Like last year, I had a fantastic time at the movies this year. There were some good superhero flicks, franchise flicks and welcome surprises. I think 2026 will be even better! With the third Dune film on the way, another Steven Spielberg film and a Christopher Nolan film, there’s no shortage of potentially great movies to look forward to.
5. “Predator: Killers of Killers”
I can’t say I was excited to see an animated “Predator” film, but the fact that Dan Trachtenberg was writing and directing gave me hope the film would deliver. It did. Trachtenberg, with three “Predator” films under his belt, continues to prove he understands this world and what makes it compelling. “Predator: Killer of Killers” offers stunningly beautiful art direction and excellent action. Just because the film is animated, doesn’t mean the violence was skipped out on. In fact, this one is likely the most gruesome of the franchise.
The film’s structure too is unique among its predecessors. It follows three separate vignettes, titled “The Shield,” “The Sword” and “the Bullet” which all culminate into one narrative in the finale. What’s afforded because of the structure is tighter pacing, effective characterization, a reliance on visual storytelling and a variety of set pieces plus time periods.
Getting another taste of Trachtenberg’s work made me even more excited to see how he’d further evolve the franchise and cap off his run of Predator films.
4. “Predator: Badlands”
I cannot sing this film’s praises enough. Trachtenberg delivers an excellent inversion of the traditional “Predator” narrative and a wildly entertaining time at the theater. Dek’s position in the narrative as an underdog makes for a fascinating character, especially when compared to some of the more macho-man protagonists. For the first time in the franchise, a Yautja is the main character/protagonist. Traditionally, they are the antagonists. His struggle to prove his worth and hunt the ultimate prey is effectively drawn and executed, by the end, you really can’t help but root for him.
Another highlight: Elle Fanning as Thia brings a level of whimsy and curiosity that didn’t feel tonally at odds with the film – rather, it was a welcome contrast to Dek’s serious demeanor. The found family element also ended up being a surprise element which worked incredibly well and to my surprise, managed to be somewhat emotional. Additionally, the action wowed and awed from start to finish. I don’t think there’s been a “Predator film” with a more heightened sense of spectacle or eye-popping kills than this film offers. For my extended thoughts, check out my review of the entire film.
3. “Avatar: Fire and Ash”
I am an unabashed fan of these characters and this world. James Cameron continues to transport me to a world beyond my own in a way no other director quite has in years, with the sole exception of Denis Villeneuve Dune films. I’m delighted to report “Avatar: Fire and Ash” delivers on every level.
As is customary for these films, the visuals and visual effects remain in a league of their own. Cameron further pushes the technology and exemplifies what can be done when CGI artists are given the time to produce and render their work. Perhaps at this point, an underrated aspect of these films are the performances. The actors and actresses aren’t lending exclusively their voice to the characters, they’re lending their entire bodily performance from top to bottom. Sam Worthington is Jake Sully in every sense of the word, only, he’s not blue.
I digress. Zoe Saldana, Worthington and Stephen Lang continue their tremendous work. With Lang and newcomer Oona Chaplin being the highlights of the cast.
Chaplin’s character, Vaarang offers a new look at the Na’vi broadly as a people. One of my main issues with the franchise has been how idyllic and overly peaceable the Na’vi have been portrayed. It homogenizes them in a way which diminishes the three dimensionality of a conscious being.
Vaarang and her tribe have turned their back on Eywa, the goddess of Pandora, and have embraced violence and guns as their new god. They align themselves with Lang’s Quaritch and the pairing makes for a highlight.
While some of the beats and big moments feel a touch repetitive, Cameron and his team did a good enough job recontextualizing them that it didn’t end up detracting too much from the experience. I could go on further because I loved this movie, but let’s move on to number two.
2. “Sinners”
“Sinners” boasts both my favorite score and soundtrack of the year. As soon as I left the theater I immediately put on the music of the film. Ludwig Göransson never fails to deliver an excellent score, but he’s truly outdone himself this year.
Outside of the score, this film is from top to bottom filled with exceptional performances. Michael B. Jordan pulls double duty as twins Smoke and Stack and at no point did I ever get confused who was who.
Hailee Steinfeld, Wumni Mosaku and Delroy Lindo were truly phenomenal as well as newcomer Mile Caton.
I think an underrated set of characters were Bo and Grace Chow, local shopkeepers with an excellent twang in their voice and pep in their step. I could’ve done with more of them!
What I appreciate most about “Sinners” is the level of craftsmanship on display. From set design, costuming, effects work and the lighting/color. “Sinners” is remarkably colorful and yet doesn’t skimp out on having deep shadows or blues.
The highlight of the entire film was near the halfway mark, and it’s a musical montage showcasing a brief evolution of black music throughout history. Ryan Coogler delivered a masterclass film and one I had been conceived all year would be my favorite of the year.
1. “One Battle After Another”
Initially, I had little interest in seeing this film. The trailers didn’t do much for me, however, after a swath of positive reviews and overly enthusiastic reactions I had to see it for myself. If anything, the reviews/reactions undersold the quality of “One Battle After Another.” Titans of the industry like Sean Penn and Leonardo DiCaprio of course delivered all-time performances. DiCaprio as a washed up revolutionary and Penn as a white supremacist, attempting to join an exclusive club of other white supremacists. Chase Infiniti, newcomer to the big screen, also turned in a fantastic performance. She plays the daughter of DiCaprio’s Bob, who is one of the former revolutionaries. Infiniti has balance playing a teenage girl in a rural town and having a paranoid, stoner father.
With everything going on in the world right now, this film asks incredibly timely questions. What does being a revolutionary actually look like in the United States? What’s the cost? Can the powers at be actually be stopped?
It does not paint a revolutionary mindset as glamorous or easy. These people attempting to stick to the man so to speak suffer, die and face real consequences, but yet, there is an undercurrent of hope in the film. Despite the darkness of the situation these characters find themselves in, the message of the film is to persist and keep going against all odds.
There’s still good in this world and it’s worth fighting for. It’s worth protecting your fellow neighbors and community members regardless of what could happen. What an excellent message attached to a completely riveting, tense and insane film. I could not recommend it enough, Paul Thomas Anderson delivered the best film of the year.
