12 2019 Movies You Have To Watch
- Catarina Esteves
- Dec 30, 2019
- 8 min read
2019 was a great year for movie releases, having several spanning from live action movies to animation, and from horror to dramas. However, there were some movies that stood out to viewers and critics this year more than others; impacting the outcome of franchises, leaving viewers speechless, boosting actors' careers, and putting a new spin on classics. So, whats a better way to wrap up 2019 than watching some of the best movies released throughout these past 12 months? Here are The Giant Press team's top picks for 2019 movies you have to watch!
1. Avengers Endgame
Credits To Marvel Studios
This superhero film, released on April 26th of this year, marks the end of the Avengers franchise for the Marvel cinematic universe. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, this movie tells the events following the franchise's last movie, Infinity War, and brings an end to the fight against the super-villain Thanos. The story illustrates the aftermath of Thanos' actions on Earth twenty-three days later, having the remaining Avengers reunite to rescue their friends and the people of Earth who were wiped away by Thanos' Infinity Gauntlet. This film has wild twists and turns, all ultimately leading to the final showdown with the main villain, and certainly left fans speechless at the outcome of the Avengers series. Making 2.789 billion dollars at the box office and being such a terrific end to this beloved franchise, this movie is definitely worth watching.
Additional Information:
- 94% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 90% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 13+
- 3 hours and 2 minutes of runtime
2. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
Credits To Steve Chorney
This comedy-drama film set in 1969 (starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie) follows the story of an actor and his stunt double looking for work in the film industry. Being the 9th movie produced by director Quentin Tarantino, the story puts a spin on the Tate murders (of actress Sharon Tate and four other people by followers of a cult led by Charles Manson) and the Hollywood film industry during the 1960s. With the inclusion of Los Angeles and 1960s culture, the movie provides several storylines into the characters' lives, which all intertwine at the end. Having this movie be another of Tarantino's works, with amazing cinematography and storytelling, its a project worth checking out.
Additional Information:
- 85% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 70% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 17+
- 2 hours and 40 minutes of runtime
3. Us
Credits To Universal Pictures
Written and directed by Jordan Peele, Us is a thrilling horror story illustrating the attack of the Wilson family by a group of doppelgangers. Following the life of young Adelaide Wilson as she discovers something shocking while on vacation in Santa Cruz, to her life as an adult woman still having terrible memories of the encounter, the story takes us through a terrifying chase and need for survival by Adelaide's family. With an amazing turn of events further on into the movie, and the reveal of the true nature and purpose of the doppelgangers, this film is truly a masterpiece to watch.
Additional Information:
- 93% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 59% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 16+
- 2 hours and 1 minute of runtime
4. Marriage Story
Credits To Netflix
This domestic/comedy-drama film, starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, follows the story of a married couple going through a harsh divorce. Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, the movie shows the characters' experience when going through this tough period, illustrating their grieving, anger, denial, and eventual moving on. Having strong themes and putting characters in conditions which alter their personalities, making them cruel and immoral, the story is definitely something to reflect on. However, there are still bits of humor in the film and a certain atmosphere of anticipation due to there not being a clear villain or person to root for. The creative nature of this movie is certainly something admirable, making it even better to watch.
Additional Information:
- 95% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 83% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 16+
- 2 hours and 17 minutes of runtime
5. Midsommar
Credits To B-Reel Films and Square Peg
Midsommar is a folk horror movie following the story of a group of friends traveling to Sweden to witness a rare festival, later on finding themselves stuck in a pagan cult. Directed by Ari Aster, the story follows the unfortunate events experienced by the character Dani Ardor after the death of her sister and parents. After the traumatic event, the character travels with her boyfriend and his friends to Sweden, where they witness the events of a traditional midsommar celebration which turns towards cultish practices, and the main character is put under intense stress. With an amazing twist at the end, this movie is truly an unsettling experience to watch and is quite different from most horror movies released this year.
Additional Information:
- 83% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 63% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 17+
- 2 hours and 18 minutes of runtime
6. The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Credits To
This drama film directed and produced by Joe Talbot follows the story of an African-American man trying to reclaim the house which his grandfather built in the heart of San Francisco. Focusing on the city itself and its culture, especially when it comes to the population (talking about black San Franciscans, artists, people seen as odd, and the city's decaying architecture), this movie illustrates the quickly changing metropolis and world we live in. Described as a deeply moving narrative, the movie was said to be, like its characters, "prone to meandering" by The Guardian news network. The concept for the film is surely unique and captivating when we think of taking an idea this simple and creating a narrative based on it, hence making it an interesting watch.
