By Josh Williams 

​I firmly believe that we are currently living within a horror renaissance. Each year we are graced with another groundbreaking horror film that elevates the genre to new heights. The streak has been pretty consistent lately and it seems like it is not going to slow down anytime soon with 2019 which should cap off an amazing decade for the genre. Whether it be art-house horror like "mother!" or a bit more mainstream horror like "A Quiet Place," this is truly the best time to be a horror fanatic.

2019 looks as if it won't be so different so we here at NBP decided to take a look at some horror films releasing this year that will keep that trend alive. So without further ado, here are some horror films to look forward to in 2019.

By Danilo Castro ​

​There’s no place like home. It’s where we go to relax, secure our cherished belongings, and spend time with the ones we love. It’s where we feel safest, and most removed from the evils of the outside world. Unless, of course,  evil decides to kick in the front door, and turn our very existences upside down. 

The breakdown between private and public is what makes the home invasion such an effective subgenre. By preying on what we know to be safe, these films hit upon primal fears, and force us to consider how we would act in the same situation. Jordan Peele’s “Us” is the latest release to tackles these fears, so with that in mind, we’ve retreated to the attic and compiled our list for the Best Home Invasion Movies. 

​By Nicole Ackman ​​

​With "The Aftermath" coming out this month, it’s a good time to look back over Keira Knightley’s best performances. Her latest film falls into a pattern of her movies that could almost be its own genre: period dramas in which Keira Knightley’s character has an affair. There certainly was a wide variety of choices for this list because even though Knightley is frequently in period films, her roles show substantial range from the hysteria-riddled Sabina in "A Dangerous Method" to the fiery Elizabeth Swan in "The Pirates of the Caribbean" films.

These are my personal five picks for Keira Knightley’s best performances in a period drama.

​By Beatrice Loayza ​

​On Friday, March 8th, the 2019 South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) is set to kick off nine days of world premieres, festival favorites, and speaker events. Known for its multi-genre and multimedia programming, the festival debuts first-time indie features and high-profile Hollywood films alike -- some noteworthy titles include last year’s "A Quiet Place," "Boyhood," "Spring Breakers," "Bridesmaids" and the Lena Dunham TV series "Girls."  

This year myself and fellow Next Best Picture contributor Josh Williams will be headed to Austin to explore the festival’s pickings for ourselves. Here’s a list of some titles to keep an eye out for in the coming days.

By DeAnn Knighton 

The 21st Century has seen several attempts by studios to bring female Superheroes to the form, both in leading and supporting roles. While rarely in the titular role, these female characters have worked alongside and, in many cases, upstaged their male counterparts. Some carry mystical and supernatural power and some just simply kick-ass. With the release of "Captain Marvel" this weekend, we thought we would examine some of the best female superheroes the 21st century has brought us.

By Will Mavity ​

​After running an unprecedently in-depth campaign, Netflix ultimately still lost Best Picture to “Green Book” this past weekend. And while they may not have made history, just three years after they were completely shut out from the Oscars for a film like “Beasts of No Nation,” they have established themselves as bona fide awards players. “Roma” may not have won Best Picture, but, it did something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. They took a slow-paced black and white film in a foreign language, released on a streaming service, with no major stars and netted it a whopping ten Oscar nominations and very nearly won Best Picture. And having gotten themselves a seat at the table, they have directors like Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Soderbergh clamoring to work with them. With even more films planned to release later this year, Netflix is certainly going to be a staple in the Oscar race each year moving forward. The question is, what will their biggest contenders be?

Click below to see some of the films Netflix could push as their awards contenders for 2019.

By Danilo Castro ​

Nobody appreciates a stalker in real life, but films about stalkers are another story altogether. From the finely-tuned suspense to the shocking displays of aggression, films about stalkers can provide audiences with excitement and tales of caution. Especially when the stalker in question is played by a beloved actor or a star typically known for playing dashing heroes.

With the chilling drama “Greta” set for release this week, we decided to relocate our family and hide all our pets (especially rabbits), and assemble the creepiest cases of obsession ever put to film. Here are Next Best Picture’s Top Stalker Movies.

By Michael Schwartz 

I am the last one. Tonight, the NBP Film Awards Nominations will be revealed by the entire Next Best Picture staff. We've been unveiling our Top 10's of 2018 to give you a bit of a preview and up to this point, you've heard from Matt, Danilo, Kt, Josh Parham, Jacey, Celia, Cody, Josh Williams, Nicole Ackman, Daniel Howat, Ryan C. Showers, Beatrice Loayza & Tom O'Brien. And now, it all comes down to my final 10. So please take a moment, check out everyone's favorite films of 2018 and enjoy my top 10 favorite films from last year.

