Yes, it’s March, and yes, this “best of 2016” list is way past due. But honestly, how could I in good conscience declare my 10 favorite films from last year without having seen future Oscar winners like La La Land and Moonlight (glad I waited for those!)? Becoming a first-time father in December certainly played a role in that delay as well, though that consequence is the least of the life-altering effects of parenthood.
That’s not to say that this list is now exhaustive by any means because I still haven’t seen anything. However, I do feel like I have a solid handle on most of the high-profile and highly acclaimed films of 2016. So at long last I’m getting around to sharing the 10 films that had the biggest impacts on me. I won’t necessarily say these were the “best” films released theatrically in 2016, but they were certainly the ones that I appreciated the most and which I look forward to revisiting in the future. Let’s do this!
Arrival (director: Denis Villeneuve)
Thought-provoking sci-fi done right from a filmmaker (Prisoners, Sicario). Amy Adams is outstanding, and the final twist really hits all the right emotional notes.
Captain America: Civil War (directors: Joe and Anthony Russo)
Sorry, DC fans. This is the sole comic book film to make it into my top 10. While Deadpool was tons of fun and X-Men: Apocalypse had its bright spots, this still stands as the superhero epic that delivered. Plus, you know, Spider-Man.
Captain Fantastic (director: Matt Ross)
Not exactly the same kind of captain as Steve Rogers, but Viggo Mortensen’s unconventional father is an affecting portrait of a man having to readjust in the wake of tragedy. Brilliant work.
Don’t Breathe (director: Fede Alvarez)
The mainstream horror film of the year, this one proved that the combination of actress Jane Levy and director Fede Alvarez is truly magical. What a taut thriller that relies on suspense over shock (aside from a climactic moment). Dare I say “Hitchcockian”?
The Edge of Seventeen (director: Kelly Fremon Craig)
Comparisons to John Hughes get thrown around whenever a film tackles the angst — both comedic and dramatic — of adolescence. Yet, somehow this film feels both reverent to the films that have come before and remarkably fresh. Hailee Steinfeld was robbed of an Oscar nod.
La La Land (director: Damien Chazelle)
Do I really need to lavish more love on this one? At this point, the world over is still humming “City of Stars” and singing (pun intended) the praises of now-Oscar winner Emma Stone. Here’s to the ones that dream.
Moonlight (director: Barry Jenkins)
In a shocking turn of events, this $1.5 million film made Oscar history and walked away with Best Picture. Thankfully, it’s an intimate portrait of a young man’s journey of self-acceptance and deserves the attention. Stay tuned for my more in-depth thoughts soon.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (directors: Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone)
Who would have thought that The Lonely Island would have delivered the comedy of the year? Despite never shying away from belting out “I’m on a Boat,” I certainly didn’t. One of my most-played soundtracks of the year as well. So inventive and criminally underrated.
Sing Street (director: John Carney)
While I didn’t put this list in order, make no mistake. This John Carney-directed musical about a young boy who starts a band to impress a neighborhood girl is my favorite film of 2016. I’ve explained why before, but suffice to say, no film has stuck with me in the same way.
Zootopia (directors: Byron Howard and Rich Moore)
I did love other Oscar-nominated animated features like Kubo and the Two Strings and Disney’s own Moana, but the right film won. This one is the best Disney — not Pixar — animated release in decades, with all the cuteness you’d expect and a sizable helping of social commentary. Genius.
Honorable Mentions
Deadpool (director: Tim Miller)
Fences (director: Denzel Washington)
Moana (director: Ron Clements and John Musker)
The Nice Guys (director: Shane Black)
The Witch (director: Robert Eggers)
Did I miss your favorite film of 2016? Want to tell me how wrong I am? Let me know on Twitter at @crookedtable, and let’s get the debate started. See you there!
Robert Yaniz Jr. can be reached on Twitter at @crookedtable.
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