A Year to Remember: The 10 Stars Who Shined Brightest in 2018

We have finally reached the last month of 2018, and the world can finally let out a collective sigh of relief and good riddance. Despite having a roller coaster of a year, there have been a lot of excellent projects to enjoy in Hollywood, and a lot of even more excellent actors who starred in said projects. I have compiled a list of who I think the best actors of 2018 are, and I think that all of these people deserve to be in talks for an Oscar nomination.

1. Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin has been acting longer than I have been alive, but there is no denying that 2018 was special for him. Not only did he get to bring life to Thanos in the most anticipated and lucrative superhero movie of all time, but he got to double-dip and play the fan-favorite character Cable in Deadpool 2 as well. It is not often that an actor gets to join one of the most coveted franchises of all time, let alone do it twice in the same year! On top of his Marvel experience, Brolin also reprised his role in Sicario: Day of the Soldado, and kept his name on the tip of everyone's tongues all throughout the year.

2. Woody Harrelson

While Woody Harrelson didn't stay as busy as some other actors this year, he had a good year based on the projects that he took. In 2018 alone, Harrelson joined both the Marvel and Star Wars franchises, and truly cemented his legacy as one of the most respected actors of our time. With his role in Venom being kept a secret until the movie came out, it really put a huge spotlight on him, and it seems like everyone will be talking about Woody Harrelson all the way through the New Year.

3. Chris Pratt

Much like Woody Harrelson, Chris Pratt has been busier in the past, but it was the franchises he contributed to that made him have a good year. He played an integral role in Avengers: Infinity War and starred in the newest installment of the Jurassic Park series. Pratt has been one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood since he joined Guardians of the Galaxy, and that did not change a bit in 2018.

4. Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira has always been beloved by fans of The Walking Dead, but it was Marvel that really put a spotlight on her this year. Black Panther wasn't just an excellent film, but it was a cultural phenomenon, and Gurira's character Okoye has been especially appreciated by the fans. With her contributions to Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and The Walking Dead, there is no doubt that Danai Gurira is one of the MVPs of 2018.

5. Donald Glover

Donald Glover only appeared in one film this year, but that movie was Solo: A Star Wars Story, where he received critical acclaim for his portrayal of legendary character Lando Calrissian. Despite having a light year in film, Glover has been working tirelessly on his pet project show Atlanta, for which he earned three Emmy wins and several more nominations this year alone. As if having a blockbuster movie and a self-produced TV show weren't enough, he has also made headlines for his music video This is America, and has made a name for himself this year through many different avenues.

6. James Corden

James Corden is making a name for himself as the most popular host in late night television, and besides hosting his own talk show ever single weeknight, he also has a hand in the lucrative spin-offs Carpool Karaoke: The Series and Drop the Mic as well. That sounds like enough to keep one man busy, but Corden also appeared in the movies Peter Rabbit, Ocean's 8 and Smallfoot all within this year, and every film reached a degree of commercial success. To top it all off, he etched his name into the history books by hosting the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, and even managed to snag three Emmy awards, proving that he is a name that everyone will remember when they think about 2018.

7. Sterling K. Brown

Sterling K. Brown has been a well respected actor for years now, but it was this year that truly proved that he has potential as an A-list celebrity. This is Us has ruled the TV screens of households everywhere since its inception, and it has never been bigger than it is now. Brown also took part in Black Panther, Hotel Artemis, and The Predator, making 2018 the year where he made himself a true movie star.

8. Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan has been one of the most talked about actors in Hollywood for a few years now, but 2018 was special for him. He played the main antagonist in Black Panther, starred in the critically acclaimed Fahrenheit 451 and even reprised his role as Adonis Creed, so it's safe to say that Jordan has put up a 2018 resume that should be safe for years to come.

9. Benedict Cumberbatch

It's hard to remember a time where Benedict Cumberbatch didn't have a good year, but 2018 was full of blockbuster projects. After Avengers: Infinity War, The Grinch, and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, Cumberbatch has stayed busy all year, and even won a few awards to boot. Patrick Melrose was a television event that showed just how excellent of an actor Benedict is, and I think that everyone is grateful to have Cumberbatch in their lives.

10. Hannah John-Kamen

Hannah John-Kamen should win some type of award for being this year's breakout star, as her career just suddenly blew up all at once. She has been on the Syfy series Killjoys for a few years, but in 2018 she started racking up major movie roles with Tomb Raider, Ready Player One, and Ant-Man and the Wasp. Kamen made a name for herself that she didn't previously have, and she proved in only one year that she is going to be a future star in the years to come.

What do you think? Let me know!