An entire decade of cinema has passed, and the 2010s reshaped filmmaking, criticism and the way audiences discover films online. Directors emerged and evolved, stars were made, and the industry saw important losses. Below are the 100 Greatest Films of the 2010s, compiled, ranked and written by Jason Lithgo and Joseph Wade for The Film Magazine. The list orders films by artistic achievement and contribution to cinema, while also taking critical and audience response into account.
These lists are made with passion and invite debate. We welcome your thoughts in the comments at the end of the article—share them and join the conversation.
List set by UK release dates.
100. The Avengers (2012)
Dir: Joss Whedon
The Avengers signalled a new commercial and cultural peak for superhero cinema. Joss Whedon’s first major Marvel crossover brought together familiar characters, blockbuster scale and crowd-pleasing action, helping define a decade dominated by shared-universe filmmaking.
99. Short Term 12 (2013)
Dir: Destin Daniel Cretton
98. Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Dir: Kathryn Bigelow
97. Blue Valentine (2010)
Dir: Derek Cianfrance
96. Black Panther (2018)
Dir: Ryan Coogler
“Marvel’s boldest move yet in many ways. It’s one of the darkest and most violent of the studio’s offerings so far, but it’s also one of the most fun and full of life.” – Sam Sewell-Peterson’s review.
95. The Kids Are Alright (2010)
Dir: Lisa Cholodenko
94. Good Time (2017)
Dir: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
93. Under the Shadow (2016)
Dir: Babak Anvari
92. The House That Jack Built (2018)
Dir: Lars von Trier
91. Bridesmaids (2011)
Dir: Paul Feig
90. Amy (2015)
Dir: Asif Kapadia
89. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Dir: David O. Russell
88. Booksmart (2019)
Dir: Olivia Wilde
“this picture’s strong and tasteful mix of characters [work] to compliment the progressive themes of this genuinely funny, hearty and at times downright emotional movie headlined by two superlative performances. Not since Superbad has the genre delivered such a bonafide classic.” – Joseph Wade’s review.
87. Snowpiercer (2013)
Dir: Bong Joon Ho
86. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Dir: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
“This is more than a superhero movie, it’s a defining moment in modern cinema.” – Joseph Wade’s review.
85. Gone Girl (2014)
Dir: David Fincher
84. Only God Forgives (2013)
Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn
83. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Dir: George Miller
George Miller’s return to the Mad Max universe was a visual and kinetic triumph. Fury Road combined relentless action with striking cinematography and won major industry recognition, helping expand how awards bodies view large-scale action filmmaking.
82. Dogtooth (2010)
Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos
81. The Skin I Live In (2011)
Dir: Pedro Almodóvar
80. Toy Story 3 (2010)
Dir: Lee Unkrich
79. I Saw the Devil (2010)
Dir: Jee-woon Kim
78. Amour (2012)
Dir: Michael Haneke
77. Inception (2010)
Dir: Christopher Nolan
76. The Babadook (2014)
Dir: Jennifer Kent
Recommended for you: 10 Best Horror Movies of the 2010s
75. A Separation (2011)
Dir: Asghar Farhadi
“the picture doesn’t hide behind technical trickery to ever distract from the story unfolding in front of us – it is impeccably told and perfectly balances each character in a way that ensures everybody is understandable and complex.” – Bradley Weir’s review.
74. Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013)
Dir: Abdellatif Kechiche
73. What We Do In the Shadows (2014)
Dir: Taika Waititi
72. Moneyball (2011)
Dir: Bennett Miller
71. Coco (2017)
Dir: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina
Pixar’s Coco blends vibrant visuals with a heartfelt story rooted in Mexico’s Day of the Dead. The film celebrates family, memory and cultural tradition and became a major international success as well as an emotional favorite for many viewers.
70. Raw (2016)
Dir: Julia Ducournau
69. 20th Century Women (2016)
Dir: Mike Mills
68. Kill List (2011)
Dir: Ben Wheatley
67. A Ghost Story (2017)
Dir: David Lowery
66. Sorry We Missed You (2019)
Dir: Ken Loach
“a voice for those without one from a filmmaker who now seems to be the last bastian of such filmmaking, an 83 year old 50+ year veteran of the screen we must all cherish.” – Joseph Wade’s review.
65. The Big Short (2015)
Dir: Adam McKay
64. Prisoners (2013)
Dir: Denis Villeneuve
63. First Reformed (2017)
Dir: Paul Schrader
62. Skyfall (2012)
Dir: Sam Mendes
Skyfall revitalised the James Bond series with a moody, cinematic approach and striking cinematography from Roger Deakins. Daniel Craig’s brooding take and the film’s grand visuals made it one of the franchise’s most memorable entries.
