THE 30 BEST
FILMS OF 2020

Welcome to our curated list of the 30 Best Films of 2020, part of our ongoing series celebrating the most outstanding cinematic achievements of each year. Despite the unprecedented challenges faced by the film industry, 2020 delivered a remarkable slate of films that pushed creative boundaries, with many finding new life through streaming platforms and limited theatrical releases.

This year saw the release of Nomadland, a poignant exploration of resilience and solitude that resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike. Palm Springs brought a refreshing twist to the time-loop genre, blending sharp humor with heartfelt existential musings. Minari offered a deeply personal look at the American Dream through the lens of an immigrant family, while The Father stunned with its inventive storytelling, placing viewers directly in the disorienting experience of memory loss.

Our rankings consider a mix of critical acclaim, audience reception, and overall impact to highlight the year’s finest films. As we count down, you’ll find stories that left a lasting mark through their storytelling, technical brilliance, and emotional depth. Join us in revisiting the 30 Best Films of 2020, and stay tuned for future editions as we continue to celebrate cinema’s best.

30

The King of
Staten Island

2020 | 2h 17m | USA | ENGLISH | 17+

Top10nerScore64.259 / 100

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"It was wonderful until you started talking."

DIRECTOR: Judd Apatow

WRITERS: Judd Apatow, Pete Davidson, Dave Sirus

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Elswit

STARRING: Pete Davidson, Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, Bel Powley, Maude Apatow, Steve Buscemi

GENRE: Drama, Comedy

Scott has been a case of arrested development since his firefighter dad died. He spends his days smoking weed and dreaming of being a tattoo artist until events force him to grapple with his grief and take his first steps forward in life.

Judd Apatow’s The King of Staten Island blends sharp comedy with heartfelt introspection, mirroring Pete Davidson’s own struggles with grief and purpose. Its loose structure and lived-in performances make it feel raw and authentic, turning a slacker’s journey into an unexpectedly touching portrait of healing, humor, and hesitant growth.

29

Days

'Rizi'

2020 | 2h 07m | TAIWAN | MANDARIN | 16+

Top10nerScore64.277 / 100

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'The silence of life is its own language.'

DIRECTOR: Tsai Ming-liang

WRITERS: Tsai Ming-liang

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Chang Jhong-yuan

STARRING: Lee Kang-sheng, Anong Houngheuangsy

GENRE: Slow Cinema

THEME: Slice of Life

Kang lives alone in a big house, Non in a small apartment in town. They meet, and then part, their days flowing on as before.

Days distills loneliness into pure cinema, where silence speaks louder than words. Tsai Ming-liang crafts a hypnotic meditation on time, longing, and human connection. With patient framing and aching realism, every glance and gesture lingers, immersing viewers in an experience that is as haunting as it is deeply humane.

28

Ma Rainey’s
Black Bottom

2020 | 1h 34m | USA | ENGLISH | 16+

Top10nerScore64.357 / 100

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"A one. A two. A you-know-what-to-do."

DIRECTOR: George C. Wolfe

WRITERS: Ruben Santiago-Hudson

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tobias A. Schliessler

STARRING: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Michael Potts

GENRE: Drama

SUB-GENRE: Period Drama

THEME: Music

When Ma Rainey, the “Queen of the Blues,” makes a record in a studio in Chicago, 1927, tensions boil between her, her white agent and producer, and bandmates.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom crackles with the fiery rhythms of August Wilson’s words, brought to life by a powerhouse ensemble. Viola Davis is commanding, while Chadwick Boseman’s final performance is hauntingly brilliant. A tense, blues-soaked meditation on power, ambition, and artistry, the film hits every note with raw, unflinching soul.

27

Limbo

2020 | 1h 44m | UK | ENGLISH | 12+

Top10nerScore64.621 / 100

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"What’s the point of a name if no one knows who you are?"

DIRECTOR: Ben Sharrock

WRITERS: Ben Sharrock

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Nick Cooke

STARRING: Amir El-Masry,Vikash Bhai, Kwabena Ansah, Ola Orebiyi, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Qais Nashif

GENRE: Drama, Romance, Comedy

An offbeat observation of refugees waiting to be granted asylum on a fictional remote Scottish island. It focuses on Omar, a young Syrian musician who is burdened by the weight of his grandfather’s oud, which he has carried all the way from his homeland.

