Entertainment
35 Best Movies Since 2020 (So Far), Ranked According to IMDb
The 2020s have already delivered an impressive range of standout films across genres, from intimate character-driven dramas to ambitious blockbusters and visually inventive animated features. Even in a rapidly changing industry shaped by streaming growth and shifting audience habits, filmmakers have continued to produce memorable and widely celebrated work that have become modern classics.
Fans on IMDb have rated the decade’s releases, voting for what they believe are the best movies from the 2020s so far. From animated gems like Soul to blockbuster sci-fi adventures like Dune, these movies defied the odds, providing audiences with entertainment and inspiration through this remarkable time. Film lovers on IMDb have given these releases their seal of approval, granting them high rankings and cementing their place as the best films from the 2020s so far.
35
‘Godzilla Minus One’ (2023)
IMDb Score: 7.6/10
The latest powerful and jaw-dropping film in the Godzilla franchise, Godzilla Minus One reimagines the kaiju’s origins, taking place just after Japan’s defeat in World War II, focusing on the country’s post-war struggles. The film specifically follows the perspective of Koichi Shikishima, a failed kamikaze pilot who is attempting to do what he can to build his life back up from the destruction left behind by both the war-torn economy and Godzilla himself.
While there have been many giant monster movies that have certainly had high levels of spectacle and destruction on display, what made Godzilla Minus One connect with so many audiences is its human characters. The film is one of the few examples of a monster movie with a human storyline that actually adds and further amplifies the themes and messaging of the film, creating a beautiful blend that makes the actual Godzilla sequences that much more impactful. The film proved that there were still a multitude of beautiful and resonating stories to be told in the monster movie genre that go beyond action simply for the sake of action.
34
‘Poor Things’ (2023)
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
One of many masterful and abstract masterpieces from director Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things follows the story of Bella Baxter (Emma Stone), a young woman who was brought back to life thanks to a wild, unorthodox scientist. As she relearns and reexperiences the beauties and difficulties of life once again, Bella soon comes to a greater understanding not only of her role in the world but also of how the world as a whole operates around her.
Poor Things is a film that simply doesn’t hold back when it comes to the vibrant and absurdity of its world and characters, allowing its strange and mind-melting execution to take a commanding hold of the audience’s attention. It can just as easily delve into deep and philosophical topics, such as life and the balance of society, as it can go full absurdist and raunchy comedy with the scenes that take place. It makes for a difficult yet powerful balancing act that the film does just right, easily making it one of the most standout viewing experiences of the decade so far.
33
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
The Best Picture-winning sci-fi action film that took the world by storm, Everything Everywhere All at Once is the perfect combination of kung fu action, emotional family drama, and over-the-top comedy. The film follows the story of Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh), an aging Chinese immigrant who is unexpectedly told that she is the key to winning a war that has been spanning across the multiverse. She is soon taught the ability to hone in on versions of herself from alternate realities, able to use an array of wild skills to be able to become an exceptional fighter in her own world.
Everything Everywhere All at Once features just about everything that one would want from a modern action comedy, blending together exciting and top-notch action sequences with a chaotic comedic energy that serves to fuel the entire experience. What has made the film such a critical and audience powerhouse, however, is its exceptional message about generational trauma and the film’s unexpected ability to be a genuine tearjerker. Its Best Picture win only puts a bigger spotlight on the film’s greatest strengths, as it’s easily one of the best movies of the 2020s.
32
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ (2022)
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
The original, Best Picture-winning All Quiet on the Western Front is one of the most widely acclaimed and influential war films of all time, leaving a hefty legacy for this modern German remake to follow up on. However, finding inspiration from other exceptional modern war films, the modern adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front proves to be one of the most brutal and vicious portrayals of World War I ever put to film. The film mostly follows the plot of the original novel, staying true to the themes of wartime hardship and loss of innocence on the battlefield.
The story and messaging of All Quiet on the Western Front prove to be the same masterfully crafted anti-war sentiment as always, yet the story is amplified and flourishes under the vision of director Edward Berger. Berger proves to make each grueling sequence more impactful and dreadful than the last, fully amplifying the feelings of helplessness and pain that war provides. It’s easy to view the film as the quintessential war film of the decade so far, combining classic storytelling with modern craft to create the best of both worlds.
31
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
Easily one of the biggest surprises of the decade in terms of animation, nobody would ever have expected a gripping tale of fear and life fulfillment from the sequel to a spinoff of the Shrek franchise. However, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is not only a monumental feat of modern animation but has also quickly risen to be one of the greatest cinematic achievements of DreamWorks Animation’s long and varied history. The clear highlight of the film is the exceptional visual flair and stylized animation, yet pretty visuals are only the beginning of the film’s many positives.
