The 25 Best Movies Of 2016, And Where To Watch Them

It’s been a tough year for some of us, but its been a fantastic year for film. These incredible dramas, musicals, documentaries and sci-fi thrillers will help you forget this year’s struggles so you can look ahead. These are the best movies of 2016.

We scoured major critic reviews, popular critic best-of lists, Rotten Tomatoes’ top movies list and Metacritic scores to determine the year’s the most highly-rated films. We’ve also included films that have been released in the US but not yet made their debut in Australia, so this list has some films you can look forward to next year.

Here are the best of the best, in no particular order:

O.J.: Made In America

Where to watch: The series aired on SBS in Australia. The last three episodes are available on SBS On Demand, and the full series on WatchESPN.

The Handmaiden

Where to watch: Currently in select theatres. Will eventually be streaming exclusively on Amazon.

Cameraperson

Where to watch: Currently on a screenings tour in the US and unavailable to download.

American Honey

Where to watch: Currently in select theatres. Available for pre-order on iTunes.

Weiner

Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Quickflix, Google Play, iTunes, Dendy Direct and DVD.

The Witch

Where to watch: Streaming on Amazon Video (free for Prime members). Available for rent or purchase on iTunes, as well as on DVD and Blu-ray.

The Lobster

Where to watch: Streaming on Amazon Video (free for Prime members). Available for rent or purchase on iTunes and Google Play. It is also available on DVD and Blu-ray.

The Fits

Where to watch: Streaming on Amazon Video (free for Prime members). Available for rent or purchase on iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, and Google Play.

Kubo and the Two Strings

Where to watch: Available for rent or purchase on Google Play, iTunes and DVD and Blu-ray.

Hell or High Water

Where to watch: Currently in select cinemas. Available for rent or purchase on Amazon Video.

Sing Street

Where to watch: Available for rent or purchase on iTunes, Amazon Video, Dendy Direct and Google Play. Also available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Midnight Special

Where to watch: Available for rent or purchase on iTunes, Amazon Video, Dendy Direct and Google Play. Also available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Love & Friendship

Where to watch: Streaming on Amazon Video (free for Prime members). Available for rent or purchase on iTunes, Dendy Direct and Google Play. Also available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Little Men

Where to watch: Currently in select cinemas. Available for rent or purchase on Amazon Video.

Moonlight

Where to watch: Coming to Australian cinemas 26 January 2017.

La La Land

Where to watch: Currently in theatres.

Silence

Where to watch: Coming to Australian theatres 16 February 2017.

Jackie

Where to watch: Coming to Australian theatres 12 January 2017.

Manchester by the Sea

Where to watch: Coming to Australian theatres 2 February 2017.

Arrival

Where to watch: Currently in theatres.

Things to Come

Where to watch: Coming to Australian theatres in 2017.

Paterson

Where to watch: Currently in select theatres.

Elle

Where to watch: Currently in select theatres.

Moana

Where to watch: Currently in theatres.

Toni Erdmann

Where to watch: Coming to Australian cinemas 2 February 2017.

There were a lot of great movies this year. Just because they didn’t make this list doesn’t mean they aren’t worth seeing. Here are some runners up you should check out once you get through all of these: Fire at Sea, Aquarius, I Am Not Your Negro, 13th, Embrace of the Serpent, Kate Plays Christine, Hail, Caesar!, Sunset Song, Loving, Fences, The Invitation, 20th Century Women, Captain America: Civil War, Zootopia, The Jungle Book, Finding Dory, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Nice Guys, Tower, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, A Monster Calls and Deadpool. Hurry up and watch them all because a whole new year of great film is about to start.