The 2010s was the decade that nerdy went mainstream—and that doesn’t mean exclusively within the superhero genre. Horror and science fiction finally had their critical renaissance, too. But perhaps most importantly… Keanu Reeves became cool again.
Did your favorite films make the cut?
The Irishman (2019)
Martin Scorsese’s epic three-hour gangster drama peers into the past of Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), a former mobster who “painted houses” for the Bufalino crime family. Sheeran also details his role in the 1975 disappearance of his good friend Jimmy Hoffa. Technology caught up with need when Industrial Light & Magic developed an innovative, digital de-aging VFX process for the film. The Irishman may be 209 minutes long, but every minute is used wisely.
Phantom Thread (2018)
Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a renowned dressmaker in 1950s post-war London. Reynolds and his sister, Cyril (Leslie Manville) dress only the top tier of London elite at The House of Woodcock. After Reynolds meets headstrong Alma (Vicky Krieps), he finds his life unraveling at the seams. Cutting, brilliant, and thoroughly bewitching, Phantom Thread earned all six of its Oscar nominations.
Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s debut feature film was heralded as a bold creative endeavor that used the horror genre as a vehicle for social commentary. Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and his girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams), travel to her parents’ for the weekend so she can introduce him. At first, their behavior seems overly-accommodating, but the truth is slowly revealed through a series of haunting discoveries.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
The possibilities of the Spider-Verse prove to be limitless after Brooklyn teen Miles Morales discovers that more than one Spider-Man can wear the mask. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse's narrative is fortified by its unique animation style, which makes for an action-packed, heartfelt viewing experience.
Parasite (2019)
Bong Joon-Ho spins the darkest of fairy tales in Parasite, a commentary on capitalism through the lens of the Kim family. The Kims live in squalor until their son infiltrates the lives of the Parks, an obscenely wealthy family with little regard for anyone below their social class. Just when the Kims are getting comfortable with their newfound roles, an unwanted obtruder threatens to send them back from whence they came.
The King’s Speech (2010)
Bertie (Colin Firth) is suddenly crowned King George VI of England after the unexpected death of his father, King George V (Michael Gambon), and the disgraceful abdication of King Edward VIII (Guy Pearce). Bertie suffers from a debilitating speech impediment—and only unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) can help him deliver a radio-address that will galvanize his country for war.
12 Years A Slave (2013)
Chiwetel Ejiofar plays Solomon Northup, a New York State citizen who was kidnapped and forced into slavery on a plantation in 1800s New Orleans. 12 Years A Slave is a harrowing, powerful glimpse into the nation’s dark past, highlighting one man’s resilience in the face of adversity.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
Tom Hanks is impeccably cast as Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, which tells the heartwarming story of the real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod (Matthew Rhys). Deeply poignant and masterfully-acted, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood instills in its audience a compelling message about kindness, decency, and understanding.
Room (2015)
Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay play Joy “Ma” Newsome and her son, Jack, who finally escape from the only place Jack has ever known: Room. Unfortunately, reacclimating to society after unspeakable trauma proves impossibly difficult for the pair. Suspenseful, raw, and deeply affecting, Room depicts the powerful bond between a mother and her child.
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
In order to prove his manhood and worthiness to the tribe, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), the son of a Viking chief (Gerard Butler), must capture a dragon—but things don’t exactly go to plan. How to Train Your Dragon is a whimsical coming-of-age tale about adventure, family, and companionship between Hiccup and his new four-legged friend.
Midsommar (2019)
A rural hometown festival in Sweden soon becomes one couple’s worst nightmare. Ari Aster’s second film is set in broad daylight on a seemingly idyllic pasture—a stark contrast to Dani (Florence Pugh)’s latent grief in the wake of an unspeakable tragedy. Midsommar explores the horrors of human empathy and female grief in this psychedelic folk horror story.
Arrival (2016)
Expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) leads a meticulously-selected team to investigate a number of mysterious spacecraft that have touched down in various cities all over the world. Ambitious, well-paced, and surprisingly tender, Arrival is a cerebral science fiction experience that explores the intersection of communication, time, and space.
Knives Out (2019)
In Knives Out, anyone and everyone is a suspect. The outstanding ensemble cast pays tribute to Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit. Renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead on his estate the day after his 85th birthday, and ever-so-debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is enlisted to help investigate. Knives Out might be the most fun anyone has had at the movies this year.
