Top 10 Movies Of 2020

2020 has been an odd and frustrating year, to say the least. The pandemic has had significant ramifications on the film industry and forced many promising projects to abandon the year all together. Even so, there have been a lot of notable works that have pushed the boundaries of film and genre. While this is no doubt a unique year, with very few blockbuster entries to speak of, there have still been some huge productions, like Tenet from Warner Bros., which released in theaters back in August to muted box office results (though it’s still seen as a success, given the pandemic restraints) and DC’s Wonder Woman 1984, which debuted on Christmas and has already been fast tracked for a threequel.

But these have been few and far between. Taking advantage of audiences craving content while stuck in their homes, this has turned out to be a banner year for indie outlets and streamers. PVOD release like the Pete Davidson-starring The King of Staten Island have reached, arguably, larger audiences than they would have with traditional releases. Moreover, indies have seen an increase in prominence, with streamers like Hulu and Netflix dropping films they picked up on the festival circuit to much more acclaim and fanfare than usual.

Regardless of the constraints, there have been a lot of great films released in 2020, it just happens that most have not seen a traditional theater release. Be that as it may, and without any further delay, here are our picks for the Top 10 Films of 2020.

10. THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME

Netflix’s bleak drama, which released on the service back in September, is a sobering look at religious fanaticism and the effect it can have on the mind. The characters in the film often give in to the excesses of their faith and twist into something false and evil.

Tom Holland leads a talented ensemble as a troubled man filled with barely contained rage. His depiction of young Arvin Russell as quiet and brooding is in stark contrast to his work as the boisterous Spider-Man in the MCU and lets the actor show a range and depth that the superhero epics he’s known for don’t always allow for (though, Holland clinging to RDJ’s Tony Stark as he fades away to nothing is one of the most emotional scenes ever).

But the real standout is Robert Pattinson as a lecherous preacher who uses his position as a pastor and his mastery of the word of God to take advantage of Lenora, Arvin’s impressionable sister. He’s so slimy, yet charming, like a used car salesman that you can’t help but buy from. It’s certainly against the grain from his usual roles, but he makes it work and steals the spotlight during every scene he’s in.

It’s a tightly wrought story that’s expertly directed and the cinematography is stunning, encapsulating the back roads beauty of West Virginia that secretly hides enormous depravity. The Devil All the Time is moody period drama that shines a light on the worst that humanity is capable of and the toll it can take on a person.

9. BIG TIME ADOLESCENCE

The Pete Davidson dramedy debuted on the film circuit back in 2019 from first-time director Jason Orley and was seen as the first real test for Davidson as a leading man. However, it wouldn’t release wide until March of 2020 and both audiences and critics warmed to the movie that provided a distraction at the start of all the pandemic closures.

While the SNL comedian doesn’t seem to stretch far beyond his slacker/stoner schtick, it fits in well with the script, that’s both timely and heartfelt, and Orley is able to coax enough nuance out of Davidson in the role of a manchild who can’t get his act together, but clearly has a heart of gold, that the film was a clear success.

Big Time Adolescence is a sweet coming-of-age story that hits all the familiar notes but feels fresh and distinct at the same time. Machine Gun Kelly appears in a fun role that sees him leaning into the bad boy aesthetic he’s created, while Jon Cryer adds some gravitas to the proceedings as a father struggling to do the best for a son that he just doesn’t understand.

Overall, the film is an enjoyable ride that showcases the worst parts of growing up into an adult. It forces audiences to take a realistic look at what it means to remain the party kid you were as a teenager as you age, and how that can affect both your livelihood and the relationships you’ve cultivated.

8. ONWARD

Onward had the unfortunate luck at having just been released when cinema closures first went into effect. As a result, the box office for the film took a big hit. It would go on to make $141 million in theaters while also being released on the subscription service Disney+ in March. And while the animated picture might not have been the financial success many expect from Pixar productions, it was a fun and energizing movie, with an excellent voice cast, and a thoughtful message about grief and brotherhood.

Once again, Tom Holland leads a talented ensemble as Ian Lightfoot, a young man desperate to reconnect with a father he had no memory of because he passed when Ian was still a baby. However, he’ll get the chance to meet his Dad when he uncovers a magic staff and has to go on a quest with his estranged brother, Barley (voiced by Chris Pratt doing his best to channel Andy from Parks & Rec).

The story sees the brothers re-forge their bond and find some sense of relief at the loss of their father by the end. It’s a heartwarming tale that very much sticks to the Pixar formula. And while it may not be on the level of Toy Story or Monsters Inc., its unique mythical setting and focus on family dynamics amidst grief separate it enough that the comparisons don’t drown it and it ends up as one of the best animated offerings of the year.

