Introduction: What Makes 2017’s Best Movies Endure
In an era of abundant streaming options, identifying the top 10 movies for 2017 helps readers anchor their viewing choices to a year defined by bold genre work, strong directorial voices, and memorable performances. This evergreen guide focuses on critical consensus, box office reach, awards impact, and lasting cultural relevance rather than week-of headlines. Unlike trend-driven lists, it emphasizes works that continue to be discovered, discussed, and rewatched across years.
The following ranking considers wide-release craft achievements and midseason discoveries that moved the medium forward. Where data is available and verifiable, we cite domestic and international box office, major award wins or nominations, and critical metrics such as aggregate scores to show why each film has remained prominent beyond its initial run.
Criteria and Method: How We Build an Evergreen Top 10
Critical Consensus and Long-Term Reception
Each title demonstrates sustained critical respect, appearing on year-end lists from authoritative outlets and maintaining strong aggregate scores on trusted platforms. We weigh major critics’ praise alongside broader audience appreciation to avoid overly niche selections that may limit usefulness.
Commercial and Cultural Footprint
Box office scale, awards success, and influence on subsequent projects or industry conversations are key indicators of a film’s enduring profile. A movie that performed strongly commercially often shaped industry decisions and viewer expectations for years beyond its opening.
Top 10 Movies of 2017: The Rankings
The following list balances critical acclaim, commercial impact, and ongoing cultural relevance. Each entry includes concise context, notable achievements, and reasons it remains highly useful to revisit.
| Rank | Title | Director | Box Office (Worldwide) | Key Awards Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Get Out | Jordan Peele | $255 million | Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay; 4 Oscar nominations |
| 2 | Dunkirk | Christopher Nolan | $527 million | 3 Academy Awards; 8 nominations including Best Picture |
| 3 | Lady Bird | Greta Gerwig | $79 million | 6 Oscar nominations; Golden Globe Best Actress |
| 4 | The Shape of Water | Guillermo del Toro | $195 million | 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Director |
| 5 | Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Rian Johnson | $1.33 billion | 1 Oscar; strong discourse on franchise direction |
| 6 | Wonder Woman | Patty Jenkins | $821 million | 3 Oscar nominations; cultural milestone |
| 7 | Logan | James Mangold | $619 million | Critical reevaluation of superhero genre; 2 Oscar nominations |
| 8 | Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | Martin McDonagh | $161 million | 2 Academy Awards; strong ensemble performances |
| 9 | Coco | Lee Unkrich | $807 million | 2 Academy Awards including Best Animated Feature |
| 10 | Blade Runner 2049 | Denis Villeneuve | $259 million | 2 Academy Awards; celebrated cinematography and design |
1) Get Out – A Genre Benchmark and Cultural Milestone
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut functions both as a sharp horror thriller and incisive social commentary, earning universal acclaim and over $250 million globally. Its win for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards signaled industry recognition for bold, Black-centered genre storytelling. The film remains essential viewing because its exploration of identity and agency continues to invite analysis and discussion, securing its place at the top of any enduring top 10 movies for 2017 list.
2) Dunkirk – Masterclass in Tense, Immersive Storytelling
Christopher Nolan’s World War II epic leveraged practical effects, IMAX visuals, and a tightly compressed timeline to create a visceral wartime experience. Earning $527 million worldwide and 3 competitive Oscars, it demonstrated how craftsmanship can elevate a historical event into a universally tense viewing experience. Its influence on large-format filmmaking and audience expectations for immersion keeps it central to any lasting evaluation of the year.
3) Lady Bird – The Defining Coming-of-Age Film of the Decade’s Midpoint
Greta Gerwig’s semi-autobiographical portrait of a mother-daughter relationship captured the complexity of adolescence with warmth and precision. With $79 million in box office and 6 Oscar nominations, it resonated widely for its specificity and emotional honesty. The film remains a go-to reference in conversations about authentic female storytelling and continues to shape expectations for character-driven independent cinema.
