Welcome back! We're well on our way in the second half of the decade. Today, we look at 2016, a year that felt like a turning point for blockbuster cinema. It was the year superhero movies started deconstructing themselves, sci-fi became quieter and more cerebral, and we saw the revival of several dormant franchises (some more successful than others).
From communicating with aliens to breaking the fourth wall in red spandex, 2016 offered a diverse slate of films that balanced spectacle with deep, character-driven storytelling.
Here are the 21 films from 2016 that made my top 150 list.
Arrival
Rank: #8 Director: Denis Villeneuve
Arrival is not your typical alien invasion movie. There are no laser beams, no explosions, and no Will Smith punching an alien in the face. Instead, Denis Villeneuve gave us a film about linguistics, communication, and the non-linear nature of time. It is intellectual sci-fi at its absolute peak.
Amy Adams gives a subtle, heartbreaking performance as Louise Banks, a linguist tasked with communicating with the "Heptapods" before global superpowers trigger a war. The film’s power lies in its quiet moments—the scratching of ink on a whiteboard, the fog rolling over the Montana hills, and the haunting score by Jóhann Jóhannsson. It builds to a revelation that recontextualizes the entire movie, turning a global event into a deeply personal story about grief and acceptance.
Did You Know? The unique, circular logograms used by the aliens were designed by the film’s production artist, Martine Bertrand. The team created a fully functioning visual language with over 100 unique logograms to ensure consistency in the film.
Deadpool
Rank: #18 Director: Tim Miller
After years of being stuck in development hell (and a terrible cameo in X-Men Origins: Wolverine), the "Merc with a Mouth" finally got the movie he deserved. Deadpool shattered the myth that R-rated superhero movies couldn't make money. It was rude, violent, and incredibly meta, constantly breaking the fourth wall to mock its own studio, budget, and genre tropes.
Ryan Reynolds was born to play Wade Wilson. His rapid-fire delivery and physical comedy are the heart of the film. Beneath the dick jokes and decapitations, there is a surprisingly sweet, simple love story that grounds the madness. It was a breath of fresh air that the genre desperately needed.
Did You Know? Ryan Reynolds was so muscular when he arrived on set that the costume department had to remove the muscle padding from his suit because it made him look too bulky.
Captain America: Civil War
Rank: #19 Director: Anthony & Joe Russo
If The Avengers proved you could bring heroes together, Civil War proved you could tear them apart. This wasn't just a Captain America sequel; it was effectively Avengers 2.5. The conflict between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark over the Sokovia Accords felt earned and tragic, rooted in character history rather than just a misunderstanding.
The airport battle remains the gold standard for superhero action, perfectly balancing the powers of a dozen heroes while introducing both Black Panther and Spider-Man to the MCU. But the final fight—brutal, emotional, and personal—is where the movie truly shines. It proved that a villain doesn't need to destroy the world to win; he just needs to destroy the team.
Did You Know? The shot of Steve Rogers holding back a taking-off helicopter with his bare hands is one of the most iconic images in the MCU. Chris Evans strained so hard during the filming of that scene that he actually injured his arm.
10 Cloverfield Lane
Rank: #30 Director: Dan Trachtenberg
This spiritual successor to Cloverfield ditched the found-footage gimmick and the giant monster (mostly) for a claustrophobic, Hitchcockian thriller. The majority of the film takes place in a single underground bunker, relying entirely on the tension between three characters.
John Goodman gives a terrifying performance as Howard, the conspiracy theorist who may or may not be telling the truth about the apocalypse outside. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is a fantastic, resourceful protagonist who anchors the suspense. It’s a masterclass in pacing, constantly making the audience question who the real monster is—the unknown threat outside or the man inside.
Did You Know? The film was originally a script titled The Cellar and had no connection to the Cloverfield universe. J.J. Abrams’ production company Bad Robot bought it and tweaked the ending to fit it into their sci-fi anthology.
The Accountant
Rank: #32 Director: Gavin O'Connor
The Accountant is a bizarre, fascinating mix of high-stakes financial thriller and John Wick-style action. Ben Affleck plays Christian Wolff, a forensic accountant on the autism spectrum who uncooks the books for criminal organizations—and is also a highly trained assassin.
On paper, it shouldn't work, but Affleck’s stoic performance and the film’s unique fight choreography (emphasizing the martial art Pencak Silat) make it incredibly watchable. It’s a Dad Movie in the best possible way—competent, engaging, and featuring a great supporting turn from Jon Bernthal.
Did You Know? Ben Affleck worked with autism experts to develop his character’s mannerisms, ensuring that his behaviors (like blowing on his fingers) were consistent and respectful rather than just quirks.
Doctor Strange
Rank: #65 Director: Scott Derrickson
Marvel embraced the mystical side of its universe with Doctor Strange. Visually, it is one of the most inventive films in the MCU, drawing heavy inspiration from the kaleidoscope art of Steve Ditko. The scenes where cities fold in on themselves like Inception on steroids are mind-bending.
