There are a handful of TV shows and movies that have topped the charts and been fan favorites for people all around the world. Here are some of the best TV shows and movies of 2022.

Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick is the sequel to one of the highest-grossing movies, Top Gun, which came out in 1986. Tom Cruise has all the eyes on him once again as he does daredevil stunts and reunites with his old friend, Iceman (Val Kilmer). The sequel has garnered $718.7 million in the United States and Canada, and has grossed $770 million in other territories including Korea, Japan and the United Kingdom. The patriotic movie shows Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Glen Powell and others flying around the San Diego base. The romance between Maverick and Peggy and the ensuing drama from the late Goose’s son Rooster makes this out to be a movie that hits all the right elements. The box office sales speak for themselves, and this movie has rocked 2022 all around.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Another sequel on this list, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever made more than three times its budget, turning the box office upside down. The PG-13 movie had a budget of $250 million, and its box office sales hovered around $842.2 million. The action-fantasy movie got several Oscar nominations, including Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Best Visual Effects. After the passing of Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed the character of King T’Challa, part two sees Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku and Okoye trying to protect their nation. The power-packed soundtrack featuring Rihanna, E-40 and a handful of other formidable artists, plus the amazing cinematography and cast, make this a movie worth remembering for future generations.

Nope

Jordan Peele’s newest movie Nope became an edge-of-the-seat watch for all his fans. The comedian-turned-director has taken an even deeper dive into the world of horror and science fiction. Nope stars Daniel Kaluuya, who earned fame from his role in Peele’s directorial debut Get Out. The movie also stars singer and actress Keke Palmer in a leading role as well as Walking Dead star Steven Yeun. Nope doubled its budget at the box office by earning $171.4 million from its budget of $68 million. Jordan Peele’s style of comedy sketches from his former hit show Key & Peele, as he allows his actors to perform and takes into account their differences on the big screen. “The movie overall is very bright and it seems like an organized musical,” senior Veda Vinod said. As all Peele movies do, Nope also serves a hidden meaning behind the plot and leaves the audience star-struck. The chemistry between Kaluuya and Peele seems to go a long way, and that is what makes this movie so great.

Elvis

Baz Luhrmann, director of Romeo & Juliet and The Great Gatsby, gifted the audience with the biopic of Elvis Presley, covering his life story leading up to his unfortunate death. Austin Butler, who plays Elvis, has done a fantastic job impersonating Presley and his voice sounds like an exact carbon copy of the King of Rock and Roll. The movie does a fantastic job showing Elvis Presley’s life before he got famous and all the struggles from the audience and media he had to go through on a daily basis. Olivia DeJonge plays Presley’s love interest, and the movie does an amazing job showing their love story through the years. A much lesser-known fact about Presley’s life is shown in the movie, as his manager Colonel Tom Parker goes to dangerous lengths to profit off of Elvis. Overall, this movie was a full entertainer and was loved by audiences.

Avatar: The Way of Water

The hit director James Cameron released the sequel of his science fiction drama movie Avatar. The movie garnered $2.179 billion off a $250 million budget, and it stars Titanic star Kate Winslet once again as Ronal. The plot is sophisticated and the animation, as well as the production, is done very well. “The drama throughout the movie really adds an element of suspense,” senior Mimi Do said. There is superb action throughout the movie, and the superhero look from the characters puts the icing on the cake for this story. Jake Sully and Neytiri, played by Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana respectively, need to explore regions outside Pandora. However, the 192-minute film sees the Avatars fight against the human race after an ancient threat resurfaces.

The White Lotus

The first TV show on the list, The White Lotus features a star-studded cast who go to a resort that gets increasingly disturbing on a daily basis. The show has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress as well as Outstanding Supporting Actor. The show features Best In Show actress Jennifer Coolidge, Baywatch star Alexandra Daddario, Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney, Parks and Recreation star Aubrey Plaza as well as other actors and actresses that have made a name for themself. “I enjoy how the show is different in the plot, cinematography, etc…,” senior Kamalesh Sadu said. The show also takes a dangerous risk by experimenting with political satire, but the intense acting has put it in a special place in the hearts of many.

Abbott Elementary

The comedy sitcom that has turned the world upside down, Abbott Elementary has been loved by fans for a long time. The story shows several teachers trying to survive in an underfunded elementary school in north Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It also shows recognition of mental illnesses that aren’t usually portrayed in shows, as one of the teachers, Gregory Eddie (Tyler James Williams), has autism. The show has gotten a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, putting it at the top of not just the 2022 list, but also the all-time list. The show’s funny dialogues and slapstick comedy has made it a simple watch for fans of all ages, and its mockumentary screenplay has differentiated it from other shows. While the show’s main goal is to show comedy, it also gives insight and a message about the life of teachers and school districts. The show tackles the problem of how districts don’t have enough resources to educate the future of America. The combination of the message and amazing comedy put this show at the top of the list for the best shows of 2022.

House of the Dragon

The House of the Dragon is supposed to be set 200 years before Game of Thrones, making it the prequel to the hit series. The series tells the story of the Targaryen kingdom’s civil war with King Viserys I’s children battling for the throne. The show features a very talented cast who portray drama, fantasy, action and other genres all while showing emotion. House of the Dragon has received a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. The production and cinematography are done very well, and the computer-generated imagery (CGI) makes this show a hit among fans. There is a lot of excitement surrounding House of the Dragon, and this past season did not disappoint.

Andor

Andor is a story about a rebel spy, Cassian Andor, years before the rebellion. The show is supposed to be a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which is in an era burdened with danger, deception and intrigue. Andor features thrilling lightsaber wars and duels in the galactic universe. The story is very complex and is intended for more mature viewers who enjoy dark dialogue and action. Since this is a prequel to the famous Star Wars series, many fans are on the edge of their seats for the upcoming seasons of this plot-heavy show. There is a lot of very well-done CGI and effects, and the show has excited millions around the world.

Better Call Saul

The spin-off of Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul sees Bob Odenkirk in the main role portraying lawyer Saul Goodman. Goodman’s real name is Jimmy McGill, who defends low-income clients. The show takes place years before McGill changed his name to Saul Goodman and defends the most dangerous criminal in all of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The ace attorney battles against many legal problems that Walter White, the chemistry teacher turned drug dealer, faces. Overall, this show provides the whole spectrum of emotions and the intelligence of Saul Goodman shines throughout the series.