Best U.K. Films of the Year: 2022

Last updated: October 26, 2023

A precocious child prodigy stands up. A domestic worker follows her couture dreams all the way to Paris. Two refugee sisters dream of becoming swimmers, stopping at nothing to get there. This was an excellent year for films from the United Kingdom (with honorary mentions for France and Ireland too), and our Executive Editor Danny Brogan, head of Streaming, carefully chose his favorites on this list from all of the year's releases. Whether you're in the mood for a fun musical or an inspiring true story, this list has it all. Be sure to check out our Best of 2022 lists for other media, linked below!

Make sure to check out the rest of our Best of 2022 favorites: Movies | TV | Books | Video Games | Podcasts

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Fireheart movie poster

MOVIE

Fireheart

age 7+

Animated mystery has positive female role model, messages.

February 15, 2022 2022 NR (92 minutes)

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Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical Movie Poster

MOVIE

Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical

age 8+

Musical adaptation has positive messages, some scares.

December 9, 2022 2022 PG (117 minutes)

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Scrooge: A Christmas Carol movie poster

MOVIE

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol

age 8+

Animated adaptation has positive messages, scary scenes.

November 18, 2022 2022 NR (96 minutes)

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Brian and Charles Movie Poster

MOVIE

Brian and Charles

age 10+

Warm comedy studies loneliness, celebrates quiet ingenuity.

June 17, 2022 2022 PG (90 minutes)

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Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris Movie Poster

MOVIE

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

age 10+

Charming 1950s-set comedy drama has drinking, smoking.

July 15, 2022 2022 PG (92 minutes)

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Petite Maman movie poster

MOVIE

Petite Maman

age 10+

Tender French fantasy drama explores grief; brief smoking.

April 22, 2022 2022 PG (72 minutes)

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Catherine Called Birdy movie poster

MOVIE

Catherine Called Birdy

age 12+

Heartfelt medieval comedy adaptation tackles adult themes.

September 23, 2022 2022 PG-13 (108 minutes)

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Operation Mincemeat movie poster

MOVIE

Operation Mincemeat

age 12+

Incredible WWII true story has disturbing scenes, smoking.

May 6, 2022 2022 PG-13 (128 minutes)

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Explorer documentary poster

MOVIE

Explorer

age 13+

Inspiring docu about iconic adventurer has injury detail.

August 30, 2022 2022 PG-13 (113 minutes)

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Living movie poster

MOVIE

Living

age 13+

Inspiring British drama reflects on meaning of life.

December 23, 2022 2022 PG-13 (102 minutes)

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The Phantom of the Open movie poster

MOVIE

The Phantom of the Open

age 13+

Feel-good golf biopic dramedy has smoking, strong language.

June 3, 2022 2022 PG-13 (106 minutes)

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Aftersun movie poster

MOVIE

Aftersun

age 14+

Nostalgic drama studies depression; smoking, some language.

October 21, 2022 2022 R (102 minutes)

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The Swimmer movie poster

MOVIE

The Swimmers

age 14+

Inspiring true refugee story has sexual violence and peril.

November 11, 2022 2022 PG-13 (134 minutes)

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Ali & Ava movie poster

MOVIE

Ali & Ava

age 15+

British drama has language, sex, domestic abuse references.

July 29, 2022 2022 NR (95 minutes)

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The Banshees of Inisherin Poster

MOVIE

The Banshees of Inisherin

age 15+

Dark Irish comedy has language, violence, drinking, smoking.

October 21, 2022 2022 R (109 minutes)

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