Another year is almost upon us, Supa-Fans, and what a jam-packed ride 2022 has been! With the entertainment industry getting back up to full speed after a few bumpy years, the past 12 months has delivered in spades.

From new faces in familiar cowls to the return of cinematic juggernauts to the silver screen, this year gifted fans with a veritable cornucopia of pop culture delights across television, anime, cinema, gaming and more. With so much to choose from, it would be hard for anyone to nail down the very best that 2022 had to offer, but we’re certainly not afraid of a challenge.

So, in the spirit of finding the year’s top picks for your consideration, here’s what has kept us entertained over the past 12 months and what we’re most looking forward to in 2023.

AOIFE (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

The Handmaid’s Tale (Season 5)

The fifth season of The Handmaid’s Tale satisfied my curiosity as a fan of Margaret Atwood’s original book and sequel, The Testaments. As two decades separate the two stories and the TV adaptation follows the events in between them, previous seasons left me wondering how certain storylines were helping our characters achieve what they need to by the sequel. Season 5 set it all into place.

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

Chain of Thorns by Cassandra Clare

Cassandra Clare is my guilty pleasure author, so of course, I’ve read the over 20 novels she’s produced, and of course, I’m eagerly awaiting the third book in her Last Hours trilogy, Chain of Thorns. Set for release on January 31, the book will wrap the tale of James Herondale, son of Will and Tessa – the heroes of Clare’s first spinoff series The Infernal Devices. The first Last Hours book enraptured me, the second lost me, and I’m praying to The Angel that the third will bring me back.

How did your most-anticipated 2022 release selection stack up?

In 2020, I wrote that I keenly anticipated the next season of The Handmaid’s Tale, despite discourse that it was “going downhill”. I’m glad I stuck with it, and, hey, I guess I know what I like!

ASHLEY (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

The Orville: New Horizons

After such a long wait, it was so exciting to see The Orville return with such great, compelling stories. With longer episodes than previous seasons, each episode felt like a mini-movie. There were a lot of great releases this year, but this was just such a long time coming and it more than delivered. Hopefully we’ll see more of the crew, but if the voyage really does end here then it’ll be a satisfying conclusion.

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Specials

I’m a massive Whovian and next year is going to be a landmark year for the series. Not only will it be its 60th anniversary, but there are a lot of exciting things on the horizon. I’m just looking forward to seeing what these specials have to offer and celebrating with my fellow fans.

How did your most-anticipated 2022 release selection stack up?

Last year, The Batman was probably my most anticipated release for 2022, and I’m pleased to report that it didn’t disappoint. It may not have been my ideal take on Batman, but I can respect the vision behind it, as well as the fact that Matt Reeves and co. clearly did their homework.

CONNOR (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

The Woman King

The incredible women of the cast play warriors who are both feminine and bad-ass because the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. The fight choreography is beautifully executed and the story keeps you interested without being bogged down by battle sequences.

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

Good Omens (Season 2)

I loved Season 1 and have been waiting for the next season with anticipation. Now that the main characters have drawn their proverbial lines in the sand, I’m very excited to see where the show will go moving forward.

COURTNEY (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

The Boys (Season 3)

The comic book-based TV series portrays superheroes in a more authentic light and has always pushed the envelope – it certainly proceeded to do so as season 3 premiered in June 2022! Introducing one of my favourite actors, Jensen Ackles, into the fold was already enough to hype me up for its release, but its pushing of the envelope solidified its place in TV history. It’s definitely a series not to be missed!

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

The Mandalorian (Season 3)

We had The Book of Boba Fett at the end of 2021, which basically served as a bridge between the continuing adventures of Boba Fett-post Sarlacc Pit, and the set-up to reunite Mando and Grogu for their continued adventures in the series. But while Chapter 5 of The Book of Boba Fett basically became The Mandalorian Season 3, Episode 1, I am rather desperate to rejoin Mando and his adoptive son as they make their way to the Mandalorian home world. Luckily, with the new series dropping in Feb, we don’t have long to wait!

DAN (MANAGING EDITOR/LOCAL SCREEN OUTREACH)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

The Simpsons (Season 34)

For the first time since I can remember, I’m excited when a new episode of The Simpsons drops each week. I’d heard murmurs that the show’s 34th season was reminiscent of its golden years and that is absolutely true. I had the pleasure of speaking with showrunner Al Jean last year, which was an honour. Wanna know the origin of Ralph’s iconic I Choo-Choo-Choose You Valentine’s Day card? Check out our chat here.

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

BlackBerry

Last year, my most-anticipated 2022 release was Nirvanna the Band the Show’s third season, which, as expected, has not yet seen the light of day. I would include it again his year; however, it’s seeming more and more likely that it’ll never air.

Instead, I’ll list a film from one of the creative geniuses behind the show, Matt Johnson. BlackBerry, which Johnson is directing, will tell “the story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone” and stars Glenn Howerton (Always Sunny!) and Jay Baruchel.

Johnson’s previous films, The Dirties and Operation Avalanche, are masterpieces. Kevin Smith, who helped distribute The Dirties, described it as “the most important movie you will see all year” when it was released in 2013 and both won awards.

JASON (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

Sifu

Sifu is an action, beat-em-up based around martial arts. It has a traditional setup: take revenge on the kung fu masters that killed your father, with a unique premise: you’re immortal but every time you lose a life, you gain years of age. The phrase I like to use when describing it is “Kung Fu John Wick: The Video Game”. It’s intense, fast-paced, and very high-risk, high-reward: basic enemies can destroy you, but you’re a powerhouse that can effortlessly annihilate a room of thugs or martial artists with enough mastery of the combat system. Sifu has been the most challenged and engaged I’ve been with any piece of entertainment this year and for that reason, it’s my game of 2022.

