We all know 2020 has been a rough year, and we don’t even have to talk about it. Other than quarantining, I have spent most of this year catching up on films and television series that I had not watched. In no particular order, I present to you all the films I watched in 2020.
Comedy
Banana Split
It’s about a girl who breaks up with her boyfriend, ends up meeting his new girlfriend, and they become best friends. I liked this movie because I haven’t seen anything like this.
Palm Springs
Ugh, this movie was so good! I laughed and cried. This one of my favorite new movies of this year.
Life After Beth
A pretty decent zombie film.
Vampire in Brooklyn
I loved this movie. I can’t believe I haven’t watched this movie before.
Vampires vs. The Bronx
Another Netflix original that was decent and reminded me of Stranger Things.
The Bling Ring
How did I not know this true life story was based off of Alexis Nyer’s show?
Tremors: Shrieker Island
I am a fan of this cult series, and no matter how many sequels they do, they always have an interesting twist.
Honorable Mentions:
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
The Mask
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
Blood Diner
American Pie: Girls’ Rules
Wreck-It Ralph
The Clique
Booksmart
Drama
The Florida Project
This film tangoes between kids’ perspectives and adults’ perspectives showcasing how stress, poverty, and different environments impact all ages. This film made me laugh — kids say the silliest things — and it also made me cry. You could see the pain and emotions each character has been holding in throughout their years.
Country Strong
So basically, this was a draft for A Star is Born with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. I like Leighton Meester in this movie; she has a great voice. I enjoyed the film and their rendition of Faith Hill’s “Give In To Me.”
365 Days
So, this movie is basically like 50 Shades of Gray with heightened Stockholm syndrome, assault, and predatory harassment. The soundtrack is the bomb and the yacht scene is…an experience. The twist ending makes this movie as good as it can get.
Hamilton
Shoutout to Disney for adding this onto their streaming platform during the pandemic.
The Pursuit of Happyness
I know, I’m late on watching this movie but better late than never.
Tangerine
This was cinematically beautiful while also discussing the realities of trans people in America.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
I felt out of the pop-cultural loop since I have not seen this film.
Fighting with My Family
Loved Florence Pugh in this, as she did a good job as Paige.
Mid90s
A good, vibey film about growing up.
Honorable Mentions:
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Just Mercy
The Social Network
Million Dollar Baby
Let The Right One In
Da 5 Bloods
Soul
American Honey
Drugstore Cowboy
Hillbilly Elegy
Horror
The Crow
I am absolutely in love with this film. Overall, the ’90s goth aesthetic, and the story were beautiful. The tragic story of what happened on set breaks my heart, especially since this film was going to be Brandon Lee’s break out film.
The Thing (1982)
I went into this film excited to watch it, not knowing much about it other than the film being a classic. Going in blind was probably the best decision. The characters go through trust issues and confusion as they try to figure out what they brought into their research station. It was a little bit of a slow burn, but I thought the ending was perfect for the film.
Gretel & Hansel
I was here for the soundtrack and how beautiful the scenes were cinematically, but the storyline was too much of a slow burn to enjoy.
Train to Busan
A great foreign zombie film!
Cabin Fever (OG)
This movie was so good, so ’90s, and way better than the remake (that I accidentally saw before the original).
John Carpenter’s Halloween
The original Halloween is the best out of the bunch!
Honorable Mention:
Cabin Fever (Remake)
We Summon the Darkness
The Green Inferno
Cabin in the Woods
The Grudge (2019)
Seed of Chucky
Child’s Play 2
#Alive
The Babysitter: Killer Queen
Bad Hair
My Bloody Valentine
A Clockwork Orange
I Still Know What You Did This Summer
Deadcon
American Mary
Nurse
Thriller
The Circle
This movie was made in 2017 but was a good watch in 2020. It talks about how technology can cross boundaries online and offline.
Knives Out
This is one of my favorite films that I have watched this year! It is like Clue but better. I was hooked within the first five minutes of the film. Also: Chris Evans in his cable knit sweater. That is all.
Uncut Gems
First thing I want to say is how anxious this film made me. It does a good job of showcasing an emotional feeling of anxiety and how it physically affects some people. Also, seeing Adam Sandler in this kind of role was refreshing–more of that please!
Await Further Instructions
I liked this movie; I found it to be better than expected. It’s about an invasive species that interacts with a family one evening.
Super Dark Times
I really liked this movie and it to be one of my top movies watched this year. I was hooked in the first half.
Thriller
A good movie about PTSD and revenge brought on by a traumatic experience during a group of kid’s childhoods.
Honorable Mentions:
Dangerous Lies
Platform
Swallow
Coherence
The Tragedy Girls
New Year, New You
Creep
Run
Pretty Little Stranger
Documentary
Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics
I watched this film because there is a lot of new research on how psychedelics can help the brain interpret certain experiences. This film does a good job of including good trips, bad trips, and the research behind both.
Athlete A
This film makes it known that you need to believe survivors of horrendous acts of violence before it is too late.
20 Feet from Stardom
Documentary on what its like to be a backup singer today by telling the tale of how the first backup singers were created.
Everybody’s Everything
Lil peep documentary about his music and struggles with addiction. This movie opened my eyes to a type of artistry that I wouldn’t normally dabble in. “walk away as the door slams” is a bop.
Rating:
13th
A great documentary about prison, the war on drugs, and how both of these elements impact Black lives.
This is Paris
I love a good celebrity documentary that shows a softer side of them.
Honorable Mentions:
The Social Dilemma
Alt-Right
Action
V for Vendetta
I wanted to watch this movie because I’ve seen the mask and movie poster around but have not seen the movie. After viewing, I’ve kind of considered it to be not-so-legendary as I thought it would be.
Project Power
I liked the idea of this movie, but the execution failed the potential of the plot.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse
I slept on this movie for far too long!
Honorable Mentions:
The Assignment
Sucker Punch
Extraction
Pathology
Peppermint
According to my Letterboxd, the number of films watched in 2020 is 104!