Top Films of the Last Decade (2010-2019)

I think for pretty much everyone on the planet, 2020 has been a bit of a stinker year and got us harking back to the days of the 2010's. Looking back, I’ve been compiling my list of the best films of the past decade. This has been incredibly hard to put together and I’ve had to leave so much out. So difficult in fact, I’m not even going to rank them as I’d have no idea where to begin; I’m just listing them alphabetically.

<please remember that I haven’t seen every movie of the past 10 years, so if I’ve left out one of your favourites, it’s probably because it’s on my list of films I need to see>

Honourable mentions: About Time, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, Blinded by the Light, Gravity, Her, Inside Out, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Star Trek into Darkness, The Babadook, The Help

12 Years a Slave

Probably the most emotional film on this list. I can’t count how many times I cried when seeing this in the cinema. I can’t imagine I’ll ever want to see it again, but my god I’m glad that I have seen it. An utter masterpiece which helped by a stellar cast doesn’t leave a dry eye in the room.

Argo

Talk about tense. You don’t have a moment to breathe throughout the 120-minute runtime, with the constant fear for the US diplomats lives as they attempt to escape Iran. Ben Affleck deservingly won the Oscar for best film in 2012 with this captivating drama that brilliantly creates suspense with a strong script and score.

Avengers: Endgame

The perfect ending (even though it’s not technically an ending) for a franchise which has changed cinema. Including some of the best cinematic moments of the past decade, the Russo brothers didn’t let anyone down with this huge blockbuster. A score that still puts my hairs on end, an incredible Robert Downey Jr performance and a heartbreaking ending make this more than worthy of a place on this list.

Blade Runner 2049

Arguably the best cinematography of any film this decade. There was a lot of pressure on Denis Villeneuve to pull off this sequel of the 1982 masterpiece, but he has created something that not only doesn’t disappoint but also brilliantly builds on the lore of the first film. Not to mention that it includes a hugely underrated Ryan Gosling performance. It’s a stunning spectacle of cinema; a beautifully crafted work of art.

Boyhood

Richard Linklater’s incredible concept is not only a marvel of technical achievement, but is also filled with beauty and character. This portrait of humanity is so ambitious in its realism that it looks so easy. It’s powerful, affecting and intimate with performances so unique that it practically walks onto this list. An extraordinary feat of filmmaking.

Call Me By Your Name

It’s no surprise to see that this received a 10-minute standing ovation when it was first screened at the New York Film Festival. Luca Guadagnino has created the epitome of a beautiful love story, which is not only intimate and sensual, but also a heartbreakingly honest depiction of a teenager’s infatuation with their first love. Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer are pitch-perfect in one of the decade’s most beautiful films.

Captain Phillips

Tom Hanks really is the greatest actor of all time. He puts in a staggeringly real performance as the titular character alongside the brilliant introduction to Hollywood of Barkhad Abdi. Paul Greengrass directs the movie of his career; every second of this thriller is intense with a hugely powerful finale.

Chico and Rita

A wonderful animation that became the first Spanish full-length feature to be nominated for an animated Oscar. Although the film focuses on music and has a beautiful jazz soundtrack, at its heart, this is just a love story between really well drawn out characters (no pun intended). The setting is captured perfectly, whisking you away to Havana in the 40’s, and you really won’t want to leave.

Detroit

Very rarely do we see a film about racism told from the perspective of the racist. Kathyrn Bigalow’s direction is excellent and puts you right in the centre of this horrific incident in a Detroit hotel in 1967. The cast is excellent, but no-one can top the performance of Will Poulter who is scaringly believable as the loathsome police officer. It’s at times gut-wrenching and so distressing to think that this actually happened, but it’s a brilliantly told drama that needs to be seen.

Eighth Grade

I don’t want to repeat myself too much from my ‘Best Films of 2019 list’ (please do go check that out). All I’ll say is that this stunning film moved me more than almost any other film I’ve ever seen. Every note in it rings so true of today’s social media society and it’s impeccably performed, directed, written and scored. I beg you to go see it, you’ll see what I mean.

Hell or High Water

A thrilling, modern neo-western that transcends the genre and leaves you wanting more. The relationship between the two brothers gives the film a great heart and is brilliantly played by Chris Pine and Ben Foster. Beautifully well shot and expertly directed by David Mackenzie, this is a smart, complex and deep story that deserved more recognition than it got.

Inception

I’d argue that this is Christopher Nolan’s best film. The effects and camera work is staggeringly good, showing that Nolan can accomplish things other filmmakers wouldn’t even dream of. More importantly though, it has an innovative story that never downplays to the audience and keeps you hooked without the need for all the incredible visuals. With one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s best performances, this doesn’t put a foot wrong.

Isle of Dogs

There is nothing that I don’t like about this film; it’s what made me fall in love with Wes Anderson. Not only is it beautifully animated, but it also has an incredible script which is heart-warming, thrilling, funny and full of charm. The voice cast is flawless all-round, with all the usual huge stars Anderson normally attracts, expertly lead by Bryan Cranston who brings a lot of emotion to ‘Chief’ and allows you to completely fall for his story. I could go on for ages about this film, one of my absolute favourites.

La La Land

Easily the best musical this side of the century. How did Ryan Gosling not win an Oscar for this? He shows that he can do pretty much anything as an actor alongside an equally brilliant Emma Stone in a film that shows you can have a smart script and a deep story alongside impressive musical numbers. It’s joyful, romantic and satisfying in every way.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Sometimes a film leaves you thinking ‘how on earth did they do that?’ It doesn’t just feel like a work of cinematic genius; it feels like a work of art. George Miller’s visionary directing is sublime with action set pieces that have never been seen before and perhaps never will be again. The post-apocalyptic world is uniquely brought to life in what is soon to be regarded as a modern classic.

Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen’s love letter to Paris and the 1920’s may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I don’t care. I have completely fallen in love with this film and its fitting tribute to the city of light. Allen’s battle between nostalgia and modernity is expertly constructed in a clever, charming screenplay that is not only shamelessly romantic but is filled with grace and whimsy. The cast shines and Owen Wilson delivers a career-best performance in a film that I could watch over and over.

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation

Let’s face it; the Mission Impossible series is everything that James Bond wants to be and will never achieve. It’s been remarkably consistent, but the 5th instalment just pips it for me with a classic conspiratorial spy plot and ridiculously impressive action that still never fails to amaze. Tom Cruise is a true action star whose quality shouldn’t be understated.

Nightcrawler

It’s one of the most disturbing, darkest and thought-provoking films I’ve ever seen, and it’s an absolute masterpiece. Dan Gilroy’s screenplay is slick and unrelenting, and he hugely impresses for a debut director. But really this is all about Jake Gyllenhaal. It’s a creepy, slimy, tour-de-force performance that has had few equals in recent times.

Parasite

It’s a brilliant look into class, society and family that has so many layers of depth, it’s no surprise that it became the first foreign-language film to win the Oscar for best picture. Bong Joon Ho proves himself as one of the world’s best writer-directors by beautifully crafting this thrilling, captivating film which not only entertains and keeps everyone’s eyes fixed on the screen, but also keep’s everyone’s brains working for days after, trying to unlock every little area it explores.

Rogue One

It’s not just sci-fi; this is a proper war film. The Star Wars resurgence of the 2010’s was very welcoming, and whilst ‘The Force Awakens’ impressed in the main saga, it’s the Gareth Edwards spin-off that really captured people’s imaginations of what this franchise can do. A really smart screenplay and a talented cast, helmed by Felicity Jones, makes this not only one of the most enjoyable in the series, but also one of the most compelling.

Roma

Alfonso Cuaron shows off his incredible talent with a deeply powerful film. It’s a brilliant piece of storytelling that is visually spectacular and superbly demonstrates the director’s keen eye for cinematography. It has such an intimate feel about it, filled with such natural performances that do what cinema was made to do and make you believe that you are right there in the scene.

Safety Not Guaranteed

I will accept that director Colin Trevorrow may not have the most impressive Hollywood back catalogue. However, this has such a charm and a heartfelt storyline; you can’t not be completely won over by it. Quality dialogue and strong performances prove that you don’t need a big budget in order to do something special in cinema. This has gone on to be an incredibly influential film on the industry and has paved the way for so many other indie successes.

Shaun the Sheep Movie

I don’t care what anyone says, but I laughed every single minute of this Aardman classic. It’s a brilliant hark back to silent cinema and shows that you can be silly, nonsensical and still be wonderful. There’s a purity and innocence to this film which lifts your heart and reminds you that the world is still a good place. I defy anyone to watch this and not love it, it’s impossible!

Skyfall

I don’t think it’s controversial to say that this is the best Bond movie. Not only that, but Daniel Craig is also the best James Bond. Judi Dench and Javier Bardem are excellent and director Sam Mendes delivers a really smart film, with none of the issues that ‘Quantum of Solace’ had before it. Emotional, thrilling and daring, this shows us that blockbuster action doesn’t have to be stupid to be entertaining.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Wes Anderson’s second appearance on this list is generally regarded to be his best film to date. A screenplay that is one of his funniest and most charming with an intriguing plot is backed up by another majorly impressive cast, ingeniously led by Ralph Fiennes who is genuinely hilarious. More than anything though, it is beautifully designed. The sets, the art direction, the costumes; it all fills the screen with a stunning spectrum of colour which you dare not take your eyes off.

The Social Network

The brilliant combination of director David Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin has created one of the slickest and sharpest films ever made. It’s been described as ‘flawless’ by many critics and it’s hard to disagree with. Not only is it hugely enjoyable with a stellar cast, but it’s so intelligently structured and written with such wit and intelligence, that it’s impossible to not be seduced by it.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

When I first saw this movie, I really didn’t get it. I was probably too young and didn’t understand the context. After recently re-visiting it, I was in no doubt that it would be in my list. The adaptation of John le Carre’s novel is an incredibly well-made mystery of espionage and infiltration that constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat. Gary Oldman has never been better and along with a hugely talented cast creates a thrilling drama with suspense and intrigue by the bucket load.

Toy Story 3

Do I really need to say anything? ‘Toy Story’ as a trilogy is near perfect, and the third instalment not only brings the huge heart that its predecessors had, but adds more emotion than most viewers can probably take. There aren’t many people of my generation who haven’t grown up with this beautiful story of adventure, loss, friendship and love, and it never fails to move me every time I watch it. It’s an innovator in animation and a true flagship of the beauty of cinema.

Vice

Maybe it’s the wanna-be politician within me, but Adam McKay’s story of former Vice-President Dick Cheney hit all the right notes. Whilst being at times riotously funny, the genius of the film is its ability to hit you with such horrendous truths of the administration it portrays with such ease that every political satire should aspire to. Christian Bale completely transforms himself in a superb performance and no matter your political allegiances, you have to appreciate this magnificently entertaining film.

Whiplash

You’ll feel like you’ve been on a 2-hour long rollercoaster after watching one of the most intense and exhilarating films of the decade. The editing and sound are perfect in a story which succeeds in breaking cliché and taking you on multiple twists that you cannot see for miles. JK Simmons is excellent and Miles Teller feels like a proper movie star in the making. Damien Chazelle is a very talented filmmaker and I’m very excited to see what comes next.

I hope you enjoyed this list! Please let me know your thoughts in the comments and what your favourite films of the last decade were.