Spoiler Steve’s Top 22 Films To Check Out In 2022 (Updated)

Hello everyone and welcome back my second Newsletter covering my 22 highest rated films of 2022*. I want to preface that I have not seen every movie released this year (Kova has me beat on that for sure) but I’ve seen about 75 films so far, so I can guarantee you’ll enjoy a majority of this list. 

I’ve decided to split up this list by genre, making this more recommendation-friendly for the reader**. 

*There’s going to be a few in here that might have a 2021 release date when you search it, but that’s only because the film was released at a festival that year.

**This is going to be presented in two articles since it’s taking me so long to complete. Here’s the first half:

***Updated 9/2/2022 with 11 additional film recommendations from the first half of the year 2022.

Action / Adventure

First up is this year’s Action and Adventure films. While I’ve got six movies that fall into this category, my top two pics are The Adam Project or The Northman. Leaning towards the family-friendly film first, The Adam Project is a great story for all generations. More of a kid-version style of Back to the Future, the plot covers some great time travel family dynamics. 

With duo-leads Ryan Reynolds and Walker Scobell and a stellar supporting cast including Jennifer Garner, Zoe Saldana and Mark Ruffalo, this 100-minute movie will be over before you know it. There’s great cinematography, a cinematic score and enough one-liners that will make you both laugh and possibly tear up. 

No matter your age, there’s someone in this story you can relate to. I know the film has some bad vfx when it comes to a certain character, but overall this is my second favorite film (so far) this year and I can’t wait to revisit it again. 

I know what you’re thinking, “another Ryan Reynolds movie with Reynolds playing Reynolds”, but let me tell you; this works. Walker Scobell’s performance makes you believe he’s a younger version of Reynolds and there’s a lot more heart hidden in this film you’re not expecting to see in this type of story. Yes, the tropes are there, but it doesn’t matter when the notes are played in the correct key. 

Now let’s get more adult. The Northman is not what it’s marketed as; it’s better. 

There’s a lot more adventure than there is action, but the twists and turns in this movie will keep you engaged throughout the story. For my first venture in a Robert Eggers film, this did not disappoint. It might be due to seeing this on the big screen, but the cinematography is breathtaking and with music by Sebastian Gainsborough and Robin Carolan, you feel like you’re a part of this viking legend.

Again, if you’re looking for a “popcorn flick” then The Adam Project is the way to go. If you’re interested in something that’s a bit deeper with Shakespearian themes, Vikings and swords, check out The Northman. 

The Adam Project is available to watch on Netflix

The Northman is available to watch on Peacock

Animation

Getting into the Animation section, I want to shine the spotlight on Netflix’s Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood, Universal Studios’ The Bad Guys and Pixar’s Turning Red. 

What separates these films from the rest on the list is how these movies can make a simple, original story carry some depth and meaning. Sure, you can say that about most films, but what makes these three stand out are the subject matter and animation style. 

Pixar’s Turning Red is a diamond in the rough. The film is not only wholehearted as a metaphor for a child experiencing puberty but also tackles heavy subjects including family legacy. If you went to middle school in the early aughts, there’s no way you can not relate to this film in one way or another. 

Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood has a unique take on not only with the retro-animation style but also their use of documentary-style storytelling. Available on Netflix, we’re thrown into Houston Texas during the age of Space and Wonder. Narrated by Jack Black, we follow his character’s 10-year-old self during the summer of 1969. It’s not necessarily his last summer of being a child but it’s the summer Linklater wanted to tell. Describing this film with the word nostalgia would be an understatement and while there’s no major twists or turns, there’s no doubt in my mind this was made for the whole family to sit down and watch on a warm summer’s night. 

The big surprise for me out of these highlighted films is Universal Studios The Bad Guys. Now available on Peacock, I’m most impressed with the animation style. What looks like a combination of 3-D and 2-D animation, the film is also impressive with the story’s main characters. That’s right. Bad Guys! The saying goes that no one see themselves as the villian of their own story and this feels no different. A great children’s story showing how everyone can turn a new leaf and sometimes people are just misunderstood. Audiences love rooting for the underdog and this film is no different. A great film for the whole family!

Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood is available to watch on Netflix

The Bad Guys is available to watch on Peacock

Turning Red is available to watch on Disney+

Comedy

So big surprise, I enjoy some laughs in my stories and boy has 2022 brought its A-game. 

Crush is a fantastic romcom that kept me giggling from start to finish. The dialogue feels light and fluffy at points but the storylines can get deep in unexpected ways. I’m not saying this recreates the wheel but for a summer full of comedies this easily takes my top three. 

Another sleeper-hit is Jerry and Marge Go Large. Think a combination of Walter White mixed with Hal Wilkerson married to Annette Bening and you have yourself one goofy diabolical comedy. The pair are bored when Jerry is forced into retirement and they decide to take advantage of a loophole in the Pennsylvania lottery. High-jinx ensues as the couple rebuild their small community into a thriving town.

