Top 10 Movies of the 2010s So Far

This may be another retelling of an austere and inhumane time in history, but it was also considered one of the greatest films of 2013. Based on a true story, “12 Years a Slave” follows Solomon Northup after he is ripped away from his life as a free black man in New York and malevolently farmed around as a slave. Giving us a first-hand look into just how brutal slave owners were and the frailty of human dignity, the passion felt by director Steve McQueen was relayed into such realistic onscreen toil here that the historical drama was a box office hit and earned 3 Oscars.

This was the story so many were eager to hear, put to the big screen for all to see. This war flick is set following the events of September 11th, a time during which the U.S. is out to capture al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Headed up by CIA interrogation expert Maya, a group of Navy Seals is convinced to pursue a lead to Bin Laden’s whereabouts, and we get to experience every tactical maneuver along the way. We also get a behind the scenes look at how Bin Laden moved about and just how difficult it was for the U.S. to track him. With five Oscar nods and one win, this thrilling action movie also garnered rave reviews.

Everyone knows of the social network, but how exactly did it come about? Following the now legendary creator of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, this drama shows us how he transformed from university student to social media mogul. Beginning with just how socially awkward Zuckerberg was and the legal action he faced with Facebook, “The Social Network” is expertly executed by director David Fincher, with A-class performances from Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield. A must-see, even if you’re not on Facebook!

In this mythical Viking world, dragons are the pests of the land – so why would you ever want one as a pet? Well, for budding dragon slayer Hiccup, it seems to make sense. With Vikings everywhere believing dragons are the enemy, the teen becomes the first guy ever to be able to train one. While building a relationship with the dragon, which he calls Toothless, we see him try to convince the people in his village that there is more to dragons than merely sharp teeth and a tail. His tale was so successful that it spawned an equally successful sequel as well as other related multimedia.

Forget everything you know about conventional relationships. Set sometime in the future, this sci-fi rom com sees Theodore as a heartbroken outcast, until he finds solace in a new woman, Samantha – who just so happens to be an artificial intelligence system. “Her” ultimately strips back the expression of love and makes us look at it in its rawest emotional form. Is it just about understanding needs and feelings? Or simply lending an ear every once and a while? And what is happiness anyway? Thought provoking, critically celebrated and nominated for 5 Oscars, “Her” is certainly a standout.

If you ever had any doubts about Quentin Tarantino’s directorial brilliance at using stylized violence… well, just watch “Django Unchained” and all will be dispelled. Merging Tarantino’s no-nonsense ultraviolence with western flair, this western follows vengeful and soon-to-be freed man Django as he searches for his enslaved wife. With sharp, humorous dialogue and blood-splattering encounters, Tarantino dominates all the clichés of the Wild West and introduces some slick new ones along the way. And what better way to do that than with an all-star cast?

When this superhero flick was released in theaters, it was likely the fulfilment of most – if not every –comic book fan boy’s dream. With an evil Loki running rabid in New York City, a crack team of heroes is needed. Boom – Avengers Assemble! You’ve got Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, you get the idea. With all of these Marvel heroes come all of their most endearing traits, including Iron Man’s wit, Thor’s Earthly ignorance and the Cap’s lovable leadership. What’s there not to love about this critical and commercial smash?!

You don’t get the Academy Award for Best Director, Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography for nothing. “Gravity” follows a medical engineer and astronaut on a routine space mission, and sees them get stranded in space, beginning to float deeper and deeper into a black abyss. Not only are the visuals in this sci-fi flick gob-smackingly brilliant; we also immerse ourselves in the characters’ fearful feeling of helplessness. Lead actress Sandra Bullock even earned a Best Actress Oscar nod for her portrayal of Dr. Ryan Stone. Are you afraid of the dark? Claustrophobic? Then, this is your worst nightmare. But it’s still thrilling, stunning and captivating all the same.

If the ambition and premise behind this coming-of-age drama aren’t enough to reel you in, then Richard Linklater’s directing and the movie’s talented cast surely will. Filmed over almost a dozen years from 2002 to 2013, this highly praised flick follows a six-year-old boy and his journey through boyhood to adulthood and used the same actor to portray Mason as a child until his university years. With its in-depth examination of the human experience, slew of awards and nominations, and an epic scope, “Boyhood” isn’t only one of the greatest films of 2014 but also one of the greatest of the decade so far.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.
- “Skyfall” (2012)
- “Toy Story 3” (2010)
- “American Hustle” (2013)
- “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013)
- “Dallas Buyers Club” (2013)
- “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)

Ever thought your dreams might mean something more, much more? Meet Dom Cobb, expert secret stealer. His weapon? Getting at your mind when it is most vulnerable – in your sleep. Tasked with planting an idea inside someone’s head, Cobb assembles a crack team and we watch as they bend reality in a dream, within a dream, within a dream. Stylish as hell from start to finish, this smart and original sci-fi thriller earned director Christopher Nolan the well-deserved 2011 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation as well as several technical Oscars.

Do you agree with our list? What movie of the 2010s so far got you racing to the cinema? For more appetizing top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.