A great deal of the film’s praise and surprise factor comes from its multifaceted villain, Death, acting as both a symbolic and literal battle for Puss in his fear of dying. It makes for one of the most original and compelling messages and core themes for a children’s film, which, combined with top-notch comedy and exceptional vocal performances, made the film an immediate fan favorite. The film nearly single-handedly revitalized DreamWorks’ stature and legacy as a leading force for blockbuster animation, once again being a fierce rival to the likes of Pixar.
30
‘RRR’ (2022)
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
The 2020s have been an exceptional time for massive cinematic breakthroughs from India, with easily the most prominent and recognizable Indian film of recent memory being RRR. This Telugu-language action epic remix of classic Indian revolutionaries broke through the global cultural barrier to become a massive worldwide hit, thanks in part to exceptional spectacle at every opportunity. From explosive action to high-energy musical numbers, the film delivers everything one would want out of a complete high-budget Indian epic.
The film exemplifies all the greatest strengths of Indian filmmaking since 2020, personifying a great path forward for the region in terms of striking blockbusters that not only rival the works of traditional Hollywood blockbusters but, in many ways, surpass them. The sheer craft and brilliance of its filmmaking, combined with the massive and dedicated subsection of Indian cinema fans on IMDb, have helped give the film an exceptionally high score.
29
‘The Batman’ (2022)
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
While many different renditions of the Caped Crusader have graced the silver screen over the years, The Batman immediately made a name for itself as one of the most stylistically rich and original takes on the character. The film follows Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) in only his second year of crimefighting under the mantle of Batman, as he is forced to uncover the corruption hidden in Gotham City brought to the surface by serial killer, The Riddler (Paul Dano). The investigation leads him to the darkest and most dangerous parts of the city, as well as leading to an unexpected connection to Bruce’s own family.
The Batman character has, in a sense, become the perfect surrogate and showcase for exceptional filmmaking chops in the modern era, with director Matt Reeves creating a visual spectacle that stands head and shoulders above other contemporary superhero blockbusters. Especially after the widely mixed reception of DC’s other recent films, The Batman‘s striking visuals, instantly iconic song, and deeply thematic story of hope and corruption helped the film write a name for itself as one of DC’s best.
28
‘Past Lives’ (2023)
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
Celine Song’s feature directorial debut, Past Lives, is a riveting and emotionally charged romantic drama. It traces the journey of two childhood friends, Na Young (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), and their evolving relationship spanning 24 years as they grapple with the changes in their lives and slowly grow apart. The plot draws inspiration from real events in Song’s life and is semi-autobiographical in nature.
Past Lives is realistically subtle and understated, occasionally veering into the ordinary but ultimately reflecting the complexities of lives through a universal tale of life choices. It captivates viewers, particularly in its climactic, emotionally draining moments. A further aspect of the movie’s charm is the way the camera seems to caress the landscape of the desolate cities while it catches their beauty.
27
‘Flow’ (2024)
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
Proving that a sprawling and compelling story can be told with so little, Flow is a meticulously crafted masterpiece of visual storytelling that achieves its prowess without a single word of dialogue. The film was largely created and animated by a singular visionary, Gints Zilbalodis, telling a beautiful story of various animals coming together and adapting when the world around them begins to be flooded. There is a sense of raw emotion and aura emanating from every second of the film, creating an immediately engaging and compelling narrative through striking visuals alone.
Flow proves to be a magnificent achievement in the realm of modern independent animation, showing the exact type of glorious works of art that can be created through modern technology and with a dedicated vision. It goes beyond simply capitalizing on and utilizing the trend of modern stylized animation, but instead uses the style as a tool to tell a timeless story of community and bonding during a time of disaster and communal pain. There are many different interpretations and meanings that one can attribute to the film, a sign of a truly transformative and immortal work of art.
26
‘Hamnet’ (2025)
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
Chloé Zhao‘s exceptional return to elevated award-winning filmmaking after her detour with the MCU and Eternals, Hamnet proved that the award-winning female director was far from a one-time fluke and one of the most emotionally resonant directors of the modern era. This remixed origin story of the Shakespearean classic is massively elevated by a duo of heart-wrenching performances by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, adding layers of grief and underlying pain to the timelessness of Hamlet.
As opposed to directly following the characters of Hamlet, the film follows a young interpretation of Shakespeare and his wife Agnes, seeing them fall in love, start a family, and experience painful loss in their lives that directly inspired the writing and story of Hamlet. Zhao knows how to bring the absolute most out of the central performances of the film, with overwhelming emotional weight and power, making Hamnet one of the 2020s saddest, most heartbreaking films.
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