Between movies coming to theaters, video-on-demand, and streaming services, there were plenty of films to watch in 2018. In fact, there were way too many. We live in an age with an overabundance of movies and television, and so much of it is high-quality entertainment.
We saw superheroes all get killed off by a snap, a horror movie about being quiet as possible, and a documentary about the life and times of everyone's favorite cardigan-wearing neighbor. But what were the best movies of the year? Over the course of 2018, hundreds of critics put out reviews for every major movie release, so what films got all of the critics around the globe really excited?
Taking a look at GameSpot's sister site, Metacritic--which collects and averages out critic movie ratings--we found the best reviewed movies of the year and are presenting the top 20 for you all, in case you want to know what to catch up on during your winter break. In addition, we only included the first 20 movies with the "must see" tag on it, as there are a few high-rated movies with very few critical reviews on the site.
If you're looking for more on 2018, check out The 22 Best TV Episodes, The 16 Best Anime Movies And TV Shows, 10 Best TV Shows, and The 10 Best Movies.
20. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Metacritic Score: 87
Spider-Verse got everything right about Miles Morales, the Ultimate Spider-Man. Taking place in a parallel universe, Morales develops Spider-Man powers and then finds himself surrounded by other spider-people from various universes. It is a movie filled with heart and it is plenty of fun.
GameSpot's Meg Downey said in her review, "It's a message that superhero comics--that Spider-Man comics specifically--have been touting for ages, and something that's been long overdue for a big screen debut. It probably wouldn't work if Into The Spider-Verse weren't just so funny, self aware, and bleeding-edge modern--but it is, and it does. It manages to blow right past the dangers of sinking into after school special territory by believing wholeheartedly in its own message and delivering it with appropriately genuine stakes."
19. Hereditary
Metacritic Score: 87
The only horror movie on this list is none other than Hereditary. The matriarch of a family dies, and her daughter's family begins to fall apart, as secrets about their family are slowly revealed. It is a dark and deeply disturbing movie, and unlike anything we've seen with horror in years.
Mike Rougeau said in his review on GameSpot, "The horror doesn't come from jump scares, of which there are very few. It's more the sense of reality coming undone--of forces beyond control manipulating the characters into acts of self-destruction. Hereditary isn't overly concerned with its own metaphors, but it does leave things open to interpretation… If you love great horror, you'll be dying to see it again."
18. Sweet Country
Metacritic Score: 87
Taking place in Australia, an aboriginal man named Sam ends up killing his neighbor in self-defense. Because of this, Sam becomes wanted for killing a white man, and runs to the outback with hunting parties searching for him. The public slowly becomes unsure of the situation when the truth of the shooting comes out. Critics have called this movie refreshing, praising the story and beauty of the location.
17. Black Panther
Metacritic Score: 88
Black Panther follows the king of the fictional African country of Wakanda, where an outsider has arrived and demands to take the crown in order to fulfill his destiny of bringing power (advanced weaponry) to the people. While the third act had some sloppy CG at times, the movie's villain, Killmonger, is the best Marvel bad guy to date, and overall, Black Panther tried new things as far as Marvel movies go, with great success.
Mike Rougeau said in his review, "Black Panther is a top tier Marvel movie with all the humor, style, action, passion, and fun that the MCU has come to embody. Black Panther is a cultural event that's going to be hard for Marvel to top, no matter how many worlds Thanos conquers later this year in Infinity War."
16. Shirkers
Metacritic Score: 88
In this Netflix documentary, filmmaker Sandi Tran recounts when she, her friends, and American Georges Cardona, made an indie film in Singapore back in 1992. After shooting wrapped, Georges disappeared with all the footage. 20 years later, the movie they shot is found, and Tran puts tries to put the pieces of this puzzle together, Critics shave praised it as a fantastic detective story.
15. Leave No Trace
Metacritic Score: 88
A man and his daughter are living deep in the forests of Oregon, off the grid, until one day, social services comes along and forces them to integrate back into society. However, the father and daughter's feelings about living amongst society differ creating a rift between the two. It is a compelling and at times a heartbreaking movie about the family dynamic that critics have raved about.
14. A Star Is Born
Metacritic Score: 88
The movie A Star Is Born has been remade plenty of times, with the most notable--prior to this year--being 1976's starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. This time around, Lady Gaga stars as the struggling singer who wants to make it big but falls in love with Bradley Cooper's character, who pushes her into the spotlight. This is the best version of the story to date, with critics praising Gaga's performance throughout the movie.