Recommended for you: Every James Bond 007 Movie Ranked
61. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Dir: Denis Villeneuve
“a simply marvellous blend of technical skill and emotional resonance.” – Harrison Thorne’s review.
60. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Dir: Wes Anderson
59. Mommy (2014)
Dir: Xavier Dolan
58. Burning (2018)
Dir: Chang-dong Lee
57. The Revenant (2015)
Dir: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
56. Nocturnal Animals (2016)
Dir: Tom Ford
“this is a film perhaps devoid of the ability to completely engross and encourage the suspension of disbelief, but is without a doubt a work of art unlike many others in North American cinema at the moment.” – Joseph Wade’s review.
55. Midsommar (2019)
Dir: Ari Aster
54. Dunkirk (2017)
Dir: Christopher Nolan
53. Hereditary (2018)
Dir: Ari Aster
52. Ida (2013)
Dir: Pawel Pawlikowski
51. Roma (2018)
Dir: Alfonso Cuarón
Alfonso Cuarón’s deeply personal Roma became a landmark for streaming-era cinema. Lauded for its intimate storytelling and technical mastery, the film pushed conversations about distribution, awards eligibility and the nature of cinematic release.
50. High Life (2019)
Dir: Claire Denis
49. Manchester By the Sea (2016)
Dir: Kenneth Lonergan
48. The Florida Project (2017)
Dir: Sean Baker
47. Little Women (2019)
Dir: Greta Gerwig
“Little Women will be the Greta Gerwig movie that will establish her as one of the most important filmmakers of the 21st century.” – Katie Doyle’s review.
46. The Witch (2015)
Dir: Robert Eggers
45. Toni Erdmann (2016)
Dir: Maren Ade
44. The Lobster (2015)
Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos
43. Drive (2011)
Dir: Nicolas Winding Refn
Drive is a tightly controlled, stylish thriller that combines a minimalist, neon-drenched aesthetic with an arresting score and a memorable lead performance from Ryan Gosling. It helped define a decade of cool, retro-influenced cinematic style.
42. Phantom Thread (2017)
Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson
41. Birdman (or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
Dir: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
40. Arrival (2016)
Dir: Denis Villeneuve
39. If Beale Street Could Talk (2019)
Dir: Barry Jenkins
38. Black Swan (2010)
Dir: Darren Aronofsky
37. Frances Ha (2012)
Dir: Noah Baumbach
Noah Baumbach’s Frances Ha is a charming black-and-white portrait of friendship and ambition in New York, highlighted by Greta Gerwig’s charismatic performance and a script that captures the small frustrations and joys of early adulthood.
Recommended for you: Greta Gerwig – The Essential Collection
36. Get Out (2017)
Dir: Jordan Peele
35. The Favourite (2019)
Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos
34. Melancholia (2011)
Dir: Lars von Trier
33. The Irishman (2019)
Dir: Martin Scorsese
32. Marriage Story (2019)
Dir: Noah Baumbach
31. Her (2013)
Dir: Spike Jonze
Spike Jonze’s Her imagines a near future in which human intimacy and artificial intelligence collide. Joaquin Phoenix gives a tender performance opposite the voice of Scarlett Johansson in a film that explores loneliness, love and the changing texture of human relationships.
30. Before Midnight (2013)
Dir: Richard Linklater
29. The Souvenir (2019)
Dir: Joanna Hogg
28. Shoplifters (2018)
Dir: Hirokazu Koreeda
27. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Dir: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
Into the Spider-Verse reinvented animated superhero storytelling with a bold visual language that fused comic-book art and cutting-edge motion design. Its inventive style, strong writing and energetic soundtrack helped it stand out among decade highlights in animation.
Recommended for you: Spider-Man Movies Ranked
26. Lady Bird (2017)
Dir: Greta Gerwig
25. Ex Machina (2014)
Dir: Alex Garland
24. Whiplash (2014)
Dir: Damien Chazelle
“this modern day Rocky will more than likely be appreciated as time goes on for its timeless look, feel and approach with regard to the ever-so-typical Hollywood underdog story.” – Joseph Wade’s review.
23. We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)
Dir: Lynne Ramsay
22. O.J. Made in America (2016)
Dir: Ezra Edelman
21. Sicario (2015)
Dir: Denis Villeneuve
20. La La Land (2016/17)
Dir: Damien Chazelle
La La Land revived the classic musical for a modern audience, pairing dazzling visuals with an emotional core and standout performances from Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. It reminded Hollywood of the commercial and artistic potential of the musical form.
19. The Tree of Life (2011)
Dir: Terrence Malick
Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life blends intimate family drama with expansive, poetic imagery. A Palme d’Or winner, it bridged mainstream storytelling and experimental visual language, leaving a lasting impression on contemporary art cinema.
