Top 50 Films of 2020

Well 2020 was pretty uneventful, wasn’t it…?

With endless rescheduled film release dates and numerous titles skipping theatres altogether, 2020 might not have felt like a particularly strong year for film. However, with an impressive beginning to the year seeing many of the big awards contenders released and the subsequent months being filled with interesting and exciting streaming titles, this year has still managed to deliver many excellent films. In total this year I watched 260 of 2020’s celluloid offerings and here I’m going to whittle them down to the 50 very best.

This list is based on UK general release dates and is a combination of the films I think are the best of the year but also the ones that I enjoyed the most, so as usual be prepared for some surprises! First of all here are some honourable mentions that narrowly missed out on the list; Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Babyteeth, Matthias & Maxime, Waves, Summer of 85, Pixie, Plus One, Extraction, Summerland and Wolfwalkers.

#50. Swallow
Director: Carlo Mirabella-Davis

This is an image of a young woman. She is inside a house with one hand on the window and her head turned the opposite way. She has a concerned facial expression. She is wearing a pale blue turtleneck jumper and has has a blonde bob cut hairstyle.

Swallow starts of as a campy thriller that you’ll think you know where it’s heading but slowly develops into something much more substantial. Lead by a brilliant performance from Haley Bennett, the film is effortlessly watchable thanks to her portrayal of newly married housewife Hunter. The supporting cast are impressive as well and all help to make this story of a housewife who begins to swallow inedible objects wholly convincing and ultimately, rather affecting.

#49. Underwater
Director: William Eubank

This is an image of a young woman with very short blonde hair. She is standing in the door frame of a bathroom. She is wearing thin rimmed black circular glasses and is looking up with a blank expression on her face.

Early in the year Kristen Stewart took us below sea level in sci-fi action horror Underwater. From director William Eubank the film delivered watery chills by skilfully combining several basic fears: water, small spaces and the dark. Whilst it won’t become a sci-fi classic, Eubank’s film still delivers adequate thrills and spectacle within its relatively short running time. With a lead actress as watchable as Stewart too it’s hard not to appreciate the efforts of this creepy ocean floor thriller.

#48. Bloodshot
Director: David S. F. Wilson

This is an image of a middle aged, well built bald man. He is standing in front of a car and is covered in some kind of white dust or powder. He has a scowl on his face.

Whilst I’ve no doubt that this comic book movie won’t make it on to many end of year lists, well not best of one’s anyway, it was a film that I thoroughly enjoyed. Vin Diesel has countless action outings under his belt already so Bloodshot hardly reinvents the wheel of this genre; however it does deliver solid blockbuster entertainment. The concept, cast and action all combine together in a really entertaining way that proved to be the perfect switch-off escape from the events of this year. There is also a sequel in the works so it must have done something right!

#47. The Prom
Director: Ryan Murphy

This is an image of 4 people gathered around a table, they are all standing up with their hands resting on the surface of the table. Starting from the left side of the table there is a blonde haired man wearing a sparkly blue jacket. Next to him there is a blonde haired woman wearing a sparkly green dress. Next to her is another man, he has brown hair and is wearing a smart red jacket and a black bow tie. Finally beside him there is a woman with red/ginger hair wearing a purple sparkly dress. All the people are looking at the first man with excited expressions.

Ryan Murphy had a very busy 2020, so just the same as any other year then! He rounded off his efforts this year with an all singing, all dancing musical extravaganza in the form of The Prom. With an all star cast of A-listers including Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman, Murphy delivers a camp celebration of queerness as the film focuses on two lesbian students who plan to attend their high school prom together. It’s far from perfect and won’t be to everyone’s taste but with a certain “zazz” to it for the right audience The Prom is a sparkle soaked spectacle that hits enough of the right notes to make it worthwhile.

#46. Da 5 Bloods
Director: Spike Lee

This is an image of 5 men walking through some kind of grasslands. They are walking in a single file fashion and are all wearing big rucksacks and hats. There are large amounts of trees in the background and the sun looks to be setting.

Spike Lee lit up Netflix back in June with his latest cinematic joint, Da 5 Bloods. His film follows four Vietnam War veterans as they return to the country in search of their squad leader – who was killed in action – and a stash of gold that they discovered while serving. The film has an excellent cast with particularly memorable performances from Chadwick Boseman and Delroy Lindo. The film depicts the trauma and effects that this war had on these men and explores the injustices they faced from the military. It’s another strong entry into Lee’s already legendary filmography.

