From 'Parasite' to 'Get Out': the 37 best movies from the past 10 years

Here is The National's selection of the films that made going to the cinema a treat over the past decade

'The Social Network' (2010) David Fincher’s film tells the story of the inception of Facebook and the people behind it. Taking on deception, betrayal and billions of dollars, this is a cautionary tale about what happens when a smart, ambitious dude with a thin skin succeeds in mining, manipulating and distorting the message. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including a Best Actor nod for its star, Jesse Eisenberg. It won three. Donna Horvath, head of systems. Columbia Tristar

'Premam' (2015) In a sea of movies that depend on special effects, star power and exotic locales, Premam (Love) stands out for its simplicity. Shot extensively in Kerala, this visually stunning slice of life is the story of George (Nivin Pauly) and how he is affected by the three women he falls in love with. Not a single scene or character is out of place in writer-director Alphonse Puthren’s roller-coaster ride of a movie. And it’s complemented perfectly by Rajesh Murugesan’s beautiful soundtrack. Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor. Anwar Rasheed Entertainments

'The King’s Speech' (2010) This historical drama tells the story of King George VI who has to overcome a stammer to address the nation. It follows the king’s story as he works with a speech therapist. The film stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. It won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Samia Badih, arts editor. The Weinstein Company

'Four Lions' (2010) The story of a fringe terrorist cell that tries to impress and join Al Qaeda from their small English town might sound like the plot of an intense action drama, but with the comedic prowess of Chris Morris, we got the funniest film of the decade. 'Four Lions' shows these extremists for what they really are: absolute dimwits. They plot and scheme, but ultimately, fail to succeed in their mission to become hardened terrorists. The film is just as important as the best character studies and documentaries about fanatics. Faisal Salah, social media journalist. Film4

'Shutter Island' (2010) This noir thriller follows Leonardo DiCaprio as he plays a US Marshal investigating the disappearance of a patient at a remote psychiatric facility. Nothing is as it seems, and the tension builds right until the end, when the truth ultimately becomes clear and the fate of the lawman brutally apparent. Simon Wilgress-Pipe, homepage editor. Paramount Pictures

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2' (2011) It might not be my favourite of the Harry Potter movies, but it is certainly one of the most important, as it concludes the series. We saw Harry, Ron and Hermione go up against Voldemort for the final time; we watched, heartbroken, as some of our most beloved characters died; and Neville Longbottom gave us chills at the end. For Potter fans, this was the moment we had all been waiting for – and it was totally worth it. Katy Gillett, Weekend editor. Warner Bros

'Argo' (2012) Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, this historical drama tells the story of a CIA agent who goes undercover to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the US hostage crisis in Iran in 1979. It’s a masterful piece by Affleck and keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The film won three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing. Samia Badih, arts editor. Warners Bros

'The Hunger Games' (2012) This captivating science-fiction story is filled with so many elements of real life. The film follows Katniss Everdeen, played by Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence, as she competes in a deadly televised battle between children representing each of the 12 districts of Panem. The film was so successful that it was followed by two sequels. A prequel was recently announced and is expected to come out in 2020. Samia Badih, arts editor. Lionsgate

'The Master' (2012) With names like Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix and Paul Thomas Anderson, you know you’re in for an absolute masterclass of acting. While the story of the beginnings of a religious movement known as “The Cause” could be interpreted as a fictional take on the birth of the Church of Scientology and the rise of its leader, L Ron Hubbard, the production company denied any link to the organisation. 'The Master' is both beautiful and heartbreaking in every frame. Faisal Salah, social media journalist. The Weinstein Company

'Berberian Sound Studio' (2012) Taking place in an Italian horror film studio, this movie is weird and wonderful, and anyone watching it alone late at night will get a few solid shocks from the creepy goings on. As you may have guessed, sound is an important factor in generating the chills. Simon Wilgress-Pipe, homepage editor. Illumination Films

'Blackfish' (2013) This eye-opening documentary tells the story of Tilikum, an orca held in captivity at SeaWorld Orlando, shedding light on the life of captive killer whales. When the film came out, SeaWorld suffered huge losses. In 2016, and under immense pressure, the theme park announced it would end its orca breeding programme and remove the mammals from performances. It’s a real tearjerker, an important story and a must-see. Samia Badih, arts editor. Magnolia Pictures

'Omar' (2013) This is Hany Abu-Assad’s second Oscar-nominated film after 'Paradise Now'. It tells the story of Omar, a young Palestinian who is forced to work as an informant. The film is also a love story, starring Adam Bakri and Leem Lubany as his love interest Nadia. It’s a window into the day-to-day struggles of people living in the West Bank. Samia Badih, arts editor.

'Under the Skin' (2013) A very unusual sci-fi film that captures the grittiness of its unlikely Glaswegian setting incredibly effectively. Scarlett Johansson plays a character driving around the streets in a van who is best avoided. It's truly mesmerising and as far from a 'Star Wars' outing as it’s possible to get. Simon Wilgress-Pipe, homepage editor. StudioCanal

'The Wolf of Wall Street' (2013) Leonardo DiCaprio has put in some sterling performances across the decade, but for me, this one was the pinnacle. Based on the true story of stock-broker Jordan Belfort’s rise and fall, it takes life at the money-laden top to the absolute extreme and provides memorable scene after memorable scene. Informative, entertaining and at times sickening. Ian Oxborrow, homepage editor. Paramount Pictures

'Queen' (2013) Bollywood is still widely known for its romantic films with song and dance routines, but director Vikas Bahl’s 'Queen' stands out from the crowd with its female protagonist. Kangana Ranaut stars as Rani (queen), an unassuming, traditional girl from Delhi who is completely thrown off when her fiance calls off their wedding a few days before it's due to go ahead. She surprises her family by announcing her decision to go on her pre-booked honeymoon to Paris and Amsterdam by herself, in what turns out to be a life-changing trip. In parts funny and heartbreaking, Bahl doesn’t let any of the male characters steal his heroine’s thunder, focusing on her journey from a timid and sheltered girl, to a confident and independent woman. Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor. Aanna Films

'Birdman' (2014) A washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his career by writing, directing and starring in a Broadway production. A smart, satirical movie that becomes wonderfully meta with its lead actor, Michael Keaton. It also features a breathtaking drum-led soundtrack. Razmig Bedirian, features writer. Fox Searchlight

'Ex-Machina' (2014) A tense sci-fi that twists our fears of artificial intelligence into a tonne of subtext about the rise of female empowerment. Beautiful and disturbing. A 26-year-old programmer is selected to participate in a secret, groundbreaking experiment, in which he interacts with a robot woman. It’s a dialogue-driven psychological thriller that raises interesting questions about the nature of AI. Razmig Bedirian, features writer. Universal Pictures

'The Grand Budapest Hotel' (2014) This is a winner for all the guest appearances and quirkiness in brilliant primary colours. And, for once, a Wes Anderson film that wasn’t centred on a dysfunctional family. Donna Horvath, head of systems. Fox Searchlight

'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015) I grew up at a time when female protagonists were rare. Watching Furiosa battle her way across post-apocalyptic wasteland in a mission full of heart made my 10-year-old self jump up and down with enthusiasm. A woman rebels against the tyrannical ruler of a post-apocalyptic wasteland with the help of a group of female prisoners and a drifter named Max. Fast-paced and beautifully shot, it’s dark and gritty, with great performances by Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy. Ayesha Khan, podcast producer. Warner Bros

'The Big Short' (2015) 'Wolf of Wall Street' was over the top, but truth is more frightening than fiction. Donna Horvath, head of systems. Paramount Pictures

'Spotlight' (2015) This decade continued to be a challenge for journalism, as pathways to profitability remained few and far between, but the movie 'Spotlight' showed there’s still plenty of impact in the field. Based on the 2002 investigation into the Catholic Church by the 'Boston Globe', the pacing of the film, combined with the methodical portrayal of investigative reporting, keeps the viewer captivated. The impact of the investigation is still being felt, and the film shows us why. Cody Combs, social media journalist. Entertainment One

'Hacksaw Ridge' (2016) Whatever your views on Mel Gibson, 'Hacksaw Ridge' marked a spectacular return for the disgraced director. The true-life epic depicts the story of a pacifist medic serving during the Second World War, who became the first person to win the Medal of Honor without firing a single shot. Andrew Garfield’s leading performance won him an Oscar nod, while the film received six nominations in total. It’s brutal, raw, full of hope, and depicts the bravery and brutality of war in startling reality. Sophie Prideaux, assistant features editor. Lionsgate

'Moonlight' (2016) It’s easy to see why this film won the Best Picture Oscar. The script, visuals and acting are great. You could say this was Mahershala Ali’s big break; the moment he got the recognition he deserves. We’re looking forward to the new 'Blade' instalment. Arthur Eddyson, podcast producer. A24 films

'The Wailing' (2016) Korean cinema is underappreciated on the world stage, and despite the sheer number of incredible films emerging from South Korea in the past 20 years, you’ll struggle to find people who aren’t film aficionados talking about them. 'The Wailing' is a great example of an instant classic – it’s a film that transcends genres to present a uniquely Korean vision. Perhaps the best film to come out of the country before 'Parasite' was released this year. Faisal Salah, social media journalist. 20th Century Fox

'Manchester by the Sea' (2016) The film, which won actor Casey Affleck his first Academy Award for Best Actor, follows the story of man who has to look after his teenage nephew after the death of his brother, but the story unfolds to tell the heart-breaking story of Affleck’s character, Lee. One of the best scenes is powerfully cut to 'Adagio in G minor'. Samia Badih, arts editor. Amazon Studios

'La La Land' (2016) This musical romantic comedy was written by Damien Chazelle back in 2010, but the director couldn’t find a studio to fund the project at the time. After the success of his film 'Whiplash', he was finally able to get the financing for it. Starring the wonderful Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, this love story takes you back to the golden time of musicals, with brilliant choreography and an amazing score by Justin Hurwitz. Samia Badih, arts editor. Lionsgate

'Deadpool' (2016) In a decade crowded with comic-book heroes, 'Deadpool' cut through the field like one of Wade Wilson's katanas, or should that be Ryan Reynolds's acerbic tongue? Either way, the 2016 R-rated movie added legs to a genre that appeared to be flagging. Stephen Nelmes, chief homepage editor

'Sairat' (2016) Written and directed by Nagraj Manule, 'Sairat' (Wild) is a hard-hitting film that tackles the subject of honour killings in India. Archie (Rinku Rajguru), the daughter of a rich and powerful politician, falls in love with the poor Parshya (Akash Thosar), and while it starts out as a cute love story, it takes a dark turn as reality sets in, and the couple have to escape her family’s wrath. The director’s genius, though, comes through in the film’s climax, an unexpected twist that feels like a punch in the gut. The film, the two protagonists' first, was made on a budget of $580,000 (Dh2.1 million), and went on to become the highest-grossing Marathi film, earning $16m. Aarti Jhurani, sub-editor.

'Inception' (2010) The film is visually stunning, but it is the debatable ending that makes it such a masterpiece. The sci-fi action film by Christopher Nolan tells the story of a thief who has the ability to enter people's dreams and steal their secrets from their subconscious. The whole "dream inside a dream" is quite interesting. Also, it has a stunning score as well. Evelyn Lau, assistant features editor. Warner Bros

'Arrival' (2016) Do you like sci-fi? Do you like to cry? If so, this might be the film for you. It's a beautiful tale about the choices we make in the face of tragedy. I sat in the cinema trying to blink away tears, unsuccessfully. Ayesha Khan, podcast producer. Paramount Pictures

'Get Out' (2017) Just as 'Psycho' and 'The Exorcist' changed the game for horror films back in the day, 'Get Out' flipped the script on the genre again in 2017. Jordan Peele’s thrilling and satirical mystery about a black man who decides to visit his white girlfriend’s parents for a weekend getaway was not only utterly creepy, but it also started conversations about race and elitism, playing with the boundaries of what can be done with storytelling in horror. Katy Gillett, Weekend editor. Universal Pictures

'Coco' (2017) This is one of Disney Pixar’s most overlooked triumphs. After being encouraged to watch it by a group of Mexican journalists who were thrilled with how well it represented their culture, I gave it a go at the start of a long-haul flight. That was a mistake, as within an hour I had tears streaming down my cheeks. It’s a charming and touching tale with plenty of laughs that offers an insight into the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations. It will definitely leave your heart warmed. Sophie Prideaux, assistant features editor. Pixar

'The Big Sick' (2017) Kumail Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan star in this cute love story about what happens when two people from different cultures fall in love. Nanjiani plays a Pakistani comic who meets an American graduate played by Kazan. As their relationship blooms, he becomes worried about what his traditional Muslim parents will think. However, when she suddenly comes down with a mystery illness that leaves her in a coma, he finds himself bonding with her parents. Evelyn Lau, assistant features editor. StudioCanal

'Capernaum' (2018) This feature film from Lebanese director Nadine Labaki tells the story of Zain, a 12-year-old boy living in the slums of Beirut, who sues his parents for bringing him into this world. The movie featured standout cinematography from Christopher Aoun and music by the talented Khaled Mouzannar, also the film’s executive producer and Labaki’s husband. The film gave Labaki her first Oscar nomination, first Golden Globe nomination and her first Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival. Samia Badih, arts editor. Sony Picture Classics

'Ford vs Ferrari' (2019) Me being a fan of Ford (particularly the Mustang and F-150), it’s safe to say I was pretty thrilled and excited to see the re-enactment of Ford obliterating Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans race. The sound is amazing on this movie – I loved every crackle and burble of the Ford GT. Arthur Eddyson, podcast producer. 20th Century Fox

'Dolemite Is My Name' (2019) The film is based on the real-life story of Rudy Ray Moore, a comedy and rap pioneer who became a 1970s Blaxploitation phenomenon with his hilarious, obscene, kung-fu fighting alter ego: Dolemite. Eddie Murphy makes a great comeback alongside a star-studded cast in this funny and inspiring film. Razmig Bedirian, features writer. Netflix

'Parasite' (2019) When Na Hong-jin’s 'The Wailing' was released in 2016, it seemed Korean cinema had peaked, but director Bong Joon-Ho had a winner up his sleeve. From the director who gave us 'Memories of Murder' and 'Snowpiercer' comes a powerhouse of film-making that defines the decade, as well as somehow summing up the immeasurable quality that South Korean cinema has reached. If you haven’t seen 'Parasite' yet, the less you know about it, the better your experience will be. Faisal Salah, social media journalist. Curzon Artificial Eye

As the 2010s draw to a close, we look back at the films we enjoyed the most from the past decade.

Scroll through the gallery to see what the staff here at The National have chosen as some of their favourites.

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