Over 40 million rankings have been made in 2012. You’ve added every movie you’ve seen from the year to your Flickchart, and pit them head-to-head against the best movies of all time. This breakdown of the year’s best is the result of each and every one of your rankings aggregated together to form the combined chart of the highest ranked, best movies of 2012.
Without further adieu – out of over 1000 total movies released this year – here are your current picks for the Top 20 of 2012:
#20 – Ted
For years with shows like Family Guy, American Dad and The Cleveland Show, Seth MacFarlane has honed his style and voice. With Ted, MacFarlane submitted the best of his capabilities in this story of a grown man and his teddy bear. Ted quickly became one of the most successful R-rated comedies of all time, and showed that with a focused story, a strong cast, and structured writing, MacFarlane is now one of film’s biggest new comedic talents. (Ross Bonaime)
- currently ranked #1679 of all-time
- ranked 13,487 times
- wins 55% of its matchups
- 55 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 4 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#19 – Brave
A mixed bag of writing and plotting, this Pixar film excels at its core themes of mother-daughter strife, reconciliation, and understanding. The humor balances a fine line between what is expected of “Pixar” films and more juvenile fare (busty-maid slapstick, bare-butt-under-kilt shenanigans, etc). As with other films from this company, the voice-acting is superb, with Kelly Macdonald standing out as Merida. Die-hard Pixar fans may be a little disappointed at the end-result, but for those looking for something a little more “colorful” from the leader of CG animation, this is the one to see. (Jonathan Hardesty)
- currently ranked #1635 of all-time
- ranked 14,551 times
- wins 52% of its matchups
- 65 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 4 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#18 – Life of Pi
With Life of Pi, Ang Lee took what could easily be considered “that tiger and boat movie” into an emotional, spiritual, and self-reflective journey. Lee brought to life a character the likes of which we’ve never seen with Pi, who is willing to believe in several religions, befriend animals, and still keep his sanity. Lee’s storytelling is fascinating, but his directing – utilizing some of the best 3D that has ever graced the silver screen – brings some of the most beautiful images of the year. Pi’s journey is both physical and introspective, and Lee was able to capture that in a most glorious fashion. (Ross Bonaime)
- currently ranked #1615 of all-time
- ranked 4,240 times
- wins 64% of its matchups
- 36 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 2 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#17 – Chronicle
More than just another entry in the found footage genre, Chronicle does something that feels surprisingly fresh: it tells the origin story of a supervillain. There’s plenty of fun to be had watching three teenagers explore their newfound superpowers, and you might find yourself nodding along going “Yeah, I might do something like that”. The found footage style works in the story’s favor by heightening the relatability factor, and it’s worked in quite cleverly. Chronicle is a film not quite like any other this year – or perhaps any year. (Emil Ekelund)
- currently ranked #1589 of all-time
- ranked 19,784 times
- wins 56% of its matchups
- 76 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 6 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#16 – 21 Jump Street
While it’s certainly easy to be skeptical about movie adaptations of TV shows, 21 Jump Street has a surprisingly sharp script and an even more surprisingly adept cast. The jokes go far beyond simple bathroom humor or references to the original show – these jokes are smart. Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill delve completely into their roles with infectious glee and they take the audience right along with them. There’s no great depth to 21 Jump Street, but there didn’t ever need to be. All it needs to do is make its audience laugh, and it accomplishes that goal perfectly. (Hannah Megill)
- currently ranked #1402 of all-time
- ranked 21,757 times
- wins 58% of its matchups
- 123 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 19 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#15 – Wreck-It Ralph
What Toy Story did for toys, Wreck-It Ralph does for video games. This charming Disney film won the hearts of children and adults alike, especially those who grew up during the early days of the video game boom. There are cameos ranging from Sonic the Hedgehog to Bowser to Q*bert, lending the film a nostalgic atmosphere that could warm the cockles of any Scrooge’s heart. (Al Topich)
- currently ranked #1235 of all-time
- ranked 6,059 times
- wins 63% of its matchups
- 42 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 4 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#14 – The Hunger Games
An incredibly popular franchise-maker in which children fight each other to death, The Hunger Games stands as a testament to how effectively something can serve as both satire and popular entertainment, while not getting bogged down by subject matter that would be repugnant in lesser hands. The hands in this case belong to director Gary Ross and screenwriters Ross, Billy Ray and novel author Suzanne Collins, and they bring to grandiose life the pages of Collins’ YA novel that depicts a post-apocalyptic United States in which impoverished districts offer teenage sacrifices to a totalitarian government. They would have likely sold plenty of tickets regardless of who was involved, but with Jennifer Lawrence playing the lead, the movie has tons of soul to accompany its difficult subject matter — and completes the unlikely trick of actually being fun, rather than downright depressing. (Derek Armstrong)
- currently ranked #1226 of all-time
- ranked 31,993 times
- wins 56% of its matchups
