As 2019 comes to a close, I want to share with you the 10 best movies of 2019 — and 5 that are just plain awful. Is your favorite on the list?
2019 was a good year for movies. Actually, a great year. When I was going through the list of movies that were released this year, trying to put together my top 10, I had a hard time. Of course, if you know me, you know the superhero movies made my list. But there were so many great films that I had to include some honorable mentions as well.
Also while going through the list, I realized there were some horrible movies. Ones I could barely keep my eyes open through. Ones that I would never ever watch again — even if someone offered to pay me to. Those made my 5 awful movies of 2019 list.
What do you think are the best movies of 2019?
And which ones do you think were just plain awful?
10 Best Movies of 2019
I started this article thinking this would be easy for me. I had a list in my head, and just needed to double check that they were all actually released in 2019. That is when it got hard. When the list of 2019 movies popped up and there were ones I hadn’t thought about.
So I took the time to really consider every movie and just where I would rank it. That is when I realized I needed an honorable mentions section. So just know, not all of these films were initially included in my 10 best movies of 2019 list.
Avengers: Endgame
If you didn’t know that I was going to include Avengers: Endgame at the top of my list — do you even know me? This movie made me laugh, and cry, and cheer. There were many moments where I had chills. And I know you all have seen me bawling my eyes out. I have watched Avengers: Endgame 22 times this year. And every time I loved every second of it.
Links to my coverage:
Avengers: Endgame Memes
Most Emotional Moments of Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endagame Spoiler Free Review
Joker
This movie is pure genius. I actually went back and forth on this being my favorite movie of the year. And it was close. I have watched Joker 10 times now, and each time it gets more and more deep. I just love every thing about it. It makes you think. And unfortunately, it showcases a lot of what society today is dealing with. Such a great film.
Links to my coverage:
Joker Review
Powerful Mental Illness Quotes from Joker
Most Emotional Moments Of Joker
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
This movie just came out but there was no way that I could write this list without including it. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker brought out all the emotions in me. I was happy, sad, depressed, angry, excited — you name it, I felt it. There were moments that blew my mind and moments that broke my heart. A great ending to an even better saga. I have seen it 3 times in theaters so far, and I plan to go back at least once more.
Links to my coverage:
51 Quotes From The Rise Of Skywalker
Spoiler Free Review
10 Most Emotional Moments Of The Rise Of Skywalker
Spider-Man: Far From Home
I loved so much about Spider-Man: Far From Home. Tom Holland is the perfect Peter Parker/Spider-Man, if you ask me. I have always thought that but this movie just solidified it. Pure perfection. I loved the tie ins with Avengers: Endgame, even though they broke my heart. Mysterio was a fantastic villain — and stayed pretty true to the comics, in a good way. This movie took Peter to a new level, and I am here for it! Cannot wait to see what the future holds for him! Sinister Six perhaps?
Links to my coverage:
Spoiler Free Review
Most Emotional Moments of Spider-Man: Far From Home
Spider-Man: Far From Home End Credit Scenes Explained
Captain Marvel
I might be a bit bias about this movie because I was on the set during filming, but I felt that Captain Marvel truly captured Carol Danvers from the Marvel Comics. And for me, that is a huge win. I have loved her in the comics for years and years and years — back when she was Ms. Marvel. Of course I still can’t get over them calling Chewie Goose, but I get why they did it. Still. That cat will always be Chewie to me.
Links to my coverage:
Captain Marvel Movie vs. Comic Books
Behind The Scenes Of Captain Marvel: My Day on Set
Captain Marvel Spoiler Free Review
Can Captain Marvel Beat Thanos?
Captain Marvel DIY Skrull Slime
Toy Story 4
The Toy Story franchise has always been one of my favorites. I was truly happy with the ending of Toy Story 3, but still excited when they announced Toy Story 4. And boy did they do it right. As it was said in my interview with the director, Andy’s story was over, but Woody still had more story to tell. A fantastic film about friendship and finding yourself — Toy Story 4 is a must see for everyone!
Links to my coverage:
Most Emotional Moments of Toy Story 4
Toy Story 4 Spoiler Free Review
Annie Potts Interview
Cast Interview Part 1 (Keanu Reeves, Tim Allen, Christina Hendricks)
Cast Interview Part 2 (Tom Hanks, Tony Hale, Annie Potts)
Things I Learned About Toy Story 4 From Josh Cooley
Shazam
From the moment I saw the first teaser trailer for Shazam, I was hooked. This movie looked hilarious and on point — and it delivered. Every single time I am flipping through the channels and see Shazam on, I stop. No matter what scene it is on. And watch it to the very end. AND I OWN IT! Such a fantastic movie. One that I truly love. Looking forward to the sequel!
Links to my coverage:
Glass
Unbreakable and Split are two of my all time favorite movies, so you know I was hyped for Glass. Even with insanely high expectations for this movie, I really enjoyed it. It was not perfect, of course, but I have watched it 8 times so far in 2019, and it is something I am sure to watch again and again. I loved the action, and the story. Not to mention every single actor nailed their parts.
