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Edition · 2009
The Year in Film · 2009

Best of 2009

The films that defined 2009 — ranked by IMDb score.


These films defined 2009 — the year's highest-rated releases, ranked by IMDb score. Some are awards bait, some are popcorn fare, some quietly snuck in under the radar. All earned their place on the list.

  1. 01.
    Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars

    Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars

    2009·Dir. Graeme Harper·62 min·8.8

    In a Mars base, the inhabitants are being infected by a mysterious water creature which takes over its victims. The Doctor is thrust into the middle of this catastrophe, knowing a larger one is waiting around the corner.

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  2. 02.
    Monpura

    Monpura

    2009·Dir. Giasuddin Selim·136 min·8.8

    A heartbreaking tale of a poor yet honest young man as lies, conspiracies and a horrible betrayal by his rich and influential employer leads his life towards uncertainty.

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  3. 03.
    Home

    Home

    2009·Dir. Yann Arthus-Bertrand·95 min·8.5

    In 200,000 years of existence, man has upset the balance on which the Earth had lived for 4 billion years. Global warming, resource depletion, species extinction: man has endangered his own home. But it is too late to be pessimistic: humanity has barely ten years left to reverse the trend, become aware of its excessive exploitation of the Earth's riches, and change its consumption pattern.

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  4. 04.
    3 Idiots

    3 Idiots

    2009·Dir. Rajkumar Hirani·171 min·8.4

    Rascal. Joker. Dreamer. Genius... You've never met a college student quite like "Rancho." From the moment he arrives at India's most prestigious university, Rancho's outlandish schemes turn the campus upside down—along with the lives of his two newfound best friends. Together, they make life miserable for "Virus," the school’s uptight and heartless dean. But when Rancho catches the eye of the dean's daughter, Virus sets his sights on flunking out the "3 idiots" once and for all.

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  5. 05.
    Inglourious Basterds

    Inglourious Basterds

    2009·Dir. Quentin Tarantino·153 min·8.4

    In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds, lead by Lt. Aldo Raine soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.

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  6. 06.
    The Cove

    The Cove

    2009·Dir. Louie Psihoyos·92 min·8.4

    The Cove tells the amazing true story of how an elite team of individuals, films makers and free divers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate the hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The shocking discoveries were only the tip of the iceberg.

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  7. 07.
    Up

    Up

    2009·Dir. Pete Docter·96 min·8.3

    Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. But at age 78, life seems to have passed him by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell) gives him a new lease on life.

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  8. 08.
    The Secret in Their Eyes

    The Secret in Their Eyes

    2009·Dir. Juan José Campanella·130 min·8.2

    Hoping to put to rest years of unease concerning a past case, retired criminal investigator Benjamín begins writing a novel based on the unsolved mystery of a newlywed’s rape and murder. With the help of a former colleague, judge Irene, he attempts to make sense of the past.

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  9. 09.
    Mary and Max

    Mary and Max

    2009·Dir. Adam Elliot·92 min·8.1

    A tale of friendship between two unlikely pen pals: Mary, a lonely, eight-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a forty-four-year old, severely obese man living in New York.

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  10. 10.
    Partly Cloudy

    Partly Cloudy

    2009·Dir. Peter Sohn·6 min·8.1

    Everyone knows that the stork delivers babies, but where do the storks get the babies from? The answer lies up in the stratosphere, where cloud people sculpt babies from clouds and bring them to life. Gus, a lonely and insecure grey cloud, is a master at creating "dangerous" babies. Crocodiles, porcupines, rams and more - Gus's beloved creations are works of art, but more than a handful for his loyal delivery stork partner, Peck. As Gus's creations become more and more rambunctious, Peck's job gets harder and harder. How will Peck manage to handle both his hazardous cargo and his friend's fiery temperament?

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  11. 11.
    Hachi: A Dog's Tale

    Hachi: A Dog's Tale

    2009·Dir. Lasse Hallström·93 min·8.1

    Professor Wilson discovers a lost Akita puppy on his way home. Despite objections from his wife, Hachi endears himself to the family and grows to be Parker's loyal companion. As their bond grows deeper, a beautiful relationship unfolds.

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  12. 12.
    Gulaal

    Gulaal

    2009·Dir. Anurag Kashyap·147 min·8.0

    A law student witnesses the struggles of the Rajputs, deception, homicide and crime after being elected as General Secretary of his college.

