Last updated March 2024
Looking for acclaimed Best Movies 2016 worth adding to your watch list? Check out our selection of 30 stellar, must-see Best Movies 2016 available for your immediate viewing pleasure. Universally beloved by IMDB critics and our knowledgeable community of users, these top-tier Best Movies 2016 earn high praise across the board. Help other viewers discover hidden gems by voting for the titles you consider keepers. We value your contributions toward spotlighting the cream of the crop!
Aruvi (2016)
Plot Summary:
A gentle girl born and brought up amidst the ever growing eco-social-consumeristic environment finds it difficult to fit in the society. She decides to take it hard on the people
Duration: 130 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama
Country: India
Plot tags: sexualized violence, socially awkward, life is a bitch, society, social problems, female protagonist, social misfits, rape victim, social issues, social outcast, antisocial behavior, illness, feminist, existentialism, aids, social justice, girl, epidemic, economic inequality, tamil, bollywood, social awkwardness
Your Name. (2016)
Plot Summary:
High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body, and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen randomly, and the two must adjust their lives around each other
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 306000
Genere: Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: Japan
Plot tags: time travel, body swapping, school, beautiful scenery, friendship, girl, love, teenager, destiny, memory loss, schoolgirl, race against time, boy, comet, star crossed lovers, natural disaster, supernatural, romantic relationship, dream, death, love story, skirt, switching bodies, cute girl, disaster
Dangal (2016)
Plot Summary:
Dangal is an extraordinary true story based on the life of Mahavir Singh and his two daughters, Geeta and Babita Phogat. The film traces the inspirational journey of a father who trains his daughters to become world class wrestlers
Duration: 161 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 205000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: India, USA
Plot tags: wrestler, small town, female empowerment, father daughter relationship, parent child relationship, olympics, biopic, indians, women, mentor, life philosophy, determination, training, autobiography, wrestling, great ending, coach, strong female lead, sister sister relationship, female friendship, motivation, patriot, teenager, martial arts, combat
Bo Burnham: Make Happy (2016)
Plot Summary:
Combining his trademark wit and self-deprecating humor with original music, Bo Burnham offers up his unique twist on life in this stand-up special about life, death, sexuality, hypocrisy, mental illness and Pringles cans
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Plot tags: suprisingly clever, stand up comedy, obsession, existentialism, bittersweet, art, death, space travel, destiny, corruption, mental illness, dialogue, insanity, humanity, manipulation, life & death, redemption, creativity, ethnic conflict, life philosophy, honest, unlikely friendships, artists and showbiz, music, live performance
Wild (2016)
Plot Summary:
Although Parsha is the cricket team captain and the brightest student in his year, the beautiful and confident Aarchi is out of his reach. She belongs to a higher caste, her family is rich, and her father is a kingpin in local politics. But Aarchi is a headstrong girl who won’t let anyone boss her around – and she likes the persistent, brave Parsha. How will their families react? What happens to love when when two people have to sacrifice everything for it? Beyond the glamour of Bollywood, Sairat is an epic love story that takes a critical look at Indian society in the 21st century
Duration: 174 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India
Plot tags: love, teenage love, rebelliousness, forbidden love, teenage boy, young love, small town, fall in love, in love, discrimination, coming of age, teen romance, murder, teenage girl, politician, love story, anti hero, bollywood, hindi
Life and a Day (2016)
Plot Summary:
Somaieh, the youngest daughter of an indigent family, is getting married and fear is overwhelming each and every member of the family regarding how to overcome their difficulties after she's gone
Duration: 112 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Drama
Country: Iran