4) The Shape of Water – Fantasy, Romance, and Genre Synthesis
Guillermo del Toro’s fairy-tale-like thriller about a woman and a mysterious aquatic creature earned $195 million and 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. By blending romantic fantasy with political allegory, it offered a fresh template for outsider-centric narratives. Its thoughtful design, strong allegorical bite, and emotional core ensure its sustained relevance in genre discussions.
5) Star Wars: The Last Jedi – A Divisive but Influential Franchise Anchor
Rian Johnson’s continuation of the Skywalker saga grossed over $1.3 billion, reflecting the franchise’s immense global pull and guaranteeing lasting visibility. Though its narrative choices sparked debate, the film reshaped sequel-era storytelling approaches and remains a reference point for conversations about legacy, fandom, and creative risk in blockbuster franchises.
6) Wonder Woman – The Landmark Superhero Origin
Patty Jenkins’s superhero origin crossed $800 million globally and became a cultural touchstone for representation and aspirational heroism. Its blend of period action, sincere emotion, and clear moral stakes set a new baseline for large-scale female-led films. The combination of critical praise and commercial success keeps it among the most valuable entries in any enduring top 10 movies for 2017 overview.
7) Logan – Redefining Superhero Boundaries
James Mangold’s X-Men installment earned $619 million and critical reevaluation of what a comic-book-adjacent film could achieve. With its grounded stakes, emotional weight, and nuanced performances, it expanded audience expectations for genre tonality and continuity. Over time, Logan has solidified its reputation as a benchmark for character-first superhero storytelling.
8) Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Polarizing Craft and Performance
Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy-drama, featuring career-best work from Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell, and Woody Harrelson, grossed $161 million and won 2 Oscars. Its provocative script and moral complexity made it a frequent topic in cultural conversations, ensuring its durability as a case study in tonal ambition and ensemble direction.
9) Coco – Animation, Music, and Heritage
Pixar’s familial adventure celebrating Mexican traditions grossed $807 million and won 2 Academy Awards including Best Animated Feature. Its meticulous design, emotionally potent score, and respectful depiction of memory and community have made it a perennial favorite with audiences and educators alike. On any enduring list of the top 10 movies for 2017, Coco represents the year’s animation excellence and cross-cultural storytelling.
10) Blade Runner 2049 – Visual Poetry and Thematic Depth
Denis Villeneuve’s sequel delivered a patient, atmospheric meditation on memory and artificial life, supported by landmark cinematography and production design. Although it underperformed at the domestic box office initially, its home-viewing strength and design influence have grown over time. Its presence in a lasting top 10 list reflects how its artistic achievements continue to inform discussions about worldbuilding and science fiction cinema.
Comparative Snapshot at a Glance
Quick comparison of key metrics for the top 10 movies of 2017 can help viewers prioritize based on mood and interest.
| Film | Genre | Global Box Office | Oscar Wins | Primary Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get Out | Horror/Thriller | $255M | 1 | Social commentary + suspense |
| Dunkirk | War | $527M | 3 | Immersive tension + craft |
| Lady Bird | Drama | $79M | 0 | Authentic character study |
| The Shape of Water | Fantasy Romance | $195M | 4 | Poetic worldbuilding |
| Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Sci-Fi | $1.33B | 1 | Bold franchise disruption |
| Wonder Woman | Superhero | $821M | 0 | Hopeful heroism + scale |
| Logan | Superhero | $619M | 0 | Gritty emotional depth |
| Three Billboards | Dark Comedy | $161M | 2 | Provocative performances |
| Coco | Animation | $807M | 2 | Heartfelt music + heritage |
| Blade Runner 2049 | Sci-Fi | $259M | 2 | Atmospheric design |
Why These Choices Remain Useful Today
A durable top 10 movies for 2017 list reflects not just momentary popularity, but works that have changed how audiences think about genre, representation, and cinematic craft. Each film contributed new techniques, themes, or commercial precedents that continue to affect what gets made and how it is discussed. By focusing on lasting quality rather than short-run buzz, readers gain a reliable guide for deep re-engagement with a standout year in cinema.
Whether you are revisiting for personal enjoyment, academic research, or content planning, these titles offer a cross-section of storytelling ambition and technical mastery. Use this ranking as a foundation for exploration, discussion, and further discovery of the best cinema had to offer in 2017.