Written by: Kevin Berge
2018 has been a fascinating year for film. Superheroes continue to dominate the blockbuster market while smaller films have been heavily focused on the social commentary our current world demands.
While few films from this year will hold up against the best work of previous years, the amount of variety and creativity on display has perhaps never been higher with so many diverse voices given power.
These are the best movies of 2018 from the biggest action showcases to the wild and wacky commentaries on our awkward and troubling world.
Best of 2018: WWE Matches | TV Shows
While few films from this year will hold up against the best work of previous years, the amount of variety and creativity on display has perhaps never been higher with so many diverse voices given power.
These are the best movies of 2018 from the biggest action showcases to the wild and wacky commentaries on our awkward and troubling world.
Best of 2018: WWE Matches | TV Shows
It's rare that a franchise finally gets good with its 6th entry, opening 24 years after the franchise first began as a toy line. (Image Courtesy of: usweekly.com)
***No films will be spoiled in this article. Everyone can read ahead without risk. All linked reviews will also avoid spoilers unless they specifically state otherwise.***
Note: Even though I have seen more 2018 movies during the year than I have any other year, I still have not seen every great film from the year. Some movies I plan to see but have not yet watched: Isle of Dogs, Hereditary, You Were Never Really There, First Reformed, Roma, If Beale Street Could Talk, Mirai, Vice, and Mandy.
Note: Even though I have seen more 2018 movies during the year than I have any other year, I still have not seen every great film from the year. Some movies I plan to see but have not yet watched: Isle of Dogs, Hereditary, You Were Never Really There, First Reformed, Roma, If Beale Street Could Talk, Mirai, Vice, and Mandy.
Honorable Mention
Green Book (Review): Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali have rarely been better than they are in Green Book. Many of their scenes together are absolute electricity. Even if their journey can feel a bit contrived, they bring so much life to this story that it's well worth watching.
Bumblebee (Review to Come): While I was never the biggest Transformers fan, it was an integral part of my childhood. I never liked any of the Michael Bay-directed films, so it was a welcome surprise to walk out of Bumblebee feeling like a kid again. While a bit derivative, Bumblebee is a raucous adventurous joy to watch.
The Hate U Give (Review): While many tackled police brutality and racist culture in 2018, The Hate U Give portrays it with the most universal message. It takes shortcuts, but there's no doubt that it makes every emotional beat work. No one element of the film stands above the rest, but together it is an engaging ride.
Bumblebee (Review to Come): While I was never the biggest Transformers fan, it was an integral part of my childhood. I never liked any of the Michael Bay-directed films, so it was a welcome surprise to walk out of Bumblebee feeling like a kid again. While a bit derivative, Bumblebee is a raucous adventurous joy to watch.
The Hate U Give (Review): While many tackled police brutality and racist culture in 2018, The Hate U Give portrays it with the most universal message. It takes shortcuts, but there's no doubt that it makes every emotional beat work. No one element of the film stands above the rest, but together it is an engaging ride.
Bradley Cooper has reached the peak of his career where he works in the background to celebrate other talented people. (Image Courtesy of: hindustantimes.com)
10. Ralph Breaks the Internet
Original Review
The internet is a dangerous place, insidiously separating people from the real world. It is also a wondrous creation that has allowed those of all ages to learn and connect. Ralph Breaks the Internet understands this dynamic and portrays it with surprising depth.
This is not your simple Disney film. In fact, it comes off more like a Pixar flick, largely throwing away the typical conventions of heroes and villains to explore the way we all can be better while warning of how we all can be worse.
In the end, this is a shockingly unique film built to appeal to all audiences with genuine insights into the modern world. As someone who found the first movie passably solid, I was blown away by just how good the sequel was.
The internet is a dangerous place, insidiously separating people from the real world. It is also a wondrous creation that has allowed those of all ages to learn and connect. Ralph Breaks the Internet understands this dynamic and portrays it with surprising depth.
This is not your simple Disney film. In fact, it comes off more like a Pixar flick, largely throwing away the typical conventions of heroes and villains to explore the way we all can be better while warning of how we all can be worse.