#45. Tigertail
Director: Alan Yang

This is an image of a young boy running through a field. He is wearing a white vest and a dark coloured pair of shorts. He is carrying a bucket and faced away from camera.

In Alan Yang’s debut feature film, Tigertail he charts the immigrant experience in America through the story of Pin-Jui, a Taiwanese factory worker played by Tzi Ma. This film tells his story across several countries and generations and is a strong debut from Yang. Available to watch on Netflix this was one of the many foreign films that the streaming platform was able to share with their users in 2020. Although it’s not the strongest world cinema had to offer this year it’s still worth a watch as it provides vital insight into the experiences of many immigrant individuals and families across the globe.

#44. Rocks
Director: Sarah Gavron

This is an image of 5 school girls. They are standing in a line beside each other. The girl in the middle of the line is holding a phone and it looks like they are all discussing whatever they are looking at on the phone screen. The girls are all in school uniform. Two of the girls are wearing head scarfs.

Directed by Sarah Gavron, Rocks was one of the very best British films to be released in 2020. Enjoying a short cinema run before the film appeared on Netflix it was able to reach a wide audience in this strangest of years. Its young cast lead by Bukky Bakray do tremendously well in telling its coming of age story whilst also contributing some excellent representation. It’s a serious film that reminds us of the harsh reality for many children and teenagers growing up in the UK today, but it also makes sure to give both its characters and audiences some much needed joy.

#43. Les Misérables
Director: Ladj Ly

This an image of 4 men, they are all police officers wearing differing variations of uniform. One man has his arm around another man, these two officers and one other are all looking at a 4th officer who is wearing a bulletproof vest.

No not that one, there’s no sign of Anne Hathaway here. Instead this is French director Ladj Ly’s full length feature debut. Set in the aftermath of the 2018 FIFA World Cup the film depicts police violence in the commune of Montfermeil. Ly proves that he is skilled at recreating political and social tensions on screen as he consistently showcases what life is really like for the poorer residents of this commune. As gripping as it is politically in tune with the subjects it deals with Les Misérables is a notably strong debut for the director.

#42. Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula
Director: Yeon Sang-ho

This is an image of a male zombie, it is running towards the camera with its mouth wide open. There are other zombies in the background as well as some people watching from behind a metal fence. There are splashes of water coming up to the waist level of the male zombie suggesting that there is a shallow amount of water on the ground.

The sequel to the hugely popular South-Korean zombie flick Train to Busan unfortunately isn’t as impressive as its predecessor, however there is still loads of fun to be had with this follow up. Admittedly hampered by the overuse of poorer quality CGI the film still manages to create exciting action sequences and delivers solid emotional beats too. There are some fun ideas featured as well and this sequel proves that this zombie universe has plenty of potential for expansion in future instalments. It’s nothing extraordinary but sometimes a fun zombie movie is exactly what you need.

#41. Education
Director: Steve McQueen

This is an image of a classroom with two pupils in focus. There are three pupils at the back of the classroom at different desks not in focus. The pupils at the front of the classroom are both looking up. One is a small boy wearing glasses and next to him is a girl with brown hair and she is holding a book.

The concluding chapter of Steve McQueen’s film anthology series Small Axe, Education proved to be a fitting finish to one of the best examples of storytelling all year. Ending as strong as the series began Education provides an eye-opening look into the education system and how it’s rigged against Black students and their families. It’s a shocking reminder of the racism experienced by Black families in the UK and young star Kenyah Sandy delivers one of the best performances of the entire anthology.

#40. Finding the Way Back
Director: Gavin O’Connor

This is an image of 2 men and 2 boys, they are on the sidelines of a basketball court. The man in the middle is wearing a shirt and tie and everyone else is looking at him, he looks like he is telling the boys what to do with a stern expression on his face.

From the director who brought us knockout sports drama Warrior comes another entry into that same genre with Finding the Way Back, or simply The Way Back outside of the UK. Ben Affleck stars as a down and out alcoholic who is recruited to coach his old high school basketball team. The film is less about basketball and more about Affleck’s character and his personal life. However, the basketball sequences are made entertaining – even to those with no knowledge of the sport – and thanks to Affleck’s tremendous leading performance this sports drama is an emotional slam dunk.

#39. The Boys in the Band
Director: Joe Mantello

This is an image of 5 men at a party. 2 of the men are on a sofa and looking over the back of it. Another man is on different sofa looking over the side of it in the same direction as the first two men. The final two men are standing up in the door frame leading to a balcony.

