CrosswalkMovies.com's Top 10 Films of 2015
- Editorial Staff & Film Critics Crosswalk.com
- 2016 28 Jan

So, the Academy didn't nominate our runaway Number One movie for Best Picture. Nor our Nos. 4, 5, 7 or 10 for that matter.
That's okay. A list compiled by a panel of eight believers should look a little different.
Speaking of different, 2015 for us stood in contrast to the past few years in one rather notable way. There were just not as many secular films with faith themes to really enthrall us, at least not in the way that Calvary (2014), Philomena (2013), Les Miz (2012), The Tree of Life (2011), Prisoners (2013), Of Gods and Men (2011) and Selma (2014) did, and it showed when we each had to hammer something into the category of "Best Film with a Faith Theme" for our personal picks below.
But the other side of that coin is the fact that CrosswalkMovies.com reviewed 17 'Christian' faith-based films in 2015, more than ever before. And we were very pleased to give more than half of these movies a positive review. Progress, y'all!
So what else defined 2015 at the multiplex?
High-quality action movies, for one. Consider how Jurassic World, the second-highest-grossing movie of the year and a real fan-favorite, couldn't even roar its way into our nominees for "Best Action Flick." If you were after thrills and chases with pretty decent stories in 2015, you had your pick: Mad Max: Fury Road, Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Avengers: Age of Ultron, Everest, Ant-Man, Furious 7, The Transporter Refueled, the aforementioned dinosaur movie... even a little flick called Star Wars, all received positive reviews at CrosswalkMovies.com.
And speaking of Star Wars VII, Disney movies yet again conquered the cinema. We saw not just one, but two, Disney-Pixar releases (Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur) for the first time ever. There were also two Disney-Marvel movies (Age of Ultron and Ant-Man) and a lively Disneynature pic called Monkey Kingdom. Disney studios additionally gave us such treats as McFarland, USA, Cinderella, and Bridge of Spies. Of course, with so many Disney films being released, at least one was bound to be a dud. We're looking at you, Tomorrowland.
But here's the bottom line: every film on our list below resonated in some way with what the eight of us, as Christians, notice when we encounter a work of art that has something to say. We invite you, however, before seeing any film we recommend, to visit our full review (just click on the title or the image) for a list of cautions and objectionable content. And so, without further ado, our editorial staff and film critics proudly present CROSSWALKMOVIES.COM'S TOP FILMS OF 2015...
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10 CREED
From our review: "It's surprisingly good. When I say 'surprisingly good,' I don't even mean 'surprisingly good for a sports movie.' ...Creed rises above well-worn conventions and not only pays homage to the original with plenty of knowing winks and nudges but raises the bar with a solid storyline, memorable performances and yes, even a little existential food for thought. ...It may even be the best Rocky movie since Rocky." ~Christa Banister
9 THE MARTIAN
From our review: "During the scenes where the film focuses on Watney and his ingenious methods for survival, it's interesting and even surprising.... [But] as the finale drags on, little moments... begin to add up, keeping the film from being the home run it could have been were it not spread so thin." ~Christian Hamaker
See also: The Martian Video Review
8 BROOKLYN
From our review: "It is in the small and relatable moments that Brooklyn shines and most tugs on our heartstrings... Ellis is a heroine both practical and spirited... Ronan carries the role with heart and honesty... and is supported by excellent performances from the rest of the cast... She takes us on a journey through the leaf-framed streets of Brooklyn... and her story reminds us how hard it is to straddle both freedom and family." ~Debbie Holloway
7 MR. HOLMES
From our review: "Director Bill Condon has created a thoughtful, beautiful film that investigates one of the biggest mysteries of all: what connects humans to each other… McKellen is, of course, brilliant. The best actors are the ones you can see thinking. As Holmes, we not only see him thinking, but stuck between thoughts trying to remember how… The film highlights the aging process, but the overriding theme is loneliness... And yet, there's an undercurrent of rebirth..." ~Susan Ellingburg
6 MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
