Top 10 Films for the Last Decade
1. Inception
Inception kicks off this list of favorite films for good reason. There are a lot of films that come up with some sort of convoluted plot that doesn’t pay off. This film is definitely not one of those movies. While the plot may be a bit complex, it is a plot that does actually make sense. If you don’t understand the movie, that would make sense, but if you watch it a couple times, you’ll understand it. It’s a film with a fantastic science fiction plot that I haven’t seen before. If for some reason you haven’t seen the film, then you must go and watch it because it is a fantastic film full of mind-altering plot lines.
2. The Avengers
The Avengers feels almost obligatory for this list, and is only one of two MCU films on this list. The reason for which is that it was, in my opinion the film that truly brought the MCU together for the first time. This gives it status as one of the best films of the decade. It’s a film that shaped the way forward for the films to come and gave us a hint of a massive story arc. Also, it is just a good super hero movie that anybody could enjoy watching. Without a doubt, this is a film that will carry through the next decade as well, and that just makes this film even more deserving of being on the list.
3. The Avengers: Endgame
This list would be incomplete without The Avengers: Endgame which helped round out the decade. Endgame finishes up the original story arc that had officially began with the original Avengers film. This movie was many years in the making and was easily the most anticipated MCU film of all time. It became the highest grossing film of all time and without a doubt one of the best films made. The culmination of years of effort comes together in this movie and because of that it is on my list.
4. Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road is a very stylish film that is just plain wonderful to watch. It is not just a film showing Mad Max’s exploits, it is a film with an incredible female lead. The movie just plain keeps people entertained all the way through. On top of the visuals being fantastic, the plot of the film is wildly entertaining. Seeing Max interact with Furiosa and getting caught up in whatever trouble he’s found himself in. While the production of the film was supposedly very difficult, the film itself ended up as a masterpiece in cinema.
5. Interstellar
Interstellar I can see being a polarizing film due to a few different things. For one, the film is full of scientific inaccuracies and discrepancies in plot. However, there were also a lot of physics theories that were correct as well. On top of this, the movie is incredibly beautiful to watch and can keep your eyes on the screen. The plot gets a little out there at some points, but other points that make it feel like an existential crisis make it entertaining. I have a love for this film because it shows just how big the universe is, and it is on this list just for that.
6. The Book of Eli
The Book of Eli stands on its own legs because it is an incredible post-apocalypse film. We get to view the main character just trying his best to survive the harsh environment. He ends up being caught up in a power struggle even though he tries to avoid trouble. The movie is a well done film showing the struggles of a world that’s been burned. Without a doubt, it is a film that people should watch for an interesting story, and that is why it is on the list.
7. Cloud Atlas
Cloud Atlas deserves to be called an epic when everything is said and done. The movie is by no means a perfect film, however, it is full of interesting stories. This movie is not told in chronological order and the plot can be a little hard to follow, but if you are able to separate them in your mind, then you can see how interesting they are. The movie spans nearly 3 hours in length, which isn’t all that special since movies usually push over the 2 hour mark nowadays. That doesn’t change the fact that the movie is an epic, as it has stories that span generations and they vary wildly. One of the most interesting things is the use of actors playing different roles. It is an underrated movie people should see at least once.
8. Despicable Me
Despicable Me is one of the two animated films on this list for a reason. At the time of its release and even now, the movie is an animated hit. It gets old, having seen it so many times, but it most certainly remains an incredible film. After all, when the movie released, it was loved by both adults and children alike. Also, not many others films can simply release and be an instant hit worthy of a franchise. While the two following films may not have been as good as the first, it doesn’t change the fact that the film did an incredibly well.
9. How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon deserves its place on this list because as an animated film, it is incredibly well made. Like Despicable Me, it started a franchise and was very well received. While I think the second film in the trilogy was the best of the movies, the first one is the one that deserves to be on the list. The reason for which is that without it, we wouldn’t even have the second one (obviously), but it started it all and deserves the credit for doing so. The movie holds up well even years after release and it tells a very interesting story that anyone, adult or child, would like to watch. It is easily one of my favorite animated films of all time and is certainly my favorite animated trilogy.
10. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World is here primarily because it is an absolutely incredible film to watch. I say that as someone who appreciates small details in movies that make it more entertaining or give it more personality. Director Edgar Wright is a master when it comes to things like that in his films. Almost every single scene has a detail in it that is pertinent to the story. There are no filler sets and no details are pointless in the movie. I will also admit that the video game aspect of the film makes it even more enjoyable as someone who loves games. If anyone else watches the film, they can be on the lookout for those details at all times and it really doesn’t distract from the movie. This most certainly makes it a reason for it to be on this list.
