Best Movies of 2012, Ranked

58 films, ranked on my own star ratings by Arwin Edward Bagaslao. Updated 2026-10-05.

A collection of the movies that shaped my 2012 viewing taste. The blockbusters that raised my pulse, the emotional hits that punched my heart, and the chaotic gems that somehow became comfort watches. From superhero highs to disaster family

1. 1
   Django Unchained (2012)

   ★★★★★

   From the opening moments, Quentin Tarantino’s cinema confidence is undeniable.

2. 2
   The Impossible (2012)

   ★★★★★
3. 3
   The Avengers (2012)

   ★★★★½
4. 4
   Argo (2012)

   ★★★★½

   What pulls me in most is the concept itself.

5. 5
   Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)

   ★★★★
6. 6
   Skyfall (2012)

   ★★★★

   Now this is a proper opening! Controlled and allowing the action to breathe, unlike the opening of Quantum of Solace with its super shaky camera movements and fast cuts.

7. 7
   The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

   ★★★★
8. 8
   The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

   ★★★★
9. 9
   Prometheus (2012)

   ★★★★
10. 10
    Taken 2 (2012)

    ★★★★
11. 11
    Battleship (2012)

    ★★★★
12. 12
    Rise of the Guardians (2012)

    ★★★★
13. 13
    Life of Pi (2012)

    ★★★★
14. 14
    The Bourne Legacy (2012)

    ★★★★
15. 15
    Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia (2012)

    ★★★★
16. 16
    Sherlock: The Reichenbach Fall (2012)

    ★★★★
17. 17
    My Cactus Heart (2012)

    ★★★
18. 18
    Chronicle (2012)

    ★★★½
19. 19
    The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

    ★★★½
20. 20
    The Hunger Games (2012)

    ★★★½
21. 21
    Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

    ★★★½
22. 22
    Wrath of the Titans (2012)

    ★★★½
23. 23
    Marvel One-Shot: Item 47 (2012)

    ★★★½
24. 24
    Chernobyl Diaries (2012)

    ★★★½
25. 25
    The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)

    ★★★½
26. 26
    The Dictator (2012)

    ★★★½
27. 27
    Grave Encounters 2 (2012)

    ★★★½
28. 28
    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

    ★★★½
29. 29
    Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)

    ★★★½
30. 30
    Jack Reacher (2012)

    ★★★½
31. 31
    Spring Breakers (2012)

    ★★★½
32. 32
    The Lucky One (2012)

    ★★★½
33. 33
    Silent Hill: Revelation 3D (2012)

    ★★★½
34. 34
    Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)

    ★★★½
35. 35
    Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)

    ★★★½
36. 36
    Project X (2012)

    ★★★
37. 37
    Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

    ★★★
38. 38
    Upside Down (2012)

    ★★★
39. 39
    Thunderstruck (2012)

    ★★★
40. 40
    ÜnOfficially Yours (2012)
41. 41
    Evolution of Bodybuilding (2012)

    ★★★

    Inspiring because it shows the passing of the torch between the bodybuilding champions I already know and idolize.

42. 42
    Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

    ★★½
43. 43
    The Master (2012)

    ★★½

    From the very first frame, the ocean waves churning behind a warship, symbolizes him being churned by a powerful force.

44. 44
    Les Misérables (2012)

    ★★½

    Forgot how great the cinematography is here.

45. 45
    Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako (2012)

    ★★½
46. 46
    Iron Sky (2012)

    ★★½
47. 47
    Cloud Atlas (2012)

    ★★½
48. 48
    Men in Black 3 (2012)

    ★★
49. 49
    The Expendables 2 (2012)

    ★★
50. 50
    Ted (2012)

    ★★
51. 51
    Brave (2012)

    ★★
52. 52
    Piranha 3DD (2012)

    ★★
53. 53
    The Vow (2012)

    ★★
54. 54
    21 Jump Street (2012)

    ★★

    Well, that’s one cool way to recite the Miranda rights.

55. 55
    El Presidente (2012)
56. 56
    Pitch Perfect (2012)

    ★½
57. 57
    Sherlock: The Hounds of Baskerville (2012)

    ★½
58. 58
    John Carter (2012)

    ★½