by Thomas Biamonte

I am, without a doubt, a film lover. Ever since I was a little kid, my dad would take me to the theater, and I would escape into the fantasy world of film. Now that I’m older, I try to see as many films as possible. Oftentimes, many films don’t impress me. However, when you least expect it, there’s that one film that has you hooked from beginning to end. Here are my top 20 films of the 2020’s thus far. 

Number 20: Halloween Ends (2022)

I never truly saw any other Halloween film before Halloween Kills and Halloween Ends, so I was not as disappointed as many other fans when they realized that Michael Myers took a backseat in the story of this film. Instead of normal bloody slashers with no real character development for any characters involved, they opted to make a great character study that asked the question “What could make a man become Michael Myers?” Jamie Lee Curtis was pretty good in this film although her romance towards the end was a little far fetched for my taste, but you know it’s Hollywood – I have seen WAY worse. The standout performance of the film though has to be Rohan Campbell who plays Corey Cunningham. The evolution of his character is so well thought out. I would love to see more from this actor in the coming years.

Number 19: The Greatest Beer Run Ever (2022)

This has to be the cheesiest film on the list next to the cliche parts in Halloween Ends of course. This film follows Zac Efron playing the role of Chickie who is a man in the 60s experiencing contentious times due to The Vietnam War and social unrest between pro-war people like his friends and family or the people who say Vietnam immoral like his sister. So what does this genius decide to do to mark his name in the history books and really make an everlasting change for America? He brings a duffle bag filled with American Beer to Vietnam, and he plans to bring it to every soldier from his hometown even if they are currently on the front lines. One of my favorite films of all time is Full Metal Jacket, so in my opinion no other film about Vietnam can top that. But this film is not trying to top those other “war movies.” It is a separate story set in Vietnam about how citizens were lied to and the whiplash they experienced when they figured out the truth of the war’s purpose and the war crimes that were happening there. There is nothing that sticks out as necessarily great, but the cinematography, the charming story, and Russell Crowe’s acting were all highlights.

Number 18: Free Guy (2021)

A film that I thought would be a soulless cash grab actually turned out to be full of heart. The performances were great and Ryan Ryenolds plays someone other than himself in the first project since they sewed his mouth shut in Wolverine Origins. The visual effects were great and the story and direction along with the performances definitely made this a memorable watch that I doubt people from this generation will forget. 

Number 17: The Black Phone (2022)

I do not watch a lot of horror movies. I always feel when I sit down to watch a horror film it is like I am spinning the wheel to whether or not the film has a $2 shoestring budget or is a great well thought out story like The Black Phone. I had the pleasure to see this film in theaters and I heard everyone cringing in their seats when the protagonist made a wrong choice or screaming out if he went down the wrong street towards “The Grabber”. You know you have an audience hooked when you get them to have an intense guttural reaction that causes them to scream out to the character without them even thinking twice. I would also like to highlight the performance of Ethan Hawke as The Grabber which is one of the best performances I have seen this decade. 

Number 16: The Many Saints of Newark (2021)

This Sopranos prequel got mixed reviews when it first came out due to it´s semi- misleading advertising which made the film look to be only about Tony Soprano in his younger years. The opposite was true as his mentor Dickie Moltisanti was the star, and the whole film followed him and his exploits during the time in the 60s where the mob ran everything in Newark. I saw this film before I saw the Sopranos series which I would not recommend due to a huge spoiler in the first five minutes of the film. Great performances are countless in this film. You have such great performances from Michela De Rossi, Michael Gandolfini as young Tony Soprano, Leslie Odom Jr, Corey Stoll and John Bernthal were great as Junior Soprano and Johnny Soprano respectively. In my opinion, one of, if not the best performance, from this film would have to be Vera Farmiga as Livia Soprano. I think this film has a lot of charm and now, after watching the original Sopranos series, I can confidently say that it is my favorite TV show of all time. 

Number 15: The Green Knight (2021)

This is by far the weirdest and most trippy (yet creative) film on this list. The story is based on an English poem set in the universe of King Arthur and although you might not get the plot at first, just sit back and think about it and it will come to you. The cinematography, the writing, the performance of Dev Patel, along with an absolutely passionate director with an amazing vision, makes this a worthwhile watch. 

Number 14: Breaking (2022) 

This film starring John Boyega is a great showcase of what we love about both heist films and character study films. We see all of his character in the film – all of his insecurities, all of his hopes, all of his regrets -and John Boyega plays it so painfully and tragically that even though we all know it will end bad for him we cannot look away. We also sympathize with his pain and understand his struggles with mental health and, in a way, we root that he gets out of there so he can better himself. 

Number 13: Judas and the Black Messiah (2021)

Judas and the Black Messiah is a great film with extraordinary acting that brings history to life. The performances of Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield really make this film. The gritty realistic acting and storytelling really draws you in, and the tragic ending really makes you put our times into perspective. 

Number 12: Belfast (2021)

You can tell when a filmmaker puts all their love and nostalgia for their childhood into a film. This film shows the love of community even when it may be in ruins. Told through a child’s eyes, all he sees is the good times at school and in the neighborhood with all the friends he had made there. 