Limbo balances deadpan humor with aching loneliness, capturing the immigrant experience through a uniquely absurd lens. Ben Sharrock’s offbeat direction and Amir El-Masry’s subtle performance make this a quietly devastating tale of identity, liminality, and longing, set against Scotland’s stark yet strangely beautiful landscapes.

26

Emma.

2020 | 2h 05m | UK | ENGLISH | 13+

Top10nerScore65.000 / 100

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"Mother, you MUST sample the tart!"

DIRECTOR: Autumn de Wilde

WRITERS: Eleanor Catton

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Christopher Blauvelt

STARRING: Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Josh O’Connor, Callum Turner, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart

GENRE: Drama, Romance, Comedy

SUB-GENRE: Period Drama

In 1800s England, a well-meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends.

With pastel-drenched elegance and razor-sharp humor, Emma. reinvents Austen’s matchmaking misadventures. Anya Taylor-Joy embodies the titular meddler with charisma and nuance, while Autumn de Wilde crafts a world where romance and satire waltz in perfect harmony. A witty, visually intoxicating take on a beloved literary gem.

25

Nowhere Special

2020 | 1h 36m | UK, ROM & ITA | ENGLISH | 13+

Top10nerScore65.105 / 100

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"No one can ever replace me, can they?"

DIRECTOR: Uberto Pasolini

WRITERS: Uberto Pasolini

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Marius Panduru

STARRING: James Norton, Daniel Lamont, Eileen O’Higgins, Valerie O’Connor

GENRE: Drama

SUB-GENRE: Family Drama

John, a window cleaner, devotes his life to raising his 4-year-old son Michael, as the child’s mother left them immediately after his birth. But John only has a few months to live. Since he has no family to turn to, he will spend the days left to him looking for a new family to adopt Micheal.

Nowhere Special delivers an achingly tender portrait of love and mortality, with James Norton giving a career-best performance as a father preparing his son for life without him. Uberto Pasolini’s delicate touch turns simple moments into profound reflections on parenthood, loss, and the quiet beauty of unconditional love.

24

Josep

2020 | 1h 11m | FRANCE, BEL & SPA | FRENCH | 15+

Top10nerScore65.330 / 100

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"We have to survive, but not by forgetting who we are."

DIRECTOR: Aurel

WRITERS: Jean-Louis Milesi

STARRING: Sergi López, Alba Pujol, Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Valérie Lemercier

GENRE: Animation, Drama

SUB-GENRE: Biopic, Period Drama

1939. Spanish republicans are fleeing Franco’s dictatorship to France. The French government has built concentration camps, limiting the refugees’ access to water and food. Here two men will become friends. One is a guard, the other is Josep Bartolí, an illustrator who fights against the regime.

Through expressive hand-drawn animation, Josep vividly recounts the life of Josep Bartolí, a Spanish Civil War exile whose art defied tyranny. A deeply personal tale of resilience, memory, and injustice, the film bridges past and present with striking imagery and quiet power, honoring the legacy of those history tried to erase.

23

Josee, the Tiger
and the Fish

'Josee to Tora to Sakana-tachi'

2020 | 1h 38m | JAPAN | JAPANESE | 13+

Top10nerScore65.428 / 100

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"I want to live. I want to live in this world."

DIRECTOR: Kotaro Tamura

WRITERS: Sayaka Kuwamura

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tsuyoshi Kanbayashi

STARRING: Taishi Nakagawa, Kaya Kiyohara, Yume Miyamoto, Kazuyuki Okitsu, Lynn

STARRING (ENGLISH): Howard Wang, Suzie Yeung, Dani Chambers, Zeno Robinson, Megan Shipman

GENRE: Animation, Romance

SUB-GENRE: Anime

With dreams of diving abroad, Tsuneo gets a job assisting Josee, an artist whose imagination takes her far beyond her wheelchair. But when the tide turns against them, they push each other to places they never thought possible, and inspire a love fit for a storybook.

Blending whimsy with raw emotion, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish delivers a tender yet unsentimental romance. Its vibrant animation captures both soaring dreams and harsh realities, while the dynamic between Josee’s fiery spirit and Tsuneo’s quiet determination makes for an uplifting, deeply human journey of love, self-discovery, and courage.

