Get ready to dim the lights, grab a bucket of buttery popcorn, and settle in for a cinematic ride down memory lane! The year was 2014, and Hollywood delivered some of the most epic, heartwarming, and jaw-dropping movies of the decade. From the sci-fi brilliance of Interstellar to the wickedly suspenseful Gone Girl, every flick on this list will have you on the edge of your seat. We laughed, we cried, and we cheered as we watched Selma make history, Boyhood grow up before our very eyes, and The Lego Movie put a hilarious spin on the beloved building blocks. So, sit back, relax, and prepare to be transported back to the must-see movies of 2014!
(Note: these 13 movies are in alphabetical order and not sorted in any ranking system – just 13 of the must watch movies from the year. Pro tip: 13 movies per year means 1 movie every 4 weeks to finish the entire guide in a year)
American Sniper
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner
Release Date: November 11, 2014
Bradley Cooper portrays Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in US military history, in this intense biopic that depicts the emotional toll of war.
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Starring: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Emma Stone
Release Date: October 17, 2014 (limited release); November 14, 2014 (wide release)
Michael Keaton stars as a former superhero actor seeking a career comeback through a Broadway play in this innovative film shot as if it were one continuous take.
Boyhood
Director: Richard Linklater
Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke
Release Date: July 11, 2014 (limited release); August 15, 2014 (wide release)
Filmed over 12 years, this groundbreaking coming-of-age drama follows Mason (Ellar Coltrane) as he grows up from childhood to adulthood.
Gone Girl
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry
Release Date: October 3, 2014
Based on Gillian Flynn’s bestselling novel, this thriller stars Ben Affleck as a man trying to clear his name after his wife (Rosamund Pike) goes missing.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Director: James Gunn
Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper
Release Date: August 1, 2014
A group of misfit characters, including a talking raccoon and a tree-like creature, team up to save the galaxy from a powerful villain in this humorous and action-packed Marvel film. Critics loved its irreverent tone and impressive visual effects.
Interstellar
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine
Release Date: November 7, 2014
Praised for its ambitious storytelling and stunning visuals, Matthew McConaughey leads a team through a wormhole to find a new planet for humanity in this epic sci-fi adventure.
Selma
Director: Ava DuVernay
Starring: David Oyelowo, Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo, Oprah Winfrey, Common
Release Date: December 25, 2014
This powerful historical drama chronicles the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo).
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Director: Wes Anderson
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Jude Law, Saoirse Ronan
Release Date: March 7, 2014 (limited release); March 28, 2014 (wide release)
Wes Anderson’s quirky comedy follows hotel concierge Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes) and his lobby boy Zero (Tony Revolori) as they navigate a fictional European country. Critics enjoyed the whimsical nature and quirkiness.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Julianne Moore
Release Date: November 21, 2014
Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) becomes the face of the rebellion against the Capitol in this darker and more politically-charged installment of the Hunger Games franchise. Critics found it a fitting build-up to the finale.
The Imitation Game
Director: Morten Tyldum
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Charles Dance
Release Date: November 28, 2014 (limited release); December 25, 2014 (wide release)
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Alan Turing, a genius mathematician who helped crack the Enigma code in World War II. Praised for its exploration of discrimination and Cumberbatch’s performance.
The Lego Movie
Director: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Starring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson
Release Date: February 7, 2014
This hilarious and imaginative animated film sees an ordinary Lego construction worker named Emmet (Chris Pratt) become the prophesized “Special” who can save the Lego universe from destruction. Critics praised the wit and creativity of the film.
The Theory of Everything
Director: James Marsh
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, David Thewlis, Simon McBurney
Release Date: November 7, 2014 (limited release); November 26, 2014 (wide release)
Eddie Redmayne won an Oscar for his portrayal of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking in this biopic. The film explores Hawking’s life and his relationship with wife Jane (Felicity Jones), and was praised for its emotional depth and performances.
Whiplash
Director: Damien Chazelle
Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist
Release Date: October 10, 2014 (limited release); October 24, 2014 (wide release)
Miles Teller stars as a driven drummer at a prestigious music school pushed to his limits by his abusive instructor (J.K. Simmons). This intense exploration of ambition and sacrifice was praised for its performances and atmosphere.
That’s All, Folks!
Well, folks, that’s it! We’ve made it through the must-watch movies of 2014. Hopefully, you’ve found some new flicks to add to your watchlist or have been reminded of some old favorites that you’ll be itching to re-watch. Whether you’re into action-packed adventures, heartwarming dramas, or mind-bending sci-fi, 2014 had something for everyone. So grab your popcorn, your favorite drink, and settle in for a movie marathon that will take you back to 2014, the year of cinematic awesomeness. And remember, the only thing better than watching a good movie is watching it with good company. Cheers!
Are there any movies that we missed? Are there any movies that you think should not be on the list? Let us know!
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