From our review: "Serves as an examination of what happens when humanity loses its femininity and is reduced to barbaric carnal savagery... Max says early on, 'As the world fell, each of us in our own way was broken,' and we feel the tragedy of that in these performances. Max, Furiosa, and these women may be seeking redemption for themselves, but by extension they seek it also for the feminine half of humanity itself." ~Jeffrey Huston
See also: Why Mad Max: Fury Road Isn't Just an Action Movie
5 CINDERELLA
From our review: "There's plenty of magic left in that trademark glass slipper, including inspired direction from Kenneth Branagh, an underlying message about the importance of kindness, and striking visuals where every detail is lovingly and elaborately crafted… Watching is nothing short of enchanting. Cinderella is as sweet as buttercream frosting but an enjoyable diversion where princesses are more than pretty and boy-crazy." ~Christa Banister
See Also: Cinderella Video Review
4 STAR WARS VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS
From our review: "After the excitement and energy of the first act, this film develops an emotional core that involves some measure of regret and even, you might say, spiritual struggle... These elements evoke much of what gave the earlier films emotional heft, and culminate in a moment that may just equal the great 'I am your father' encounter from The Empire Strikes Back." ~Christian Hamaker
See also:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Video Review
5 Christian Messages Found in Star Wars
Death Stars and Déjà Vu: Hollywood is Out of Ideas
3 ROOM
From our review: "There's a reason why Room won the Audience Award at the 2015 Toronto Film Festival, a prize generally reserved for feel-good Oscar contenders... It's an inspiring account of human resilience, will and sacrifice in the face of a devastating ordeal, anchored by an unforgettable performance from Brie Larson... Sure, it's an exhausting and draining [journey], but it's too emotionally profound to be missed." ~Jeffrey Huston
2 SPOTLIGHT
From our review: "It does confront the corruption of a religious institution (with the aid of a governmental one), but it never extends that confrontation to make an indictment on the nature of Christianity, its beliefs, people of faith, or Roman Catholic dogma. Spotlight is neither anti-Catholic nor anti-Christian. It has no secular axe to grind. It's simply anti-corruption, and seeks justice for the abused." ~Jeffrey Huston
1 INSIDE OUT
From our review: "[The] adventures take [us] deep into Riley's memory, a world so imaginative the only thing we can do is sit back and enjoy the ride—including one on a literal train of thought. Take some tissues along... Inside Out teaches a good lesson on the importance of acknowledging all emotions, even the not-so-fun ones… To an adult, Inside Out is almost painfully funny… Bonus: we learn the answer to the age-old question of where those annoying songs that stick in your head come from." ~Susan Ellingburg
See also:
Inside Out Video Review
Inside Out Can Help Parents Avoid This Big Mistake
Why We Can't Stop Talking about Inside Out
What Christians Should Learn about Sadness from Inside Out
The Gospel According to Pixar
What are Your Top 5 Pixar Movies?
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OUR PAST WINNERS
2014: 1 - Selma; 2 - Calvary; 3 - The Grand Budapest Hotel
2013: 1 - 12 Years a Slave; 2 - Gravity; 3 - Frozen
2012: 1 - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; 2 - Lincoln; 3 - Les Misérables
2011: 1 - Hugo; 2 - The Help; 3 - Moneyball
2010: 1 - Inception; 2 - True Grit; 3 - The King's Speech
2009: 1 - Fantastic Mr. Fox; 2 - Up; 3 - Star Trek
2008: 1 - Wall-E; 2 - The Dark Knight; 3 - Slumdog Millionaire
2007: 1 - Ratatouille; 2 - Amazing Grace; 3 - The Bourne Ultimatum
2006: 1 - The Pursuit of Happyness; 2 - The Nativity Story; 3 - United 93 / World Trade Center
2005: 1 - Cinderella Man; 2 - Because of Winn-Dixie; 3 - Batman Begins
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CRITIC'S CHOICE
We also asked each of our panelists to name his or her selections for the various categories below. Each person's "Honorable Mention" is a film that was highly-rated on his or her personal list which didn't end up making it into the overall Crosswalk Top 10.
CHRISTA BANISTER, Film Critic
Best Animated Film - Inside Out
Best Family Film - Cinderella
Best Date Movie - The Intern
Best Action Flick - Avengers: Age of Ultron
Best Film with a Faith Theme - Love & Mercy
Best Faith-Based Film (i.e. 'Christian Movie') - Do You Believe?
