To say that 2017 was an incredible year for films would be a vast understatement. The year was full of extraordinary films ranging from the typical blockbuster tentpoles like Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Wonder Woman to the indie darlings like The Big Sick and Lady Bird. And the best thing about it, a lot of these movies come from first-time directors, women, and veterans like Jordan Peele, Patty Jenkins, Greta Gerwig, and Rian Johnson. It’s not easy to see all of the films that are released within the one calendar year, but I make sure I damn well try to see as much as I can, and 2017 was no different. I went out to see over 100 films, and to narrow it down to 10 best within the field of exceptional titles that were released was hard. While best is subjective, I tried to narrow it down to the 10 films that meant the most to me that I enjoyed thoroughly.

So, you’ll find the 10 of my favorite movies of 2017 that I could not stop thinking about, along with a few honorable mentions. Check them all out here below.

Blade Runner 2049
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Screenwriter: Hampton Fancher, Michael Green
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Carla Juri, Lennie James, Dave Bautista, Jared Leto
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Rated R | 163 Minutes
Release Date: October 6, 2017

Blade Runner doesn’t have all the flashy substance that makes up what some would say is a traditional sci-fi film, but it sure does have all the nuances and subtleties that would make for a great sci-fi noir. Slow-burning detective stories still continue to unravel even in the distant future. You still have the stark monochromatic colors, a constant stream of pessimism, and a character that is drawn into the world of crime. You add a splash of sci-fi, that not only mixes well together, but proves that the elements can work in the right hands.

Blade Runner 2049, Denis Villeneuve‘s strikingly visual follow-up, takes place 30 years after Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner. The filmmaker stays true to the themes explored by Scott’s adaptation of the Philip K. Dick book (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), while also building upon the mystery and intrigue, as well as adding even more themes that will have audiences talking, even well after the film has ended. Check out the full review below.

The final of three Blade Runner 2049 prequel shorts, titled “Black Out 2022,” was released recently.

This one is a little different from the previous two shorts, “2036: Nexus Dawn” and “2048: Nowhere to Run.” For one thing this short is much longer, clocking in at nearly 16 minutes in length. The other two were only around six minutes in length. It’s also not live-action like the previous two were. The final prequel short was instead created in the style of Japanese anime. In fact, it was made by Shinichiro Watanabe of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo fame.

You can find more on Blade Runner 2049 and check out the new prequel short below.

A couple of weeks back we saw the first in a trio of Blade Runner 2049 prequel shorts, titled “2036: Nexus Dawn,” which followed Jared Leto‘s character as he sought a repeal of the prohibition placed on replicants.

Now the second prequel short, titled “2048: Nowhere to Run,” has been released. It follows Dave Bautista‘s character, a replicant named Sapper Morton, as he tries to keep a low profile.

Click on over to the other side to watch the short, and for a Blade Runner 2049 synopsis and poster.

Before Blade Runner 2049 arrives in theaters in just a little over one month from now, some prequel short films are being released. These shorts will help fill in the gap between the events of Ridley Scott‘s original Blade Runner, which was set in the year 2019, and the new movie, which of course is set in 2049.

The first short, which is directed by Ridley’s son Luke Scott, has now been released online. It’s titled “2036: Nexus Dawn,” and sees Jared Leto‘s character, Niander Wallace, as he aims to see a prohibition on replicants repealed.

You can read a synopsis for Blade Runner 2049 and watch the prequel short below.