Adapted from the 1968 Mart Crowley play of the same name, The Boys in the Band also serves as a remake to the 1970 film version. The film boasts excellent representation for the queer community with the entire main cast being portrayed by openly gay actors. It’s hard to miss its stage origin with the limited locations however the captivating performances of its cast coupled with the juxtaposition of queer joy and sadness make for a compelling watch.

#38. On the Rocks
Director: Sofia Coppola

This is an image of a middle aged woman and an older man in the front two seats of a convertible red car. The man is in the drivers seat, he's wearing a hat and a scarf. Both of them are looking through the windscreen and they appear to be driving through a city.

Sofia Coppola returned with her latest film On the Rocks, an original production for Apple TV+. Her new film enjoyed a limited theatrical release before becoming available on streaming and it quickly proved to be a divisive effort from the famous director. Its presence on this list tells you which side of the debate I was on. Her film is an effortless watch, with its concept building delightfully as the film progresses. Complimented brilliantly by one of Bill Murray’s best performances in years, On the Rocks is a really pleasing film that amply amuses its audiences.

#37. Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach

This is an image of a middle aged woman, she is standing against a wall and is looking over her left shoulder with a blank expression. She has blonde hair with a fringe coming over her left eye and she is wearing a hoop earing.

Bombshell, the true story of female employees at Fox News exposing CEO Roger Ailes of sexual harassment saw a trio of fantastic performances, two of which went on to be Oscar nominated. Yes, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman made this drama so watchable. It’s not a drama free from flaws but their performances and certain elements to the story make it a thoroughly engaging and entertaining movie. Special mention needs to be given to the excellent make up work featured as well.

#36. Saint Frances
Director: Alex Thompson

This is an image of two women and a small child. They are sitting with their backs to the camera and they are watching a firework display.

Everyone was talking about Saint Maud this year but not enough were talking about Saint Frances! This comedy drama gives attention to so many worthy subjects in its narrative. It explores themes of abortion, parenting, relationships and childcare, and all so naturally. The real star here is Kelly O’Sullivan as she weaves these important and often under explored issues so effortlessly through her writing, which also features some excellent LGBTQ+ representation. Saint Frances is an emotional and heart warming film that’s well worth seeking out, good thing it’s now available to stream on Netflix.

#35. The Personal History of David Copperfield
Director: Armando Iannucci

This is an image of a young man in a period setting. He is dressed very smartly in a shirt, jacket and waistcoat he is also holing a top hat in his hands. He has long wavy black hair and is looking into the distance with a pleased expression on his face. He is standing in the street in front of a grand looking house. There are other smartly dressed people in the street and two horses.

Based on the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield, director Armando Iannucci adapts the source material for his film version The Personal History of David Copperfield. Starring Dev Patel in the leading and titular role, Iannucci breathes new life into this literary classic. His leading man, alongside the rest of his impressive supporting cast, help to tell the story of Copperfield’s life in an episodic but incredibly entertaining fashion.

#34. Possessor
Director: Brandon Cronenberg

This is an image of a middle aged man. He is wearing some kind of technological goggles that completely cover his eyes. He has a blank expression on his face.

Brandon Cronenberg was back in November with his sophomore effort, the sci-fi horror Possessor. The blend of interesting ideas and shocking body horror make this film a must see for fans of either genre and thanks to the clever storytelling there’s a layered narrative to enjoy. The cast of the film are impressive too, several of which like the narrative have to give more complex and layered performances. Andrea Riseborough and Christopher Abbott stand out amongst a collection of talented supporting cast members too.

#33. Misbehaviour
Director: Philippa Lowthorpe

This is an image of a middle aged woman sitting on a sofa. Her clothes and the decor of the room she is in suggest that this is a period film. She is holding a book open as if she is reading it but she is looking over the top of the pages.

Starring Keira Knightly, Jessie Buckley and Gugu Mbatha-Raw amongst an absolutely stacked cast, Phillippa Lowthorpe’s Misbehaviour tells the true story of the Women’s Liberation Movement’s protest of the 1970 Miss World Competition. Shedding light on the different sides of this debate wonderfully Lowthorpe really hones in on the specific hardships, injustices and ambitions of a range of different female perspectives here and she does so in fabulous fashion.

#32. Totally Under Control
Directors: Alex Gibney, Ophelia Harutyunyan and Suzanne Hillinger

This is a cartoon image of President Donald Trump standing on the edge of a striped box that resembles the American flag. Trump is holding a face mask in his hand and is surrounded by corona-virus spores.

