2012 was a big year for Hollywood films with some memorable original work, trilogy-ending epics, franchise reboots and hilarious comedies. There was also the usual fare of surprise hits and indie productions that will go down as future cult classics. Here then are the ten must see films of that year demonstrating a mix of genres, some you will have heard of and others you will not.

1. Seven Psychopaths

Seven psychopaths is a post-modern comedy from the same production team as In Bruges that opened and closed with a whimper across the globe. However it is one of the funniest films of the year and is being lauded as the comedy of 2012. Christopher Walken, Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson star in the tale of a group of screenwriters and an abducted Shih Tzu that gets way out of hand. Whoever thought so much blood could be shed in the pursuit of a dog?

2. The Hunger Games

The adaptation of the first volume of Suzanne Collins’ bestselling trilogy pits Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in a fight to the death against a group of 23 other ‘tributes’ in an arena that takes reality television to the extreme. Despite the violence, it portrays a serious message about celebrity culture. It also stars Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks and Liam Hemsworth. The second part Catching Fire is due to be released toward the end of 2013.

3. Wreck it Ralph

This animated offering from Disney is a must-see for fans of retro gaming as Ralph ‘ the antagonist of the arcade game after which the film is named ‘ becomes disillusioned with his villainous role and seeks to find himself a new position as a hero in another game. He tries a few until he stumbles upon a racing game were a young girl who wants to compete in the races is being prevented from doing so but in helping her he puts his friends at his old game in danger. Voices are provided by Sarah Silverman and Alan Tudyk.

4. Dredd

After the disaster that was the 1990s adaptation of Judge Dredd, no Director would touch it until this Pete Travis directed flick. Perhaps inspired by the success and tone of Nolan’s Batman, this film cast off the big scale and comic veneer of the previous version and was set entirely in one apartment block with Dredd fighting against drug dealers and a large group of hostile tenants. Lena Headey and Karl Urban star in this well-received science fiction drama that captures the essence of the graphic novels while making it feel modern and fresh with a touch of the abstract.

5. Prometheus

It took over thirty years for Ridley Scott to return to his Alien universe and when he did it was with the insistence that his much-celebrated xenomorphs would not appear. Nobody believed him and went to see this prequel in droves in expectation. A quasi-Christian ideology tacked into a science fiction plot divided fans but there is much to love about this film when you try to look a little deeper. Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender star, the latter lauded for a fine performance.

6. The Muppets

They thought that they’d seen the last of The Muppets on screen until this was announced. A part-satire, part Muppets romp as the old crew attempt to get back together to perform at a Telethon in order to save their old studio from closure by the dastardly Tex Richman who wants to buy the site and demolish the studio. This is both an exercise in nostalgia for the big kids and an attempt to provide something new for the younger generation.

7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

It seemed at one point that this film was never going to make it to our screens. Dogged with production problems, a change of Director and finally this prequel to the 2001-2003 series of Lord of the Rings films was scheduled for release, also as a trilogy. This first part deals with the first half of the book. The other two films are scheduled for release at Christmas 2013 and 2014 respectively. Martin Freeman stars as Bilbo and Ian McKellen reprises his role as Gandalf.

8. Life of Pi

One of the surprise releases of last year saw this adaptation of a book set entirely on a lifeboat on which a young boy is stranded after the cargo ship on which he was travelling sinks. His only companion is a Bengal tiger and he recounts his story many years later to the narrator. Dealing with ideas of faith and religion, it presents two scenarios and asks the reader which proposition they find most likely. Suraj Sharma and Irrfan Khan star in this indie hit.

9. Skyfall

This is another film that might never have been made after MGM started to experience financial difficulties. This is the third outing for Daniel Craig as iconic British spy James Bond. On far smaller scale than the previous two, it deals with a more personal story that forces Bond to return to his ancestral home in Scotland and confront his past. It is also noteworthy as the final appearance of Dame Judi Dench. A few other changes were made to show that Bond will be around for a long time yet. Naomie Harris and Ralph Fiennes also star.

10. The Cabin in the Woods

A group of American students take a weekend break from their studies to visit a log cabin in the woods. There is a lake and some mysterious ritualistic objects in the cellar. Think you’ve seen every angle and every possible cliché a hundred times already? Think again! This film takes all of those clichés and in one small twist, turns them on their heads. Sigourney Weaver and Chris Hemsworth star in this clever horror parody.

Conclusion

2012 was a big year for films. Though criticised for its endless reboots and remakes and film adaptations, some of these were very well done and there was clearly a lot of original material on offer. These are just ten of some of the biggest films of the year. No doubt you have your favourite.