Although the 2010s are not far away, looking back at the last decade in movie history reveals interesting trends in cinema. The actors who defined the 2010s right to Their impact at the box office, the critics acclaimed their performances and projects received, and their popularity with audiences will not be forgotten. Some of the best movies of the 21st century were released in the 2010s, because they are 2010s box office flops that audiences now love. While Time may highlight hidden gem performances from the decade in the years to come, some actors will remain associated with the 2010s.
It was during this decade that they distinguished themselves as performers who could embody roles across a variety of genres and connect with audiences.
There are movies from the 2010s that should already be treated as classics, and many of them have iconic performances from great actors. Most actors who have a spike in popularity in the 2010s have been working in the industry for years and establish themselves as people to be relied on. However, it was during this decade that they distinguished themselves as performers who could embody roles across a variety of genres and connect with audiences. more often than not, The performances earned them great critical acclaim.
10
Scarlett Johansson
The Avengers franchise, Under the Skin (2013), Wedding Story (2019)
each Avengers Movie in the MCU from the 2010s was a huge part of the decade, like The Marvel Cinematic Universe was one of the biggest box office draws of the time. The actors who were lucky enough to be part of the first wave of these unforgettable films have been cemented as some of the most famous performers of the 2010s. Scarlett Johansson demonstrated her talents in many other exciting projects and expanded on her previous typecasting.
Although she turns in Game Ghost in the Shell Was a misstep, Johansson recovered and earned back the public’s respect with Wedding Story.
of Reprising her role as Black Widow several times to clear Samantha you, Johansson pushed herself as a dramatic actress in the 2010s. In 2013, Johansson’s performance in Under the skin Was one of the best of her career, but also the most risky, because Jonathan Glazer’s experimental sci-fi horror movie did not do well at the box office but blew critics away. Although she turns in Game Ghost in the Shell Was a misstep, Johansson recovered and earned back the public’s respect with Wedding Story. She partnered with Adam Driver on the quiet and moving portrait of love and family.
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9
Ryan Gosling
Drive (2011), The Big Short (2015), La La Land (2016)
Ryan Gosling may have the looks of a leading man, but the actor has always had the comedic timing of a character actor and used those skills to his advantage. After starring in rom-coms and indie dramas in the early 2000s, Gosling moved on to bigger studio films in the 2010s, adding Blade Runner 2049, La La LandAnd The big short to his resume. Although he still took romantic roles in La La Land And the tragic drama Blue ValentineThe characters were richer and more complex than those he portrayed in the past.
He still found a lot of success in the 2020s, playing Ken in the blockbuster Barbie And win over audiences with the comic action film The autumn guy. however, The reputation that Gosling enjoys was created in the 2010s Thanks to the number and diversity of projects he set out. During the 2010s, it seemed that Gosling was the actor on everyone’s mind for movies that were a little off-beat and required someone who could play comedy and tragedy with ease.
8
Matthew McConaughey
Dallas Buyers Club (2013), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Interstellar (2014)
Despite being pigeonholed in the rom-com genre for the majority of his early career, Matthew McConaughey soon pivoted to some of the greatest work of the 2010s in an amazing second act. This period, dubbed the McConnaisance by audiences and critics alike, saw McConaughey’s fame and popularity reignited seemingly overnight (via The New Yorker). Thanks to this resurgence, viewers got to see iconic movies like Interstellar And even his campy and gritty role in the cult classic Magic Mike.
For his performance in Dallas Buyers ClubMcConaughey won the Academy Award for Best Actor, which propelled him to new heights throughout the decade.
Many of McConaughey’s most unforgettable movie moments were in the 2010s during his second wind of fame, and a few of them earned him accolades. For his performance in Dallas Buyers ClubMcConaughey won the Academy Award for Best Actor, which propelled him to new heights throughout the decade. Towards the end of the 2010s, McConaughey teamed up with director Guy Ritchie on the action film The gentlemen, And that bodes well for future work that sees him maintain his connection to the action genre.
7
Jennifer Lawrence
The Hunger Games franchise, Silver Linings Playbook (2012), Mother! (2017)
At just 22, Jennifer Lawrence won her first Oscar for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook, Which came out the same year as the first movie in The Hunger Games Franchise. Simultaneously balancing her skyrocketing fame in the YA dystopian genre and the critical acclaim she received for her prestige dramas, Lawrence was one of the highest-paid film actresses of the 2010s (via The Guardian). However, Academy Awards and big paychecks weren’t the only reason Lawrence got noticed.
After taking a short break from the spotlight, Lawrence has come back with great comedies like Don’t look up And No hard feelingsBoth of which prove that her popularity was no flash in the pan. After saying goodbye to The Hunger Games yet Mockingjay – Part 2The world opened up to Lawrence, And audiences are ready to see her as more than the star of a fantasy franchise. However, the sustained interest and success of her movies from this period ensure that no one will forget her impact in the 2010s.
6
Benedict Cumberbatch
Star Trek: Into Darkness (2013), The Imitation Game (2014), Doctor Strange (2016)
Benedict Cumberbatch’s latest initiation into the MCU has made him even more of a star than ever before, thanks to his casting in Doctor Strange In 2016. Since he was not part of the initial wave of The Avengers And early Marvel movies, his role as Strange was still protected Avengers: Endgame and saw him grow in importance in the franchise. But before that, He can be seen in many period pieces, sci-fi films and all other types of projects What shaped him into the actor he is today.
