Favorite 25 Films of the 2010s
Below is my personal rankings of my favorite 25 films from the last decade in film---2010-2019.
25. Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
An inventive, funny, heartfelt animated film, and one of Disney's best animated.
An inventive, funny, heartfelt animated film, and one of Disney's best animated.
24. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
One of the more original sci-fi action films to be released, featuring a strong cast
and some refreshing role reversals.
One of the more original sci-fi action films to be released, featuring a strong cast
and some refreshing role reversals.
23. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
An epic, emotional, thoughtful conclusion to the rebooted Planet of the Apes trilogy,
highlighted by yet another masterful performance by Andy Serkis.
An epic, emotional, thoughtful conclusion to the rebooted Planet of the Apes trilogy,
highlighted by yet another masterful performance by Andy Serkis.
22. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
A terrific ensemble cast that brought together the original and the new and a
strong story, this film was the peak of Fox's new X-Men films.
A terrific ensemble cast that brought together the original and the new and a
strong story, this film was the peak of Fox's new X-Men films.
21. Easy A (2010)
A low budget comedy that brought Emma Stone into the forefront for good, this
film was also boosted by its John Hughes-esque tone and story, reimagined for
the present day.
A low budget comedy that brought Emma Stone into the forefront for good, this
film was also boosted by its John Hughes-esque tone and story, reimagined for
the present day.
20. Bridesmaids (2011)
Often described as a female Hangover film, this well-written comedy-drama
provides almost non-stop laughter, featuring fantastic performances (particularly
Wiig and McCarthy) and a relatable story of a woman trying to get her life together
when everything falls apart.
Often described as a female Hangover film, this well-written comedy-drama
provides almost non-stop laughter, featuring fantastic performances (particularly
Wiig and McCarthy) and a relatable story of a woman trying to get her life together
when everything falls apart.
19. Looper (2012)
An original, smart time travel sci-fi film sharply directed by Rian Johnson and led by strong
performances from Emily Blunt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis,
An original, smart time travel sci-fi film sharply directed by Rian Johnson and led by strong
performances from Emily Blunt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis,
18. 1917 (2019)
A remarkable technical achievement featuring the best cinematography in the war genre
since Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan”, 1917 is unique, suspenseful, and thoroughly
engrossing from start to finish.
A remarkable technical achievement featuring the best cinematography in the war genre
since Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan”, 1917 is unique, suspenseful, and thoroughly
engrossing from start to finish.
17. Zootopia (2016)
A clever, funny, beautifully animated film with social commentary on prejudices and
pre-determined roles in society.
A clever, funny, beautifully animated film with social commentary on prejudices and
pre-determined roles in society.
16. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Quentin Tarantino's love letter to cinema and the end of an era in Hollywood, featuring
a terrific cast and Tarantino's signature-style humor and boldness.
Quentin Tarantino's love letter to cinema and the end of an era in Hollywood, featuring
a terrific cast and Tarantino's signature-style humor and boldness.
15. The Conjuring (2013)
The best horror film in the last decade (and probably farther back), this supernatural horror
(and based on a true story) masterfully directed by James Waan uses old school tactics
to send shivers down your spine again and again.
The best horror film in the last decade (and probably farther back), this supernatural horror
(and based on a true story) masterfully directed by James Waan uses old school tactics
to send shivers down your spine again and again.
14. Joker (2019)
A sleeper hit anchored by an Oscar-worthy performance by Joaquin Phoenix and a
culturally relevant screenplay makes for a hard edged, dark original take on the Joker's
origin.
A sleeper hit anchored by an Oscar-worthy performance by Joaquin Phoenix and a
culturally relevant screenplay makes for a hard edged, dark original take on the Joker's
origin.
13. Split (2017)
Another sleeper hit--this time from M. Night Shyamalan (and one that put him back
in the spotlight after several misfires), this film is a suspenseful, character-driven look
about 3 girls who are kidnapped by a man suffering from multiple personalities, highlighted
by its twist ending that shocked and excited M. Night fans.
Another sleeper hit--this time from M. Night Shyamalan (and one that put him back
in the spotlight after several misfires), this film is a suspenseful, character-driven look
about 3 girls who are kidnapped by a man suffering from multiple personalities, highlighted
by its twist ending that shocked and excited M. Night fans.
12. Hugo (2011)
An atypical Martin Scorsese film that looked back at the origins of science fiction in
cinema in a unique lens.
An atypical Martin Scorsese film that looked back at the origins of science fiction in
cinema in a unique lens.
