From 'Black Panther: Forever Wakanda' to 'Everywhere: Together': The 10 Best Movies by Women of 2022

These female-led films rocked the industry last year.

How nice is it to go back to the cinema? After two dreary years, 2022 sees everything from action blockbusters to animated adventures. It also provided moviegoers with an impressive cast of leading ladies who starred in some of the year's biggest films.

While representation in Hollywood remains uneven, the fact that there are dozens of great female-led films to choose from shows that change is happening...albeit slowly. From instant cult classics to historical epics, hard-hitting dramas, and even a few films that became instant pop culture sensations, women's presence on screen is more widespread than ever in 2022. ^Accidental smash, Prey was released in July, and critics and fans alike raved about the film. Set in 1719, it tells the story of a young Native American Naruo (Amber Midthunder), who struggles to prove herself as a capable hunter but is interrupted by the conquest of an alien predator.

‘Prey’

This action-thriller manages to combine adrenaline-pumping fights with thrilling suspense, exceeding expectations with sheer visual excitement. Perhaps the best praise that can be given to it, though, is that after more than 30 years, it is the first The Predator spin-off is worthy successor to the 1987 film.

2022 will be a breakout year for Aubrey Plaza as the actress solidifies her stardom in film and television. Her performance in the crime drama Emily the Criminal is quite possibly her best work to date, as she plays a petty criminal saddled with debts he can't pay and turns to credit card fraud to make money.

‘Emily the Criminal’

The story isn't afraid to go to some dark places, and while Emily's story begins as a compassionate one, the decisions she makes along the way slowly erode any remorse the audience has for her. While the powerful script and social commentary are to be commended, there's no denying that Plaza elevates the film with a bold performance like none that fans have ever seen.

Tár became a critic and festival darling, showcasing Cate Blanchett at her best as Lydia Tár, one of the greatest music composers of modern times. With a new book on the horizon and a famous live show on the horizon, Lydia is on top of her game, until the revelation of her dirty secret threatens her success.

‘Tar’

of The art drama casts its lens on fame-fueled influence and new cultural countermeasures to celebrity power, like cancel culture, in ways that are both searing and thought-provoking. Despite its remarkably long runtime, and a lead character who is compelling but deeply unlikable, Tár could become one of the biggest hits of this awards season.

2022 is a big year for horror, and no horror film is as big as Smile, the eerie film that grossed over $200 million, making it the 20th highest-grossing film of the year (and the second High movie) with a heroine). It stars Suzie Bacon as Dr. Ross Cotter, a therapist who begins to experience horrific things after a disturbing session with a patient.

‘Smile’

A slow-burning horror film that happily exploits scares, the film's unsettling and creepy visuals truly shake audiences. While its plot bears some resemblance to previous horror flicks, the horror and discomfort of what's to come makes it a great choice for fans of the genre.

tells how one of the biggest scandals in Hollywood history happened, which she says is always poised to be one of the hottest of the year Notable release. This grim series follows the two investigative reporters who uncovered the story of Harvey Weinstein, exposing Hollywood's sordid weaknesses while sparking the #MeToo movement.

‘She Said’

Without any frills or fashion panache, Maria Schrader delivers a riveting film that every cinephile should seek out, even if it's an off-putting subject. The nature of the film allows the talents of the duo of Carey Mulligan and Zoe Katan to reign supreme in this impressive drama.

One of the year's top-grossing blockbusters, "The Queen" transports audiences to the African kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s in a thrilling historical epic. The story centers on Agoje, an elite all-female military outfit in Dahomey, as General Naniska (Viola Davis) trains her troops to fight and prepare them for the coming war.

‘The Woman King’

Director Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard)'s The Queen is an exhilarating action-adventure epic that celebrates African culture to exhilarating effect. Not surprisingly, Davis made the role her own, delivering one of the best performances of the year that warranted Oscar attention.

Focusing on racism in America, Till is a biographical drama Focus on one of the most destructive crimes the nation has ever seen. In 1955, 14-year-old Emmett Till (Jalyn Hall) was brutally lynched in Mississippi for allegedly interacting with a white woman. In the aftermath, the boy's mother ventured south to seek justice.

‘Till’

Danielle Deadwyler is expressive as Mamie Till-Mobley, displaying her endless courage while displaying a thoroughly heartwarming take on grief and pain. broken description. As frustrating as it is, Until is frankly one of the most important films of the year, an unwavering reminder of the past and emerging director Chinonye Chukwu's message of positive change.

Ti West's ambitions are only matched by A24's, when X and its prequel Pearl are back-to-back, both due in 2022. Scarier entertainment, while The Pearl is more of a tense psychological thriller.

‘X’ and ‘Pearl’

Mia Goth, who plays 1970s porn star Maxine and murderous farmer Pearl, is excellent in both roles, earning special praise for her performance in Pearl. With Goth returning to MaXXXine currently in development, The X franchise will be a shining light in the future of female-led horror.

2022 is one of the busiest years for the MCU, with eight new stories for the franchise, ranging from blockbusters to subversive comedy franchises like She-Hulk. They saved the best for last, though, with Letitia Wright taking over from Chadwick Boseman in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," which opens in November Starred in the critically acclaimed role.

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

Paying homage to Boseman in an emotional way while using new characters to steer Black Panther's story in new directions, the film uses its 161-minute runtime to deliver the action flawlessly. It grossed more than $800 million and is the only film in 2022 with a female lead among the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year.

One of the biggest hits of the year, "Everything Is Everywhere", offers a magical, mind-bending journey through the multiverse. Michelle Yeoh keeps us grounded throughout the madness as Evelyn, a struggling laundromat owner who is quickly drawn into an interdimensional adventure to save all of existence from a destructive threat.

‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’

It's wild, full of crude humor and epic action, and even has a wrap It packs a strong emotional punch when it covers family-driven drama and love. Young is at the heart of the film's overwhelming success, and her ability to master a variety of tones makes it an incredibly ambitious, groundbreaking success.

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