Another year of movies has came and went. 2019 was a great year at the cinema, arguably the best we’ve had in years. It is always a challenge to narrow down 10 movies after seeing over 100, but here we are. Below are the best movies to come out in 2019 including Parasite, Midsommar, The Lighthouse and more! Honorable mentions will be listed after the list is complete.
10. Knives Out
Knives out was entertaining from start to finish. Director Rian Johnson crafts a witty screenplay and this one might hold the ensemble of the year. It has been reported that a sequel is in the works so luckily we should get more from this potential franchise.
9. Uncut Gems
There is one word to describe this flick from the Safdie Brothers: STRESSFUL. Uncut Gems is fast paced, well written and surprisingly well acted from Adam Sandler. With the right script and direction, he can still command a compelling role.
8. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
While Once Upon a Time doesn’t always feel like a Quentin Tarantino movie, it is still one of the best to come out in 2019. The screenplay is compact, engaging, and quite funny. Brad Pitt is almost a lock for winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and Leonardo DiCaprio might sneak in and get one himself.
7. Avengers: Endgame
This culmination of the entire MCEU is absolutely epic and beyond satisfying. It is clear the studio had a concise plan dating back to Iron Man (2008). They just simply got everything right with Avengers: Endgame and it is obvious they truly understand the characters.
6. Parasite
Parasite is not only one of the most original movies to come out in 2019, but it’s also one of the most original scripts ever. What it does so well is it manages to touch several different emotions while remaining incredibly engaging and thought provoking.
5. The Lighthouse
A lot of us were anxiously awaiting for Robert Eggers follow up to The Witch (2015), and oh boy The Lighthouse definitely did not disappoint. It features two great performances from William DaFoe and Robert Pattinson as they slowly lose their minds working on this lighthouse in the middle of the ocean. It goes directions that no one would expect.
4. Joker
Overall, Joker was a pretty divisive movie in 2019. It flows well and Joaquin Phoenix absolutely blows audiences away with his portrayal of Arthur Fleck. There is a lot to like with this one and it proves that Joker can stand alone with his own movie.
3. Midsommar
Midsommar is a slow burning, perverse, and overall messed up breakup movie that cements Ari Aster as one of the best young filmmakers working today. Florence Pugh is lights out in her role and the script slowly pulls you into this bizarre “festival” known as Midsommar.
2. Marriage Story
Marriage Story is the most human film to come out in 2019. Similar to 2016’s Manchester by the Sea, Marriage Story tugs on your heart strings while forcing you to look at situations from different character’s perspectives. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson turn in fantastic performances.
1. 1917
1917 is an astonishing technical achievement that nails almost every aspect of filmmaking perfectly. Sam Mendes reunites with cinematographer Roger Deakins and they deliver something that is truly special and monumental.
Honorable mentions:
- Us
- Apollo 11
- Long Shot
- John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
- Ad Astra
- Rocketman
- The Report
- Doctor Sleep
- Little Women