After years of halted productions and delayed releases, 2022 seemed like the year cinema found its groove again.
The nostalgia was laid on thick with Tom Cruise returning for Top Gun: Maverick, yet another instalment in the Jurassic franchise, a new Batman and even an Avatar sequel.
There were Minions and Marvel and discourse over whether or not Harry Styles spat on Chris Pine at the Venice premiere of Don’t Worry Darling.
It was *a lot* to keep up with, so you can be forgiven for missing some of the most talked-about films of the year.
Tap on the cards below to find out where to watch your next flick.
The heavy hitters at the box office
Superheroes, dinosaurs and Minions (yes, really) had the biggest success at the box office this year.
Top Gun Maverick
The sequel to the 1986 classic starring Tom Cruise was the biggest movie of 2022, pulling in $US1.4 billion worldwide at the box office.
You can now stream Top Gun: Maverick on Paramount+. Alternatively, the sequel will also land on Binge on January 19.
If you’re looking to rewatch the original Top Gun, it’s available on multiple streaming services, including Paramount+, Binge, Netflix, Stan and Prime Video.
Jurassic World Dominion
The Jurassic franchise is still going strong, with Dominion raking in just over $US1 billion globally at the box office.
You can stream the entire Jurassic universe on Binge, with Jurassic World Dominion landing on the streamer on January 1.
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness
The latest Marvel instalment was (unsurprisingly) a hit at the box office, earning $US955 million globally.
You can find Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness on Disney+.
Minions The Rise of Gru
The Minions multiverse continues to perform, with the prequel Minions: The Rise of Gru earning $US939 million worldwide at the box office.
You’ll be able to stream Minions: The Rise of Gru on Binge from January 15.
Black Panther Wakanda Forever
The next instalment in the Black Panther series has skyrocketed up the box office rankings by already earning over $US786 million globally.
It’s currently screening in theatres, but the first Black Panther is available to stream on Disney+, with its sequel likely to join it.
Avatar The Way of the Water
Avatar: The Way of the Water is currently screening in theatres and is slowly but surely climbing up the box office charts.
If you’re looking for where to watch the first film, it’s been brought back to Disney+ after the streamer temporarily pulled it ahead of the film’s theatrical release.
The Batman
Robert Pattinson stepped into the role of the caped crusader in Matt Reeves’s The Batman, which pulled in a healthy $US770 million globally at the box office.
You can stream The Batman on Netflix or Binge.
Thor Love and Thunder
Marvel’s fourth Thor flick saw Chris Hemsworth reunite with Taika Waititi for a hefty helping of 80s nostalgia, which raked in $US760 million worldwide at the box office.
You can stream Thor: Love and Thunder on Disney+.
Now that the hype has died down
Steered well clear of these titles due to the hype? Couldn’t be bothered to wade into the online outrage? Consider this a sign the dust has settled.
Don’t Worry Darling
It’s totally fair if the avalanche of headlines and hot takes surrounding Don’t Worry Darling put you off Olivia Wilde’s psychological thriller altogether.
Now that the gossip mill has moved on, you can digitally rent or buy Don’t Worry Darling in peace.
But the film is actually still playing at select cinemas around Australia, so hit up your local to see if it’s still screening. After all, Harry Styles called it “a real ‘go to the theatre’ film movie”.
My Policeman
Don’t Worry Darling wasn’t the only film Harry Styles headlined this year.
Based on the novel by Bethan Roberts, My Policeman transports us to 1950s Brighton and also stars The Crown’s Emma Corrin.
You can stream My Policeman on Prime Video.
Persuasion
ABC Everyday called Persuasion “the most ridiculed movie of the year”, which is a good enough reason to pop it on.
From Dakota Johnson breaking the fourth-wall like she’s in Fleabag to the “girlbossification” of her character Anne, the 2022 adaption was panned by critics and Jane Austin fans alike.
You can decide for yourself how it fares by streaming it on Netflix.
Where the Crawdads Sing
Where the Crawdads Sing had plenty of star power behind it (a Reese Witherspoon book club favourite, Normal People’s Daisy Edgar-Jones, and an original song from Taylor Swift).
But as ABC Arts critic Keva York writes: “The more compelling murder mystery occurs off screen” and involves the novel’s author, Delia Owens.
Where the Crawdads Sing will arrive on Binge on January 28.
Missed these musical documentaries?
If you can’t stand musical biopics, these behind-the-scenes documentaries might be more your vibe.
Love, Lizzo
Love, Lizzo is the singer’s tribute to body positivity, self-love and black women in this look at her meteoric rise to fame.
You can stream Love, Lizzo on Binge.
Selena Gomez, My Mind and Me
Filmed over a six-year period in her career, Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me gives more insight into the star’s physical and mental wellbeing in the wake of her lupus and bipolar disorder diagnosis.
You can stream the documentary on Apple TV+.
Olivia Rodrigo, Driving Home 2 u
In a nod to her hit-single Drivers License, Olivia Rodrigo’s documentary takes us on a road trip between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles as she writes her debut album Sour.