22

Shithouse

'S#!%house'

2020 | 1h 42m | USA | ENGLISH | 16+

Top10nerScore65.663 / 100

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"I’m just trying to figure out how to not hate everything."

DIRECTOR: Cooper Raiff

WRITERS: Cooper Raiff

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Rachel Klein

STARRING: Cooper Raiff, Dylan Gelula, Amy Landecker, Logan Miller, Olivia Scott Welch

GENRE: Drama

THEME: Coming-of-Age, Teen Movie

Lonely college freshman Alex has closed himself off from his peers, who all appear to have this whole “college thing” figured out. But everything changes one night when Alex takes a leap and attends a party at Shithouse – a legendary party fraternity – where he forges a strong connection with Maggie.

Shithouse turns the awkwardness of college loneliness into something deeply personal and unexpectedly tender. Cooper Raiff’s debut brims with raw sincerity, capturing the quiet beauty of fleeting connections and self-discovery. A lo-fi, heart-on-its-sleeve triumph that speaks volumes without ever raising its voice.

21

A Quiet Place

Part II

2020 | 1h 37m | USA | ENGLISH | 13+

Top10nerScore66.274 / 100

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"If we stay here, we die."

DIRECTOR: John Krasinski

WRITERS: John Krasinski

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Polly Morgan

STARRING: Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Cillian Murphy, John Krasinski, Noah Jupe

GENRE: Horror, Thriller

THEME: Post-Apocalyptic, Alien Invasion, Survival

Following the events at home, the Abbott family now face the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

A Quiet Place Part II intensifies the tension, expanding its gripping, silence-filled world. Krasinski’s direction is razor-sharp, blending nerve-racking suspense with emotional depth. Millicent Simmonds gives a standout performance, while Cillian Murphy adds an extra layer of intensity to the post-apocalyptic struggle for survival.

20

The Invisible Man

2020 | 2h 04m | USA & AUS | ENGLISH | 15+

Top10nerScore66.712 / 100

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"He said that wherever I went, he would find me…"

DIRECTOR: Leigh Whannell

WRITERS: Leigh Whannell

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Stefan Duscio

STARRING: Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Michael Dorman, Harriet Dyer

GENRE: Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction

SUB-GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Psychological Horror

When Cecilia’s abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

The Invisible Man revitalizes the classic horror tale with a modern twist, crafting a tense and thrilling experience. Leigh Whannell builds a suffocating atmosphere, expertly exploring themes of trauma and control. Elisabeth Moss gives a captivating, heart-pounding performance that keeps you hooked until the chilling end.

19

One Night in Miami…

2020 | 1h 54m | USA | ENGLISH | 14+

Top10nerScore66.822 / 100

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"I want the goddamn recipe."

DIRECTOR: Regina King

WRITERS: Kemp Powers

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tami Reiker

STARRING: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Leslie Odom Jr., Aldis Hodge

GENRE: Drama

SUB-GENRE: Period Drama

In the aftermath of Cassius Clay’s defeat of Sonny Liston in 1964, the boxer meets with Malcolm X, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown to change the course of history in the segregated South.

Regina King’s One Night in Miami… transforms a fictionalized meeting of icons into a gripping exchange of ideals. With sharp dialogue and powerhouse performances, it captures the weight of history, the fire of youth, and the urgency of change, all within a single unforgettable conversation that feels both intimate and monumental.

18

Onward

2020 | 1h 43m | USA | ENGLISH | 6+

Top10nerScore67.147 / 100

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"I definitely remember Dad having a top half!"

DIRECTOR: Dan Scanlon

WRITERS: Jason Headley, Dan Scanlon, Keith Bunin

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sharon Calahan, Adam Habib

STARRING: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer

GENRE: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

SUB-GENRE: Computer Animation

THEME: Family, Coming-of-Age, Buddy, Road Movie

Two teenage elf brothers get an unexpected opportunity to spend one more day with their late dad and embark on an extraordinary quest filled with magic spells, cryptic maps, impossible obstacles, and unimaginable discoveries.

Onward conjures a heartfelt adventure brimming with wit, warmth, and wonder. Pixar’s modern spin on a classic quest delivers a touching tale of brotherhood, grief, and self-discovery, blending high fantasy with suburban charm. With stunning animation and an emotional core, it casts a spell that lingers long after the journey ends.