Plot tags: marriage, family relations, poverty, poor, family life, family problems, poor family, relationships, life is a bitch, relationship problems, distopia, addiction, dialogue, existentialism, iranian, persian culture, tragedy, drug dealer, money, life, brother, opium, sister, drug, persian
The Mountain II (2016)
Plot Summary:
In a desolate war zone where screams of the innocent echo, on the very line between disaster and valor, 7 Maroon Berets will dance with death
Duration: 135 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 110000
Genere: Action, Drama, War
Country: Turkey
Plot tags: terrorist, special forces, swat team, military, behind enemy lines, criminal, rescue, journalism, danger, dangerous mission, captivity, society, public execution, soldier, war, business, islam, muslim, isis, sniper, tank, heroes, journalist, map, book
Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru (2016)
Plot Summary:
A former cop looks back on the case which left him disabled and forced him to quit the force
Duration: 105 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: India
Plot tags: investigation, murder mystery, police, murder, serial killer, murder investigation, police officer, constable, crime solving, murderer, crime investigation, unsolved crime, police investigation, homicide detective, uncover truth, serial murder, whodunit, secret service, entertainment, wandering, life lesson, plot twist, car accident, double murder, student
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Plot Summary:
WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people and becomes the first Conscientious Objector in American history to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor
Duration: 139 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 577000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Australia, USA, UK, China
Plot tags: world war two, war, soldier, conscientious objector, religion, combat, american soldier, u.s. army, us military, bible, military, father son relationship, pacifism, u.s. military, survival, anti war, blood, pacifist, flashback, courage, physician, life & death, religious, biopic, church
The Handmaiden (2016)
Plot Summary:
1930s Korea, in the period of Japanese occupation, a new girl (Sookee) is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress (Hideko) who lives a secluded life on a large countryside estate with her domineering Uncle (Kouzuki). But the maid has a secret. She is a pickpocket recruited by a swindler posing as a Japanese Count to help him seduce the Lady to elope with him, rob her of her fortune, and lock her up in a madhouse. The plan seems to proceed according to plan until Sookee and Hideko discover some unexpected emotions
Duration: 145 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 166000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Plot tags: lesbian, plot twist, lesbian relationship, lesbian love, twists and turns, lust, sex, lesbian romance, lesbian sex, lesbianism, seduction, jealousy, maid, nudity, con man, vengeance, woman, female nudity, japanese occupation of korea, lgbtq, love story, female protagonist, inheritance, sex scene, bare breasts
Pink (2016)
Plot Summary:
Deepak is a lawyer suffering from bipolar disorder who experiences frequent mood swings. One night, Rajveer and his friends get drunk and try to molest Miss Arora and her two roommates leading to an accident. The film revolves around how Deepak fights the girls' case against these influential boys
Duration: 136 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 47000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: India
Plot tags: courtroom drama, attempted rape, lawyer, sexual abuse, feminist, courtroom, bipolar disorder, fighting the system, wrongful arrest, dishonesty, power relations, police, violence, mental disorder, legal action, court, judge, mental illness, legal, legal investigation, wealthy family, drinking alcohol, rock concert, accusation, rape
A Silent Voice (2016)
Plot Summary:
Shouya Ishida starts bullying the new girl in class, Shouko Nishimiya, because she is deaf. But as the teasing continues, the rest of the class starts to turn on Shouya for his lack of compassion. When they leave elementary school, Shouko and Shouya do not speak to each other again... until an older, wiser Shouya, tormented by his past behaviour, decides he must see Shouko once more. He wants to atone for his sins, but is it already too late...?
