The third top-grossing film of all time, beating out Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 for the spot, Joss Whedon led the way both helming and co-writing the script for one of the most memorable films of the year. Full of action, hilarity, and having our favorite Marvel superheroes come together to fight the forces of evil, The Avengers was good, old-fashioned comic-book fun, whether or not you are a Marvel fan.

The third and final installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises features Bruce Wayne becoming Batman again after an eight-year hiatus. With a reunion of a fantastic cast plus the addition of the lovely Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, The Dark Knight Rises is one of the best-written endings to a series I have encountered.

Another very highly anticipated film of the year, Gary Ross’ The Hunger Games was a big box office success, and highly pleased many of the fans of the book. With Jennifer Lawrence leading the stellar cast, and with a well-adapted gloomy undertone throughout the film, The Hunger Games left fans in high anticipation for Catching Fire next year.

Adapted for film by David Magee and directed by Ang Lee, Life of Pi is the story of an Indian boy who gets shipwrecked traveling by boat to Canada with his family, who are zookeepers. He ends up being stranded on a boat in the middle of an ocean with a single tiger, and mystical experiences begin to occur. The visual effects of Life of Pi are completely astonishing, watching it in 3D is well-worth the $15 ticket, and it truly is an epic film of superb storytelling.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, Skyfall shows a more vulnerable side of Bond, while also giving us more insight to his childhood and upbringing. Javier Bardem gives a fantastic performance as the villian, and director Sam Mendes gave a refreshing revival to the Bond franchise after the lackluster Quantam of Solance in 2008.

One of the most expensive independent films of all time, Cloud Atlas beautifully weaves six stories together throughout time and space. Adapted from David Mitchell’s 2004 novel of the same name, co-directors and co-writers Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski fantastically bring to life the theme that everyone is connected throughout time. With an all-star cast of Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, and many more, Cloud Atlas is a must-see of 2012.

Directed and written by Lynn Sheldon, Your Sister’s Sister is a brilliant and unique film, with a trio of fantastic performances by Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Mark Duplass. A story festering on lies, love, and confusion, this indie provides many twists and surprises that makes the viewer interested to see what Sheldon has next in store.

Telling the tale of a mentally unstable freshman in high school who makes his way through life through the love and support of two friends, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is truly one of the best films of the year. With great chemistry between Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller, director and writer Stephen Chbosky adapts his own novel for film, and forces the viewers to remember their high school days.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a novel film that touches on many aspects of the world – from Middle Eastern conflict to personal love problems. With a perfect cast of Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor, and Kristin Scott Thomas, director Lasse Hallstrom helms Simon Beaufoy’s original screenplay. Salmon Fishing will leave you with feelings that anything – despite the magnitude or ridiculousness of the idea – is possible.

The latest film from Wes Anderson, Moonrise Kingdom is a unique tale of awkward childhood love. Anderson’s direction, writing, and choice of cast is a perfect combination of hilarity and personal remembrance of your own first crush. With an all-star cast, fantastic art direction, and wonderful humor, Moonrise Kingdom will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.