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  13. 13.
    Prayers for Bobby

    Prayers for Bobby

    2009·Dir. Russell Mulcahy·89 min·8.0

    Bobby Griffith was his mother's favorite son, the perfect all-American boy growing up under deeply religious influences in Walnut Creek, California. Bobby was also gay. Struggling with a conflict no one knew of, much less understood, Bobby finally came out to his family.

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  14. 14.
    The Breath

    The Breath

    2009·Dir. Levent Semerci·128 min·8.0

    A small task force of the Turkish army have to defend a relay station in the middle of nowhere against a possible terrorist raid.

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  15. 15.
    About Elly

    About Elly

    2009·Dir. Asghar Farhadi·119 min·7.9

    The mysterious disappearance of a kindergarten teacher during a picnic in the north of Iran is followed by a series of misadventures for her fellow travelers.

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  16. 16.
    Star Trek

    Star Trek

    2009·Dir. J.J. Abrams·127 min·7.9

    The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock, a Vulcan, was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before. The human adventure has begun again.

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  17. 17.
    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    2009·Dir. Wes Anderson·87 min·7.9

    The Fantastic Mr. Fox, bored with his current life, plans a heist against the three local farmers. The farmers, tired of sharing their chickens with the sly fox, seek revenge against him and his family.

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  18. 18.
    Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

    Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

    2009·Dir. Masayuki·112 min·7.9

    Under constant attack by monstrous creatures called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind, U.N. Special Agency NERV introduces two new EVA pilots to help defend the city of Tokyo-3: the mysterious Makinami Mari Illustrous and the intense Asuka Langley Shikinami. Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari and SEELE proceed with a secret project that involves both Rei and Shinji.

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  19. 19.
    Avatar

    Avatar

    2009·Dir. James Cameron·162 min·7.9

    In the 22nd century, a paraplegic Marine is dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission, but becomes torn between following orders and protecting an alien civilization.

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  20. 20.
    Unnaipol Oruvan

    Unnaipol Oruvan

    2009·Dir. Chakri Toleti·120 min·7.9

    A common man tries to fight terrorism by making anonymous calls to cops. Will he succeed ?

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  21. 21.
    Dev.D

    Dev.D

    2009·Dir. Anurag Kashyap·144 min·7.9

    The son of a wealthy businessman finds solace in drugs and alcohol when he breaks up with his childhood love.

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  22. 22.
    Castaway on the Moon

    Castaway on the Moon

    2009·Dir. Lee Hae-jun·119 min·7.9

    Mr. Kim is jobless, lost in debt and has been dumped by his girlfriend. He decides to end it all by jumping into the Han River – only to find himself washed up on a small, mid-river island. He soon abandons thoughts of suicide or rescue and begins a new life as a castaway. His antics catch the attention of a young woman whose apartment overlooks the river. Her discovery changes both their lives.

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  23. 23.
    District 9

    District 9

    2009·Dir. Neill Blomkamp·112 min·7.9

    Thirty years ago, aliens arrive on Earth. Not to conquer or give aid, but to find refuge from their dying planet. Separated from humans in a South African area called District 9, the aliens are managed by Multi-National United, which is unconcerned with the aliens' welfare but will do anything to master their advanced technology. When a company field agent contracts a mysterious virus that begins to alter his DNA, there is only one place he can hide: District 9.

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  24. 24.
    The Stoning of Soraya M.

    The Stoning of Soraya M.

    2009·Dir. Cyrus Nowrasteh·114 min·7.9

    In 1986 Iran, Sahebjam, whose car breaks down in a remote village, enters into a conversation with Zahra, who relays to him the story about her niece, Soraya, whose arranged marriage to an abusive tyrant ended in tragedy.

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  25. 25.
    A Prophet

    A Prophet

    2009·Dir. Jacques Audiard·155 min·7.8

    Sentenced to six years in prison, Malik El Djebena is alone in the world and can neither read nor write. On his arrival at the prison, he seems younger and more brittle than the others detained there. At once he falls under the sway of a group of Corsicans who enforce their rule in the prison. As the 'missions' go by, he toughens himself and wins the confidence of the Corsican group.