Whilst some may feel like it’s too soon to delve into the recent history of COVID-19, documentarians Alex Gibney, Ophelia Harutyunyan and Suzanne Hillinger thought otherwise. Their film, Totally Under Control is an incredibly detailed look at the response of the US, and specifically of the Trump administration to the global pandemic. With thorough research and insight from numerous relevant healthcare professionals and government officials, this is a reliable and necessary documentary that holds Trump accountable for the many failings of his administration in relation to the virus. It’s an often harrowing watch but one that it would be naïve to ignore.

#31. Dating Amber
Director: David Freyne

This is an image of a teenage boy and a teenage girl sitting on the edge of a bed in a bedroom with posters on the wall behind them. The boy is in a stripy polo shirt and the girl is wearing a large puffy dress. The boy is looking at the girl but the girl is looking past he boy.

Set in rural 90s Ireland, Dating Amber is a queer coming of age drama comedy starring Lola Petticrew as the titular Amber and Fionn O’Shea as Eddie. The pair of gay teenagers decides to fake a relationship with each other in order to avoid any homophobic attention from their classmates and families. Growing up gay is tough and Dating Amber showcases this so well, but also has a lot of fun along the way too. This is never at the expense of the characters struggles though and as a result Freyne finds a good balance and contributes a great queer film in a year where the genre excelled.

#30. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Director: George C. Wolfe

This is an image of a middle aged woman singing into a microphone in a recording studio, she has one hand on her hip and the other raised in the air. There are four men behind her playing various musical instruments including the piano, double bass and the trumpet.

Adapted from the August Wilson play of the same name and produced by Denzel Washington, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was released onto Netflix in the final days of 2020. Boasting two superb performances from Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis, both of which deserve serious awards attention, the film will have you hanging on their every word. It makes its transition from stage to screen successfully, not feeling held back by its lack of locations. Its concise running time compliments its narrative and performances, your 2020 viewing isn’t complete until you’ve seen it.

#29. Mogul Mowgli
Director: Bassam Tariq

This is an image of a young man performing on stage. He is holding a microphone and wearing a sleeveless white hoody. There is a spotlight on him and in the background you can see the crowd of spectators.

Riz Ahmed writes and stars in Bassam Tariq’s Mogul Mowgli, telling the story of Zed, a British-Pakistani rapper on the cusp of a huge tour. However, after returning home to see his family he suddenly becomes ill and his career grinds to a halt. This is a brilliant film about one man rediscovering his cultural identity and his family heritage. It showcases what it means to be British through one specific lens and how this has developed over the years, with both character and actor taking this important journey.

#28. Hope Gap
Director: William Nicholson

This is an image of an older woman and a young man on a peeble beachThe woman has her arms folded and is looking at the younger man. The man is looking past her and towards the sea. They are both wearing light jackets and the weather is somewhat gloomy.

After nearly twenty-nice years of marriage cracks are beginning to show for Grace and Edward. After a visit from their son Jamie, things finally come to a head. William Nicholson’s adaptation of his own 1999 play is a focused family drama that comes to life in such engaging fashion thanks to its three main performances. Annette Bening, Bill Nighy and Josh O’Connor portray a family unit being pulled apart and trying to salvage what they can, all excelling in their roles. Furthermore, the coastal setting along with the poetry infused into its screenplay allows the film to adopt an especially thoughtful quality making Hope Gap a rather accomplished drama.

#27. 7500
Director: Patrick Vollrath

This is a close up image of a young man's face. He is wearing a pilot's uniform and black glasses. He is on the phone and has a very concerned look on his face. His eyes are watery as if he has been crying and there is blood stains on the cuff of his shirt.

In his feature length directorial debut Patrick Vollrath took audiences to the skies in his action thriller 7500. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt as an airline pilot who finds himself taken hostage mid-flight, the film takes place almost entirely in the cockpit of a plane. Vollrath is able to create so much tension and suspense in this claustrophobic thriller which is only enhanced further by the excellent performance of its leading man. At a succinct running time of only ninety minutes too, 7500 is extremely effective and a very impressive debut for Vollrath.

26. Enola Holmes
Director: Harry Bradbeer

This is an image of a young girl standing with her hands on her hips in front of a train. She is wearing a blue dress and has very long hair, she does not look impressed.

