Fall is here, which means you should be outside enjoying cuffing season and taking Instagram-worthy photos of yourself picking apples. But good weather is no excuse for ignoring the siren call of pop culture, which brings us to the 12 best films of 2017—at least so far.
It
Release date: September 8
It isn't just a fun, scary movie. It's a really well-written film about friendship that will make you burst with nostalgia, just as much as it makes you scream in terror. And as some one who can barely make it through I Know What You Did Last Summer without flailing, I am here to tell you that It is a movie worth seeing whether or not horror is your favorite genre. Come for the murderous child-eating clown vibes, stay for the sweet Stand by Me vibes.
Blade Runner 2049
Release date: October 6
Depending on how snobby you are about the original Blade Runner, this movie is one of the most fun of the year. No, it's not going to be nominated for Oscars (other than maybe visual effects and Best Jacket EVER), but Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford are just the coolest.
Get Out
Release date: February 24
One of the most intriguing and viral indies of the year, Get Out is a must-see. The film is about an African-American man who goes to meet his white girlfriend's parents for the first time at their seemingly idyllic home in the suburbs—and though they seem welcoming, things soon take a turn for the creepy. A horror movie about race relations in modern-day America, the Jordan Peele-directed film will stay with you for a long time after watching it.
Atomic Blonde
Release date: July 28
Charlize Theron as an ass-kicking super spy during the Cold War? James McAvoy as her untrustworthy kinda-sorta-partner? Literally, yes. Theron completely kills it in this vibrant thriller—which is full of twists and contains what might be the best fight scene of all time (don't @ me, this scene alone makes the movie worth seeing).
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Release date: July 7
If your interests include superhero movies and Breakfast Club vibes, then please watch Spider-Man: Homecoming because you'll love it. Despite being the most overly-rebooted franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tom Holland's Spider-Man manages to be the best yet. Like, Tobey Maguire can go ahead and web to the left. (Though please note, the film's female characters could use a little work.)
Battle of the Sexes
Release date: September 22
This movie centers on the iconic tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, and is as much about battling sexism and misogyny as it is about sports. Once the rest of fall's big Oscar-bait films come out this one might get knocked off the list, but for now, it's one of the best biopics of the year.
Wonder Woman
Release date: June 2
Hi, Wonder Woman is the most iconic feminist movie of 2017, bye! (Side note: that's all you really need to know, but if you want a little more information: 1) Patty Jenkins has forever changed the depiction of female superhero characters thanks to this movie. 2) It slayed the box office. And 3) No, women don't need to be saved by men.)
Thor: Ragnarok
Release date: November 2
Yo, Thor is so fun! Marvel just keeps delivering on a franchise that could have so easily become tired and boring, and it's all thanks to great performances (god bless Tom Hiddleston) and the understanding that a good movie needs well-written parts for women. While Wonder Woman still holds the spot of "Best Superhero Film of the Year/of All Time," we're 100 percent here for Thor.
The Beguiled
Release date: June 23
Look, The Beguiled isn't without its issues: the film wrote its only black character right out of the script, and tells the story of a fleet of white women during the Civil War. It's deeply problematic. It's also very beautifully produced, designed, and directed—there's a reason Sofia Coppola took home an award at Cannes for this one.
Call Me By Your Name
Release date: November 24
Based on the novel of the same name, Call Me by Your Name is about a boy in his late teens who falls in love with a grad student that comes to stay with his family in Italy. It encapsulates what it feels like to be in love/obsessed, and is simply gorgeous. Plus, it's given rise to the Armie Hammer dancing meme, AKA the only meme that matters.
The Big Sick
Release date: June 23
Hello, and welcome to the most refreshing romantic comedy of the year. The Big Sick stars Kumail Nanjiani as a Pakistani comedian who falls for a white woman after she heckles him at his show. It's an extremely poignant movie for anyone who's in a mixed relationship and dealing with cultural differences—as well as a great film all around.
I, Tonya
Release date: December 8
We caught a screening of I, Tonya at Venice Film Festival and, as campy as it looks, it's actually pretty good. Like, this movie literally does the absolute most, and seems to embrace how utterly extra it is, so what's not to love?