17

There Is No Evil

'Sheytan vojud nadarad'

2020 | 2h 31m | IRAN, GER & CZE | PERSIAN | 16+

Top10nerScore67.387 / 100

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"If we say 'no', they'll destroy our lives."

DIRECTOR: Mohammad Rasoulof

WRITERS: Mohammad Rasoulof

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ashkan Ashkani

STARRING: Ehsan Mirhosseini, Mohammad Valizadegan, Mahtab Servati, Baran Rasoulof, Shaghayegh Shourian, Darya Moghbeli, Kaveh Ahangar

GENRE: Anthology Film, Drama

SUB-GENRE: Political Drama

Set against the backdrop of Iran’s strict and oppressive legal system, this anthology film tells the stories of four men who each face a moral crisis when having to deal with death penalties.

With There Is No Evil, Mohammad Rasoulof crafts a devastating yet deeply human mosaic on guilt, defiance, and the unseen toll of state-enforced execution. Each chapter unfolds with gripping tension and aching poignancy, refusing easy answers. Banned in Iran but celebrated worldwide, it’s an unflinching act of cinematic rebellion.

16

Violet Evergarden

The Movie

'Gekijouban Violet Evergarden'

2020 | 2h 20m | JAPAN | JAPANESE | 13+

Top10nerScore67.724 / 100

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"Even if I can't see you, I'll always be by your side."

DIRECTOR: Taichi Ishidate

WRITERS: Reiko Yoshida

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Kohei Funamoto

STARRING: Yui Ishikawa, Daisuke Namikawa, Takehito Koyasu, Hidenobu Kiuchi, Haruka Tomatsu, Koki Uchiyama

STARRING (ENGLISH): Erika Harlacher, Tony Azzolino, Kyle McCarley, Keith Silverstein, Cherami Leigh, Ben Pronsky

GENRE: Animation, Drama

SUB-GENRE: Anime, Melodrama

As the world moves on from the war and technological advances bring changes to her life, Violet still hopes to see her lost commanding officer again.

Violet Evergarden: The Movie delivers an achingly beautiful conclusion, weaving breathtaking animation, Yuki Kajiura’s evocative score, and deeply human storytelling into a poignant farewell. A stunning meditation on love, grief, and healing, it cements Kyoto Animation’s legacy as a master of visual and emotional artistry.

15

Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes

'Droste no hate de bokura'

2020 | 1h 11m | JAPAN | JAPANESE | 12+

Top10nerScore67.725 / 100

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"We can use this to our advantage, right?"

DIRECTOR: Junta Yamaguchi

WRITERS: Makoto Ueda

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Junta Yamaguchi

STARRING: Kazunari Tosa, Aki Asakura, Riko Fujitani, Gota Ishida, Masashi Suwa

GENRE: Comedy, Science Fiction

THEME: Time Travel, Chamber Film

A cafe owner discovers that the TV in his cafe suddenly shows images from the future, but only two minutes into the future.

Time travel has never been this delightfully small-scale. Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes finds cosmic wonder in a café’s security feed, spinning a one-shot illusion of paradoxes and possibilities. A charming cast, airtight plotting, and playful energy make this microbudget marvel a sci-fi treat that bends time with joy, not jargon.

14

Shiva Baby

2020 | 1h 18m | USA | ENGLISH | 16+

Top10nerScore70.4884 / 100

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"You look like Gwyneth Paltrow on food stamps"

DIRECTOR: Emma Seligman

WRITERS: Emma Seligman

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Maria Rusche

STARRING: Rachel Sennott, Molly Gordon, Polly Draper, Danny Deferrari, Fred Melamed

GENRE: Black Comedy, Drama, Comedy

SUB-GENRE: Psychological Drama, Cringe Comedy

THEME: Chamber Film

College student Danielle must cover her tracks when she unexpectedly runs into her sugar daddy at a shiva – with her parents, ex-girlfriend and family friends also in attendance.

Shiva Baby turns suffocating anxiety into comedy gold, trapping Rachel Sennott’s aimless Danielle in a whirlwind of passive-aggressive relatives, awkward exes, and a never-ending buffet. Emma Seligman’s debut is razor-sharp, mining millennial dread, sexual tension, and cultural expectations for laughs that cut deep and linger.