Number 11: Babylon (2022)

This film feels like an unstoppable roller coaster that just keeps going and waits up for no one, and by the end, you feel a surprising sense of nostalgia for the beginning of the film. The cinematography and direction are out of this world. Also, the performances by Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt and Diego Calva were at least worthy of Oscar nominations. Just a warning – there are many parts of this film that people may consider inappropriate or in bad taste. Just know that this film is rated R, and it really takes advantage of that rating. 

Number 10: Last Night in Soho (2021)

Last Night in Soho has a lot of things I love in films – mystery, love, murder, time travel and plenty of surprises. The cinematography in this film is amazing and so is the world building that these brilliant writers have created. The standout performances were from actors such as Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie, Terence Stamp, and Michael Ajao. But the breakout performance has to be from Matt Smith, or as I call him “The man who made Morbius watchable.”

Number 9: The Batman (2022)

Who knew a non John Willams score for a film could be so great? The score was rooted within the drama and action of the film itself. I know I have said this around five times so far on this list, but this time it is especially true: the cinematography is amazing! Every shot looks like a dark gritty comic book cover. There are also great performances by Robert Pattinson, Paul Dano and pretty much every other actor in this film. Go into this blind and you will not at all be disappointed!

Number 8: tick, tick… BOOM! (2021)

Andrew Garfield really blew us all away with his performance in this film. You will feel sad for him, you will root for him, and you will hope everything goes well with his character’s career through all the highs and lows and ups and downs. Also, the music is great and everything flows naturally unlike most “musical movies”

Number 7: Spiderman: No Way Home (2021)

A surprisingly well thought-out drama and comedy mix that actually tugs at your heartstrings at many points. It is not so often these days that the Marvel formula connects to the human experience like it used to, but this film achieves it! The film makes you actually feel attached and worried about the characters on screen. The action is innovative and feels extremely fresh. Now, normally this is the time where I would talk about all the actors who truly were the best in the film such as Willam Dafoe who did an amazing job reprising his role as the Green Goblin, but I feel like every person in this ensemble cast was genuinely very good besides Jamie Foxx – his line delivery was as stale as a frozen bagel. 

Number 6: In the Heights (2021)

In the Heights was the first film I saw back in theaters after Covid, and I believe this is one of, if not the best, stage to screen adaptations of all time. It has great vocals, choreography, and an emotional story that really struck a chord with me. Not to mention all of the amazing performances by the full cast. You can tell everyone put 110% of their soul into making the film as good as it could be. If you are not smiling from ear to ear by the end of the film then you’re doing this whole “movie watching” thing wrong.

Number 5: Elvis (2022)

Here is my hot take: I believe that Austin Butler deserved the Oscar for the title role of Elvis. Regardless of that though, Baz Luhrmann’s direction, vision and passion shines throughout this film and his cinematography is in the same vein of his 2013 film The Great Gatsby with constant trippy zoom outs and CGI landscapes. Some people have a problem and are annoyed with Tom Hank’s performance. Personally, I did not believe it was a problem. The writing is phenomenal, and I cannot wait to see more from both Baz Luhrmann and Austin Butler. 

Number 4: King Richard (2021)

This film has amazing performances by all and the story packs an emotional punch. It is a shame that Will Smith took attention away from this heart warming story once he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. But do not let Will Smith’s giant ego draw you away from watching because, believe it or not, in this film he plays someone with an even bigger ego. Trust me, it is worth seeing. 

Number 3: Missing (2023)

I saw this film through a promotion at Regal for a “Five Dollar Mystery Movie” and when I tell you this should win best picture for the 2023 season, I fully mean it. The film is a masterclass of creative storytelling with twists and turns you will never see coming. The visual effects and the way they shot the film also blew me away. Also, the performances are beyond top notch. Everyone puts their whole energy into every scene. Overall, this film has laughs, scares, moments where you will gasp, clench your fist in anger, scream, and cry. All of these moments added up and I guarantee you will want to rewatch the film as soon as possible. I know I do.

Number 2: West Side Story (2021)

This film has perfect casting, choreography, cinematography, directing, writing, acting, singing, and character dynamics. You name it – the film has done everything perfectly. This is not a normal reboot, no sir. It is a true revival of the anti hate ideals that were spelled out in the original show with a way better script and direction that makes it more of a tragedy like the Shakespearean tragedy that inspired it. Whether or not you have seen the original, just go into this film blind, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. 

Number 1: Blue Bayou (2021)

Now I know what you’re thinking. “Man this kid is so pretentious – like half the movies on this list I didn’t even know existed.” Well, if you are going to dismiss my opinion on films that is fine by me, but I must ask you for only one favor.  If you choose to ignore all my other talking points throughout this article then I ask you to just listen to this one: Watch Blue Bayou! It is the best film I have seen in years. The acting is so close to real life it feels like you are peering into the window of their family home. I really do not want to say much because the less you know when you watch this film the better. I can assure you that you are in for a dramatic story about a family who tries their best to persevere through constant injustice when it comes to our current immigration system. 

Alright – so that was my list of the top 20 films of the 2020’s so far! Unfortunately, there are a few films that I still have yet to get to see. But this list reflects my thoughts and opinions only on the films that I have seen from the 2020’s. I don’t know about you, but I am really excited to see what the future holds for film in the 2020’s. We will just have to wait and see…