Time is a strange concept. Somehow, 2010 seems both recent, and a long time ago, all at once. The decade was responsible for some of the highest-grossing films in history, as well as some genre-defining productions that were instant classics. Marvel’s heyday gave audiences The Avengers and Black Panther, Netflix unleashed their teen love story trilogies, and the caliber of dramas was very high.
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Such a saturated space makes it difficult for certain films to stand out, so when they do, it’s clear they have something special. Even looking at the list of nominations for Best Picture at the Oscars shows just how varied in quality and subject matter some of the biggest films of the decade were.
10 The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
A Palatable Look At The World Of Finance
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7.5/10 The Wolf of Wall Street RComedyCrimeBiography
Directed by Martin Scorcese, The Wolf of Wall Street tells the true story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), based on his memoir of the same name. It chronicles the rise of Belfort and the subsequent corruption of his firm as he engages in a wide assortment of criminal acts while amassing a staggering fortune. Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, and Kyle Chandler also star alongside DiCaprio.
Director Martin Scorsese Release Date December 25, 2013 Writers Terence Winter Cast Leonardo DiCaprio , Jonah Hill , Margot Robbie , Kyle Chandler , Matthew McConaughey , Rob Reiner , Jon Bernthal , Jon Favreau Runtime 180 Minutes
It’s part biography, part comedy-drama, and fully packed with boisterous characters and mile-a-minute dialogue. In a decade when many films were made about various types of financial crises, Martin Scorsese managed to make one that struck a more meaningful chord with viewers. The cast, led by Leonardo DiCaprio, is undoubtedly impressive.
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Combining legacy actors such as Joanna Lumley and Rob Reiner with up-and-comers (at the time) like Margot Robbie and Cristin Milloti, made the film feel established and fresh at the same time. While the main character is very much an anti-hero, the audience still finds his story compelling, and wants to see it through to the end.
Related The 60 Best Movies Of All Time
Screen Rant breaks down the best movies of all time, from old classics to modern masterpieces across multiple genres of cinema.
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Peeling back into his personal life and motivation, makes the movie resonate more, than more of an ensemble piece, like The Big Short. Standout scenes like Matthew McConaughey’s “chest beating” cameo, and the infamous Quaalude sequence are instantly recognizable, and the fact that it’s one of the more lighthearted DiCaprio/Scorsese collaborations makes for a very entertaining re-watch.
9 The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
So Many Great Actors All In One Place
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9.3/10 The Grand Budapest Hotel RAdventureComedyDrama
From director Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel stars Ralph Fiennes as Gustave H., the renowned concierge of the film’s titular hotel. Fiennes is joined by Tony Revolori as Zero, a newly hired bellhop who serves as Gustave’s partner-in-crime throughout the film. An older Zero, played by F. Murray Abraham, serves as the narrator for the story, which chronicles the adventures of Gustave and Zero after Gustave is framed for the murder of the wealthy Madame D., his patron and lover.
Director Wes Anderson Release Date March 28, 2014 Cast Willem Dafoe , Jude Law , Edward Norton , Jeff Goldblum , Saoirse Ronan , Adrien Brody , Tilda Swinton , Ralph Fiennes , Tony Revolori Runtime 100 Minutes Writers Wes Anderson , Hugo Guinness
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Wes Anderson’s world-building is one of the more unique in movie history. Anytime any of his films come on, it’s obvious it’s a Wes Anderson project because of the visual impact alone. The muted but still eye-catching color palette, the uniformity and symmetry in almost every scene, and the grand scale of the sets, are all his signature calling cards.
Add to that a layered story with a large group of players, and the result is an immersive and exhilarating on-screen experience. The Grand Budapest Hotel did this in a way that captivated audiences immediately. The fragmented storytelling keeps the viewer curious and engaged, as they navigate the fictional land of Zubrowka.
By placing the plot in an imaginary setting, Anderson was able to tackle very real issues like fascism, immigration, and xenophobia without being too bleak and naturalistic. The star-studded cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Adrien Brody, and Tilda Swinton among the many, many notable names. This is the type of film that people remember seeing for the first time.
