This year I set a personal record of seeing the most films I’ve ever seen in theater or drive-in, closing the year with a total of 76 movies. Of that total, 45 were first run films while the rest were retro films that were screened from original or restored 35-mm prints. In reflecting back on the first run movies, it was a stellar year for quality films. In past years, the majority of my top movies were made up of  independent and foreign films that were only given limited releases in the United States. But this year, the major studios stepped it up a notch and released a number of gems, including some sequels that were arguably just as good as the original films. As a result, my top films are much more balanced than past years and I even had to expand the list to 15 since there were so many good movies that were released that couldn’t be excluded. So, without further ado, here’s my top 15 films of 2015. Rather than go into detail about each one, I’m only going to list them so you can discover these movies for yourself. (Disclaimer: This list is based on films I’ve seen as of Dec. 31, 2015. It could be adjusted in the future as I view other films from 2015 in 2016).

#1 – It Follows [screened @ IFC Center, New York City, NY]

#2 – Room [screened @ Avon Cinema, Providence, RI]

#3 – The Invitation [screened @ The Egyptian Theatre, Los Angeles, CA]

#4 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens [screened @ Mendon Twin Drive-In, Mendon, MA]

#5 –  Creed [screened @ AMC, Dartmouth, MA]

#6 – The Mind’s Eye [screened @ The Egyptian Theatre, Los Angeles, CA]

#7 – Cop Car [screened @ Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA]

#8 – Crimson Peak [screened @ Regal Cinemas, Swansea, MA]

#9 – Sicario [screened @ East Providence 10, East Providence, RI]

#10 – We Are Still Here [screened @ Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA]

#11 – Goodnight Mommy [screened @ Cable Car, Providence, RI]

#12 – Project Almanac [screened @ Regal Cinemas, Swansea, MA]

#13 –  Krampus [screened @ AMC, Dartmouth, MA]

#14 – Sun Choke [screened @ Cinefamily, Los Angles, CA]

#15 – The Big Short [screened @ AMC, Dartmouth, MA]