It is only right that we reflect on the cinematic gems that have left an indelible mark on the world of cinema in the last decade. From intense dramas to jaw-dropping sci-fi, the last 10 years have given us an abundance of films that showcase the skill of storytelling and the magic of the screen. These are the best films of the past 10 years that have wowed audiences and critics alike, each a testament to the diverse and dynamic nature of contemporary cinema.
Which are the best movies the last 10 years? This list of movies is proof of creativity, innovation and storytelling ability the last decade. From heart-pounding dramas to jaw-dropping sci-fi and epic blockbusters, the last 10 years have brought us cinematic feast, which we will remember for years to come. As we look forward to what the next decade will bring, let's celebrate art and brilliance of these films that left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.
The best movies of 2013-2024
1. The Wolf Of Wall Street – 2013
The film “The Wolf Of Wall Street” is a 2013 biographical drama film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the true story of Jordan Belfort. The film follows Belfort's rise and fall as a Wall Street stockbroker. Leonardo DiCaprio he plays the role of Jordan Belfort, a charismatic and ambitious broker who begins his career in the 1980s.
The story focuses on Belfort's fast-rising career, his founding of the Stratton Oakmont stock exchange, and his extravagant lifestyle, including drugs, sex and luxury. Throughout the film, Belfort and his associates become increasingly involved in illegal business, including fraud and money laundering, leading to growing interest from federal authorities.
The film also shows Belfort's personal life, his relationships and his gradual loss of morality as wealth and power corrupt him more and more. Although Belfort is initially presented as an ambitious and talented broker, his character develops throughout the story into an arrogant and morally challenged businessman.
The film "The Wolf Of Wall Street" is known for its energetic direction, a strong performance by DiCaprio and a graphic depiction of the excesses that characterized Belfort's life and the culture of Wall Street at the time. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.
The film is not only a story of personal and financial ups and downs, but also a critique of the greed, depravity and moral corruption that can be present in the financial world.
2. Parasite – 2019
The movie “Parasite” is a 2019 South Korean dark comedy-thriller film directed and written by Bong Joon-ho. Interweaving elements of drama, comedy and thriller, the film critically examines the themes of social class, economic inequality and family dynamics.
The story revolves around the Kim family, who live in poverty and make ends meet by doing low-cost jobs. The family accidentally becomes entangled with the wealthy Park family when the Kim family's son, Ki-woo, gets a job as an English instructor for the Park family's daughter. Gradually, all the members of the Kim family are tricked into gaining employment with the Park family, without them knowing about their kinship.
The film shows the contrast between the life of the Kim family in their dark, damp basement apartment and the luxurious life of the Park family in their spacious and modern house. “Parasite” explores themes of deception, envy and social mobility, with the story unfolding dramatically as secrets are revealed and tensions between the two families come to a head.
The film is known for its originality, strong narrative and dramatic twists that keep the audience in suspense from start to finish. "Parasite" was an international success and won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture, the first such success for a non-English language film. The film is praised for its satirical portrayal of social differences and Bong Joon-ho's outstanding direction.
3. Blade Runner 2049 – 2017
“Blade Runner 2049” is a 2017 science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve, which is a sequel to the cult film “Blade Runner” from 1982. The film takes place in a dystopian future world, 30 years after the events of the first film.
At the heart of the story is a new blade runner, Officer K (Ryan Gosling), who works for the Los Angeles Police Department. His mission is to find and 'retire' old replicants - artificially created beings that were designed to work in extreme conditions on distant planets. During one of his missions, K discovers a long-buried secret that has the potential to wreak havoc on society. His discovery leads him to search for former blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who disappeared thirty years ago.
The film explores themes of identity, humanity, memory and reality. It is visually impressive, with a detailed futuristic world that reflects ecological devastation and technological advancement. The film's visual aesthetics, along with deep philosophical questions, add to the complexity and depth of the story.
“Blade Runner 2049” was critically acclaimed for its direction, visual effects, deep thematic explorations and respect for the original film. Although not a huge commercial success, the film became popular among science fiction fans and is recognized as a decent sequel to the original.