13

The Trial of the Chicago 7

2020 | 2h 10m | USA & UK | ENGLISH | 15+

Top10nerScore70.975 / 100

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"It's practically a religion for me, sir."

DIRECTOR: Aaron Sorkin

WRITERS: Aaron Sorkin

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Phedon Papamichael

STARRING: Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Frank Langella, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

GENRE: Drama

SUB-GENRE: Legal Drama, Political Drama, Biopic, Period Drama

What was supposed to be a peaceful protest turned into a violent clash with the police. What followed was one of the most notorious trials in history.

Packed with Sorkin’s signature rapid-fire exchanges, The Trial of the Chicago 7 transforms a turbulent chapter of history into cinematic dynamite. Redmayne’s idealism clashes with Baron Cohen’s irreverence, while Langella’s stone-faced judge makes injustice feel suffocating. Equal parts legal drama and call to arms, it’s history told with bite.

12

Riders of Justice

'Retfærdighedens ryttere'

2020 | 1h 56m | DENMARK | DANISH | 16+

Top10nerScore71.003 / 100

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"This is not a fairy tale. It’s a vengeance story."

DIRECTOR: Anders Thomas Jensen

WRITERS: Anders Thomas Jensen

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Kasper Tuxen

STARRING: Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Lars Brygmann, Nicolas Bro, Andrea Heick Gadeberg, Gustav Lindh

GENRE: Drama, Crime, Black Comedy

THEME: Vigilante

Markus returns home to care for his daughter when his wife dies in a tragic train accident. However, when a survivor of the wreck surfaces and claims foul play, Markus suspects his wife was murdered and embarks on a mission to find those responsible.

Riders of Justice is a sharp, darkly funny revenge thriller that twists genre conventions with precision. Mads Mikkelsen delivers a stoic yet layered performance, while Anders Thomas Jensen balances absurdity and pathos. Beneath the gunfire and chaos lies a poignant meditation on fate, grief, and the randomness of life.

11

Palm Springs

2020 | 1h 30m | USA | ENGLISH | 16+

Top10nerScore71.803 / 100

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"No! You're cheating on me, you goof."

DIRECTOR: Max Barbakow

WRITERS: Andy Siara

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Quyen Tran

STARRING: Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J.K. Simmons, Peter Gallagher

GENRE: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy

SUB-GENRE: Romantic Comedy, Low Fantasy

THEME: Time Loop

When carefree Nyles and reluctant maid of honor Sarah have a chance encounter at a Palm Springs wedding, things get complicated when they find themselves unable to escape the venue, themselves, or each other.

Beneath Palm Springsbreezy humor and vibrant aesthetic lies a meditation on love, purpose, and the weight of eternity. Siara’s script infuses the time-loop premise with emotional nuance, while Samberg and Milioti’s electric dynamic ensures every repeated moment feels alive, making the film both clever and unexpectedly poignant.

INTRODUCING...

THE TOP 10
BEST FILMS
OF 2020

10

Promising Young Woman

2020 | 1h 54m | UK & USA | ENGLISH | 17+

Top10nerScore72.464 / 100

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"Can you guess what every woman's worst nightmare is?"

DIRECTOR: Emerald Fennell

WRITERS: Emerald Fennell

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Benjamin Kračun

STARRING: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge

GENRE: Drama, Black Comedy, Thriller

A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who crossed her path.

Promising Young Woman brings a darkly comedic and deeply provocative twist on the revenge thriller. Carey Mulligan shines in a bold performance that pushes the boundaries of empathy and justice. With its sharp writing, stylish direction, and unforgettable soundtrack, it’s a fresh, uncompromising take on trauma and retribution.

09

Never Rarely
Sometimes Always

2020 | 1h 41m | USA | ENGLISH | 16+

Top10nerScore72.681 / 100

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"Don't you ever just wish you were a dude?"

DIRECTOR: Eliza Hittman

WRITERS: Eliza Hittman

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Hélène Louvart

STARRING: Sidney Flanigan, Talia Ryder

GENRE: Drama

THEME: Coming-of-Age

A pair of teenage girls in rural Pennsylvania travel to New York City to seek out medical help after an unintended pregnancy.

In Never Rarely Sometimes Always, Eliza Hittman’s sensitive direction brings to life the quiet strength of two young women faced with an overwhelming decision. Sidney Flanigan’s standout performance subtly conveys a world of emotion. This film is a powerful exploration of vulnerability, empathy, and autonomy.

