1. Parasite
Bong Joon-ho just dropped the mic on class inequality with this one, for real. The way it flips from darkly comedic to straight-up horror? Chef's kiss. It’s not just a movie; it’s a whole conversation starter about who's really thriving and who's just trying to survive in a system that's rigged. And the visual storytelling? Iconic. We were all screaming, 'Respect the hustle, but also, what even IS the hustle?'
2. Everything Everywhere All at Once
Yo, this movie was a whole journey, literally. It took the immigrant experience, generational trauma, and ADHD-coded chaos and mashed it into a visually stunning, emotionally gut-punching masterpiece. Michelle Yeoh absolutely crushed it. It’s like, you think you’re watching a wild action flick, but then you’re crying about rocks and hot dog fingers. Seriously, who else felt seen by the everything bagel?
3. Get Out
Jordan Peele said, 'Let me just casually drop a horror movie that's also a masterclass in social commentary,' and we were all shook. The sunken place? A whole mood. It perfectly captured that insidious, subtle racism that's way more terrifying than jump scares. You walked out of the theater questioning everything and everyone, and honestly, that's the point. A true cultural reset.
4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
This wasn't just a superhero movie; it was a vibe. Miles Morales finally got his moment, and the animation style? Revolutionary. It felt like walking into a comic book, but with killer beats and characters you actually rooted for. Plus, seeing diverse Spider-People from different dimensions? Iconic. It showed us that anyone can wear the mask, and that's a message we definitely needed.
5. Nomadland
Chloé Zhao just gave us a quiet, stunning look at folks living life on their own terms, or maybe just surviving. Frances McDormand as Fern showed us the beauty and brutality of the road, and the real-life nomads? Their stories hit different. It's a raw, honest peek into a part of America we rarely see, making you think about freedom, community, and what 'home' even means.
6. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Okay, so this movie? Pure art. The chemistry between Marianne and Héloïse was just *chef's kiss*. Every shot was a painting, honestly. It explored desire, the female gaze, and unspoken connection in such a beautiful, understated way. And the ending? Had me staring at my wall for like an hour, just processing the sheer emotional weight. A true masterpiece of longing.
7. CODA
Seriously, this movie just hits you right in the feels. It's a beautiful story about a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) trying to find her voice, literally, while navigating family loyalty and her own dreams. The raw emotion, the representation of Deaf culture, and that powerful silent concert scene? Goosebumps. It reminds you about the sacrifices families make and the power of finding your own path.
8. Moonlight
Barry Jenkins gave us a masterpiece that's still living rent-free in my head. It explored identity, Black masculinity, and queer love with such poetic grace and brutal honesty. The three acts showing Chiron's journey? Unforgettable. It wasn't just a story; it was an experience that challenged perceptions and left you with a deep sense of empathy. Truly groundbreaking cinema.
9. Minari
This movie felt like a warm hug and a gentle punch to the gut all at once. It’s the immigrant story, but with so much nuance and heart. Watching the Yi family chase their version of the American Dream in rural Arkansas, with grandma Soonja stealing every scene? Iconic. It’s about resilience, finding your roots, and what it truly means to build a home.
10. Nope
Jordan Peele did it again, taking sci-fi horror and making it *say something*. This wasn't just about aliens; it was a whole commentary on spectacle, exploitation, and who gets to tell their story in Hollywood. Keke Palmer and Daniel Kaluuya were phenomenal. It was unsettling, thought-provoking, and visually epic. We were all screaming, 'What IS that thing?!' but also, 'What does it all MEAN?!'
11. Promising Young Woman
Emerald Fennell came through with a candy-coated, neon-soaked revenge fantasy that was anything but sweet. It tackled consent, trauma, and the patriarchy with a sharp, unapologetic edge. Carey Mulligan's performance was chillingly brilliant. This movie sparked so many conversations, and honestly, it left us all feeling a bit unhinged but also like, 'Yeah, we get it.' A necessary watch.