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8 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
A Fresh Perspective On A Well-Known Story
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17 9.4/10 Mad Max: Fury Road RActionAdventureThrillerFantasy
Mad Max: Fury Road is the fourth film in George Miller’s long-running sci-fi franchise, with Tom Hardy starring as Max Rockstansky, a vagabond who lives on the road in an apocalyptic wasteland. When Max comes across a cult group that keeps its people in fear and under control with a monopoly on water and other crucial supplies, he joins up with Imperator Furiosa, a warrior woman leading a rebellion against the cult’s leader, Immortan Joe.
Director George Miller Release Date May 14, 2015 Writers George Miller , Brendan McCarthy , Nick Lathouris Cast Tom Hardy , Charlize Theron , Nicholas Hoult , Zoë Kravitz , Hugh Keays-Byrne , Riley Keough , Courtney Eaton , Abbey Lee , Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Runtime 120 Minutes
Reviving a franchise from the 1980s can be tricky. Most have gone down the comedy route, leaning heavily into nostalgia but not taking themselves too seriously. Others abandon the source material altogether, instead taking the concept and modernizing it, offering a re-telling of a familiar story. Mad Max: Fury Road does neither. It pays homage to the films of the past, while offering a fresh perspective on a well-known story.
It pays homage to the films of the past, while offering a fresh perspective on a well-known story.
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Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Hoult create a world full of chaos and lawlessness that took everyone by surprise. The film performed very well at the box office and holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With timeless themes and a dystopian setting, it’s one of those films that makes it hard to tell exactly when it came out. That in itself solidifies its place as a classic. It also gave the world Furiosa, who was such a compelling character that a prequel was requested almost immediately, and finally made it to screens in 2024.
7 Crazy Stupid Love (2011)
A Slightly Different Kind Of Rom-Com
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Crazy, Stupid, Love pg-13ComedyDocumentaryDramaRomance
Written by Dan Fogelman and directed by both Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Crazy, Stupid, Love is a Comedy and Romance film starring Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling. The plot sees a variety of characters and explores how all of their lives are interconnected by love.
Director Glenn Ficarra , John Requa Release Date June 19, 2011 Writers Dan Fogelman Cast Steve Carell , Ryan Gosling , Julianne Moore , Emma Stone , Analeigh Tipton , Jonah Bobo Runtime 118 minutes
Steve Carell’s charm and leading-man potential had been a well-known fact in Hollywood for a while. His comedic prowess took center-stage on The Office, and films such as Date Night and Get Smart proved he could do romance as well. Ryan Gosling, on the other hand, was better known for his dramatic work, so seeing him showcase his naturally charismatic and funny side was fairly new at the time.
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His chemistry with Emma Stone was so impressive it led to them reuniting onscreen two more times, so seeing the beginning of their onscreen courtship is still wonderful to watch. Romantic comedies can sometimes be taken less seriously because of their lighthearted nature, but if the story is strong and the cast has that on-screen magic, it can easily become a modern classic.
This film has all those things. The combination of Carell and Gosling, is both hilarious and challenging. The entire scene with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling performing the Dirty Dancing lift could in itself be a standalone short film. Sub-plots all merge into one in a very satisfying way, creating a type of conflict the audience might not have been expecting.
6 12 Years A Slave (2013)
An Honest Re-Telling Of A True Story
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8.5/10 12 Years a Slave rDrama
Directed by Steve McQueen and based on the 1853 memoir by Solomon Northup, 12 Years a Slave tells the story of Northrup, a free black man from New York who, in 1841, is captured and sold into slavery in the south. Separated from his family, and forced to endure intense brutality at the hands of his new masters, Northrup works tirelessly to stay alive and regain his freedom. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northrup, with a cast that includes Lupita Nyong’0, Michael Fassbender, Paul Dano, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Director Steve McQueen Release Date January 9, 2014 Writers Steve McQueen , John Ridley Cast Chiwetel Ejiofor , Michael Fassbender , Brad Pitt , Lupita Nyong’o , Benedict Cumberbatch Runtime 134minutes
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Sometimes, a viewer can tell that they’re watching something that will be as powerful and impactful now as it will be in 10, 20, or even 60 years’ time. Steve McQueen is exactly that kind of movie. Taking on the 19th-century novel of the same name, it takes great care with the subject matter, doing it justice at every turn. With extraordinary performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor and Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o, this is a historical epic in every sense of the word.
