# Best movies of 2018 (or very late 2017) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 30, 2018, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896 "2018-12-30T02:09:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/1 "2018-12-30T02:09:31Z")
Movies coming out now may take us a while to see them and movies that came out late 2017 weren’t seen by a lot of us until later. Here is my top 10 and some honorable mentions. You are not required to have 10 or to rank them. I just did it because I wanted to. Mine: 1. Hereditary - scariest and most intense movie I’ve ever seen. 2. The Greatest Showman - my favorite musical? Les Miserables. This is right behind it. I almost made this #1. 3. Mandy - Holy cow, check this out if you haven’t yet. Nic Cage in a movie perfect for him. 4. One Cut of the Dead - Japanese movie unlike any I’ve ever seen. Beyond words and well worth it. I’ll never forget the last ⅓ of it. 5. Avengers: Infinity War - uh, wow. They did make a good movie with everyone in it. 6. The Maze Runner: Death Cure - hate on me if you want, but I loved the Maze Runner trilogy and think everyone should check it out. Bought the Blu-ray pack immediately. 7. Mission Impossible Fallout - Oooh…I hoped this would be my top movie. It falls short of 4 and 5, but is still a great movie and deserves to be seen. 8. Three Identical Strangers - Look up nothing. Just watch it blind and clueless and enjoy. You’re welcome. 9. Spider-man Into the Spider Verse - I expected to love this more than I did, but it was good….really good. Homecoming is better, though. 10. Solo - I liked this movie, what can I say? Honorable mentions: The Hate U Give - I have not read the book. The movie worked really well. The Endless - released 2018 in most of the world. It is best seen with the companion movie the directors made first. The House With the Clock in Its Walls - a personal one. The book I’ve read to my classes many times. It isn’t perfect, but they tried to do a good job. Clovehitch Killer - I have some reservations about the ending 25% or so, but this is a really worthwhile movie. Check it out. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/2 "2018-12-30T02:56:55Z")
Well let’s see, I saw 110 films released in 2018 (not counting any that were in consideration for last year’s Oscars) and will probably see Vice & Welcome to Marwen before the year is out to make it 112. It’s tough to narrow it to just my top ten, I saw so \*many \*great films this year! I have them all listed on Letterboxd and these are my Top Ten: 1. Roma (see this one in a theater if at all possible!! This film has perhaps the best sound design I have \*ever \*heard.) 2. Shoplifters 3. Border 4. Searching 5. Eighth Grade 6. They Shall Not Grow Old 7. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 8. The Favourite 9. Three Identical Strangers 10. Upgrade With my next ten being: 1. Blindspotting 2. Hereditary 3. Bohemian Rhapsody 4. A Star is Born 5. Black Panther 6. Overlord 7. Science Fair 8. Crazy Rich Asians 9. Hearts Beat Loud 10. Won’t You Be My Neighbor ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/3 "2018-12-30T03:23:55Z")
Not a top ten for me, these are literally every 2018 movie I have seen, in release order as listed in [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_in_film). [ul] [li]_Peter Rabbit_: Actually delightful, though I didn’t like the trailers.[/li][li]_Black Panther_: Not as great as everyone raved about.[/li][li]_Early Man_: Fine, but if you’re not into football/soccer a lot is probably lost.[/li][li]_Annihilation_: Atmospheric, but with an ending ripped off from an old Tomb Raider game.[/li][li]_Red Sparrow_: Disappointingly miserable, don’t waste your time.[/li][li]_Tomb Raider_: Decent, but lacklustre.[/li][li]_Rampage_: Ridiculous, but of course it knows it is.[/li][li]_Avengers Infinity War_: Spectacular.[/li][li]_Solo A Star Wars Story_: Lots of fun, but dim and gloomy in parts.[/li][li]_Ocean’s 8_: Fun, but it felt like they forgot something.[/li][li]_Hotel Artemis_: Enjoyed it, but nothing to write home about.[/li][li]_Incredibles 2_: Wonderful, but no surprises.[/li][li]_Tag_: A nice diversion on a Sunday afternoon.[/li][li]_Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom_: Utter tripe.[/li][li]_Ant-Man and the Wasp_: Better than the first, but mediocre by Marvel standards.[/li][li]_Mission Impossible Fallout_: A thrill ride, but not its best.[/li][li]_Christopher Robin_: Sweet, but missed a couple of tricks to really bring it home.[/li][li]_The House With A Clock In Its Walls_: Stylish, but I didn’t understand the villain’s motivation.