It’s that time of year again — time to look back at the past twelve months of cinema and reveal which films rose to the top for us. We’re doing things a little differently this year, but hopefully in ways that will make these lists even more fun (and maybe a bit more useful) for you, the reader.
Instead of compiling one giant post with everyone’s picks (like we’ve previously done for our Top 5 Movie Guides), each writer will now get their own space to share their favorites. The idea is that by separating them, each list can feel a bit more personal, and we’ll all have more room to expand on why certain titles hit us the way they did.
The plan: I’ll kick things off here, Ben will follow tomorrow, Derek on Wednesday, Nathan on Thursday, and we’ll wrap things up on Friday with Andy. Another change this year: instead of ten films, we’re stretching our lists to fifteen. No real reason beyond the fact that we love lists — and honestly, there were just too many deserving films this year to stop at ten. The extra five titles give us a better chance to show off the range of movies that stuck with us and to better capture the kinds of stories that resonated most.
Before we dive in, a quick note about where my head was at this year: 2012 was when I truly realized how much I love character dramas. I’ve always enjoyed them, but this was the year that genre — and movies that are, at their core, snapshots of people’s lives — rose above almost everything else for me. Maybe I’ll feel differently about some of these titles years from now, but right now, these are the ones that hit me hardest.
So, without further ado, here are my Top 15 Films of 2012, counting down from fifteen to one.
15. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
This was one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. I went in with fairly low expectations and came out genuinely moved. It’s a heartfelt, honest coming-of-age story with characters you can’t help but root for. I didn’t personally identify much with this particular group of teens, but I felt their struggles, their triumphs, and their awkward attempts to figure life out — and that’s a testament to the writing and performances. At its core, this is a story about good people navigating difficult, messy years, and it works beautifully on that level.
14. End of Watch
I don’t typically go for cop dramas — they rarely grab me — but this one did. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña deliver such grounded, compelling performances that I found myself deeply invested in their partnership and their fates. The “found-footage” angle isn’t my favorite stylistic choice, but it doesn’t take away from the film’s emotional punch. Gyllenhaal, in particular, reminds me again how underrated he is; he brings nuance and humanity to every role, and this might be one of his most overlooked.
13. Seven Psychopaths
I barely squeezed this one in before year’s end, and I’m so glad I did. Martin McDonagh’s dark, self-aware comedy is sharp and wildly entertaining, with one of my favorite Sam Rockwell performances ever (he absolutely deserved an Oscar nomination for this). The film is clever in how it mirrors the screenwriting process itself — chaotic, unpredictable, and full of creative detours. There’s also an impressive amount of heart beneath the violence and absurdity. I wouldn’t be surprised if, with time, this climbs even higher on my list.
12. Moonrise Kingdom
Does anyone have a more instantly recognizable style than Wes Anderson? His films are always whimsical, deeply human, and filled with memorable characters, and this might be the most purely fun one he’s ever made. I love how this story captures young love and childlike imagination without ever condescending to its characters. It’s witty, heartfelt, and visually delightful — everything you expect from Anderson and more. (Check out my earlier review of the film here.)
11. Beasts of the Southern Wild
I came to this one later than most, but it ended up being one of the most affecting films of the year. Quvenzhané Wallis gives one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from a child actor — raw, fearless, and deeply emotional. The film’s score is hands-down my favorite of the year, and the decision to tell the story through a child’s eyes makes everything feel both magical and tragic. It’s a powerful, poetic piece of filmmaking that lingers long after it’s over.
10. Lawless
I was already sold on the Prohibition-era setting and the film’s moody soundtrack, but the acting is what makes Lawless stand out. Tom Hardy, Jessica Chastain, Guy Pearce, Jason Clarke, and Dane DeHaan all bring their A-game — and even Shia LaBeouf, often criticized for his choices, holds his own. It’s just a wildly entertaining, gritty crime drama that never lets up.
9. The Avengers
How could this not make the list? The Avengers was an event — the culmination of years of interconnected storytelling and one of the most ambitious blockbuster experiments ever attempted. Is it high art? Of course not. But it’s endlessly entertaining, joyously over-the-top popcorn filmmaking that does exactly what it sets out to do. And honestly, sometimes that’s all you want from a movie: spectacle, energy, and fun.
8. Lincoln
Steven Spielberg delivers one of his most restrained and precise films here — a historical drama that’s intimate in scale but epic in performance. Daniel Day-Lewis is Abraham Lincoln, and I would have happily watched him embody the role for ten hours. He brings warmth, humor, and humanity to a figure often treated like a statue. Every interaction is fascinating, and every scene feels carefully calibrated. It’s also a fascinating snapshot of political maneuvering in a different era — one with surprising resonance today.