In the end, this is a shockingly unique film built to appeal to all audiences with genuine insights into the modern world. As someone who found the first movie passably solid, I was blown away by just how good the sequel was.
9. A Star is Born
Original Review
A Star is Born relies upon Lady Gaga in so many ways, becoming her true breakout hit in film. She is the acting highlight of the film as well as the beating heart of the musical side of the story. While the soundtrack is not all a hit, songs like "Shallow" and "Look What I Found" make this a lasting success.
Outside Marvel's major hits, this feels like the biggest success of the year in terms of criticial and commercial success. It was its own phenomenon for good reason, telling an emotional story that far outshines the previous tellings of this tale.
This is a tale of love, dependency, success, and failure. Ultimately, it does not dive that deep into any one aspect, but its emotional brushstrokes leave much to think about while its best tracks echo in the viewer's head for weeks to come.
A Star is Born relies upon Lady Gaga in so many ways, becoming her true breakout hit in film. She is the acting highlight of the film as well as the beating heart of the musical side of the story. While the soundtrack is not all a hit, songs like "Shallow" and "Look What I Found" make this a lasting success.
Outside Marvel's major hits, this feels like the biggest success of the year in terms of criticial and commercial success. It was its own phenomenon for good reason, telling an emotional story that far outshines the previous tellings of this tale.
This is a tale of love, dependency, success, and failure. Ultimately, it does not dive that deep into any one aspect, but its emotional brushstrokes leave much to think about while its best tracks echo in the viewer's head for weeks to come.
Such as in Infinity War where Bradley Cooper's role as best Guardian of the Galaxy is finally trumped by Thor. (Image Courtesy of: variety.com)
8. Avengers Infinity War
Original Review
Avengers Infinity War is the greatest cinematic triumph of 2018 in the sense that it should not have worked. Marvel put everything into this one moment, a decade of build up with dozens of unique characters, yet it all comes together cohesively.
This is certainly the most flawed film on this list, but it also the most exciting and engaging. It stretches so thin that it almost breaks, but it just works. In a franchise that has often lacked for interesting villains or climaxes, the central focus on Thanos and the spectacular final act are the film's greatest strengths.
It's hard to imagine any movie ever competing with this one in sheer scope, but that's only because no film has ever quite done what this one does. The floodgates have been opened, and Marvel may just top this with Avengers Endgame in 2019.
Avengers Infinity War is the greatest cinematic triumph of 2018 in the sense that it should not have worked. Marvel put everything into this one moment, a decade of build up with dozens of unique characters, yet it all comes together cohesively.
This is certainly the most flawed film on this list, but it also the most exciting and engaging. It stretches so thin that it almost breaks, but it just works. In a franchise that has often lacked for interesting villains or climaxes, the central focus on Thanos and the spectacular final act are the film's greatest strengths.
It's hard to imagine any movie ever competing with this one in sheer scope, but that's only because no film has ever quite done what this one does. The floodgates have been opened, and Marvel may just top this with Avengers Endgame in 2019.
7. Paddington 2
Original Review
Kid's films can often be considered a derisive term. When Hollywood sets out to appeal to a younger audience, it can be seen as a limiting move, taking away from the film's weight or potential. Paddington 2 much like its predecessor proves this a fallacy.
Paddington 2 is a joyous celebration of the simplest stories. In this movie, the characters must learn to be kind and to love one another. The movie is not breaking ground with its messages, but it does make an impact by simply being better at what it does than anything else.
Every child should watch this movie to get a wide and fun glimpse into the importance of empathy. Every adult should watch this film to remember what empathy truly means. It is the true measuring stick on the term family fun for all ages.
Kid's films can often be considered a derisive term. When Hollywood sets out to appeal to a younger audience, it can be seen as a limiting move, taking away from the film's weight or potential. Paddington 2 much like its predecessor proves this a fallacy.
Paddington 2 is a joyous celebration of the simplest stories. In this movie, the characters must learn to be kind and to love one another. The movie is not breaking ground with its messages, but it does make an impact by simply being better at what it does than anything else.
Every child should watch this movie to get a wide and fun glimpse into the importance of empathy. Every adult should watch this film to remember what empathy truly means. It is the true measuring stick on the term family fun for all ages.
