In what is becoming an annual tradition since 2021 (2011, 2012, and 2013), Solzy at the Movies is revisiting the rankings for the Best Films of 2014.

I have to admit that I didn’t do as many 2014 rewatches during 2013. Because of Chanukah falling in late December, I didn’t watch as many films in the evening as I usually do during this time of year. But beyond this, a number of films were rewatched well before their 10th anniversary because of my being in the mood for a rewatch. One of those films includes a movie that I really love but because of a certain actor, I am not rewatching it anytime soon and that’s a shame. When I first published my list at the start of 2015, I had not had an opportunity to watch Whiplash, Selma, or a number of films that did not receive a wide release until after the new year. It’s only because of this that some films not originally in my 2014 rankings are now in my rankings.

One film did not make my original rankings in 2014 because of the subject going on a year-end rant. He later apologized for his comments. Other films did not make it into my initial rankings despite having award-worthy performances. Unfortunately, library transfers can take some time and as such, I did not get around to rewatching The Judge. It is extremely helpful when films are also on a streaming service, meaning that I have better access and do not have to wait. I did rewatch both Noah and Exodus: Gods and Kings but neither were going to make it into the revised rankings. After rewatching last week, A Million Ways to Die in the West barely makes it into the top 20.

I keep my docs and narratives separate but Life Itself remains my best documentary of 2014.

The Best Films of 2014

1. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2. Whiplash
3. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
4. Begin Again
5. Nightcrawler
6. Guardians of the Galaxy
7. The Lego Movie
8. Interstellar
9. X-Men: Days of Future Past
10. Selma
11. Boyhood
12. The Grand Budapest Hotel
13. Gone Girl
14. Edge of Tomorrow
15. The Imitation Game
16. Chef
17. Neighbors
18. They Came Together
19. Unbroken
20. A Million Ways to Die in the West

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