Another incredible year for film has passed by. Box office records were smashed, then smashed even further. Practical effects made a massive comeback, franchises were continued, brought back, driven into the ground, (looking at you, Fantastic Four) and Marvel Studios somehow made Ant-Man kind of good. Now that it’s all over, I'm taking the time to reflect on the year in film, and here are my Top 10 favorite movies of 2015.

Disclaimer: These aren't necessarily the highest quality films with the best acting, cinematography, etc. Instead, I chose the films that thoroughly entertained me most this year.

Honorable Mentions: Although I do my best, I haven't seen every movie this year. There are definitely phenomenal films I missed out on. Therefore, here are my honorable mentions for films that I hope to see soon.

The Big Short

Room

Bridge of Spies

Steve Jobs

Now, onto the list.

10. Creed

When I first heard there was going to be a Rocky franchise, I rolled my eyes. Hollywood has seemingly become obsessed with revitalizing older successful films to make a quick buck, and I was expecting this to just be a phoned in reboot. Instead, I was absolutely blown away by this film. Its the most inspirational film of the year, and much like the young Creed himself, sets out to make its own name without relying too much on Rocky. Michael B. Jordan (Fruitvale Station) was great as a young, up-and-coming boxer, and Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) delivers a spectacular performance that is well deserving of his Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This is the epitome of a perfect movie reboot.

9. Sicario

After seeing director Denis Villeneuve's gripping film Prisoners in 2013, I kept him on my radar. He doesn't disappoint at all with this disturbing look into the ongoing fight between the law and cartels on the Mexican border. Both an incredible soundtrack and great cinematography from Roger Deakins create a feeling of danger and tension that kept me on the edge of my seat until the final credits.

8. Kingsman: The Secret Service

Never have I had more fun with a spy movie. Kingsman is funny, smart, action-packed, but most of all, it didn't take itself too seriously. Spy movies these days have become bland and repetitive, yet director Mathew Vaughn (Kickass) instead focuses on the fun of being a secret agent. Cool gadgets, sharp suits, over the top violence, and an eccentric villain played by the legendary Samuel Jackson (Pulp Fiction) make this one of the most exciting films of the year.

7. Inside Out

After faltering a bit with Cars 2 and Brave, Pixar Studios is back with their intelligent delve into the human mind. Not only does it have all the aspects of a great Pixar film, like the humor for both adults and kids and expansive creativity, but it manages to touch on all emotions and accurately depict a personification of the brain. No film has ever gone this deep into human emotion, and Pixar absolutely nailed it.

6. Spotlight

Being from Boston, a film centered around the famed Boston Globe newspaper grabbed my attention from its announcement. The subject matter of child molestation in the Catholic Church was difficult to get through, but it's a vital topic that I think everyone needs to witness. The investigation into this scandal by the Spotlight team of the Globe is riveting, and each and every piece of evidence they uncover heightens the dramatic tension throughout the film.

5. The Revenant

Without a doubt the most beautiful film of 2015, this all-naturally shot story blew me away from the opening. Director Alejandro González Iñárritu (Birdman) uses the harsh frontier landscape almost as another antagonist in the film, as the freezing cold and dangers of this land are constantly pushing against Leonardo DiCaprio. (The Wolf of Wall Street) Overall, it's a gripping film that proves Iñárritu is no one-hit-wonder.

4. The Hateful 8

I'm a huge Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained) fan, and this bloody western did not disappoint. The dialogue was sharp, the characters were memorable, and the violence was massively over the top. The fact that the movie is also a mystery like Clue is a cool twist, since the audience is compiling clues along with the characters on screen. It's definitely not his best, but it's an enjoyable film that was able to keep me entertained through its three-hour run-time.

3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Here's an example of a movie that was by far not the highest quality of the year, but it was just so damn fun to watch and brought the magic that Star Wars brings back in a major way. Seeing this on screen on opening night was an incredible experience, as each and every person in the theater couldn't contain their excitement for the newest installment in this space saga. It was action-packed, heartfelt, hilarious, but most importantly, nostalgic. After seeing The Force Awakens, I'm even more eager to see what Disney has to offer in their upcoming Star Wars films.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road

In 2013, Gravity gave me an experience I've never had at the movies. This year, Mad Max: Fury Road blew that experience out of the water with a high-octane thrill ride that shatters all other car chases in film. The whole movie may be one giant car chase in the desert, but the incredible action, practical effects, and overall chaos of this movie amazed me from the start to the end. I've never seen creative action scenes quite like this, and after hearing that director George Miller has two more movies planned, I'll be waiting impatiently for the next outing into this desolate wasteland.

1. Ex Machina

There are just too many positives to talk about when I discuss Ex Machina. One would be amazing performances by the small cast of Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Domhnall Gleeson (The Revenant), and newcomer Alicia Vikander. (The Danish Girl). Another is the tension and unease created by the film's haunting score and creepy cinematography. What I want to focus on most though is how this is director Alex Garland's directorial debut. He also wrote the screenplay, so if this is what he has to offer for his first outing, I can see him being a big name in the future. Above all these aspects, this is my favorite film of the year because I still haven't stopped thinking about it since seeing it a few weeks ago, and I don't think I'll be forgetting it's dramatic ending anytime soon.