7. THE BANKER

The Banker was originally set to have its world premiere at the AFI Fest in November of 2019, but those plans were scuttled amidst sexual assault claims directed at one of the producers. The film would eventually drop on AppleTV+ with little build up. And while this is certainly disappointing, the little seen film is definitely one of the better efforts from the tech giant’s promising streaming service.

The movie tells the story of Joe Morris and Bernard S. Garrett Sr., played by Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie, respectively, two of the first African-American bankers in the United States. It depicts their rise in LA as they buy up properties whilst using Nicholas Hoult’s Matt Steiner as a white front man for their operation, before switching to their struggles when buying and operating banks in small-town Texas.

The script has been criticized for holding back and not really delving into the material. The 50s and 60s were a tumultuous time for people of color in America and there is a certain amount of glossing over that happens. However, that’s because the people behind the project were trying to tell an intensely personal story about a man frustrated with his position (Mackie’s Garrett) and how he was able to succeed despite the system being against him.

It’s a subtle and nuanced film that’s bolstered by a trio of excellent lead performances from Jackson, Mackie, and Hoult that more than compensate for some of the script’s deficiencies. It’s a timely story about perseverance and success against all odds that everyone should see, at least once.

6. BIRDS OF PREY AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY

Birds of Prey was something of an awkward choice by DC and Warner to try and capitalize on the rising popularity of Harley Quinn. Her character was always a fan favorite and was the standout, alongside Will Smith’s Deadshot, in the first Suicide Squad film. Even so, it seemed like the studios were shoehorning her into the Birds of Prey project to make sure that people saw the movie. And, in fairness, the final product feels like that, at least a little, and audiences were likewise confused during the marketing and with the ultimate release, which underwhelmed at the box office.

Even so, that’s a small gripe with a relatively well thought out film. Margot Robbie is once again pitch perfect as the anti-heroine, being equal parts manic and insane, but this time there is a little sweetness thrown into the mix. She’s joined by the titular team, and though their introductions feel forced within the narrative, the actors are superb and seem to be relishing the outlandish roles.

Ewan McGregor, in particular, who plays the criminal Black Mask, is particularly good in the part, playing it just over-the-top enough to make his villain seem menacing, but not cheesy. It’s often said that superhero films are only as good as the baddie within them, and Birds of Prey struck gold.

While some see the film as a mild disappointment financially, most agree that it’s endearingly eccentric, with great action sequences and fantastic performances. Time will likely turn this into a cult favorite and see it as one of the best DCEU films.

5. THE WAY BACK

Ben Affleck’s career has been up and down. He’d had his fair share of hits, especially as a director, with his features The Town and Argo (which won the Academy Award for Best Picture) receiving great acclaim. On the flip side of that coin, he starred as the titular hero in 2003’s disastrous Daredevil, which led to a number of box office flops. And his most recent fare has been similarly mixed, with his Live by Night being a misfire, but having some well-received films like Gone Girl. Wherever you stand on the actor and his output, though, most can agree that his most recent film, The Way Back, is one of the best of his career.

The movie sees him reunite with director Gavin O’Connor (The Accountant) to play Jack Cunningham, a man lost in grief over the loss of his son some years earlier. Jack is a walking nightmare, constantly drunk, angry with himself and the world, and unsure of how to move forward or get better, though he’s given the chance, when he’s called on by his high school alma mater to become the interim basketball coach.

It’s an honest portrayal of what losing someone close to you can do. Affleck plays the role with a sense of urgency and restless desperation that will ring as true to anyone that’s experienced the kind of loss that Jack Cunningham did. And the script doesn’t shy away from the hard parts of grief, nor does it tie things up in a neat little bow. It’s comfortable allowing things to remain messy, which makes it all the more enthralling.

The Way Back will likely become one of the signature performances for Affleck, much like how people remember Tom Cruise for Jerry Maguire or Robert De Niro for Taxi Driver. And for his work, Affleck has more than earned an Oscar nomination, and will likely have a strong chance of winning.

4. BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM

No one expected a sequel to 2006’s Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan. In fact, it probably wasn’t anything anyone even conceived of or wanted, outside of Sacha Baron Cohen, obviously. That first film was very much a product of the time, and much like other mockumentaries, like Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping and Spinal Tap, there didn’t seem to be any more to the story.

