Best & Most Underrated Movies of 2022

The movie line-up of 2022 has been jam-packed with some colossal releases and long-in development films that excited and entertained us. And, while there were a few let-downs and disappointing entries, 2022 has delivered some fantastic experiences and unexpected hits – some of which deserve a little extra praise than they got.

Avatar: The Way of Water

After a decade-plus wait, fair skepticism was abound when the sequel to Avatar was finally released, but no one should’ve doubted James Cameron, as Avatar: The Way of Water delivered another jaw-dropped cinematic adventure. It’s not a flawless masterpiece, but it’s one of the best popcorn movies you’ll see all year, packed full of breathtaking visual effects, a gut-punching story, and a huge step up in the action sequences well worth the price of admission.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Whether or not animated movies are your thing, some kudos have to be given to the team behind the Sonic movies. Both Sonic 1 and 2 have been great adaptations of the beloved video games franchise, but still manage to bring something fresh and new to the world. The sequel kind of slipped under the radar this year, but it’s incredibly funny, cleverly cast, and delivers a surprising amount of heart for a film about speedy anthropomorphic animals.

The Batman

The Batman was a risky endeavour – but with Planet of the Apes‘ Matt Reeves’ directing, Fraser’s cinematography, and the entire casting bringing their A-game, The Batman successfully launched a new Batman universe that proved Robert Pattinson critics wrong. Fans of every previous Batman franchises will find something they enjoy, while being presented with something completely novel. It’s not the fast-paced popcorn-munching rollercoaster we’ve come to expect our blockbusters to be – but The Batman makes for a very refreshing cinematic change.  

Beast

It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen a memorable wild animal movie, with the likes of Deep Blue Sea, Anaconda, and Ghost and the Darkness still standing out as some of the best. With that said, Beast delivers a man vs. lion experience unlike anything else, while also providing some sympathetic social commentary on the enraged creature featuring in the film, which could very well be seen as a new cult classic in the genre. Idris Elba holds the film together in a performance that deserves some praise given how much Elba had to do.

Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick may have looked like a shameless cash-in, but the Tom Cruise sequel to the 1986 classic is easily one of the best action movies to come out in years. It captures the fast, frenetic aviation action of the original, while acknowledging the amount of time that has passed since the first film in a very clever and endearing way. The huge success of Top Gun: Maverick is a stark reminder to Hollywood that people do want to see good ole action films like these.

The Bad Guys

While Pixar often gets the honours from fans, Dreamworks has been delivering some great animated adventures in recent years, and The Bad Guys is arguably one of the best, bringing a great cast, fun story, and incredibly unique visual flair to the genre. Centering around bank robbing animals (with Sam Rockwell voicing the lead) that want to turn good, The Bad Guys features hilarious dialogue, deep characters, and a twisty-turn-y story worth checking out.

Ticket to Paradise

A romantic comedy featuring the likes of Julia Roberts and George Clooney might look like another run-of-the-mill flick, but Ticket to Paradise is one of the best and underappreciated releases of the year. The chemistry between Roberts and Clooney is second-to-none, and the colourful yet real story of growing up and growing apart (albeit with a bit of hope) is often missed in movies. Thankfully, the banter between the two leads keeps it light and makes for a great date night movie.

Which movies were your favourites? And what are you looking forward to in 2023? Let us know by tweeting @MenStuffZA, posting on our Facebook page, or commenting below.