The time spent making my top 100 films of the 2010s was ridiculous. I started making it prior to this blog even becoming a thought in my head. Let alone an actual reality. Maybe what truly triggered this whole thing was my roommate asking me why I was making a list so tediously when nobody would see it. Jokes on him. I’m posting this but still nobody will have seen it. The full list will on display on my Letterboxd which I’ll link here but here is the top 25.
Note: These aren’t ranked by objectively how great of a movie they are but my personal favourites. I don’t know why I felt the need to address that. This is my list. As to quote the glorious Eugene Lee Yang…
I’m right. You’re wrong. Shut up!
25. Jojo Rabbit (2019)
The criticism I saw for this movie made me laugh and also very much confused. It was as if people never had heard of the term ‘satire’ before.
Jojo Rabbit finds the perfect blend of showing the weight of Nazi Germany and bringing light to how absurd that mentality was and unfortunately still is.
People are going to start thinking Taika Waititi is a liar because he, including his pants, have been on fire. His comedic standpoint is so fresh and already has a flair that is decidedly his own. On an equal level, the heart he gives all his movies is ridiculous. I don’t want to speak too soon but to me, he is and will be one of the great directors and screenwriters of all time.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 79%
- Metacritic rating: 58%
- Total awards and nominations: 3/20 (many pending)
- How much did I cry: 6/10
24. The Way Way Back (2013)
Coming Of Age movies are some of my favourite movies and will make many appearances on this list. This one being the first.
The Way Way Back is about a figuratively and literally out of place teen boy on the summer vacation who ends up finding solace at a waterpark during Summer Vacation.
Sam Rockwell is as charming as he is a good dancer in this. Just so we’re clear: Rockwell is a phenomenal dancer. After wondering where Liam James went off to, I quickly googled and found he’s on Deadly Class making me need to watch that more so. The ensemble is completely and utterly amazing. Astonishingly, this movie will make you hate Steve Carrell and that was something I thought would never happen.
This is one movie I have highly recommended to others or even forced people to watch. It’s a must watch for anyone who has ever felt worthless and in need of a boost.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 84%
- Metacritic rating: 68%
- Total awards and nominations: 1/17
- How much did I cry: 5/10
23. Mustang (2015)
I’m an awful quote unquote film snob and I’ve only been putting an effort into seeing foreign films in the recent years. I’m thankful I did because I would have never seen Mustang and what a tragedy that would have been.
Set in Turkey, five orphaned sisters are one by one picked off into forced marriages. Dangerously rebellious and rightfully so, they are on a freight train called life about to crash unless they can find away to stop it or jump off no matter the cost.
There are many comparisons to The Virgin Suicides made about Mustang. Some shots in the movie even pay homage to its predecessor. With The Virgin Suicides being one of my favourite movies of all time, I kindly accepted them.
How beautiful and sad yet hopeful this movie is is breathtaking. More people need to see it and I hope I’ve helped in convincing people to do so.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 98%
- Metacritic rating: 83%
- Total awards and nominations: 19/43
- How much did I cry: 8/10
22. Drive (2011)
I was on a plane when I first saw this movie. Let me tell you… I wasn’t prepared for it and neither was the lady beside me.
Drive is an insane ride. It really is full pedal to the metal. Ryan Gosling…drives in it. Wild.
But in all seriousness, just about everything in this movie is irrevocably perfect. Everything from the tone, soundtrack, cinematography, acting and just about every other facet of film making come together nicely wrapped in a Scorpion jacket.
Ryan Gosling was always big but I think he truly became a star in this movie. It always takes me a moment to remember all the other great people also in this. That’s just how overwhelming great Ryan is in this.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92%
- Metacritic rating: 78%
- Total awards and nominations: 30/80
- How much did I cry: 0/10
21. Never Let Me Go (2010)
Are you looking for a movie to crush your soul and make you question your own humanity? Well Never Let Me Go is the movie for you.
This movie and book of the same name have stayed in my consciousness years after experiencing them both. It’s a poetic and deeply sad movie. It’s rather bleak and a hard sell. I’ve learned this from trying to convince my best friend to watch it. Explaining how much I cried during and after this is no way to get someone to watch this.
It’s a quiet and beautiful movie with brilliant performances as per usual by Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley. If you’re ready for it, I do recommend watching it. You have been warned.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 69%
- Metacritic rating: 69%
- Total awards and nominations: 7/23
- How much did I cry: 9/10
20. Brooklyn (2015)
Saoirse Ronan has my heart. Now and forever.
