10. The Death of Stalin (2018)
Our top 10 movies of 2018 start with The Death of Stalin. When tyrannical dictator Joseph Stalin dies in 1953, his parasitic cronies square off to replace him.
So, who will be the next Soviet leader? Among the contenders are the dweebish Georgy Malenkov, the wily Nikita Khrushchev and the sadistic police chief Lavrenti Beria. They bumble, brawl and back-stab their way to the top. But the question of who is running the government remains.
Director: Armando Iannucci
Cast: Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Paddy Considine, Rupert Friend, Jason Isaacs, Olga Kurylenko, Michael Palin, Andrea Riseborough, Paul Chahidi, Dermot Crowley, Adrian McLoughlin, Paul Whitehouse, Jeffrey Tambor
Release date: March 9, 2018
Runtime: 107 minutes
9. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Rachel Chu is happy to accompany her boyfriend, Nick, to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. She’s also surprised to learn that Nick’s family is extremely wealthy, and he’s considered one of the country’s most eligible bachelors.
Thrust into the spotlight, Rachel must now contend with jealous socialites, quirky relatives, and a disapproving mother. Easily one of the best films of 2018. Crazy Rich Asians is a must see.
Director: Jon M. Chu
Cast: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, Michelle Yeoh
Release date: August 15, 2018
Runtime: 121 minutes
8. Sorry to Bother You (2018)
This is not your typical new movie. Our 2018’s low budget movie pick returned five-fold receipts at the box office.
In an alternate reality of present-day Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield) finds himself in a macabre universe. He has discovered the key to all his material desires.
But, as Green’s career begins to take off, his co-workers organize a protest against corporate oppression. Placing him right in the middle. Does he join the other workers or choose the cash? Watch Sorry to Bother You to find out.
Director: Boots Riley
Cast: LaKeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, Jermaine Fowler, Omari Hardwick, Terry Crews, Patton Oswalt, David Cross, Danny Glover, Steven Yeun, Armie Hammer
Release date: July 6, 2018
Runtime: 112 minutes
7. Zama (2018)
Zama, an officer of the Spanish Crown, waits for a letter from the King granting him a transfer. He craves the freedom of a livelier place.
But Don Diego de Zama (Daniel Giménez Cacho) must tread lightly to avoid jeopardizing his transfer. Forced to accept menial task given to him by successive Governors who come and go as they please.
This critically acclaimed film is easily one of the best movies of 2018.
Director: Lucrecia Martel
Cast: Daniel Giménez Cacho, Lola Dueñas, Matheus Nachtergaele, Juan Minujín
Release date: August 31, 2017
Runtime: 115 minutes
6. Thoroughbreds (2018)
If you’ve watched The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, then you are familiar with solid acting of Anya Taylor-Joy. But before she was beating all the boys at chess she was scheming
Thoroughbreds is the story of childhood friends reconnecting. Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Amanda (Olivia Cooke) resume friendship after years of growing apart.
Lily has turned into a polished upper-class teenager. Complete with a fancy boarding school transcript and a coveted internship under her belt. Intelligence is not wasted on her for sure.
Amanda has developed a sharp wit but has become a social outcast. Her brash one-liners have become one of her calling cards.
No longer on opposing sides, the two form a partnership to address their issues and bring us one of the best movies 2018 to watch.
Director: Cory Finley
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, Paul Sparks, Francie Swift
Release date: March 9, 2018
Runtime: 92 minutes
5. BlacKkKlansman (2018)
Spike Lee’s BlackKkKlansman hits #5 on our top 10 movies 2018 list. It’s the early 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is the first African American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department.
The determined detective sets out on a dangerous mission to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. The young cop soon recruits the help of a more seasoned colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver).
Together, they team up to take down the extremist hate group. They must hurry as the Klan aims to clean up its violent rhetoric to spread to the masses. Spike is no stranger to the topic of race in his films, and BlackKkKlansman is our pick for best movies from 2018 to do so.
Director: Spike Lee
Cast: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier, Topher Grace
Release date: August 10, 2018
Runtime: 128 minutes
4. RBG (2018)
Next up is an intimate portrait of an unlikely rock star. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was one of one.
Ms. Ginsburg overcame many hurdles to become a leader, trailblazer, and champion of women’s rights. With unprecedented access, RBG filmmakers explore how her early legal battles changed the world for women.
Justice Ginsburg has earned her place in history and the #4 spot our top movies 2018 list.
Director: Betsy West and Julie Cohen
Cast: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Jane Ginsburg, James Steven Ginsburg, Nina Totenberg, Clara Spera, Gloria Steinem
Release date: May 4, 2018
Runtime: 97 minutes
3. Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018)
After nearly dying in a car accident, the last thing slacker John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix) intends to do is give up alcohol. Encouraged by his girlfriend, John reluctantly enters a treatment program.
It is during this intervention that he discovers a knack for drawing. The budding artist draws cartoons that gain a national following.
Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot joins the other 2018 best movies finalist that make us feel good about life.
Director: Gus Van Sant
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, Jack Black
Release date: July 13, 2018
Runtime: 114 minutes
2. Madeline’s Madeline (2018)
Just two more films left on our top 10 movies 2018 list. First is Madeline’s Madeline.
Madeline (Helena Howard) has become an integral part of a prestigious physical theater troupe. When an ambitious director pushes the teenager to weave her troubled history into art, lines blur.
The result is a battle between reality and fiction. But isn’t this the basis for great art?
Director: Josephine Decker
Cast: Helena Howard, Molly Parker, Miranda July
Release date: August 10, 2018
Runtime: 93 minutes
1. Black Panther (2018)
#1 our top 10 movies 2018 list is a thriller you will not forget. After the death of his father, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to be made king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s place on the thrown is threatened.
Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.
Black Panther has pulled in $1.3 billion dollars at the box office. Making it the best action movie of 2018.
Director: Ryan Coogler
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, Andy Serkis
Release date: February 16, 2018
Runtime: 134 minutes