Vengeance made a strong case for B.J. Novak’s future in filmmaking. TV Cabin found this modern-day crime film about a podcaster sent to rural Texas as a perfect example of the joys of watching a directorial debut in 2022. Not everything is perfect, but it’s a great thing to watch.
15) The Northman
Robert Eggers has become a must-see filmmaker with another cinematic experience that will not disappoint. While not as “fun” to watch as other mythologically-based stories, this Norse epic offers strong performances, a healthy dose of weirdness, and enough action (ie:violence) to keep you on your toes. Plus, without diving too deeply into spoilers, the climactic scene looks amazing.
14) The Menu
The Menu shows off a few of Hollywood’s young talents (Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult) while giving the audience a delectable film full of dark humor, a slew of side characters, and Ralph Fiennes at his best. Not quite in the range where you we would recommend this movie to anyone walking down the street, but look forward to a rewatch in a couple of years.
13) The Batman
Another Batman movie might not be the number one thing that moviegoers are asking for, but this dark and gritty version of the Caped Crusader (with Catwoman, Sgt. Gordon, Penguin, & co.) was a nice surprise in 2022. Robert Pattinson can play the part of a brooding Bruce Wayne well. One note was that it seemed like Bruce was in the costume the entire movie–2.5hrs long and there is like one scene of Bruce without a mask on. Strange.
12) Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
It is hard to not compare this sequel to its well-liked precursor–Knives Out (2019)– which it will not beat in a head-to-head matchup. However, the choices made in Glass Onion are smart and fun, and there is plenty of entertainment to be had. While a tad over two hours, this mystery whodunnit moves so fast that it does not give you a chance to tune out. Have to respect that.
11) Cha Cha Real Smooth
Cooper Raiff’s debut feature, Shithouse (2020), was one of our favorites of that year so TV Cabin had high hopes for this Apple+ exclusive film. While it may have been a tad overlong and a bit “too cute” in parts, this was another showcase of Raiff’s ability to create believable characters that are, “just trying to figure it out.”
10) Watcher
Before this movie, we were not aware of Maika Monroe’s extensive work in the horror genre, but now we know why. This thriller was the type of slow burner that effectively builds tension while giving the viewer enough to stay involved. Didn’t know that Bucharest was that creepy. But we do now.
9) Barbarian
It clearly was a great year for the horror and thriller genres. Barbarian was not on our radar but each of the three acts was intriguing, surprising, and at some points– pretty darn scary. Gotta give bonus points to Justin Long’s tape measure bit — really funny.
8) X
The top horror movie on the list in a year full of well-crafted scary movies. The ensemble cast does its best to survive the older couple with mixed results. However, the strong direction from Ti West and a great performance from Mia Goth lifts this film into our top ten.
7) Top Gun: Maverick
Just a fun time. Overly cheesy at points but completely wins everyone over with a 10/10 third act where Maverick and co. save the day in dramatic fashion. Shows how great an action movie can be in the twenty-first century when the subject matter is not superheroes.
6) The Banshees of Inisherin
While not the most action-packed film on this list, Martin McDonagh’s latest venture was a nice blend of humor and sadness. The performances are all top-tier, the island setting is effective, and the audience really does not know what to expect.
5) Bodies Bodies Bodies
This movie was right up our alley so this may be a bit higher than other lists you read this year. However, this horror/thriller/comedy delivers on the scares and jokes while showcasing a talented cast of young up-and-comers. Contains some of the best one-liners of 2022 and does not overstay its welcome.
4) Nope
Jordan Peele returns with a supernatural thriller that is well-directed, well-acted, and caps off a fast-paced final act with a pretty incredible sequence. The chimpanzee storyline did not quite fit but was still a unique spin on the classic sitcom story. Seemed like an idea that Jordan could not drop so he tried to fit it into his alien move. Looked incredible too.
3) The Worst Person in The World
This took its time to reach the United States, but after catching it earlier this Spring, TWPITW blew us away with a heartfelt story of love won and lost set in the beautiful city of Oslo. It continues to surprise the viewer, and even if the story meanders a bit, it is a journey worth taking. Lead actress Renate Reinsve absolutely killed it. The shroom scene was also a standout scene.
2) Babylon
This movie is a mess. This is understood. Yet, it moves so fast and throws so much at you, that a lot of it works. The camera/medieval battle scene and the “intro to sound stage” scene were standouts and helped cement this film as a top-tier movie of the year. While not as clean as many of the movies on our list, you have to admit when you are entertained and Babylon did the job. A star-studded cast helped a lot plus a great jazz score from Chazelle’s composer that he always uses.
1) Everything Everywhere All at Once
Extremely creative, moves quickly, oddly endearing, helps catapult this movie into the top spot. There were a lot of high-quality feature films to release in 2022, but this (according to Wikipedia) “absurdist science fiction comedy-drama” does a lot of things right. Already looking forward to a rewatch! Plus, all the actors (many of them often overlooked by Hollywood) bring their A-game in a move that is a feast for the senses.
What do we absolutely have to watch? Let us know in the comments and we will make it our mission to feature it in out “Movies We Missed in 2022” make-up review. Until then, take a break and enjoy the TV Cabin.