Hundreds of movies are released every year, although only a select few have such an impact that they maintain their relevance 50 years later. The 2010s were a great time for filmmakers and featured plenty of standout releases from iconic directors, acclaimed actors, and brilliant screenwriters. While many complain that this was also an era primarily associated with superhero films and franchise sequels, it’s important to highlight the films that truly left a mark and will remain in the public consciousness five decades from now.
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The best films of the 2010s offered something unique and interesting for viewers to latch onto. It could be socially relevant horror movies, epic sci-fi adventures, or even psychologically rich kids’ movies that showcase audiences will respond to good filmmaking and give astounding releases the respect and admiration they deserve. While so many movies get forgotten due to the passage of time, all of these films have already proven their power to endure and will maintain their relevance for years to come.
10 Get Out (2017)
Directed by Jordan Peele
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While it’s hoped that the dark political relevance of Get Out will feel like a relic of a bygone era in 50 years, the way that this Jordan Peele movie deconstructed racial topics, white fragility, and the fetishization of Black bodies made it an instant modern classic. Not only did Get Out resonate within the cultural zeitgeist, but it also signaled Peele’s transition from the sketch-based comedian into one of the major filmmakers of the 21st century. Get Out was clever and frightening in equal measure and stood as one of the most powerful movies of the 2010s.
Get Out was a layered look at a supposedly post-racial United States, where prejudices, beliefs, and discrimination are hidden below the surface instead of being outrightly displayed. Peele’s strong script and a career-defining performance from Daniel Kaluuya meant that Get Out was immediately discussed as part of the canon of great Hollywood horror films as it thoughtfully tapped into the era in which it was made. Whether Get Out will be looked at as a time capsule to earlier prejudices or maintain its relevance in 50 years remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain: it will not be forgotten.
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8.7/10 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.
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*Availability in US Director Jordan Peele Release Date February 24, 2017 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures 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 Budget 4.5 million Expand
9 Interstellar (2014)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
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From Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey to Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris, there are plenty of sci-fi movies that have maintained their relevance for the past 50 years straight. While this was a serious feat that’s unlikely to be repeated by many movies, Christopher Nolan’s epic drama Interstellar looks set to do just that. With a fascinatingly complex story about an astronaut in search of a new home for mankind due to environmental collapse on Earth, Interstellar has earned its spot among the best sci-fi movies ever made due to its emotional resonance and philosophical depth.
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With an astounding performance from Matthew McConaughey, the wormholes and time dilation experienced by NASA pilot Joseph Cooper meant he went on an extraordinary journey that caused the fabric of space and time to bend and for years to pass by in what felt like seconds. With close attention to scientific accuracy, due in part to the guidance of theoretical physicist Kip Thorne, Interstellar was an awe-inspiring journey into the complexities of the universe that’s certain to stand the test of time.
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40 9/10 Interstellar PG-13 Sci-FiDramaAdventure
From Christopher Nolan, Interstellar imagines a future where the Earth is plagued by a life-threatening famine, and a small team of astronauts is sent out to find a new prospective home among the stars. Despite putting the mission first, Coop (Matthew McConaughey) races against time to return home to his family even as they work to save mankind back on Earth.
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*Availability in US Director Christopher Nolan Release Date November 7, 2014 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures , Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures , Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Jonathan Nolan , Christopher Nolan Cast Matthew McConaughey , Anne Hathaway , Jessica Chastain , Mackenzie Foy , Ellen Burstyn , Michael Caine , Bill Irwin , Timothée Chalamet , David Oyelowo , John Lithgow Runtime 169 Minutes Budget 165 million Main Genre Sci-Fi Expand
8 The Social Network (2010)
Directed by David Fincher
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David Fincher kickstarted the 2010s with one of the greatest movie biopics ever made in a story that powerfully addressed the technology revolution that was social media’s worldwide takeover of people’s time, habits, and obsessions. Through the story of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, played to perfection by Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network was a tale of ambition and narcissism that reflected the darkest sides of a tech-obsessed, capitalist society. As a character study of a cold and calculating anti-hero, from its script to its performances, everything just came together right in The Social Network.
Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay for The Social Network has deservedly received widespread acclaim and was even ranked the fourth-best script of the 21st century by IndieWire, which, paired with Fincher’s accomplished direction, resulted in a match made in heaven. While The Social Network was a hit at the time of its release, the continued relevance of Zuckerberg on the world stage and the domination of the internet, smartphones, and technology made this not only a fascinating time capsule of Facebook’s early days but also a dark forebearer to all that was to come.
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8.4/10 The Social Network PG-13BiographyDrama
David Fincher’s The Social Network chronicles the birth of Facebook and the rise of tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg. Following Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) as he creates his famous social network along with his friend and investor Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield). As Facebook’s popularity grows, Zuckerberg faces legal action from former friends, with The Social Network following his journey from an innovative young student to a titan of industry.