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  26. 26.
    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

    2009·Dir. Niels Arden Oplev·152 min·7.8

    Swedish thriller based on Stieg Larsson's novel about a male journalist and a young female hacker. In the opening of the movie, Mikael Blomkvist, a middle-aged publisher for the magazine Millennium, loses a libel case brought by corrupt Swedish industrialist Hans-Erik Wennerström. Nevertheless, he is hired by Henrik Vanger in order to solve a cold case, the disappearance of Vanger's niece

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  27. 27.
    Moon

    Moon

    2009·Dir. Duncan Jones·97 min·7.8

    With only three weeks left in his three-year contract, Sam Bell is eager to return to Earth. Stationed alone at a Moon-based facility with his computer assistant GERTY, an unexpected accident sets off a series of unsettling events that shake his isolation.

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  28. 28.
    Prison Break: The Final Break

    Prison Break: The Final Break

    2009·Dir. Kevin Hooks·89 min·7.8

    Michael and Sara wed, but the happiness is short-lived when the Feds apprehend her for the murder of Michael's mother, Christina. Once a hit is ordered on Sara, the team reunite to break out the increasingly vulnerable target.

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  29. 29.
    The White Ribbon

    The White Ribbon

    2009·Dir. Michael Haneke·144 min·7.8

    An aged tailor recalls his life as the schoolteacher of a small village in Northern Germany that was struck by a series of strange events in the year leading up to WWI.

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  30. 30.
    Coraline

    Coraline

    2009·Dir. Henry Selick·100 min·7.8

    Wandering her rambling old house in her boring new town, 11-year-old Coraline discovers a hidden door to a strangely idealized version of her life. In order to stay in the fantasy, she must make a frighteningly real sacrifice.

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  31. 31.
    Tales from the Golden Age

    Tales from the Golden Age

    2009·Dir. Cristian Mungiu·155 min·7.8

    Composed of six unconventional vignettes, each one dealing with the late communist period in Romania, a narrative is told through its urban myths from the perspective of ordinary people. The title refers to the alluded "Golden Age" of the last 15 years of Ceaușescu's regime.

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  32. 32.
    Collapse

    Collapse

    2009·Dir. Chris Smith·82 min·7.7

    From the acclaimed director of American Movie, the documentary follows former Los Angeles police officer turned independent reporter Michael Ruppert. He recounts his career as a radical thinker and spells out his apocalyptic vision of the future, spanning the crises in economics, energy, environment and more.

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  33. 33.
    Family Guy Presents: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side

    Family Guy Presents: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side

    2009·Dir. James Purdum·54 min·7.7

    Peter makes good on another power outage at home by retelling "Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back".

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  34. 34.
    Undertow

    Undertow

    2009·Dir. Javier Fuentes-León·100 min·7.7

    A married fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within his town's rigid traditions.

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  35. 35.
    Mr. Nobody

    Mr. Nobody

    2009·Dir. Jaco Van Dormael·141 min·7.7

    Nemo Nobody leads an ordinary existence with his wife and 3 children; one day, he wakes up as a mortal centenarian in the year 2092.

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  36. 36.
    City of Life and Death

    City of Life and Death

    2009·Dir. Lu Chuan·132 min·7.7

    In 1937, during the height of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Imperial Japanese Army has just captured Nanjing, then-capital of the Republic of China. What followed was known as the Nanking Massacre, or the Rape of Nanking, a six week period wherein tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed.

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  37. 37.
    Mother

    Mother

    2009·Dir. Bong Joon Ho·129 min·7.7

    A mother lives quietly with her son. One day, a girl is brutally killed, and the boy is charged with the murder. Now, it's his mother's mission to prove him innocent.

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  38. 38.
    The Hangover

    The Hangover

    2009·Dir. Todd Phillips·100 min·7.7

    When three friends finally come to after a raucous night of bachelor-party revelry, they find a baby in the closet and a tiger in the bathroom. But they can't seem to locate their best friend, Doug – who's supposed to be tying the knot. Launching a frantic search for Doug, the trio perseveres through a nasty hangover to try to make it to the church on time.

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  39. 39.
    Ayan

    Ayan

    2009·Dir. K. V. Anand·162 min·7.7

    Deva works for Arumugam, a smuggler, who has taken care of him for many years. However, when his best friend gets killed, Deva decides to help the police to nab a dangerous drug lord.

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  40. 40.
    Magadheera

    Magadheera

    2009·Dir. S. S. Rajamouli·164 min·7.7

    A street-bike racer chances upon a woman and is struck by visions of a past life where they were both star-crossed lovers in a war-ridden kingdom 400 years ago, while the reincarnation of his romantic rival emerges with murderous intent.

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— End of Chapter —