After two years where cinemagoing was severely hampered by the COVID pandemic, 2022 finally saw a proper return for big-screen entertainment – with a wide array of hit films released throughout the year from the blockbuster thrills of Top Gun: Maverick to the feverish charms of Baz Luhrmann's Elvis.

The good news for film fans – especially with the Christmas break approaching – is that plenty of the year's finest films are already available to enjoy with a subscription to some of the biggest streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus.

That includes both films that were released in UK cinemas right at the start of 2022 – such as Paul Thomas Anderson's Licorice Pizza – and others that have only just arrived on streaming platforms like Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio.

Meanwhile, some of those on our list seem destined to be major players during next year's awards seasons – with multiverse sci-fi Everything Everywhere All at Once in particular seen as a real contender when it comes to some of the big gongs.

Read on for our picks of 10 of the best from 2022 currently available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus...

Showing items 1 to 10 of 10

  • Licorice Pizza

    • Comedy
    • Romance
    • 2021
    • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • 128 mins
    • 15

    Summary:

    "Licorice Pizza" is the story of Alana Kane and Gary Valentine growing up, running around and falling in love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973. Written and Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film tracks the treacherous navigation of first love.

    Why watch Licorice Pizza?:

    The latest film from acclaimed auteur Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza was actually released in 2021 in the US but only made its way to UK cinemas on New Year's Day 2022. The freewheeling film charts the misadventures of teenager Gary Valentine (Cooper Hoffmann) and his older crush Alana Kane (Alana Haim) in the San Fernando Valley in 1973 – and features all manner of memorable set pieces, scenery-chewing supporting turns and perfectly chosen needle drops.

    How to watch
  • Barbarian

    • Horror
    • Drama
    • 2022
    • Zach Cregger
    • 102 mins
    • 18

    Summary:

    Arriving in Detroit for a job interview, a young woman books a rental home. But when she arrives late at night, she discovers that the house is double-booked, and a strange man is already staying there. Against her better judgement, she decides to spend the evening, but soon discovers that there's a lot more to fear than just an unexpected house guest.

    Why watch Barbarian?:

    The second feature from Zach Cregger, this cleverly constructed horror film follows a young woman who arrives at a Detroit rental home only to find it already occupied by a mysterious stranger – with things only getting more disastrous from there. A large part of the film's irresistible entertainment value comes from the unpredictable manner in which it unfolds, while Cregger proves himself equally adept at eking out tension from relatively mundane interactions as crafting more traditional horror scares.

    How to watch
  • Lady Chatterley's Lover

    • Drama
    • Romance
    • 2022
    • Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre
    • 125 mins
    • 15

    Summary:

    Unhappily married aristocrat Lady Chatterley begins a torrid affair - and falls deeply in love - with the gamekeeper on her husband's country estate.

    Why watch Lady Chatterley's Lover?:

    The latest remake of DH Lawrence's classic novel stars Emma Corrin and Jack O'Connell in the central roles – and proves to be a brilliant retelling of the familiar tale, with the chemistry between the two leads especially worthy of a mention. French filmmaker Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre directs with sensitivity, with the iconic dancing in the rain scene an undisputed highlight.

    How to watch
  • See How They Run

    • Comedy
    • Mystery
    • 2022
    • Tom George
    • 94 mins
    • 12A

    Summary:

    It's the greatest murder ever staged as plans for a movie version of a hit play are halted in 1950s London after a pivotal crew member is murdered. When a world-weary inspector and his eager rookie sidekick take the case, they enter the glamorously sordid theatre underground - investigating at their own peril.

    Why watch See How They Run?:

    A wickedly funny riff on the works of Agatha Christie that unfolds against the backdrop of 1950s London, this comedy whodunnit features a stellar cast including Saoirse Ronan, Sam Rockwell, and Adrien Brody. The film affectionately sends up the tropes of the genre while serving as a compelling and riotously entertaining murder mystery in its own right, with the script remaining sharp throughout and, crucially, including a final reveal that will leave audiences very satisfied.