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*Availability in US Director David Fincher Release Date October 1, 2010 Studio(s) Columbia Pictures , Relativity Media , Scott Rudin Productions , Michael De Luca Productions , Trigger Street Productions Distributor(s) Sony Pictures Releasing Writers Aaron Sorkin Cast Jesse Eisenberg , Rooney Mara , Andrew Garfield , Justin Timberlake , Armie Hammer Runtime 120 minutes Budget $40 Million Expand
7 Her (2013)
Directed by Spike Jonze
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There’s something innately melancholic about the story of Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) in Her, a lonely greeting card writer who finds connection with an artificially intelligent companion known as Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson.) This deeply thoughtful and unique study of a new kind of modern love felt powerfully relevant when Her was released in 2013 but has become eerily pertinent in the years since. With the advent of a true AI revolution in recent years, it feels like the era of human-robot romances feels imminent.
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The prophetic nature of Her means that it will likely appear quaint 50 years from now as the effects of AI relationships that feel indecipherable from genuine human connection slowly reveal themselves. However, at its core, Her was about timeless emotional longing, and for this reason, its story will endure through countless technological revolutions and societal changes. As a reflection of the anxieties and predictions for life in the next part of the 21st century, Her was a relevant social document that will be watched and studied by generations of upcoming viewers.
6 Inside Out (2015)
Directed by Pete Docter
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It’s astounding how animated feature films have endured throughout the decades, as children still eagerly watch Disney’s first film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, despite it being released way back in 1937. The same can be said for classics of the Disney Renaissance, such as The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, which have maintained their cultural relevance well into the 21st century. Considering this, it’s practically inevitable that children in 50 years’ time will still be blown away by the depth of meaning on display in Pixar’s modern classic Inside Out.
As the story of dealing with one’s emotions and the challenges of addressing difficult feelings, the way Inside Out explained human psychology in a manner that even a preschooler could understand deserves serious credit. From the infectious optimism of Joy and the important reflection of Sadness, Inside Out taught younger viewers it’s never good to bury down complex feelings and that sometimes it’s alright to be sad. This concept is an eternally relevant idea, and for this reason, young audiences for generations to come will still take meaning from the story of Inside Out.
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12 8.7/10 Inside Out PGAnimationAdventureComedy
Pixar Animation’s Inside Out tells the story of a little girl named Riley and her emotions. Inside Riley’s mind exists the emotions that control her actions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear. When Riley is forced to relocate to a new city, her emotions fall out of balance with disastrous results for the young girl’s life, prompting the five emotions to work together to help Riley through her troubles.
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*Availability in US Director Pete Docter Release Date June 19, 2015 Studio(s) Disney Distributor(s) Disney Writers Michael Arndt , Pete Docter , Meg LeFauve , Josh Cooley Cast Lewis Black , Mindy Kaling , Phyllis Smith , Amy Poehler , Bill Hader , Richard Kind , Kaitlyn Dias Runtime 95 minutes Franchise(s) Disney Sequel(s) Inside Out 2 Budget 175 million Expand
5 First Reformed (2015)
Directed by Paul Schrader
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It’s already been almost 50 years since Paul Schrader gained widespread notoriety for his incredible script for Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. In the years since, Schrader has proved his relevance as a filmmaker in his own right, with First Reformed from 2015 representing perhaps the best of the latter part of his career. Starring Ethan Hawke as a minister for a small New York congregation, First Reformed addressed timeless themes of religion, political anxiety, and the struggle for individuals to find meaning in a seemingly meaningless universe.
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By addressing contemporary anxieties with realism and directness not often seen in mainstream cinema, First Reformed saw Hawke’s character grappling with the nature of his vocation as a tormented past and concerns around worldwide catastrophe weigh him down. While not every viewer will connect with the intensity of First Reformed, cinephiles with a love for complex, dialogue-heavy character studies will take a lot from this story for decades to come. Having received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, the sheer power of Hawke’s performance meant that he similarly deserved, but did not get, an acting nomination as well.
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4/10 First Reformed RDramaMysteryThriller
First Reformed is a drama film directed by Paul Schrader. Ethan Hawke stars as Reverend Ernst Toller, a pastor at a small, historic church in upstate New York. As Toller grapples with his faith, personal trauma, and the state of the world, he is drawn into a crisis of existential proportions. The film explores themes of despair, redemption, and the climate crisis with a contemplative and somber tone.
Director Paul Schrader Release Date May 18, 2018 Writers Paul Schrader Cast Ethan Hawke , Amanda Seyfried , Cedric the Entertainer , Victoria Hill , Philip Ettinger , Michael Gaston , Bill Hoag , Kristin Villanueva Runtime 113 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand
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4 Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Directed by Céline Sciamma
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The French historical romance Portrait of a Lady on Fire was truly one of the most breathtakingly beautiful films of the 2010s and deserves a much bigger audience. As the story of a same-sex sexual affair between an aristocrat and the painter commissioned to paint her portrait, this subtle and thrilling piece of queer cinema was an unsentimental portrayal of female sexuality that bravely pushed against the stereotypical confines of the male gaze.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire showcased the complex entanglement of artistry and romance and the breathtaking power of finding somebody who can see the other person for who they truly are. Despite only being released in recent years, Portrait of a Lady on Fire has already been classified among the all-time great romance films, as it was voted the 30th greatest movie of all time by critics (via BFI) in the esteemed Sight & Sound poll of 2012.
