Best of the Decade: Movies
The 2010s was a huge decade for movies, bringing us new Disney classics, thrilling superhero series, and hilarious comedies. Across all genres, it brought some of the most influential and iconic movies to the big screen and defined the decade. Here are the top movies of each year.
2010: Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3, the expected last movie of the series, brought tears to the audience as the toys made their way from Andy, their owner, to his neighbor’s daughter. It showed the purity of childhood through the passing on of memories. Andy will never forget the years spent playing with his toys, much like the audience won’t forget the notable ending to a classic childhood series.
2011: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
In the final movie of the series, fans got to watch as Harry, Ron, and Hermione finally defeated Voldemort and restored order to the wizarding world. An action-packed movie, it was the end of an era for many avid fans. But, the legacy didn’t stop here – the stories of Harry Potter continue across generations, and the audience will never forget this iconic cinematic moment.
2012: Pitch Perfect
In this hysterical comedy, Becca, a reluctant and introverted college freshman, joins an a cappella group to grant her father’s wish for her to receive the full college experience. Throughout the movie, she creates lasting friendships with the unlikely group of girls and brings the audience hit covers of songs like “Titanium,” “Party in the USA,” and “Since U Been Gone.” While this movie was an instant hit, it also delivered the infamous “Cup Song” and “riff offs.”
2013: Frozen
In Disney’s Frozen, the new princess Elsa must learn to control her powers over ice while saving her kingdom. Winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, it took the world by storm. The movie’s hit song “Let It Go” also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. It instantly became part of the 2010s culture and a favorite princess movie of fans across the world of all ages.
2014: Guardians of the Galaxy
Space explorer Peter Quill is hunted by bounty hunters after accidentally stealing a precious orb, in which a powerful villain is interested. He and an unlikely group from across the galaxy band together to secure the orb and protect the fate of their home worlds. Guardians of the Galaxy was another massive Marvel hit and won the Critic’s Choice Award for Best Action Movie.
2015: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens was another anxiously awaited addition to the Star Wars series. It follows the journey of Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they team up with Han Solo to search for Luke Skywalker and fight against the First Order. Gripping the audience from the beginning, it reveals old plot elements and shocking new family ties.
2016: Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures tells the story of three African-American women, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson, working at NASA during the launch of astronaut John Glenn. This movie tackles the social issues of women’s rights and segregation during the 1960s. Proving that women can in fact compete with their male counterparts, the three women lead the mathematics behind the launch and outwork even the latest technology. They must overcome the challenges of society to complete their already daunting task.
2017: Get Out
Get Out follows a seemingly harmless weekend visit home with Chris and his girlfriend, Rose. But, as the trip progresses and terrifying events begin to occur, Chris discovers a series of disturbing truths about the family. This thriller was an instant hit and won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
2018: Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody highlights the journey of Freddie Mercury from an awkward hometown teenager to the lead singer of Queen, one of the all-time greatest rock bands. The soundtrack features Queen’s greatest hits and dives into the lives of each band member and how their experiences shaped their success. This cinematic masterpiece thrilled audiences of all ages and helped to define the decade and continue the legend of Queen.
2019: Avengers Endgame
Avengers Endgame follows the mission of Tony Stark and his fellow superheroes as they face Thanos in a final battle to secure the fate of the galaxy. It won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Action Movie and Favorite Movie Actor. One of the most-awaited movies of the decade, tickets for its opening day and the following weeks were sold out months in advance thanks to avid fans across the world. Fans who weren’t lucky enough to see it during opening week had to avoid movie spoilers on all social media platforms as reviews and shocked audiences stormed the internet.
