Top 10 Best Movie Performances of the Last Decade

As the decade draws to a close, these performances deserve a standing ovation. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Best Performances of the Decade For this list, we’re taking a look at the most outstanding performances from actors and actresses in movies released between 2010 and 2019. We’ve based our selections on a mix of awards recognition, critical praise, and overall impact on the film medium.

“The Social Network” (2010)

Going into this decade, Eisenberg was written off as a Michael Cera clone. That all changed when the young actor escaped into the role of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. While some have called this film’s historical accuracy into question, there’s no denying that Zuckerberg became one of the world’s most influential, powerful, and controversial figures before even turning 25. Eisenberg captures this to a T, depicting Zuckerberg as a tech genius who’s awkward yet assertive, timid yet intimidating, and generally the smartest one in the room. Even when he’s not the smartest person present, Zuckerberg’s definitely the richest and he’s well aware of this. In addition to Eisenberg’s multilayered portrayal, Andrew Garfield delivered a breakout performance as Eduardo Saverin, Zuckerberg’s friend/business partner turned bitter enemy.

“Lincoln” (2012)

Daniel Day-Lewis only starred in two movies this decade. What his filmography lacked in quantity, though, Day-Lewis more than made up for in quality, as is always the case. While it was tempting to single out his sublime swan song performance in “Phantom Thread,” Day-Lewis’ Oscar-winning turn as Abraham Lincoln was nothing short of transcendent. With a real life figure as iconic as Lincoln, it’s hard to separate the actor from the legend. In this biopic, however, we never see a performance. We see America’s 16th president incarnate. Day-Lewis is simultaneously humble and commanding, which is exactly how one would envision the real Lincoln. The authenticity of Day-Lewis’ performance makes Lincoln’s inevitable fate all the more devastating, guaranteeing you’ll shed a tear by the final curtain.

“The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)

With another actor in the role, this movie’s portrayal of Jordan Belfort probably would’ve been easy to despise. With Leonardo DiCaprio playing the titular Wolf of Wall Street, though, Belfort is a figure we strangely admire and at times even envy. DiCaprio plays Belfort with the conviction of the world’s greatest salesman. Even with the knowledge that he’s an unreliable narrator who’s committed deplorable deeds, DiCaprio makes Belfort impossible to resist. All at once, DiCaprio becomes an unrelenting stockbroker, an untamable party animal, and an untouchable god among men. DiCaprio also brings out Belfort’s vulnerability as the authorities and reality slowly but surely begin to close in on him. While you can take away Belfort’s fortune and freedom, nobody can take away his natural charisma.

“Gone Girl” (2014)

Although she had already established herself an actress, Rosamund Pike’s riveting work in “Gone Girl” made audiences feel as if they were seeing her for the first time. Pike’s performance as Amy Elliott Dunne snuck up on us in more ways than one. Pike initially paints Amy as a fragile woman who’s trapped in a struggling marriage and living in the shadow of a children’s book series she inspired. As “Gone Girl” shifts to Amy’s perspective, Pike removes her mask to reveal a manipulative, diabolical mastermind who’s pulling everyone’s strings. Cheeky, charming, complex, and creepy, Pike leaves the viewer constantly guessing what Amy will do next. Pike never goes too over-the-top in the role, however, creating a psychopath who’s surprisingly – and hauntingly – believable.

“Black Swan” (2010)

Of all the performances we saw this decade, none took our breath away like Natalie Portman’s in “Black Swan.” Literally, watching Portman fearlessly throw herself into the role of Nina Sayers is an exhausting experience. Portman is so arresting that we can practically feel the physical and psychological struggles Nina endures throughout the film. When we’re introduced to Nina, she’s as delicate as a porcelain doll and as innocent as a little girl. Years of sexual repression and the pressure to be perfect gradually begin to unravel Nina’s mind, leaving us to wonder how far she’ll go to become the Swan Queen. Just as Nina evolves from a White Swan to a Black Swan, Portman delivers a transformative performance that won her the Best Actress Oscar.

