Narrowing down favorite movies is no easy feat. We know that we haven’t seen every movie out there. We know that favorite movies are a very person decision. So we’re not putting these in any order – we’re giving you our favorites that we have seen and including Rogue One (we’ve only seen 28 minutes of it and judging by that – it was perfection).
Here’s our list.
Finding Dory
The friendly but forgetful blue tang fish begins a search for her long-lost parents, and everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family along the way.
Why we loved it: Because who doesn’t love Dory? We love the lessons it teaches, the laughter it created, and the way that it gives you the want to always find your way home. It’s just an all around feel good movie.
Zooptopia
In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy.
Why we loved it:Animated movies blew us away this year. This movie is so conventional and we know that it could be this big thing that really didn’t have to convey a story. But it does and it unfolds so effortlessly, full of wit and a message that is conveyed full of charm and wit.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
The Rebellion makes a risky move to steal the plans to the Death Star, setting up the epic saga to follow.
Why we loved it:We’ve only seen the first 28 minutes and even then signed our names to a dotted line, saying we would say nothing. But guys – we’re judging by what we saw and OMG SO GOOD.
The Edge of Seventeen
High-school life gets even more unbearable for Nadine when her best friend, Krista, starts dating her older brother.
Why we loved it: We love a good coming of age story and SFX hit it out of the park with this one. Hailee Steinfeld hits it out of the park with this one. It is just FLAWLESS. Also a story that we can all understand – cause was high school really that great for anyone?
Arrival
A linguist is recruited by the military to assist in translating alien communications.
Why we loved it: Powerful. Deep. Strange – cause you know we’re not the biggest science fiction people – but it was absolutely amazing. Pulled off in a way that you feel the weight of the story, with a touching ending.
Deadpool
A fast-talking mercenary with a morbid sense of humor is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers and a quest for revenge.
Why we loved it: It was hard not to fall in love with Deadpool by it’s marketing campaign alone. It pressed the limits and we were glad to let it take us to the point of uncontrollable laughter. Deadpool was everything you could hope for in a movie, wrapped in to one.
Rules Don’t Apply
An unconventional love story of an aspiring actress, her determined driver, and the eccentric billionaire who they work for.
Why we loved it: Maybe it’s that we are fans of Alden Ehrenreich and Lily Collins – but we think it’s more than that. A beautifully shot movie with an endearing story that had us captivated from the beginning to the end. We love old Hollywood.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.
Why we loved it: We have never left the Harry Potter fandom – we’ll love it forever. That feeling was only intensified as we dove into more of the wizarding world with Newt and company. Yes, we don’t like that Johnny Depp is in it – but we love the story and so we’re in love.
Ghostbusters
Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldly threat.
Why we loved it: Give us all the female empowerment – we’ll take it. This movie was hilarious, smart, and so well done. We have to give it to this cast. It honored the original and yet maintained it’s own identity. Perfect.
Moana
In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain’s daughter’s island, she answers the Ocean’s call to seek out the demigod to set things right.
Why we loved it: Disney does movies right and shows it off with Moana. A film that will live in the greatness of other films in the Disney vault. Moana is beautiful and no words will give it justice.
La la Land
A jazz pianist falls for an aspiring actress in Los Angeles.
Why we loved it: Wait until you see it. It’s not just that Ryan Gosling is in it – it’s that there is a movies that pays homage to the musicals of the past. It’s something that we didn’t know we needed, didn’t know we wanted – but it’s there. And it is MAGIC.
Captain America: Civil War
Political interference in the Avengers’ activities causes a rift between former allies Captain America and Iron Man.
Why we loved it: You thought you had drama with your friends? Well, you ain’t got nothing like Captain America and Iron Man. It’s like a hot mess. But we’re all about our super hero movies and Marvel does it right. The conflict, the action – Captain America brings most of our favorites together and has us excited for more.
What were your favorite movies of 2016? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
