309 Best Movies & Shows Released in 2022 (Page 20)

Find the best movies and show to watch from the year 2022. These handpicked recommendations are highly-rated by viewers and critics.

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286. Dead End: Paranormal Park, 2022

It jumps out at you, all the vibrant illustration styles that the show evokes: The Amazing World of Gumball, Gravity Falls, and others, in a vaguely vaporwave aesthetic. Its use of horror tropes and spirits is made friendly for kids—a cute pug being central to the plot and all—but there is enough here to say that it’s generally for older kids, 7 and up. Its portrayal and representation of LGBTQ+ struggles is done gently, and one of the best aspects of the larger narrative. An expectation of a haunted house fantasy adventure series for kids won’t betray curious audiences, but there’s more fun to be had than the title implies.

Genre: Animation, Kids

Actor: Alex Brightman, Emily Osment, Kathreen Khavari, Kody Kavitha, Miss Coco Peru, Zach Barack

Rating: TV-Y7

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287. Clark, 2022

With the current deluge of biopics streaming, it’s easy to overlook Clark, Netflix’s fictionalized take on Clark Olofssonm, from whom the term “Stockholm Syndrome” was coined. Bill Skarsgård, Hollywood’s favorite onscreen creep, returns to his native Sweden and plays the titular criminal with such feverish passion that it’s impossible to take your eyes off the screen.

The delirious editing (bordering on excess or camp, depending on your taste) also makes it quite the standout among all the sober real-life adaptations. Clark will surely be hit-or-miss for most people, but its riskiness alone is enough reason to watch.

Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime, Drama

Actor: Adam Lundgren, Bill Skarsgård, Hanna Björn, Isabelle Grill, Malin Levanon, Sandra Ilar, Sofie Hoflack, Vilhelm Blomgren

Rating: TV-MA

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288. Chesapeake Shores, 2022

It’s a Hallmark welcome from the get-go, as we open to a flashback of the day a family breaks apart, then quickly transitioning to present time with workaholic Abby and all her work drama. The lines are universally cheesy, stiff, and generally atrocious (and that’s with the Hallmark consideration). There is some sincerity and gentleness to the handling of the parents’ separation, as well as the family side of the drama. But the same can’t be said for the reconnection of the two ex-lovers. The three sisters’ dynamic is arguably the biggest spark the show produces, which is a shame given it’s a tertiary priority compared to the lovey dovey story.

Genre: Drama, Romance

Actor: Andrew Francis, Barbara Niven, Brendan Penny, Diane Ladd, Emilie Ullerup, Jesse Metcalfe, Laci J. Mailey, Laci Mailey, Meghan Ory, Robert Buckley, Treat Williams

Rating: TV-PG

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289. Belascoarán, PI, 2022

	
Mexico City, 1970. Héctor Belascoarán leaves his stable office job and beautiful (but unhappy) marriage to pursue the adrenaline-filled life of a private detective. The police are useless, Héctor points out, not to mention corrupt and often in on the crime, so it's up to him to tackle the many unsolved cases that haunt the city he loves.

Because he thinks himself a hero, Héctor narrates each episode in that nostalgic noir way, but the catch is that he is, in fact, no slick savior. Hector is still a rookie, prone to blunders and miscalculations, but his perseverance saves the day. In this way Belascoarán, PI is both a tribute and a sendup of detective films of yore; it references the genre in style and substance, but it isn't above joking about it either. It's proof that you can challenge viewers without sacrificing the laughs, and vice versa.Genre: Crime, Drama
Actor: Andrés Parra, Irene Azuela, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Nailea Norvind, Paulina Gaitan, Silverio Palacios
Director: Ernesto Contreras,  Hiromi Kamata
Rating: TV-MA

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290. American Pain, 2022

From its title and premise, the hope for this kind of documentary would be for it to show some respect for the people who died from the Floridian opioid epidemic. At the very least, the film should dissuade people from the crimes documented here, by emphasizing the consequences of these actions. American Pain does not do this. It’s interesting to view how quickly the business gets out of hand for these unethical entrepreneurs – director Darren Foster reveals each development with enough style and flourish to be entertaining – but the film is clearly more fascinated with how the twins got away with drug dealing for so long. It’s a fun watch… if you forget people died from the events of this film.

Genre: Documentary

Director: Darren Foster

Rating: TV-MA

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291. A League of Their Own, 2022

Based on the 1992 classic of the same name, A League of Their Own tells the story of the Rockford Peaches—how the women’s baseball team came to be, who its eccentric members are, and what life was like in wartime America, especially for driven women with unconventional goals.

