2022 started out on a crazy note with a slap felt around the world, soaring inflation, a seemingly never ending covid pandemic, and then… the overturning of Roe v. Wade. While all of this swirled around our heads, we sought out entertainment as a respite. Leading us to head back into the theaters or stay at home and stream more movies than ever before. As a result, for the first time, streaming set records, beating out cable.
So what were we watching? blackfilm.com sought out to answer that question.
Here is blackfilm.com’s list of Top Films of 2022.
TOP FILMS OF 2022
Black Panther: Wakanada Forever
Ryan Cooler’s hit follow-up to the Marvel blockbuster Black Panther, the action/adventure film which starred the late Chadwick Boseman. Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, Sope Aluko, Winston Duke, Michaela Coel and Letitia Wright star in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The film does an excellent job of dealing with the Black Panther’s death, introducing new characters and moving the story forward.
The Woman King
In Gina Prince-Bythewood’s powerful action/drama, Viola Davis is the general of a fierce army of female warriors in the African kingdom of Dahomey. Set in the 1800’s, The Woman King was inspired by real life events. We loved the intense battle scenes and all of the great moments of sisterhood.
Avatar: The Way of Water
James Cameron’s sequel to the 2009 box office smash Avatar is set in the deep blue world of the ocean. Another breathtakingly beautiful action adventure film about family, community and their bond with the world around them. Avatar: The Way of Water stars Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver and CCH Pounder. Look out for 2 more sequels.
Everything Everywhere All At Once
As the title suggests, this Sci-fi film is all over the place. Kung Fu expert Michelle Yeoh stars as a laundromat owner, who, along with her husband and children are struggling to get by. Are they a simple working class American family, or a family of Superheroes???
NOPE
Keke Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya star in this Jordan Peele Horror/Sci-fi flick about a family of ranchers that discover a mysterious otherworldly phenomenon in the sky above their ranch.
Top Gun: Maverick
Starring Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller and Jay Ellis, Top Gun: Maverick was the top grossing domestic film of 2022. It is the sequel to the 1986 high action classic Top Gun. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a flight trainer to an elite group of Top Gun graduates tapped for a nearly impossible mission.
Till
Directed by Chinonye Chukwu and starring Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Frankie Faison and Whoopi Goldberg. After young Emmett Till is brutally lynched in1955, his mother vows to expose the racism behind the attack as well as make those involved pay.
Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul.
A pastor and first lady of a Southern Baptist mega church rocked by scandal, struggle to regain their standing and rebuild their congregation. The satire, written and directed by Adamma Ebo and produced by Adanna Ebo, stars Sterling K. Brown, and Regina Hall.
Aftershock
A documentary highlighting the disproportionate number of Black women who die each year by a failing maternal health care system. Told through the voices of husbands and other family members left behind. Produced by Tonya Lewis Lee and Paula Eiselt.
Descendants
A historical documentary about the survivors and descendants of The Clotilda, the last known slave ship to arrive in the US. The film chronicles the search for the ships remains. Descendants is produced by Higher Ground Productions, founded by Barack and Michelle Obama.
Bullet Train
Brian Tyree Henry, Brad Pitt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Joey King and Zazie Beatz star in this action/comedy that follows 5 assassins aboard the Bullet Train. All five assassins soon find out that they have the same agenda.
Black Adam
A superhero action/adventure film staring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Black Adam. The film also stars Aldis Hodge (Hawkman), and Pierce Brosnan (Dr. Fate/Kent Nelson), Noah Centineo (Atom Smasher) and Quintessa Swindell (Cyclone). A DC Universe character, Black Adam is a spin-off of Shazam!
A Jazzman’s Blues
A Tyler Perry film about a jazz musician’s rise to fame and the trouble that ensues when he falls in love with a woman passing for white in 1940’s rural Georgia. The film stars Amirah Vann, Joshua Boone, Austin Scott and Solea Pfeiffer
Bones and All
A strange and gory romantic drama starring Timothée Chalamet, Taylor Russell and André Holland. Bones and All is a love story that is both tender and horrifying. The film follows a drifter and a troubled young woman who fall in love while traveling through the backroads of America.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam has an all-star cast featuring Christian Bale, John David Washington, Margot Robbie, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Rami Malek, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana and Robert De Niro. This wacky period comedy/thriller set in the1930s about three friends who witness a murder. and are framed for it. In clearing their names, they uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Janelle Monáe plays a major role and does an excellent job. We really see her acting skills here. She is funny, she is believable, and she looks fabulous. Leslie Odom Jr., Daniel Craig, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautisa and Edward Norton also star in this crazy mystery/comedy.
