The worldwide pandemic humanity experienced starting in 2019 was horrific and impacted so many, leaving emotional and physical scars that many are still trying to recover from. While it was less important than the personal lives of those who lost so much, the Hollywood film industry was also impacted. Movies were released during the pandemic, but most were significantly affected. However, this doesn’t mean that good movies didn’t come out. In fact, some great movies were rather underappreciated because of it.
Whether it be from a massively talented director like Christopher Nolan, the newest entertaining Marvel flick, or a smaller-budget project, great movies still came out throughout 2020, 2021, and 2022. Some absolutely phenomenal films were released during the pandemic and deserve to be recognized; a few could even be considered some of the best movies of the last ten years. This list will rank the best pandemic releases based on their overall quality and how big a splash they made during one of the toughest years in modern history.
10
‘Tenet’ (2020)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
There’s no question that Christopher Nolan is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of the modern age. Whether it be because of his original films like Interstellar and Inception or his DC films with The Dark Knight trilogy, people truly look forward to whatever he has in store, to the point where his name is enough to attract large crowds to the theater, regardless of who’s starring in the movie.
In 2020, his latest project, Tenet, was released. While it wasn’t as good as his other projects, and some even consider it his weakest effort to date, Tenet was still positively received by both critics and fans alike. Much like 2010’s Inception, the science behind the concept was a tad too hard for casual moviegoers to understand. However, Tenet deserves praise for being so daring and attempting to do something unique with its premise.
Tenet
- Release Date
-
September 3, 2020
- Runtime
-
150 minutes
9
‘No Time to Die’ (2021)
Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga
Daniel Craig‘s James Bond is a fan favorite among the many actors who have played the agent over the years. So, when it came time to wrap up his tenure as the character, people flocked to the theaters (as much as they could during the pandemic) to see No Time to Die. Although far from the best Bond movie, the flick was action-packed and entertaining, a good send-off for Craig’sv.
No Time to Die did a great job at wrapping up the ongoing plot threads from previous movies and Craig’s Bond’s character arc. The ending did something unique for the character and went in a way that had never really been done in the franchise before. The actor also came in with a great performance, meshing well with Oscar-winner Rami Malek, who played the film’s villain.
No Time to Die
- Release Date
-
October 8, 2021
- Cast
-
Daniel Craig
, Rami Malek
, Lea Seydoux
, Ralph Fiennes
, Lashana Lynch
, Jeffrey Wright
, Billy Magnussen
, Dali Benssalah
, Naomie Harris
, Rory Kinnear
, Ben Whishaw
, Ana De Armas
, David Dencik - Runtime
-
163 Minutes
8
‘Nomadland’ (2020)
Directed by Chloé Zhao
Thanks to Chloé Zhao, the decade of the 2020s kicked off on a high note. Nomadland is pretty dang good as it is, but even with its incredible quality, Frances McDormand lifts it on her shoulders and carries it all the way through. The screenplay offers an excellent commentary on the modern-day economy and the effects it has on the citizens living under it.
These two women came together to make one giant powerhouse of a movie that shakes the ground beneath the cinematic landscape. Due to its more introspective and quiet approach, Nomadland did not get as much attention from audiences as it deserved, but the industry embraced it and crowned it the Best Picture of 2020. Nomadland is something truly special that truly delivers an incredible message to viewers everywhere. It’s a minimalist film that executes its heartfelt and emotional story perfectly.
- Release Date
-
February 19, 2021
- Cast
-
Bob Wells
, Swankie
, Frances McDormand
, Linda May
, Derek Endres
, David Straitham - Runtime
-
107 minutes
7
‘A Quiet Place Part II’ (2021)
Directed by John Krasinski
After the massive success that was the first A Quiet Place movie, it was bound to get a sequel and the follow-up film hit screens during the pandemic in 2021. A Quiet Place Part II suffered from a lot of delays due to its original release date being at the height of the pandemic. When it finally came to screens on May 28th, 2021, it became one of Paramount’s many films to have a same-day streaming release.
Much like the first entry in the franchise, A Quiet Place Part II received wide praise. Actor-turned-director John Krasinski showed that his directing skills are not to be trifled with. The film was a borderline perfect continuation of the first A Quiet Place and did everything needed to make it so much more than just a sequel. Bigger, bolder, and scarier, A Quiet Place Part II is definitely one of the best horror flicks of the last 5 years.
A Quiet Place Part II
- Release Date
-
May 21, 2021
- Cast
-
John Krasinski
, Emily Blunt
, Millicent Simmonds
, Noah Jupe
, Cillian Murphy
, Djimon Hounsou
, Okieriete Onaodowan
, Scoot McNairy
, Zachary Golinger
, Blake DeLong
, Silas Pereira-Olson
, Alice Sophie Malyukova
, Ashley Dyke
, Barbara Singer
, David Lundy
, Wayne Duvall
, Lauren-Ashley Cristiano
, Robert A. Coldicott
, Sheri Fairchild
, Kyle Licht
, Scott Matheny
, Gary Sundown
, Bill Smith - Runtime
-
96 minutes
6
‘West Side Story’ (2021)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
West Side Story is one of the most famous musicals ever. When the talented Steven Spielberg announced he’d make it for the modern era, people were pretty excited but also understandably hesitant. The casting of the extremely gifted and skilled Rachel Zegler as Maria improved the film’s chances, ultimately resulting in one of the best movie musicals of the 21st century.
Funny enough, even despite its reputation as a story, the 2021 remake of West Side Story was criminally underseen. It was beautifully shot, vibrant, and full of old-school charm, while the choreography and musical performances were top-notch. Undoubtedly, West Side Story is one of the best modern-day musicals ever made, and the fact that it wasn’t seen as much as it should have been is a major disservice to the quality of the project.