7. 21 Jump Street
I don’t usually gravitate toward comedies — I enjoy them, but they rarely leave a lasting impression. This one’s a big exception. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill’s chemistry is pitch-perfect, and the film constantly finds new ways to poke fun at itself and the genre. Even on a third watch, I was laughing out loud at jokes I’d already heard. Tatum, in particular, shows off a comedic side that surprised me then and still holds up now. Honestly, this might still be his best work. (Read my review here.)
6. Prometheus
This might be my most controversial pick — I know Prometheus has its detractors. And yes, it’s far from flawless. But I’ve always been more fascinated by the questions a film poses than the answers it provides, and this movie is bursting with big, thought-provoking ideas. Ridley Scott’s vision of space and the unknown is unmatched, and the film is visually breathtaking. As someone fascinated by space exploration and the possibility of life beyond Earth, I found myself completely engrossed — imperfections and all.
5. Flight
A near-perfect character drama and one of Denzel Washington’s finest performances. The story is infuriating at times — you want to shake Washington’s character — but you can’t look away. The film’s emotional honesty is what makes it so powerful. John Goodman provides some memorable moments in a smaller role, and the brief but intense action sequences are gripping. Above all, it’s a raw, unflinching look at addiction, denial, and redemption that stuck with me long after the credits rolled.
4. Argo
This was the most intense film experience I had all year. Even knowing how the story ends, I was literally on the edge of my seat through the entire second half. The period detail is impeccable — from the music to the production design — and the cast is stacked with excellent performances. John Goodman and Alan Arkin, in particular, make a hilarious and heartfelt duo. And I love the Hollywood angle: the idea that the film industry, in a roundabout way, helped save lives is just irresistible.
3. The Cabin in the Woods
This film gets better every time I watch it. It’s more than just a clever genre riff — it’s a brilliant deconstruction of horror itself. By leaning into tropes while simultaneously subverting them, Cabin manages to be both a love letter to the genre and a critique of it. It’s layered, imaginative, and packed with surprises, and it’s one of those rare movies that makes you look at other films differently after you’ve seen it. I think it’s going to be talked about — and influential — for decades.
2. Django Unchained
While this film is undeniably thrilling and often even fun to watch, it’s important to acknowledge that it’s also a raw, graphic depiction of slavery in America. Many moments are difficult to sit through — intentionally so — and that unflinching approach makes Django’s journey all the more powerful. With that context, though, the film is a blast: bold, stylish, and wildly entertaining. Christoph Waltz is once again the glue holding everything together, while Leonardo DiCaprio’s Calvin Candie is as repulsive and unforgettable a villain as you’ll find. Add in a perfect soundtrack, sharp humor, and Tarantino’s signature flair, and this stands as one of the strongest films of his career.
1. Looper
My favorite film of the year — and one of the most original sci-fi movies of the last two decades — Looper brilliantly blends high-concept time-travel ideas with an intimate, character-driven story. Rian Johnson uses science fiction not as a gimmick, but as a vehicle to explore fate, morality, sacrifice, and identity, trusting the audience to follow along without over-explaining. The film is smart, layered, and emotionally grounded, with stellar performances from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis that give the story real weight. Its tonal balance — thrilling and action-packed one moment, quiet and reflective the next — is handled with rare precision, and its originality stands out in a genre often dominated by sequels and reboots. It’s a bold, confident piece of storytelling that fires on every cylinder, and I’m convinced it will be remembered as a modern classic. (My full review is here — and unsurprisingly, it was my highest-rated film of the year.)
Final Thoughts
Looking back on this list, I think what it says most clearly about me is how much I’m drawn to stories centered on people — their choices, their flaws, their relationships, and the forces that shape them. Even when these films dip into genre territory like science fiction or horror, the ones that resonate most are those that stay grounded in human experience. I’m always most invested when a film gives me characters to care about and explore, and 2012 offered plenty of those.
This was a year where great performances, layered storytelling, and strong emotional cores rose above spectacle for me. Whether it was the quiet strength of Beasts of the Southern Wild, the sharp character work in Flight, or the big, thought-provoking ideas of Looper and Prometheus, these are the kinds of films that stick with me long after the credits roll. They remind me why I love movies in the first place — not just for their entertainment value, but for the way they reflect who we are, who we want to be, and how we see the world.
If you haven’t seen some of these yet, I can’t recommend them enough. They’re the ones that challenged me, entertained me, and stayed with me — and they’re the reason 2012 remains one of my favorite years in recent movie memory.