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LOCAL
The highest-grossing local film this year was Afrikaans drama Stroomop, even though it was only the 36th-highest-grossing film in South Africa overall. Afrikaans films still dominated the local list, but not as much as in previous years. Coloured film maker Daryne Joshua is becoming a force to be reckoned with, garnering praise for his portrayal of the Ellen Pakkies story.
#TRENDING’S MOVIE OF THE YEAR:
The stylistically awesome western Five Fingers for Marseilles had critics and audiences singing its praises – and gets our pick as the best local movie of the year.
SPECIAL MENTIONS:
Ellen was superb, as was Sarah Blecher’s gritty Muslim mafia story Mayfair. Jenna Bass’ fiercely woke selfie film, High Fantasy, held our attention, while Rhino horn documentary Stroop is one to watch for an Oscar nod next year. Thought not strictly local, our list would not be complete without mentioning Kenyan film maker Wanuri Kahiu’s much-lauded lesbian love story, Rafiki, which we’re also hopnig will get an Oscar nomination.
FLOPS:
Leon Schuster’s Frank and Fearless was one of our worst cinematic experiences; while the bizarre Emerging Black Film Makers Transformation Fund film, Farewell Ella Bella, had us scratching our heads and cringing at the bad dialogue and unrealistic characters.
HIGHEST GROSSING LOCAL FILMS
1. Stroomop
2. Ellen
3. Susters
4. Broken Promises: 4-Eve
5. Frank and Fearless
6. Thys en Trix
7. Baby Mamas
8. Raaiselkind
9. Inxeba
10. Five Fingers for Marseilles
INTERNATIONAL
Black Panther took over the world, with Marvel films and sequels dominating the box office. Disney raked it in with the likes of Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Incredibles 2 and Ant-Man and the Wasp.
#TRENDING’S MOVIE OF THE YEAR:
In terms of global pop culture reach, we’ve got to give it to Black Panther.
SPECIAL MENTIONS:
Creed II had us punching the air in delight, while Spike Lee’s darkly funny BlacKkKlansman was a cinematic gem.
FLOPS:
The latest Fifty Shades of Grey sequel was predictably kak, while John Travolta film Gotti – about crime boss John Gotti – will go down in history for its awfulness.
HIGHEST GROSSING INTERNATIONAL FILMS IN SA
1. Black Panther
2. Avengers: Infinity War
3. Incredibles 2
4. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
5. Deadpool 2
6. Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
7. Mission: Impossible - Fallout
8. Ant-Man and the Wasp
9. Solo: A Star Wars Story
10. Venom
* Film stats by boxofficemojo.com