The supporting cast includes Brad Pitt, Sarah Paulson, and Michael Fassbender among many notable names, who help tell Solomon Northup’s harrowing story. The film takes great care in depicting some of the real-life atrocities that happened at the time, and does not shy away from violence and brutality to have the story come across. With both critical and box office acclaim, this is an important film to see.
5 Spotlight (2015)
A Report Into Deeply Hidden Wrongdoings
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Spotlight RCrimeBiographyDrama
Based on a true story, Spotlight is a drama film that tells the story of reporters who are privy to terrible details about goings on within the Roman Catholic Church. When several allegations are levied against the church, the Boston Globe sends out a team of reporters to investigate John Geoghan, who was accused of molesting several children. Believing there is a cover-up, the team goes to incredible lengths to find the truth and prove the guilt and complicity of both John and the church.
Director Tom McCarthy Release Date November 25, 2015 Writers Josh Singer , Tom McCarthy Cast John Slattery , Rachel McAdams , Michael Keaton , Jamey Sheridan , Stanley Tucci , Billy Crudup , Brian D’Arcy James , Mark Ruffalo , Liev Schreiber Runtime 128minutes
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Joining the ranks of All The President’s Men and JFK, Spotlight‘s story gets pieced together by the characters in real-time. It’s a fascinating way of getting the viewers involved, as they crave new information with every new revelation. Set at the Boston Globe offices, a group of reporters works to uncover the horrific history of abuse within the Catholic Church.
Spotlight
won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2016.
Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, and Mark Ruffalo guide the audience through their investigation while keeping them engaged and curious. Films based on true stories run the risk of being too dry or, even, boring. Many fall flat with audiences and are considered to be too “of-the-moment”. This movie is neither, and manages to capture the essence of the subject at hand in a way that will be interesting and compelling, whenever it’s watched.
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4 Get Out (2017)
He Didn’t Even See The Signs
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9.5/10 Get Out RHorrorMysteryThriller
Jordan Peele made his directorial Horror debut with Get Out, a terrifying Psychological Horror film starring Daniel Kaluuya. In the 2017 release, Chris Washington heads to Upstate New York to meet the family of his girlfriend, Rose. What follows is a horrifying ordeal for the anxious photographer.
Director Jordan Peele Release Date February 24, 2017 Writers Jordan Peele Cast Lyle Brocato , LaKeith Stanfield , Caleb Landry Jones , Betty Gabriel , Allison Williams , Marcus Henderson , Erika Alexander , Bradley Whitford , Jeronimo Spinx , Catherine Keener , Daniel Kaluuya Runtime 1 hour, 44 minutes
An extremely clever marketing technique meant that the audience’s curiosity was piqued even before they stepped into the cinema. This high-concept horror was thought-provoking, creating an atmosphere of discomfort and dread throughout its entire runtime. The energy Daniel Kaluuya brought to the infamous movie poster is carried throughout the film as he tries to get out of the horrific situation he found himself in.
Related Get Out’s Darker Original Ending Gets Thoughtful Reflection From Star 7 Years Later
Get Out star Allison Williams discusses the darker, original ending of the film, saying that the theatrical ending delivered the same message.
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Addressing the topic of race in such a uniquely distressing and outlandish way, made an immediate impact on audiences all over the world. The film was a huge hit for Jordan Peel, giving him an immense platform to bring more of his stories to the screen. But, this was the first to create an almost new genre of horror.
3 Inception (2010)
Delving Deep Into The Subconscious
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8.1/10 Inception PG-13Adventure Sci-FiThrillerAction
Christopher Nolan’s 2010 Sci-fi action film Inception follows a thief who enters the dreams of others to steal information and, after being caught, is given a chance to clean his slate by performing an untested concept – implanting an idea within another mind. An ensemble cast is brought together by former target Saito, who seeks to implant the idea of destroying his own company into his father’s mind. In a complex labyrinth of dreams and untested theories at the forefront, survival is not guaranteed in this psychological heist where the stakes are high, and nothing is what it seems.
