Best Movies of the 2010s: The Most Popular and Award-Winning Films of 2010

If you’re stuck at home and unsure what to watch next, don’t stress—there’s a whole bunch of awesome movies from the 2010s you might have missed!

It’s safe to say this decade brought us many unforgettable movies, many of which took us on wild adventures, made us think, and tugged at our heartstrings.

So, it only makes sense to check out some of the best movies of the 2010s. And you might find a new favorite or revisit a classic you haven’t seen in a while.

So, let’s dive into some of the most popular movies from 2010 that really made a splash!

1. Inception (2010)

Inception, easily one of the best movies of 2010, is a mind-bending thriller that takes you on a wild ride through dreams within dreams.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Inception is a heist movie with a twist: instead of robbing a bank, they’re sneaking into people’s dreams to plant ideas.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Dom Cobb, a thief who can enter dreams to steal secrets.

He gets a chance to clear his criminal record if he can do the opposite—plant an idea in someone’s mind called “inception.”

But it’s way harder than it sounds, with dreams within dreams making everything super complicated.

The movie is known for its amazing visual effects, like scenes where gravity flips around. It also captivates audiences with its emotional story, especially with Cobb dealing with memories of his late wife, Mal.

The ending is famous for leaving you wondering if Cobb is still dreaming or not, which keeps people talking about it even years later.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road is nonstop action from start to finish.

Director George Miller returned to the Mad Max series after 30 years with Fury Road, a nonstop action movie that set new standards for post-apocalyptic films.

The story is set in a desert world controlled by Immortan Joe, a tyrant.

It follows Max (Tom Hardy) and Furiosa (Charlize Theron) as they try to escape with Joe’s enslaved wives using a giant armored truck.

The whole movie feels like one long, intense car chase, with huge explosions, crazy stunts, and a desert setting that looks both beautiful and harsh.

Amazingly, Miller used real-life stunts instead of relying on computer effects, which made everything feel more real.

The movie focuses a lot on Furiosa’s character, making her the story’s heart and flipping the usual roles you’d expect.

Because of its bold and energetic style, it received 10 Oscar nominations and won 6, including Best Editing and Best Production Design.

3. Get Out (2017)

Get Out, Jordan Peele’s directorial debut is a horror film with a sharp take on race relations in America. And it’s by far one of the best movies of the last ten years.

The story follows Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), a Black man who visits his white girlfriend Rose’s (Allison Williams) family estate.

What starts as some awkward family interactions soon turns into a nightmare, with a creepy plot about mind control and body-swapping.

And it’s not long until the family’s hidden agenda slowly comes to light.

Peele uses classic horror elements like hypnosis to show the fear of racial exploitation.

It’s no wonder he is now a role model for so many horror directors. In this movie, he turns horror movie clichés upside down, alongside providing smart commentary on real social issues, and it’s revolutionary, at the very least.

The movie was a big hit, earning an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and establishing Peele as a fresh voice in socially aware horror.

It’s both scary and thought-provoking, making you think about the messages behind the thrills.

4. The Social Network (2010)

Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network tells how Facebook started.

It’s actually based on a book called The Accidental Billionaires and stars Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg.

The movie focuses on how Facebook was created and the lawsuits between Zuckerberg and some of his old friends and partners, like Eduardo Saverin (played by Andrew Garfield) and the Winklevoss twins (played by Armie Hammer).

And you’ll love the super fast and witty dialogue. It goes hand in hand with the movie’s premise and cast, for that matter.

Fincher’s directing adds to the intensity, using dark visuals to match the themes of ambition and backstabbing.

Though the movie doesn’t just focus on Facebook’s tech and business side, it also explores themes like feeling lonely, wanting to be recognized, and the tricky choices that come with starting a business.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s music won an Oscar and gave the movie an urgent and moody vibe.

The film was a huge hit, winning three Oscars and becoming one of the must-watch movies of the 2010s for capturing the challenges of the digital age.

5. Parasite (2019)

Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Parasite made history when it won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival and later became the first non-English film to win the Best Picture Oscar.

This thriller follows the poor Kim family as they find ways to work for the wealthy Park family, pretending to be skilled workers.

It has to be said that the movie’s dark humor, suspense, and social commentary are captivating in a way we haven’t seen much before.