[/li][/ul] There are about six more from 2018 I have sitting waiting to be watched, and I also haven’t seen anything released since November yet. I rarely go to the cinema, so home video release dates matter more to me. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/4 "2018-12-30T05:47:11Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > 1. Roma (see this one in a theater if at all possible!! This film has perhaps the best sound design I have \*ever \*heard.) > > 2. Shoplifters > > 3. Border > > 4. Searching > > 5. Eighth Grade > > 6. They Shall Not Grow Old > > 7. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse > > 8. The Favourite > > 9. Three Identical Strangers > > 10. Upgrade > > With my next ten being: > > 1. Blindspotting > > 2. Hereditary > > 3. Bohemian Rhapsody > > 4. A Star is Born > > 5. Black Panther > > 6. Overlord > > 7. Science Fair > > 8. Crazy Rich Asians > > 9. Hearts Beat Loud > > 10. Won’t You Be My Neighbor I don’t have a list but this is a GREAT list! I’ve seen them all, and you sir, have excellent taste in movies. Counting the movies I have planned for the next couple of days, I’ll have seen 306 movies in the theater in 2018. I’ll probably get a list together on Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/5 "2018-12-30T06:33:12Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Mine: > > 1. One Cut of the Dead > The Maze Runner: Death Cure > The Endless > Clovehitch Killer I saw all of yours except for these. I’m REALLY sorry I missed One Cut of the Dead. That sounds like so much fun! I don’t remember it playing in Chicago, so I need to pay more attention.The Endless sounds good too. I’m sorry I missed it. I’ve heard of The Clovehitch Killer but it must have only played for a week and I missed it. I haven’t seen any of Maze Runner movies but if a theater played the trilogy I’d go if I could. Good for you for including Three Identical Strangers! ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/6 "2018-12-30T14:59:12Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I saw all of yours except for these. I’m REALLY sorry I missed One Cut of the Dead. That sounds like so much fun! I don’t remember it playing in Chicago, so I need to pay more attention.The Endless sounds good too. I’m sorry I missed it. I’ve heard of The Clovehitch Killer but it must have only played for a week and I missed it. I haven’t seen any of Maze Runner movies but if a theater played the trilogy I’d go if I could. > > Good for you for including Three Identical Strangers! Clovehitch killer is on Amazon streaming. FYI. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/7 "2018-12-30T16:49:19Z")
Stuff I really liked: Eighth Grade - but I’m biased. One of my best friends has a part in it. Black Panther - I’m continually mystified about people not liking this one. Annihilation - Another in a great run of oddball science fiction movies. We’re in a lucky time. Avengers: Infinity War - OK, we know it won’t stick, but they’re getting better at writing stories. RBG - She’s our rock at the moment. Ocean’s 8 - I’m a sucker for a heist movie, even one that’s pretty kissy kissy to the culture of celebrity Teen Titans GO! To the Movies - Again, a silly film but it knows exactly what it is and enjoys doing it. BlacKkKlansman - Holy Cow, what a great movie with a lot to say. Spike’s best in years. I’m still pissed off that I haven’t been able to see Anna and the Apocalypse or On the Basis of Sex down here. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/8 "2018-12-30T17:18:49Z")
I didn’t see many movies this year but I’d put _Upgrade_ at the top of the heap. ETA: Then again, I haven’t seen _Sorry to Bother You_ yet. FTR, I thought Annihilation was the worst science fiction movie since _A.I._ and I thought _RGB_ was good but not great (it was informative but not insightful). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/9 "2018-12-30T20:17:38Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I saw all of yours except for these. I’m REALLY sorry I missed One Cut of the Dead. That sounds like so much fun! I don’t remember it playing in Chicago, so I need to pay more attention.The Endless sounds good too. I’m sorry I missed it. I’ve heard of The Clovehitch Killer but it must have only played for a week and I missed it. I haven’t seen any of Maze Runner movies but if a theater played the trilogy I’d go if I could. > > Good for you for including Three Identical Strangers! To me, the Maze Runner movies fall into the “everyone else is wrong except my wife and me” category. I think those three movies are fantastic. My wife went and read the books and she thinks the movies are even better. I’m amazed they did not perform better. The Endless is good, but you need to see **Revolution** from the same directors. It is a spoiler to say why Revolution is so essential, but it is and elevates the Endless for anyone who can watch both. Yes, everyone will need to see One Cut of the Dead on DVD/streaming in 2019. It’s the best “go in with absolutely no idea and leave with your jaw on the floor” movie I’ve seen in years. It is not a spoiler to say it opens with a 37-minute one-take shot that is real…and…OK, I’ll spoil it in the spoier box because it is probably worth it for those on the edge of not know if it is for them: The opening is a 37 minute opening take. The final 30-35 minutes replays that opening shot and shows them making it, but not in a “making of” way. It is a fictional version of a making of that actually shows that the opening 37 minutes wasn’t just a one-take, but also filmed another mini-movie at the same time. 37 minutes, two movies were kind of being made. Hard to explain, but you HAVE to see this movie. I haven’t laughed as hard as the finale to this movie in a long time. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2019, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/10 "2019-01-01T00:28:50Z")
I have to second **Equipoise’s** commendation of **Eyebrows of Doom’s** list. If I couldn’t have my own list, I’d be pretty happy with this one. However, I can have my own list, so here it is, **chronologically** , not first to last. My top choices change day to day to match my mood- I keep this list for friends and family who ask me (knowing I see a _lot_ of movies) “what’s good”? I can recommend all of these _enthusiastically_) Black Panther Isle of Dogs Gemini A Quiet Place Lean on Pete You Were Never Really Here The Rider First Reformed Incredibles 2 Leave no Trace Won’t You Be My Neighbor Eighth Grade Blindspotting Crazy Rich Asians Support the Girls A Simple Favor Wildlife The Favourite Roma Shoplifters And also worth a look see: Annihilation Oh Lucy! The Death of Stalin Tully Upgrade Hearts Beat Loud BlacKkKlansman Juliet, Naked Searching Pick Of The Litter The Sisters Brothers Collette The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Cold War If Beale Street Could Talk ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/11 "2019-01-05T21:59:30Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I don’t have a list but this is a GREAT list! I’ve seen them all, and you sir, have excellent taste in movies. > > Counting the movies I have planned for the next couple of days, I’ll have seen 306 movies in the theater in 2018. I’ll probably get a list together on Tuesday. Thanks! I’m thankful that MoviePass and A-List have allowed me to see so many great films! I have to add another to my top ten: _The Rider_. I missed this one when it came out earlier in the year but an AMC near me is playing it for one week and I just caught it today. What a superb beautiful piece of filmmaking! ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2019, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/12 "2019-01-05T22:28:20Z")
Of the ones I saw: Wind River Avengers: Infinity War Incredibles 2 You Were Never Really Here ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/13 "2019-01-06T22:27:55Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Clovehitch killer is on Amazon streaming. FYI. I don’t watch movies at home unfortunately. If I miss something in the theater I may never see it. That wasn’t the case years ago, and may change in years to come, but at this point in my life it’s the way it is. > [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Eighth Grade - but I’m biased. One of my best friends has a part in it. Cool, what part? Great list. > [@peccavi](#): > > Gemini > Lean on Pete > The Rider > First Reformed > Oh Lucy! > Tully > Cold War I’ve seen all the movies on your (GREAT!) list except for these. I went to see First Reformed but fell asleep. That’s no reflection on the movie, just on the fact that I got up at 5:00am, worked all day, then tried to watch a slow, quiet movie without benefit of NoDoze. I meant to go back and see it again, but it came and went very quickly and never opened in another theater so I missed it. Cold War hasn’t opened here in Chicago yet. It’s supposed to open at the Music Box on the 18th and of course I’ll see it even though I hate the trailer. Of the others, I haven’t heard of Gemini or Oh Lucy!, and the rest I sadly missed when they played. > [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Thanks! I’m thankful that MoviePass and A-List have allowed me to see so many great films! I cancelled MoviePass when they went tharn, but used the absolute hell out of it while I could, especially last year when I saw 220 movies using it. Now I’m using the absolute hell out of A\*List. When I see all 3 movies a week, and I do, it works out to about $1.86 per movie, and as you know we can use it for IMAX, Dine-In, D-Box, 3D, 3D IMAX, anything except Fathom. It’s such an incredible deal. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/14 "2019-01-07T00:42:03Z")