More than a remake, 2022's A League of Their Own actually updates the premise to be more conscious of sexuality and race, making it feel very modern and up-to-date despite its period setting. It’s a funny and enlightening show with some anachronistic tendencies here and there (expect non-1940s pop music to play), which might rebuff historical purists but will likely charm everyone else.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, History

Actor: Abbi Jacobson, Chanté Adams, D'Arcy Carden, Dale Dickey, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Kate Berlant, Kelly McCormack, Melanie Field, Molly Ephraim, Priscilla Delgado, Roberta Colindrez

Rating: Not Rated

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292. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, 2022

	
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is a parody of a parody, a multilayered confection of silliness that befits the musician it celebrates. It's the origin story of Weird Al Yankovic (Daniel Radcliffe) but with the surreal and satirical levels cranked up to a hundred. It's easy to get lost then, in the movie's freewheeling giddiness, but Radcliffe has a way of grounding the ultra-heightened comedy with his conviction and charm. The movie also doubles as a who's who in the 1980s music and comedy scene, and the unlikely pairings it brings together keep you entertained and nostalgic for a simpler, weirder time.Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Music
Actor: 'Weird Al' Yankovic, Akiva Schaffer, Andrew Steven Hernandez, Anthony N., Anthony Nanakornpanom, Arturo Castro, Chad Guerrero, Conan O'Brien, Constantine Rousouli, Daniel Radcliffe, David Bloom, David Dastmalchian, Dean Sharpe, Demetri Martin, Diedrich Bader, Dot-Marie Jones, Emo Philips, Eric Appel, Evan Rachel Wood, Gordon Tarpley, Jack Black, Jack Lancaster, James Brown III, James Preston Rogers, Jimmy Walker Jr., Johnny Pemberton, Jonah Ray, Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Jorma Taccone, Josh Groban, Julianne Nicholson, Julie Chang, Keanush Tafreshi, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Michael McKean, Mike Escamilla, Nina West, Paloma Esparza Rabinov, Panuvat Anthony Nanakornpanom, Patton Oswalt, Paul F. Tompkins, Paul Riley Fox, Quinta Brunson, Rainn Wilson, Richard Aaron Anderson, Rocky Abou-Sakher, Scott Aukerman, Seth Green, Spencer Treat Clark, Thomas Lennon, Toby Huss, Tommy O'Brien, Trenyce, Will Forte, William Guirola
Director: Eric Appel
Rating: TV-14

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293. Johnny, 2022

Johnny is a story you’ve heard of a thousand times, but what makes it particularly endearing is that it’s all true and based on the real-life Father Jan Kaczkowski, a priest who went out of his way to help others. Kaczkowski led an extraordinary life, and the film honors that not by putting him on a pedestal but by emphasizing his humanness and humanity. As the misunderstood thief who befriends Kaczkowski, Piotr Trojan turns in a believable and realized performance, solidifying the film's credibility.

Johnyy's premise is far from novel, but it is an effectively heartwarming film about forgiveness and second chances.

Genre: Drama, History

Actor: Anna Biernacik, Anna Dymna, Beata Bandurska, Beata Zygarlicka, Dawid Ogrodnik, Grażyna Bułka, Grzegorz Małecki, Hanna Klepacka, Iwona Sitkowska, Jakub Nosiadek, Jakub Sierenberg, Janusz R. Nowicki, Jerzy Nasierowski, Joachim Lamża, Jurek Owsiak, Katarzyna Anzorge, Katarzyna Z. Michalska, Konrad Beta, Kordian Rekowski, Łukasz Gajdzis, Maciej Kraszewski, Maciej Winkler, Magdalena Czerwińska, Maria Bednarska, Maria Pakulnis, Mariusz Bąkowski, Marta Stalmierska, Michał Kaleta, Mikołaj Osiński, Milena Lisiecka, Paweł Jusiński, Piotr Głuchowski, Piotr Łukaszczyk, Piotr Trojan, Ryszard Kluge, Witold Dębicki

Director: Daniel Jaroszek

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294. I Love That For You, 2022

If you've been following the bubbly personality that is Vanessa Bayer since her days in SNL, I Love That For You will come as a delight. It showcases the best of Bayer's abilities, which is to induce both hilarious cringe and endearing awe, and it features an ensemble that comes with its own strengths. Comic vet and fellow SNL alum Molly Shannon surprisingly delivers much of the show's emotional punch as she plays an aging host who longs to be seen as more than just the artificially happy persona she's required to be. Meanwhile, Jenifer Lewis plays the CEO whose no-nonsense girlbossness adds a much-needed comic acidity to the humor.

In a show that largely satirizes the oversized artifice and pomp of the sales and showbiz industry, it matters that the leads are weighty enough to ground us through their journey. That's thankfully the case in I Love That For You, which amuses and affects in equal measure.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Ayden Mayeri, Jenifer Lewis, Matt Rogers, Molly Shannon, Paul James, Vanessa Bayer