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

John Wick 4

Speaking of John Wick, aside from the Matrix films, I can’t think of any other trilogy that consistently delivers high-tense, dangerous choreographed action like the Keanu Reeves masterpieces. Parabellum left us on yet another cliffhanger as to what will happen in this not-so-retired assassin’s life and I’m super excited to find out in its fourth chapter.

How did your most-anticipated 2022 release selection stack up?

I was cautiously optimistic about Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and the film far exceeded my expectations. As a lifelong fan of the blue speedster and his furry gang, I was extremely giddy for the introduction of Tails and Knuckles and the film made these characters entertaining and was incredibly faithful with their adaption. My main issue with the first film was placing Sonic into a human world and distancing itself from the fantastical elements of games, and with the sequel, they leaned more into the history of the hedgehog and the film is greater for it. It was funny, action-packed, cute, and wholesome and I’m hoping the next entry will only dive deeper into Sonic lore.

KRISTY (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness

It might not have been the cameo-fest that some fans hoped for, but Multiverse of Madness was a great continuation of some plot threads left hanging from WandaVision, and sets up some interesting future storylines for Doctor Strange.

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

Tough one, 2023 shaping up to be a great year, but I’m going to have to go with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The first two GOTG films are among my all-time favourites, and I can’t wait to see how the trilogy wraps up.

How did your most-anticipated 2022 release selection stack up?

Multiverse of Madness met my expectations, although I know other fans were disappointed. Still, it set up great things for the future.

MADDIE (COMMUNICATIONS)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

RRR

Rise, roar, revolt! India’s “biggest blockbuster”, now shortlisted for the 95th Academy Awards, is perhaps the hypest thing I’ve ever witnessed in my entire life.

Starring Telugu cinema heavyweights Ram Charan and N. T. Rama Rao Jr., alongside the MCU’s Ray Stevenson, RRR follows anti-colonialist revolutionaries, Bheem and Raju, as they dance and fight their way through the British empire.

To call RRR spectacular is to undersell it. S. S. Rajamouli has crafted the ultimate action experience, where a single dude beating the snot out of a literal army seems perfectly reasonable. While I was lucky enough to catch this bad boy in cinemas, you can watch the Hindi dub right now on Netflix!

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

Trigun Stampede and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie

Last year, I went with GDT’s Pinocchio because apparently I forgot about every other title (soon to be) in existence. This year, I’m putting a little more thought into it and going with the return of two of my greatest loves growing up: Trigun Stampede and Barbie.

The former recently copped some flack over its overuse of CGI in the trailer, with some comparisons made between modern Knives and Vash, and Machine Gun Kelly. I, however, remain cautiously optimistic; and worst case scenario, there’s always the new FLCL and Ancient Magus’ Bride later in the year!

POKE (AV DEPARTMENT)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

Kamen Rider Black Sun

Black Sun is a re-imagining of the 1987 series Kamen Rider Black, but tackles current-day socio-political topics with the veneer of ‘cool superhero stuff’ in much the same way as the X-Men, but turned up to 11 in a very violent, dark, super-not-for-children manner.

Honourable mentions to Fuuto PI (which I liked enough to write a whole article about) and Shin Ultraman. 2022 was definitely the year of the rubber spandex karate man and I had a wonderful time.

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Current Nintendo isn’t really known for letting bad things happen to their properties (the less said about the ’90s, the better), so I expect it to be a decent family/kids movie that ticks all the boxes people will recognise as modern Mario. Alternatively, it’s going to end up as the worst Mario movie ever made, and considering how “beloved” the last one was, that’s going to be a colossal achievement in its own right 🤣

How did your most-anticipated 2022 release selection stack up?

Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War has been incredibly good thus far. In the decade since it was last on-air, animation and production techniques have vastly improved, and series creator Tite Kubo has been on-hand to help the team ‘fill in the blanks’ when it comes to adapting the Manga for screen, so it’s really on a whole new level that the original series could only have dreamed about reaching back in the day.

SAMMY (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

Elvis

I’m a huge Elvis fan and it was great to see so many new people finally catching on to what all the fuss is about! It was also very special to see Elvis tributed for the artist he was.

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

Hogwarts Legacy

I’ve done my waiting, years of it, thankfully not in Azkaban. But really! This game has been pushed back a few times and now it’s slated for February 2023, I can’t wait! I’m most looking forward to living my best Hufflepuff life!

TC (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

Peacemaker

In a year when James Gunn was handed the keys to the DC franchise, Peacemaker proved that the man knows what he’s doing. The series was not only hilarious, but it showed how much potential DC truly has. And who wouldn’t love the opening dance sequence?

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

Indiana Jones 5

Indy has always been a favourite of mine, but this one is set to see him back to doing what he does best. It’ll be sad to see Harrison Ford hang up his hat, but hopefully, it’ll give him a better send-off than Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

How did your most-anticipated 2022 release selection stack up?

I picked The Batman as my pick last year, which I really enjoyed but the three-hour runtime was hard on the bladder. As good as it was though, it didn’t top Peacemaker as the best DC release of the year.

THEODORA (CONTRIBUTING WRITER)

What was your favourite release of 2022?

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Nobody warned me that I would be emotionally gut-punched with this movie while also jumping through different universes filled with movie references. I went into this movie not knowing what to expect and came out of it speechless from all the highs and lows of emotions I just went through. This movie was just epically refreshing. A round of applause goes to Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu!

What release are you most excited for in 2023?

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Did you watch Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse? How can I not be excited about the sequel? I’m ready for the story, the twists, the humour, and the soundtrack and to sit in awe of the different animation styles.

What about you, Supa-Fans? What were your favourite releases of 2022? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!