The American Film Institute’s annual unveiling of their top 10 movies of the year is as bland as you might expect. The two juries — which are a mix of critics, academics, and film professionals — were given the task of selecting the best American cinema had to offer the past year. The choices are safe, pedestrian and incalculably mainstream.
Has it been this bad of a year for American film? Where’s “The Last Duel,” “Red Rocket,” “The Card Counter,” “The Lost Daughter,” and “Passing”? I fear the Oscar nominees will be as dull and uninspiring as these choices. Give or take 1 or 2 omissions, these are likely our Best Picture nominees (“Belfast” didn’t qualify as it is not an American production).
Despite mediocre reviews, I’m still predicting “Don’t Look Up” in the #10 spot in the Best Picture lineup. “Nightmare Alley” could sneak up in there as well. “Tick Tick … Boom!” is also very well-loved within the industry, its DGA screenings have been playing great, I spoke to an Oscar voting producer last night who couldn’t stop raving about it.
AFI Movies of the Year
CODA
DON'T LOOK UP
DUNE
KING RICHARD
LICORICE PIZZA
NIGHTMARE ALLEY
THE POWER OF THE DOG
tick, tick... BOOM!
THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
WEST SIDE STORY
Last year, 7 of their choices ended up getting a Best Picture nomination:
DA 5 BLOODS
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
MANK
MINARI
NOMADLAND
ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI
SOUL
SOUND OF METAL
THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7
Here’s the teaser for Luca Guadagnino’s “Artificial,” which Neon has officially dated for a December 25, 2026 release. I’ve also posted some first look images below.