Fans of broad comedy will have to wait another year as the best-reviewed movies of the genre for 2022 picked up on more social cues (Fire Island, Emergency), delivered their jokes with dark aplomb (The Banshees of Inisherin), or took the form of industry satires (Official Competition, The Good Boss). Naturally, Nicolas Cage was there to bring on the weirdness with The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.
The order reflects Tomatometer scores (as of December 31, 2022) after adjustment from our ranking formula, which compensates for variation in the number of reviews when comparing movies or TV shows.
#1
Adjusted Score: 108301%
Critics Consensus: Featuring some of Martin McDonagh’s finest work and a pair of outstanding lead performances, The Banshees of Inisherin is a finely crafted feel-bad treat.
#2
Adjusted Score: 101722%
Critics Consensus: A sweet swan song for director Roger Michell, The Duke offers a well-acted and engaging dramatization of an entertainingly improbable true story.
#3
Adjusted Score: 100781%
Critics Consensus: Sexual awakening stories aren’t in short supply, but Good Luck to You, Leo Grande proves you can still tell one with a refreshing — and very funny — spin.
#4
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: Its premise may resonate most with hardcore film fans, but Official Competition‘s tight focus and sharp humor have a universal appeal.
#5
Adjusted Score: 98243%
Critics Consensus: Smart, funny, and wildly creative, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent presents Nicolas Cage in peak gonzo form — and he’s matched by Pedro Pascal’s scene-stealing performance.
#6
Adjusted Score: 97454%
Critics Consensus: Brought to life by a tremendously talented cast, the breezily entertaining Fire Island proves there are still fresh ways to update Austen.
#7
Adjusted Score: 97085%
Critics Consensus: Taking the form of a classic college comedy while adding some socially relevant function, Emergency is as smart and disturbing as it is hilarious.
#8
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: Led by Javier Bardem’s charismatic performance and writer-director Fernando León de Aranoa’s sharp humor, The Good Boss is a workplace satire worthy of promotion.
#9
Adjusted Score: 93093%
Critics Consensus: Rounded out by a pair of satisfying performances, Dinner in America is a coming-of-age rom-com with infectious punk rock energy.
#10
Adjusted Score: 92048%
Critics Consensus: Bringing a beloved book brilliantly to life, Catherine Called Birdy proves a well-told coming-of-age story can feel fresh regardless of the period setting.