THN’s Top Films Of 2015

We get through a lot of movies writing for The Hollywood News. A lot. Our writers sit through thousands of hours of motion pictures every year to deliver opinion on the best and worst movies that hit screens throughout the cinematic calendar.

This year, I believe was one of the best for mainstream movies for quite some time, with many blockbusters making not just our own critics’ ‘Best Of’, but potentially the awards lists too. There are approximately 300 movies that hit cinemas in 2015, so in true traditional THN style, here are our favorite films of the year, separated by writer. As you can see, our guys have very differing opinion on their faves of the year, something that makes them all great.

See if you agree with us.

Merry Christmas everybody.

Paul Heath

So, we’ll kick off with mine. I saw a lot of movies in 2015; probably more than I’ve seen in any other year. My list is arguably very mainstream as I always make no secret that I’m a blockbuster kind of guy. That’s not to say that i don’t enjoy  more independent films. The Lobster is only just outside my hot 10 list, but it is easily one of my favourite comedy/ dramas from 2015.

Also just teetering on the edge of making my big ten is Legend, Hardy’s best film of 2015 (I wasn’t a fan of  Mad Max: Fury Road and The Revenant is technically a 2016 release). Also worthy of mention are the two best documentaries of 2015; Amy and Cartel Land, both of which were outstanding in two very different ways. I feel a little guilty about those movies not making my top ten, but they would have definitely been bumped down the list by Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a film that managed to balance nostalgia with the excitement and quality of a new film franchise, and gave me that ultimate feeling of why we all go to the movies.

1. Carol
2. Inside Out
3. Whiplash
4. The Martian
5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
6. Birdman
7. The Lady In The Van
8. SPECTRE
9. Straight Outta Compton
10. Steve Jobs

Kat Hughes

John Wick came completely out of left field but had everything in that I liked; crazy filters, bat shit choreography, cool characters and environments and Keanu Reeves, and just stole my heart. John Wick is a wild adrenaline ride that proves that Keanu is well and truly back. Roll on John Wick 2!

1. John Wick
2. Ex_Machina
3. Jurassic World
4. It Follows
5. The Voices
6. Macbeth
7. The Gift
8. Turbo Kid
9. Furious 7
10. Wild

Dan Bullock

Ex Machina – Subtle but powerful, refreshingly original and utterly inspired, and I didn’t regret a single moment.

Jurassic World – Very close to top spot. It took everything I loved about Jurassic Park, celebrated that adventure, gave us a new dino and returned us to the perfect example of movie escapism.

1. Ex Machina
   2. Jurassic World
   3. Mad Max: Fury Road
   4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
   5. Whiplash
   6. Man Up
   7. Citizenfour
   8. Slow West
   9. John Wick
   10. Arcade Fire Presents…The Reflektor Tapes

Sean Narborough

The Force Awakens fully lived up to my insane expectations and even more. Fantastic action, incredibly funny and emotionally shocking, it made perfect uses of the characters from the original trilogy and introduced the new characters in an exciting, refreshing way. It honoured the past respectively and gave a new life to the franchise as it continues over the next couple of years. The Force Awakens satisfies your expectations and is a fantastic and essential cinema viewing experience.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
   2. The Martian
   3. Mad Max: Fury Road
   4. While We’re Young
   5. Ex Machina
   6. Jurassic World
   7. Birdman
   8. A Most Violent Year
   9. Whiplash
   10. Ant-Man

Steve Palace

Number 1 film, Mommy: A non-widescreen, non-populist film in the 21st century that packs a bigger wallop than a trout full of cement. Great performances flesh out complex characters that you care about, and not a spandex outfit in sight!

1. Trash
2. Mommy
3. Spectre
4. A Most Violent Year
5. Frequencies
6. Pitch Perfect 2
7. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
8. Mad Max: Fury Road
9. Birdman
10. Two Night Stand

Vicky Bull

The follow up to The Act of Killing will floor you in just as many ways as its’ predecessor, but a more intimate and personal tale of the genocide in Indonesia means The Look of Silence stuns where the former angered. Not just the best documentary of the year, the best film of the year and an absolute must-see.

1. The Look of Silence
2. Selma
3. Pitch Perfect 2
4. Dreamcatcher
5. Amy
6. Ex Machina
7. Dark Horse: The Incredible True Story of Dream Alliance
8. X&Y
9. Inside Out
10. Suffragette

Luke Ryan Baldock

1. A Girl At My Door
   2. Badlapur
   3. The Man Who Saved The World
   4. The Duke Of Burgundy
   5. P’Tit Quinquin
   6. Birdman
   7. The Martian
   8. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
   9. London Road
   10. Unfriended

Jazmine Sky Bradley

1. The Theory of Everything
   2. Suffragette
   3. Inside Out (I cried like a baby)
   4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
   5. Mad Max: Fury Road
   6. Jurassic World
   7. Legend
   8. Birdman
   9. Avengers: Age of Ultron
   10. Into The Woods

Chris Wharfe

1. Mad Max: Fury Road
   2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
   3. Whiplash
   4. Kingsman: The Secret Service
   5. Ex Machina
   6. Inside Out
   7. It Follows
   8. The Martian
   9. Birdman
   10. A Most Violent Year

Nick Martin

1. Mad Max: Fury Road
   2. Jurassic World
   3. Birdman
   4. Avengers: Age of Ultron
   5. The Martian
   6. Ex Machina
   7. Inside Out
   8. Legend
   9. Spectre
   10. Ant-Man

Benjamin Read

1. Ex Machina
   2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
   3. Kingsman: The Secret Service
   4. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
   5. Avengers: Age of Ultron
   6. The Martian
   7. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
   8. Ant-man
   9. Mad Max: Fury Road
   10. Spectre