Director Christopher Nolan Release Date July 16, 2010 Writers Christopher Nolan Cast Tom Hardy , Elliot Page , Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Cillian Murphy , Ken Watanabe , Marion Cotillard , Leonardo DiCaprio Runtime 148 minutes
Christopher Nolan had come off an amazing wave of success with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, so he was able to create this type of mind-bending film on a truly grand scale. The premise was difficult to follow in 2010 and stumps people to this very day.
Journeying into multiple levels of someone’s subconscious is as exhilarating as one can imagine when done with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard, and Tom Hardy. The visual effects remain current and impressive, and the story is as fresh and unique as ever.
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It’s been nearly 15 years since the film came out, and it remains one of the most popular in Nolan’s filmography. A supporting cast that includes Elliot Page, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Cillian Murphy completes his complicated action thriller, that has to be seen to be believed. If not necessarily understood. The ending scene still has audiences divided on whether it was real or not.
2 Parasite (2019)
A Tale Of Symbiotic Ineqality
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9.7/10 Parasite RComedyThrillerDrama
Best Picture Oscar winner Parasite follows the impoverished Kim family, who live in a small apartment and consistently struggle to make ends meet. After they chance across the gullible and wealthy Park family, the Kims ingratiate themselves through lies and deceit, earning themselves jobs taking care of the household. However, their newfound luck is built on an ever-growing foundation of mistruths – one that threatens to fall down around them at any moment.
Director Bong Joon Ho Release Date November 8, 2019 Writers Jin Won Han , Bong Joon Ho Cast Yeo-Jeong Jo , Myeong-hoon Park , Jeong-eun Lee , Sun-kyun Lee , Ji-so Jung , So-dam Park , Keun-rok Park , Kang-ho Song , Ji-hye Lee , Woo-sik Choi , Seo-joon Park , Hye-jin Jang Runtime 132 minutes
Though it came out toward the end of the decade, the film made an instant impact. It broke awards records and holds a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The storytelling, the direction, and the acting all come together to create one of the most memorable cinematic experiences in recent memory.
Bong Joon Ho’s tale of the class divide, as shown by the Park and Kim families, is thought-provoking and disturbing in equal measure.
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Bong Joon Ho’s tale of the class divide, as shown by the Park and Kim families, is thought-provoking and disturbing in equal measure. The fact that it also manages to be funny and scary at the same time is a testament to the quality of the writing.
It won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Directing, and Screenplay, as well as Best International Feature Film. Sometimes awards glory is not necessarily an indication of a film standing the test of time, but Parasite is one that will. It tackles a theme that transcends time and will resonate with many people for years to come.
1 Moonlight (2016)
A Sad But Beautiful Piece Of Cinema
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Moonlight RDrama
Written and directed by Barry Jenkins, Moonlight follows Chiron (Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, and Alex Hibbert) during three stages of his life, starting in childhood and progressing all the way up through adulthood. The film explores themes of identity and sexuality, chronicling Chiron’s life as a gay black man growing up in Miami to an abusive, drug-addicted mother.
Director Barry Jenkins Release Date October 21, 2016 Writers Barry Jenkins Cast Janelle Monae , Edson Jean , Alex R. Hibbert , Mahershala Ali , Ashton Sanders , Duan Sanderson , Jaden Piner , Shariff Earp , Patrick Decile , Naomie Harris , Rudi Goblen Runtime 111 Minutes
A story of abuse, neglect but also love and perseverance. The fact that it was based on a play can be felt not only because of having the story split into three acts, but also because of the intimacy felt within the scenes. It’s beautifully shot, despite the bleak setting and sparse use of color.
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Having three different actors portray the same character can sometimes make it hard for an audience to connect with them, but Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes were able to breathe life into every stage of his journey. Mahershala Ali earned his Academy Award by making his presence so impactful, that as soon as he’s gone, viewers instantly feel the loss.
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Naomie Harris’ portrayal evokes strong emotions of rage combined with pity, as the audience feels protective of her son. Moonlight is a film that has to be seen to be appreciated. While the memorable La La Land Oscar slip-up made it live forever in infamy, its beauty and complexity are what make it a certified classic. After all, there was a reason that the envelope actually said: Moonlight.
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