Top 10 Movies You Thought Would Suck in 2018

While John Carpenter’s 1978 film is an irrefutable classic, the “Halloween” franchise is kind of a mess. How messy is it? Well, the original continuity has been reset twice now! After so many convoluted missteps, few believed the 2018 installment could redeem the series. With director David Gordon Green behind the camera, though, horror cinephiles were treated to the follow-up they deserved 40 years later. Doing the original justice while also having its own distinct signature, this sequel produces stylish scares, self-aware comedy, and even genuinely effective character moments. Along the way, we get universally strong performances from Andi Matichak, Judy Greer, and Jamie Lee Curtis, reprising her iconic role as Laurie Strode.

Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively are two immensely gifted actresses, while Paul Feig has directed some of the past decade’s funniest movies. So, we weren’t exactly sure why these acclaimed A-listers signed up for “A Simple Favor,” which on the surface looked like a knockoff of “Gone Girl.” The answer is quite simple: it’s a much smarter and funnier movie than meets the eye. The previews built the film up as a psychological thriller and – to a certain extent – that’s what it is, delivering an absorbing mystery that consistently keeps us guessing. At the same time, the film maintains a wonderful sense of humor, having fun with the genre without totally diving into satire.

Just when it looked like this heist franchise had run its course, news broke that “Ocean’s 8” was in development with an all-female ensemble. Audiences feared this spin-off might go the same route as 2016’s “Ghostbusters,” which brought together several talented actresses, but gave them little to work with. Fortunately, “Ocean’s 8” turned out to be a thoroughly entertaining romp, largely thanks to the chemistry between the charismatic cast, with standout performances from Sandra Bullock and Anne Hathaway. The film admittedly could’ve raised the stakes higher, as it rarely feels like the characters are in serious jeopardy. That being said, we’re eager to see the series grow if it continues in this welcome direction.

“Solo” was shaping up to be one of 2018’s most anticipated films until directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were fired due in part to creative differences. Fans weren’t sure if replacement director Ron Howard could salvage the troubled production, and the mixed response to “The Last Jedi” only generated more skepticism. However, despite underperforming at the box office, critics and audiences generally agreed that the film was an overall good time, featuring admirable performances from Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo and Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian. While it’s not the most ambitious or even the most necessary “Star Wars Story,” the capable cast, spirited action, and inventive visuals ultimately outweigh the narrative’s shortcomings.

“Game Night” was directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, who previously worked on the screenplays for “Horrible Bosses” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” Alas, they also made their feature directorial debut with that abysmal “Vacation” reboot. Given their track record, this dark comedy could’ve gone either way, although we were inclined to believe it was game over from the get-go. To our surprise, “Game Night” was not only among the year’s most hilarious movies, but also one of the sharpest. The well-crafted story has one inspired twist after another, playing out like an epic game of “Clue.” Throw in a seasoned cast of performers and you have a comedy with a monopoly on laughter.

There was a time when Nicolas Cage was one of Hollywood’s most esteemed actors, even winning an Academy Award. His over-the-top acting eventually veered into self-parody territory, but even then, we were always on board for a classic Cage freak-out. In recent years, however, Cage has been mostly phoning it in, giving retrained performances in awful movies that don’t even fall into the “so bad, it’s good” category. Although we anticipated more of the same with “Mandy,” this gritty Sundance favorite was a return to form for Cage, who turned in his most magnetic and badass performance in eons. It’s also a major breakthrough for director Panos Cosmatos, who’s made an instant cult classic.

Another comedy that proved funnier than the previews suggested, “Blockers” looked like an “American Pie” retread, with the focus on teenage girls trying to lose their virginities rather than teenage boys. Much to our delight, however, audiences were treated to an often uproarious and even insightful film with meaningful themes. Leslie Mann, John Cena, and Ike Barinholtz are terrific as a trio of concerned parents who go to extreme lengths to prevent their daughters from going through with their pledge. Everyone walks away from the experience a wiser person, as the parents learn to let go and the kids all come to individual realizations about their own sexualities.

This remake of the 1937 classic appeared destined to crash and burn. Bradley Cooper has great range as an actor, but he had yet to prove his abilities as a director or singer. Lady Gaga has a few acting credits to her name, but most of her past roles have delved into sheer camp. On top of all that, we’ve seen this story retold multiple times now and it’s not like another had to exist. Against all the odds, though, this modern interpretation was an enthralling, heartbreaking, and beautifully acted masterstroke with one of the past decade’s most replayable soundtracks. Whether or not this goes down as the definitive version, award buzz is certainly circulating.

We’ve all heard the criticisms directed at “Teen Titans Go!”: its humor is immature, its lessons are negative for children, it’s inferior to the OG series, etc. When it was announced that the Cartoon Network show would receive a theatrical film, the haters were ready to rip it a new one. Who would’ve thought that “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies” would actually be a clever parody of the superhero genre? What’s especially refreshing is how the film unapologetically pokes fun at DC’s overly familiar tropes and even the company’s failures, most notably 2011’s “Green Lantern.” It might not be “Incredibles 2,” but it does strike just the right balance of smart, stupid, and silly.

Whether you loved or hated the original “Mamma Mia!,” the ship for a sequel had seemingly sailed a long time ago. Aside from being a decade late, this sequel downsized Meryl Streep from a leading lady to essentially a glorified cameo. Plus, musical sequels have a reputation for being notoriously bad, from “Funny Lady” to “Grease 2.” We really didn’t expect “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” to be the movie that broke the mold, but critics and audiences were charmed by the film’s upbeat cast, sincere story, and infectious use of ABBA’s greatest hits. Becoming a box office smash and earning even better reviews than its predecessor, we guess the winner takes it all.