You can stream the documentary on Disney+.
Halftime
Following the career of Jennifer Lopez, the documentary builds to her performance at the Super Bowl LIV half-time show, plus the making of the 2019 film Hustlers.
You can stream Halftime on Netflix.
Moonage Daydream
As ABC Arts critic Luke Goodsell writes, the first officially sanctioned Bowie documentary since his passing “seems designed to push the star back into the realm of art, wonder and restless experimentation”.
Moonage Daydream is still playing at selected theatres across Australia, along with being available to digitally rent or buy.
Get across next year’s award nominees (and snubs)
Award season has kicked off with the Golden Globe nominations being announced, so here’s where to stream as many contenders before the gongs are handed out on January 11.
Glass Onion, A Knives Out Mystery
The Knives Out sequel had an strictly limited release at the cinemas, screening for just seven days back in November before being yanked away and placed back into the streaming vault until closer to Christmas.
Glass Onion has already picked up a Golden Globe nomination for Best Musical or Comedy, with Daniel Craig getting a nod for Best Actor.
You can now stream Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once received six Golden Globe nominations, only beaten by The Banshees of Inisherin with eight.
It’s up for Best Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Director and Best Screenplay, with Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis all getting nods as well.
You can stream Everything Everywhere All at Once on Binge and Prime Video.
Elvis
2022 marked Elvis Presley’s turn to get the biopic treatment, this time from none other than Australian director Baz Luhrmann.
The film dominated at the AACTA Awards earlier this year and has picked up multiple Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Austin Butler.
Elvis is still playing at selected cinemas across Australia and is available to digitally rent or buy.
White Noise
Director Noah Baumbach reunites with Adam Driver (Marriage Story) for this screen adaption of Don DeLillo’s novel of the same name.
Adam Driver will go up against Glass Onion’s Daniel Craig in the Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy category at the Golden Globes.
You can stream White Noise on Netflix from December 30.
Pinocchio
As ABC Arts critic Luke Goodsell writes, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is “a distinct, ostensibly dark departure from the Disney version that has long dominated the public imagination”.
The animation has picked up three Golden Globe nominations, including Best Animated Picture, Best Original Song and Best Score.
You can stream Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio on Netflix.
Blonde
Blonde received a 14-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and earned Ana de Armas a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of Marilyn Munroe.
But the film sparked outrage online, from the graphic depictions of sexual assault to the general sentiment among fans that Marilyn’s image has already been exploited enough.
You can stream Blonde on Netflix.
Emancipation
Emancipation stars Will Smith as an enslaved man in Louisiana in the 1860s who escapes his plantation.
As ABC Arts critic Luke Goodsell writes, in any other year, the film would be a sure-fire swing at Oscars glory come March. But this has been no ordinary year for Will Smith.
Emancipation didn’t receive any Golden Globe nominations, but keep your eyes peeled to see how the rest of its award season campaign turns out.
You can stream Emancipation on Apple TV+.
And catch up on this year’s award winners
Cinema closures due to COVID-19 made it difficult to release films, let alone watch them. So if these Oscar winners slipped under your radar, here’s where to catch up.
Dune
Dune, the 2021 film adaption of Frank Herbet’s science-fiction epic, won the most Academy Awards in 2022 with six wins, including best sound, original score, film editing, visual effects, cinematography and production design.
You can stream Dune on Netflix or Binge.
CODA
CODA won Best Picture at the 2022 Academy Awards, as well as Best Writing, with Troy Kotsur becoming the second deaf person to win an Oscar for his supporting role.
You can stream CODA on Apple TV+.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Jessica Chastain won the Oscar for Best Actress for her portrayal of Tammy Faye in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, with the film also winning an accolade for its makeup and hair styling.
You can stream The Eyes of Tammy Faye on Disney+.
West Side Story
Ariana DeBose won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting role category at this year’s Academy Awards.
You can watch West Side Story on Disney+.
King Richard
Will Smith won Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard, a triumph which was tainted by the fact that he slapped Chris Rock earlier in the evening.
You can stream King Richard on Netflix or Binge.
The Power of the Dog
The Power of the Dog was Netflix’s chance to finally win Best Film, but the top honour went to the Apple TV+ original CODA instead. Jane Campion won Best Director.
You can stream The Power of the Dog on Netflix.
Encanto
Encanto, a celebration of family, Colombian culture and the music of Lin-Manual Mirdanda, won Best Animated Film at the Academy Awards.
You can catch Encanto on Disney+.
Drive My Car
Drive My Car became the first Best Picture Oscar nominated from Japan, and went on to win Best International Film.
You can stream Drive My Car on SBS On Demand.
Belfast
Belfast, Kenneth Branagh’s stark tale of childhood during Northern Ireland’s Troubles, won Best Writing at the Academy Awards.
You can stream Belfast on Binge.
No Time To Die
Daniel Craig’s Bond tenure comes to a conclusion in No Time To Die, with the film winning Best Original Song at the Academy Awards thanks to Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell’s song of the same name.
No Time To Die is available to stream on Prime Video.