Duration: 130 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 96000
Genere: Animation, Drama
Country: Japan
Plot tags: bullying, teenager, disability, deaf, sign language, friendship, high school, teenage girl, japanese schoolgirl, japanese school, coming of age, deafness, suicide attempt, redemption, japanese girl, truancy, single mother, elementary school, asian school, suicidal, bully, schoolgirl, classmate, japanese woman, east asian girl
The Invisible Guest (2016)
Plot Summary:
"The Invisible Guest” turns on a young businessman who wakes up in a hotel room locked from the inside with the dead body of his lover next to him. He hires a prestigious lawyer, and over one night they work together to clarify what happened in a frenetic race against time
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 189000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: Spain
Plot tags: uncover truth, lawyer, evidence, interrogation, infidelity, lie, suspect, murder suspect, death, blackmail, moral dilemma, strong female character, false accusation, female lawyer, disguise, businessman, corpse, secret, marriage, secretly observing, false accusation of murder, deer, plot twist, judge, revenge
Lion (2016)
Plot Summary:
A five-year-old Indian boy gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia; 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family
Duration: 118 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 247000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Australia, UK, USA, India
Plot tags: adoption, poverty, survival, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, loneliness, childhood, mother son reunion, foster home, train, brother brother relationship, courage, missing child, biopic, language barrier, adopted son, little boy, identity, long lost relative, lost child, flashback, family bonds, memory, self discovery, orphanage, rags to riches
La La Land (2016)
Plot Summary:
Mia, an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions and Sebastian, a jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail party gigs in dingy bars, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart
Duration: 128 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 645000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music, Musical, Romance
Country: USA, Hong Kong
Plot tags: music, jazz, dancing, love, musician, audition, bigger dreams, jazz club, love story, traffic jam, pianist, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, filmmaking, actress, trumpet player, aspiring actress, jazz musician, destiny, rags to riches, dance, drummer, concert, meet cute, singing, music and dance
Zootopia (2016)
Plot Summary:
Determined to prove herself, Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny on Zootopia's police force, jumps at the chance to crack her first case - even if it means partnering with scam-artist fox Nick Wilde to solve the mystery
Duration: 108 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 533000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Family, Mystery
Country: USA
Plot tags: stereotypes, anthropomorphic animal, anthropomorphism, police, furry, happy ending, female protagonist, rabbit, friendship, prejudice, conspiracy, racial relations, investigation, injustice, discrimination, lion, polar bear, idealism, bullying, mammal, talking animal, buddy cop, missing person, police officer, female villain
Deadpool (2016)
Plot Summary:
Deadpool tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life
Duration: 108 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 11000000
Genere: Action, Comedy
Country: USA
Plot tags: superhero, revenge, fight scenes, immortality, escapades, anti hero, mutant, dark hero, weapons, violence, dark humor, regeneration, invulnerability, comic book, vigilante, x men, superhuman powers, sarcasm, cancer, self healing, mercenary, superpower, immortal, irreverent, sex scene
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)
Plot Summary:
The film is based on the life of Indian cricketer and the current captain of the Indian national cricket team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Duration: 184 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 66000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: India
Plot tags: cricket, rags to riches, biopic, rise to the top, ambition, athlete's life, leadership, rivalry, sport team, contests and competitions, rising to stardom, indians, meaning of life, patriot, captain, love, biker, isolation, bollywood, hindi
Arrival (2016)
Plot Summary:
Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat
Duration: 116 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 747000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: alien, first contact, female protagonist, linguist, ufo, time, science, alien race, alien contact, extraterrestrial, scientist, twists and turns, alien invasion, communication, spacecraft, alien creature, alien life-form, memory, language barrier, life & death, existentialism, creature, flash forward, space, husband wife relationship
Sing Street (2016)
Plot Summary:
A boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s escapes his strained family life by starting a band to impress the mysterious girl he likes
Duration: 106 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 99000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: Ireland, UK
Plot tags: youth, teenager, music band, musician's life, friendship, rock and roll, coming of age, school, bullying, dream girl, singing, adolescence, teenage boy, teenage life, bittersweet, singer, music, creativity, brother brother relationship, musician, high school, heartwarming, love, fall in love, boyfriend girlfriend relationship
The Other Me (2016)
Plot Summary:
A lonely criminology professor attempts to solve the mystery behind five murders by decoding the puzzle of five Pythagorean theorems, in a crime story that features renowned French actor François Cluzet in a key-role
Duration: 101 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: Greece
