Our Top Picks for the Best Movies of 2018

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It was a strong year for movies at the box office and it is no doubt that 2018 brought its A-game to the past year, topping so much of what movie watchers couldn’t believe would get better after 2017 released some satisfying favorites.

From superheroes to original favorites, this year delivered a ton of stand-out films that will have so many of us charmed for years to come. As we head into the new year and awards season, we take a look at some of the best films of 2018. Did your favorites make the cut?

Hereditary

Alex Keobke: While there are many fantastic genres of movies, there is something truly special that happens when a horror film manages to come together. 2017 saw that with the success of Get Out, but 2018 had plenty of amazing contributions to the genre as well — none stronger than Hereditary. Toni Collette leads the way as a mother who slowly becomes more unraveled by the end of the film, but is by no means left unsupported as Alex Wolff and Gabriel Byrne also display a tremendous amount of chemistry with Collette. The film also saw the debut of Milly Shapiro, whose future in Hollywood will surely be as bright as the film is dark. Director Ari Aster also succeeds at keeping the audience on the edge of their seat through several brilliant and unique artistic choices that will make you appreciate the film all the more when you get the chance to watch it again.

Black Panther

Katherine Hernandez: Black Panther was far and way the best movie I saw in 2018. As a Marvel Cinematic Universe fan, Black Panther was a game changer. It expertly wove itself into the existing universe while also making its mark as a standalone movie. The entire cast was phenomenal, but Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger played arguably the best villain in the entire Marvel universe, and Winston Duke was a standout as foe-turned-ally M’Baku. It’s hard to say anything negative about the movie, and it is rightfully getting some award season recognition.

Nicole Drum: Black Panther was the best movie of 2018. Not only was it a good movie — great acting, great writing, fantastic cinematography, everything — it was also a film that had and will continue to have a huge social impact for years to come. It’s a “superhero” story that ANYONE can identify with. It’s a social commentary film. It’s a stunning and bold statement that people of color can and WILL dominate the box office when given the chance and will do it in a way that all audiences can enjoy. (Also, honorable mention to Crazy Rich Asians because that movie was amazing as well.)

Crazy Rich Asians

Elizabeth The: I was torn between two films for my choice for the best movie of the year, but you know what? They are both equally deserving, so for that, I’m calling it a tie between Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians. Both films were phenomenally successful, smashing box office expectations, setting new records, and becoming instant classics in their respective genres of action and rom-com. Above all, seeing a black cast kill it as superheroes and an Asian cast shine as romantic leads did wonders for proving that #RepresentationMatters in the media. Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians showed filmgoers and filmmakers that when diverse stories are told, anything is possible.

A Quiet Place

Tania Hussain: A Quiet Place was one of my personal favorites from the past year. It seriously surpassed my expectations of what the horror genre can be. With plenty of clever filmmaking on display, John Krasinski in his second directorial feature, constructed a tight, bold masterpiece, springing with emotional intelligence that is sure to make an instant classic with fans. There was so much to love about this movie — from the casting to the cinematography, and the eeriness in drawing on basic senses and fears to tell a deeply, moving story about family. It’s an unforgettable film with perfect casting led by Krasinski and Emily Blunt, and grounded solidly in human drama, heart and intellect. Also, children played by Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe add another level of inimitability to the film. It’s stunning and a must-see if you haven’t already.

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What were some of your favorite movies from the past year? Let us know in the comments below.