Best-Reviewed Movies 2014 – Wide Release

Critics Consensus: Epic in technical scale but breathlessly intimate in narrative scope, Boyhood is a sprawling investigation of the human condition.

Synopsis: The joys and pitfalls of growing up are seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (Ellar Coltrane), his parents (Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater

Directed By: Richard Linklater

Critics Consensus: Boasting beautiful animation, a charming voice cast, laugh-a-minute gags, and a surprisingly thoughtful story, The Lego Movie is colorful fun for all ages.

Synopsis: An ordinary LEGO figurine Emmet who always follows the rules, is mistakenly identified as an extraordinary being and the key to saving the world. He... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman, Elizabeth Banks

Directed By: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

Critics Consensus: Restless, visually sleek, and powered by a lithe star performance from Jake Gyllenhaal, Nightcrawler offers dark, thought-provoking thrills.

Synopsis: Los Angeles denizen Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) survives by scavenging and petty theft. He stumbles into a new career as a cameraman and -- armed... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, Riz Ahmed

Directed By: Dan Gilroy

Critics Consensus: Typically stylish but deceptively thoughtful, The Grand Budapest Hotel finds Wes Anderson once again using ornate visual environments to explore deeply emotional ideas.

Synopsis: In the 1930s, the Grand Budapest Hotel is a popular European ski resort, presided over by concierge Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes). Zero, a junior lobby... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody

Directed By: Wes Anderson

Critics Consensus: Guardians of the Galaxy is just as irreverent as fans of the frequently zany Marvel comic would expect -- as well as funny, thrilling, full of heart, and packed with visual splendor.

Synopsis: Brash space adventurer Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the quarry of relentless bounty hunters after he steals an orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel

Directed By: James Gunn

Critics Consensus: X-Men: Days of Future Past combines the best elements of the series to produce a satisfyingly fast-paced outing that ranks among the franchise's finest installments.

Synopsis: Convinced that mutants pose a threat to humanity, Dr. Bolivar Trask develops the Sentinels, enormous robotic weapons that can detect a mutant gene and zero... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence

Directed By: Bryan Singer

Critics Consensus: A thrilling leap forward for director Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman is an ambitious technical showcase powered by a layered story and outstanding performances from Michael Keaton and Edward Norton.

Synopsis: Former cinema superhero Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is mounting an ambitious Broadway production that he hopes will breathe new life into his stagnant career. It's... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough

Directed By: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Critics Consensus: Gripping, well-acted, funny, and clever, Edge of Tomorrow offers entertaining proof that Tom Cruise is still more than capable of shouldering the weight of a blockbuster action thriller.

Synopsis: When Earth falls under attack from invincible aliens, no military unit in the world is able to beat them. Maj. William Cage (Tom Cruise), an... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Brendan Gleeson, Bill Paxton

Directed By: Doug Liman

Critics Consensus: With intelligence and emotional resonance to match its stunning special effects, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes expands on its predecessor with an exciting and ambitious burst of sci-fi achievement.

Synopsis: Ten years after simian flu wiped out much of the world's Homo sapiens, genetically enhanced chimpanzee Caesar and his ever-growing band of followers has established... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell

Directed By: Matt Reeves

Critics Consensus: Dark, intelligent, and stylish to a fault, Gone Girl plays to director David Fincher's sick strengths while bringing the best out of stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.

Synopsis: In Carthage, Mo., former New York-based writer Nick Dunne and his glamorous wife Amy present a portrait of a blissful marriage to the public; when... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry

Directed By: David Fincher