Okay, so 2017 wasn’t as good a year for films as I had hoped it would be; but I’d be lying if I said that the films that did impress me didn’t entertain me in the best ways possible. They thrilled me, made me laugh, made me cry… they got the kinds of reactions out of me that I love expressing when I truly enjoy a movie.
Admittedly, this list is full of films that are definitely aimed at the geek/nerd culture segment of the pop culture community, but this is just what I like. This list, like all other favorite list you see on the internet, is purely suggestive. This isn’t a list of the best films of 2017 – for that you would need a consensus of differing opinions; this is a list comprised purely of the films of 2017 that I would consider my favorites.
*Film synopses provided by Metacritic.com and Wikipedia.org.
Honorable Mentions: Beauty and the Beast, Cars 3, Get Out, John Wick: Chapter 2, The Big Sick
10. Split
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Starring: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, Jessica Sula, Betty Buckley
Release date: January 20, 2017
Synopsis: Though Kevin has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher, there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the willful, observant Casey, Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him—as well as everyone around him—as the walls between his compartments shatter apart.
Holy crap! I was not expecting this kind of quality from M. Night Shyamalan considering all the stumbles that he had with previous outings. But the twist and overall story that was presented in Split – that was amazing. And the acting, by both James McAvoy and Anya Taylor-Joy alone is worth multiple viewings just to catch all the subtle nuances that are presented by each of them.
9. Atomic Blonde
Directed by: David Leitch
Distributed by: Focus Feathures
Genre: Action, Spy
Starring: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Toby Jones, Sofia Boutella, Eddie Marsan
Release date: July 28, 2017
Synopsis: The crown jewel of Her Majesty’s Secret Intelligence Service, Agent Lorraine Broughton is equal parts spycraft, sensuality and savagery, willing to deploy any of her skills to stay alive on her impossible mission. Sent alone into Berlin to deliver a priceless dossier out of the destabilized city, she partners with embedded station chief David Percival to navigate her way through the deadliest game of spies.
First off, it’s Charlize Theron. Second, it’s James McAvoy. Third, it has some amazing action sequences that really showed off just how great director David Leitch really is at framing these sequences. The scene as they try to get out of East Berlin and are trapped in that one building alone is pure gold. That scene alone is enough reason to check out Atomic Blonde.
8. It
Directed by: Andy Muschietti
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Genre: Horror, Supernatural
Starring: Jaeden Lieberher, Bill Skarsgård, Wyatt Oleff, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Chosen Jacobs
Release date: September 8, 2017
Synopsis: When children begin to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine, a group of young kids are faced with their biggest fears when they square off against an evil clown named Pennywise, whose history of murder and violence dates back for centuries.
I knew that this remake of the classic television movie starring Tim Curry would be great, but I never expected It to exceed all my expectations the way it did. The child actors were all phenomenal, Bill Skarsgård was terrifyingly magnificent as Pennywise, and the story was more than I would have thought possible from a film remake.
7. Spider-Man: Homecoming
Directed by: Jon Watts
Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing
Genre: Action, Superhero
Starring: Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr
Release date: July 7, 2017
Synopsis: A young Peter Parker begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May, under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark. Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.
Spider-Man’s homecoming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a fun and joyous ride that couldn’t have been any better than what it was. Great performances by Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, and Robert Downey Jr really made this film a joy to behold. Spider-Man is truly back where he belongs, and Spider-Man: Homecoming fits in perfectly with the rest of the MCU.
6. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Directed by: Rian Johnson
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre: Sci-Fi, Space Opera
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, Benicio del Toro
Release date: December 15, 2017
Synopsis: Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.
Honestly, I don’t get all the hate that fans are laying at the feet of The Last Jedi. I thought it took the Star Wars mythos in a fun new direction. It was different enough from the previous films that it seemed fresh and new but still had enough in it that make it a perfect addition to the Star Wars universe. I would dare say that, for me personally, The Last Jedi actually fits into my top three Star Wars films of all time. Maybe it’s just because I believe that hope is a very important thing to hold on to in life.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Directed by: James Gun
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Sci-Fi
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell
Release date: May 5, 2017
Synopsis: Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.
While it was no longer as fresh at the first Guardians of the Galaxy film was, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was a great, fun, and exciting sequel that added more depth and character to the space saga being crafted for the MCU. Volume 2 had just enough of everything that made the first film fun and then some – even if some thought it could have used a little more polish.
4. Wonder Woman
Directed by: Patty Jenkins
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Genre: Action, Superhero
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, Elena Anaya
Release date: June 2, 2017
Synopsis: Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.
Whereas I felt that with The Last Jedi hope was a huge concept in me really loving the film, the concept of love being stronger than hate is why I loved Wonder Woman so much. The concept of love aside, the incredible performance that Gal Gadot delivers in the role as Wonder Woman is a marvel to behold. The way that she brings the role to life and the direction that Patty Jenkins applied to the film to make it the success that it was really restored some of my faith in Warner Bros. and DC being able to pull of their own cinematic universe. But after Justice League…
3. Thor: Ragnarok
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre: Action, Superhero
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Hopkins
Release date: November 3, 2017
Synopsis: Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok — the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization — at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger — the Incredible Hulk!
Fun! No other word can describe Thor: Ragnarok better than the word fun. Who knew that the level of humor and fun that director Taika Waititi added to this film is what was needed to make Thor a character that fans could really get behind and love. And he really brought out a great performance from Chris Hemsworth to make this film as great as it is.
2. Coco
Directed by: Lee Unkrich
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre: Animated, Musical
Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renée Victor, Ana Ofelia Murguía, Edward James Olmos
Release date: November 22, 2017
Synopsis: Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
I’m not going to lie; being of Hispanic origin, particularly from my Mexican mother, seeing my culture represented in a film like Coco in this way was a pure pleasure to watch. That alone made me cry with enjoyment. But seeing the film and its emphasis on family and love, the music and performances shown in the animation, and the overall feeling that the film conveyed – this is Pixar at its finest.
1. Logan
Directed by: James Mangold
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Action, Superhero
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant, Dafne Keen, Eriq La Salle
Release date: March 3, 2017
Synopsis: In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hideout on the Mexican border. But Logan’s attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.
Oh man. What can I say about Logan that would truly emphasize just how much I love this film? I feel that there is nothing that I can say that would truly get across how much I love this film. At its core, it was filmmaking at its finest. It was a great addition to the X-Men film universe as it closed the story of Wolverine off perfectly. And it was a great sendoff film for both the characters of Professor X and Wolverine, masterfully portrayed here by Patrick Stewart and Hugh Jackman respectively. What director James Mangold crafted in Logan, bringing it all together the way he did, is why Logan tops my list favorite films for 2017.
For a list of our least favorite films of 2017, check out this link.
