Depending on who you ask, 2016 was either a terrible year for motion pictures or an astonishingly good 366 days for film lovers. The discrepancy may have something to do with how many movies you actually watched over the course of the year. If you only went out to the theater to see the big blockbusters you may have been pretty disappointed. But if you went searching for the rich and powerful independent features, you were probably destined to find something incredible.
But what were the best movies of 2016? Our illustrious film critic William Bibbiani already published his long and detailed list , but you don’t have all the time in the world, so here are the top five in the latest rapid-rife installment of Rapid Reviews ! It’s the best movies of 2016 in just 6o short seconds, so you can find out which films will blow your mind as quickly as possible.
And hey, come back next week, when Rapid Reviews presents the five WORST films of 2016. That one’s going to sting!
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William Bibbiani (everyone calls him ‘Bibbs’) is Crave’s film content editor and critic. You can hear him every week on The B-Movies Podcast and Canceled Too Soon , and watch him on the weekly YouTube series Most Craved , Rapid Reviews and What the Flick . Follow his rantings on Twitter at @WilliamBibbiani .
Previously on Rapid Reviews:
Top Photo: A24
Rapid Reviews
Rapid Reviews | What Were The Best Movies of 2016?
Film critic William Bibbiani guides you through the best movies of the year in just 60 seconds.
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Photo: A24
Rapid Reviews | 'Passengers'
It only LOOKS like a romantic adventure in space. Find out what went wrong in just sixty seconds.
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Photo: Lionsgate
Rapid Reviews | 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'
The latest installment in the saga is a cool action movie but not much else. Is that so bad?
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Photo: LucasFilm
Rapid Reviews | 'La La Land'
Everyone's raving about Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone's new musical. Find out how good it REALLY is in 60 seconds!
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Photo: Lionsgate
Rapid Reviews | 'Jackie'
Natalie Portman is fantastic as a First Lady whose experiences after her husband's assassination are uniquely harrowing.
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Photo: Fox Searchlight
Rapid Reviews | 'A Monster Calls'
It's not just a fantasy movie, it's an insightful and confrontational film about how everybody deals with grief.
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Photo: Focus Features
Rapid Reviews | 'Moana'
Disney's latest is from the directors of 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Aladdin.' Find out if it's as good as those classics!
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Photo: Disney
Rapid Reviews | 'Arrival'
The new sci-fi drama presents challenging new ideas in a familiar storyline. Is that enough to make it great?
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Photo: Paramount
Rapid Reviews | 'Doctor Strange'
Is Marvel's new superhero movie really all that magical? Find out in just sixty seconds!
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Photo: Marvel Studios
Rapid Reviews | 'Loving'
Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga star in an Oscar contender that doesn't feel like melodramatic Oscar bait.
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Photo: Focus Features
Rapid Reviews | 'Ouija: Origin of Evil'
It's the only big horror movie coming out this Halloween, but is it worth your time? Find out in just 60 seconds!
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Photo: Universal Pictures
Rapid Reviews | 'Christine'
Find out why this emotionally devastating drama is one of the best movies of the year, in just sixty seconds.
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Photo: The Orchard
Rapid Reviews | 'The Handmaiden'
From the director of Oldboy and Stoker comes a costume drama that isn't what it seems. Learn all about it in :60 seconds!
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Photo: CJ Entertainment
Rapid Reviews | 'Snowden'
Does Snowden deserve an icy reception? Find out in just 60 seconds on Rapid Reviews!
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Photo: Open Road Films
Rapid Reviews | 'The Magnificent Seven'
Is the new remake of The Magnificent Seven as good as the old remake of The Magnificent Seven? Find out in 60 seconds!
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Photo: Columbia Pictures
Rapid Reviews | 'Blair Witch'
Does Blair Witch have any of that old magic? Find out in just :60 seconds on Rapid Reviews!
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Photo: Lionsgate
Rapid Reviews | 'Yoga Hosers'
Kevin Smith is back with another canuxploitation horror comedy. But is Yoga Hosers better or worse than Tusk?
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Photo: Invincible Pictures
Rapid Reviews | 'Don't Breathe'
Will this new thriller take your breath away? Find out in just sixty seconds on an all-new episode of Rapid Reviews!
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Photo: Screen Gems
Rapid Reviews | 'Sausage Party'
Is this R-rated comedy about sausages one of the wurst comedies of the year, or is it a wiener?
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Photo: Columbia Pictures
Rapid Reviews | 'Pete's Dragon' Sing-Along
Film critic William Bibbiani leads you in a musical review of the latest Disney remake.
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Photo: Disney
Rapid Reviews | 'Jason Bourne'
Jason Bourne is back, but is Jason Bourne any good? Find out in just sixty seconds!
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Photo: Universal Pictures
Rapid Reviews | 'Ghostbusters' (2016)
Is the new Ghostbusters a worthy addition to the beloved franchise? Find out in just :60 seconds!
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Photo: Columbia Pictures
Rapid Reviews | 'The Secret Life of Pets'
Is this new animated comedy the cat's meow, or is it for the dogs? Learn everything you need to know in just :60 seconds!
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Photo: Universal Pictures
Rapid Reviews | 'The BFG'
Is Steven Spielberg's new film worth seeing because of the farts, or in spite of them? Find out in just :60 seconds!
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Photo: Walt Disney
Rapid Reviews | The Neon Demon
It's one of the most talked about movies of the year, but is it worth your time? Find out in just sixty seconds!
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Photo: Amazon Studios / Broad Green Pictures
Rapid Reviews | Finding Dory
Is the latest Pixar sequel another Toy Story 2 , or is it (uh-oh) another Cars 2? Find out in just :60 seconds!
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Photo: Disney / Pixar
Rapid Reviews | Now You See Me 2
Should you see Now You See Me 2? Find out everything you need to know in just :60 seconds!
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Photo: Lionsgate
Rapid Reviews | Warcraft
Is it the best video game movie ever? Would that even be a compliment? Find out in just :60 seconds!
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Photo: Universal Pictures
Rapid Reviews | Alice Through The Looking Glass
The new Alice movie will drive you mad as a hatter, but do we mean that in a good way or a bad way? Find out in :60 seconds...
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Photo: Walt Disney
Rapid Reviews | X-Men: Apocalypse
Is X-Men: Apocalypse a big hit or a big disappointment? It's everything you need to know in just 60 seconds!
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Photo: 20th Century Fox
Rapid Reviews | Money Monster
It's got George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Jodie Foster, but is it really worth your money? Find out in just :60 seconds!
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Photo: TriStar Pictures
Rapid Reviews | Every Marvel Movie
Are Marvel's movies really as good as they say? We give them all a serious critique, and in just sixty seconds!
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Photo: Marvel Studios
Rapid Reviews | Keanu
Find out if Key and Peele and a cute little kitty cat are worth your time and money.
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Photo: Warner Bros.
Rapid Reviews | Captain America: Civil War
Is Captain America: Civil War worth fighting for?
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Photo: Marvel Studios
Rapid Reviews | The Jungle Book
We've stripped this ambitious Walt Disney remake to its bare necessities.
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Photo: Walt Disney
Rapid Reviews | Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-ray
Now that the hype has finally died down, is the new Star Wars actually any good?
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Photo: Walt Disney
Rapid Reviews | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Is Batman v Superman a crowd-pleasing blockbuster or a world-class misfire?
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Photo: Warner Bros.