Nerdeek’s Top Ten Films of 2016

There’s no denying that 2016 was a great year for film. A diverse year. And we at Nerdeek love movies. So instead of getting one person’s opinion on the top films of the last year, we all decided to contribute our own list because like our readers, everyone has different tastes on what we enjoy seeing most on the big screen. Whether we focus more on genre, writing, or just simply making two hours seem like 10 minutes. Here are the best and the worst of 2016 from the team here at Nerdeek.

1. Arrival
2. Rogue One
3. Zootopia
4. Fantastic Beasts
5. Hush
6. Deadpool
7. Nocturnal Animals
8. Hidden Figures
9. The Accountant
10. Batman v Superman

It was very hard to decide between Arrival and Rogue One, but I ended up choosing Arrival because I think it’s one of the best movies of the last decade. An absolute masterpiece in every aspect. Amy Adams is fantastic. The writing and editing are superb and the score is a character in of itself. There is so much dimension and depth in this film that you can’t possibly understand it all in only one viewing. I can’t count on one hand how many movies left me in awe as I walked out of the theater my entire life, and this is one of them.

Biggest Disappointment: Doctor Strange. Great graphics and score, but a lot of missed opportunities from a writing standpoint. Two dimensional characters and a main character that reminded me too much of Tony Stark.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: Wonder Woman and Justice League. I can’t wait to see the DC universe get on it’s feet with its first team movie. Not to mention the first ever female fronted comic book movie. The day has finally come.

-Candace W.

1. Deadpool
2. Finding Dory
3. The Divergent Series: Allegiant
4. Suicide Squad
5. Ride Along 2
6. Bad Moms
7. Central Intelligence
8. Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising
9. The Choice
10. The 5th Wave

Biggest Disappoint: One movie I was disappointed with this year was Ghostbusters. Not because “They ruined it by remaking it with women” as so many believe. I loved the female casting. The ladies have great chemistry together and their acting is good too, It was the story line. It was just kind of boring and slow. I couldn’t really get into it and I love all the original Ghostbusters.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: I cannot wait for Beauty and the Beast!!  I adore Emma Watson and think she’s a wonderful choice as Belle. Beauty and the Beast was one of my absolute favorite movies as a kid and am super excited to see the story told in live action.

-Stephanie F.

1. Pride and Prejudice & Zombie Hunters
2. Fantastic Beasts
3. Batman v Superman
4. The Jungle Book
5. Zootopia
6. Independence Day: Resurgence
7. Warcraft
8. The 5th Wave
9. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
10. Alice Through the Looking Glass

There’s probably no other author I love more than Jane Austen so when you have the beloved characters from Pride and Prejudice coupled with flesh-eating zombies, it’s a win-win. A serious hell to the yes to the women holding their own.

Biggest Disappointment: Suicide Squad. I felt like it was too hyped and the payoff wasn’t all the way there. It probably would have made it to number 1 on my list had they picked a better villain. Enchantress completely killed the movie for me.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: This was a no brainer. I’m absolutely boiling over with excitement for the stand alone Wonder Woman film. Yes, badass women

-Shenna P.

1. Deadpool
2. Zootopia
3. The Accountant
4. Sausage Party
5. Me Before You
6. War Dogs
7. Bad Moms
8. The Fundamentals of Caring
9. 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi
10. The Girl on the Train

Deadpool was my number 1 pick because he was so anti hero and hilarious. This movie was geared towards adults and I really got enjoyment out of this.

Biggest Disappointment: Batman v Superman. I felt like the movie was hyped up to be this really great action flick and was left disappointed when it turned out to be something other than that. The best part of the movie were the cameos from the future DC comic book characters who are coming out with their own movie.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: Stephen King’s IT. I read the book as a child and I am excited to see where they go with it and how they can make it a more accurate depiction than the miniseries. The behind the scene pictures have been amazing.

-Tenika K.

1. The Autopsy of Jane Doe
2. Arrival
3. The Greasy Strangler  
4. Don’t Breathe
5. Batman v Superman
6. The Neon Demon
7. The Conjuring 2
8. Suicide Squad
9. 10 Cloverfield Lane
10. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

The Autopsy of Jane Doe and Arrival are like both number 1 in my book. Amy Adams and aliens are my thing. The music and all in Arrival was amazing with a twist that made me have to see it twice in theaters, but The Autopsy of Jane Doe was something. It took a very basic set up and hit me with a twist that I didn’t see coming and loved it.