By Tom O'Brien 

Wow, this has been a tough year to narrow a list down to just ten films. We've had some great films about life in eighth grade, leaving no trace in the woods, becoming the first man on the moon and life in Wakanda. But these ten spoke the most to me and will be what I would love most to revisit in the years to come. You've seen the wonderful Top 10 lists from my NBP colleagues Matt, Danilo, Kt, Josh Parham, Jacey, Celia, Cody, Josh Williams, Nicole Ackman, Daniel Howat, Ryan C. Showers & Beatrice Loayza.

​So let me join them and add my ten cents.

By Beatrice Loayza ​

Before I get into my top ten, I have to recognize "BlacKkKlansman" as my #11 pick of the year, as well as give a general shoutout to some honorable mentions in no particular order: "Mandy," "The Third Murder," "Revenge," "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," "Dogman," "Happy as Lazzaro," and "Widows."

As another disclaimer, I had the distinct pleasure of attending TIFF and a local mini-festival at the Silver Spring AFI, which allowed me to preview some titles with a 2019 release date. I’ve restricted my list to 2018 releases, otherwise Christian Petzold’s “Transit”, Radu Jude’s “I Do Not Care If We Go Down In History As Barbarians,” Isabella Eklöf’s “Holiday,” and Claire Denis’ “High Life” would be serious contenders to make my ten. Maybe next year. 

You've seen the Top 10 lists from Matt, Danilo, Kt, Josh Parham, Jacey, Celia, Cody, Josh Williams, Nicole Ackman, Daniel Howat & Ryan C. Showers but without further ado, I present to you, my own top ten of 2018.

By Ryan C. Showers ​​

This past year in film was a whirlwind. Unlike any other year since I have been following and award season, 2018 featured wonderful films all year long, from February through June, Halloween to Christmas. Whether it was “Black Panther,” “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” or “Widows,” I don’t think a year in cinema has ever felt so complete and well-rounded to me, as a snob who approaches film from a social and cultural academic point of view, a movie nerd focused on the formal and technical aspects of a film, and as someone who simply loves basking in their own delicious movie tastes.

You've heard Top 10's from Matt, Danilo, Kt, Josh Parham, Jacey, Celia, Cody, Josh Williams, Nicole Ackman & Daniel Howat but now...Below is my top ten list of the best films of the year, and I have never felt so confident in my end-of-the-year selections. These are films I not only respect but truly love. Narrowing down the last few spots was difficult, therefore I feel obligated to acknowledge the productions that just missed out on this official list.

Honorable mentions: “At Eternity’s Gate,” “The Hate U Give,” “Black Panther,” “Support the Girls,” “Mary Queen of Scots,” “Paddington 2,” “The Kindergarten Teacher,” “You Were Never Really Here,” “1985,” and “RBG.”

By Daniel Howat 

2018 gave us such a wide variety of incredible films that a top ten was especially difficult. Culture-defining Marvel, an emotion documentary, adolescent awkwardness, and so much more. You have heard from Matt, Danilo, Kt, Josh Parham, Jacey, Celia, Cody, Josh Williams & Nicole Ackman but now it is my turn to share with you my favorite films of the year which are fairly eclectic.

My honorable mentions include “First Man,” “Leave No Trace,” “The Favourite,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” and “Private Life.”

By Nicole Ackman ​​

When I sat down to make a ‘Top Ten’ list of the films that I saw in 2018, I realized that I couldn’t possibly attempt to pick the best ten films made this past year. Instead, here are the ten films that resonated the most with me – the ones that touched my heart, the ones that I will watch time and time again in years to come, the ones that found me at the right time. Everyone at NBP has given diverse Top 10 lists including Matt, Danilo, Kt, Josh Parham, Jacey, Celia, Cody & Josh Williams. But these 10 specifically, are the films that remind me of the power of this art form.

Some honorable mentions that just missed the cut include “BlacKkKlansman,” “Love, Simon,” and “The Hate U Give.” 

By Josh Williams ​​

You've heard from Matt, Danilo, Kt, Josh Parham, Jacey, Celia & Cody. We're not stopping there. As we get ready to unveil our NBP Film Awards Nominations this Sunday, it is now my turn to unveil my top 10 favorite films of 2018 to all of you.

​Let's get started.

By Cody Dericks 

With this year’s recently-announced Oscar nominations leaving me...less than thrilled, I’m more than happy to now take a look at the 10 films I liked best in 2018. Some had themes that really resonated with me, some were so well-made that it was undeniable for me to include them, and some were just damn fun.​ With Top 10's being revealed by Matt, Danilo, Kt, Josh Parham, Jacey & Celia, now it is my turn to tell you all which 10 films from 2018 I found to be the best.