Plot tags: killing spree, serial killer, revenge, investigation, police, asperger's syndrome, professor, crime wave, vigilante, victim, death, accidental death, getting away with murder, crime scene, perjury, birthday, doctor, accident, corruption, vigilantism, marriage proposal, hit and run, drunk driver, danger, twists and turns
24 (2016)
Plot Summary:
A scientist invents a time machine but his evil twin brother is after it and will go to any lengths to get the device in his hands
Duration: 164 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Action, Comedy, Drama, Musical, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: India
Plot tags: time travel, brother, time loop, brother brother relationship, time warp, fight for supremacy, revenge, fight, time machine, scientist, battles, brothers, time jump, dysfunctional family, rivalry, twin brother, relationship problems, family problems, time portal, showdown, time, genius, parallel world, twins, entertainment
Airlift (2016)
Plot Summary:
When Iraq invades Kuwait in August, 1990, a callous Indian businessman becomes the spokesperson for more than 170,000 stranded countrymen
Duration: 130 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 58000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: India
Plot tags: airplane, war, evacuation, patriot, aviation, military, patriotism, businessman, arab, husband wife relationship, refugee camp, indians, gulf war, indian war, genius, pilot, terrorism, intelligence, humanity, conflict, hindu, threat, political conflict, diaspora, tank
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Plot Summary:
A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy
Duration: 133 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 675000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: star wars, space opera, female protagonist, rebellion, robot, space travel, tough girl, spacecraft, rebel, self sacrifice, strong female lead, jedi, good versus evil, space, outer space, female fighter, blind man, alien, gunfight, rebel leader, evil empire, spaceship, wilhelm scream, space battle, behind enemy lines
In This Corner of the World (2016)
Plot Summary:
Newlywed Suzu Urano moves to her new life in Kure City on the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture, where she perseveres through World War II with pluck and determination
Duration: 129 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Animation, Drama, Family, History, War
Country: Japan
Plot tags: world war two, family relations, war, wedding, bombing, female protagonist, military, evacuation, anniversary, danger, couples, society, teenager, nazi, holocaust, art, gory, humanity, adaptation, world war, painting, bomber, cooking, marriage, dog
Captain Fantastic (2016)
Plot Summary:
A father living in the forests of the Pacific Northwest with his six young kids tries to assimilate back into society
Duration: 118 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 231000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: road trip, children, home schooling, capitalism, family drama, survivalist, precocious child, parenthood, teenage girl, suicide, funeral, dysfunctional family, socialism, family relations, suicide of mother, loss of wife, large family, rock climbing, suicide of wife, parents, coming of age, last will and testament, killing an animal, single father, wilderness
I, Daniel Blake (2016)
Plot Summary:
A middle aged carpenter, who requires state welfare after injuring himself, is joined by a single mother in a similar scenario
Duration: 100 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 64000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, France, Belgium
Plot tags: poverty, working class, single mother, carpenter, homeless, bureaucracy, friendship, self discovery, heart attack, immigrant, social services, prostitution, welfare, art, politics, humanity, disability, social realism, social commentary, depression, society, socialist, struggle, love, teenager
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Plot Summary:
After his older brother passes away, Lee Chandler is forced to return home to care for his 16-year-old nephew. There he is compelled to deal with a tragic past that separated him from his family and the community where he was born and raised
Duration: 137 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 305000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: family drama, sadness, loneliness, depression, loss, suicide attempt, death, nephew, uncle nephew relationship, grief, dysfunctional family, adoption, guardian, brother brother relationship, loss of brother, last will and testament, death of father, uncle, house fire, relationships, death of brother, funeral, loss of father, death of daughter, visceral
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Plot Summary:
Following the events of Age of Ultron, the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers, causing two factions to side with Iron Man or Captain America, which causes an epic battle between former allies
Duration: 147 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 835000
Genere: Action, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: superhero, comic book, heroes, disagreement, female agent, civil war, battles, vigilante, supernatural power, super powers, fight scenes, brainwashing, escape, chase, friendship between men, villain, crossover, superpower, tony stark character, multiverse, vengeance, giant, torture, on the run, teamwork
My Life as a Zucchini (2016)
Plot Summary:
After his mother’s death, Zucchini is befriended by a kind police officer, Raymond, who accompanies him to his new foster home filled with other orphans his age. There, with the help of his newfound friends, Zucchini eventually learns to trust and love as he searches for a new family of his own
Duration: 66 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Country: Switzerland, France
Plot tags: adoption, stop motion, loneliness, children, alcoholic, orphan, introvert, orphanage, friendship, accidental killing, boy, tragedy, loss of mother, alone, children's home, coming of age, first love, relationships, society, relationship problems, family problems, mischievous children, lifestyle, social relations, traumatic childhood