I’ll be honest: this post really got away from me this year. With a job that demands far more of my time than in years past, just getting those weekly Top 5 Movie Guides up in time felt like an accomplishment — I still can’t believe there was a period when we posted six to eight times a week. That feels impossible now. And with less free time comes fewer movie nights, less time to sit with the films I did see, and fewer chances to let them breathe and marinate in my head. That creates a snowball effect — less immersion means less excitement, which means a less passionate list overall.
Because of that, I’ve struggled a bit to gauge how strong this year really was. Maybe it was a great year and I just missed too many gems. Maybe it was more middle-of-the-road. Only time will tell. But that’s also the beauty of these lists: they’re not about being definitive. They’re a snapshot — a record of what resonated with me at the time and a way to share some titles you might otherwise overlook.
And at the end of the day, lists like these don’t really mean anything. They’re subjective and deeply personal. Whether I saw a lot or a little, whether I was passionate or exhausted — you’re going to form your own opinions. My hope is just that a few of the films below spark your curiosity or push you to finally watch something you missed. Because good movies don’t always have to be “important.” Sometimes they’re fun, or thrilling, or weird, or just plain satisfying — and that’s reason enough to celebrate them.
15. Crimson Peak
This one had a strange journey on my list. After seeing it, I slotted it here — then it dropped — then it crept right back up as the year settled. Guillermo del Toro’s gothic horror tale isn’t about jump scares or shocks; it’s a slow-burn ghost story steeped in atmosphere, craft, and mood. The production design is stunning, the effects beautifully realized, and the sense of creeping dread perfectly calibrated. The problem was the marketing — it promised a much more traditional horror film. But if you knew what you were walking into, Crimson Peak delivered on nearly every front.
14. The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
I didn’t expect this to land on my list at all — but I had a blast with it. I went in anticipating a dull, stiff spy movie and instead got a stylish, witty, fast-moving caper. The chemistry between Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer was fantastic, and Alicia Vikander — who also shined in Ex Machina — brought sharpness and charisma to every scene. The film never takes itself too seriously, and that playful tone is exactly what made it work.
13. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
I wanted to love this movie. Sitting in the theater, hearing that iconic score, watching the crawl roll across the screen — for a few fleeting moments, I felt the same spark I had as a kid. But it faded. The movie is well-crafted and true to the spirit of the originals, yet I realized something deeper: that part of me that used to be so enthralled by fantasy storytelling just isn’t there anymore. I still enjoyed the ride, but it didn’t reignite the flame I hoped it would.
12. Jurassic World
Jurassic Park was once my favorite movie of all time, so I was braced for disappointment here — and instead got a film that made me grin ear to ear. The reveal of the park still gives me chills, and that climactic T-Rex and raptor team-up is pure cinematic joy. It’s not as grounded as I tend to prefer these days, but it’s undeniably fun, and sometimes that’s all a movie needs to be.
11. Staten Island Summer
This indie coming-of-age dramedy was a wonderful surprise. It’s scrappy and sincere, with likable characters and a tone that reminded me of my own summer working at a movie theater during college. Yes, the comedy can be sophomoric, but it’s also genuine and heartfelt. These kinds of passion-driven indie projects — where a group of creatives makes exactly the movie they want to make — often resonate most with me.
10. Sicario
From its gripping opening sequence to its unrelenting sense of dread, Sicario had me hooked. Denis Villeneuve crafts tension like few others, and that convoy scene into Mexico is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Emily Blunt’s performance grounds the chaos, but it’s Benicio Del Toro who truly commands the screen. He deserved far more awards attention than he got — this was one of the year’s most quietly powerful performances.
9. Steve Jobs
I’m a sucker for dialogue-driven films, and Aaron Sorkin’s writing hits me right where I live. This script is a symphony of words — sharp, layered, relentless — and watching the verbal chess matches unfold was a joy. It’s the kind of movie I could’ve watched for hours. Sorkin’s style isn’t for everyone, but for me, this was writing at its most compelling.
8. The Revenant
This one started near the top of my list and slid a bit over time, mostly due to its low rewatchability. But that first experience was unforgettable: stark, brutal, and visually breathtaking. Emmanuel Lubezki’s cinematography is stunning, and Leonardo DiCaprio gives one of his most raw, committed performances. It’s not a film I’ll revisit often, but it’s one I deeply admire.
