Before the ball dropped on New Year's Day, over eight months ago, critics and audiences already had high expectations for the movies set to be released in the months to come. Many people slated this year to be one of the most exciting years for movie releases in recent memory. Now that the summer blockbuster season is over, and that a rather big chunk of the year's most anticipated films have been released, I couldn't help but realize that these past predictions came true.

2015 has seen a considerable number of box office hits as well as some truly incredible films that will hopefully stand the test of time. Leading this charge of big blockbusters was "Jurassic World," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," and "Furious 7." Each film garnered modest praise from critics and dominated box offices around the world, becoming not only the highest-grossing films of the year so far, but also some of the highest-grossing films of all time. Films that did not earn as much yet received critical acclaim include, "Inside Out," "The Gift," and "Mad Max: Fury Road."

However, it's not over yet, of course. Other films this year have yet to tackle those that have come before in terms of praise and box office earnings. But before I talk about what films to watch out for in the coming months, I would like to revisit my personal favorites from the year so far. Here are my Top 10 Films of 2015 as of Sept. 1:

10. "Avengers: Age of Ultron"

The eleventh entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is not as good as its predecessor, but it is just as fun. It boasts some wildly furious action sequences that even roller-coaster fanatics may find a little disorienting.

9. "Turbo Kid"

An undeniably fun movie to watch, especially if you are a child of the 80s. It is filled to the brim with gleefully bloody violence, pitch-perfect nostalgia from the decade that inspired it, and a remarkable sweetness provided by its two young leads.

8. "Creep"

Sometimes the simplest horror films are the scariest. Not only is it one of the most unnerving films of the genre in recent memory, but it is also a unique character study of someone who thinks and operates outside of social norms.

7. "Predestination"

Straight from Australia comes the most cleverly crafted time travel tale since Rian Johnson’s "Looper," packed with jaw-dropping twists, a touch of neo-noir flare, smart direction, and pretty solid performances.

6. "What We Do in the Shadows"

An unmissable feat in comedic filmmaking, uncommonly fun genre fare, and quite possibly the best horror comedy since "Shaun of the Dead."

5. "The Gift"

Eerie and scarily intelligent, this exceptional nail-biter is a home run for Joel Edgerton, who hits first, second and third base as actor, writer, and first-time director with impeccable skill.

4. "Love & Mercy"

Rather than paint its subject simply as a damaged genius, the film humanizes Brian Wilson a great deal and makes viewers feel like they’re sitting next to the musical legend, offering them the most unique window into the psyche of any biographical subject depicted on the screen.

3. "Ex Machina"

A film that is equal parts style and substance, a gem scarce to be found in the sci-fi genre. Its polished exterior is made more attractive by its brilliantly conceptualized interior, which is, in no small part, due to the successful efforts of writer and first-time director Alex Garland.

2. "Inside Out"

If you thought that Pixar was running out of ideas to keep both kids and parents entertained, you thought wrong. "Inside Out" feels like a loving hug from someone dearly missed; a hug that will make even the most cynical viewer laugh and cry like never before.

1. "Mad Max: Fury Road"

To say that it is simply awesome is a complete understatement. It succeeds not only as a rock-solid piece of entertainment, but also as an astounding work of art in every sense of the word.

Even though most of the big hits have already been released, the fall and winter seasons still pack some remarkable releases. Additionally, movie fans will surely be gearing up for another exciting Oscar season that will see the return of famous directors like Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, Oliver Stone, and Quentin Tarantino. It will also showcase the award-worthy talents of actors such as Johnny Depp, Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Lawrence, and Emily Blunt. During the holidays, fans will also flock to the nearest multiplex to witness the resurrection of a certain space fantasy series that has been regarded as a cultural phenomenon. If you can't guess what it is, then I feel sorry for you.

Below is a list of films not to be released until the end of the year, that will likely attract the attention of movie buffs and general audiences alike. Which ones will you see?

• "Black Mass" ... Sept. 18
• "The Green Inferno" ... Sept. 25
• "The Walk" ... Sept. 30
• "Sicario" ... Oct. 2
• "The Martian" ... Oct. 2
• "Pan" ... Oct. 9
• "Steve Jobs" ... Oct. 9
• "Crimson Peak" ... Oct. 16
• "Bridge of Spies" ... Oct. 16
• "Suffragette" ... Oct. 23
• "Spectre" ... Nov. 6
• "The Peanuts Movie" ... Nov. 6
• "Trumbo" ... Nov. 6
• "Carol" ... Nov. 20
• "The Good Dinosaur" ... Nov. 25
• "The Danish Girl" ... Nov. 27
• "Macbeth" ... Dec. 4
• " Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" ... Dec. 18
• "The Hateful Eight" ... Dec. 25
• "Joy" ... Dec. 25
• "Snowden" ... Dec. 25
• "The Revenant" ... Dec. 25