4. Arrival – 2016
The 2016 film Arrival, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is a sci-fi drama about first contact with extraterrestrials. The main character, linguist dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams), is recruited by the military to decipher the language of mysterious spacecraft that have landed around the world. Together with physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), she discovers a complex alien language, which causes groundbreaking changes in her perception of time and life. The film explores themes of communication, fate and human experience, and the narrative is imbued with emotional depth and philosophical questions.
5. Mad Max: Fury Road – 2015
“Mad Max: Fury Road” is a 2015 post-apocalyptic action film directed by George Miller. In the heart of a parched desert landscape, Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) teams up with Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) to escape the tyrannical ruler Immortan Joe and his pursuers. The film is a fast-paced, intense and visually stunning adventure that depicts a brutal battle for survival and freedom. Known for its outstanding car scenes, innovative production and strong characters, “Mad Max: Fury Road” was praised for its unique visual aesthetic and action sequences.
6. The Grand Budapest Hotel – 2014
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” is a 2014 stylized comedy film directed by Wes Anderson. The film follows the adventures of the legendary hotel receptionist Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes) and his young protégé, lobbyist Zero Mustafa (Tony Revolori). Set in a fictional European country between the two world wars, the story revolves around theft and a battle for family inheritance. Known for its visual diversity, beautiful scenery and eccentric characters, the film mixes humor, drama and crime story to create a unique and unforgettable cinematic experience.
7. Ex Machina- 2014
“Ex Machina” is a 2014 science fiction thriller film directed by Alex Garland. The film explores the themes of artificial intelligence and human ethics through the story of young programmer Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), who is selected to participate in a secret experiment. In an isolated house in the middle of the woods, his boss, the brilliant but mysterious Nathan (Oscar Isaac), challenges him to test an advanced humanoid AI named Ava (Alicia Vikander). Caleb gradually grows closer to Ava, which sets off a series of events that reveal a surprising and dark truth. The film is known for its intelligent storytelling and questions about the nature of consciousness and identity.
8. Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse – 2018
The 2018 “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” is an animated film that introduces the multiverse of different Spider-Mans. The story focuses on teenager Miles Morales, who discovers that he has the same powers as Spider-Man after being bitten by a radioactive spider. When he encounters other Spider-Mans from different dimensions who have also landed on his world due to the villain Kingpin's Super Collider, Miles must face the challenge of becoming Spider-Man and saving multiple universes. The film is known for its innovative animation, a fresh take on the Spider-Man story, and a positive message about the importance of self-acceptance.
9. Dune – 2021
The 2021 Dune, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is a science fiction epic based on the novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. Set in the distant future, the story follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a young nobleman who must face a complex political and environmental struggle on the desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune. Arrakis is the only source of the spice “melange”, the most precious substance in the universe that enables interstellar travel. The film explores themes of strength, survival and destiny, known for its stunning visuals, complex world and deep story.
10. Dunkirk – 2017
2017 “Dunkirk” directed by Christopher Nolan is a war film depicting the evacuation of Allied soldiers from Dunkirk during World War II. The film follows three intertwined stories on land, sea and in the air, showing the desperation and courage of the soldiers and civilians involved in the rescue. With minimal dialogue and an intense visual narrative, the film portrays the ruthlessness of war and the heroic efforts to survive. "Dunkirk" is known for its direction, cinematography and sound design, which conjure up a tense and realistic war experience for the viewer.
11. Avengers: Endgame – 2019
2019's “Avengers: Endgame” is the climactic conclusion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe saga, following the events of “Avengers: Infinity War”. After Thanos wipes out half of all living things, the surviving heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk and Black Widow, band together in an attempt to reverse Thanos' actions. They use time travel to collect the Infinity Stones from the past and design their own version of the Infinity Gauntlet. The film brings together a decade of Marvel film stories and is known for its epic battles, emotional depth and surprising moments that conclude several stories of the main characters.
12. Mission: Impossible – Fallout – 2018
2018's "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" is the sixth film in the "Mission: Impossible" franchise, with Tom Cruise reprising his role as Agent Ethan Hunt. In this tense action thriller, Hunt and his team are faced with the task of preventing a nuclear attack after a mission goes awry. The film is full of twists and turns and includes complex stories of double agents and global threats. It is known for its breathtaking action scenes, often performed by Cruise himself, including dangerous aerial stunts and wild chases. “Fallout” is praised for its intensity, dynamic story and impressive cinematography.
