If 2018 taught us anything at The Film Magazine, it was that readers love lists and ranking features. Below are the ten most-read pieces of the year — a mix of film analysis, rankings, features, and entertaining takes on popular culture. Browse the list, catch up on anything you missed, and tell us which pieces you enjoyed most.
(Joint) 10. An Artist’s Contributions: David Wark Griffith / 10 Must-See Football Movies
Authors: Francesca Militello / Joseph Wade
Dates Published: 3 May / 14 June
“An Artist’s Contributions” excerpt: Francesca Militello examines the legacy of David Wark Griffith, director of influential but controversial films such as Broken Blossoms and The Birth of a Nation, and considers how Griffith’s techniques and storytelling shaped modern cinema.
“10 Must-See Football Movies” excerpt: Inspired by that summer’s FIFA World Cup, Joseph Wade compiled a list of ten essential football (soccer) films — from timeless classics to modern favourites — for fans of the sport and cinema alike.
Read the Griffith feature
Read the football movies list
9. What Happens When You Spend A Week Watching Christmas 24?
Author: Elizabeth Howlett
Date Published: 30 Nov – 7 Dec
Excerpt: Elizabeth spent a full week watching the made-for-TV movies shown on the Christmas 24 channel. Her seven-part diary balances humour and genuine affection for seasonal storytelling, exploring whether these films provide a welcome festive lift or provoke accidental holiday weariness.
The piece mixes sharp observations with warm moments, and while the films weren’t always great, the experience captured the spirit of seasonal viewing and the odd charm of holiday TV.
Read the full diary
8. 10 Black Panther Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Author: Joseph Wade
Date Published: 18 Feb
Excerpt: Joseph compiled ten notable facts about Marvel’s Black Panther — the cultural phenomenon that dominated headlines and box office in 2018 — highlighting lesser-known production details, inspirations, and trivia for fans of the film.
If you enjoyed Black Panther, this concise fact file offered entertaining behind-the-scenes context and reminders of why the film resonated with so many viewers.
Discover the facts
7. Who Is Jareth in ‘Labyrinth’ (1986) and Why Does He Have a Bulge?
Author: Elizabeth Howlett
Date Published: 25 Sept
Excerpt: Elizabeth’s analysis dives into the character of Jareth in Jim Henson’s Labyrinth, addressing pop culture observations about David Bowie’s performance and the film’s unexpected blend of fantasy, sexuality, and surreal imagery. The piece mixes humour with thoughtful film critique to unpack why the movie continues to fascinate.
The article became widely shared on social media for its bold, entertaining approach that pairs genuine film analysis with a light touch of absurdity.
Read the analysis
6. How Science Fiction Movies Have Influenced Technology
Author: Craig Sheldon
Date Published: 4 June
Excerpt: Craig explores the relationship between science fiction on screen and real-world technological development. From imagined gadgets to prototypes inspired by filmmaking, the piece considers how filmmakers’ visions can influence scientists and engineers, and how fiction sometimes anticipates reality.
The feature offers thoughtful connections between artistic imagination and scientific progress, suggesting that many technological leaps begin as creative ideas.
Read the feature
5. Illumination Entertainment Animated Movies Ranked
Author: Joseph Wade
Date Published: 2 Aug
Excerpt: Joseph ranked Illumination Entertainment’s films — from the studio’s breakout Despicable Me to its pre-Grinch catalogue — ordering the titles from least to most successful in his view and offering commentary on what works and what doesn’t for each release.
The ranking appealed to animation fans curious about where favourites like Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets, and other Illumination titles fit on a single list.
See the full ranking
4. Star Wars Live-Action Movies Ranked
Author: Joseph Wade
Date Published: 27 May
Excerpt: This updated ranking covers all live-action Star Wars films as of 2018, including the recently released Solo: A Star Wars Story. The list orders ten films from worst to best and offers reasons for each placement.
The enduring debate around the franchise and the reception of Solo helped this piece attract strong readership across the year.
Read the ranking
3. Home Alone Movies Ranked
Author: Joseph Wade
Date Published: 9 Dec
Excerpt: A holiday favourite roundup: all five Home Alone films, from the 1990 original to the 2012 holiday release The Holiday Heist, ranked from worst to best. Nostalgia, slapstick, and memorable one-liners make this list especially timely during the festive season.
Fans of the series and casual viewers alike found this ranking a fun way to revisit the franchise.
Read the Home Alone ranking
2. Top 5 Sexiest Movies of All Time
Author: Joseph Wade
Date Published: 14 Feb
Excerpt: A curated list of five films selected for their sensuality, chemistry, and bold filmmaking choices. Joseph discusses what makes each film earn a spot on this short list and why those elements resonate with audiences.
As the piece title suggests: sex sells — and it also sparks strong opinions, which helped this article perform well.
See the list
1. The Bourne Collection Ranked
Author: Joseph Wade
Date Published: 21 Jan
Excerpt: Joseph ranked all five films in the Bourne franchise, from The Bourne Identity (2002) through Jason Bourne (2016), explaining the strengths and weaknesses that determined each film’s position on the list.
With a strong fanbase and continued interest in action franchises, this ranking stood out as the most-read piece of the year.
Read the Bourne ranking
Which of these articles did you enjoy most in 2018? Share your thoughts in the comments. If you’d like to explore more work from our contributors, visit our team page to find other articles by the authors you follow: Our Team.