Picture from Best Movies of 2017
Gary Oldman plays Winston Churchill in . Image ©Focus Features

Best Movies of 2017

Happy New Year from Parent Previews.

As 2017 passes away, the staff at Parent Previews takes a moment to remember some of our favorite films from last year.

Favorite Dramas

Darkest Hour
This bio-drama about Winston Churchill’s first month as Prime Minister in the UK impresses with a strong script and amazing performances. Make-up so incredibly transforms Gary Oldman into this historical figure that you won’t even recognize him!

Dunkirk
World War II surrounds you with this strongly crafted film that is more of an experience than a story. It depicts the retreating Allied forces on the beaches at Dunkirk, France.

War for the Planet of the Apes
This movie is the third in the rebooted Planet of the Apes franchise. All the scripts in this series are impressive, and this one is particularly so. It explores the essence of humanity – which is more evident in the apes than the humans. Andy Serkis gives an exceptional performance as the digitally-created character Caesar, and Woody Harrelson is chilling as the cold-hearted Colonel.

Favorite Musical

The Greatest Showman
This musical about the life of P.T. Barnum (played by Hugh Jackman) will have you singing, dancing and cheering for the underdogs in this circus spectacular.

Favorite Action Movies

The LEGO Batman Movie
The more ironic side of Batman’s loner personality comes to life in LEGO bricks. And as the Dark Knight learns lessons about the importance of friendships and teamwork, your little bats will too.

Spiderman: Homecoming
Despite so many remakes of this character, Tom Holland plays a convincing Peter Parker (AKA: Spider-Man) who is trying to get the hang of the superhero thing. Not only does the teenager learn a thing or two about the wisdom of experience, he also presents a good role model for similarly aged viewers.

Wonder Woman
Female empowerment brings a touch of kindness to the chaos of mankind in this superhero film starring Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman.

Favorite Animations

Boss Baby
This silly-but-sweet animation shows the challenges of adapting to a new addition to the family with a good dose of humor and imagination.

The Breadwinner
Based on a young adult novel, this Canadian/Irish co-production tackles the tough subject of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in a sensitive way, making it accessible to teen audiences. The creative animation implies enough details to make the serious of the situation apparent, without making it too disturbing.

Coco
Pixar brings its usual charm to the screen in this animation that celebrates the multiple generations in a Mexican family. Music and a trip to the land of the dead make it both fun and adventurous.

Loving Vincent
This murder mystery, based on the life of Vincent Van Gogh, features a brand new animation technique: It is done in oil painting! If you love this famous artist, you may be just as impressed by this master piece of a film.

More details about the movies mentioned in this post…

Loving Vincent

Loving Vincent

The life of the artist is told through his paintings.

Coco (2017)

Coco (2017)

Being dead never felt more alive.

The Breadwinner

The Breadwinner

Doing whatever it takes to provide for her family.

The Boss Baby

The Boss Baby

Never too young to take on the establishment.

Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman

Sending a woman to do the job.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Spider-Man: Homecoming

A web of superhero action.

The LEGO Batman Movie

The LEGO Batman Movie

Even a superhero has to balance work obligations with personal responsibilities .

The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman

P.T. Barnum: Creator of the Greatest Show on Earth

War for the Planet of the Apes

War for the Planet of the Apes

Ape verses Man.

Darkest Hour (2017)

Darkest Hour (2017)

Winston Churchill becomes Britian's Prime Minster during WWII's darkest hour.