We’ve seen plenty of incarnations of famous detective Sherlock Holmes over recent years, but now it’s time for his sister to take centre stage: enter Enola Holmes. Played by Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown, this rip-roaring Netflix adventure is an absolute delight. Also starring Henry Cavil as Sherlock and Sam Claflin as Mycroft it’s an excellent way to expand this universe without simply churning out another Sherlock film. From the English countryside to the streets of London, Enola Holmes keeps things exciting at every turn and offers a fun mystery for all the family.

#25. Let Him Go
Director: Thomas Bezucha

This is an image of an older couple sitting at a table at an american diner. They are both looking at someone at the other side of the table but they aren't in the image. The man is wearing a pattered shirt and the woman is wearing a light coloured blouse. There are plates of food in front of them both but they are untouched.

Despite the casting of Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as an older couple this isn’t the Man of Steel prequel that at quick glance it could appear to be. Instead Let Him Go eases viewers in with its dramatic focus shaping up to be a slow moving and brooding kind of affair. However, don’t be fooled by this initial set up as the film quickly develops into a tense and powerful thriller, delivering one of the best cinematic surprises of the year. Lane and Costner are both on great form too, although it’s a scene-stealing turn from Lesley Manville which really elevates this adaptation to something special.

#24. The Trial of the Chicago 7
Director: Aaron Sorkin

This is an image of 4 young men sitting on some outdoor steps. There are two men in the foreground and two in the background. They are looking into the distance whilst the two in the back are reading a newspaper and smoking.

Aaron Sorkin’s sophomore feature as director enjoyed a short theatrical run before hitting the streams on Netflix. The Trial of the Chicago 7 tells the true story of a group of seven anti-Vietnam War protestors who were charged with inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention. Sorkin’s excellent writing is highlighted wonderfully in the many courtroom sequences that the film is made up of and the all-star cast, including Mark Rylance and Joseph Gordon-Levitt make it a thoroughly entertaining and enlightening watch.

#23. A Secret Love
Director: Chris Bolan

This is an image of two elderly women kissing. They are sitting at a table with a cake on it that says "congratulations Terry and Pat" There are various different photographs in frames resting against the wall behind them.

Directed by Chris Bolan and produced by Ryan Murphy, A Secret Love was only one in a long list of excellent Netflix documentaries that was released this year. This particular film tells the story of lifelong partners Terry and Pat and how they had to hide their romance for years. It’s a touching story of enduring love and I challenge anyone to get through this without shedding some tears.

#22. Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood

This is an image of a large man at a public event. He has his arms stretched out in order to stop a crowd of people from passing a certain point. He is wearing a security unifrm and has sevearl lanyards around his neck. Staging can be seen in the background of the image beyond the crowds that he is stopping from passing.

Clint Eastwood’s directorial efforts have been hit or miss in recent years however his 2020 offering, Richard Jewell was firmly the former. Featuring good performances from leading actor Paul Walter Hauser, and his on screen mother Kathy Bates, he tells the true story of the titular security guard who discovers a bomb at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. It a fascinating story that develops into a serious investigation, however the best thing about the film is seeing supporting actor Sam Rockwell, in a welcome change of pace from recent roles, actually playing a nice guy again and looking like he was having a lot of fun too.

#21. Get Duked!
Director: Ninian Doff

This is an image of 4 young men, they are standing in lin in front of a school bus on very muddy terrain. They are all covered in mud and look very battered

As feature debuts go Ninian Doff’s Get Duked! is one of the year’s most fun. Four lads are left in the Scottish Highlands to fend for themselves and hopefully achieve their Duke of Edinburgh award. However, this isn’t your usual expedition as the group quickly realise they aren’t alone and that there’s much more at stake than an award. Think Attack the Block meets The Inbetweeners and you wouldn’t be far off. With larger than life performances and a silly but incredibly fun concept Get Duked! is an absolute riot.

#20. Wonder Woman 1984
Director: Patty Jenkins

This is an image of Wonder Woman running towards something off screen. She is wearing her comic book costume armour coloured red blue and gold. Government buildings can be seen in the background as well as military and police forces

Okay, you can put your eyebrows down now, I liked it – sue me! One of the few blockbusters to actually make it to cinemas post-lockdown was superhero sequel Wonder Woman 1984. Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot returned in spectacular fashion delivering a high energy, fast paced cinematic event and one that rounded off the year brilliantly. The film has a confidence about it thanks to the excellent performances of the cast – new and returning – as well as the accomplished action sequences and score. Between this and Birds of Prey the ladies of DC did not come to play this year.