- 208 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 12 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#13 – The Master
An enigma of a film about two enigmatic men – Joaquin Phoenix’s Freddie Quell, a WWII vet suffering from PTSD (and possibly other mental breakdowns) as he tries to readjust to civilian life, and Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic cult leader who offers potential recovery and family to Freddie. Between these two (and Amy Adams, who is surprisingly menacing as Dodd’s wife), this is a masterclass in acting, but it’s more than that – it’s a difficult but unforgettable inquiry into humanity and the things we will (or should, or shouldn’t) do to achieve a human connection when we need it the most. Of course, the most brilliant thing about it is that this is only one reading of it, and the film’s ambiguity offers many others – its strength is evocation, which is a breakthrough for PT Anderson, who has too often favored didacticism in the past. (Jandy Hardesty)
- currently ranked #1180 of all-time
- ranked 7,568 times
- wins 61% of its matchups
- 36 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 6 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#12 – Django Unchained
Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained does for slavery what Inglorious Basterds did for the Nazis. A stunning western done in the spirit of Sergio Leone with a style all its own. Filled to the brim with sensational performances (from Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, and Leonardo DiCaprio) and hilarious sequences throughout (including one involving the Ku Klux Klan that unexpectedly might be the funniest Tarantino has ever created). It’s nearly three hours of pure pleasure while simultaneously bloody and unforgiving. (Nicholas Vargo)
- currently ranked #1102 of all-time
- ranked 3,427 times
- wins 64% of its matchups
- 51 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 5 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#11 – The Amazing Spider-Man
A familiar story is presented again in a surprisingly fresh and original style. Andrew Garfield plays the main character with understandable angst, but he channels that emotional baggage into lighthearted wise-cracking. The movie matches this character trait as it manages to find moments that make the audience smile even after some of the most traumatic events. The visuals are great, and the 3-D is merely used as an accent rather than a crutch. Fans could hardly ask for a better foundation to support future chapters in this beloved franchise. (Ben Lott)
- currently ranked #1087 of all-time
- ranked 24,448 times
- wins 55% of its matchups
- 146 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 6 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#10 – Lincoln
Everyone’s favorite president Abraham Lincoln gets his second treatment of 2012 and arguably his best of all time. Daniel Day-Lewis captured him with near perfection, but that was really no surprise as everyone thought he would the second they saw the first picture of him in full Lincoln makeup. The big surprise here was Tommy Lee Jones, who stuck out like a sore thumb in the trailers, but whose Thaddeus Stevens ended up being a worthy match to Day-Lewis’ Lincoln. Despite being a bit on the long side, and not lacking Steven Spielberg’s flair for over-sentimentality, it was still engrossing. It manages to put you on the edge of your seat not only for something as mundane as representatives voting on a bill, but one everyone already knows the outcome of. (Ryan Stuckey)
- currently ranked #912 of all-time
- ranked 6,338 times
- wins 62% of its matchups
- 39 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 1 user ranks it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#9 – Prometheus
Ridley Scott proves that he still knows how to direct an awe-inspiring sci-fi film. The larger questions asked about humanity, life and mortality are intriguing ones, but what Prometheus deserves to be remembered for is its gorgeous visuals, the blood-pumping action scenes, and the performances that are stronger than what one might expect, from Noomi Rapace’s determined archaeologist to Michael Fassbender’s show-stealing android. (Emil Ekelund)
- currently ranked #869 of all-time
- ranked 30,873 times
- wins 57% of its matchups
- 133 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 7 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#8 – Argo
Ben Affleck’s maturation from charismatic actor to full-blown craftsman at the top of his game is complete with Argo, a taut historical thriller that’s as exciting as any film whose outcome is already known from the start. Effortlessly shifting from the familiar streets of his native Boston to the disorienting streets of 1970s Tehran, Affleck delivers an immaculate period piece that doubles (triples?) as a hilarious comedy and a love letter to Hollywood. Its few overly cinematic indulgences can be forgiven because they get us that much closer to the universal truths of its themes of courage and heroism — both among the Americans and the sympathetically portrayed Iranian rebels — and because they make the movie an incredible amount of fun. (Derek Armstrong)
- currently ranked #553 of all-time
- ranked 10,037 times
- wins 63% of its matchups
- 46 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 8 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#7 – The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
In glorious 2D, this was a welcome return to Middle-earth. Structurally, An Unexpected Journey hearkens back to The Fellowship of the Ring in more than just a few ways, and though it may run a little overlong, Peter Jackson’s eye for humor and massive action sequences keeps things zipping right along. Gollum continues his scene-stealing reign, but the truest hero of the film is Martin Freeman, whose Bilbo Baggins is – almost effortlessly – a more charismatic lead than Elijah Wood’s doe-eyed Frodo. There is much promise here for the sequels. (Nigel Druitt)