Biggest Disappointment: The Purge: Election Year. The only reason I didn’t get up and walk out was because I was too lazy. I was going to skip it, but when I saw how everyone was saying they were going to see it in theaters for their 3rd time I thought I might as well take advantage ..waste of $10.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: We have Resident Evil, Fast 8 (Fate of the Furious), ALIEN COVENANT (Prometheus 2), Underworld, and most importantly a new Texas Chainsaw film (Leatherface) and much, much more!

-Marc J.

1. Batman vs. Superman
2. Captain America: Civil War
3. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
4. Deadpool
5. Fundamentals of Caring
6. The 5th Wave

Batman v Superman was my #1 because I’m not a huge superhero fan, but that movie alone got me all hyped and excited just to see who would win. The ending was sad though. Plus, Ben Affleck played a decent Batman.

Biggest Disappointment: The Divergent Series: Allegiant Part 1. Shailene Woodley and Theo James were the only good parts of the movie. Their chemistry kept the confusing scientific mumbo-jumbo afloat. But even though the movie was a mess, it’s a shame that their studio turned the last and final movie, Allegiant Part 2, into a tv project. Who knows how many people will want to watch it now?

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: Wonder Woman, only because again, Batman v Superman got me all hyped for some more girl power!!

-Danielle P.

1. Moana
2. Deadpool
3. Alice Through the Looking Glass
4. Finding Dory
5. The Accountant
6. Gods of Egypt
7. The Secret Life of Pets
8. Sausage Party
9. Bad Moms
10. The Jungle Book

I love Moana mainly because movie shows young girls and young boys that you honestly do not a significant other to be brave and courageous.

Biggest Disappointment: Hail, Caesar! By FAR worst movie of 2016. One, the plot was ridiculously incoherent. I sat there with high hopes because of the incredible cast, George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Josh Brolin, Scarlett Johansson, Jonah Hill, Tilda Swinton (if you don’t know her she plays the Queen from Narnia). But the fact that I couldn’t keep up with the plot or just simply understand the film as a whole was obnoxious to me. I understand the movie was one of those where you had to piece together the whole thing. But after that movie finished, I was just confused and upset almost; cause I really just wanted to understand the film.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: I can’t pick one! So many good ones are coming out. But if I had to pick one, I think it might have to be Beauty and the Beast. I’m just really excited to see all the visuals that Disney is working on to bring this classic tale to life. But also Cars 3, Despicable Me 3, Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 2. All great movies that also have a high anticipation for me!

-Valerie P.

1. Rogue One
2. Doctor Strange
3. Fantastic Beasts
4. Moana
5. Zootopia
6. Finding Dory
7. Deadpool
8. The Secret Life of Pets
9. X-Men: Apocalypse
10. King Fu Panda 3

Biggest Disappointment: Batman v Superman. I couldn’t get into it at all… in fact I ended up making fun of it with my husband the whole time MST3K style. I just couldn’t take Affleck seriously in that role. The only part I paid attention to was the small bits Gal Gadot was in.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: Wonder Woman ( GIRL POWER!) , Star Wars Episode VIII (BECAUSE YAAAAASSSS STAR WARS!!!), Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (Baby Groot. Need I say more?)

-Theresa P.

1. Zootopia
2. Finding Dory
3. Me Before You
4. Inferno
5. Ghostbusters
6. Secret Life of Pets
7. The Light Between Oceans
8. Fantastic Beasts

Zootopia and Finding Dory were sooo close and I honestly would name them both as my #1. The animation, the characters and the wonderfully thought out storylines were to die for. (I mean, who doesn’t love Jason Bateman as Nick? Swoooon.)

Biggest Disappointment: Fantastic Beasts. I could go on and on about my love and admiration for Eddie Redmayne, but this film was not good. The story has been done before, and maybe I had too high expectations coming into the theater. The only likeable characters in the film were Ezra Miller’s Credence, and the two actors who played Queenie and Jacob. They were not only realistic, but so sweet on screen. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a HP fan that I expected more. I was let down.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: Beauty and the Beast. I mean, Emma Watson as Belle? YAAAAAS.