Links to my coverage:
Pokemon Detective Pikachu
Honestly, if I was not such a massive Pokemon fan, this movie probably would have landed in my honorable mentions list, instead of the best movies of 2019 top 10 list. But I had way too much fun picking out all of the Pokemon throughout the movie for it not to be included. Sure, it was predictable, but any Pokemon fan has to admit, it was a blast to watch!
Links to my coverage:
Pokemon Detective Pikachu Review
Brightburn
I love thrillers and gore, so Brightburn is right up my alley. There are some absolutely disgusting deaths that will make pretty much everyone cringe, so you know I love it. I have already watched Brightburn 7 times in 2019, and I might even watch it once more for good measure. I own it, I love it, it is brilliant. The end.
Links to my coverage:
5 Honorable Mentions
Because it was SO HARD for me to choose my top 10 movies of 2019, I just had to include this honorable mentions section. All of these movies were in my top 10 until I dug more into the list of movie releases and they were bumped one by one.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
I am a huge Tarantino fan, so I was eagerly awaiting the release of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. My husband and I went to theaters to see it and were not at all disappointed. It was fantastic. From beginning to end, I loved every single thing about it. And that ending… pure perfection.
Links to my coverage:
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Review
Aladdin
The animated Aladdin is my favorite Disney animated movie of all time. So I was beyond nervous for this live action version. And I was pleasantly impressed. Will Smith crushed it as Genie, and the changes they made really worked. Far better than I ever anticipated, Aladdin has become a new favorite in our home!
Links to my coverage:
IT Chapter Two
I love to be scared. And I hate clowns — because of the original IT. I thought this movie was fantastic. There were all sorts of jump scares, terrifying moments, and I literally had nightmares for days after seeing it. It made me cry a few times — and somehow it had a lot of heart behind it. I loved it!
Links to my coverage:
Dora and the Lost City of Gold
I know, I know, but this was easily one of my favorite movies of 2019. I laughed insanely hard. Dora and the Lost City of Gold does a great job at making fun of itself, and it was way better than I expected. As a mom who had to sit through what felt like endless hours of the animated show, this movie made it all worth it.
Links to my coverage:
Dora and the Lost City of Gold Movie Review
Most Emotional Moments of Dora and the Lost City of Gold
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
The perfect ending to a trilogy, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World made me fall in love with Hiccup and Toothless more than I thought possible. I love the lessons about sacrifice and friendship that are present in this film. It is my favorite of the trilogy — and I know how rare it is for the final one to be a favorite.
Links to my coverage:
How To Train Your Dragon 3 Review
Frozen II
This movie was so good. And the soundtrack!!! I don’t know why it didn’t make my list, but it didn’t. Probably because I try to rank thinking of what movies I would like to watch again RIGHT NOW, and I have seen Frozen II 3 times very recently? No excuses. I know. I almost want to include in my top 10 right now while thinking about it…but that seems like a lot of work.
Links to my coverage:
Spoiler Free Review
Most Emotional Moments of Frozen 2
Kristoff’s 80s Power Ballad
Kristen Bell On Anna’s Fate
Frozen 2 Quotes
5 Awful Movies of 2019
I have yet to see Cats, so it is not on this list. Yet. However, I am going later this week with my daughters and I have a feeling that will be the number one worst movie of the year hands down. So I just might update this list. In fact, I almost just put it on here because I KNOW it is worse than all of these movies below. But I didn’t.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
Talk about the biggest disappointment of the year for me. You guys know how much I love superheros — especially ones from the Marvel universe. I admit, I was skeptical, but as more trailers were released, I got higher and higher hopes for X-Men: Dark Phoenix. I skipped seeing it in theaters because of the reviews — and am so glad I did.
Eventually I watched it on a plane, and fell asleep. Chalking it up to being in the air and a tiny screen, I rented it to watch again. This time I didn’t fall asleep because I didn’t allow myself to. But WOW, I realized just how horrible this movie was.
Links to my coverage:
Hellboy
I did not go see Hellboy in theaters. I waited to watch it at home. And I am so glad I did. Within 20 minutes I was nodding off, as was my husband. He begged me to just turn it off. So we did. Perhaps I should not have included this because I didn’t watch the whole movie — however, doesn’t that say something? I couldn’t get through it. At all.
Links to my coverage:
Hellboy 2019 Red Band Trailer Reaction
Us
I had such high hopes for Us and was bummed that it fell flat for me. It was way too predictable with tons of plot holes. The more I think about it, the more I get annoyed about certain things. Get Out was one of my favorite movies of 2017, and Us did not hold up to it at all. MEH. A big disappointment that is barely worth one watch.
Links to my coverage:
UglyDolls
My daughters loved UglyDolls, but I was not a big fan. I didn’t like the message that it put out. There were girl dolls fawning over a boy doll. They were doing anything he told them to do. And he was mean. Like really mean. The overall message that involved the UglyDolls was OK. But the animation was off, and I was content seeing it once.
Links to my coverage:
The Art Of Racing In The Rain
I really wanted to like this movie. But it dragged on and was really boring. The dog was cute, and Milo is always cute, of course. But The Art of Racing In The Rain was just not great, in my opinion. I will not watch it again, and I struggled to get through it.
Links to my coverage:
Inspirational Quotes & Movie Review
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.
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