- currently ranked #527 of all-time
- ranked 8,321 times
- wins 63% of its matchups
- 109 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 6 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#6 – The Cabin in the Woods
The Cabin in the Woods is a highly original horror film that takes every horror movie trope, every moment where the audience screams at the characters, “What are you doing?” and turns it upside down. It blends the dark and the funny effortlessly, providing plenty of screams and laughs along the way. Any analysis of the movie’s plot would give away some of the most fun and interesting discoveries, so suffice it to say this film is clever, interesting, and original enough to appeal to both lovers and haters of the horror genre. (Hannah Megill)
- currently ranked #512 of all-time
- ranked 23,805 times
- wins 63% of its matchups
- 153 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 10 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
#5 – Moonrise Kingdom
Of all of the films to be released this year, Moonrise Kingdom is the one that was the most enchanting from its amazing opening title sequence to its image-infused ending credits. The stunning debuts of Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward were a strong part of that enchantment. And the adult cast led by Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, and Bill Murray just adds to the fun, sliding comfortably into Anderson’s world of 1965 New England. It may not be for everyone, but Moonrise Kingdom is the crowning achievement in Wes Anderson’s already-stunning career. (Nicholas Vargo)
- currently ranked #386 of all-time
- ranked 18,857 times
- wins 65% of its matchups
- 145 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 8 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#4 – Looper
Rian Johnson’s third feature is impressive not only for how it expands the bag of narrative tricks he displayed in his first two, but how it brazenly reveals their limitations. While most time travel movies eat their own tails trying to account for the corresponding conundrums, Johnson simply has his characters get headaches whenever they try to explain how anything that’s happening is possible. Good cinema makes us suspend disbelief without effort, and Looper may just be a step greater than that as it examines our tendency to be our own worst enemies, to learn from our mistakes and to live our lives morally and without regret. It does this using time-traveling hitmen, telekinesis, and the type of narrative structure that should frustrate rather than what it actually does: exhilarate. (Derek Armstrong)
- currently ranked #331 of all-time
- ranked 17,983 times
- wins 65% of its matchups
- 135 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 11 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#3 – Skyfall
This is a major step up from Quantum of Solace, and an epic outing for James Bond’s 50th anniversary. This James Bond goes through the wringer, forcing Daniel Craig to exercise a range his predecessors in the role didn’t usually have to employ. High personal stakes for M make her role in Skyfall a juicy one for Judi Dench. I challenge any fan of 007 to come up with an ending that could have been more perfect. From the apocalyptic opening title sequence to the blazing final confrontation, it’s riveting stuff. (Nigel Druitt)
- currently ranked #296 of all-time
- ranked 17,324 times
- wins 64% of its matchups
- 147 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 11 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#2 – The Avengers
The Avengers is a cinematic sugar rush, riding on the exhilaration of seeing all these heroes brought together in the same silver-screen adventure. There’s nothing sweeter than Robert Downey Jr. in full quipster mode, or the Hulk tearing up the scenery like nobody’s business. Joss Whedon keeps the humor and action at full-tilt throughout, but it’s all about the final action sequence – easily the most epic scene in a comic book movie to date. There may not be much meat and potatoes here, but it certainly provides a buzz, and tastes great going down. (Nigel Druitt)
- currently ranked #181 of all-time
- ranked 69,030 times
- wins 73% of its matchups
- 1248 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 161 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
#1 – The Dark Knight Rises
This film is one of ambition. Every frame of the film practically screams “big” and “epic” – especially those that director Christopher Nolan shot in IMAX. It’s impressive how Bruce Wayne is truly brought to his lowest point possible before The Dark Knight is allowed to rise again. Everything neatly and succinctly ties back to Batman Begins to bring the trilogy full circle. It sags a bit under its own weight, but even if it’s not a home run, it’s a solid triple. Extremely rare for the third movie in a trilogy. Obviously, a majority of Flickcharters agree, elevating Christian Bale’s swan song as Batman to the #1 film of the year. (Nigel Druitt)
- currently ranked #152 of all-time
- ranked 53,802 times
- wins 71% of its matchups
- 930 users have it ranked in their top 20 of all-time
- 110 users rank it as their favorite movie of all-time
*****
Don’t forget that you can further filter the chart to get the best of 2012 combined with your favorite actors, directors, genres, and franchises. If they may seem in need of rearrangement, you can also immediately rank any of these combinations and make sure the movies you’ve seen are in exactly the right order on your chart. If you haven’t yet, be sure to rank your favorite films of 2012 to continue to refine which films should represent the best cinema has to offer from 2012!
This post is only accurate up to the minute this post was published, so if you’re coming to this post after the fact and want to see how things have shaken up, you can always check the daily stats at http://www.flickchart.com/charts/2012.
Want to see where the rest of the year’s best films ended up? You can also check out: