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Edition · 2010
The Year in Film · 2010

Best of 2010

The films that defined 2010 — ranked by IMDb score.


These films defined 2010 — 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.
    Inception

    Inception

    2010·Dir. Christopher Nolan·148 min·8.8

    Cobb, a skilled thief who commits corporate espionage by infiltrating the subconscious of his targets is offered a chance to regain his old life as payment for a task considered to be impossible: "inception", the implantation of another person's idea into a target's subconscious.

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  2. 02.
    Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol

    Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol

    2010·Dir. Toby Haynes·62 min·8.5

    Amy Pond and Rory Williams are trapped on a crashing space liner, and the only way the Eleventh Doctor can rescue them is to save the soul of a lonely old miser. But is Kazran Sardick, the richest man in Sardicktown, beyond redemption? And what is lurking in the fogs of Christmas Eve?

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  3. 03.
    Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

    Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

    2010·Dir. Andrew Kasch·240 min·8.5

    For decades, Freddy Krueger has slashed his way through the dreams of countless youngsters, scaring up over half a billion dollars at the box office across eight terrifying, spectacular films.

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  4. 04.
    Senna

    Senna

    2010·Dir. Asif Kapadia·106 min·8.4

    The remarkable story of Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna, charting his physical and spiritual achievements on the track and off, his quest for perfection, and the mythical status he has since attained, is the subject of Senna, a documentary feature that spans the racing legend's years as an F1 driver, from his opening season in 1984 to his untimely death a decade later.

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  5. 05.
    Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage

    Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage

    2010·Dir. Sam Dunn·107 min·8.4

    An in-depth look at the Canadian rock band Rush, chronicling the band's musical evolution from their progressive rock sound of the '70s to their current heavy rock style.

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  6. 06.
    Bill Burr: Let It Go

    Bill Burr: Let It Go

    2010·Dir. Shannon Hartman·65 min·8.3

    It’s always been a dream of mine to do a show at the Fillmore. The name itself is synonymous with legendary performances. Countless iconic musicians and comedians have been on that stage. To be a part of that history was something I’ll never forget. As much as I was trying to keep my head together before the show, I couldn’t help but feel like a tourist or just some random dude who won a contest. LET IT GO represents the culmination of material I developed on the road from 2008-2009. As always thanks to everyone who came out to my shows, laughed at the funny stuff and stared during the bombing. I hope you enjoy it. – Bill Burr

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  7. 07.
    Louis C.K.: Hilarious

    Louis C.K.: Hilarious

    2010·Dir. Louis C.K.·84 min·8.3

    In this unique and dynamic live concert experience, Louis C.K.'s exploration of life after 40 destroys politically correct images of modern life with thoughts we have all had...but would rarely admit to.

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  8. 08.
    Incendies

    Incendies

    2010·Dir. Denis Villeneuve·131 min·8.3

    A mother's last wishes send twins Jeanne and Simon on a journey to Middle East in search of their tangled roots. Adapted from Wajdi Mouawad's acclaimed play, Incendies tells the powerful and moving tale of two young adults' voyage to the core of deep-rooted hatred, never-ending wars and enduring love.

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  9. 09.
    Toy Story 3

    Toy Story 3

    2010·Dir. Lee Unkrich·102 min·8.3

    Woody, Buzz, and the rest of Andy's toys haven't been played with in years. With Andy about to go to college, the gang find themselves accidentally left at a nefarious day care center. The toys must band together to escape and return home to Andy.

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  10. 10.
    Inside Job

    Inside Job

    2010·Dir. Charles Ferguson·109 min·8.2

    A film that exposes the shocking truth behind the economic crisis of 2008. The global financial meltdown, at a cost of over $20 trillion, resulted in millions of people losing their homes and jobs. Through extensive research and interviews with major financial insiders, politicians and journalists, Inside Job traces the rise of a rogue industry and unveils the corrosive relationships which have corrupted politics, regulation and academia.

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  11. 11.
    Pranchiyettan & The Saint

    Pranchiyettan & The Saint

    2010·Dir. Ranjith·147 min·8.2

    While Pranchiyettan, a devotee of St. Francis of Assissi, attains the best of riches, he is unsatisfied with his reputation and sets off to popularise himself as a celebrity in society.

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  12. 12.
    Shutter Island

    Shutter Island

    2010·Dir. Martin Scorsese·138 min·8.2

    World War II soldier-turned-U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels investigates the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane, but his efforts are compromised by troubling visions and a mysterious doctor.

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  13. 13.
    Temple Grandin

    Temple Grandin

    2010·Dir. Mick Jackson·108 min·8.2

    A biopic of Temple Grandin, an autistic American who has become one of the leading scientists in humane livestock handling.

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  14. 14.
    Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa

    Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa

    2010·Dir. Gautham Vasudev Menon·157 min·8.1

    A young, aspiring filmmaker falls in love with a girl who moves into the house above his, but her sophisticated nature does more harm than good to him.

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  15. 15.
    Udaan

    Udaan

    2010·Dir. Vikramaditya Motwane·138 min·8.1

    Upon returning to his industrial hometown, a young man must decide whether to follow his own dreams or acquiesce to his father's plans for his future.

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  16. 16.
    How to Train Your Dragon

    How to Train Your Dragon

    2010·Dir. Chris Sanders·98 min·8.1

    As the son of a Viking leader on the cusp of manhood, shy Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III faces a rite of passage: he must kill a dragon to prove his warrior mettle. But after downing a feared dragon, he realizes that he no longer wants to destroy it, and instead befriends the beast – which he names Toothless – much to the chagrin of his warrior father.

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  17. 17.
    Vedam

    Vedam

    2010·Dir. Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi·141 min·8.1

    Five people from varied strata of society – a slum dweller who works as a cable operator, a runaway prostitute, a desperate woman drowning in debt, a rising musician, and a grief-stricken Muslim man – end up together in the same hospital, at a time when it is attacked by terrorists.

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  18. 18.
    Montevideo, God Bless You!

    Montevideo, God Bless You!

    2010·Dir. Dragan Bjelogrlić·140 min·8.1

    A story about one team that decides to follow a dream that takes them on a journey to the First World Football Championship in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1930. A dream that allows them to become true stars and living legends.

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  19. 19.
    Aayirathil Oruvan

    Aayirathil Oruvan

    2010·Dir. Selvaraghavan·181 min·8.1

    An expedition sets out to uncover the long-lost traces of the Chola dynasty, venturing into uncharted lands filled with ancient traps, hostile forces, and forgotten secrets. What begins as a search for history soon becomes a perilous struggle for survival, where myths and reality collide and the fate of an entire legacy hangs in the balance.

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  20. 20.
    Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III

    Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III

    2010·Dir. Chris McKay·45 min·8.0

    Millions of years from now, after Socrates, Shakespeare and the bible are long forgotten, only two great works will remain: the sci-fi cinema epic Star Wars and Adult Swim's stop-motion animated, cheap gag extravanganza Robot Chicken. And now, for the first time, they come together for the third time, in this all new special. That's right, all your mot beloved Star Wars characters are going back through the comedy meat grinder.

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  21. 21.
    Day & Night

    Day & Night

    2010·Dir. Teddy Newton·6 min·8.0

    When Day, a sunny fellow, encounters Night, a stranger of distinctly darker moods, sparks fly! Day and Night are frightened and suspicious of each other at first, and quickly get off on the wrong foot. But as they discover each other's unique qualities--and come to realize that each of them offers a different window onto the same world-the friendship helps both to gain a new perspective.

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  22. 22.
    Batman: Under the Red Hood

    Batman: Under the Red Hood

    2010·Dir. Brandon Vietti·75 min·8.0

    One part vigilante, one part criminal kingpin, Red Hood begins cleaning up Gotham with the efficiency of Batman, but without following the same ethical code.

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  23. 23.
    The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

    The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

    2010·Dir. Yasuhiro Takemoto·162 min·8.0

    A week before Christmas, Kyon wakes up in a world where the SOS Brigade doesn't exist. Mikuru and Yuki don't recognize him, and Haruhi and Itsuki seem to have vanished.

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  24. 24.
    Black Swan

    Black Swan

    2010·Dir. Darren Aronofsky·108 min·8.0

    A committed dancer struggles to maintain her sanity after winning the lead role in a production of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake".

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  25. 25.
    Leader

    Leader

    2010·Dir. Sekhar Kammula·172 min·8.0

    Upon the death of his father, Arjun Prasad campaigns to become the CM of Andhra. He hopes to eradicate corruption from Indian Politics.

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  26. 26.
    Elite Squad: The Enemy Within

    Elite Squad: The Enemy Within

    2010·Dir. José Padilha·115 min·8.0

    After a bloody invasion of the BOPE in the High-Security Penitentiary Bangu 1 in Rio de Janeiro to control a rebellion of interns, the Lieutenant-Colonel Roberto Nascimento and the second in command Captain André Matias are accused by the Human Right Aids member Diogo Fraga of execution of prisoners. Matias is transferred to the corrupted Military Police and Nascimento is exonerated from the BOPE by the Governor.

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  27. 27.
    Bittersweet

    Bittersweet

    2010·Dir. Khaled Marei·131 min·8.0

    An Egyptian-American returns to his homeland after twenty years abroad, filled with nostalgia and high hopes. But as he reconnects with his roots, he finds himself caught between two worlds—and begins to experience the reality of a country he thought he knew.

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  28. 28.
    The King's Speech

    The King's Speech

    2010·Dir. Tom Hooper·118 min·8.0

    The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.

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  29. 29.
    Exit Through the Gift Shop

    Exit Through the Gift Shop

    2010·Dir. Banksy·86 min·7.9

    Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post-hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner.

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  30. 30.
    My Name Is Khan

    My Name Is Khan

    2010·Dir. Karan Johar·165 min·7.9

    Rizwan Khan, a Muslim from the Borivali section of Mumbai, has Asperger's syndrome. He marries a Hindu single mother, Mandira, in San Francisco. After 9/11, Rizwan is detained by authorities at LAX who treat him as a terrorist because of his condition and his race.

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  31. 31.
    Ask Your Heart

    Ask Your Heart

    2010·Dir. Yusuf Kurçenli·115 min·7.9

    A love affair threatened by a barrier as great as itself... Can differences of faith stand in the way of an innocent love affair? Two young people, Esma and Mustafa, fall in love. For them, the future only has meaning if they are together. Failing this, life is meaningless. However, overhanging their love is a barrier unique to the period and location: Mustafa is a clandestine Christian, when everyone including Esma thinks he is Muslim. In the meantime, the Ottoman Empire introduces a series of reforms giving Christians the same rights as Muslims. From this point on, the Church urges secret Christians to reveal their faith. This poses a dilemma for Mustafa: he is caught between his love and the Church.

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  32. 32.
    I Am Kalam

    I Am Kalam

    2010·Dir. Nila Madhab Panda·89 min·7.9

    The film celebrates the survival of the human spirit against overwhelming odds and highlights the need for underprivileged children's education. Its a film based on former indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and is aimed at inspiring the poor to educate their children. Written by DaGambit Chhotu's peasant village is ruined by drought, so his ma drops the boy with uncle Bhati, who runs a tea stand at the city outskirts. Clever Chottu, who calls himself Kalam after the self-made Indian president, soon outsmarts uncle's adult assistant and makes friends with the loneliest boy in the palace, now a hotel, a prince his age.

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  33. 33.
    Lemmy

    Lemmy

    2010·Dir. Greg Olliver·116 min·7.8

    Over four decades, Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has registered an immeasurable impact on music history. Nearly 65, he remains the living embodiment of the rock and roll lifestyle, and this feature-length documentary tells his story, one of a hard-living rock icon who continues to enjoy the life of a man half his age.

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  34. 34.
    I Saw the Devil

    I Saw the Devil

    2010·Dir. Kim Jee-woon·144 min·7.8

    Kyung-chul is a dangerous psychopath who kills for pleasure. Soo-hyeon, a top-secret agent, decides to track down the murderer himself. He promises himself that he will do everything in his power to take vengeance against the killer, even if it means that he must become a monster himself.

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  35. 35.
    The Social Network

    The Social Network

    2010·Dir. David Fincher·121 min·7.8

    In 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer programmer Mark Zuckerberg begins work on a new concept that eventually turns into the global social network known as Facebook. Six years later, Mark is one of the youngest billionaires ever, but his unprecedented success leads to both personal and legal complications when he ends up on the receiving end of two lawsuits, one involving his former friend.

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  36. 36.
    Poetry

    Poetry

    2010·Dir. Lee Chang-dong·139 min·7.8

    A South Korean woman in her sixties enrolls in a poetry class as she grapples with her faltering memory and her grandson's appalling wrongdoing.

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  37. 37.
    Waste Land

    Waste Land

    2010·Dir. Lucy Walker·90 min·7.8

    An uplifting feature documentary highlighting the transformative power of art and the beauty of the human spirit. Top-selling contemporary artist Vik Muniz takes us on an emotional journey from Jardim Gramacho, the world's largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, to the heights of international art stardom. Vik collaborates with the brilliant catadores, pickers of recyclable materials, true Shakespearean characters who live and work in the garbage quoting Machiavelli and showing us how to recycle ourselves.

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  38. 38.
    Who Killed Captain Alex?

    Who Killed Captain Alex?

    2010·Dir. Nabwana IGG·68 min·7.8

    Recognized as Uganda’s first action film, Who Killed Captain Alex? is about the aftermath of a police raid in Kampala in which a police captain is killed.

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  39. 39.
    The Fighter

    The Fighter

    2010·Dir. David O. Russell·116 min·7.8

    Boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky, a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime.

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  40. 40.
    American: The Bill Hicks Story

    American: The Bill Hicks Story

    2010·Dir. Matt Harlock·102 min·7.7

    American: The Bill Hicks Story is a biographical documentary film on the life of comedian Bill Hicks.

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