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Portrait of a Lady on Fire R
Marianne is a young painter in 18th century France who is given the task of painting a portrait of Héloïse for her wedding, without her knowing. Spending her days observing Héloïse and her nights painting, Marianne finds herself getting closer and closer to her model.
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*Availability in US Director Céline Sciamma Release Date September 18, 2019 Cast Adèle Haenel , Noemie Merlant , Valeria Golino Runtime 120 minutes Main Genre Romance
3 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Directed by George Miller
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While Australian filmmaker George Miller got his start with the iconic dystopian franchise Mad Max, as his career progressed into the 21st century, he became known for family-friendly films like Happy Feet. Miller’s grand return to the world of Mad Max with Fury Road was a cinematic event, yet nothing could prepare audiences for the creative triumph of this long-awaited release. With Tom Hardy replacing Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky, Fury Road was lauded not just as the best release in the entire franchise but as Miller’s magnum opus and a defining film of the 21st century.
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Fury Road blew audiences away with its spectacular visuals and non-stop action movie energy. As essentially a non-stop chase with dystopian characters fighting for survival in a barren, water-hungry wasteland, Miller was on top form as he not only added depth to Max’s story but added new characters, such as Imperator Furiosa, to his richly imagined world. Fury Road has maintained its status as a modern classic since it was first released in 2015, and it is certain that audiences will still be eagerly revisiting it 50 years from now.
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20 9.3/10 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.
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*Availability in US Director George Miller Release Date May 14, 2015 Studio(s) Village Roadshow Pictures , RatPac-Dune Entertainment , Kennedy Miller Mitchell Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures 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 Franchise(s) Mad Max Sequel(s) Mad Max: The Wasteland prequel(s) Mad Max , Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior , Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome , Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Budget $154-185 Million Expand
2 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman
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While Spider-Man has had a long and acclaimed history in Marvel comics and with live-action films, the recent Spider-Verse animated franchise has stood as some of the best depictions of this web-slinging hero. By delving into alternate realities and exploring the story of Miles Morales, a Brooklyn teenager who becomes Spider-Man and must face off against villains like Kingpin and Dr. Olivia Octavius, this unique spin on the franchise helped keep things fresh for audiences who were starting to feel Spidey fatigue.
Into the Spider-Verse saw Miles go on an epic journey through the multiverse as he encountered different Spider-People, including the classic iteration of Peter Parker and a film noir-inspired version voiced by Nicolas Cage. By paying tribute to every part of Spider-Man’s incredible pop culture legacy, Into the Spider-Verse had a unique vision that was propped up by astounding animation. Taking all these aspects together, Into the Spider-Verse proved this Marvel hero’s relevance and signaled that kids and adults alike will still be excited by all things Spider-Man in 50 years’ time.
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25 9.4/10 Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse PGAnimationAction
In the first animated Spider-Man film released in theaters, Miles Morales, a teenager who idolizes Spider-Man, gains Spider-Man powers of his own. While learning to use his new abilities, Miles crosses parallel dimensions and teams up with the different versions of Spider-Man from those dimensions to stop a threat to all reality.
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*Availability in US Director Bob Persichetti , Peter Ramsey Release Date December 14, 2018 Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Writers Phil Lord , Chris Miller Cast Jake Johnson , Kimiko Glenn , Hailee Steinfeld , Liev Schreiber , Luna Lauren Velez , Nicolas Cage , Lily Tomlin , Mahershala Ali , John Mulaney , Shameik Moore , Brian Tyree Henry Runtime 117 minutes Franchise(s) Spider-Man Sequel(s) Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Don’t Use) , Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse Budget $90 million Expand
1 Parasite (2019)
Directed by Bong Joon-ho
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In the final year of the 2010s, director Bong Joon-ho gifted viewers with an all-time classic as Parasite became the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. As a South Korean black comedy that shone a light on the dire effects of capitalism as the poor Kim family infiltrated the life of the Park family, Parasite dealt with class discrimination, social erosion, and wealth disparity in a way that felt relevant worldwide. In the wake of major inequality due to the negative impact of late-stage capitalism, it’s no surprise that Parasite struck a chord with audiences.
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While Parasite was a sharp critique of social themes, it was also a universal story about the desire to break out of one’s difficult life circumstances and gain access to the aspirational wealth and luxury that those in the upper echelons of society get to enjoy. Parasite was a smart social commentary that deservedly gained widespread praise at the time of its release and has since maintained its reputation as a modern classic. While its heavy themes may make for challenging viewers, Parasite will endure for generations to come.
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9.3/10 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.
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*Availability in US Director Bong Joon Ho Release Date November 8, 2019 Studio(s) Barunson E&A Distributor(s) CJ Entertainment 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 Budget $15 million Main Genre Drama Expand
Sources: IndieWire, BFI