Additional Information:
- 93% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 84% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 13+
- 2 hours and 1 minute of runtime
7. Rocketman
Credits To Rocket Pictures
This biographical musical drama tells the life story of the musician Elton John along with his experiences in the music industry and personal life. Directed by Dexter Fletcher, the artists' journey is explained from a young age, tackling his relationship with his family and music (starting to play piano and even joining a music academy for it). His adventure in making music, as well as how he achieved fame, are all present in the story, along with topics of friendship and the effect of the musical industry on artists. Other more mature topics such as drug use, mental health, sexuality, and topics of friendship and betrayal provide a moving narrative which is sure to leave the audience on the edge of their seat. Having several of the musicians greatest hits throughout the film, the feeling of nostalgia is brought to all viewers, especially fans. With Taron Egerton as Elton John, the movie is a true cinematic masterpiece.
Additional Information:
- 89% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 88% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 15+
- 2 hours and 2 minutes of runtime
8. Booksmart
Credits To Annapurna Pictures and Gloria Sanchez Productions
This coming-of-age comedy film tells the story of two high-school seniors, Amy and Molly, who are considered to be too studious by their peers. The story follows them trying to be free-spirited after finding out that their classmates also got into pristine colleges despite having barely studied throughout high-school. Trying to enjoy the last 4 years of school all in one night, they search for the celebration party their classmates are throwing so they can prove they're also cool. Directed by Olivia Wilde, topics of friendship, preparing for the future, coming of age, sexuality, relationships, and making decisions are all discussed in a fun way throughout the film. If you are a high-school student, this is unquestionably a fun movie worth watching.
Additional Information:
- 97% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 77% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 16+
- 1 hour and 45 minutes of runtime
9. Little Women
Credits To Sony Pictures Entertainment
Little Women (2019) is a coming-of-age period drama film based on the Little Women novel by Louisa May Alcott. Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, the movie stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, and Meryl Streep. The movie tells the story of the March sisters, jumping between timelines from the family's complications during the Civil War to the sisters' present states. All of the girls' stories reflect the complications of being a woman during the time, weather it was pursuing a career, marriage, relationships, and their place in society. Gerwig provides several modern twists to this classic, making it even more impactful for our current perspective on the subjects dealt with in the narrative. Emotionally driven and beautifully written, this version of this timeless classic is more than perfect for our modern perspective and most definitely worth checking out.
Additional Information:
- 95% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 93% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 10+
- 2 hours and 15 minutes of runtime
10. IT: Chapter Two
Credits To New Line Cinema
IT: Chapter Two is a supernatural horror film following the first movie of the series, IT (2017). Directed by Andy Muschietti, the story follows the reunion of the first movie's characters 27 years later to end Pennywise the Dancing Clown once and for all after news of his appearance once again in Derry, Maine. The characters are put in their worst conditions yet, suffering from extreme stress and trauma since their last encounter with Pennywise when they were younger. Haunted by these memories, a new dynamic is brought to the group and darker themes begin to appear in the movie. Truly, this movie is a thrilling and satisfying sequel to the first even when, arguably, not having a perfectly happy ending.
Additional Information:
- 63% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 78% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 15+
- 2 hours and 50 minutes of runtime
11. JOKER
Credits To Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Films
JOKER (2019) is a psychologic thriller directed and produced by Todd Phillips. Based on the DC Comics, this movie provides a backstory for the classic villain The Joker. Set in 1981, we follow the story of the failed stand-up comedian Arthur Fleck as he becomes gradually insane due to his rough childhood trauma and the wealthy people of Gotham City (by whom he gets repeatedly degraded), finally breaking apart the town with riots and chaos. With incredible twists regarding the character's origins, his relationship with his future rival Batman, and complex explanations as to the character's behaviour, Joker is a masterpiece of a movie (especially having the context of the character's significance to the rest of the DC cinematic universe). This classic spin on a modern classic character is incredibly enjoyable and exciting to watch, hence making it one of our top recommendations.
Additional Information:
- 69% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 88% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 16+
- 2 hours and 2 minutes of runtime
12. The King
Credits To Netflix
This historical drama tells the story of King Henry V of England (known as Hal throughout the movie) and his biggest conquest during his short rule. Directed by David Michôd, the story shows Henry V's rise to the throne after the death of his father (King Henry IV) and brother. Determined to be unlike his father, Hal swears to create peace in England after the aftermath of a battle in Wales which took his younger brother's life, a war which his father did little to stop or prevent. Shortly after the start of his rule, he receives threats from France, even having an assassin sent by the french king breach the palace walls. After being advised to wage war against the neighbouring kingdom of France, Hal reluctantly does and begins his quest to conquer the nation. Starring Timothée Chalamet as Henry V, the story brings to the light this english king and his enormous, and at some times unbelievable, achievement. Dealing with topics of control, betrayal, relationships, and the effects of power on people, the film certainly has an surprising twist at the end which brings these lessons to the viewers' attention. Enjoyable to watch and reflect on, this movie is certainly worth checking out.
Additional Information:
- 70% Rotten Tomatoes Score and 84% Audience Score
- Age Rating: 15+
- 2 hours and 20 minutes of runtime
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