I distinctly remember the on set photos that came out during the filming of Brooklyn and thinking if the movie is as good as Saoirse looks in those costumes, we’re going to the Oscars again. Was I wrong? (She did get nominated for Best Actress so…)
Brooklyn is gorgeous captivating. The movie depiction of the phrase “You can never go home again”. How a quiet movie about homesickness and self discovery can be so loud is beyond me. I’ve seen this countless times now and it feels like every emotion is just screaming at me to cry. And boy, did I.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 97%
- Metacritic rating: 88%
- Total awards and nominations: 35/105
- How much did I cry: 9/10
19. Frances Ha (2012)
I didn’t watch this until more recently and it was like my life got projected onto my TV. I felt a little too seen and heard.
Greta Gerwig is one of the most earnest and honest actresses I’ve ever witnessed on film. There is nothing false about her and I think that’s a gift that is so quiet that we can take it for granted. Thankfully this quality reflects also in her writing and directing.
Being in my mid twenties, this movie is a constant reminder that not everyone has things figured out. It’s okay to not be okay. And it’s even more okay to embrace your sadness and know that good things will come. It just might take sometime.
Also any movie that plays Modern Love by David Bowie that much is incredible.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92%
- Metacritic rating: 82%
- Total awards and nominations: 0/15
- How much did I cry: 5/10
18. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
I can remember like it was yesterday watching this with my mom and yelling at her these exact words: “THE CAT IS A METAPHOR!” She still didn’t get it.
I would like to start a petition that Oscar Issac should sing in every movie he’s in similar to how Sam Rockwell always dances. I need that in my life.
Anyways…
There is a pattern emerging in the movies I love it. Lost people trying to navigate their emotions and lives the best they can. That certainly isn’t like me at all…
Inside Llewyn Davis is like a weighted blanket. You pick it up and think this feels heavy but once you put it on, you feel warm, secure and safe yet still crying. You can’t have it all.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92%
- Metacritic rating: 93%
- Total awards and nominations: 27/90
- How much did I cry: 7/10
17. Black Swan (2010)
I’m fully aware of the discord of who should have won the Oscar for Best Actress this year between Michelle Williams and Natalie Portman. They’re both stunning performances but I have to agree with the Academy on this one. Natalie was in full beast mode in this. The irony of Natalie being utter perfection in this while it’s the one thing her character strives for in life is certainly not lost.
When Black Swan came out, I remember audibly gasping at another who said they hadn’t seen it and forced them to do so.
Completely assaulting and just utterly insane in the best way, Black Swan is truly the wildest night you’ll have at the ballet.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 84%
- Metacritic rating: 79%
- Total awards and nominations: 61/188
- How much did I cry: 2/10
16. Ex Machina (2014)
We all need to sit down and truly think on how criminally underrated despite her two Oscar nominations Alicia Vikander is. Is it because we’re all jealous that she is married to Michael Fassbender? Just me…okay…
The tale of a creator, his creation and a man stuck in between it all. I always thought robots would lead to our demise and well… If it looks like Alicia Vikander, I’m okay with it. You have a beardy beautiful Oscar Issac dancing, Domhnall Gleason who is a gift and all the neon aesthetics to cherish in this.
To say this is a perfect sci-fi movie is an understatement.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92%
- Metacritic rating: 78%
- Total awards and nominations: 20/65
- How much did I cry: 0/10
15. Sing Street (2016)
The first thing I have to say is that the song Drive It Like You Stole It is a bop and should have been given a Best Song nomination. It’s a travesty.
How good this movie feels is something I can’t even describe. The music. The performances. I love 80s music. I love coming of age stories. I love when Lucy Boynton is the beacon of light and power as she should be in life and any project she’s apart of.
Sing Street has also become a common movie for me to put on when I need a boost when I’m feeling down.
This movie is as stunning as the poster. That’s it. That’s the review.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 95%
- Metacritic rating: 79%
- Total awards and nominations: 4/24
- How much did I cry: 3/10
14. Easy A (2010)
Olive Pendergast is living in her own world of wanting her live to be like a John Hughes movies. While real life doesn’t work out like that, Easy A is undoubtably the closest thing we have to a classic teen 80s movie today. And you know what…I think it might even be better.
Emma Stone’s comedic timing is impeccable. It was wild for me to see her and Amanda Byrnes in a movie together as I truly believe Amanda was very formative of my sense of humour at a young age. Emma then took over.
Also a huge fan of 80s teen movies, all the easter eggs big and small placed in this movie make me so immensely happy. I love this movie.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 85%
- Metacritic rating: 72%
- Total awards and nominations: 4/15
- How much did I cry: 3/10
13. Lady Bird (2017)
Greta Gerwig. Greta fucking Gerwig.
