Google Play’s Bestsellers Of 2018 Include Superheroes, More Superheroes & Stale TV Series

This time of year, we’ll make sure to take a look at as many of the Best of 2018 lists as we can. Of course, we want to cultivate the lists we feature, focusing on those opinions that we generally respect (but don’t always agree with). However, we can’t help but take a gander at the recent Best of 2018 list from Google, tracking what films and TV series were the most popular (i.e. – sold the best) in the last year. And more than anything, the Google charts prove that people generally have questionable taste and almost always go for the biggest names.

First, let’s take a look at the top five films of 2018, as per Google Play. Without much thought, the five films that charted best have some distinct similarities. Let’s see if you can figure it out.

Google Play’s Top Five Films:
1. Black Panther
2. Avengers: Infinity War
3. Thor: Ragnarok
4. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
5. Deadpool 2

Yep, superheroes rule the day on the Google charts, taking 4 of the top 5 slots. And honestly, given what Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson does in ‘Jumanji 2,’ we would be hard-pressed to label him as anything other than a superhero. Of course, we’re not taking anything away from the films chosen, each one is fun as hell. It’s just a stark contrast to the bulk of Year-End lists we’ll be featuring, proving that when push comes to shove and people rent a movie at home, they’re probably not going to choose “First Reformed” over “Black Panther,” despite the former being the best Paul Schrader film in decades. They prefer bright costumes and fisticuffs.

READ MORE: ‘Black Panther,’ ‘The Favourite,’ ‘Pose’ Make AFI’s Top Ten Lists Of 2018

As for TV, the top five series on Google Play for 2018 is even more egregious. Not only do people ignore some of the best TV series of the last year, but they willfully spend money on some of the worst.

Google Play’s Top Five TV Series:
1. The Walking Dead
2. Riverdale
3. The Big Bang Theory
4. The Flash
5. PAW Patrol

Okay, right off the bat, we have to remove “PAW Patrol” from this critique, as parents have been known to spend limitless amounts of money to keep their kids entertained. Can’t fault them for that. But seriously, “The Big Bang Theory?” Not only is that series not great (though it does have millions of loyal fans), but reruns are on constantly. Do you really need to check out every episode right away, and can’t wait for the inevitable repeat?

READ MORE: Andrew Lincoln To Star In Three Zombie-Killing TV Movies As AMC Tricks ‘Walking Dead’ Fans Yet Again

And “The Walking Dead” leading the way? With ratings plummeting, common sense would dictate that ‘TWD’ would be selling less, as well. But here we are, in 2018, with ‘Walking Dead’ the most popular show on Google Play. Go figure. As for “Riverdale” and “The Flash,” people love guilty pleasures and people love superheroes.

Overall, the lists by Google Play show that despite the recommendations from critics, film festivals, awards ceremonies, and countless other people, the general audience is always going to spend their money on the most popular, well-liked thing out there. For better or worse.

Click here for our complete coverage of the best and worst of 2018.