Despite 2021 being kind of a shite year overall, it was actually a fairly good year for movies. So many 2020 releases were delayed due to COVID-19, which made 2021 a shockingly robust year for le cinéma. And because of the glorious gift that is vaccines, people actually got to watch them in theaters. What a world! We got blockbusters like Shang-Chi and haunting indies like Spencer, campy dramedies like House of Gucci and stunning musicals like In The Heights. We were spoiled, TBH! And that’s continued into this year. There are so many great 2022 movies.
But obviously, we’ve still got a few months left in 2022 and therefore some of these tiles are not actually out yet. And some are not necessarily the best films ever made by film snob standards, but they are great by Cosmo standards. (For example, did you honestly think we could write this story without putting the Florence Pugh/Harry Styles movie on here? The movie that spawned a Harry Styles/Olivia Wilde romance and set the internet on fire??)
‘The Worst Person in the World’
Starting this list off with something relatable as hell, The Worst Person in the World follows a young woman who can’t figure out what the heck to do about (1) her love life or (2) her career.
‘The Batman’
Robert Pattinson as Batman, with an accent that is so deep, so gravelly, so absurd...it’s giving “I will need subtitles.” But seriously, Zoë Kravitz in a catsuit.
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’
Michelle Yeoh stars in this multiverse movie, which forces her to question the choices she’s made and whether she would have been better off choosing a different path for herself. Warning: This movie will make you cry.
'Bodies Bodies Bodies'
You might come for Pete Davidson, but you'll stay for the incredibly talented women leading this laugh-out-loud comedy where a group of friends ends up in a real life version of the game "Mafia."
‘Top Gun: Maverick’
If you don’t get the chills when you hear the first few notes of the Top Gun song, IDK what to tell you! But this movie has been in the works for legit years and stars every single attractive man. And the best part is that it’s...actually great?
‘Fire Island’
A queer riff on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that takes place on, you guessed it, Fire Island? Don’t mind if we do. Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, and Matt Rogers star in this delightful comedy, which is on Hulu for your viewing pleasure.
‘Elvis’
If you, like me, have been obsessed with Austin Butler since he starred in that Sex and the City prequel series on The CW, you will be thrilled to know he played Elvis in a biopic. The director is Baz Luhrmann, who did the Leonardo DiCaprio Great Gatsby.
‘Nope’
From the creator of Get Out and Us comes Nope, aka another movie that is incredibly hard to google. Without giving too much away, it’s a movie about a set of siblings who realize an alien life form is wreaking havoc on their ranch. It stars Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun. You will think about this movie for, like, a full week after seeing it.
‘Bullet Train’
A Brad Pitt assassin movie!! Which also stars every other person in Hollywood you enjoy! Oh, and Bad Bunny is in it. I'll leave it at that.
‘The Woman King’
Viola Davis is an absolute force in this movie, which follows an all-female warrior troupe trying to protect their kingdom in West African in the 1800s. Thuso Mbedu plays her young protégé, and Lashana Lynch’s comedic relief rounds out this incredible ensemble.
'Catherine Called Birdy'
Yes, Lena Dunham did make this movie, and yes, it's great. It's a delightful entry into the coming-of-age genre with an adorable performance by Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones). Plus, Joe Alwyn!
‘Don’t Worry Darling’
Yeah, it’s THE Florence Pugh/Harry Styles movie. The two play a married couple living in an experimental utopian community, and things start to go...awry. On the "best of" list simply for the gossip it gave to us.
‘Bros’
We haven’t gotten a rom-com this funny since Bridesmaids. Bros follows Billy Eichner on his journey to finding love with the commitment-averse Luke McFarlane character. You will laugh so hard, you’ll cry and then maybe cry because it’s, like, a very sweet movie.
'Triangle of Sadness'
This movie contains maybe the best puke sequence ever used in film, and yes, that's a reason you should see it. The final third of the movie will also leave you completely shook.
'Ticket to Paradise'
Julia Roberts and George Clooney are back in the rom-com game and we should all be grateful. This movie is a lesson in what happens when you can relay on movie star charisma.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’
The past few years have been ROUGH, and the only thing keeping us going is the fact that we’re getting another Black Panther. This movie is a loving tribute to Chadwick Boseman. Grab your tissues.
Now playing in theaters
‘The Inspection’
The Jeremy Pope Oscar campaign starts now. He plays a gay man who enlists in the Marines to escape homelessness, and once he gets there, he realizes his troubles are only beginning. It’s an emotional movie about found family and discovering who you really want to be.
Now playing in theaters
‘She Said’
Carey Mulligan stars as Megan Twohey, one of the New York Times journalists who published the bombshell story that brought all the Harvey Weinstein allegations to light. It's a very intense but very good watch.
Now playing in theaters
‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’
Benoit Blanc is back, baby! This Knives Out sequel somehow manages to top the original, with a cast that is the definition of star-studded and a mystery that is absolutely delicious. It’s coming to Netflix, but if you have an opportunity to see it in a theater, you should.
Now playing in theaters, on Netflix December 23
'Women Talking'
This movie follows a group of Mennonite women who have suffered sexual assaults at the hands of the men in their community for years, and they’re trying to figure out whether to leave the community or stay and forgive them. It’s incredibly powerful and it will make you question everything you know about religion and power.
In theaters December 23
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