11. 21 Jump Street (2012)
A consistently funny comedy fueled by the strong bromance chemistry of Channing Tatum
and Jonah Hill and a memorable score from Mark Mothersbaugh.
A consistently funny comedy fueled by the strong bromance chemistry of Channing Tatum
and Jonah Hill and a memorable score from Mark Mothersbaugh.
10. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
A highly inspirational war film masterfully directed by Mel Gibson and based on the true story
of conscientious objector Desmond Doss (another strong performance by Andrew Garfield)
who battled inner turmoil in addition to his work serving as a medic during World War II.
A highly inspirational war film masterfully directed by Mel Gibson and based on the true story
of conscientious objector Desmond Doss (another strong performance by Andrew Garfield)
who battled inner turmoil in addition to his work serving as a medic during World War II.
9. Drive (2011)
A refreshing auteur, neo-noir crime drama that, like its lead character, flew under the radar
in 2011, offering strong performances, well crafted cinematography, and atmosphere rarely
seen in movies of its genre.
A refreshing auteur, neo-noir crime drama that, like its lead character, flew under the radar
in 2011, offering strong performances, well crafted cinematography, and atmosphere rarely
seen in movies of its genre.
8. Fury (2014)
An underappreciated war film fueled by strong performances (particularly Pitt and LaBeouf),
a strong score from newcomer Steven Price, and its rough yet heartbreakingly realistic story.
An underappreciated war film fueled by strong performances (particularly Pitt and LaBeouf),
a strong score from newcomer Steven Price, and its rough yet heartbreakingly realistic story.
7. Dunkirk (2017)
Based on a true story, Nolan's film is technically mesmerizing and uniquely crafted among 3
time frames and settings, following numerous characters in a seemingly impossible situation.
Based on a true story, Nolan's film is technically mesmerizing and uniquely crafted among 3
time frames and settings, following numerous characters in a seemingly impossible situation.
6. Steve Jobs (2015)
A sharply written, honest take on one of the pioneers of the digital age and his struggle to
balance his personal family issues with his work.
A sharply written, honest take on one of the pioneers of the digital age and his struggle to
balance his personal family issues with his work.
5. The Social Network (2010)
A riveting look at Mark Zuckerberg's life leading into the creation of Facebook, which
revolutionized the way the world communicated online, highlighted by strong direction from
David Fincher and performances by Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield.
A riveting look at Mark Zuckerberg's life leading into the creation of Facebook, which
revolutionized the way the world communicated online, highlighted by strong direction from
David Fincher and performances by Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield.
4. Gravity (2013)
The most visually stunning space film to date, Gravity remains a technical achievement of the
absolute highest level, further boosted by sharp direction from Alfonso Cuaron (incorporating
highly complicated long shots), a strong performance by Sandra Bullock, an emotional story and
an unforgettable score from Steven Price.
The most visually stunning space film to date, Gravity remains a technical achievement of the
absolute highest level, further boosted by sharp direction from Alfonso Cuaron (incorporating
highly complicated long shots), a strong performance by Sandra Bullock, an emotional story and
an unforgettable score from Steven Price.
3. Arrival (2016)
A thought provoking science fiction film that shattered conventions of the alien invasion
sub-genre, aided by strong direction, cinematography, and another gem of a performance
by Amy Adams.
A thought provoking science fiction film that shattered conventions of the alien invasion
sub-genre, aided by strong direction, cinematography, and another gem of a performance
by Amy Adams.
2. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
The highest budget art house film the world will ever see (due to its massive flop at
the box office), this masterpiece of a sequel to Ridley Scott's classic film did everything a great
sequel should--expanding the world, building on its characters, and providing new, thought-
provoking ideas all embedded in Roger Deakins' Oscar-winning cinematography.
The highest budget art house film the world will ever see (due to its massive flop at
the box office), this masterpiece of a sequel to Ridley Scott's classic film did everything a great
sequel should--expanding the world, building on its characters, and providing new, thought-
provoking ideas all embedded in Roger Deakins' Oscar-winning cinematography.
1. Inception (2010)
Christopher Nolan's mind bending film provided a highly original, emotional, character-driven
story, highlighted by unique, structure-bending visual effects, a strong cast, and another
unforgettable score from Hans Zimmer.
Christopher Nolan's mind bending film provided a highly original, emotional, character-driven
story, highlighted by unique, structure-bending visual effects, a strong cast, and another
unforgettable score from Hans Zimmer.