'We are divine' | My Favorite Movies of the 2010s

Those of you who've been following along at home know I've watched hundreds of movies over the past 10 years, so this list is truly an Undertaking. But I recently did a Twitter challenge where I had to pick my favorite movie of each of the years of the past decade, so to make things easier for myself, I used that as a jumping-off point for this list of 15-in-10.

Favorite Films of the Decade

Easy A (2010)

I bought Easy A on a whim at the checkout when I was a senior in high school and have proceeded to watch it countless times since. This movie has it all: 1) a relatable protagonist with a love for John Hughes movies and 2) quirky best friends, that's also 3) a loose adaptation of a literary "classic" with 4) pathos mixed into the comedy and 5) "a really awesome musical number, for no apparent reason." Plus, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson are national treasures, in this and everything else.

The Social Network (2010)

A movie about the creation of Facebook has no right to be this interesting. David Fincher is one of my favorite directors and the fact that this movie somehow plays out like a thriller despite having no murder – unless you count the sick burns and killer score – is fascinating and exciting each time I watch it. Fun fact: I actually decided to rent this movie from Hastings (RIP) after seeing the trailer on the Easy A DVD.

Scream 4 (2011)

The first Scream movie is one of my favorites of all time, but the rest of the series would be largely forgettable if it wasn't for Scream 4. Scream 2 is a passable sequel to the original and Scream 3 is a hot mess, but Scream 4 is incredible. Released 11 years after Scream 3, it's a combination sequel-reboot that pays tribute to the rest of the series, tells its own story and ends with a great payoff. I'm impressed by it every time I rewatch.

Super 8 (2011)

I love a movie that focuses on a ragtag group of misfit kids, especially if there's some bonus genre fun. Super 8 is a very good alien movie that's also, more importantly, about growing up, first love and cool zombie makeup. It's like a more enjoyable E.T. with a good soundtrack – I think of it every time I hear "Don't Bring Me Down" by ELO. Plus, Coach Taylor!

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

If you thought Scream 4 was the only meta horror-comedy that would make it on this list, you've never read this blog before. The Cabin in the Woods is basically a movie within a movie within another movie, but it's never confusing and it's so entertaining. It rewards horror fans at every turn, while also being very much its own thing. And the one-liners are out of control. It's so good, I even wrote about for class. RTF, I miss you.

Stuck in Love (2012)

The first time I watched Stuck in Love, I cried three times and spent a half-hour laying on the ground after it was over. Admittedly, some of the subject matter hits really close to home, so it's probably not as emotional an experience for others – but it's a good movie with good characters that will make you feel things (perhaps All The Things, if you're like me).

Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

Back in 2014, I wrote about how much I loved Wreck-It Ralph and I still love it just as much today. Disney hasn't really been in the original story business this decade (LOL yikes), especially not recently, but Wreck-It Ralph is original and beautiful. Animation takes a long time and it's hard work and in this film, you can tell both of those things. It's clear the people who made this movie loved it and the games it references. That's more poignant than ever in this year of...CGI lions.

The Way Way Back (2013)

This movie is so lovely. It's sweet and tough, funny and sad and the performances – especially Steve Carrell and Sam Rockwell, both playing against type – are fantastic. It's always been a movie I felt deserved more attention. It also features international treasures Toni Collette and Allison Janney, so truly, what more could you want?

It Follows (2014)

I've said many times to anyone who has mistakenly spoken to me about horror movies that Halloween is the best horror movie of all time because it's scary in a completely different way than almost any other. It's not about the murder – it's about the anticipation. It Follows is the only movie I've seen that I feel earns a direct comparison to Halloween. It's a slow, anxiety-inducing marvel with an original story, great cinematography and an eerie out-of-time element.

Spotlight (2015)

I love a movie that makes me righteously angry and movies about journalism usually do that. I've wanted to be a journalist for most of my life and I think real journalism is one of the most important forces in the world. Spotlight is a movie that brings that home, about a group of hardworking reporters who don't pull any punches against one of the most powerful institutions in history: the Catholic church. I was so riled up the first time I watched it, I spent about an hour pacing around my dad's house.

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

The first Cloverfield is fine. It had brilliant marketing, but it also made me motion sick – it's fine. But 10 Cloverfield Lane is great. It's a wild ride, with twist after twist that's somehow both extremely anxiety-inducing and very fun to watch. Even after seeing it several times, I still love getting to each reveal. And John Goodman is fantastic.

Wonder Woman (2017)

I was already weary of superhero movies in 2017, but man, Wonder Woman is so cool. She's smart, fierce and kind. Watching this movie in the theater was an affirming experience – especially during the now-iconic No Man's Land scene. And bonus: Chris Pine as Steve Trevor couldn't be more perfect. Only seven more months 'til 1984!

Get Out (2017)

There's nothing I can say about Get Out that hasn't already been said. Jordan Peele is a thriller visionary and this movie does so many things so well – but perhaps nothing more than balancing heart-stopping tension and laugh-out-loud comedy. Every second you catch a break is just a setup and it's fantastic.

The Florida Project (2017)

I only just saw The Florida Project this summer, and it's incredible. Foreboding and familiar, it somehow had me feeling so many of the sensations the characters felt – the humidity, the panicky feeling in your chest when you cry really hard. It's hard to explain, but that's what makes it so magical. And Brooklynn Prince gives a better performance than most adults.

Booksmart (2019)

It was a bit of a toss-up between this one and Hustlers, but in the end, Booksmart wins. For one, I love the movement we've seen over the past few years where Hollywood is taking teen girls' stories more seriously. For another, Billie Lourd gives one of the best comedic performances I've ever seen. And the music cues! It's so good. A rare movie that makes me want to rewind to the beginning as soon as it's over.

Honorable mention: I, Tonya (2017), Annihilation (2018), Hustlers (2019).

If all these words about movies weren't enough, you can also read about my favorite albums of the decade.