2012 was a fascinating year for cinema—though perhaps not as enduringly impactful as the years that bookended it. While a few auteur-driven films and blockbuster franchises dominated headlines, the year’s depth pales compared to 2011 and 2013. If those years delivered an abundance of decade-defining films, 2012 feels more like a year of select triumphs rather than an across-the-board success.
That’s not to discount what 2012 offered. Visionary filmmakers like Noah Baumbach (Frances Ha), Paul Thomas Anderson (The Master), and Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom) delivered some of the most talked-about films of the year, leaving their distinct fingerprints on the industry. Their contributions, along with the release of major action spectacles, ensured that the year had enough to make an impression, even if it didn’t quite match the vibrancy of its neighbors.
For those who relish digging deeper into a specific year’s offerings, 2012 does hold some hidden gems and memorable entries, and perhaps revisiting it could yield new favorites over time. For now, it feels like a year that gets lost between the more robust slates of 2011 and 2013, overshadowed by the sheer volume of iconic films they brought to the table. Still, the standout movies of 2012 shine brightly enough to warrant a closer look, and they remain essential viewing for fans of the filmmakers and genres they represent.
So, here are the 10 best movies of 2012—a list that highlights the films that made the year special:
10. Killing Them Softly
9. Wreck-It Ralph
8. Ginger & Rosa
7. The Dark Knight Rises
6. Holy Motors
5. Django Unchained
4. Moonrise Kingdom
Moonrise Kingdom is a quintessential Wes Anderson film, showcasing his signature style and themes while also standing on its own as a beautifully crafted and deeply affecting work of art. It is a film that, in many ways, encapsulates the singular vision of its director. From its symmetrical compositions to its meticulously curated soundtrack, every element of the film is crafted with an almost obsessive attention to detail. But unlike some of Anderson’s later films, which can feel like hollow exercises in style over substance, Moonrise Kingdom is a film that balances its idiosyncratic aesthetic with genuine heart and emotion.
Read our review of Moonrise Kingdom.
3. Skyfall
2. The Master
1. Frances Ha