Benedict Cumberbatch brings a necessary arrogance to Stephen Strange, effectively playing a magical version of Tony Stark. The climax, which involves a time loop rather than a fistfight ("Dormammu, I've come to bargain!"), was a clever subversion of the typical "sky beam" third acts.
Did You Know? Director Scott Derrickson wrote the role of The Ancient One specifically for Tilda Swinton, but he almost lost her due to scheduling. He was so convinced she was the only one who could play the part that he rewrote the script to accommodate her schedule.
Jason Bourne
Rank: #78 Director: Paul Greengrass
After a nine-year hiatus (and the Jeremy Renner spinoff), Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass returned to the franchise that changed action cinema forever. Jason Bourne updates the story for a post-Snowden world of cyber-surveillance and social media privacy.
While it doesn't quite reach the heights of The Bourne Ultimatum, seeing Damon back in the role is undeniable comfort food. The car chase through Las Vegas is absolutely destructive and visceral, proving that Greengrass is still the king of shaky-cam chaos.
Did You Know? Despite being the title character, Matt Damon has only about 25 lines of dialogue in the entire movie.
Swiss Army Man
Rank: #81 Director: Daniels
This is easily the weirdest movie on this entire list. Paul Dano plays a man stranded on a desert island who befriends a flatulent corpse played by Daniel Radcliffe. Yes, really. The corpse, Manny, has magical powers fueled by his gas and erections that help Dano survive.
It sounds like a gross-out comedy, but the "Daniels" (directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) turn it into a profound, beautiful meditation on loneliness, shame, and what it means to be alive. It is imaginative, grotesque, and unexpectedly touching.
Did You Know? Daniel Radcliffe was so committed to the role that he insisted on being used for as many stunts as possible, rather than using the dummy prop. He spent hours being dragged through sand and water.
Captain Fantastic
Rank: #85 Director: Matt Ross
Viggo Mortensen earned an Oscar nomination for his role as Ben Cash, a father raising his six children deep in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, isolated from society. When a family tragedy forces them to enter the "real world," their survivalist skills and leftist philosophy clash with modern American life.
It is a thoughtful, nuanced film that refuses to take a side. It shows the beauty of Ben's parenting style but also the danger and arrogance of it. The young cast is phenomenal, and the film leaves you asking hard questions about how we raise the next generation.
Did You Know? Before filming began, Viggo Mortensen and the child actors went to a wilderness survival boot camp where they slept in the open, skinned deer, and learned to start fires to build a genuine family dynamic.
Sully
Rank: #87 Director: Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood creates a taut, efficient drama out of the "Miracle on the Hudson." Since the actual landing only took 208 seconds, the film focuses on the aftermath—the NTSB investigation that threatened to destroy Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger’s reputation.
Tom Hanks, sporting white hair and a mustache, embodies the quiet competence of Sully perfectly. The film is a celebration of professionalism and experience, arguing that computer simulations cannot account for the human factor. The crash sequences are terrifyingly realistic, making you appreciate the miracle even more.
Did You Know? The ferry captains and first responders who appear in the movie are the actual people who rescued the passengers from the Hudson River in 2009, playing themselves.
The Nice Guys
Rank: #97 Director: Shane Black
It is a crime that this movie wasn't a bigger hit. Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) returns to his noir-comedy roots with this 1970s mystery. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe have impeccable chemistry as a cowardly private eye and a brutal enforcer who team up to find a missing girl.
Gosling is a revelation here, delivering a physical comedy performance that channels Lou Costello. From his high-pitched screams to his struggle with a toilet stall door, he is hysterical. It’s a stylish, groovy, and darkly funny detective story that deserved a sequel.
Did You Know? The scene where Ryan Gosling cuts his hand on a window and starts bleeding profusely was an accident that happened on set, but he stayed in character, and Shane Black kept it in the final cut.
13 Hours
Rank: #109 Director: Michael Bay
Michael Bay stripped away the Transformers excess to direct this gritty war film based on the 2012 Benghazi attack. It focuses on the six members of the Annex Security Team who defended the U.S. diplomatic compound against waves of militants.
While it has Bay’s signature visual flair, it is surprisingly restrained and respectful to the real-life operators. The action is intense, loud, and chaotic, effectively conveying the confusion of modern combat. John Krasinski bulked up for the role, marking his transition from The Office to action star.
Did You Know? The real-life contractors who survived the attack were consultants on the film to ensure the tactical movements and the layout of the compound were accurate.
Snowden
Rank: #115 Director: Oliver Stone
Oliver Stone tackles the story of Edward Snowden, the NSA whistleblower who leaked classified information about global surveillance programs. Joseph Gordon-Levitt captures Snowden's voice and mannerisms perfectly, grounding the film in a human performance.
While it dramatizes events, it serves as an important primer on digital privacy and the reach of the intelligence community. It plays out like a techno-thriller, turning lines of code and SD cards into weapons of mass destruction.
Did You Know? Oliver Stone was so paranoid about the NSA hacking the production that he wrote the script on a single computer that was never connected to the internet.