- Release Date
-
December 10, 2021
- Cast
-
Mike Iveson
, Ansel Elgort
, Ariana DeBose
, Yassmin Alers
, Iris Menas
, Rachel Zegler
, Annelise Cepero
, Corey Stoll
, Josh Andrés
, Josh Andrés Rivera
, Rita Moreno
, Jamila Velazquez
, Brian D’Arcy James
, David Alvarez
, Rory Curtiss Cook
, Jamie Harris - Runtime
-
156 minutes
- Writers
-
Tony Kushner
5
‘Drive My Car’ (2021)
Directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
Cinephiles know all too well that when it comes to amazing films, some of the best come from overseas. Drive My Car is a Japanese dramatic film that may have a slower pace than most, but worth the wait every time. Ryûsuke Hamaguchi utilizes long shots that hold their frame, allowing audiences to sit with the content before them, helping the experience feel more effective and genuine.
Projects like this, which let viewers live in the world with the characters, make people connect with them even more than they could in another filmmaking style. This approach to storytelling makes the narrative stakes so much more impactful and authentic. Drive My Car is 100% worth stepping over the language barrier for English audiences.
- Release Date
-
November 24, 2021
- Cast
-
Toko Miura
, Park Yurim
, Hidetoshi Nishijima
, Reika Kirishima
, Masaki Okada
, Jin Daeyeon - Runtime
-
179 minutes
- Writers
-
Takamasa Oe
, Ryusuke Hamaguchi
4
‘The Power of the Dog’ (2021)
Directed by Jane Campion
Before the era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and superhero films in general, Westerns used to dominate the film landscape. While they don’t come around as often anymore, The Power of the Dog is proof that it hasn’t been overdone, and filmmakers can return to the Western era and make some amazing content.
Starring the ever-talented Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, and a revelatory Kodi Smit-McPhee, the cast and crew help bring audiences back to this era and keep it feeling unique. Jane Campion does a stellar job exploring themes of gender, sexuality, masculinity, desire, and repression. Addressing such delicate issues in such an old, “manly” type of genre was a perfect way to bring a story like this to life, crafting a modern revisionist Western that demystifies and recontextualizes the idea of the cowboy and the American West.
The Power of the Dog
- Release Date
-
November 17, 2021
- Runtime
-
126 minutes
3
‘Minari’ (2020)
Directed by Lee Isaac Chung
The world loves Steven Yeun, and it shows. He can go from a show like Invincible to a film like Minari like it’s nothing. His profoundly moving and electric performance in the latter does wonders not only for showing off his range but for making the movie ten times better. The script is a powerful look at family and legacy, further powered by an impressive cast, including an Oscar-winning Youn Yuh-Jung.
The screenplay isn’t the only charming thing about Minari, because director Lee Isaac Chung and cinematographer Lachlan Milne know how to film gorgeous imagery. The photography of the movie makes it such a joy to watch. It also finds a way to elevate the plot tenfold. Not only is it one of the best films of the pandemic, but one of the best in the 2020s as a whole. It’s a wonderful dissection of immigration and the complexities behind it.
- Release Date
-
December 11, 2020
- Runtime
-
115 minutes
2
‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ (2021)
Directed by Shaka King
If there was an astoundingly moving and important film that was released during the pandemic, it was Judas and the Black Messiah. Brought to audiences by Shaka King and a stellar cast that includes an Oscar-winning Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield, the movie is more than just a “good flick.” The plot was truly impactful and sent an incredible message.
Judas and the Black Messiah won people over not only with its story and performances but also through its technical achievements. The cinematography by Oscar-nominee Sean Bobbitt is beautiful and the overall direction by Shaka King brings this project together in a way that no other movie did during this era. Judas and the Black Messiah is a brilliant depiction of timely themes enhanced by a trio of powerful performances that rank among the best of the 2020s.
- Release Date
-
February 12, 2021
- Cast
-
Algee Smith
, LaKeith Stanfield
, Lil Rel Howery
, Dominique Thorne
, Jesse Plemons
, Jermaine Fowler
, Ashton Sanders
, Dominique Fishback
, Terayle Hill
, Martin Sheen
, Daniel Kaluuya - Runtime
-
126minutes
- Writers
-
Shaka King
, Will Berson
1
‘Dune’ (2021)
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Dune is known as one of the original and foundational sci-fi stories. Frank Herbert wrote the iconic novel in 1963 and set so many tropes and precedents that have come to be synonymous with the genre. In fact, many can see the overt influence of Herbert’s work in some of the greatest sci-fi works in modern cinema, most notably George Lucas with Star Wars.
When the film hit theaters, it was huge, pandemic be damned. Despite a day-and-date release on Max, people still went to see this gigantic movie on an equally gigantic screen. It grossed $407.7 million worldwide, which was super impressive for pandemic times. It had a titanic cast and visuals that were stunning in service of an emotionally resonant story that did justice to the notoriously daunting novel. It also managed to win six Oscars, although Denis Villeneuve‘s snub for best director remains controversial.
- Release Date
-
October 22, 2021
- Cast
-
Dave Bautista
, Rebecca Ferguson
, Sharon Duncan-Brewster
, Jason Momoa
, David Dastmalchian
, Stephen McKinley Henderson
, Stellan Skarsgård
, Charlotte Rampling
, Chang Chen
, Oscar Isaac
, Zendaya
, Javier Bardem
, Timothée Chalamet
, Josh Brolin - Runtime
-
155 minutes
- Writers
-
Frank Herbert
, Eric Roth
, Denis Villeneuve
, Jon Spaihts
