Hey followers. It's a time of celebration for us all. Not only are we ringing in the new year but we are starting a new decade. The past ten years have been quite eventful for me when it comes to movies. I've seen my fair share of awesome films that have really shaped me into the movie fan I am today. To celebrate, I have put together a list of my favorite movies of the past 10 years. Before we get to my picks, let's go over some of the best things that took place in the 2010s
Best Movie Year of The Decade
Sometimes the stars just align to the point where a year just delivers hit after hit every month. The movie year of 2015 was that year. Never have I seen a collection of movies that really brought the thrill of going to the movies back in such an impactful way. From Marvel Studios releasing the sequel to the Avengers and the surprise hit Ant-Man, the conclusion of the Hunger Games Saga, the thrilling and emotional adrenaline rush of Furious 7, Jurassic World, the return to greatness for Pixar with Inside Out, Maze Runner Scorch Trials, Rocky spinoff Creed, and the return to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars The Force Awakens. 2015 was a movie lovers paradise as blockbusters seemed to be everywhere. The movie-going experience got an unbelievable shot in the arm and solidified this as one of the biggest Cinematic years of the 2010s.
Best Franchises of The Decade
A ton of franchises launched in this decade and became phenomenons the world over. It's amazing to think that the Marvel Cinematic Universe was in its infancy at the start of the decade with Iron Man 2 and now it is one of the biggest pop culture titans of the 21st century. The Hunger Games series holds a special place in my heart for it is the franchise that turned me into a hardcore movie fan and analyst. Making the decision to read the book and get invested in the world helped me to really look at movies and fandom in a certain way. The series is also an influential and powerful piece of filmmaking that inspired a generation and to me is one of the best examples of book-to-film adaptations. The Maze Runner service offers high octane adrenaline and action becoming a surprise guilty pleasure for me while the Planet of the Apes rebooted saga turned a cult sci-fi fantasy series into one of the cinema's best trilogies and starred one of the most iconic characters played by Andy Serkis. We also saw the return of Star Wars in a big way as The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker introduced a new generation to the series. All the franchises made a significant impact on pop culture and have become iconic and memorable in the past 10 years. Here's hoping the new decade will be just as lively
Best Stars of The Decade
This decade brought us a plethora of young up and coming stars and veterans of the screen who really made their mark amongst Hollywood's elite this decade. These performers really made a name for themselves and will look to carry their momentum from the 2010s into the next 10 years of storytelling!!!!
This was probably one of the hardest lists I've ever done but I feel comfortable with the choices I have made. Let's See who made the cut in what I am proudly dubbing:
The 2010s All-Decade List
To leave this movie off of the list would have been an absolute crime. Toy Story 3 is literally the perfect capper to a trilogy. The animation in the film builds on its previous entries creating lifelike imagery that nearly blurs the line between animation and live-action. It's writing, acting, and heart shine through to really make what are supposed to be "just toys" into actual characters with thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It's a truly incredible film that showcases Pixar at its highest peak. Truly one of the best-animated films of the decade.
The end of an era and the birth of a legacy. The conclusion of the Harry Potter saga was an emotional rollercoaster that was intense, violent, thrilling and satisfying in all the right ways. The series made sure to send fans off on a high note by delivering a finale that closed the story in an impactful way while thanking the people who have grown up with these characters since Sorcerer's Stone. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is by far one of the most incredible cinematic experiences that showed the impact that this franchise had on a generation. With all the conclusions that occurred this decade, this is among one of the greats.
Disney made some magic in the midst of their second renaissance with the release of Wreck-It Ralph. With hilarious moments and a ton of heart and action, this video game movie is one of the most fun Disney films to come out of the 2010s. As a gamer myself, the film felt like a love letter to the old school era of gaming while incorporating an engaging story about staying true to yourself and accepting who you are. Disney Animation Studios continued to surge in the years that followed, but this one seemed to stick out as one of the best in the new era.
To be clear, a Hunger Games movie was always destined to be on this list. The question was which one would make the cut? The first film was influential in every way for me and is one of the reasons why I'm so devoted to movies today. But in terms of the All-Decade list, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the film that most deserves the honor. This movie doesn't just build off of what made The Hunger Games so powerful in terms of its themes and accuracy to the source material. It's a much more visually superior film that displays all of the strengths of the first movie and none of the weaknesses. This movie raised the bar for the YA genre that many tried to reach but most failed to do even to this day. I consider it one of the best sequels put to screen and am happy to let it represent this incredible franchise amongst the best of the 2010s.