13. Get Out – 2017
"Get Out" from 2017, directed by Jordan Peele, is a psychological thriller with a twist of horror. The film follows Chris, a young African-American man, who visits the family of his white girlfriend, Rose. At Rose's family's country estate, Chris uncovers a chilling and racially motivated secret. The film explores themes of racism, cultural appropriation and social prejudice through surreal and tense scenes. "Get Out" is known for its innovative storytelling, strong performances and critical social commentary that left a strong impression on critics and audiences alike.
14. 12 Years A Slave – 2013
Directed by Steve McQueen, 2013's “12 Years A Slave” is a historical drama based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free African-American from New York who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. The film depicts Solomon's tragic and heartbreaking 12-year journey through the brutality and inhumanity of plantation slavery in Louisiana. Through his intelligence and tenacity to survive and hope to be reunited with his family, "12 Years a Slave" offers a powerful insight into the harsh reality of American history. The film is known for its raw emotional power, outstanding acting and direction.
15. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood – 2019
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 2019, directed by Quentin Tarantino, is a nostalgic drama set in Hollywood in 1969. The film follows the story of fictional TV actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stuntman and friend Cliff Booth. (Brad Pitt) during the decline period of Dalton's career. The story is intertwined with real events, including the figure of Charles Manson and his sect. The film explores the changing world of cinema in the late 60s, paying attention to the period details characteristic of Tarantino's style. It is a mixture of comedy, drama and action, with a characteristic twist in the final part.
16. Uncut Gems – 2019
2019's “Uncut Gems,” directed by the Safdie brothers, is an intense crime thriller that follows Howard Ratner (Adam Sandler), a charismatic jeweler and gambler from New York. The film focuses on Howard's high-risk attempt to pay off his debts by selling a rare opal gem. As he competes with various clients and creditors for his large earnings, Howard's obsession with risk and his gambling habits cause ever-increasing chaos in his personal and professional life. "Uncut Gems" is known for its tense narrative, strong performance by Sandler and realistic depiction of New York's jewelry district.
17. Gravity- 2013
“Gravity” from 2013, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, is a science fiction thriller set in space. The film follows the astronauts Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) find themselves in a deadly situation when their space shuttle is destroyed by satellite debris during a spacewalk. Alone and isolated in the unforgiving space environment, they must face extraordinary challenges in order to survive and return to Earth. “Gravity” is known for its tense narrative, visually stunning scenes and strong emotional performance from Bullock, creating an intense and emotional experience.
18. Phantom Thread – 2017
The 2017 “Phantom Thread” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson is a drama set in post-war London in the 1950s. The film follows the life of renowned fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis), whose orderly life begins to change when he meets the young waitress Alma (Vicky Krieps). Alma becomes his muse and lover, and their relationship is fraught with tension as their strong wills and need for control clash. The film explores the dynamics of relationships, artistic creation and control, and is distinguished by exceptional acting, stunning costuming and elegant direction.
19. Moonlight – 2016
2016's “Moonlight,” directed by Barry Jenkins, is a powerful and emotional drama that depicts the life of a young African-American man, Chiron, through three distinct periods: childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. The film explores Chiron's search for identity and struggles with poverty, violence and his sexuality in the troubled environment of Miami. Chiron's story is shown through interactions with his addicted mother, mentor, and friends who greatly influence his life. “Moonlight” is praised for its intimate and poetic narrative, outstanding cinematography and deep, compelling performances. The film won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture.
20. Boyhood – 2014
"Boyhood" from 2014, directed by Richard Linklater, is an innovative drama that shows the growth of a young boy Mason (Ellar Coltrane) from childhood to the beginning of adulthood in a unique cinematic experiment. The film was filmed over twelve years, which allows viewers to really follow the growth and development of the main character and his family, including his mother (Patricia Arquette) and father (Ethan Hawke). "Boyhood" explores everyday life, family relationships and the transitional moments that shape a person's life. The film is known for its realism, subtle direction and emotional depth, for which it received wide acclaim and several awards.