“Whiplash” (2014)

J. K. Simmons has been one of the 21st century’s most consistently entertaining character actors. He landed the role of a lifetime in “Whiplash,” winning an Academy Award for his chilling performance as jazz instructor Terence Fletcher. This merciless teacher conducts his band with the ferocity of a drill sergeant. Within seconds, Fletcher can go from being calm and reasonable to chucking a cymbal at a student’s head. In Fletcher’s mind, his brutal methods are justified as long as students reach their full potential, even if a few get pushed beyond their limits. As coldblooded as Fletcher can be, Simmons unearths the character’s humanity. He molds Fletcher into a Shakespearean antagonist who vindicates every cruel action he commits in the name of making beautiful music.

“Moonlight” (2016)

“Moonlight” caught many audiences off-guard and the same can be said about Mahershala Ali’s Oscar-winning performance as Juan. If you crossed Juan on the street, you may assume that he’s merely a thug. While Juan is a drug dealer who’s made many mistakes, there’s more to him than meets the eye. Despite putting up a tough front, Juan is an accepting and even gentle soul who takes young Chiron under his nurturing wing. Had life dealt him a different hand, Juan likely wouldn’t have resorted to criminal activity to survive. Juan doesn’t excuse his actions, though, living with the burden that he’s part of a larger problem. Although he’s only present for the first act, Ali’s understated, deeply human performance gives the film a heartbeat.

“Hereditary” (2018)

In “Hereditary,” Toni Collette is both the most terrifying presence onscreen and the person primarily being terrified. As this psychological horror film unfolds, we’re not sure if the grief-stricken Annie is succumbing to her own insanity and or an evil entity creeping into her house. Either way, Collette makes the character empathetic while also making her downright bloodcurdling. We see a woman doing everything in her power to keep it together, but it’s only a matter of time until she crumbles to pieces. When that moment finally comes, Collette turns into a wrecking ball of sheer terror. Although Collette didn’t receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination, she’s given an immortal performance that ranks alongside Linda Blair in “The Exorcist” and Mia Farrow in “Rosemary’s Baby.”

“Nightcrawler” (2014)

Speaking of performances that went overlooked by the Academy, how did Jake Gyllenhaal not get an Oscar nomination for “Nightcrawler?” Gyllenhaal is the definition of eerie as Louis Bloom, an ambitious sociopath with a phony grin, a knack for negotiating, and no moral code. It’s never revealed where Bloom came from. For all we know, he’s a robot trying to blend in with society. That would explain why Bloom is seemingly deprived of anything resembling a soul, showing zero empathy for the victims he captures on tape and conspiring against anyone who stands in his way. Gyllenhaal strikes just the right balance of being charming and heartless. Without even raising his voice, Gyllenhaal can crawl under your skin and send a shiver up your spine.

Before we get to our topic pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Hugh Jackman
“Logan” (2017)


Yalitza Aparicio
“Roma” (2018)



Regina King
“If Beale Street Could Talk” (2018)



Brad Pitt
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019)


Lupita Nyong’o
“12 Years a Slave” (2013)


Alicia Vikander
“Ex Machina” (2014)

“The Master” (2012)
Throughout the past decade, no actor took more chances or excited us more than Joaquin Phoenix. As Arthur Fleck, Phoenix took the Joker to another realm of realism and dread. Yet, Phoenix’s turn as Freddie Quell may’ve been the most personal performance of his esteemed career. Freddie is a World War II veteran who wanders through life without purpose until he joins a cult. Likewise, Phoenix was part of a cult as a child and has faced his fair share of trauma. Phoenix draws on his own experiences as a lost soul searching for somewhere to belong and someone to believe in. Phoenix’s daring performance not only makes for a fascinating character study, but a thought-provoking example of how art imitates life and vice versa.