How do you lead a movie as big as Black Panther but barely get talked about by the end of the year? Such is Chadwick Boseman's fantastic but underhyped young career. (Image Courtesy of: marvel.com)
6. Blindspotting
Original Review
It's rare a movie this good goes so far under the radar. Blindspotting is a tough sell of a film built on dynamics that are hard to sell without spoilers. It is a buddy movie where it is often hard to tell if the two leads are good for each other.
More than anything, Blindspotting feels honestly insightful, portraying racial dynamics and threats of violence with a great degree of care. There's an almost rhythmic quality to the way it moves, making it engaging and comedic while being cold and foreboding.
While most movies on this list are at least known by the majority of filmgoers, Blindspotting feels like it has been completely missed. For that reason, this would likely be the first movie I recommended to those asking what movies are worth seeing from 2018.
It's rare a movie this good goes so far under the radar. Blindspotting is a tough sell of a film built on dynamics that are hard to sell without spoilers. It is a buddy movie where it is often hard to tell if the two leads are good for each other.
More than anything, Blindspotting feels honestly insightful, portraying racial dynamics and threats of violence with a great degree of care. There's an almost rhythmic quality to the way it moves, making it engaging and comedic while being cold and foreboding.
While most movies on this list are at least known by the majority of filmgoers, Blindspotting feels like it has been completely missed. For that reason, this would likely be the first movie I recommended to those asking what movies are worth seeing from 2018.
5. Black Panther
Original Review
Superhero films are a dime a dozen at this point. They dominate the cultural landscape in a way few genres ever have. It is important that popularity be managed carefully. Black Panther provides one of the best ways to do just that by being its own cultural phenomenon.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been such an overall success that many miss just how few of those films genuinely stand out on their own. Black Panther stands so far out on its own two feet that it almost doesn't even feel like it is apart of the same MCU.
From introducing one of the best villains in recent memory with Killmonger to giving a clear and honest voice to the black community in blockbuster form, this is not just the biggest blockbuster hit of the year but also the defining movie of 2018.
Superhero films are a dime a dozen at this point. They dominate the cultural landscape in a way few genres ever have. It is important that popularity be managed carefully. Black Panther provides one of the best ways to do just that by being its own cultural phenomenon.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been such an overall success that many miss just how few of those films genuinely stand out on their own. Black Panther stands so far out on its own two feet that it almost doesn't even feel like it is apart of the same MCU.
From introducing one of the best villains in recent memory with Killmonger to giving a clear and honest voice to the black community in blockbuster form, this is not just the biggest blockbuster hit of the year but also the defining movie of 2018.
Who knew that the best way to expand the world of Spider-Man was first to stop relying on Peter Parker for the 4th time? (Image Courtesy of: theverge.com)
4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Original Review
Combine the repeated failed attempts to create a Spider-Man franchise with Sony Animation, a studio that can best be praised for decent films like Hotel Transylvania and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, somehow you get one of the best animated and superhero films in a decade.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse works as a coming-of-age tale for young children to empathize with as Miles Morales learns to be what so many other Spider-Men have already become. It also works as a Spider-Man film, exploring how anyone can be a hero and it is not always easy.
Sony put together the right team to create the most comic-booky film in a year where every studio seems to be releasing multiple comic-book-inspired films. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a beautiful anomaly, built upon strong underutilized foundations.
Combine the repeated failed attempts to create a Spider-Man franchise with Sony Animation, a studio that can best be praised for decent films like Hotel Transylvania and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, somehow you get one of the best animated and superhero films in a decade.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse works as a coming-of-age tale for young children to empathize with as Miles Morales learns to be what so many other Spider-Men have already become. It also works as a Spider-Man film, exploring how anyone can be a hero and it is not always easy.
Sony put together the right team to create the most comic-booky film in a year where every studio seems to be releasing multiple comic-book-inspired films. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a beautiful anomaly, built upon strong underutilized foundations.
3. A Private War
Original Review
Few films resonate as clearly in 2018 as A Private War. By portraying war through the eyes of a deeply troubled and scarred war correspondent, the film empathizes with those who seek to find an end to violence and ultimately portrays just how dangerous it is to simply look away.