#19. Onward
Director: Dan Scanlon

This is a cartoon image of two elf brothers. One brother is much bigger than the other and he has his arm around his much smaller brother. The bigger elf is wearing a denim jacket with various pins and badges and the smaller brother has a checked red shirt on. The smaller bother looks confused whilst the bigger brother looks happy.

Twenty-five years after their very first film (Toy Story) Pixar Animation Studios are still delivering top quality storytelling. This year we were treated to two films from the leading animation studio, the first of which was Onward. The film is a fantasy tale of two elf brothers on a quest to be reunited with their late father. With excellent voice performances from well known stars Chris Pratt and Tom Holland, as well as Pixar’s trademark comedy and heart, Onward is a welcome original addition to the studio’s impressive collection.

#18. The Broken Hearts Gallery
Director: Natalie Krinsky

This is an image of two people sitting on a picnic table on the top of a building. There is a girl sitting facing out to the view and she has her back to the man who is sitting on the other side of the table looking at her. A bridge can be seen from the view.

Maybe the biggest surprise of the year was Natalie Krinsky’s directorial debut, The Broken Hearts Gallery. Starring Geraldine Viswanathan and Dacre Montgomery the film looked like the latest in a long line of forgettable cookie cutter rom-coms, however the end result couldn’t have been further from this assumption. Instead The Broken Hearts Gallery boasts genuine laughs, heartfelt emotion and an unmistakable feeling of freshness that is much needed in the genre. The talent in front and behind the camera seriously impress and I can’t wait to see what they all do next.

#17. Circus of Books
Director: Rachel Mason

This is an image of an elderly couple. There is a woman wearing a red t shirt and a man wearing a checked shirt. They are standing side by side and both have glasses on and are smiling.

Who would have thought that one of the most wholesome films of the year would be a documentary about a gay pornography shop in West Hollywood? Well if you still aren’t convinced it’s time to check out Rachel Mason’s Netflix documentary, Circus of Books. The film focuses on Mason’s parents who owned and ran the shop Circus of Books, its establishment and its importance to queer culture over the years. The film also looks into how the shop affected the Mason children, giving the film the chance to explore the family drama that evolved as did the shop. It’s a funny, insightful and emotional film and one of Netflix’s very best this year.

#16. Birds of Prey
Director: Cathy Yan

This is an image of five women walking in a group, they are holding various weapons such as baseball bats, knuckledusters and metal bars. They are inside some kind of wooden building with a large oval shaped window behind them.

So what would happen if DC’s Suicide Squad had actually been good? Well Cathy Yan’s sophomore feature goes a long way in helping us imagine that. Taking Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and putting her front and centre, amongst a whole collection of other female comic book characters, Yan provides audiences with a fierce female lead superhero flick. With a focused narrative, excellent action sequences, energetic soundtrack and its strong cast, Birds of Prey gave Harley Quinn the film that she and audiences deserved.

#15. Uncle Frank
Director: Alan Ball

This is an image of a middle aged man lying on a bed reading a book. His bed is against a large amount of windows looking out onto green trees and grass. There is a blanket at the end of the bed with a pattern made up of daisies.

Alan Ball, who previously wrote the screenplay for American Beauty, was back again, this time directing as well as writing with road trip movie Uncle Frank. Receiving a quiet online release late in the year this drama may well have slipped through the cracks of 2020. However those who did manage to seek it out will have been treated to a thoroughly engaging family drama. Starring Paul Bettany and Sophia Lillis amongst a well known supporting cast the film starts somewhat aimlessly however it develops into an emotionally intense watch leading up to a stirring finale.

#14. Welcome to Chechnya
Director: David France

This is an image of two men sitting on a plane beside each other. Facial replacement technology has been used to obscure the identities of the men. One man has his hand over his face.

Welcome to Chechnya was one of the year’s most vital releases. This documentary highlights the dangers of violence and imprisonment for LGBTQ+ people living in this republic of Russia. Documentaries like this are essential for educating viewers across the world about the injustices this community face on a daily basis. The film uses facial replacement techniques to protect the identity of those featured which also serves as an integral part of the storytelling process. The stories told deserve to be heard by as wide an audience as possible and thanks to France’s film we can hopefully help to improve the quality of life for those affected. Find out more about the film and how you can help here.

#13. The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie

This is an image of 3 men gathered around a table looking like they are having a meeting. Two men are on one side facing the camera and the third man is facing the other two with his back to the camera. They are all well dressed and in a well furnished room. There are framed pictures of various animals on the walls behind the two men.

