Top 21 films of the decade

Source: Jake Hills on Unsplash

As one decade full of movie magic comes to an end, another begins.

And to celebrate such a milestone, the team at Voice of London, along with some help from readers online, have come together to create a list of our top films since 2010.

It was a long process. There were many debates, nostalgic memories and painful sacrifices. But we finally made it.

Here are our top picks.

Inception (2010)

This sci-fi thriller got raving reviews upon its release, thanks to its concept based around virtual reality, and earnt itself four Oscars (unfortunately, none for Leonardo DiCaprio). The Titanic star led the cast, with Christopher Nolan in the director’s seat.

Toy Story 3 (2010)

Woody and Buzz Lightyear have been everyone’s best friends since 1995, but this film brought something special (and not just the voice of Tom Hanks) that made fans fall in love with the characters all over again. The introduction of Lotso bear and Ken made even the bad guys seem good. And who doesn’t love a bad guy?

Bridesmaids (2011)

There is no film that can quite make you laugh like Bridesmaids. And that is the exact reason why the rom-com has snuck its way onto our list. From uncontrollable laughter to internal cringing, it is hard not to fall in love with the story and the cast.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)

The final film of the franchise marked the end of an era for Potterheads who had followed the story for years. J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World is soon set to span into its third decade too (fourth, including the books), with the Fantastic Beasts series.

The Woman in Black (2012)

Daniel Radcliffe may be best known as the famous Boy Who Lived, but he also starred in this fantasy thriller which left audiences shivering in their seats back in 2012. The actor plays a lawyer who soon discovers the spirit of a dead woman is haunting a village.

Skyfall (2012)

It would be hard not to include a Bond film in this list when they have been ruling cinema since back in the 60s. This was Daniel Craig’s third outing as the spy, a role he is set to step down from after No Time to Die in 2020.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

DiCaprio just keeps going from strength to strength in this crime biography, directed by none other than Martin Scorsese. The film is based on Jordan Belfort’s career as a stockbroker and the corruption in the industry.

Frozen (2013)

Not matter what age you are, Frozen is a definite must-see. The recent sequel has refreshed interest in the already-popular Disney film, which followed sisters Anna and Elsa on their adventures. That being said, it’s Olaf that seems to steal the show in this film, with his great one-liners.

12 Years A Slave (2013)

This film shows the raw truth behind slavery, following a man in the 1800s who is kidnapped and taken into slavery in New Orleans. He fights for his freedom in this eye-opening biography, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup.

Kingsman (2014)

Mix James Bond with Lee Nelson and you get… Eggsy. This action-packed comedy gives a refreshing spin on the typical spy film, with plenty of laughs as well as comic-esque fight sequences. As Galahad says: “Manners maketh man.”

Theory of Everything (2014)

Everyone knows of Stephen Hawking. But do they know his story? The Theory of Everything sees Eddie Redmayne take on the role, in a biopic about the scientist’s life – his time at university, meeting his wife and his experience with motor neurone disease.

Whiplash (2014)

From singing in the shower to performing on stage, it is far from easy to make it in the music world. Whiplash shows this, following a young drummer, played by Miles Teller, as he tries to make it in the industry, with the questionable help of a famous conductor.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

With six Oscars to its name, it would have been next-to impossible to complete this list without Mad Max: Fury Road. And readers agree, with it being amongst those chosen during our social media polls. There are some big names in the cast, including Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult.

Spotlight (2015)

This film is based on a true story about the Boston Globe investigation that looked into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church. This, once again, was voted by readers as a firm favourite too, and with a high-flying cast along with the extraordinary storyline it is easy to see why.

Moonlight (2016)

Most people will know it from that Oscars blunder. But Moonlight stands on its own – a coming-of-age film like no other. It follows a gay African-American man at three stages in his life as he deals with growing up in Miami during the War on Drugs.

Deadpool (2016)

Forget superheroes, in 2016, anti-heroes took over the world of cinema. And the merc with the mouth soon became a fan favourite with his antics. Ryan Reynolds returned to the role after originally being introduced in X Men Origins: Wolverine.

The Greatest Showman (2017)

In terms of timeless musicals, The Greatest Showman is one of few that has managed to make the cut in recent years. A star-filled cast along with catchy songs that made it to the charts were the key to this film’s success.

Wonder Woman (2017)

DC’s Wonder Woman was quite monumental in cinematic history, being the first female-led superhero film. If that wasn’t an achievement in itself, along with Patty Jenkins as the director, the film also won at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. This progress in the industry was later followed by Marvel’s Captain Marvel.

Get Out (2017)

This thriller was directed by Jordan Peele and starred Daniel Kaluuya, making the upcoming actor a big name in the industry. His portrayal as Chris took audiences with him on the rollercoaster that was this film.

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Taking on a role as big as Mary Poppins is challenging for even the best actors. But Emily Blunt executed the role practically perfectly (in every way). The return to the much-loved character 54 years later, brought plenty more catchy songs and one or two familiar faces too.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

It may not be Marvel’s best film, but Endgame has undeniably changed the world of cinema as we know it. Not only is it the highest grossing film of all time, making $1.2b worldwide on the opening weekend, but it also featured the largest number of superheroes in one film.

Take a look at our other top picks from the decade:

Words: Emma Soteriou

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