-Sophia M.

1. Fantastic Beasts
2. Ghostbusters
3. Snowden
4. Rogue One
5. Captain America: Civil War
6. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
7. Manchester by the Sea
8. La La Land
9. Jackie

Biggest disappointment: Suicide Squad. The hype was too big, but on a personal level I wanted it to be so good. Too disjointed and a bit hollow. Margot Robbie was bloody brilliant but all flash no substance!

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: Ahhh to add on- aye 100% agreement with excitement over Beauty and the Beast! Off me nuts about it!

-Nico

1. Zootopia
2. Allied
3. Deadpool
4. The Jungle Book
5. The Accountant

Biggest Disappointment: The Secret Life of Pets. Nothing funny except what was in the trailer, such high expectations and such a let down.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: John Wick Chapter 2 because the original was such an unexpected surprise – great, very few cuts action scenes.

-Lisa C.

1. Kubo and the Two Strings
2. Zootopia
3. Captain America: Civil War
4. Moana
5. Hush
6. Doctor Strange
7. I am Not a Serial Killer
8. Arrival
9. Finding Dory
10. Rogue One

Kubo was a fantastic film. Beautiful, impressive, funny, scary, you name it. It’s a “kids movie” that deals with death in a real and powerful way. So much love and care was put into every aspect of this film from the music to the voice acting. It’s a must see film for any animation nerd.

Biggest Disappointment: There are still a bunch of films I want to see in 2016 but so far my biggest disappointment was Suicide Squad. It had the potential to bring something new to the superhero genre. I was truly excited to see a film starring villains. Sadly, the writing was poor, the villain mediocre, and the editing atrocious. It was nowhere near as fun or edgy as the trailers made it out to be and the performances across the board were merely passable. All that said, I’ve seen worse films and it certainly had its moments.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: Right now I’m really looking forward to Logan. I think the trailer totally killed it and any movie that uses “Hurt” to set their tone has my attention. It looks like “The Last of Us” with mutants which is everything I want in life. Please don’t screw this up Fox.

-Dan W.

1. Captain America: Civil War
2. Deadpool
3. Zootopia
4. Money Monster
5. Doctor Strange
6. Finding Dory
7. Bridget Jones’ Baby
8. The Conjuring 2
9. War Dogs
10. Inferno

I went to watch Captain America: Civil War at the Hollywood El Capitan theater, which was decorated especially for the movie. I was so disappointed by The Avengers: Age of Ultron but this completely made up for it. It featured all of the heroes I care about and left out those I don’t feel too strongly about (looking at you, Hulk & Thor). The addition of Spider-Man was really the cherry on top.

Biggest Disappointment: There are a few movies I was really disappointed by. While I loved Olympus Has Fallen, its sequel London Has Fallen didn’t do anything for me. The first movie was so great because it had a ‘die hard’ feel to it by taking place mostly inside one building. Changing the setting really didn’t do the concept any justice. I was also sad to see Now You See Me 2 be all over the place. It was complicated and didn’t focus on what made the first one enjoyable: magic. Lastly, I went to see Trolls knowing I would hate it – and I did. I’m not sure why because I’m a fan of animation but this was just boring and one-dimensional. The only good thing about it was hearing Christine Baranski’s voice for about 90 minutes.

What I’m looking forward to in 2017: Spider-Man: Homecoming. I haven’t been excited about spidey since Tobey McGuire’s first outing but Tom Holland’s chemistry with RDJ seems to have been worth the wait. I’m ready for another!

-Ben S.

Although we all clearly have different opinions of what are the best films of 2016, here is an overall list based on the team’s votes. It’s obvious we all agreed that Deadpool and Zootopia are the two shining stars for this passed year.

Best of 2016 Overall:

1. Deadpool (8 votes)
2. Zootopia (8 votes)
3. Finding Dory (6 votes)
4. Fantastic Beasts (5 votes)
5. Batman v Superman (4 votes)
6. The Jungle Book (4 votes)
7. Captain America: Civil War (4 votes)
8. Rogue One (4 votes)