1. Inception (2010)
After two stellar Batman movies, Christopher Nolan had identified himself as the next great "event filmmaker", and Inception only cemented that status. Nolan is an expert at suspense, intensity, spectacle, and high emotions, and bringing an adrenaline rush to the theater that just can't be matched. After seeing Inception for the first time, my head was swimming with questions and wonder. Sure, some of the details of breaking into someone's mind via their dreams aren't completely logical. But if you're watching a movie about dream heists for completely infallible logic, I'm not sure you and I watch movies for the same reason. Inception is a pure thrill ride that will be difficult to ever replicate.
2. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
I don't think of "action" being my favorite genre, but I'm starting to see a pattern that maybe I'm not as artsy as I like to think. Mad Max: Fury Road is pure action, everything that movie magic is and ever should be. Seeing this in the theater was on par with seeing Star Wars, The Matrix, and The Lord of the Rings for the first time. Just moment after moment of "how the hell did they do that?!" Mad Max is essentially one big chase, buttressed by great characters and world-building. This still hits hard at home, but man, seeing it on the big screen was revelatory.
3. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Denis Villeneuve exits the 2010's as the filmmaker that made the biggest splash in the decade. While Christopher Nolan may have dominated on a big scale, Villeneuve still occupies 3 places on my top 50 list (Sicario, Arrival) and has ingrained himself as "must watch". Blade Runner 2049 is a decades overdue sequel that absolutely should not work, but it does. Somehow it honors and improves upon the originals themes and visuals while saying something new. The decade saw many overly belated sequels released to mixed results (Jurassic World, Dumb and Dumber To, Jason Bourne, The Predator, etc.), but Blade Runner is one of a few that nailed it.
4. The Social Network (2010)
How can a film be of a time (2010) and also ahead of its time? The Social Network is one of the worst movie pitches in the world ("ok guys, what if we made a movie about how some nerds started this social networking site that we all love to hate?") that is so much better than it ever should be. Maybe that's what happens when you pair David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin? The Social Network feels even more necessary now, what with Mark Zuckerberg in front of Congress every 6 months these days.
5. Silence (2017)
This should be a template for filmmakers who want to make spiritually resonant films. Silence is all about apostasy in the face of unspeakable persecution. It is gut-wrenching and not for the faint of heart, but undeniably beautiful and reverent. Most "Christian" films are bland morality plays about characters deciding to make the right decision (think Fireproof, Facing the Giants), but Silence actually urges you to explore your own faith, the Bible, and theology. There are no easy answers here, and director Martin Scorsese doesn't present the choices of the characters as Biblically or theologically sound. He wants you to consider them for yourself, and I would add prayer and reflection to that as well. The film is what Christian art should be, a deep exploration of the heart and soul. I may never watch this movie again, but I'll never forget its impact.
6. Skyfall (2012)
I am a massive James Bond fan (see here), and Skyfall not only hits every beat for James Bond people, but for anyone. Skyfall is somehow classic Bond but altogether fresh and invigorating for the franchise. Javier Bardem's Silva is one of the franchise's defining villains, and his opening monologue is all the evidence you need. Roger Deakins' beautiful cinematography is on full display, and his warm/cool color contrast employed here and in several other films he shot in the 2010's were decade defining. The James Bond franchise has a lot of good movies, several bad ones, and a handful that are truly transcendent; Skyfall is in the latter category.
7. OJ: Made in America (2016)
An expert documentary about one of the defining moments in American culture. Not only does this cover the O.J. Simpson case that is arguably the trial of the century, it details the history of black Americans' relationship with the police and the context in which the trial must be viewed. Even at 5 and 6 years old, I remember the trial being covered ad nauseam, but Made in America helps you understand just how pervasive this story was in American culture. This documentary perfectly blends what is important from this story including sports, race, politics, and history. A must watch.
8. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight Rises is convoluted. There are cheesy moments. The jumps in logic sometimes make no sense. Did Bruce Wayne really have time to construct a Bat-logo in flames on the Gotham bridge while a nuclear device was on the brink of exploding? My answer to all these concerns is a resounding "WHO CARES". The Dark Knight Rises is not only a satisfying end to a trilogy, it is a breathtaking ride from start to finish. The Dark Knight trilogy is the high water mark for all comic book films, and in a decade that was defined by them, Batman still rises to the top. While not as effective as Heath Ledger's Joker, I still love Tom Hardy's Bane, and the many quotable lines that have come from his performance. Spare me the CinemaSins and Honest Trailers, your nit-picking cannot diminish my love for this film.
9. Interstellar (2014)
Obviously Christopher Nolan is my favorite filmmaker of the 2010's, given that 3 of his 4 directorial efforts show up in my top 10. Interstellar is a visual treat, but it excels with the best score of the decade, and one of the best of all time. Hans Zimmer's haunting church organs raise the emotional stakes in an already gripping film. Interstellar never gets too bogged down in the details of space travel, but instead focuses on the bigger questions of life- what is worth saving? Matthew McConaughey is brilliant as a dad in space just trying to get back to his daughter.
10. La La Land (2016)
When you get married, you and your spouse spend a lot of time introducing one another to the things you love. I've taken my wife to an extreme amount of sporting events, and she has shown me more musicals than I ever thought I'd watch in my lifetime. La La Land is my favorite of all musicals, mostly because of its jazzy soundtrack and the Emma Stone-Ryan Gosling pairing. There's about 100 years of movie musical history that is drawn upon here, but it is simultaneously built for 2016.
11. Toy Story 3 (2010)
The Toy Story franchise are my favorite animated films of all-time. The third installment is the best, hilarious and soulful for kids and adults alike. It's quite a feat that animated toys can move me so consistently to tears, just try tell me that the last 5 minutes of this movie don't make you get at least a little misty-eyed.
12. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
13. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
The 2010's will ultimately be remembered for the dominance of the franchise, and the return of Star Wars was one of the major developments for any movie fan. The Force Awakens was such a great recapturing of Star Wars magic. Seeing all of our beloved characters again warmed my heart, and each new character gave me hope for the franchise. Then in 2017, we were given the most divisive film of the decade, The Last Jedi. I'm on record as a Last Jedi defender, ultimately I loved its sense of possibility and sheer surprise. It's unfortunate that The Rise of Skywalker didn't stick the landing the way I wanted it to, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad.
14. Mission: Impossible- Fallout (2018)
15. Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol (2011)
Speaking of franchises, no franchise consistently ups its game quite like Mission: Impossible. The 4th and 6th installments are near perfection for the action-genre. I cannot understand how Cruise keeps raising the stakes as an action star well into his 50's but these movies are so daring and fun. Keep running Tom, I'll take as many Mission: Impossible movies as I can get.
16. Django Unchained (2012)
One of my favorite movie memories of all time came while watching Quentin Tarantino's incendiary Django Unchained. In a scene early in the film, some KKK members are planning a raid and discussing the questionable quality of the disguising bags on their heads. I saw this film with my dad (he sees about 1 movie in the theater per decade, so I cherish the moment), and he laughed harder in this scene than I've ever seen anyone laugh in their lives. Later in the movie, I caught him chuckling at completely inappropriate times. He would tell me later that he was just thinking of the bag scene again and it made him laugh. Django is full of great moments, but that will be one I remember forever.
17. The Other Guys (2010)
The 2010's were not kind to the comedy genre. The 00's had all-time classics such as Anchorman, Napoleon Dynamite, Old School, Wedding Crashers, Nacho Libre, The Hangover, Pineapple Express and many many more. The 2010's saw comedy move away from the cineplex into YouTube and Netflix. The Other Guys just barely makes it into the decade being a 2010 film, but it is absolutely worthy of a top 20 spot. Ferrell and Wahlberg have incredible chemistry and there are endless quotable lines. My adult league basketball team was called "Dirty Mike and the Boys" for several years and I am not ashamed about it.
18. Sicario (2015)
Another Villeneuve film, another masterpiece. Sicario is punishing and brutal but at the same time delicate with its characters and subject matter. Emily Blunt is fantastic as the lone female FBI agent tasked with defending the US-Mexico border. Blunt gives her best performance of her career. Not only does this film tackle the thorny politics of the war against drugs and border policy, but femininity and loyalty.
19. Looper (2012)
Rian Johnson is another defining voice for the 2010's, a fresh storyteller in many different genres. Looper is a thrilling time-travel sci-fi tour de force. A mind-bending and emotional plot will have you watching this one over and over.
20. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
After some deep thinking, I've decided that Grand Budapest Hotel is my favorite Wes Anderson movie. It is heartfelt, hilarious, and beautiful.
21. Ex Machina (2014)
Ex Machina is sci-fi at its best, but it also gave us the movie gif of the decade:
22. Gravity (2013)
23. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Special shout out to this movie, as I think it's the most underrated film of the decade. My sense of wonder and hope is always stoked while watching this movie, and isn't it the point of movies to stir your emotions?
24. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
25. Knives Out (2019)
26. The Irishman (2019)
27. History of the Eagles (2013)
If you ever wondered where every rock band cliche was born, look no further than The Eagles.
28. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
29. A Star is Born (2018)
30. Eighth Grade (2018)
31. The Hateful Eight (2015)
32. Midnight in Paris (2011)
33. X-Men: First Class (2011)
34. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
35. Bridge of Spies (2015)
36. Creed (2015)
37. Hell or High Water (2016)
38. Arrival (2016)
39. Her (2013)
40. Baby Driver (2017)
41. Gone Girl (2014)
42. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
43. War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
44. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
The Apes franchise is one of the most underrated franchises of all time, and had 3 of the better action/sci-fi entries this decade. The apes in these movies are such deep characters, captured so well by motion capture technology.
45. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
46. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
You'll notice that these are my only two Marvel Cinematic Universe films that made my top 50, in a decade that was defined by them. I appreciate the MCU for what it is and how well it is planned, it's just not for me. Believe me, I've tried to get into it. Over and over again. To me, there's just no stakes and no characters (quippiness does not a character make) and little story.
AND YET... The Guardians films are wonderful. Maybe that's because they're more of a mix of Star Wars and Indiana Jones rather than comic book films. There are great characters that I actually do care about, and the 70's pop soundtrack gives it a style that helps the films breeze along. If only all MCU movies were like this...
47. Lady Bird (2017)
If you had told me that a movie about the coming of age of a Sacramento teenage girl would make my top 50, I'd have laughed at you. But here we are. Greta Gerwig is one of the most exciting new directors out there, I can't wait to see where she goes from here.
48. Marriage Story (2019)
49. Logan (2017)
50. The Town (2010)
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Ad Astra (2019)
Prometheus (2012)
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
Inside Out (2015)
BlacKkKlansman (2018)
Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Three Identical Strangers (2018)
Won't You Be My Neighbor (2018)
JoJo Rabbit (2019)
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
John Wick 1/2/3 (2014/2017/2019)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1/2 (2010/2011)
Whiplash (2014)
Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood (2019)
Catching Hell (2011)
Four Days in October (2010)
Uncut Gems (2019)
May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers (2017)
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)
End of Watch (2012)
Little Women (2019)
The Big Sick (2017)
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Spielberg (2017)
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
The Man from UNCLE (2015)
Fury (2014)
Incredibles 2 (2018)
The Muppets (2011)