Although he has fully established himself as a film actor, the impact of starring in the BBC Sherlock Cumberbatch’s career cannot be overstated.
Although he has fully established himself as a film actor, the impact of starring in the BBC Sherlock Cumberbatch’s career cannot be overstated. In addition, his background in theater acting has come in handy many times as Cumberbatch has taken on a diverse range of characters, especially in the 2010s. Embody the real historical figure Alan Turing in The imitation game Earning him a Best Actor nomination at the Oscars, And he made a terrible villain Star Trek: Into DarknessExpanded on the beloved universe.
5
Samuel L. Jackson
The Avengers franchise, Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014), The Hateful Eight (2015)
Despite the fact that Nick Fury does not have the same oversized superpowers as the team he assembles, Anger is a vital part of these Avengers franchise, and no one can play him but Samuel L. Jackson. The leader of SHIELD and a brilliant strategist, it was Fury who brought together all members of the Avengers and ensured that the team worked cohesively to save the world. Although he didn’t get his own movie like the other characters, Jackson starred in it Secret invasion A few years later, which explore Fury further.
Jackson excels at taking on morally ambiguous characters or outright villains like the mysterious Major Marky Warren in The hate eight and the terrifying Richmond Valentine in Kingsman: The Secret Service. The hate eight Was not the first time Jackson collaborated with Quentin Tarantino, like their movie, Pulp fictionremains one of the most iconic movies of the 1990s. It speaks to Jackson’s talents and abilities that his star did not fade after the height of Pulp fiction And only increased as the 2010s progressed.
4
Robert Downey Jr.
The Avengers franchise, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), The Judge (2014)
Although he took on many roles in the 2010s, The most significant part of Robert Downey Jr. was Tony Stark AKA Iron Man in the Iron Man And Avengers films. There were few films produced by Marvel between when Iron Man Is released and 2019 when Avengers: Endgame Hit theaters that Downey Jr. is not featured in. At least, Tony Stark was mentioned by the other characters, as he was the ultimate avenger in the eyes of the audience and the other characters in the films.
His other projects, like the sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of ShadowsAnd the dark family drama The judgeare just as important in his filmography.
However, his other projects, such as the sequel, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of ShadowsAnd the dark family drama The judgeare just as important in his filmography. These helped him flex his dramatic muscles, which are necessary for his latest project, OppenheimerHowever Downey Jr. wasn’t able to stay away from Marvel for long. Still wrapping up his time as Tony In Avengers: EndgameDowney Jr. was cast as Doctor Doom for his biggest Avengers MCU return.
3
Emma Stone
Birdman (2014), La La Land (2016), The Favorite (2018)
With some of the best directors and actors of the 2010s, Emma Stone will likely be remembered as one of the greatest actresses of her generation. Her first Oscar for Best Actress was for her performance as Mia In La La Land, Along with Gosling, both actors stood out in this film and its love letter to cinema. Early in her career, Stone played many comedic roles in teen comedies like Superbad And easy aBut in the 2010s, she pivoted to more serious and critically acclaimed work.
The favorite Her first time working with Yorgos Lanthimos, With whom she has partnered several times, even becoming a producer on their films. Although she was always looking for interesting projects, The favorite Pushed Stone to dress in her unusual and arthouse sensibility, which only increased as she continued to make a name for herself in Hollywood. Additionally, Stone was part of The Amazing Spider-Man trilogy, which exposes her work to viewers who may not have seen her before.
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2
Lupita Nyong’o
12 Years a Slave (2013), Black Panther (2018), Us (2019)
Lupita Nyong’o was part of the two biggest franchises in Hollywood during the 2010s, Marvel and Star Wars. Although her role in the Star Wars Trilogy was the main voice acting, she was at her best in the Black Panther Movies like Nakia. moreover, Her performance in 2019 in Jordan Peele’s horror film us Was an influential piece of acting. She embodied two characters in multiple scenes and differentiated between them with ease. However, one of her earliest films from the 2010s is what first set her apart.
Her latest film, A Quiet Place: Day OneCemented her importance in the horror genre that us Initiated several years ago.
12 years a slave swept every category during award season, but hThe reason Nyong’o won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for playing Patsey was because of her skill. Nyong’o hasn’t been in the highest volume of films in the 2010s, but her projects have been some of the most impressive of the decade and set her up for further success in the 2020s. Her latest film, A Quiet Place: Day OneCemented her importance in the horror genre that us Initiated several years ago.
1
Oscar Isaac
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013), Ex Machina (2014), The Star Wars Franchise
Star Wars: The Force Awakens may have been the first introduction some audience members had to Oscar Isaac’s work, But the actor made his name in the 2010s for a few years before that. Isaac’s breakout role could arguably be considered his groundbreaking performance in the Coen brothers’ film In Llewyn Davis. It is a whimsical and darkly comic portrait of the folk music scene in the early 1960s. In Llewyn Davis is unofficially considered a musical biopic about the early life of the legendary songwriter Bob Dylan.
yet In Llewyn DavisIsaac got the chance to play the villain in Alex Garlands ex machina, Which was an interesting case study of the development of AI and what it means to be human. Although both projects were critically acclaimed, it was Isaac’s turn in the latter Star Wars trilogy that launched him into stardom. His character, Poe, quickly became a fan favorite, and the role landed him other franchise work with Marvel moon night A few years later.