It’s almost 2020 and we can’t wait to see what a new decade brings. But as the new year approaches and a new decade starts, we are looking back on the past decade.
Movies have been a big part of our lives, and we’re starting this countdown with what our favorite movies of the decade are. One thing we could all agree upon – Marvel reigned supreme. BUT – we had some other choices too.
See what our team chose as the best movies of the decade below.
Erin: I am going to go with
The Social Network. Social media has become such an integral part of our lives and I feel as thought this movie opened up and showed us just how savage that it can be behind the scenes. I felt that the acting in the movie was absolutely amazing, the script writing, and a compelling story. It gave you a moment to think, but even more than that was so powerful it made you think even years after seeing it.
Lizzie: I wish I had a different answer, but I think I’m going to go with Les Miserables. It’s hard to love something as much as I love that musical and be satisfied with an adaptation, and I wasn’t just satisfied, I was blown away (even considering the fact Rusell Crowe can’t sing). I do want to take a moment to give a special nod to the superhero genre because even though they didn’t deliver every time for me, in some respects, they hit it out of the park (Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Wonder Woman, Into the Spider-Verse).
Lyra: Howl’s Moving Castle is by far my favorite movie of the decade. The story combined with Sophie’s journey of self discovery is something I hold close to my heart. Also, the music. Dear lord, the music. There is something about it that takes me back to my childhood with its magic and wonder.
Naomi: So this is soooo hard to narrow down. For one, my memory isn’t that long and for two, I was torn between Get Out and Into the Spider-Verse. I’m gonna go with Get Out because while I loved both movies, Get Out really brought to life a special type of horror/comedy. A super creepy body snatching tale sprinkled with some gut busting humor and a crazy ass twist made this one a winner for the decade. Not to mention the invention of the “sunken place” that will forever be used to describe foolish ass lost people-yeah, Get Out was the shit!
Lacey: While there are a lot that make my list, I would say the Marvel franchise in general. They’ve taken characters I fell in love with as a kid and brought them to life in ways I could never have imagined. And Chris Evans as my beloved Captain America will always have a special place in my heart.
Gillian: Even with the return of Star Wars, nothing comes close to what was accomplished this decade with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The fact that they couldn’t use the most recognizable characters from the comics until later (hello, Spider-Man) let them focus on letting the characters grow in their own ways, while also going outside the box (hiya Guardians!). Letting every character play with one another in Infinity War and Endgame was an absolute thrill that we’re likely never to see again on screen.
Jasmine: I’m going with Fifty Shades of Grey on this one. E.L. Jame’s story about a young college student falling in love with a rich and powerful businessman who just happens to be into BDSM had a huge impact. Many women read the Fifty Shades trilogy so when it was turned into a film the excitement was real. I could not wait to see Fifty Shades turned into a film because it was the first time a book that dealt with this subject matter was being shown on the big screen. I know people have their opinions on the whole franchise but I loved them all. I loved the casting of Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. Fifty Shades of Grey will always have a special place in my heart.
Julie: Since everyone already mentioned the Marvel movies, which really defined our cinematic decade, I’m going to go far afield and mention Les Miserables. Arguably one of the best musicals of all time, it was brought to screen in a beautiful way. Bringing popular musicals to screen has paid off in some wonderful ways (Chicago) and in some horrible ways (I’m really afraid of Cats). The cast of Les Miserables killed it, especially Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean (he made me weep, seriously). Russel Crowe was a bit iffy as Javert, but the rest of the cast and the beautiful filmography made up for it. And Anne Hathaway shaving her hair off for that gut-wrenching version of I Dreamed a Dream was worthy of the Oscar she received.
McKenzie: Get Out for me was one of the best movies I have ever seen. Jordan Peele is so talented. It had me guessing at every turn and it was so twisted and crazy. It was unexpected but also filled with humorous moments. It was just so crazy good.
Grace: I wish I watched more movies this past decade, but alas I spent all of my time watching tv. I will say that A Star Is Born was the movie that came to my mind the second I read the question. Lady Gaga shined in that movie and I can’t help but constantly get the soundtrack stuck in my head from time to time.
Shana: Since Marvel is well covered, I’m going to go with Hidden Figures. This film told an important story (and, as a math nerd, a very cool one) that finally gave three women of color—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—the mainstream credit they deserve for being such a key part of the space program. Add insane performances from the likes of Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe among others, and you have the space program movie we all desperately needed.
What was your top movie of the decade?
