Looking back, 2010 was a fascinating year for film—one that felt incredibly top-heavy. At the highest tier, you’ll find decade-defining movies that remain just as impactful today, including what I consider to be David Fincher’s best film (and possibly my favorite movie ever), a wonderful Mike Mills project, and one of the greatest documentaries of the 2010s. Add in a few remarkable animated films, and you have a year that delivered some truly unforgettable movies.
That said, the overall depth of 2010’s movie slate wasn’t quite as consistent. While the top-tier films are undeniable, the quality starts to dip as you move down the list. Still, I’ve picked out 20 of the best movies of 2010—all of which I genuinely like, even if some stand out more than others.
20. Easy A
19. Another Year
18. The Town
17. Greenberg
16. The Ghost Writer
15. Jackass 3D
14. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
13. Certified Copy
12. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
11. Blue Valentine
10. Somewhere
9. Shutter Island
8. Inception
7. Toy Story 3
6. Unstoppable
5. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
4. Inside Job
3. The Trip
2. Beginners
1. The Social Network
The Social Network might not be a “perfect” movie in a traditional sense, but it’s as close as any film has come in the 21st century. Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, this 2010 masterpiece remains endlessly rewatchable, endlessly quotable, and deeply resonant in ways that continue to evolve with time. I’ve seen it more than any other movie—memorized its rhythm, its cutting dialogue, its thumping Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross score that pulses through every moment. It’s a film that never loses its edge, no matter how many times you revisit it.
Read our review of The Social Network (2010).