Rewind right back to the very beginning of 2020 and one of the very first films to grace our screens was Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen. It proved to be a really strong opening for the cinematic year and twelve months on it has lived up to the rest of 2020’s releases. It’s a fun and frantic film with countless scene-stealing turns from the likes of Hugh Grant, Colin Farrell and Henry Golding. The result is an energetic and entertaining throwback to the gangster flicks that Ritchie originally became famous for at the start of his career.

#12. Scream Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street
Directors: Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen

This is a black and white image of a man sitting in a hotel room in a chair. There is a coffee table to his side . He is wearing a t shirt that say "big gay horror fan". He has a thoughtful expression on his face as if he's just been asked a question.

Mark Patton is one of horror’s most memorable scream queens, but at first some would have said for the wrong reasons. At the time his performance as Jesse in A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge attracted much criticism and ultimately ended his Hollywood acting career. This documentary takes a detailed look at the production, release and now cult status that the film has achieved. With insight from Patton, as well as the majority of the cast and crew Scream Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street offers a fascinating exploration into the gay subtext of the film and how it’s affected Patton and audiences over the years.

#11. End of the Century
Director: Lucio Castro

This is an image of a man lying on a beach. He has red swimming shorts on and is wearing a green cap and sunglasses. He is holding a book but he is looking at another man who is just entering the sea at the shore of the beach a short distance away from him. The rest of the beach is empty.

Although travel was restricted for many of us this year, film was still able to take us further afield and Lucio Castro’s End of the Century did just that. Transporting audiences to the streets and beaches of Barcelona this film tells the story of Ocho and Javi. This stunning setting was the backdrop for a story of love, lust and longing and was brought to life so vividly thanks to the performances of its leading actors and a story that spans days, but also decades. The result proved to be another highlight of 2020 queer world cinema.

#10. Mangrove
Director: Steve McQueen

This is an image of a young woman, she is standing on some kind of platform that can't be seen and has her fist in the air. In her other hand she has a megaphone ans is speaking in to it. Another fist in the air can be seen in the foreground out of focus and there are trees in the background.

The first in Steve McQueen’s anthology series Small Axe, Mangrove educated us about the injustices and discrimination to Black individuals and business. In this instance it specifically focused on the owners and customers of the Mangrove restaurant on Notting Hill and the brutality inflicted on them from the police. The entire cast of this film are excellent with particularly noteworthy performances from Letitia Wright and Shaun Parkes, but honestly everyone is superb here. One half protest film and one half courtroom drama, McQueen ensures that each half is as strong as the other and as a result Mangrove demands to be seen and heard.

#9. Dark Waters
Director: Todd Haynes

This is an image of a man in a business suit and coat walking through a frosty field on a farm. There is another man in the background resting against a truck watching him walk away. Tractors and farm equipment can be seen in the background and there are large trees to the side of the field with a think layer of snow on them.

Carol director Todd Haynes brought us a thrilling legal drama early in the year with Dark Waters. Starring Mark Ruffalo as American environmental attorney Robert Bilott, the film tells the story of his case against chemical manufacturing corporation DuPont after their unregulated chemicals contaminated a town. Whilst this synopsis doesn’t really scream “must-see” the film does an excellent job of making a potentially dull and specialist subject extremely engaging and accessible. This is much due to Ruffalo’s enduring performance and the well written screenplay. In short: it sounds boring, but I promise it’s actually really interesting.

#8. Monsoon
Director: Hong Khaou

This is an image of two men sitting at a dinner table in a restaurant. They are facing each other and have empty plates and glasses in front of them. Their table looks out on to a body of water with trees in the distance.

In Hong Khaou’s sophomore film Henry Golding stars as Kit, a young man who returns to his birthplace in Vietnam in order to spread the ashes of his parents. This is a strong, yet often silent second film from the director. Golding delivers a subtly impressive lead performance, further demonstrating his range as an actor. Similarly to his performance, Monsoon is a wonderfully understated piece of filmmaking that may have been missed by some, but it’s wholly worth seeking out and serves as another fine addition to an excellent year for queer cinema.

#7. Disclosure
Director: Sam Feder

This is an image of a woman sitting on a chair in a studio. The background is completely white and in the foreground several cameras pointed at her can be seen. She is smiling and looking off slightly to the side and her arms are resting on top of each other on her lap.

Without a doubt the most important film of the year and the one that I would urge everyone to watch above any other is Sam Feder’s Disclosure. Released onto Netflix in June this documentary made by transgender people takes time to highlight the lack of quality representation they have experienced in film and TV over the years. Featuring insight, experience and opinions from actual transgender people this documentary is authentic, educational and essential viewing for everyone. Seriously, please go and watch it.

