Our inaugural class showcases the rich history of cinema with strong ties to Central Florida. As part of our mission, we wish to lift up and celebrate the achievements of the creative teams that work in our region. We want to cultivate a collection of iconic movies that will continue to represent Central Florida and the diverse stories that are capable in our hometowns. All of the films have significant ties to the Central Florida area. Below is the inaugural class of ten films.

Images provided by Shot Deck
(chronological order)
The Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954) - Directed by Jack Arnold
Cool Hand Luke (1967) - Directed by Stuart Rosenberg
Edward Scissorhands (1990) - Directed by Tim Burton
Apollo 13 (1995) - Directed by Ron Howard
The Blair Witch Project (1999) - Directed by Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sanchez
Lilo & Stitch (2002) - Directed by Chris Sanders & Dean DeBlois
Monster (2003) - Directed by Patty Jenkins
Magic Mike (2012) - Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Spring Breakers (2013) - Directed by Harmony Korine
The Florida Project (2017) - Directed by Sean Baker
The Critics Association of Central Florida is an organization of critics based in or around the Central Florida area and consists of critics and journalists with a wide reach to a diverse and expansive audience.
Our membership experienced rapid growth in its second year, expanding to a membership of 40 critics in 2023. Our membership represents outlets of all sizes, from independent blogs, social media influencers, and major outlets such as iHeartRadio’s PRIDE Radio & FandomWire.
The Critics Association of Central Florida is proud to recognize these amazing achievements in film.