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The Verdict is in – The Janks Reviews Crew Picks the Top Films of 2018!

movie reviews crew

Another year is in the books with many a great film released, and with that, the Janks Reviews Crew has once again compiled their top movies for 2018.

Our great contributors have all put together their top-10 lists for 2018 and the following 14 movies appeared on each team member’s list, some more often than others – here are the results:

1st Place Tie

Avengers: Infinity War

After 10 years of world, story and character building, Marvel Studios finally gave fans the first instalment of its conclusion to their multiple-film movie arc with Avengers: Infinity War.

The film was as epic as a blockbuster can get, taking viewers on an emotional, action-packed ride, with an ending that left so many unanswered questions, setting up 2019’s final film (for this arc), Avengers: Endgame.

Infinity War was loved by fans and critics alike, and as expected, smashed it at the box office, leaving everyone in high anticipation for the next film.

Hereditary

One of the surprise standout hits for 2018 was Ari Aster’s horror film Hereditary.

Featuring a haunting supernatural story with excellent performances from Tony Collette and Alex Wolff, the film was as emotionally devastating as it was scary.

Hereditary was a far cry from the usual mainstream jump-scare horrors we’re used to, which was universally welcomed and praised by everyone – a must-see for all horror fans.

2nd Place Tie

Annihilation

Alex Garland’s long-awaited follow-up to his cult classic film Ex Machina (2014), Annihilation dropped on Netflix in early 2018 and became an instant modern sci-fi classic.

Annihilation is one of the more thought-provoking sci-fi’s to have come out of Hollywood of late and was equal parts horrific as it was intelligent in its approach to the themes.

With an open-ended conclusion that can be interpreted in many ways, Annihilation is one that can be talked about for days and weeks post-viewing.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

Tom Cruise and the Mission: Impossible franchise refuses to die, and we can see why with last year’s instalment – Fallout.

Christopher McQuarrie’s film was the epitome of pure, old-school entertainment value – real edge-of-your-seat stuff that made for an exciting cinema-going experience.

While it doesn’t have much going for it in the story department, Fallout made up for with its exhilarating action, of which there was plenty.

A Quiet Place

Actor/Director John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place was another horror smash hit in 2018.

Loved by one and all, the film’s unique plot and heart-crushing story took everyone by surprise, with a great outcome.

A sequel is in the works that should please fans yearning for more from the up-and-coming director as well as the mythology built in the film.

3rd Place Tie

BlacKkKlansman

Based on an incredible true story and featuring some outstanding performances, Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman made for some of the most intriguing viewing of 2018.

Just when you think you’ve seen all the films about race relations in the 70’s, along comes BlacKkKlansman with a tale that’s as shocking as it is remarkable.

Widows

Steve Mcqueen’s highly anticipated follow-up to his Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave (2013), Widows, finally arrived in the form a female-driven heist-drama.

The film may have flown slightly under the radar, but is an absolute must-see for fans of the crime-drama genre.

Featuring stellar performances all around, with twists and thrills, Widows can be classified as this era’s Heat (1995).

Bird Box

Another surprise hit thriller from Netflix, Bird Box is like the younger sibling to last year’s A Quiet Place.

While it featured a similar theme and plot, Bird Box held its own in every way.

It was gripping from start to finish, with themes that could be interpreted in many different ways.

Black Panther

Marvel Studios’ Black Panther took superhero films to the next level in terms of popularity and entertainment.

Releasing in early 2018, it was the perfect warmup for what was to come in Infinity War, with a universally relatable story and characters – the film was an instant success.

Expect to see Chadwick Boseman and the rest of the Black Panther cast return in a sequel – within the next couple of years.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Known mostly for his work on TV’s Mr Robot, Rami Malek went on to portray one of the most recognisable frontmen in all of music history in Freddie Mercury.

Bohemian Rhapsody told the story of the enigmatic frontman as well as the rise to fame for his band Queen.

The popular film even went on to win big at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards.

Suspiria

Dario Argento’s 1977 seminal horror film Suspiria was remade in 2018 by director Luca Guadagnino of Call Me by Your Name (2017) fame.

It had big shoes to fill in order to meet the quality of the original, and it did.

The film was just as, if not more horrific than the original, terrifying audiences to their core.

Venom

It may seem strange that Venom is on anyone’s top-movies of 2018 list (it is strange).

The film was panned critically, but adored by audiences (if the film’s $850+ million global box office haul is anything to go by).

It was dumb, basic superhero fun that hit a chord with fans, enough to spawn a sequel which is currently in the works.

A Star is Born

Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut saw him star alongside Lady Gaga in this music-themed drama.

The film received massive praise from critics and fans and was a hopeful to do great things in the awards season.

Sadly, it didn’t fare so well at the 2019 Golden Globes, but may still have a chance at the Academy Awards.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Sony may have dropped off in terms of quality with its Spider-Man films, but they’re back in a big way with their latest animation, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

The film’s unique animation style and electric story won the world over, keeping audiences yearning for more.

A late 2018 release that was easily one of the year’s most popular and best animated films.

***

What do you think of the Janks Reviews Crew list?

Have we left anything out that you think should be there?

Are we crazy for including some of the above in our list?

Let us know in the comments!

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The Janks Review Crew is the combined effort of all of the site's amazing contributors. The only opinions you can trust.
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