The American Film Institute has unveiled its list of the Top 10 films and TV shows of 2015, and it marks the first year-end list to includeStar Wars: The Force Awakens. It’d be kind of embarrassing if the newStar Warsfilmdidn’tmake the cut, as AFI specificallypushed back its voting deadlineso that members could seeStar Wars: The Force Awakens. In fact, this is the first award for whichForce Awakensis eligible, seeing as how no one saw the film before this past Monday.
Regardless, according to AFI,J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated sequel is one of the 10 best movies of the year. What else made the cut? Well year-end regulars likeSpotlightandCarolare included, as isSteven Spielberg’s undervaluedBridge of Spiesand another commercial play,Straight Outta Compton. AndMad Max: Fury Roadcontinues its December resurgence by making yet another critics group shortlist. Wholly absent from this list:The Revenant,The Hateful Eight, orSteve Jobs.
On the television side of things, the brilliantThe Americansmade the list alongsideFargoandGame of Thrones, as well as freshman seriesMr. RobotandMaster of None. The final season ofMad Men, meanwhile, nabbed the AFI Special Award.
In terms of Oscar, AFI is pretty hit and miss. 2014’s list includedUnbroken,Into the Woods, andInterstellar, while 2013’s Top 10 had every eventual Best Picture nominee save forPhilomenaandDallas Buyers Club. I’d expect some overlap from this year’s list, but early word is thatStar Warsis a long shot for a Best Picture nod—especially as commercial plays likeMad MaxandCreedare gaining considerable steam.
Check out the full Top 10 for film and television below.
AFI Movies of the Year
The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Inside Out
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Straight Outta Compton
AFI TV Programs of the Year
The Americans
Better Call Saul
Game of Thrones
Master of None
AFI Special Award