Rating: TV-MA

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295. Badhaai Do, 2022

	
Funny, sweet, and tropey, Badhaai Do is a unique Hindi dramedy about a lavender marriage. Gay policeman Shardul (Rajkummar Rao) and lesbian teacher Sumi (Bhumi Pednekar) agree to wed in order to satisfy their family’s wishes without exposing their sexual orientations. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop their family from other expectations, such as that of maintaining their marriage and having a child. After their immediate connection, Shardul and Sumi’s continuous bickering, through Rao and Pednekar’s chemistry, is hilarious, leading to elaborate lies about each other for their family. However, underneath their funny back-and-forth is an understanding between them that almost feels freeing. Their platonic partnership feels like a lifeline in an isolating closet. While India is portrayed here to have a thriving LGBTQ+ community, microaggressions, harassment, and legal discrimination are still present. Despite this, the film carves up moments where Shardul and Sumi actively seek connection, with each other and with other people, including their eventual lovers. The most touching of these moments come when they both allow themselves to be honest.Genre: Comedy, Drama
Actor: Apeksha Porwal, Bhumi Pednekar, Chum Darang, Gulshan Devaiah, Loveleen Mishra, Nitesh Pandey, Rajkummar Rao, Seema Pahwa, Shashi Bhushan, Sheeba Chaddha
Director: Harshavardhan Kulkarni
Rating: PG

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296. Tell Me Lies, 2024

	
Tell Me Lies is a soapy college drama, but it’s a soapy college drama done right. It’s steamy and realistic (apart from the fact that no one seems to really be studying), capturing that moment in your life when you start freely exploring your identity and sexuality. As in most melodramas, it’s the mess and the titular lies that make the series exciting to watch, but it ultimately doesn’t hold enough substance to keep you engaged beyond that. It’s spicy candy—hot and exciting when consumed, but it’s neither nourishing nor filling. No harm in taking a bite though.Genre: Drama
Actor: Alicia Crowder, Branden Cook, Catherine Missal, Grace Van Patten, Jackson White, Sonia Mena, Spencer House, Tom Ellis
Rating: TV-MA

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297. New Religion, 2022

Loss can be straightforwardly heartwrenching, but it could also be bewildering, cryptic, and too sudden to even process. New Religion depicts a grieving mother, whose loss of her daughter, and her meet up with an eccentric photographer, causes her to behave strangely. The film goes through the events in a surreal, existential haze, with a skin-crawling scene that reveals the photographer’s nefarious reasons, but the sequences remain inscrutable and the themes and certain characters don’t mesh as well as they could have. New Religion might befuddle viewers just looking for a casual watch, but it’s definitely a thought provoking and promising debut from Keishi Kondo.

Genre: Drama, Horror

Actor: Daiki Nunami, Kaho Seto, Ryuseigun Saionji, Satoshi Oka, Yuki Nagata

Director: Keishi Kondo

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298. Bruiser, 2022

As a story, Bruiser isn't the most tightly written thing in the world, with a somewhat long-winded first half and a conclusion that feels too easy given the complicated things we learn about each character. But at its core, it remains impressively perceptive about how men perform their masculinity as a game of aggression and dominance—even if they feel that they're simply trying to protect the children closest to them. Bruise takes on quite a bit of suspense for a drama, as tempers slowly boil over and everybody involved in this supposed battle over who claims authority over a teenage boy reveals themselves to be right and wrong in equal measure.

Genre: Drama

Actor: Frank Oakley III, Gavin Munn, Jalyn Hall, Jay Santiago, Jonah Bishop-Pirrone, Kiah Alexandria Clingman, Moses Jones, Sarah Bock, Shamier Anderson, Shinelle Azoroh, Trevante Rhodes

Director: Miles Warren

Rating: NR

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299. Tierra Incognita, 2023

Returning to your hometown can be an eerie thing, mostly because of the way plenty of things would feel familiar, but they’ve either stayed in stasis all these years, or they’ve changed so much. Tierra Incognita takes that eeriness and uses it to craft a mysterious vibe in the small town of Cabo Qwert, a town now best known in the series for its titular abandoned amusement park. It relies a tad bit on jump scares and family melodrama, and the theme park itself seems much more pristine than an abandoned park would look like, but Tierra Incognita would be an okay series for kids to enjoy.

Genre: Family, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Rating: TV-14

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300. See How They Run, 2022

Whodunnits are the cornerstone of murder mysteries, and their occasional resurgence is usually a reprieve from films with more complicated structures and twists. See How They Run gives the Agatha Christie mystery spoof a go, dissecting the cozy mystery conventions anew. With quirky British humor, solid acting, and good period-piece visuals, the familiarity and predictability culminate into an easy, well-paced watch. With no desire to reinvent the genre, the film seems to implore its audience to indulge in self-indulgence. Enjoy watching a piece of cinema for the sake of it.

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Actor: Adrien Brody, Angus Wright, Ania Marson, Charlie Cooper, David Oyelowo, Gregory Cox, Harris Dickinson, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Kieran Hodgson, Laura Morgan, Lucian Msamati, Maggie McCarthy, Oliver Jackson, Paul Chahidi, Pearl Chanda, Philip Desmeules, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Reece Shearsmith, Ruth Wilson, Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, Shirley Henderson, Sian Clifford, Tim Key, Tolu Ogunmefun

Director: Tom George

Rating: PG-13

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