Looking back at the best movies of the 2010s gives us a chance to see the decade as a whole — to step back from the year-by-year churn and focus on films that truly shaped the era. These aren’t just fleeting favorites; they’re the stories and visions that have lingered, influencing cinema and culture far beyond their release.
The decade gifted us with bold, unforgettable films like Parasite, Moonlight, The Social Network, and Mad Max: Fury Road. Each of these pushed boundaries in storytelling, style, or social commentary, defining what cinema could be in the 2010s and sparking conversations that still resonate today.
Lists like this do more than recommend—they open a window into the world as it was, reflecting the hopes, fears, and changes of the time. They’re also a chance to catch overlooked gems and revisit films that might’ve slipped under the radar amid the noise.
The 2010s — Top 250 Narrative Features showcases the 250 highest-rated narrative feature films of the decade, as chosen by the global Letterboxd community and finalised on January 1, 2020. This ranking reflects the defining cinematic voices of the 2010s, from acclaimed independent gems to international sensations — with Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite standing as a landmark symbol of the era’s creative and cultural impact.
IndieWire’s 100 Best Films of the 2010s curates the decade’s most daring and influential films—from Oscar-winning triumphs like Moonlight to experimental provocations like Under the Skin, and unexpected crowd-pleasers such as Magic Mike XXL and Paddington 2. This varied selection showcases the full spectrum of 2010s cinema, where the bold and surprising became unforgettable.
2010–2019: The Decade According to apursansar offers a cinephile’s take on a transformative decade. Known for many standout lists, apursansar selects films that inspired, challenged, and captivated — from intimate indies to global hits.
Little White Lies: The 100 Best Films of 2010–2019 gathers the decade’s finest according to the acclaimed magazine. Known for its impeccable taste, Little White Lies offers a sharp, stylish perspective on the films that mattered most in the 2010s.
Slant Magazine’s 100 Best Films of the 2010s gives Paul Thomas Anderson pride of place this decade: Phantom Thread at #2, The Master at #4, and even Inherent Vice at #56. Yet topping the list is Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life.
This list reveals the forum’s deep appreciation for slow cinema. Films like The Turin Horse, Jauja, and The Mysteries of Lisbon occupy top spots, celebrating contemplative storytelling and immersive pacing. This list showcases a community that values patience and nuance in filmmaking.
Narrowing ten years of cinema to 50 films demands bold selections, and placing Zama at #1 speaks volumes. This is a list that favors audacity, memory, and singular voices.