08

Demon Slayer

Mugen Train

'Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Ressha-Hen'

2020 | 1h 57m | JAPAN | JAPANESE | 13+

Top10nerScore73.517 / 100

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"It's not over! I’m still fighting!"

DIRECTOR: Haruo Sotozaki

WRITERS: Koyoharu Gotouge

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Yuichi Terao

STARRING: Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kito, Hiro Shimono, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Satoshi Hino, Takahiro Sakurai, Katsuyuki Konishi

STARRING (ENGLISH): Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott, Aleks Le, Bryce Papenbrook, Mark Whitten

GENRE: Animation, Action, Fantasy

SUB-GENRE: Anime, Dark Fantasy, Martial Arts, Chambara

THEME: Train Movie

Tanjirō Kamado, joined with Inosuke Hashibira, a boy raised by boars who wears a boar’s head, and Zenitsu Agatsuma, a scared boy who reveals his true power when he sleeps, boards the Infinity Train on a new mission with the Fire Hashira, Kyōjurō Rengoku, to defeat a demon who has been tormenting the people and killing the demon slayers who oppose it!

Demon Slayer: Mugen Train is a thrilling extension of the anime series, featuring jaw-dropping animation that makes every fight scene a spectacle. The emotional depth of the characters adds weight to the action, making it more than just a visual experience. It’s a captivating, heartfelt journey that both fans and newcomers will love.

07

Nomadland

2020 | 1h 48m | USA | ENGLISH | 13+

Top10nerScore76.237 / 100

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"I'm not homeless. I'm just house-less. "

DIRECTOR: Chloé Zhao

WRITERS: Chloé Zhao

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Joshua James Richards

STARRING: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Swankie, Gay DeForest

GENRE: Drama

THEME: Slice of Life, Road Movie

A woman in her sixties embarks on a journey through the western United States after losing everything in the Great Recession, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.

In Nomadland, Chloé Zhao blends breathtaking cinematography with intimate storytelling, following Frances McDormand’s unforgettable portrayal of Fern, a modern-day nomad. The film dives deep into themes of loss, freedom, and the human need for connection, leaving viewers to reflect on the meaning of home and independence.

06

Minari

2020 | 1h 55m | USA | ENGLISH | 13+

Top10nerScore77.243 / 100

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"It's not called a penis, it's called a ding-dong!"

DIRECTOR: Lee Isaac Chung

WRITERS: Lee Isaac Chung

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Lachlan Milne

STARRING: Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Youn Yuh-jung, Alan Kim, Will Patton, Noel Kate Cho

GENRE: Drama

SUB-GENRE: Family Drama

A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.

Minari offers a heartfelt and poignant look at family, culture, and the immigrant experience. Lee Isaac Chung’s semi-autobiographical film shines with standout performances, especially from Steven Yeun and Youn Yuh-jung. Its tender balance of humor and hardship makes it both a deeply personal and universally relatable story.

05

Soul

2020 | 1h 41m | USA | ENGLISH | 6+

Top10nerScore77.998 / 100

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"This is water. What I want is the ocean."

DIRECTOR: Pete Docter

WRITERS: Pete Docter, Kemp Powers, Mike Jones

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ian Megibben, Matt Aspbury

STARRING: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Phyllis Rashād, Graham Norton, Questlove, Angela Bassett

GENRE: Animation, Fantasy, Comedy

SUB-GENRE: Computer Animation, Low Fantasy

THEME: Family

Joe Gardner is a middle school teacher with a love for jazz music. After a successful audition at the Half Note Club, he suddenly gets into an accident that separates his soul from his body and is transported to the You Seminar, a center in which souls develop and gain passions before being transported to a newborn child.

Soul offers a visually captivating and emotionally layered journey into life’s deeper questions. With its stunning animation and a jazz-infused score, the film explores themes of passion, purpose, and self-discovery. Pixar masterfully balances humor and heart, creating a thought-provoking yet entertaining experience.

04

Another Round

'Druk '

2020 | 1h 57m | DEN, SWE & NED | DANISH | 16+

Top10nerScore78.108 / 100

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"Man is born with a blood alcohol level that’s too low."