Recommended for you: Terrence Malick Films Ranked
18. Interstellar (2014)
Dir: Christopher Nolan
Interstellar pairs epic space imagery with an emotionally driven story about love, sacrifice and human connection. Nolan’s ambitious scope and technical craftsmanship produced one of the decade’s most memorable science-fiction experiences.
Recommended for you: Christopher Nolan Films Ranked
17. Spotlight (2015/16)
Dir: Tom McCarthy
Spotlight is a measured, powerful drama about investigative journalism uncovering institutional abuse. Anchored by a strong ensemble cast, it exemplifies storytelling that matters—films that change public conversation and expose truths.
16. 120BPM (2017)
Dir: Robin Campillo
120BPM is an urgent and humane depiction of activism and love during the AIDS crisis. Its emotional honesty and political clarity make it one of the decade’s most moving and socially conscious films.
15. The Shape of Water (2018)
Dir: Guillermo Del Toro
Guillermo del Toro’s fairytale for adults pairs lush production design with a tender, politically aware love story. The Shape of Water blends genre and lyricism and earned wide acclaim, including a Best Director Oscar for del Toro.
Recommended for you: Guillermo Del Toro Movies Ranked
14. Moonlight (2016)
Dir: Barry Jenkins
Moonlight introduced Barry Jenkins as a distinctive cinematic voice, telling an intimate coming-of-age story with compassion, lyricism and a remarkable score. Its quiet power and emotional clarity resonated widely, earning it deserved acclaim.
13. The Social Network (2010)
Dir: David Fincher
Fincher’s razor-sharp drama about the founding of Facebook is a masterclass in storytelling, performance and tone. The Social Network remains a culturally relevant and technically precise portrait of ambition and consequence in the digital age.
Recommended for you: Feeling Blue, Facebook? – The Colour Symbolism of The Social Network
12. Carol (2015)
Dir: Todd Haynes
Todd Haynes’ Carol is an elegant, aching romance defined by luminous cinematography and subtle, devastating performances from Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. It is a modern classic of queer cinema and period storytelling.
11. Son of Saul (2015)
Dir: Nemes László
Nemes László’s Son of Saul is a harrowing, formally daring Holocaust drama. Its immersive approach and singular focus won international praise and major awards, making it one of the decade’s most powerful foreign-language films.
10. You Were Never Really Here (2017)
Dir: Lynne Ramsay
Lynne Ramsay’s terse, visceral drama stars Joaquin Phoenix as a damaged fixer navigating violence and trauma. The film’s lyrical intensity and precise editing make it a standout in the director’s sparse but remarkable filmography.
9. Boyhood (2014)
Dir: Richard Linklater
Filmed over 12 years, Boyhood is a unique cinematic experiment that captures the subtle, cumulative moments of growing up. Linklater’s patient storytelling produced an intimate portrait of family and time.
8. The Master (2012)
Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson
Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master is a visually bold, emotionally intense study of charisma and control. Its commanding performances—especially Philip Seymour Hoffman’s—anchor a film that explores belief, power and vulnerability.
Recommended for you: Paul Thomas Anderson Films Ranked
7. The Handmaiden (2016)
Dir: Chan-wook Park
Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden is an intricately staged, erotic psychological thriller adapted from Sarah Waters’ novel. Its three-act structure, sumptuous visuals and taut performances make it an unforgettable international film.
6. Cold War (2018)
Dir: Paweł Pawlikowski
Pawlikowski’s Cold War is a restrained, haunting romance shot in crisp black and white. Spanning decades and borders, it delivers exquisite performances and a memorable musical heartbeat throughout.
5. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Dir: Luca Guadagnino
A tender coming-of-age romance set in Italy, Call Me By Your Name features a breakout performance by Timothée Chalamet and a sensitive adaptation by James Ivory. Its gentle power and emotional honesty have made it a modern classic.
4. Under the Skin (2013)
Dir: Jonathan Glazer
Under the Skin is an eerie, art-house work led by Scarlett Johansson. Its spare, unsettling approach and unusual soundscape create an experience that lingers—an uncompromising vision in contemporary cinema.
3. I, Daniel Blake (2016)
Dir: Ken Loach
Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake is a passionate, socially engaged drama that gives voice to people struggling under bureaucratic systems. Its blend of political urgency and human dignity made it a decisive work of the decade.
2. 12 Years A Slave (2013)
Dir: Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave is a searing, meticulously crafted account of Solomon Northup’s ordeal. The film’s powerful performances and striking cinematography made it both a critical touchstone and an important cultural work.
Recommended for you: 21st Century Best Picture Oscar Winners Ranked
1. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
Dir: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
The Coen brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis is a quietly devastating mood piece about a struggling folk musician. Its layered storytelling, pitch-perfect performances and evocative music combine to make it, for us, the defining film of the 2010s.
What do you think? Share your opinions below. While you’re here, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.