    How to watch
  • Everything Everywhere All at Once

    • Comedy
    • Fantasy
    • 2022
    • Dan Kwan
    • 139 mins
    • 15

    Summary:

    A middle-aged Chinese immigrant is swept up into an insane adventure in which she alone can save existence by exploring other universes and connecting with the lives she could have led. Fantasy comedy, starring Michelle Yeoh

    Why watch Everything Everywhere All at Once?:

    One of the breakout hits of the year – and most likely a contender for awards next year – this mind-bending sci-fi comes courtesy of Swiss Army Man directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (known collectively as Daniels). An extremely ambitious, spectacularly original, and sometimes rather dizzying affair, the film follows events after seemingly ordinary middle-aged launderette owner Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh) is sent into the multiverse – where she learns some key lessons about herself while trying to save the world as we know it.

    How to watch
  • Benediction

    • Drama
    • History
    • 2021
    • Terence Davies
    • 137 mins
    • 12A

    Summary:

    Biographical drama following legendary poet Siegfried Sassoon's life-long quest for personal salvation through his experiences with family, war and his writing.

    Why watch Benediction?:

    This Siegfried Sassoon biopic from legendary British filmmaker Terence Davies, which premiered at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, is a beautiful but melancholy portrait of the wartime poet. It explores some of the obstacles he faced as a gay man in the first half of the 20th century, charting his marriage to Hester Gatty and eventual conversion to Catholicism, anchored by two absolutely superb performances from Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi, who play the poet at different stages of his life.

    How to watch
  • The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

    • Comedy
    • Drama
    • 2022
    • Tom Gormican
    • 107 mins
    • 15

    Summary:

    A fictionalised version of Nicolas Cage must accept a $1million offer to attend the birthday of dangerous super-fan Javi Gutierrez. Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Nick is recruited by CIA operative Vivian and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters to save himself and his loved ones. Comedy, starring Cage alongside Pedro Pascal, Tiffany Haddish and Neil Patrick Harris

    Why watch The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent?:

    Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage has for a long time had something of a cult following – and that is the premise of this wacky film which sees the star play a fictional version of himself when he is caught between a superfan (Pedro Pascal) and a CIA agent (Tiffany Haddish). The film sees Cage forced to channel several of his most iconic characters and is a must-watch for any Cage fanatic.

    How to watch
  • Prey

    • Fantasy
    • Thriller
    • 2022
    • Dan Trachtenberg
    • 100 mins
    • 15

    Summary:

    In 1719 on the Northern Great Plains, Comanche tracker Naru undertakes a rite of passage to slay a ferocious predator. During a fierce tussle with a mountain lion, Naru glimpses strange lights in the treeline: a warning that a highly evolved, otherworldly creature with cloaking technology and explosive armaments is at large on the plains.

    Why watch Prey?:

    The latest film in the long-running Predator franchise – and arguably the best since the original – this innovative prequel pits the vicious extra-terrestrial against a skilled warrior in the Comanche nation in 1719. By adopting a rather refreshing back-to-basics approach that does away with convoluted plot contrivances in favour of a simple, pared-down narrative, the film overwhelmingly succeeds – and Amber Midthunder is a standout in the lead role.

    How to watch
  • Flee

    • Documentary and factual
    • News and current affairs
    • 2021
    • Jonas Poher Rasmussen
    • 90 mins
    • 15

    Summary:

    'Flee' tells the extraordinary true story of a man, Amin, whose being on the verge of marriage compelled him to reveal his hidden past - for the first time.

    Why watch Flee?:

    This animated documentary follows the story of Amin Nawabi, an alias for a real individual who fled his country, evading war, imprisonment and death. It includes a mixture of animated segments and archival footage to create a truly unique feel, while exploring the refugee experience in a form that truly hasn't been seen on screen before.

    How to watch
  • Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

    • Fantasy
    • Drama
    • 2022
    • Guillermo del Toro
    • 116 mins
    • PG

    Summary:

    Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro reinvents the classic story of a wooden puppet brought to life in this stunning stop-motion musical tale.

    Why watch Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio?:

    Mexican auteur Guillermo del Toro brings his distinctive style to this wondrous stop-motion adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s iconic fable – ingeniously transposing the story to Benito Mussolini’s fascist Italy in the 1930s and exploring grief, war, and the very nature of what it means to be human. Del Toro has spoken at length about Pinocchio’s influence on his life and career, and this intricately designed film has the feel of a real passion project.

    How to watch
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