Film Directors Pick Their Favorite Movies Of 2016

The Other Side

There are a bunch of "best of" movie lists released at the end of every year, but the ones I always find most fascinating are the lists put together by film directors.

Their insight and exposure to many obscure movies makes their picks a cut above the rest, and since TV shows are becoming more like movies every day their lists are starting to include their TV show picks too.

Green Room

Creator of the edgy and compelling TV series Mr. Robot Sam Esmail picked an even mix of movies and TV shows for his top 10 list:

"OJ: Made In America"

"Arrival"

"Horace and Pete"

"Black Mirror"

"Game Of Thrones"

"The Lobster"

"Atlanta"

"Manchester By The Sea"

"Green Room"

"Everybody Wants Some"

Julieta

Meanwhile Jonathan Demme (of The Silence of the Lambs fame) chose films with more personal storylines about people with complicated lives:

 “Moonlight”
“Julieta”
“La La Land”
“Loving”
“Krisha”
“Maggie’s Plan”
“13TH”
“Toni Erdmann”
“Christine”
“Gimme Danger”

Sausage Party

And comedian/film director Mike Birbiglia presented a list that seems to reflect his personality- part comedy, part touching drama, part documentary, all extremely enjoyable to watch:

11 faves (sorry, amazing year for movies, and there are a ton more I loved)

“Moonlight”
“Hell or High Water”
“Captain Fantastic”
“20th Century Women”
“Manchester by the Sea”
“Tickled”
“Weiner”
“Sausage Party”
“Where To Invade Next” (2015/16)
“Pop Star”
“Black Mirror” (S. 3 episode 4 “San Junipero”— I will fight people on this.)

Want to see many more movie lists hand picked by directors? Read 35 Directors Pick Their Favorite Movies and TV Shows of 2016 at IndieWire