Elvis and the 5 best movies of 2022 so far

We have reached the halfway mark of the year and had an incredible number of good films have been released. So, today I share with you the list of my favorite movies of the year so far.

Typically we don’t see many GREAT films released early in the year. We usually see them sprinkled throughout, and the fall season-ending really strong. However, 2022 has been the complete opposite with what seems like one great movie after another.

There have been so many good ones that I struggled to put together the best movies of 2022 so far. I have seen several films that haven’t been released to the public quite yet and didn’t include them on this list.

Honorable Mentions: 

The Phantom of the Open: The underdog film that could. I loved this film and everyone I know who has watched it, too. Mark Rylance is brilliant in this movie.

The Batman: The film is a technical masterpiece that is paired with groundbreaking performances from Paul Dano and Robert Pattinson. The latter proved all the haters wrong.

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande: Honestly, this was the movie I went back and forth trying to figure out how to put into my top 5. Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack give two incredibly vulnerable performances that blow you away. Great script, direction, and acting.

Now, with these honorable mentions given their due, on to the best movies of 2022 so far.

The best movies of 2022 (so far)

5. Everything Everywhere All At Once

Everything Everywhere All At Once is a multi-verse movie that knocked my socks off.

Honestly, before seeing it, the hype for this film was OUT OF CONTROL. Everyone was chatting about how it was the best movie they had seen in a long time, and the Daniels had cemented themselves as some of the most creative minds in film. Every single person that said that was right. Not only is this film unique and a breath of fresh air in the world of film, but it showed us how to make a multi-verse movie on a much smaller budget (yes, I am looking at you, Marvel).

4. Fresh

Hands down, the best movie out of the 2022 Sundance Film Festival was Fresh. I still think about this movie every single day. Sebastian Stan gives the performance of his career in this film that should not be forgotten come award season. He was downright scary (it reminded me of Christian Bale in American Psycho). Brilliant writing by Lauryn Kahn.

3. On the Count of Three

If you are reading this and haven’t watched On the Count of Three yet, please do so ASAP. I saw this movie at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival and fell in love with every single letter of this film. Jerrod Carmichael’s eye behind the camera in this stood out in such a profound way that I hope we see more from him in the future. Also, the pairing of Carmichael and Christopher Abbott is something special in a film that holds a special place in my heart.

2. Top Gun Maverick

Alright, this is a 1A/1B scenario regarding these two last films on the list. I could make a case for either film being number one, but it boils down to the one that I felt a slightly more emotional connection to, and that is why Top Gun Maverick is number two. Tom Cruise is a mad man on a mission to ensure we never forget the essential in-theater experience. From top to bottom, this is hands down one of the best action movies I have seen in the last decade.

1. Elvis

I’m sure most of you (including my editor) are tired of me talking about Elvis, but I’ve got bad news for you, if you’re looking for trouble, you came to the right place. I coined myself the Austin Butler/Elvis Oscar Campaign Manager, and I will not stop until I hear his name announced for that Best Actor Nomination. Baz Luhrmann gave me one of the most rewarding experiences in my life inside that movie theater. His love letter to Elvis spoke to me in ways not many films have. That’s why this film is number one on my list.

What have been your favorite movies of 2022 so far? Let me know in the comments below.