The way the film uses the two families’ homes—a cramped basement apartment for the Kims and a sleek, luxurious house for the Parks—really shows the big gap between rich and poor in South Korea.

Bong’s direction is precise, using smart camera work and editing to show the shifts in power between the characters.

The story starts as a sneaky con but then turns into a raw, intense look at class differences, surprising audiences with its twists.

Parasite connects with people all over the world because it discusses issues like inequality and the struggle to rise above one’s circumstances.

It won four Oscars, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay, solidifying Bong Joon-ho’s status as a top filmmaker of the decade.

6. The Avengers (2012)

Directed by Joss Whedon, The Avengers changed the game for superhero movies, bringing together big names like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk.

It was the big payoff of Marvel’s first phase of movies and set the stage for how big franchises tell interconnected stories.

The plot concerns these heroes teaming up to stop the villain Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his alien army from taking over Earth.

The characters’ interactions, especially the clashes between Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America (Chris Evans), bring a lot of humor and tension, making the movie enjoyable for fans and newcomers.

Whedon balanced character moments with massive action scenes,creating a movie that was both exciting and heartfelt.

The final battle in New York, with its impressive special effects and well-planned action, became a classic in modern action movies.

The Avengers made over $1.5 billion worldwide, which clearly showed that audiences loved the idea of a shared superhero universe.

Undoubtedly, the movie set a new standard for superhero films and greatly influenced how Hollywood approaches big-budget franchises.

7. La La Land (2016)

La La Land is a love letter to old Hollywood wrapped up in a modern-day story about chasing dreams and finding love.

It follows Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a jazz musician, as they deal with the ups and downs of their careers and romance in Los Angeles.

The movie is filled with catchy songs, incredible dance numbers, and beautiful visuals that will sweep you off your feet.

Stone and Gosling’s chemistry is on point, and it makes their love story feel magical and relatable.

The music and choreography are pure fun—just watch the freeway dance scene or the dreamy “City of Stars” duet.

But it’s not all glitz and glam—the film also looks at how tough it can be to balance ambition with love.

The ending, which shows a “what-if” scenario, hits hard and gets you thinking about choices and sacrifices.

With six Oscars under its belt, including Best Director and Best Actress, La La Land is a must-watch if you love movies that make you dream, sing, and maybe even cry a little.

8. Moonlight (2016)

Moonlight is a quiet yet powerful story that takes you through the life of Chiron, a young Black man growing up in Miami.

The film is split into three chapters, showing Chiron as a child, teenager, and adult. Each stage captures his struggle with identity, masculinity, and finding acceptance.

The storytelling is raw and emotional, to the point that you think about its impact long after watching the flick.

The film’s standout moment comes when Chiron learns to swim with Juan (Mahershala Ali), a drug dealer who becomes an unexpected mentor—both heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.

Interestingly, this movie isn’t about big twists or flashy scenes. It’s more about the small, quiet moments that define us.

The acting is phenomenal, and the cinematography is stunning, using light and color to reflect Chiron’s inner world.

Moonlight made history by winning Best Picture at the Oscars and pushed boundaries with its honest, tender look at themes that aren’t often seen in mainstream films.

So, it’s definitely a must-watch for anyone looking for a deeply moving, honest, and unforgettable story.

9. Roma (2018)

Roma is a breathtakingly beautiful film that feels like a window into the past.

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, it tells the story of Cleo, a domestic worker in Mexico City in the 1970s, as she cares for a middle-class family while dealing with her own challenges.

The film’s black-and-white visuals give it a timeless feel, making even everyday tasks, like washing the floor, look almost poetic.

Cuarón doesn’t rush through scenes; he lets them breathe, making you feel like you’re right there, living Cleo’s experiences.

In a nutshell, Roma is a film about quiet strength and resilience, and it captures the love and complexity of family life against a backdrop of social change.

It’s not just a movie you watch—it’s one you feel deeply.

The movie won three Oscars, including Best Director, and broke new ground by being a Netflix film that made it big at the awards.

10. Whiplash (2014)

Whiplash is a must-watch because it’s not just a movie about music—it’s about obsession, ambition, and what people are willing to sacrifice to be the best.

Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) is a young drummer who faces off against Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), a music instructor who’s so tough, he’s almost terrifying.

The film keeps you on the edge of your seat, not with car chases or explosions, but with intense drum battles and nerve-wracking confrontations.

Plus, the production makes you feel like you’re right there, sweating and drumming alongside Andrew.

J.K. Simmons’s performance was so powerful that it earned him an Oscar.

It’s the kind of film that makes you think: how far would you go for greatness?

11. Her (2013)

Her is a unique love story set in the near future, where technology is so advanced that you can actually fall in love with your operating system.

That’s exactly what happens to Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) when he meets Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), an AI that’s smart, funny, and deeply understanding.

It’s a thought-provoking film that makes you question what it means to love and be loved in a world where machines can talk, think, and maybe even feel.

The beautiful, serene visuals perfectly match the movie’s mood, and the story hits on some deep emotions, like loneliness and the human need for connection.

Her feels like a glimpse into a possible future, and it’s fascinating and, actually, a little scary.

12. Black Panther (2018)

Black Panther isn’t any old superhero movie—it’s a cultural phenomenon.

Set in the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, the film mixes high-tech gadgets with African traditions to create a world like no other.

T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is the newly crowned king who has to protect his nation from a challenger, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), who has some pretty strong opinions about Wakanda’s role in the world.

It’s incredible how the movie goes beyond action and explores themes like identity, heritage, and the effects of colonialism.

With its incredible costumes, soundtrack, and stunning visuals, Black Panther made a huge impact, proving that diverse stories matter.

In fact, it was the first superhero film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, and it broke box office records, showing Hollywood that people want to see themselves represented on the big screen.

13. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

As 2010s movies go, The Wolf of Wall Street is sitting at the top with the best, and it’s practically a rollercoaster of money, power, and wild behavior.

It’s based on the real-life story of Jordan Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), who got insanely rich in the stock market only to see it all come crashing down.

DiCaprio is magnetic in this role, to the point it makes you love and hate Belfort at the same time.

The film is packed with jaw-dropping scenes of excess—from crazy parties to drug-fueled disasters—and yet, it’s got a dark humor that keeps you glued to the screen.

Known for his bold and uncompromising style, Scorsese doesn’t shy away from the story’s complexities.

Thus, this movie is a must-see if you’re curious about the allure and danger of extreme wealth.

14. Inside Out (2015)

Inside Out is a heartfelt exploration of emotions that’ll hit home for kids and adults.

The film is set inside the mind of an 11-year-old girl named Riley, where her emotions like Joy, Sadness, Anger, and more are characters who guide her through life.

When Joy and Sadness get lost in Riley’s mind, they must navigate all sorts of creative landscapes, showing us that every emotion has its place, even the tough ones.

It’s a colorful, fun ride, but it also teaches a powerful lesson: it’s okay to feel sad sometimes.

Pixar nailed this one, making complex emotions easy to understand and relatable.

No wonder it won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature!

15. Dunkirk (2017)

Lastly, we have Dunkirk, and it isn’t your typical war movie—it’s more of an edge-of-your-seat thriller that throws you straight into the action.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film tells the story of the Dunkirk evacuation during WWII in a unique way, following three perspectives: soldiers on the beach, rescue boats in the sea, and pilots in the air.

There’s hardly any talking, but the intensity is through the roof, thanks to the incredible visuals. And I can’t forget the gripping soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, which makes you feel like time is running out.

It’s a short film by Nolan’s standards but it packs a punch, showing the raw struggle to survive without glorifying the battles.

Press Play on These Top 2010s Film Picks!

Now that you’ve got the scoop on some of the best movies from the 2010s, it’s time to grab your favorite blanket, make some popcorn, and settle in for a great movie night!

Why not start with a classic like Inception if you want to get lost in a mind-bending world, or check out La La Land for a beautiful story about love and dreams?

Maybe you’re looking for something a little different, like the thought-provoking Get Out or the deeply emotional Moonlight.

Whatever you choose, these films will make your night feel like a cinematic adventure.

So, go ahead and press play! You might just discover a new favorite or fall back in love with a movie you haven’t seen in years.

Happy watching, and enjoy every moment!

P.S. If you enjoyed this read, we’re sure you’ll love our take on the best movies of the 2000s.