The new film Marcel The Shell With Shoes On has been in theaters for a few weeks and is steadily climbing the charts as one of the best movies of 2022. The film about a one-inch-tall shell with a much larger heart is sincere, humorous, and outrageously creative. The stop-motion work in the film is an original work of genius unseen on the big screen.
While the first half of 2022 is officially over, it had some incredible movies that make fans excited for the rest of the year. On Letterboxd, movie fans have given these films the highest ratings for the year.
Turning Red (2022) - 3.8
Disney Pixar has released two animated movies in the first half of 2022, one of which is the massive hit, Turning Red. The movie is a coming-of-age story that emphasizes the importance of friendship, but above all, the importance of self-worth. In its typical Pixar animation style, Mei navigates the struggles of growing up and becoming her own person.
Turning Red was a massive hit in theaters and since its arrival on Disney+. Its average score of 3.8 out of 5 on Letterboxd is indicative that viewers of all ages might enjoy the movie, and learn a valuable lesson about themselves in the process.
Mad God (2022) - 3.9
A stop-motion horror film 30 years in the making finally premiered in 2022. Mad God is animator Phil Tippett's magnum opus, a story of "The Assassin" traversing nightmarish plains, descending deeper into a world of monsters on a distinct, but cryptic mission.
Mad God is further proof that stop-motion isn't dead. It pays homage to some of The Batman, for example, most of them are positive. Brendan McDonald applauds Tippett's work as "an undeniably impressive work of art."
After Yang (2022) - 4.0
The stellar studio After Yang. The quirky film starring Colin Farrell unpacks the story of a family's life after Yang, their A.I. assistant breaks down. In a not-so-far-removed future, this film delves into the meaning of life and a survey of grief.
Colin Farrell shines in this movie, which has dark undertones but a message of hope at the heart of it. One of the few movies to rank 4/5 overall, After Yang is well worth the watch. The futuristic drama radiates a combined love for sci-fi and probing into the way of humanity.
The Northman (2022) - 4.0
Robert Eggers' third directorial effort was meant to be massive; if his first two films (The Northman held true to his style while aiming for a blockbuster audience. Although the film didn't perform as expected, it remains another solid contribution to his lineup of historical action-thrillers.
The Northman is a Viking epic that deals with themes of love and loss, and ultimately, vengeance. Alexander Skarsgård and Anya Taylor-Joy have good chemistry at the best moments, boosting the film overall.
Alcarràs (2022) - 4.0
Another film that has received fewer—but mostly high—ratings is Alcarràs. The Spanish-Italian film was highly regarded at the Berlin Film Festival, taking home the top prize. An indie movie about peach farmers may not seem like a blockbuster hit, but its heartfelt tones and pertinent commentary on agricultural crises make it a poignant watch.
Alcarràs is performed by a relatively inexperienced cast—but viewers would be hard-pressed to tell the difference. It's gritty, emotional, and down-to-earth in a way that is original to the screen. It deserves its four-star rating.
The Batman (2022) - 4.1
One of the highest-grossing Batman films to date is the most recent: The Batman. Robert Pattinson stars alongside Zoë Kravitz to portray a Batman and Catwoman unlike their predecessors. The film is dark and suspenseful with a bent toward a psychological thriller.
With some iconic quotes and a hopeful ending with massive character development for the young Bruce Wayne, The Batman has proven its naysayers wrong and possibly landed among the best superhero movies of the year. The 4.1 rating on Letterboxd is proof that yet another reboot of Batman has not gone to waste.
RRR (2022) - 4.2
It is a difficult task to keep a three-hour film interesting the entire time, but best movies over two and a half hours long.
With an average rating of 4.2 on Letterboxd, RRR is another foreign film to push its way through the ranks, and deservedly so. In their review, Patrick Williams calls this "the best action movie...musical...romantic comedy...historical drama of the year."
Top Gun: Maverick (2022) - 4.2
The highest-grossing film of the year is Top Gun: Maverick. Tom Cruise's return after more than three decades is as electric as ever; he still carries that ambitious personality, but now pairs it with sentimental wisdom and understanding he did not previously have.
The follow-up movie is a respectful homage to its '80s predecessor as well as a refreshing, up-to-date action movie that will surely stand the test of time. Its 4.2 rating (out of over 325,000 ratings) is highly impressive, showing that Tom Cruise and the Top Gun franchise are better than ever.
Marcel The Shell With Shoes On (2022) - 4.3
One of the most recent films to take the world by storm is Marcel The Shell With Shoes On, a cute and creative follow-up to the viral short of the same title. Fans of the short video's creative humor and animation were satisfied to see it rekindled and brought to the big screen.
Marcel The Shell With Shoes On is a heartfelt and unexpectedly dramatic film, which proves that a small stop-motion character can have a massive impact on the world. In an honest, emotional review, SilentDawn claims "it's truly a miracle movie."
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) - 4.5
A film six years in the making was released around the time that one theme was popular in entertainment: the multiverse. While it may have been overshadowed by Everything Everywhere All At Once soon became a best-selling movie for the company.
Everything Everywhere All At Once is the highest-rated film (with 540,000+ ratings) clocking an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars. The film that truly has a little bit of everything, everywhere, all at once and is humorous, intense, dramatic, and most importantly, meaningful. Its place at number one for the year (so far) is incredibly deserved.