Emancipation
A slave drama that many are calling Will Smith’s best work. The film, Directed by Antoine Fuqua, is inspired by the famous photos of Whipped Peter that appeared in Harper’s Weekly in 1863.
The Inspection
Jeremy Pope and Gabrielle Union have received lots of praise for their performance as an estranged mother and son in this moving drama. The Inspection follows a young, gay Black man who join the Marines after being rejected by his mother. The film is written and directed by Elegance Bratton.
Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues
A deep dive into the life and career of Louis Armstrong featuring never before seen footage and performances. Interviews, notes and pages from Armstrong’s scrapbook, and conversations he recorded at his home with friends, drive this well-done documentary directed by Sacha Jenkins.
Is That Black Enough For You
A documentary from New York Times film critic Elvis Mitchell chronicling the actors, directors, soundtracks, and overall impact of the Black films of the 1970s on the film industry. Interviews include Samuel L. Jackson, Whoopie Goldberg, Harry Belafonte, Laurence Fishburne, Billy Dee Williams, Glynn Turman, Stan Lathan, Mario Van Peebles and Zendaya.
Nanny
The gorgeous Anna Diop stars in this beautifully shot psychological thriller about an African Nanny working for a wealthy New York couple who encounters an evil and violent presence. It also deals with race, class and the immigration experience. The film is directed by a sister, Nikyatu Jusu, and picked up the top prize at 2022 Sundance.
The Batman
Gorgeously dark and brooding. Starring the captivating Zoë Kravitz as Cat Woman, DC’s The Batman (Robert Pattinson) is hunting a sadistic serial killer plaguing Gotham in this offering of the saga. Jeffrey Wright and Colin Farrell also star.
Devotion
An inspirational true story about Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors), the first Black aviator in U.S. Navy history and his fellow fighter pilot Tom Hudner (Glen Powell). Fighting in the Korean War, they became the Navy’s most celebrated wingmen.
Entergalactic
Entergalactic is adult animated love story from musician/actor Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi. The film is a mind-bending visual companion piece to his album of the same name. It is a stunning comic book, street art and graffiti mash up starring Cudi, Jessica Williams, Vanessa Hudgens, Timothée Chalamet, Keith David, Ty Dolla $ign, Jaden Smith, Macaulay Culkin, Teyana Taylor, Kenya Barris and more.
On The Come Up
Directed by and starring Sanaa Lathan, the story follows 16 year old rapper Bri Jackson (Jamilla Grey) as she attempts to rise to fame. Also appearing are Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Michael Cooper, Method Man, Lil Yachty, and Mike Epps. On The Come Up is written by Kay Oyegon, known for her work on This Is Us.
Master
A horror/psychological thriller written and directed by Mariama Diallo (her directorial debut). Regina Hall stars as a college professor in this supernatural film that touches on race and politics. Zoe Renee and Amber Gray co-star.
Alice
Keke Palmer does an excellent job in the staring role as Alice, an enslaved woman who uncovers the lies which have kept her and others in bondage for years. Common also stars.
Beauty
A romantic drama from Lena Waithe, inspired by the life of pop star Witney Houston. Beauty stars Gracie Marie Bradley and Aleyse Shannon; with performances from Sharon Stone, Niecy Nash, Giancarlo Esposito and Joey Bada$$.
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
The newest musical drama celebrating the epic life of pop icon Whitney Houston, starring Naomi Ackie. A beautiful film produced by her mentor Clive Davis along with the Houston family, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody captures the stars’ pivotal moments and performances. Stanley Tucci, Tamara Tunie, Nafessa Williams, Ashton Sanders and Clarke Peters also star. Directed by Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou, Harriet, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker).
RELATED: blackfilm.com’s Movies of 2021