What’s great about Hulu’s The Valet is it takes all your predictions and throws them out the window. Yes, you’ve ”seen this movie before”, but this has a refreshing take on the generic 90’s version of a romcom. The cast is genuine and wholesome, the characters seem basic but feel fleshed out by the end of the story and it’s over before you know it.

Crush is available to watch on Hulu

Jerry and Marge Go Large is available to watch on Paramount+

The Valet is available to watch on Hulu

Crime

Since we’ve already talked about The Bad Guys, I only had two other films that fall within this highly beloved genre for cinephiles. Both The Batman and Windfall feel like instant classics to me; whether these were filmed in black-and-white or color, you can’t get away from that noire feeling. 

What’s there to say that hasn’t been said about Batman. He’s Bruce Wayne, the richest man in Gotham City and this time he finally takes on the mantle as The World’s Greatest Detective and this time the caped crusader is going up against The Riddler but the biggest surprise is the story’s pace.

Though it clocks in at nearly 180 minutes it doesn’t even feel like a two-hour film. Matt Reeves’ greatest achievement to date is The Batman and I hope the WB Discovery merger doesn’t ruin what could be a very successful Gotham universe for the next decade to come.

While The Batman is full on detective-noir feel, it’s Windfall that gives me the classical chills. A 90-minute story that should’ve been shot or converted to black and white, this feels timeless as we watch three characters break each other down during a botched break-in. A great film to watch in a cold winter’s night in the middle of February. The less you know going in, the better.

Windfall is available to watch on Netflix

The Batman is available to watch on HBOMax

This is all i have for now, but check back in a few weeks for part 2.

Drama

First up is Cha Cha Real Smooth. Director and co-star Cooper Raiff shines both in front of and behind the camera. With an amazing cast and a simple yet lived-in-production design, this film transitions flawlessly between lighthearted giggles to chaotic meltdowns plus a couple of twists you may not see coming. 

The story feels inclusive and relatable yet the plot is specific in terms of location and culture. Also starring Dakota Johnson, Vanessa Burghardt, Leslie Mann, Brad Garrett and Raúl Castillo. 

Available on Apple TV+

Adam Sandler is back in another Netflix film, this time trying to bring something lighthearted  and meaningful to the screen. 

Hustle is a story we’ve all seen before, yet the chemistry between Sandler and costar Juancho Hernangomez energizes the underdog story. 

Available to watch on Netflix

Last on my drama list is Prime Video’s Emergency. A film about nearly-college graduate students ready to celebrate their last spring break but find an unconscious young woman in their home before the festivities begin. 

What’s categorized as a dark comedy immediately turns into a white-knuckle thriller. Saying this film makes the viewer anxious would be an understatement. For the rest of the film you’re at the edge of your seat as you watch and possibly cringe at certain situations no one wants to find themselves in. 

Available to watch on Amazon Prime Video

History

Sticking with the more serious genres, let’s take a moment to discuss the events of World War II. The first half of 2022 brought some great films regarding the portrayal of events leading up to and post the Second World War. 

Netflix’s Munich: The Edge of War is set in 1938 towards the beginning of the war and focuses on British spies to help prevent Hitler from invading Czechoslovakia. If you thought George McKay did a great job running through the film 1917, just wait until you see him frantically running indoors in the efforts to once again save countless lives.

For a story where we know the outcome of events, it doesn’t take away any anxiety within the film’s duration. 

This is a fantastic film to watch for not only historians and film buffs but for everyone else as we not only watch the beginning events of a near invasion, but we also see the effects war has on international friendships. 

Another History standout for this year is The Survivor. Available on HBOMax (for now), this story focuses on a WWII camp survivor who has to relive the moments of the worst time of his life as a reporter learns of his backstory and prints it for all of New York City to see. Another outstanding performance from Ben Foster and the rest of the cast, this story provides a unique take on a post-war life. 

Horror

One of these films is an underrated instant classic and the other is one of my outliers. 

Hulu’s Fresh came in swinging and metaphorically left no witnesses. From beginning to end this story has some major twists and turns you won’t see coming. I guarantee it. Without giving too much more away, the cast is superb and there are no empty calories to worry about. 

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) is a bit of a different story. A hilarious slasher/comedy aimed toward Gen Z, this 90-minute film has a lot to say in a short amount of time. There’s some laughs, thrills and general shock that will keep you glued to the sea plus the creative kills and final body count won’t disappoint.

Honorable Mentions

I’m rounding out with some honorable mentions including Disney Plus’ Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers, Hulu’s Fire Island, Pixar’s Lightyear, and Everything Everywhere All At Once. I wish I could recommend HBO Max’s Moonshot but that has mysteriously vanished from the streaming service and currently not available to watch.

If you have any questions or need any more recommendations because you’ve seen all of the above, you can always send me a tweet.