The year of 2016 is almost over.

From politics to sports, and technology to theater, many milestones or historic importance were reached.

And along the way, there have been some substantially memorable films too.

So many, in fact, that it is easy to let the better gems slide through the cracks.

Our critics David Crow and Don Kayehave already written theirTop10 lists, but here is the broader view.

Less about preference and ranking, below is a celebration for some of the best cinema had to offer.

Listed alphabetically, they represent the better side of the year that was.

But the more Norquist or private prison lobbyists howl, the more potent the documentary becomes.

They instead challenge our understandings of communication by trying to connect both intellectually and emotionally with unknowable aliens.

Watch Arrival on Amazon.

Marvel does it again.

Watch Captain America: Civil War on Amazon.

Especially when he attempts to use his kids to disrupt their mothers unwanted Christian funeral.

Its impossible to resist.

Watch Captain Fantastic on Amazon.

This is a timeless and razor-tongued depiction of the most awkward moment in everyones life.

And once that sibling starts dating Nadines only friend, the division and sweet-natured cynicism turns nuclear.

Watch The Edge of Seventeen on Amazon.

Still, Troy isnt even trusted to drive the truck.

Watch Fences on Amazon.

Hacksaw Ridge

Hacksaw Ridgeis a curious film since, technically speaking, it has no third act.

Or perhaps more precisely, it is missing a middle.

Much has been made both about the violence of the picturewhich is extremeand the religiosity of Desmond Doss.

Watch Hacksaw Ridge on Amazon.

Watch Hell or High Water on Amazon.

Watch Hunt for Wilderpeople on Amazon.

Dave Johns is flawless in the title role.

This horrifying paradox is because of bureaucratic indifference and laziness.

Watch I, Daniel Blake on Amazon.

Jackie

The antithesis of a typical biographic film,Jackieis a stunning achievement in storytelling and performance.

Where does genuine mourning begin and when does the compulsion for legacy-building end?

Watch Jackie on Amazon.

And for good reason.

However, the overall effect of the picture is singularly modern.

So yes, this is easily the best movie of 2016.

Watch La La Land on Amazon.

Thankfully, Whit Stillman has absolutely none of that.

And die many will on the end of her ruthlessly smiling pleasantries.

Watch Love & Friendship for Free on Amazon.

Watch Manchester by the Sea on Amazon.

Thus enterMoana, a princess movie without an actual princess or love interest.

And she is voiced with winning charm by the 15-year-old AuliI Cravalho.

Trust us, after one viewing, youll have Youre Welcome stuck in your head for days.

More miraculous still is the fact that you wont mind either.

Watch Moana on Amazon.

Watch Moonlight on Amazon.

Watch The Nice Guys on Amazon.

Nocturnal Animals

Something of a filmic matryoshka doll,Nocturnal Animalslayers its story-within-a-story to sublime results.

It is also a showcase for some gnarly supporting character work by Michael Shannon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Watch Nocturnal Animals on Amazon.

Star Mark Wahlberg is good too, but his fictionalized police officer becomes increasingly superfluous toward the finish.

Watch Patriots Day on Amazon.

But now in 2016, they finally made an actual film in the Star Wars universe.

While not flawless,Rogue Onepowers through its first act to an impressive middle and downright stunning finale.

It also finally redeems Darth Vader after the infamous prequel films.

For that alone, it earns a spot on this list.

Watch Rogue One on Amazon.

Silence

Martin Scorsese has spent 30 years trying to adapt Shusaku EndosSilenceto the screen.

There is something fascinating about the long, patiently meditative quality toSilence.

As a result, the picture is open to interpretation.

Its a challenging film, but quite rewarding for those who wish to meet it on Scorseses terms.

Watch Silence on Amazon.

And the effect is infectious until the admittedly too-sappy by half denouement.

Watch Sing Street on Amazon.

Hence why its a masterpiece of horror and pressure-cooker tension.

Still, deep down, you know none of these characters are getting to Heaven.

Watch The Witch on Amazon.

Watch Zootopia on Amazon.

*An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Fences was Denzel Washingtons first directorial effort.