10. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1
Director Bill Condon toned down the silly CG werewolf brawls (mostly) and focused on what Twihards really wanted: more Bella, more Jacob and a lot more Edward! But that whole "imprinting" thing Jacob does to their daughter does venture into creepy uncle territory.
9. Super 8
J.J. Abrams delivered a sci-fi yarn that mashed E.T., Close Encounters, and Goonies into a heartwarming tale about preteens on the verge of something more magical and more terrifying than any Cloverfield monster: Adolescence.
8. Midnight in Paris
Who knew Owen Wilson would make such a great stand in for Woody Allen? But we all knew Paris through Allen's eyes would be stunning, and his dialogue for Ernest Hemingway, Salvador Dali, and F. Scott Fitzgerald is hilarious.
7. The Descendants
George Clooney adds to his charm, with what could be the performance of his career playing a dad who drives all over Hawaii with his two daughters to confront the man who slept with his wife. The wife is in a coma, but Clooney's character is awake for the first time in years.
6. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
When tormented ape Caesar says, "Noooo!" we exclaim, "Yes!" Andy Serkis deserves an Oscar nom for his performance via motion capture.
5. Hugo
We know Martin Scorsese loves cinema—especially the silent film era, but now we do, too. Part family film about a boy's need to fix a robot, part 3-D extravaganza, this is easily Marty's best since The Departed. And so different, obviously. Oh, and 3-D is absolutely the best way to experience this one.
4. The Muppets
Jason Segel should be knighted (or something) for bringing the felty back. Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Fozzy returned with style, hilarity and some terrific tunes. To a sequel—stat!
3. Bridesmaids
Kristen Wiig wrote herself and Rose Byrne (also awesome in X-Men: First Class and Insidious) fantastic parts but Melissa McCarthy owns this movie. The curse of the bad chick flick is broken with nine adorable puppies and questionable ethnic food.
2. Drive
Wearing a scorpion jacket, Ryan Gosling barely utters a word (unlike his nonstop chatter in Crazy Stupid Love and The Ides of March) as he drives around seedy L.A. while Miami Vice-style synth music beeps and drones. The action, particularly on one sexy—and unlucky—Mad Men star is pure ultra-violent goodness. If you're into that sort of thing. The year's coolest film.
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Ultimately, 2011 was the year the biggest box office grosser was also a critical favorite, too. We all love Potter, and this movie, which may be the best of the series. Was is it the scene where we see just how much Harry, Ron, and Hermione have grown since the first film that we loved most? The truly epic war that decimated Hogwarts? Or Snape quite simply looking into Harry's eyes? We'll watch again and again to decide.