I think _A Star is Born, Won’t You Be My Neighbor,_ and _Avengers: Infinity War_ were the best films I saw in 2018. (All three, in theater.) ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/15 "2019-01-07T16:07:07Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I don’t watch movies at home unfortunately. If I miss something in the theater I may never see it. That wasn’t the case years ago, and may change in years to come, but at this point in my life it’s the way it is. I am the same way. I will watch movies at home, but I find that (for me) there is a _substantial_ difference between watching on the big screen and watching on my 60" screen. I know the theaters with the most respectful audiences and don’t encounter the litany of problems others seem to encounter. My list is only those films I’ve seen “properly”. > [@Equipoise](#): > > I’ve seen all the movies on your (GREAT!) list except for these. I went to see First Reformed but fell asleep. That’s no reflection on the movie, just on the fact that I got up at 5:00am, worked all day, then tried to watch a slow, quiet movie without benefit of NoDoze. I meant to go back and see it again, but it came and went very quickly and never opened in another theater so I missed it. Cold War hasn’t opened here in Chicago yet. It’s supposed to open at the Music Box on the 18th and of course I’ll see it even though I hate the trailer. Of the others, I haven’t heard of Gemini or Oh Lucy!, and the rest I sadly missed when they played. **Gemini** and **Oh Lucy!** are minor delights and unlikely to make any awards lists, but are well worth searching out. I like movies that take you in an unexpected direction, if the director can pull it off, and both do this. I would say the essentials on this short list are \*\*Lean on Pete \*\*and \*\*The Rider \*\*(I see that \*\*The Rider \*\*has already won a “best of 2018” film critics award). You will come out of both of these feeling a bit pummeled (trigger warning for simulated animal suffering!), but the story and the characters will stick with you and make you think. I can see falling asleep in **First Reformed**. The movie starts out very dour, with a controlled inner performance by Ethan Hawke. It isn’t until the last act that all that slow angst pays off and the wheels come off of Hawke’s character’s carefully contained life. On my personal list, not the best movie I’ve seen this year, but definitely one of the best performances (in a funny way, \*\*Tully \*\*is the same). **Cold War**? Well \*\*Cold War \*\*is two ferocious performances in the story of a \*folie à deux \* love affair. Don’t try to make sense of the plot, just watch as these two alternately cling and tear at each other for 25 years. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/16 "2019-01-07T16:08:30Z")
I haven’t seen many films last year, but, going over my movie log, the best I saw was clearly _Isle of Dogs_ ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/17 "2019-01-07T19:51:04Z")
I just watched **The Endless** last night and liked it a lot. The previous movie is really that essential? Does it add much now that I’ve already watched **The Endless** , or should I not bother? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2019, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/18 "2019-01-07T23:06:48Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > I just watched **The Endless** last night and liked it a lot. The previous movie is really that essential? Does it add much now that I’ve already watched **The Endless** , or should I not bother? Endless works fine on its own. I would still go back and watch it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2019, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/19 "2019-01-08T00:50:44Z")
Paddington 2. I’m not even kidding - it’s a wonderful film. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896/20 "2019-01-27T13:20:47Z")
These are all the 2018 movies I’ve seen so far, ranked in order of preference. More to watch, of course, but I can’t imagine anything unseating Roma at number 1. Roma Leave No Trace Eighth Grade Won’t You Be My Neighbor Green Book Three Identical Strangers BlacKKKlansman Tully Beautiful Boy First Reformed Black Panther Crazy Rich Asians mmm [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-movies-of-2018-or-very-late-2017/826896.md?page=2)