DIRECTOR: Thomas Vinterberg

WRITERS: Thomas Vinterberg, Tobias Lindholm

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sturla Brandth Grøvlen

STARRING: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang, Lars Ranthe, Maria Bonnevie

GENRE: Drama, Comedy

Four friends, all high school teachers at various stages of middle age, are stuck in a rut. Unable to share their passions either at school or at home, they embark on an audacious experiment: to see if a constant level of alcohol in their blood will help them find greater freedom and happiness.

Another Round dives into the intoxicating pursuit of freedom, blending humor and existential exploration. Thomas Vinterberg’s direction and Mads Mikkelsen’s raw performance elevate this thoughtful drama about midlife crisis, friendship, and self-discovery. An unforgettable celebration of life’s unpredictable highs and lows.

03

Quo Vadis, Aida?

'Where are you going, Aida?'

2020 | 1h 44m | BIH, AUT, ROM, GER & POL | BOSNIAN | 16+

Top10nerScore79.275 / 100

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"This is not a refugee camp. It’s a death trap."

DIRECTOR: Jasmila Žbanić

WRITERS: Jasmila Žbanić, Hasan Nuhanovic

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Christine A. Maier

STARRING: Jasna Đuričić, Boris Isaković, Izudin Bajrović, Johan Heldenbergh, Raymond Thiry, Boris Ler, Dino Bajrović

GENRE: Drama

SUB-GENRE: Period Drama

THEME: War

Bosnia, July 1995. Aida is a translator for the United Nations in Srebrenica. When the Serbian army takes over the small town, her family is among the thousands looking for shelter in the UN camp. Aida has access to crucial information. What lies ahead for her family and people—rescue or death?

Aida races against time, but history has already sealed its verdict. Quo Vadis, Aida? grips like a thriller, yet stings like a tragedy, as Žbanić crafts an unflinching look at moral collapse. Jasna Đuričić is magnetic, her fear and desperation making the past unbearably real. A film of rare power that is urgent, unshakable, and impossible to forget.

02

Wolfwalkers

2020 | 1h 43m | IRELAND & LUX | ENGLISH | 8+

Top10nerScore81.601 / 100

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"Be fierce, be wild, be free."

DIRECTOR: Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart

WRITERS: Tomm Moore, Will Collins, Ross Stewart

STARRING: Honor Kneafsey, Eva Whittaker, Sean Bean, Simon McBurney

GENRE: Animation, Fantasy, Adventure

SUB-GENRE: Fairy Tale

THEME: Family

In a time of superstition and magic, when wolves are seen as demonic and nature an evil to be tamed, a young apprentice hunter comes to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack. But when she saves a wild native girl, their friendship leads her to discover the world of the Wolfwalkers and transform her into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.

Wolfwalkers enchants with its hand-drawn splendor, weaving a rich Irish folklore tale of friendship, freedom, and defiance. Cartoon Saloon’s striking visual style bursts with life, mirroring the film’s emotional depth. A soulful exploration of nature’s untamed spirit, it howls with heart and artistry, cementing its place in modern animation greatness.

01

The Father

2020 | 1h 36m | UK & FRA | ENGLISH | 13+

Top10nerScore81.747 / 100

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"I feel as if I'm losing all my leaves..."

DIRECTOR: Florian Zeller

WRITERS: Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ben Smithard

STARRING: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman

GENRE: Drama

SUB-GENRE: Psychological Drama, Family Drama

THEME: Chamber Film

A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages and, as he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality.

The Father is a devastating yet masterfully structured portrait of dementia, mirroring its protagonist’s disorientation with shifting perspectives and an elusive sense of time. Anchored by Hopkins’ tour-de-force performance, Zeller’s adaptation turns memory into a maze. Heart-wrenching, immersive, and according to the internet…
The Best Film of 2020

HONORABLE MENTIONS

After Love2020
All Hands on Deck!2020
Black Is King2020
Da 5 Bloods2020
Dear Comrades!2020
Dinner in America2020
Identifying Features2020
I’m Thinking of Ending Things2020
Kajillionaire2020
Last and First Men2020
Little Fish2020
Mank2020
News of the World2020
Nine Days2020
Pieces of a Woman2020
Summerland2020
Tenet2020
The Devil All the Time2020
The Forty-Year-Old Version2020
Your Name Engraved Herein2020

THANKS FOR READING!

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