After a few bumpy starts to the movie year, summer welcomed back filmgoers with open arms (largely thanks to a stunning, several-weeks box office run by one particular summer blockbuster). Before we firmly settle into fall, let’s review the best that summer 2022 had to offer (and where you can catch any that you missed).
Honorable Mentions: Bodies Bodies Bodies; The Black Phone; Marcel the Shell with Shoes On; Beavis and Butthead Do the Universe
10) Cha Cha Real Smooth (dir. Cooper Raif): Cooper Raif’s sophomore film is a muted, indie dramedy about post-college listlessness. The sincerity and earnestness may be a bit much for some viewers, but it features great performances from Raif and Dakota Johnson, and offers a realistic portrayal of complex, early adult relationships. Cha Cha Real Smooth is rated R and available to stream on AppleTV+.
9) Bullet Train (dir. David Leitch): It desperately wants to be a Quentin Tarantino movie, but Bullet Train is slick, breezy entertainment. Director David Leitch draws on his experience from John Wick, Deadpool 2, and Atomic Blonde to craft fun, inventive action sequences that mingle laughs with compelling fight choreography. It bites off too much, but the charm of its stacked cast (Brad Pit, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Zazie Beetz, among others) and its embrace of an absurd premise and twists are hard to resist. Bullet Train is rated R and will be available to rent soon.
8) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (dir. Sam Raimi): It’s been a less-than-stellar year for Marvel (this will likely change in two months with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), but hats off to this Doctor Strange sequel that saw the Marvel machine mostly get out of the way of director Sam Raimi. I’ve written about how Raimi’s campy voice shines through as the movie progresses, and while it does a disservice to certain characters, it remains an entertaining, schlocky summer adventure. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is rated PG-13 and available to stream on Disney+.
7) Elvis (dir. Baz Luhrmann): You’ll know within the first 15 minutes if Baz Luhrmann’s unapologetically-gaudy biopic about the rock-and-roll icon is going to be your jam. The film is appropriately overlong and excessive, but Baz adds stylistic flair to the predictable biopic formula, Tom Hanks is certainly acting, and the entire thing rests on the shoulders of its very capable leading man, Austin Butler. Elvis is rated PG-13 and available to stream on HBO Max.
6) Operation Mincemeat (dir. John Madden): This Netflix drama flew under the radar this summer, but it retells one the most outrageous spy initiatives that helped turn the tide in World War II. What separates this from compelling documentary fodder are the performances of two Mr. Darcys—Colin Firth and Matthew Macfadyen—and Kelly Macdonald, all of whom imbue the larger scope of spycraft with relatable, human failings and emotion. It’s a fascinating look at history through the eyes of some of our best acting talent. Operation Mincemeat is rated PG-13 and available to stream on Netflix.
5) Prey (dir. Dan Trachtenberg): A Predator prequel, this is a rare example of properly invigorating a stale franchise with some fresh ideas. Prey learns the right lessons from the hit 1987 original (and smartly avoids the failings of its many sequels), and takes its story and setting back to the basics with a compelling, stripped-down survival thriller. The only detraction is that convoluted corporate dealings denied viewers a chance to experience the thrills on the big screen. Prey is rated R and available to stream on Hulu.
4) Nope (dir. Jordan Peele): I used to think Christopher Nolan would be the last new director with the ability to open a movie on name recognition alone—luckily, Jordan Peele is becoming both a household name and a fervent fan-favorite director. Is it too soon to crown him the heir apparent to John Carpenter? Peele tapped into two very different horror vibes with 2017’s Get Out and 2019’s Us and smartly continues to differentiate his style with Nope. The film is less a straightforward horror-thriller and more closely recalls that 1980s Amblin mixture of adventure and dread. Peele again interweaves thrills and social themes, commenting on celebrity and the lengths to which people go to monetize themselves. It’s anchored by stars Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer, two performers who continue to command the screen with their sheer charisma. Nope is rated R and available to rent on Amazon Prime and Apple.
3) Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers (dir. Akiva Schaffer): Add this under 21 Jump Street and Game Night for delightful movies that are far better than they had any right to be. With John Mulaney and Andy Samberg leading a phenomenal, comedy voice cast, Chin ‘n’ Dale feels like a spiritual successor to Who Framed Roger Rabbit: a clever commentary on Hollywood and reboot culture with genuinely smart jokes and gags running throughout. A note to Disney to please stop unceremoniously dropping onto their streaming service films that deserve a theatrical window. Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers is rated PG and available to stream on Disney+.
2) Hustle (dir. Jeremiah Zagar): An understated sports drama, Adam Sander delivers a magnetic performance as an NBA scout who tries to prepare a raw, talented basketball player for the draft. I don’t even like sports and I was completely drawn in by Jeremiah Zagar’s smart filmmaking, Sandler’s earnest performance, and the clearly-defined stakes of the movie. Hustle is rated R and available to stream on Netflix.
1) Top Gun: Maverick (dir. Joseph Kosinski): I’ve written about why this movie works so well. Who could’ve guessed this would be the best movie of the summer—perhaps the most entertaining movie of the year? Its existence is a proof of concept for theaters and its continued dominance has transformed it into the highest-grossing film of Tom Cruise’s career and the fifth highest-grossing movie ever at the domestic box office. It will likely even make a splash at the Oscars, a group that typically turns their noses at genre fare; its impact is that undeniable. Top Gun: Maverick is rated PG-13 and available to rent on Amazon Prime and Apple.