The Infiltrator
Rank: #118 Director: Brad Furman
Based on a true story, Bryan Cranston plays Robert Mazur, a U.S. Customs agent who goes deep undercover as a corrupt businessman to take down Pablo Escobar’s money-laundering organization.
Cranston is captivating, constantly oscillating between his mild-mannered family man persona and his slick, dangerous undercover alter ego. The tension comes not from gunfights, but from conversations—one wrong word, and he’s dead. It’s a stylish, sweaty thriller about the toll of living a lie.
Did You Know? The real Robert Mazur was heavily involved in the production, guiding Cranston on the psychological stress of being undercover for years at a time.
The Magnificent Seven
Rank: #130 Director: Antoine Fuqua
Remaking a classic western (which was itself a remake of Seven Samurai) is bold, but Antoine Fuqua pulls it off by assembling a charismatic cast. Denzel Washington leads a diverse team of gunslingers, including Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, and Vincent D'Onofrio, to defend a town from a robber baron.
It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it doesn't need to. It’s an old-school cowboy movie with modern action sensibilities. The final shootout is a massive, ear-shattering spectacle that lets every character have their hero moment.
Did You Know? This was the final film score composed by the legendary James Horner (Titanic, Braveheart), who wrote the themes based on the script before he passed away.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Rank: #135 Director: David Yates
J.K. Rowling expanded the Wizarding World by taking us back to 1920s New York. Eddie Redmayne plays Newt Scamander, a magizoologist who is far more comfortable with creatures than humans.
The film shines when it focuses on the beasts themselves—the Niffler, the Bowtruckle, and the Erumpent are beautifully designed and animated. It captures the whimsy of the early Potter films while introducing a new, darker conflict involving Grindelwald that would dominate the sequels.
Did You Know? The name "Newt Scamander" actually appeared on the Marauder's Map in the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, hinting at his presence in Hogwarts long before this movie was made.
Passengers
Rank: #140 Director: Morten Tyldum
Passengers is a visually stunning sci-fi romance with a controversial moral center. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence play two people who wake up 90 years too early on a colonization ship traveling to a distant planet.
The production design of the Starship Avalon is sleek and gorgeous, and the chemistry between the two leads carries the film. It asks difficult questions about loneliness and consent against the backdrop of a failing starship.
Did You Know? The script for Passengers floated around Hollywood for years on the "Black List" of best unproduced screenplays. At one point, it was set to star Keanu Reeves and Emily Blunt.
Central Intelligence
Rank: #143 Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
This buddy-cop comedy works entirely because of the casting. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson plays against type as Bob Stone, a lethal CIA agent who is essentially a giant, enthusiastic child, while Kevin Hart plays the straight man.
Seeing The Rock wear a fanny pack and act insecure is genuinely funny, and Hart tones down his usual manic energy to play the grounded accountant. It’s a fun, breezy action-comedy that relies on the sheer charisma of its stars.
Did You Know? The makers of the film used digital face replacement technology to put Dwayne Johnson's face onto a dancer's body for the opening flashback scene where Bob is a heavyset high school student.
The Secret Life of Pets
Rank: #145 Director: Chris Renaud
Illumination Entertainment delivered another hit with this look at what our pets do when we leave for work. While the plot borrows heavily from Toy Story, the character designs and observations about pet behavior are spot-on.
Louis C.K. (in the original) and Kevin Hart (as a psychotic bunny) lead a fun voice cast. It’s a vibrant, fast-paced chase movie through New York City that hits all the right notes for animal lovers.
Did You Know? The film is packed with Easter eggs, including a poster for Sing (Illumination's next movie) on the back of a bus and a Minion doll on a shelf.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Rank: #146 Director: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa
Tina Fey takes a dramatic turn in this war dramedy based on Kim Barker’s memoir The Taliban Shuffle. Fey plays a cable news producer who takes an assignment in Afghanistan to shake up her mundane life.
It strikes a difficult balance, finding the absurdity and adrenaline-junkie humor of war correspondence without mocking the conflict itself. It features great supporting turns from Margot Robbie and Martin Freeman, offering a unique perspective on the war in the Middle East.
Did You Know? To prepare for the role, Tina Fey met with the real Kim Barker. Barker had actually written in her review of the book that if a movie were ever made, she wanted Tina Fey to play her.
The Siege of Jadotville
Rank: #148 Director: Richie Smyth
This Netflix original film tells the incredible, largely unknown true story of an Irish UN battalion besieged by mercenaries in the Congo in 1961. Jamie Dornan proves he is a solid leading man as Commandant Pat Quinlan, who leads 150 men against 3,000 enemy troops.
It is a tense, claustrophobic war movie that highlights the tactical brilliance of the Irish soldiers, who were armed with WWI-era weapons against modern jets and artillery. It’s a story of heroism betrayed by politics.
Did You Know? The real Irish soldiers were branded cowards at home for eventually surrendering after running out of ammunition. They weren't fully exonerated and recognized for their bravery by the Irish government until 2005.