10 Best Movies Of 2022, According To Metacritic (So Far)

With how the film industry works in the modern era, it is impossible to keep up with every movie coming out, even if your job is to keep up with every movie coming out. Between theatrical releases, festivals, direct-to-video, and streaming services, the amount of features released within a year is huge.

For example, Movie Insider lists 925 movies, in total, that were released in 2021, and this includes streaming and direct-to-video. Meanwhile, Statista claims 403 movies were released theatrically in the US and Canada in 2021. It’s a lot to keep track of, even if that amount is an anomaly (it’s not) we can be certain that hundreds and hundreds of movies are released each year.

However, it is a lot easier to figure out what critics find to be the best. Over on GameSpot’s sister site Metacritic, they have rankings for every movie, based on critical reviews and the scores said critics give the movies. And because of this system, we can figure out what critics found to be the top 10 movies of 2022 (so far).

Let’s check out some of the best critically reviewed movies of 2022, and we’ll keep updating this list throughout the year, as it is sure to change. And speaking of movies, why not check out the worst movies of 2022, ranked by Metacritic? And of course, keep in mind that we’re only four months into the year, these lists are all very much subject to change as time marches on.

10. Lingui, The Sacred Bonds

Release: February 4

Metacritic score: 83 (18 reviews)

Writer/director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun tells the story of a mother named Amina who lives with her 15-year-old daughter, Maria. When Maria becomes pregnant and wants an abortion, the mother and child find themselves in a dangerous situation as the country they live in deems abortion illegal.

9. The Fallout

Release: January 27

Metacritic score: 84 (12 reviews)

In this HBO Max original movie, two teenagers become friends after they survive a school shooting together. Their outlook on the world completely changes as they navigate the world going through a life-altering moment.

8. Happening

Release: May 6

Metacritic score: 84 (10 reviews)

Based on a novel by Annie Ernaux, Audrey Diwan directs the story of Ernaux’s own experiences in France during the 1960s as she tried to get an abortion when it was illegal in the country.

7. A Night of Knowing Nothing

Release: February 11

Metacritic score: 86 (7 reviews)

In this documentary, fictional love letters were found in the Film and Television Institute in India. Written by a film student named L, she recounts the changes happening in school to her estranged lover.

6. Great Freedom

Release: March 4

Metacritic score: 88 (17 reviews)

In the wake of WWII, German citizen Hans is imprisoned because of Paragraph 175, which criminalizes homosexuality. Throughout his decades in jail, he develops a bond with Viktor, his cellmate who was convicted of murder.

5. Playground

Release: February 11

Metacritic score: 89 (10 reviews)

This film about childhood bullying follows Nora, a 7-year-old, who wants to stand up for her older brother when he is being bullied on the schoolyard. He forces her to be silent, leading to more bullying.

4. Hit the Road

Release: April 22

Metacritic score: 89 (9 reviews)

In this road trip movie, a family of four travel across the Iranian countryside. They bond with each other, create memories, and deal with a sick dog.

3. Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America

Release: January 14

Metacritic score: 89 (10 reviews)

This documentary follows criminal defense and civil rights lawyer Jeffery Robinson and looks at a timeline of anti-Black racism in America.

2. The Worst Person in the World

Release: February 4

Metacritic score: 90 (46 reviews)

Director Joachim Trier tells the story of Julie (Renate Reinsve) looking at her life in Oslo over the course of four years, in 12 chapters. She tries to find her identity and her own happiness as she looks for a new profession and dates two different men.

1. Mr. Bachmann and His Class

Release: February 20

Metacritic score: 92 (7 reviews)

A documentary by Maria Speth, Mr. Bachmann and His Class follows an elementary school teacher who teaches students from all over the world and now call Germany their home. This film comes in at three and a half hours.

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