2010 was a standout year for cinema, ushering in a decade of exceptional films that are now considered classics. With plenty of 2010s movies already available on streaming, it’s the perfect opportunity to revisit or discover 10 brilliant movies from the decade you may watch at any time. It’s surprising how quickly some2010 films have faded from memory, even as others, like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and similar iconic stories, remain unforgettable. Nevertheless, the 2010s are responsible for some of the highest-grossing movies of all time, with many aspects that make them stand out as classics in a plethora of choices.
Not only did 2010 see a large number of film releases, but many of them were also recognized withBest Picture nominations at the Oscars.The term “instant classic” is often used loosely, but films usually take time to earn this recognition, regardless of whether they’re the work of one of the greats — such as Martin Scorsese, or Christopher Nolan. For films to truly hit the mark, they need to sustain popularity long after their release. When we look back atthe influential films of 2010, it’s clear which ones achieved this lasting impact, and are now considered a classic.
10Shutter Island (2010)
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WhileShutter Islandis still heavily debated among the masses, its popularity has endured since its release at the very start of the decade. With Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead,Martin Scorsese’s period thriller masterpiece builds tension to a thrilling climax, before delivering a major twistending inShutter Islandthat has fueled widespread discussion with audiences.
Shutter Islandis based on Dennis Lehane’s novel, although it made substantial changes to its conclusion. The film was an instant hit, commended for the stunning performances by DiCaprio and the ensemble cast, and the thought-provoking questions it raised. This ultimately solidifiedShutter Island’s legacy in 2010s cinema.
With another stunning performance from Leonardo DiCaprio,Christopher Nolan’sInceptionrevolutionized cinema in 2010with its expansive dream-building universe and remains one of Nolan’s most acclaimed works.Inceptionfeatures a star-studded cast, with Hollywood icons including Cillian Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Tom Hardy. Considered by many to be the decade’s finest classic,Inceptionhas truly stood the test of time and continues to be popular. With multiple re-releases in recent years, particularly in IMAX theaters,Inceptionhas truly secured its place in history. This has given audiences the chance to either relive the big-screen experience or discover it for the very first time.
The Coen Brothers' filmTrue Gritis a remake of the acclaimed 1969 original that starred John Wayne. It’s hailed as a classic of the decade becauseTrue Gritshattered the negative perception of remakes when it ultimately far surpassed its predecessorin performance. By remaining faithful to its source material,True Gritwon the hearts of its audiences and has since gone down as the best adaptation that is available in the broader scope of the media landscape. The feature was a crucial milestone for the Western genre, proving that it could still be enlivened and enjoyed by wider audiences.
Needless to say,Crazy, Stupid, Lovehas one of thegreatest plot twists in any modern rom-com, making it one of the most entertaining entries in the entire rom-com genre. While Steve Carell’s comedic talent was already well-established at this time, Ryan Gosling was primarily known for dramatic roles. This film marked a significant move into comedy for Gosling, and this shift is frequently highlighted when discussing his career and recent work inThe Nice GuysorBarbie.Crazy, Stupid, Loveis not a stereotypical rom-com and is somewhat experimental,but it easily secures its place as a modern classic.
Making a second entry for Martin Scorsese,The Wolf of Wall Streetis an incredibly ambitious movie with a lengthy runtime of three hours. Scorsese directed the film, which had a highly impactful effect on audiences regarding the financial crisis. Beyond its many entertaining scenes and sheer entertainment value,The Wolf of Wall Streetis renowned for featuring some of DiCaprio and Margot Robbie’s most memorable performances.While there are plenty ofother movies similar toThe Wolf of Wall Streetthat explore pleasure-seeking and financial corruption, the movieis now a major cultural touchstone in Hollywood.
Alex Garland’s sci-fi thriller,Ex Machina, delves into the philosophical questions surrounding artificial intelligence, which is now more relevant than ever. The movie has sparked discussion with its viewers and is significant in the rapidly evolving landscape of technology. TheAI-focused horror moviechallenges audience expectations and manipulates its viewers as the film progresses, only to later reveal a more morally ambiguous outcome.
Ex Machinais a significant departure from Garland’s28 Days Later, but it is meticulously crafted and has gained critical success nonetheless. Winning Best Visual Effects at the Academy Award,Ex Machinahas enjoyed continued success for the last 11 years.
Without question,The Grand Budapest Hotelis Wes Anderson’s most successful movie. The film follows Ralph Fiennes' lead character, M. Gustave, as a series of increasingly chaotic events unfold. This film is Anderson’s crowning achievement and a definitive showcase of his signature style. Like all of Anderson’s endeavors,The Grand Budapest Hoteldelves into various real-world issues and family dysfunction, seemingly appearing to be the ultimate expression of everything the director has mastered throughout his career. Adrien Brody has calledThe Grand Budapest Hotel"timeless," (viaVariety) and notes it as one of his favorite Anderson movies.
Mad Max: Fury Roadhas emerged as a high point for action cinema in the 2010s. The movie revived the beloved franchise from the 1980s, and it honors the original stories while presenting a new angle on a classic narrative. Acting as the fourth movie in the franchise, it is by far the most critically lauded.Fury Roadtook three years to be made, but it proved to be well worth the wait.Mad Max: Fury Roadcontinues to be a standard for action films released since 2015, andis celebrated for its near-perfect execution of practical effects and CGI.
Spotlightprovides a deeply intricate exploration of thetrue story of a mass cover-up of abusein the Catholic Church. The Boston Globe reporting team encounters significant hurdles in their quest for new information. Winning the Oscar for Best Picture in 2016,Spotlightis a deeply harrowing film, but its importance cannot be overstated. The film is expertly paced and does not dramatize the events of the true story, instead laying out the facts, and empowering the audience to form their own judgments. For this reason, it expertly captures the subject’s core in an intriguing and compelling way that remains fascinating with every rewatch.
At one point in time,Lady Birdwas Rotten Tomatoes' best-reviewed movieof all time. This speaks volumes about the exquisite storytelling in this coming-of-age comedy-drama, which maintains a remarkable 99% critical rating on the review site. Written and directed by Greta Gerwig,Lady Birdhas quickly ascended to classic status for a multitude of reasons.
Most crucially, the movie arrived at a time when there was an incessant demand for more diverse female narratives in film.Lady Bird’s success, particularly its exploration of a young woman’s identity, opened doors for more stories to be told from a woman’s point of view and will be spoken about for generations to come.