How wrong we were. The Borat sequel picks up essentially where the original leaves off. It sends the titular journalist back to America, via a very backwards travel itinerary, and has him get up to more culturally confusing hijinks. It’s interesting to see how the character remains the same, but Cohen was successfully able to update the character so that it fits with the time.

And the proceedings have a surprising amount of heart, with the story of Borat and his seemingly unwanted daughter coming together after years apart being the real driving force of the work. Even so, there are gross out gags galore and it’s likely you’ve at least read about the Rudy Giuliani scandal. The film is often laugh out loud funny and works on several different levels. The ending twist is particularly good and will have you shaking your head for not spotting it earlier. Overall, it’s a worthy successor to the original and one of the best comedies released this year.

3. HAMILTON

Hamilton is a cultural milestone for this era. It perfectly encapsulates the hope and optimism that is prevalent amongst the millennial generation, yet it’s also a sobering reflection of many of our nation’s issues, from systemic racism to rampant nepotism.

Everything, from the music to the performances, the meticulous staging and adherence to telling the story of Alexander Hamilton in as accurate a way as possible, make this play a can’t miss for enthusiasts. There is a reason it’s become one of the most popular plays in modern history: it’s amazing.

Sadly, not everyone has the means to head to New York or Chicago to drop a few dozen hamiltons on a ticket. And while the film can’t quite recreate the stage magic, it’s as close as you can get. The majesty of the play is on full display and it’s one of the best play-to-screen adaptations out there. Disney+ saw a huge surge of subscriptions when the film hit in July, solidifying it as a major success.

If you’re a fan of the play already, the movie will sate your itch for another helping. And if you’re someone who’s never had the opportunity to see the stage play, this is your chance to understand what all the hype is about.

2. THE GENTLEMAN

The Gentleman is a 2019 UK production, but it didn’t make its way to the states until January of 2020. It dropped during a relatively dead zone for theaters, where studios tend to unload projects without much hope of success. As such, Guy Ritchie’s return to the British gangster films that he started with was a bit of an unknown quantity.

However, an impressive cast, led by the always charismatic Matthew McConaughey, a quippy script, and stunning directing took this film to a $115.2 million box office haul off a $22 million budget. What makes this movie stand out isn’t that revolutionizes the genre, but rather, sticks to it with a rugged determination that it seems unique and fresh.

It’s a return to form for Ritchie, hearkening back to the days of Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. Moreover, it features Hugh Grant in a delightfully sleazy role as a journalist trying to get one over on the bad guys he’s been reporting on for his whole career. He’s so magnetic on the screen that audiences find themselves rooting for him, while simultaneously begging for him to get punched in the face.

The Gentleman is a sleek action/heist flick that mixes the best of Richie’s early efforts with a lot of the big budget tricks he’s picked up over the last decade or so. It’s one of the most original films to come along, perhaps all year, and will likely go down as one of the best of Ritchie’s esteemed catalogue.

1. PALM SPRINGS

It’s slightly odd to think that the most entertaining film to come out from 2020 starred the mastermind behind SNL’s Dick in a Box. But that’s exactly what happened, and Hulu’s Palm Springs is without a doubt the best film that released this year.

Andy Samberg leads the proceedings in what is essentially a remake of the Bill Murray classic Groundhog Day. And this is nothing new – since that film became such a comedy staple, the “person stuck in a time loop” scenario has been done and redone to the point it’s kind of eye roll inducing. Even so, when creatives can put a unique spin on the formula, as Supernatural did with an episode early in its run, and Happy Death Day did a couple years back, it draws in audiences.

This go round, the time loop formula has been updated with a clear set of rules that are stupidly complex, but easy enough to understand. Samberg encountered an unfortunate phenomenon and is forced to relive the same bad wedding over and again. The kicker is, he’s not alone, and he can bring people into the loop, which he inadvertently does, twice.

Samberg is his typical loudmouth character that fans have come to know, but there is a surprising depth to his performance once the gross out gags are out of the way. He’s so scared of truly living and putting himself out there that the idea of a world without consequence, where any mistake you make will get reset when the sun comes up, is infinitely alluring.

But he catches feelings for the girl he’s fallen for and when she figures out how to escape the loop, he has to choose between real life with her or remaining in the loop, where he’ll essentially be immortal. Palm Springs is as sincere as it is hilarious. Samberg proves that he’s more than capable of being a leading man and this film could well be as big a cult hit as Murray’s Groundhog Day.

And that’s it folks, the best films of 2020. What do you think? Is this list accurate, or were there other films more deserving? Sound off in the comments and follow us on Twitter @FilmIronic to never miss a thing!