10 films from 2010 that are now considered classics

Time is a strange concept. Somehow, 2010 feels both recent and, at the same time, a long time ago. The decade was responsible for some of the highest-grossing films in historyas well as some productions that defined the genre and became instant classics. Marvel’s heyday gave audiences The Avengers and Black Panther, Netflix released its teen love story trilogies, and the caliber of dramas was very high.

Such a saturated space makes it difficult for certain films to stand out, so when they do, it’s clear they have something special. Just looking at the list of nominations for Best Picture at the Oscars shows how varied in quality and theme some of the biggest films of the decade were.

10

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

A palatable view of the world of finance

It’s part biography, part comedy-drama and is packed with loud characters and dialogue every minute. In a decade where many films were made about various types of financial crises, Martin Scorsese managed to make one that struck a deeper chord with viewers. The cast, led by Leonardo DiCaprio, is undoubtedly impressive.

Combining legacy actors like Joanna Lumley and Rob Reiner with newcomers (at the time) like Margot Robbie and Cristin Milloti made the film feel established and new at the same time. Although the main character is an antihero, audiences still find your story compelling and want to see it through to the end.

Returning to his personal life and motivation makes the film resonate more as an ensemble piece, as The Big Short. Standout scenes like Matthew McConaughey’s “chest-thumping” cameo and the infamous Quaalude sequence are instantly recognizable, and the fact that it’s one of the more light-hearted DiCaprio/Scorsese collaborations makes rewatching it a lot of fun.

9

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

So many great actors in one place

Wes Anderson’s world-building is one of the most exclusive in the history of cinema. Whenever one of his films is shown, it’s obvious that it’s a Wes Anderson project just because of the visual impact. The soft but still attractive color palette, the uniformity and symmetry in almost every scene, and the large scale of the sets are all its unique calling cards.

Add to that a layered story with a large group of players, and the result is an immersive and exciting on-screen experience. The Grand Budapest Hotel did so in a way that immediately captivated the audience. The fragmented narrative keeps the viewer curious and engaged as they navigate the fictional land of Zubrowka.

By placing the plot in an imaginary setting, Anderson was able to address very real issues like fascism, immigration and xenophobia without being too dark and naturalistic. The star-studded cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Adrien Brody and Tilda Swinton among many, many notable names. This is the kind of movie that people remember seeing for the first time.

8

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

A new perspective on a well-known story

Reviving a franchise from the 1980s can be complicated. Most went the comedy route, leaning heavily into nostalgia but not taking themselves too seriously. Others abandon the source material altogether, instead taking the concept and modernizing it, offering a retelling of a familiar story. Mad Max: Fury Road does neither. It pays homage to films of the past while offering a new perspective in a well-known story.

Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult create a world full of chaos and lawlessness that takes everyone by surprise. The film performed very well at the box office and remains a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With timeless themes and a dystopian setting, it’s one of those films that it’s difficult to say exactly when it was released. That alone solidifies its place as a classic. It also gave the world Furiosa, who was such a compelling character that a prequel was requested almost immediately, and it finally hit screens in 2024.

7

Crazy Stupid Love (2011)

A Slightly Different Kind of Rom-Com

Steve Carell’s charm and leading man potential had been a well-known fact in Hollywood for some time. His comedic prowess gained prominence in The office, and films like Date at night and be smart proved he could do romance too. Ryan Gosling, on the other hand, was best known for his dramatic work, so seeing him show off his naturally charismatic and funny side was quite new at the time.

His chemistry with Emma Stone was so impressive that it led to them reuniting on screen two more times, so seeing the beginning of their on-screen courtship is still wonderful to watch. Sometimes romantic comedies can be taken less seriously due to their light-hearted nature, but if the story is strong and the cast has that on-screen magic, it can easily become a modern classic.

This movie has all of those things. The combination of Carell and Gosling is hilarious and challenging. The whole scene with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling playing the Dirty Dancing lift could itself be an independent short film. All of the subplots merge into one in a very satisfying way, creating a type of conflict that the audience might not have expected.