13. Paddington 2
Metacritic Score: 88
One movie brought a ton of joy to people all around the world, and that movie was Paddington 2. The fuzzy brown bear is now living with the Brown family, and plans on buying his Aunt Lucy something nice for her 100th birthday. However, the gift ends up being stolen. It is a family-friendly film filled with a ton of heart as Paddington goes on a treasure-hunting adventure.
12. The Death of Stalin
Metacritic Score: 88
In this biographical comedy, U.S.S.R.'s leader, Joseph Stalin, has died, and those who worked under him desperately try to grasp power that the former dictator left behind. Many critics have praised the movie for its hilarious take on political power, even though it can be excessively vulgar at times.
11. Eighth Grade
Metacritic Score: 89
Elsie Fisher stars as Kayla in this coming of age story about a young girl's final months in 8th grade. Before she enters high school, she wants to become more confident around other people and make new friends. It is a story the vast majority of people could relate to in one way or another, and critics have applauded the writing and direction from Bo Burnham.
10. Zama
Metacritic Score: 89
South American born officer of the Spanish Crown Zama wants to be transferred from where is is stationed, but must wait on a letter from the king. After years of not hearing back from him, Zama joins a team of soldiers to hunt down a bandit. More than anything else, critics of the film have praised the main character's arc and development through this masterfully shot movie.
9. Cold War
Metacritic Score: 89
Taking place in a post-war Poland at the start of the Cold War during the 1950s, the movie follows a man and a woman and their love story, even though they have extremely different backgrounds. The movie encapsulates the country during that time, setting a love story against a Polish cultural backdrop, which many have called bittersweet and wonderful.
8. The Tale
Metacritic Score: 90
Laura Dern plays a woman who finds a story she wrote in middle school, that has her questioning her relationship with an older man and woman during that time. She travels back to where it all began to find out just what happened during that time. It's been called a brave film that fully explores sexual assault and how it affects its victims.
7. Burning
Metacritic Score: 90
The introverted Jongsu reunites with Haemi, someone from his old neighborhood. And there is a possibility of romance between them, until Ben (Steven Yeun) comes along. Ben is young and rich, but there is something deeply disturbing about him. This is a slow, psychological film that will draw the viewer in as the movie delves deeper into class divide and relationships.
6. The Favourite
Metacritic Score: 91
Set during the war between England and France in the early 18th century, The Favourite follows Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), who is governing the country while the queen is sick. A new servant named Abigail (Emma Stone) comes and becomes friends with Sarah and takes her under her wing. The historical dramedy is praised for its witty and wildly entertaining script and performances.
5. The Rider
Metacritic Score: 92
A rising rodeo star from a reservation in South Dakota has a fall from grace when his horse gets its head crushed. Deciding what to do with his life, he goes on a journey for a new identity. Critics have said that this movie gives great insight into a specific culture in the United States not often discussed.
4. They Shall Not Grow Old
Metacritic Score: 92
Directed by Peter Jackson, The Shall Not Grow Old uses archival footage from World War I and completely restores it, telling the story of those who fought in the war that took place a century ago. It gives insight into how these soldiers lived, what they ate, and what their lives were like during the very first great war.
3. Minding The Gap
Metacritic Score: 93
The documentary takes place in Rockford, Illinois, 90 miles west of Chicago. Using 12 years of footage, filmmaker Bing Liu explores relationships and masculinity between teenage years and adulthood. Critics have enjoyed the filmmaker's takes on these two distinct ages in the character's lives, and the unexpected turns their lives took.
2. Shoplifters
Metacritic Score: 93
A poor family has to resort to petty crime in order to survive. One night, after the father and son do a shoplifting run, they find a young girl in the freezing cold and take her in. Critics have raved about this movie saying it will pull at your heartstrings and devastate the audience all at the same time. The film has also been compared to a magic trick by The Globe And Mail's Simon Houpt.
1. Roma
Metacritic Score: 96
Netflix continues to dominate every aspect of visual media in 2018 with Roma, which critics cannot stop praising. The movie follows a worker from Mexico City, and director Alfonso Cuarón puts a lot of his own life and turmoil from his own childhood in the 70s into this movie. It has been called beautiful and modern artful, while being incredibly intimate.
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