12 of the Best Movies That Came Out This Year

"Ryan Reynolds had to fight for more than a decade to get this movie made, and the wait was worth it. After years of superhero movies that all started to feel like the same, Reynolds's disfigured, trash-talking antihero was the genre revitalizer we needed. Besides the foul language, Deadpool also pulled off two things you don't see a lot of in a typical Marvel movie: it's sexy and funny." — Shannon Vestal Robson, director, Entertainment

"It's about time we stopped giving so much shine to New York City. This love letter to Los Angeles is magnificent. The visuals are positively sensational; the music is beautiful enough to make any heart swell. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone's chemistry is undeniably electric. It's got just enough whimsy to enchant you. To me, it's a piece of art that's so fully formed, so spectacularly rendered, I'm almost envious." — Ryan Roschke, assistant editor, Entertainment

"What a powerful, unexpected film. Barry Jenkins's drama is earning award season love thanks to its touching performances by Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris, but it's the three actors who play Chiron who deserve every trophy. Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes play the character at different points in his life as he struggles to come to terms with his sexuality. It's a raw movie, and it's beautiful." — Maggie Pehanick, editor, Entertainment

"Lion is already earning award season nominations, and for good reason. The film is both beautiful and moving, telling the story of a young boy who gets separated from his family in India and then tries to reconnect with them after growing up in Australia with loving, adoptive parents. Dev Patel gives a heartbreaking performance as the adult version of Saroo, and the incredible true story has a big emotional payoff as well as a few surprises along the way." — Becky Kirsch, senior editorial director

"There are few movies that will make you feel as uncomfortable and disturbed as Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals this year, but as unpleasant as some of the subject matter of the film is, Ford proved that he's more than a filmmaker who just knows aesthetics. He spins a stunning story of revenge and regret and keeps it tense (and yes, dresses everyone beautifully). And the story itself? It's a psychological thriller you won't be able to stop thinking or talking about." — SVR

"What can I possibly say about Natalie Portman that could properly convey how masterful her performance is? Portman portrays the grieving first lady with such visceral power, control, and poise, her characterization is enough to keep you locked in all on its own. There's so much more to this piece, though. The circumstances, the imagery, the powerhouse cast, the costumes — everything swirls together into a truly magnificent story." — RR

"This movie is about a boy who's not only getting bullied at school, but he's also coping with the fact that his mother has cancer. It had a whole theater of adults bawling at the Toronto International Film Festival, so consider yourself warned." — BK

"In a world where sequels are frequently garbage, the Captain America subseries of the Avengers franchise keeps proving that generalization wrong. Directing team the Russo brothers elevate the material yet again, taking Cap (Chris Evans) to his darkest and hardest chapter yet. It's movies like this that make us want to keep seeing Marvel movies for years to come." — SVR

"If you haven't heard of Sing Street, you're not alone — this underrated little gem came and went from the theaters but scored rave review from critics, and for good reason. The coming-of-age story from John Carey (who directed Once) follows a teenage boy living in Ireland in the '80s who decides to start a band to impress a girl. The film is heartfelt and funny and boasts a combination of killer iconic '80s hits with original songs. (Trust me, "Drive It Like You Stole It" is about to be your new jam.)" — BK

"I knew this movie would be sad, but wow. Casey Affleck is gaining Oscar buzz for his performance as a man who becomes the guardian of his nephew once his brother (Kyle Chandler) passes away. The situation is inherently upsetting, but the depths of the story go far deeper, and you'd have to be stone cold not to be moved." — MP

"The latest addition to the Star Wars universe is anything but a letdown. It features a tightly wound story with intriguing characters, plus a whole new and expansive part of the galaxy we haven't experienced yet. It's hard not to fall for Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Captain Cassian (Diego Luna), and there's even a charming new droid called K-2SO (played by Alan Tudyk). The best part is, it's a direct line into Episode IV, and there are plenty of familiar faces to delight you along the way." — RR

"Don't Breathe is basically a 90-minute heart attack. It's pretty rare for me to encounter a horror film that gets under my skin, but this one really had me gripping my armrest the whole time. What's more, there isn't just one big twist — there are seven sharp turns that will keep you guessing. You're going to need a long nap after this one, in the best way." — RR