20 Best Movies Of 2017

9. Paddington 2

2017 has, in many ways, been an awful year. It's one in which political divides have grown wider and every day brings a more horrible headline than the last. And to that end, there is no better antidote to this year than Paddington 2.

The first film was an unexpected hit, and this one manages to outdo it in every way. It retains the same infectious charm and sense of humour, but with a much better story and an astounding villainous turn from Hugh Grant, who is gloriously over-the-top and self-deprecating in one of his best roles in years (hell, one of his best ever). Likewise, Brendan Gleeson is clearly having a ball as hardened prison inmate Knuckles, and it's that spirit that plays out across the whole film.

It's a love letter to the city of London, to celebrating diversity and family; it's as sweet as a marmalade sandwich, but far more memorable and considerably more nourishing. Ben Whishaw once again knocks it out of the park as the titular bear, and you'll find it impossible not to root for him as things start to go against him.

There are other films with stronger direction and bigger budgets, but few can match this for the size of its heart, and it is a pure, wholesome, undistilled joy to watch.