Lady Bird (2017)
Directed and written by Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird bears all the pain, confusion, and hopefulness of youth. Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) is the spitting image of her iron-willed, opinionated mother—and she resents it to the ends of the Earth. Set in 2002 Sacramento, Lady Bird and her mother struggle to reconcile their differences and see eye-to-eye.
Her (2013)
In the not-so-distant future, a withdrawn writer (Joaquin Phoenix) falls in love with his cell phone’s highly advanced operating system (Scarlett Johansson). Sensitive and melancholy, Spike Jonze’s Her delivers a unique perspective on love in the digital age.
A Star Is Born (2018)
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper use the full force of their combined talent to weave the complex and heartbreaking narrative of Jack and Ally, two musicians struggling to find their place in the world. A Star Is Born serves as a reminder that sometimes, remakes are worth effort.
Moonlight (2016)
Tender and based on true events, this three-part coming-of-age drama is the heartbreaking story of director Barry Jenkins’ own youth. Moonlight follows Kevin, a young black man struggling to find himself while growing up in Miami. Gentle, delicate, and graceful, Moonlight defies categorization.
A Quiet Place (2018)
A family of four are forced to live in silence in order to avoid attracting the attention of creatures that hunt whatever they hear. John Krasinski’s directorial debut establishes A Quiet Place as one of modern cinema’s most innovative horror films, relying on sound—or rather, the absence of it—for the ultimate scare.
The Witch (2016)
In 1630 New England, an English farmer and his family to a remote plot of land on the fringes of the forest, within which lurks an evil that begins to plague them. An unsettlingly slow-burn and visual tour de force, Robert Eggers’ directorial debut breaches classic horror themes of witchcraft, possession, and black magic.
Three Identical Strangers (2018)
Three strangers are revealed to be identical triplets who were separated at birth. What at first appears to be a heartfelt reunion in Three Identical Strangers soon devolves into something much more sinister—threatening to reveal a secret with tremendous repercussions for anyone contemplating the effects of nature versus nurture.
Zootopia (2016)
Refreshingly intelligent for an animated children’s feature, Zootopia managed to capture the hearts of adults and kids alike. Zootopia’s success hinged on its audience, who were trusted to understand the complex and nuanced messages about discrimination that lied beneath its fluffy exterior.
The Artist (2011)
This black-and-white, mostly silent comedy is an unadulterated cinematic delight. Following George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), a silent movie superstar in 1927 Hollywood, The Artist tells the story of Valentin’s intertwined destiny with extra Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) when talkies threaten to halt his career in its tracks.
Eighth Grade (2018)
First-time director Bo Burnham masterfully executes the harsh reality of middle school with Eighth Grade, in which 13-year-old Kayla is caught in the perils of growing up in middle-class suburbia. With only one week of class left, Kayla must survive the grueling anxieties of pubescence.
The Big Sick (2017)
Aspiring comedian Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani) finds himself caught between two worlds when a one-night stand with grad student Emily (Zoe Kazan) blossoms into something he never could have anticipated. Sincere and funny, The Big Sick manages to thwart traditional rom-com expectations by introducing the concept of cross-cultural boundaries. The Big Sick is based on the real-life relationship between Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon, with whom he co-wrote the movie.
La La Land (2016)
Jazz musician Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) meet in modern-day Los Angeles. La La Land is a charming depiction of a city known for crushing star-studded dreams, proving that Los Angeles fosters incredible talent—even if it might break your heart.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
Oscar-nominated Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri follows Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand), a grieving mother makes an unforgettable statement directed at her town’s chief of police. Featuring exceptional performances from McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards expertly balances distress and pure laugh-out-loud humor.
It Follows (2015)
A strange sexual encounter leaves a teenager (Maika Monroe) feeling as though something is after her—and, as it turns out, she’s right. The haunting soundtrack helps to elevate the horror in It Follows, leaving viewers delightfully on edge throughout the entire ride.
Whiplash (2014)
J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller offer magnetic performances in Whiplash as Terence Fletcher, the abusive instructor of an elite jazz ensemble, and Andrew Neyman, a young jazz drummer who will do anything to reach the top of his career. Tickets to Whiplash should have come with a stress ball as a preventative measure.
Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart is an intelligent, girl-powered spin on the classic coming-of-age story. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein shine as Amy and Molly, two academic overachievers who realize they should have worked less and played more. Witty and genuine, Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut elevates the genre to a whole new level.