If I had the time to gush about how much I adore Captain America: The Winter Soldier, it would probably take us into the next decade. This movie's impact on me is still as strong as it was when I left the theater that April of 2014. A film that features some of the best writing, directing, pacing, cinematography, and action of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe in addition to having one of the most shocking and game-changing twists I have ever witnessed in a film, this Marvel masterpiece was an obvious choice for the all-decade list. This film is the reason why I became a permanent fan of Marvel Studios and got so invested in the superhero genre. It is truly, in my opinion, one of the greatest superhero movies of all time and the hands-down best film in the MCU.
The day we knew it was happening didn't feel real. It had been years since we last been in that beloved galaxy far, far away. We didn't think we would ever return to the sights, sounds, and feelings of the universe we loved so much. But low and behold, JJ Abrams brought us home with the emotional and highly entertaining spectacle that was Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It's hard to imagine a movie that feels so fresh yet so familiar at the same time. Seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and going on an epic adventure that feels like a long lost friend you haven't seen in years embracing you and swinging you around lovingly. This movie introduced an entirely new generation to Star Wars that was fun, emotional and for everyone. While the franchise has had its highs and lows in the following years, we'll always remember the day we stepped back into that world and we just happy to have it back in our lives.
It's funny. When I first saw the initial footage of Zootopia, I thought this would be a fun and hilarious animated adventure about talking animals in a mock jungle version of New York City. Little did I know that the movie would deliver that and a whole lot more in powerfully thematical ways. It's shocking to me that a film like this can deliver fun action and adventure while hitting viewers with some hard-nosed political commentary about society, racial prejudice, and profiling in such an effortless way. The movie came at a time where our country was literally on the brink of divisiveness and the messages and imagery are not just profound, they scarily similar to what we see on a daily basis in our lives. Zootopia is one of Disney's most powerful films about diversity and what makes this world special while also bringing the audience on a wildly fun adventure with lovable characters. An absolute shoo-in for the All-Decade list and one of the movies of the 2010s
Representation has always been a talking point in Hollywood movies. But African-American representation is a conversation all in itself. While some movies have made strides to fix the issue, Black Panther refused to settle and made an effort to show what a predominately black cast can do if they had both the talent and the budget. Black Panther represented a shift in pop culture as one of the most underrepresented audiences in the genre found themselves front and center in the spotlight. That isn't even mentioning the film itself which was just as impressive. Strong leads, fast-paced action, and poignant political commentary about isolationism, democratic humanitarian outreach, radicalized militarization, and the consequences of losing touch with your roots. A special type of film that is every bit as inspiring and uplifting as it is entertaining and thrilling. An important movie that must be seen and a deserving spot on the All-Decade list.
Where...to even...begin? It truly is remarkable what the Marvel Cinematic Universe has accomplished in not just its 11-year history, but in this decade alone. No milestone was more impactful (or gut-wrenching) than the culmination event known as Avengers Infinity War. Over 20 films of build-up led us to what is now known as The Infinity Saga, Infinity War was one of the most soul-crushing, viscerally emotional, intensely stressful and overwhelmingly unforgettable cinematic experiences I've ever had. The awesome banter between beloved characters, the larger than life action, the iconic villain who pushed our heroes to their limit, and the devastating climax that took an entire fandoms breath away. The impact of that film and the memory of being in the theater as it all unfolded truly has never left me and is the reason why this movie makes the list. It's hard to tell if we will ever have an experience like this again. But for now, Infinity War still remains a beast among giants.
What more can be said about the animated film that set the genre on fire? I have always had a love for the Spider-Man franchise given he is my favorite superhero. I never imagined that the series would take a turn into the unexpected and awesome with this game-changing juggernaut of a movie. I seriously can't think of an animated film that pushed the boundaries animation like Spider-Man Into The Spider Verse. Dozens of different styles of animation blended together seamlessly in a way I've never seen before in addition to delivering a frenetic, emotional and fast-paced Spider-Man story. I still get an exhilaration looking at the artistry on display for a superhero movie that is intricately made and brimming with life, personality and detail. Into The Spider-Verse is a masterclass in animation and one of the most unique crafted Spider-Man stories put to screen. One of the great films of the 2010s by far.
An unforgettable list of movies to highlight an unforgettable decade of world-class cinema. Here's to another 10 great years of movies that uplift, thrill, inspire and excite!!! With that followers, it's time to look to the next stage. Have a Happy New Year and See Ya in 2020!!!!
