Earlier today. The American Film Institute announced their picks for the top ten films and television shows of 2022.  Over the past few years, the AFI has been one of the most reliable of the award precursors. 

Usually, there’s just one or two films on the AFI list that doesn’t make it into the Best Picture lineup.  This year, I would expect Nope to be replaced by The Banshees of Inisherin.  (Banshees, being an Irish film, was not eligible for the AFI list but it did receive a special award.)  I’m also not totally sold on The Woman King as a best picture contender, though I’m a bit less sure about which film replace it.  Glass Onion, maybe?  Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio?

Being included on the list is definitely good news for She Said, which was in danger of being forgotten after its disastrous box office performance.

Here are the lists:

AFI Movies of the Year
“Avatar: The Way of Water” (20th Century Studios)
“Elvis” (Warner Bros.)
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” (A24)
“The Fabelmans” (Universal Pictures)
“Nope” (Universal Pictures)
“She Said” (Universal Pictures)
“Tár” (Focus Features)
“Top Gun: Maverick” (Paramount Pictures)
“The Woman King” (Sony Pictures)
“Women Talking” (MGM/United Artists Releasing)

AFI Television Programs of the Year
“Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
“The Bear” (FX)
“Better Call Saul” (AMC)
“Hacks” (HBO Max)
“Mo” (Netflix)
“Pachinko” (Apple TV+)
“Reservation Dogs” (FX)
“Severance” (Apple TV+)
“Somebody Somewhere” (HBO)
“The White Lotus” (HBO)

AFI Special Award
“The Banshees of Inisherin” (Searchlight Pictures)