She steps out with this being her directing debut and annihilates everyone. I feel I’ve already gone on about her enough on this site already but here I go again…
Lady Bird just hits you differently. It’s something that can’t be explained other than Greta is magical. She’s a Tinkerbell sprinkling her pixie dust over all of us and making us fly.
Saoirse, of course, is the actress of this generation. I said it. I don’t care. She’s that bitch.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 99%
- Metacritic rating: 94%
- Total awards and nominations: 84/197
- How much did I cry: 9/10
12. Personal Shopper (2017)
Personal Shopper is devastating in the most riveting yet quiet way imaginable.
Did I sob horrifically in this? You betcha.
Grief. Mourning. Death. Living. All go hand in hand and pull you along on a quiet journey provided by Kristen Stewart at her finest.
This movie deserved more recognition in North America. Kristen Stewart always deserves more recognition. I’ll run the committee for both!
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 81%
- Metacritic rating: 77%
- Total awards and nominations: 3/25
- How much did I cry: 10/10
11. Paddington 2 (2017)
This movie makes up for my disappointment as a kid when I found out I didn’t like marmalade and felt I was doing wrong by Paddington.
I don’t quite understand why bears are such a popular animal for children’s literature but I love it. Paddington is a treasure.
Paddington 2 is simply the warmest movie you’ll experience. “If you’re kind and polite, the world will be right,” Paddington tells us.
Paddington is the most powerful superhero of our time.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 100%
- Metacritic rating: 88%
- Total awards and nominations: 10/44
- How much did I cry: 7/10
10. The Favourite (2018)
Olivia Coleman. Rachel Weiss. Emma Stone. Nicholas fucking Hoult in that god damn wig.
This should have won Best Picture.
How do you balance power, love and ultimately the power of love? The Favourite toys with this such elegant, style, humour and sheer force it’s three leading ladies.
Yorgos Lanthimos. Thank you for this movie. Thank you for existing. I will watch more of your movies, I promise!
And bless this movie for giving us so much Olivia Coleman over the previous award season. And bless The Crown for having her around this season as well.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93%
- Metacritic rating: 90%
- Total awards and nominations: 119/276
- How much did I cry: 0/10
9. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
I don’t think no movie has impacted by generation more than Scott Pilgrim. The quotability alone is out of control as Edgar Wright’s directing.
The casting is as if it was pulled out of the graphic novels. Everyone is perfect in their roles. The cast similar to another iconic movie Wet Hot American Summer has turned up some of the most prominent stars of our current time.
I can still remember seeing this in theatres with my friends and us all being gobsmacked and just sitting in the theatre afterwards as the teenagers already annoyed at their job grew annoyed with us not getting the fuck out.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is 100% That Bitch.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 81%
- Metacritic rating: 69%
- Total awards and nominations: 7/38
- How much did I cry: 0/10
8. Parasite (2019)
It’s hard to talk about this movie without talking about it. I feel too many people haven’t seen this yet and I want everyone to have the best experience possible seeing it. Know as little as possible upon sitting down to first watch this. That’s my only advice.
Though it’s eight on my list, this is an instant classic and a movie that will be talked about for years and years to come.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 99%
- Metacritic rating: 96%
- Total awards and nominations: 160/241 (So far)
- How much did I cry: 3/10
7. The Tree Of Life (2011)
I had trouble articulating how I felt about The Tree Of Life when I wrote my original review on it so I’m just going to copy and paste an excerpt from what I managed:
There is something about the fluidity of how the film moved. It’s completely something that I can’t put into words. Something I’ve never seen before. From the actors, the cinematography, music, camera movement and editing; they all worked effortlessly together to create this delicate yet incredibly structured piece of art. I feel like such a pretentious film snob to call a film a piece of art. It feels wrong to simply call this a movie. How douchey does that sound now? I’m beside myself at this point.
Yup… there you go.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 84%
- Metacritic rating: 85%
- Total awards and nominations: 68/140
- How much did I cry: 4/10
6. Little Women (2019)
Okay. I’m not going to repeat how much I love Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan. That’s unnecessary at this point. It’s known.
What Greta does with the classic novel Little Women encapsulates its beauty and truth while reinforcing and even improving upon it which is wild.
Femininity in all variations is something that needs to be cherished and held in equal regard. Little Women has always been that and continues to be that.
Everyone is obviously talking about Saoirse, Greta, Laura and Meryl. Timmy is a sweet baby angel as per usual. Florence Pugh is beyond and I want that Oscar for her! Eliza Scanlen doesn’t have too much to play with with Beth butttt watch Sharp Objects because…just do it! And Emma Watson has been unfairly criticized in this and her Beth is as pure and beautiful as Emma is inside out.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 95%
- Metacritic rating: 91%
- Total awards and nominations: 62/165 (so far)
- How much did I cry: 9/10
5. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
How do I begin to talk about how much this movie healed me, broke me and embraced me all at once? All while bringing Timothée Chalamet to the forefront of the world’s collective mind.