American Hustle (2015)
Set in the violent and capricious world of Feds and con-artists, American Hustle tells the story of Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), a brilliant con man forced to act as a government informant, whose wife (Jennifer Lawrence) might bring the whole operation down with her. American Hustle defies genre with its fervent energy and scintillating humor, hinging entirely on the fuel of comb-overs, drugs, cleavage, and sheer ridiculousness.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Irreverent and hilarious, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is an ode to the underdog. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is forced to partner with a band of misfits to save the universe. Colorful, funny, and perfectly tongue-in-cheek, Guardians of the Galaxy is built for lovers of kitschy science fiction.
Boyhood (2014)
Twelve years in the making, Boyhood follows Mason (Ellar Coltrane), who grows up on-screen before our very eyes. Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, and Lorelei Linklater offer formidable performances as Mason’s family; the audience has the pleasure of observing them mature and evolve in real-time as the years wear on.
The Babadook (2014)
Six years after her husband’s violent demise, Amelia (Essie Davis) struggles to discipline her 6-year-old son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman), who remains convinced that a monster haunting his dreams is coming to kill them both. Rather than relying on cheap jump scares, The Babadook is uniquely horrifying, exploring the psychological ramifications of grief.
Call Me By Your Name (2018)
Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name is as sensual and striking as its title. In the summer of 1983, 17-year-old Elio Perlmann (Timothee Chalamet) finds himself in the north of Italy, enamored by a charming American doctoral candidate, Oliver (Armie Hammer). This coming-of-age story is one of melancholy, grace, and first loves.
BlacKkKlansman (2018)
Visionary filmmaker Spike Lee tells the true story of Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Stallworth teams up with colleague Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) to unearth the investigation of a lifetime: infiltrating and exposing the Ku Klux Klan.
The Shape of Water (2017)
Set against the background of the Cold War era, Guillermo del Toro’s fantastical fairy tale follows Elisa (Sally Hawkins), a lonely lab worker who encounters a classified government experiment that changes her life forever. Whimsical, visually dazzling, and emotional, The Shape of Water is brought to life by Sally Hawkins’ spectacular performance.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Native New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) accompanies her longtime boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. However, Nick manages to leave out a few important details about his life: he’s the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families. Crazy Rich Asians is a good-natured rom-com that celebrates all types of diversity.
20 Feet From Stardom (2013)
Everyone has heard their voices, but nobody knows their names. 20 Feet From Stardom is an enlightening and heartbreaking tribute to the backbone of popular music. Backup singers work harder than anyone ever could have imagined, reminding us all that talent alone is rarely enough to warrant success.
The Farewell (2019)
Upon discovering that their beloved Grandmother has only a short time left to live, a Chinese family decides to keep her out of the know, instead scheduling an impromptu wedding before her passing. Billi (Awkwafiina), feeling out of place in her home country, struggles to make peace with her family’s decision not to tell Grandmother about her condition.
I, Tonya (2018)
Margot Robbie and Allison Janney spearhead the dark comedic I, Tonya, which is based on true events. Harding (Robbie) may have been the first American woman in history to complete a triple axel in competition, but her legacy was smeared by a violent attack on a fellow Olympic competitor. It’s impossible to make up your mind about Tonya Harding—and that’s exactly the point.
Roma (2018)
Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio) works for a wealthy family in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City. Writer and director Alfonso Cuaron draws upon his own childhood experience in Roma, his most personal project to date, which pays homage to domestic workers and social hierarchy amidst the political turbulence of the 1970s.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
In 1969 in Los Angeles, Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) are lost in the transforming Hollywood landscape. Luckily, Dalton has a well-known neighbor: Sharon Tate. Tarantino’s ninth film is a disturbing love letter to 1960s Hollywood.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
In Portrait of a Lady on Fire, a whirlwind romance occurs between two women in 1760 France after Marianne (Noemie Merlant) is commissioned to paint the wedding portrait of Heloise, a young woman who has just left the convent. This unflinching period piece is a work of gripping intrigue and provocative intimacy.
Birdman (2014)
Michael Keaton and Edward Norton shine black comedy Birdman. Keaton plays Riggan, a man struggling to shed his past while mounting a play on Broadway. Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu delivers an impressive technical feat, which is only bolstered by Keaton and Norton’s stellar performances.
Shazam! (2019)
Billy Batson (Asher Angel) finds himself granted the ability to turn into an adult superhero by shouting “Shazam!” Humor and heart shine in this superhero film. Besides, you can’t help but root for a protagonist who uses his powers to buy beer and then spit it out in the parking lot.
