Best Films of 2016

Two artists entering full bloom—Maren Ade (with our first non-American #1 since 2012’s Holy Motors) and Barry Jenkins—topped our annual survey, next to a redoubtable team-up of Paul Verhoeven and Isabelle Huppert. Dramas of psychological realism thrived alongside varieties of nonfiction experience, Grand Guignol, surrealism, and visionary history, all with Hollywood conspicuously absent. The poll, conducted among the magazine’s contributors and editorial staff, is divided into 1) films that received U.S. theatrical runs and 2) those viewed in 2016 but having no announced plans for U.S. theatrical distribution. For each ballot, a first-place choice was allotted 20 points, 19 for second, and so on. We will also be conducting our annual Readers’ Poll. Vote now and win new prizes! How to enter: Send your ranked list of the year’s 20 best films (plus any comments) with your name, address, and phone number, to [email protected]; or mail them to Film Comment Readers’ Poll, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023. Deadline: February 5, 2017. This year’s outstanding prizes include Criterion Collection DVDs, access to the FilmStruck streaming service, or a membership at your local art-house theater, where available!

Toni Erdmann