#6. Bad Education
Director: Cory Finley

This is an image of a well dressed man and woman sitting on the bleachers, they are in the front row and are looking directly into the camera. They are both wearing suits and the bleachers are completely empty behind them.

Bad Education became available for UK audiences to stream towards the end of the first lockdown and it was a title really worth waiting for. Director Cory Finley, alongside writer Mike Makowsky retell the true story of the embezzlement scandal that happened within the Roslyn Union Free School District that was exposed in 2004. Hugh Jackman and Allison Janney star as district superintendent and vice superintendent at the centre of the scandal and their performances coupled with the excellent screenplay ensure that Bad Education unfolds in truly shocking fashion, easily catapulting it to be one of the years very best.

#5. And Then We Danced
Director: Levan Akin

This is an image of a young man in a dance studio. He is wearing all black and is resting in a split on the floor. He has his elbows on the floor in front of his and is leaning over, he's looking off to the side.

The last film I saw before cinemas closed in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic was Levan Akin’s And Then We Danced, and if this was to be the last film I ever saw in the cinema I could have done a lot worse. The film tells the coming of age story of Merab, a young dancer training at the National Georgian Ensemble. It’s a heartbreaking romance that combines a story of young, forbidden love with an explosion of Georgian culture, creating an irresistible cinematic dance impossible not to enjoy. It also features one of the year’s absolute best needle drops thanks to its exquisite use of Robyn’s track Honey.

#4. The Invisible Man
Director: Leigh Whannell

This is an image of a young woman. She is in a night dress and is standing in front of a mirror but she is looking over her shoulder. She looks like something has just caught her attention.

Leigh Whannell is one of the best professionals working in the horror genre today and his re-imagining of a classic cinematic monster in The Invisible Man is proof of just why. This film is genuinely terrifying and features some of the most shocking twists and turns cinemas saw all year. Its scares were clever and executed to their full potential. Lead actress Elisabeth Moss sells the concept of this film so well and has no problem convincing audiences of her ability or the quality of the film. If it wasn’t for the three truly outstanding films that come next in this list The Invisible Man could quite comfortably be the very best film of 2020.

#3. 1917
Director: Sam Mendes

This is an image of a young male solider. He is standing in the middle of teh trenches whilst his fellow soliders are climbing over them. There are several explosions going off in the background.

1917, the latest film from director Sam Mendes, was one of the first films released this year and it was without a doubt one of the best. This WWI epic is a filmmaking marvel, delivering some of the finest action to grace the screen all year. With truly nowhere to hide, due to the camera literally following their every move, Dean Charles-Chapman and George McKay are excellent in the film’s leading roles. However, this film isn’t just a success from a technical point of view but from an emotional one too, providing audiences with an abundance of moving moments and touching sequences that makes this war drama a truly all encompassing cinematic experience.

#2. Parasite
Director: Bong Joon-ho

This is an image of a young man and a young woman. They are both crouching down beside each other and are looking at their phones. The man is resting his arm on a toilet and to the other side of the woman various bathroom storage can be seen.

Winner of four Oscars, including Best Picture, Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a film that no best of the year list would be complete without. Released all the way back in February this film has easily stood up to the rest of this year’s releases, confidentially proving itself as one of 2020’s very best. Its excellent, and yet sadly snubbed, cast of performers star as a working class family who become employed by a wealthy family. What follows is an enthralling mixture of black comedy, social commentary and thrilling drama. If you haven’t seen Parasite there is a void in your 2020 film viewing that desperately needs filled.

#1. Calm with Horses
Director: Nick Rowland

This is an image of two young men. One is standing infront of the other who is sitting on top of a car which can't be seen in the image. The man sitting on the car has a cross necklace which is in his mouth. Trains can be seen in the background of the image.

Released the same weekend that cinemas were closed for the first time during the pandemic, Nick Rowland’s Calm with Horses is one of the best feature length debuts in years. This Irish gangster flick features three excellent performances from young stars Cosmo Jarvis, Niamh Algar and Barry Keoghan. The bleak story of a man caught between his family and a life of a crime is told excellently thanks to Joseph Murtagh’s adapted screenplay, the stunning cinematography and one of the year’s most captivating scores. All these elements come together to create a future Irish classic and 2020’s very best cinematic experience.

Written by Hamish Calvert

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Happy New Year and here’s to another twelve months of movies!

Top 50 Films of 2020

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Top 50 Films of 2020

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