Rosamund Pike dominates the run time of this film with easily one of the best performances of her career, fully becoming Marie Colvin to the point is it is easy to forget she's not. She makes every moment of her emotional turmoil worth investing in.
There were so attempts this year to reach out on a cultural level, to embrace truths that many massive powers attempt to squash. A Private War is a morbid celebration of journalism that is resonate and incredibly timely.
Few films resonate as clearly in 2018 as A Private War. By portraying war through the eyes of a deeply troubled and scarred war correspondent, the film empathizes with those who seek to find an end to violence and ultimately portrays just how dangerous it is to simply look away.
Rosamund Pike dominates the run time of this film with easily one of the best performances of her career, fully becoming Marie Colvin to the point is it is easy to forget she's not. She makes every moment of her emotional turmoil worth investing in.
There were so attempts this year to reach out on a cultural level, to embrace truths that many massive powers attempt to squash. A Private War is a morbid celebration of journalism that is resonate and incredibly timely.
I can't wait for the sequel Ninth Grade and the prequel Seventh Grade. (Image Courtesy of: variety.com)
2. BlacKkKlansman
Original Review
We all need creators like Spike Jones in top form. We need directors with the focus and anger to honestly portray the stupidity of racism in an era where it seems to have come back into fashion. BlacKkKlansman is a funny, engaging story built upon the foundations of a justified rage.
It may not be as abstract or unique as movies like Sorry to Bother You, but it feels far more focused and universal. John David Washington and Adam Driver are spectacular together with the kind of buddy cop chemistry that feels almost underutilized.
This is a movie about the universal nature of prejudice. We all suffer from the hatred of the few, and we cannot turn a blind eye. In a year dominated by righteous and honest frustration, BlacKkKlansman is the king, and everyone should see it in full.
We all need creators like Spike Jones in top form. We need directors with the focus and anger to honestly portray the stupidity of racism in an era where it seems to have come back into fashion. BlacKkKlansman is a funny, engaging story built upon the foundations of a justified rage.
It may not be as abstract or unique as movies like Sorry to Bother You, but it feels far more focused and universal. John David Washington and Adam Driver are spectacular together with the kind of buddy cop chemistry that feels almost underutilized.
This is a movie about the universal nature of prejudice. We all suffer from the hatred of the few, and we cannot turn a blind eye. In a year dominated by righteous and honest frustration, BlacKkKlansman is the king, and everyone should see it in full.
1. Eighth Grade
Original Review
It's hard to put into words just how important it was for me to have a movie like this made. Social anxiety is tough to explain or portray on screen. It can feel simplistic even overblown in the wrong hands, but Bo Burnham crafted all of Eighth Grade with a degree of honest understand and empathy that is easy to digest.
I felt for a rare moment that my own fears were being portrayed on screen, transporting me back to when I was in the eighth grade, and I finally felt like my own anxiety that had often left me feeling isolated was shared. Elsie Fisher was me as a young kid, desperately trying to be seen while fearing that same attention.
There are a few stronger films from this year with more universally important messages, but none were as important to me. While I have so often fallen head over heels for science fiction epics and emotionally complex dramas, this simple comedy drama was truly the movie I needed to see.
In fact, I'm disappointed this film was not made 10 years back for a younger Kevin to experience.
It's hard to put into words just how important it was for me to have a movie like this made. Social anxiety is tough to explain or portray on screen. It can feel simplistic even overblown in the wrong hands, but Bo Burnham crafted all of Eighth Grade with a degree of honest understand and empathy that is easy to digest.
I felt for a rare moment that my own fears were being portrayed on screen, transporting me back to when I was in the eighth grade, and I finally felt like my own anxiety that had often left me feeling isolated was shared. Elsie Fisher was me as a young kid, desperately trying to be seen while fearing that same attention.
There are a few stronger films from this year with more universally important messages, but none were as important to me. While I have so often fallen head over heels for science fiction epics and emotionally complex dramas, this simple comedy drama was truly the movie I needed to see.
In fact, I'm disappointed this film was not made 10 years back for a younger Kevin to experience.