Favorite Male Performance - Joseph Gordon-Levitt, The Walk
Favorite Female Performance - Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
Most Disappointing - Spectre
Most Pleasant Surprise - The Walk
I Laughed - Spy
I Cried - Room
RYAN DUNCAN, Culture Editor
Best Animated Film - Inside Out
Best Family Film - Cinderella
Best Date Movie - Inside Out
Best Action Flick - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Best Film with a Faith Theme - The Drop Box
Best Faith-Based Film (i.e. 'Christian Movie') - Pass the Light
Favorite Male Performance - Jacob Tremblay, Room
Favorite Female Performance - Brie Larson, Room
Most Disappointing - The Good Dinosaur
Most Pleasant Surprise - Yellow Day
I Laughed - Spy
I Cried - Spotlight
SUSAN ELLINGBURG, Film Critic
Best Animated Film - Inside Out
Best Family Film - McFarland, USA
Best Date Movie - The Walk
Best Action Flick - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Best Film with a Faith Theme - The Walk
Best Faith-Based Film (i.e. 'Christian Movie') - War Room
Favorite Male Performance - Ian McKellen, Mr. Holmes
Favorite Female Performance - Laura Linney, Mr. Holmes
Most Disappointing - Sisters
Most Pleasant Surprise - The Transporter Refueled
I Laughed - Inside Out
I Cried - Black or White
CHRISTIAN HAMAKER, Film Critic
Best Animated Film - Shaun the Sheep
Best Family Film - Paddington
Best Date Movie - Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation
Best Action Flick - Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Film with a Faith Theme - The Revenant
Best Faith-Based Film (i.e. 'Christian Movie') - Do You Believe?
Favorite Male Performance - Oscar Isaac, Ex Machina
Favorite Female Performance - Daisy Ridley, Star Wars
Most Disappointing - Terminator Genisys
Most Pleasant Surprise - Paddington
I Laughed - Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
I Cried - Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
DEBBIE HOLLOWAY, Film Critic
Best Animated Film - Inside Out
Best Family Film - Inside Out
Best Date Movie - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Best Action Flick - Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Film with a Faith Theme - Spotlight
Best Faith-Based Film (i.e. 'Christian Movie') - The Drop Box
Favorite Male Performance - Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Favorite Female Performance - Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn
Most Disappointing - Pan
Most Pleasant Surprise - Paddington
I Laughed - Inside Out
I Cried - Brooklyn
JEFFREY HUSTON, Film Critic
Best Animated Film - Inside Out
Best Family Film - The Peanuts Movie
Best Date Movie - Brooklyn
Best Action Flick - Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation
Best Film with a Faith Theme - The Martian
Best Faith-Based Film (i.e. 'Christian Movie') - The Letters
Favorite Male Performance - Harrison Ford, Star Wars
Favorite Female Performance - Brie Larson, Room
Most Disappointing - Tomorrowland
Most Pleasant Surprise - Joy
I Laughed - The Intern
I Cried - Room
SHAWN McEVOY, Managing Editor
Best Animated Film - Inside Out
Best Family Film - Paddington
Best Date Movie - The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Best Action Flick - Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Film with a Faith Theme - Room
Best Faith-Based Film (i.e. 'Christian Movie') - Woodlawn
Favorite Male Performance - Ian McKellen, Mr. Holmes
Favorite Female Performance - Daisy Ridley, Star Wars
Most Disappointing - Tomorrowland
Most Pleasant Surprise - Other than Creed? A Walk in the Woods
I Laughed - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
I Cried - Inside Out
STEPHEN McGARVEY, Editor-in-Chief
Best Animated Film - Inside Out
Best Family Film - Inside Out
Best Date Movie - The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Best Action Flick - Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Film with a Faith Theme - Captive
Best Faith-Based Film (i.e. 'Christian Movie') - Captive
Favorite Male Performance - Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
Favorite Female Performance - Brie Larson, Room
Most Disappointing - Tomorrowland
Most Pleasant Surprise - Cinderella
I Laughed - The Big Short
I Cried - Inside Out
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OUR MOST-READ REVIEWS OF 2015 (the films you the audience wanted to know about most)
12. Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens, by Christian Hamaker
11. Beyond the Mask, by Debbie Holloway
10. 90 Minutes in Heaven, by Christa Banister
9. Ant-Man, by Christa Banister
8. Jurassic World, by Christian Hamaker
7. Cinderella, by Christa Banister
6. The Intern, by Jeffrey Huston
5. The Drop Box, by Ryan Duncan
4. Inside Out, by Susan Ellingburg
3. Minions, by Christian Hamaker
2. Do You Believe?, by Christian Hamaker
1. War Room, by Christian Hamaker
OUR MOST-WATCHED VIDEO REVIEWS OF 2015
12 Paddington
11. Spectre
10. Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation
9. Avengers: Age of Ultron
8. Shaun the Sheep
7. Inside Out
6. Tomorrowland
5. Woodlawn
4. Cinderella
3. Minions
2. 90 Minutes in Heaven
1. Top 10 Movies of 2014, Video Edition
Publication date: January 28, 2016