Gravity (2013)
Sandra Bullock and George Clooney star as Dr. Ryan Stone and Matt Kowalski in this tense deep-space thriller. A technical spectacle, Alfonso Cuaron’s sci-fi drama Gravity will leave you reaching for an antacid to settle your stomach. There's nothing quite as disturbing as watching someone spiral into literal nothingness.
The Lego Movie (2014)
The first full-length theatrical LEGO adventure is one for the books. Emmet (Chris Pratt) follows the rules—until he’s mistakenly identified as the key to saving the world. Hopelessly underprepared for the journey on which he must embark, Emmet bands together with a group of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant and save the world.
Amy (2015)
Equal parts mesmerizing and devastating, Amy explores the rise and fall of powerhouse singer Amy Winehouse. It can be difficult to watch at times, knowing that Winehouse’s talent ultimately led to her emotional—and entirely preventable—demise.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Spanning the entirety of the MCU, Avengers: Infinity War features one of the deadliest on-screen battles of all time. The Avengers must sacrifice everything in order to defeat Thanos before he destroys the universe beyond repair. Even if you don’t consider yourself an Avengers fanatic, Avengers: Infinity War will leave you waiting for the sequel with bated breath.
Ex Machina (2015)
Programmer Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson) wins a competition to spend a week at the private mountain estate belonging to his company’s brilliant and hermetic CEO, Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac). Upon arrival, Caleb encounters Ava (Alicia Vikander), an A.I. with more capacity for emotional intelligence than either of the men could have ever known.
Zero Dark Thirty (2013)
An elite team of military and intelligence operatives works to locate and destroy Osama bin Laden. Zero Dark Thirty dramatizes the knuckle-biting hunt for the world’s most dangerous man without triumphalism, making sure viewers never forget the gravity of this grim moment in history.
The Favourite (2018)
Sickly Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne while her close friend, Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), governs over the country in her stead. As Anne’s health deteriorates, new servant Abigail (Emma Stone) arrives, and Sarah takes her under her wing. The Favourite is a thrilling black comedy period piece that zeroes in on the plight of women warriors.
Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s feature debut explores unfettered suffering in the wake of a matriarch’s death. After Ellen Graham passes away, her daughter’s (Toni Collette) family finds themselves unable to outrun the demons that lurk in their ancestry. A nightmarish tour de force, Hereditary grows increasingly sinister with every passing minute.
Us (2019)
Jordan Peele overcomes the sophomore jinx with Us, a stunningly creative endeavor starring Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elizabeth Moss, and Tim Heidecker. Adelaide (Nyong’o), plagued by an inexplicable trauma from her past, is convinced that her family is in danger. Confronted by violent and ruthless doppelgangers, Adelaide uncovers a terrifying secret that lies beneath the foundation of America.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
In the wake of a mass Avengers genocide, the remaining members band together and take one final stand against Thanos in the thrilling end to Marvel’s epic Infinity Saga. The MCU will continue onward, but Avengers: Endgame is a cathartic release for anyone who has endured more than a decade’s worth of storytelling.
Carol (2015)
Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett are a pair of heartbreakers, starring as Therese Belivet, a young department store clerk in 1950s Manhattan, and Carol Aird, a gorgeous older woman trapped in a failing marriage. As the two become increasingly intimate, Carol must determine what price she’s willing to pay to live freely.
Isle of Dogs (2018)
Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs is stop-motion animation at its finest. An outbreak of canine flu in Japan leads the country to quarantine all dogs on a remote island. After a boy (Koyu Rankin) travels there to find his dog, Spots (Liev Schreiber), his journey inspires a group of canine-lovers to expose a government conspiracy. The commendable voice cast includes everyone from Bryan Cranston to Yoko Ono.
Baby Driver (2017)
Ansel Elgort stars as a talented young getaway driver whose unparalleled skill is almost entirely dictated by his personal soundtrack. However, when a heist gone wrong threatens everything dear to him, he must finally face the music. Entertaining and stylish all the same, Baby Driver proves that action can be smart and thrilling.
First Reformed (2018)
Reverend Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke) is forced to reconcile with his tormented past after a pregnant parishioner (Amanda Seyfriend) asks him to counsel her radical environmentalist husband. Toller finds redemption in a monumental act of violence.
Paterson (2016)
2019 may be the year of Adam Driver, but his performance in 2016’s Paterson was sensational. Paterson (Driver) drives a bus in the city of Paterson, New Jersey. He follows a simple routine, which contrasts the life of his loving wife, Laura (Golshifteh Farahani). A narrative that could have easily gone static was brought to life by director Jim Jarmusch.