7. Kingsman: The Secret Service
I’m not usually an “action-spy” guy, but Matthew Vaughn might have changed my mind. Kingsman is clever, irreverent, and wildly entertaining — equal parts homage and parody, with stylish set-pieces that never overstay their welcome. The now-legendary church sequence alone is worth the price of admission. It’s just a blast from start to finish.
6. Spotlight
I really wanted Spotlight to land even higher, because it’s exactly the kind of smart, meaningful filmmaking I love. It’s a slow burn — not flashy, not stylized — but the story is so gripping that you’re glued to the screen as the investigation unfolds. The film shines a harsh light on systemic abuse and institutional failure, and I’m grateful it exists. I love newsroom stories, so that element gave it an instant boost, and the ensemble cast is excellent. The scene where they reflect on past opportunities to act is devastating. Heavy? Absolutely. But essential viewing.
5. The Big Short
The Big Short is my favorite kind of history lesson — one that’s enraging, enlightening, and surprisingly entertaining. It takes something as complex and frustrating as the 2008 financial collapse and makes it accessible without dumbing it down too much (though at times, I did feel like they were patting themselves on the back for being smarter than the audience). I loved watching the puzzle pieces click together as the teams realized what was coming and wrestled with how to act. It’s a sharp, angry, oddly funny film that peeks behind the curtain of greed — and exposes how little we’ve learned.
4. The End of the Tour
I could have watched The End of the Tour go on for hours. There’s something so satisfying about a movie built almost entirely on conversation — just two people talking, debating, wondering aloud about art, loneliness, and what any of it means. Jason Segel’s take on David Foster Wallace is thoughtful and vulnerable, and Jesse Eisenberg nails that mix of admiration and quiet envy. I love “tortured genius” stories, and this one hits all the right notes for me. By the end, it feels like you’ve eavesdropped on something rare — an honest, human connection most people never get to see.
3. Ex Machina
This is exactly the kind of science fiction that keeps me up at night — sleek, precise, and unsettling in all the right ways. Ex Machina digs deep into what it means to be human and who gets to define consciousness. I loved how small and contained the story was, but how big the ideas felt. Oscar Isaac is magnetic — part villain, part visionary — and Alicia Vikander’s AI performance is mesmerizing. And that dance scene? Pure brilliance. It’s weird, hilarious, and oddly perfect. This movie stuck with me long after the credits rolled, as the best sci-fi always does.
2. Creed
I didn’t expect Creed to hit me the way it did, but it’s one of the most emotionally satisfying sports dramas I’ve seen. Michael B. Jordan gives a powerhouse performance, full of fire and vulnerability, and his dynamic with Stallone is surprisingly moving. The boxing sequences are so intense I was dodging punches in my seat, and the film captures everything I love about underdog stories — legacy, identity, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Sure, I wish the ending had broken from the “moral victory” trope, but even without the belt, Adonis’ journey is inspiring and unforgettable.
1. The Martian
From the moment I first saw The Martian, I knew nothing else that year could top it. It’s clever, funny, and endlessly watchable — a movie that celebrates ingenuity, optimism, and the human instinct to solve problems. Watching Matt Damon “science the hell” out of every obstacle was such a joy, and the film captures that rare combination of humor and tension that keeps you fully engaged.
What I love most is how possible this story feels. Unlike the far-off ideas of Interstellar, this future feels just around the corner — and that makes the triumphs feel even more meaningful. It’s hopeful, inspiring, and pure cinematic comfort food for anyone who’s ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what’s next.
Final Thoughts
And that’s a wrap on 2015. Even if I wasn’t as immersed in film this year — even if the excitement wasn’t quite what it’s been in the past — there’s still so much here worth celebrating. From small, character-driven dramas to sweeping science-fiction epics, this list captures the range of stories that resonated with me in the moment.
More than anything, it’s a reminder of why I do this every year. These lists aren’t meant to be definitive rankings or critical verdicts. They’re a record — a snapshot of what I loved, what moved me, and what I’ll carry with me. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll help someone else discover a film that becomes a favorite of their own.
So here’s to another year of stories worth sharing — and to the ones we haven’t seen yet.