Elio’s dad’s speech near the end of the movie. HOLY FUCK!
Once again, I’m going to copy and paste my original review because I don’t know how I can better speak on this.
Elio is someone who is so different from myself yet I found myself in him especially at that age. Insecure, vulnerable, naive and eager. The world is challenging you so you challenge it back. You want to hold back but you don’t because self control is something that doesn’t exist. A moment, a relationship or even a film can change you instanteously. Feelings are easier to be pushed away. To allow yourself to just be is one of the greatest challenges of all.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 95%
- Metacritic rating: 93%
- Total awards and nominations: 111/265
- How much did I cry: 10/10
4. La La Land (2016)
There is nothing better than a good musical. And a great musical…well…
I cried a lot in this. I even cried over the cinematography at one point. It was during City Of Stars with Ryan on the boardwalk. It hit me hard. It was as beautiful as he is. AND THAT’S BEAUTIFUL!
La La Land captures the old Hollywood essence while still being modern. This is Emma Stone’s movie and we are only so lucky to be granted this performance from her.
How her singing voice transforms as Mia gains her confidence and power is truly remarkable. If the sentence of “My Aunt used to live in Paris” doesn’t send you near over the edge, I don’t know what will.
And if Ryan Gosling could come back and star in another film with Emma Stone, that would be super.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 91%
- Metacritic rating: 93%
- Total awards and nominations: 112/265
- How much did I cry: 9/10
3. 20th Century Women (2016)
Mike Mills is a director and writer who we need to appreciate and talk about far more.
“Whatever you imagine your life is going to be like, know your life is not going to be anything like that.”
There is an element in this movie that is so overwhelmingly human and beautiful that it’s hard to wrap your head around.
It’s not loud nor begging for attention. It exists to embrace you and tell you that life is hard and that’s okay. It’s the gentle hug to get you through and it doesn’t need to be anything more.
Get under a throw blanket. Get a nice cup of tea. Put 20th Century Women on and let it drift you away to where you need to be. Everything will be okay.
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 89%
- Metacritic rating: 83%
- Total awards and nominations: 6/51
- How much did I cry: 4/10
2. Whiplash (2014)
I watched this for the first time and experienced a rush like no other. The ending. The ending is one of the best endings of a movie. I said it. That scene!
Whiplash is a debut of a director’s dream. Damien Chazelle did this when he’s twenty eight and that’s how old I am and now I suddenly feel extremely overwhelmed by that fact. Just wow.
JK Simmons’ performance in this is one of the most straightforwardly the most deserving Oscar win in recent history.
My god. Did anyone else experience near cardiac arrest at the end though?
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93%
- Metacritic rating: 88%
- Total awards and nominations: 49/114
- How much did I cry: 1/10
1. The Social Network (2010)
The Social Network is beyond perfection. Aaron Sorkin is a screenwriting legend. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross somehow created the most breathtaking score that I can still hear perfectly in my head no matter how long I go between viewings. David Fincher. He can just shut up with his directing. Like shut up right now.
I don’t think I need to talk about what this movie is about. It’s the Facebook movie. It’s been known.
Jesse Eisenberg forever changed his career when people finally stopped seeing him as a version of Michael Cera. Andrew Garfield is my boy and Eduardo is my boy.
Eduardo, you’re the ‘the’ of ‘The Facebook’. YOU’RE THE ‘THE’!
Alsoooo the sheer power of one Rooney Mara in this. Queen in a beanie. Queen of destroying men. Queen of life.
I’M FINE!
- My rating: 10/10
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 96%
- Metacritic rating: 95%
- Total awards and nominations: 94/158
- How much did I cry: 3/10
We made it! Congratulations to myself and for you making it through all of that. Now for some fun stats! Yay!
Movies By Year
2010: 5
2011: 2
2012: 1
2013: 2
2014: 2
2015: 2
2016: 2
2017: 4
2018: 1
2019: 3
Recurring People
Adam Driver: 2
Armie Hammer: 2
Andrew Garfield: 2
Carey Mulligan: 2
Damien Chazelle: 2
Domnhall Gleeson: 3
Emma Stone: 3
Greta Gerwig: 4
JK Simmons: 2
Julie Walters: 2
Justin Timberlake: 2
Oscar Isaac: 3
Ryan Gosling: 2
Sam Rockwell: 2
Saoirse Ronan: 3
Timothée Chalamet: 3
Kind Of A Big Reel 