6

12 Years a Slave (2013)

An honest retelling of a true story

Sometimes the viewer can tell they are watching something that will be as powerful and impactful now as it will be 10, 20, or even 60 years from now. Steve McQueen is exactly that kind of movie. Taking on the 19th century novel of the same name, it takes great care with the subject, doing it justice at every step. With extraordinary performances from Chiwetel Ejiofor and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’oThis is a historical epic in every sense of the word.

The supporting cast includes Brad Pitt, Sarah Paulson and Michael Fassbender, among many notable names, who help tell the harrowing story of Solomon Northup. The film takes great care in portraying some of the real-life atrocities that happened at the timeand does not shy away from violence and brutality to get the story out there. With critical and box office acclaim, this is an important film to see.

5

Featured (2015)

A report on deeply hidden errors

Joining the ranks of All the President’s Men and JFK, EmphasisThe story is created by the characters in real time. It’s a fascinating way to engage viewers, as they crave new information with each new revelation. Set in the offices of the Boston Globe, a group of reporters work to uncover the horrific story of abuse within the Catholic Church.

Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Mark Ruffalo guide the audience through their investigation while keeping them engaged and curious. Films based on true stories run the risk of being too dry or even boring. Many do not please the public and are considered too “up to date”. This film is neither and manages to capture the essence of the subject at hand in a way that will be interesting and compelling every time you watch it.

4

Get Out (2017)

He didn’t even see the signs

An extremely intelligent marketing technique caused the public’s curiosity to be aroused before even entering the cinema. That the high-concept horror was thought-provokingcreating an atmosphere of discomfort and dread throughout its running time. The energy that Daniel Kaluuya brought to the film’s infamous poster is carried throughout the film as he tries to get out of the horrible situation he finds himself in.

Addressing the topic of race in such a distressing and strange way made an immediate impact on audiences around the world. The film was a huge success for Jordan Peel, giving him an immense platform to bring more of his stories to the screen. But, this was the first to create an almost new horror genre.

3

Home (2010)

Delving Deeply into the Subconscious

Christopher Nolan came off an incredible wave of success with Batman begins and The Dark Knight, so he was able to create this kind of mind-blowing film on a truly grand scale. The premise was difficult to follow in 2010 and confuses people to this day.

Traveling through various levels of someone’s subconscious is as exciting as one can imagine when done with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Marion Cotillard and Tom Hardy. The visual effects remain fresh and stunning, and the story is as fresh and unique as ever.

It’s been almost 15 years since the film was released and it remains one of the most popular in Nolan’s filmography. A supporting cast including Elliot Page, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Cillian Murphy completes its complicated action thriller, which has to be seen to be believed. If not necessarily understood. The final scene still leaves the audience divided on whether it was real or not.

2

Parasite (2019)

A story of symbiotic inequality

Although it was released at the end of the decade, the film had an instant impact. It broke awards records and holds a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The storytelling, direction, and acting come together to create one of the most memorable cinematic experiences in recent memory.

Bong Joon Ho’s story of class division, shown by the Park and Kim families, is thought-provoking and disturbing in equal measure. The fact that it also manages to be funny and scary at the same time is a testament to the quality of the writing.

Won the Oscar for Best FilmDirection and Screenplay, as well as Best International Feature Film. Sometimes awards glory isn’t necessarily an indication that a film has stood the test of time, but Parasite is the one who goes. It addresses a topic that transcends time and will resonate with many people for years to come.

1

Moonlight (2016)

A sad but beautiful piece of cinema

A story of abuse, neglect, but also of love and perseverance. The fact that it was based on a play can be felt not only by the fact that the story is divided into three acts, but also by the intimacy felt in the scenes. It’s beautifully filmeddespite the dark setting and sparse use of colors.

Having three different actors portray the same character can sometimes make it difficult for audiences to connect with them, but Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes were able to bring each step of their journey to life. Mahershala Ali won his Oscar for making his presence so impactful that as soon as he is gone, viewers instantly feel the loss.

Naomie Harris’ performance evokes strong emotions of anger combined with pity as the audience feels protective of her son. Moonlight It is a film that has to be seen to be appreciated. While the memorable La La Terra Oscar’s slip-up caused him to live forever in infamy, its beauty and complexity are what make it a certified classic. After all, there was a reason the envelope actually said: Moonlight.