Top 10 Movies of 2020-2021

Dave’s Movie Database: Top 10 Movies of 2020-2021 These are the top 10 movies of 2020-2021 based on their overall status in Dave’s Movie Database. The years have been combined because covid ravaged the industry in 2020, leaving very little in the way of film output.

#1. Spider-Man: No Way Home This was Tom Holland’s third outing as Spider-Man. Zendaya also returns as MJ and Benedict Cumberbatch appears as Doctor Strange. The movie also featured Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire, who’d played Spider-Man in previous films, as alternate versions of the title character. Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina also reprise their roles as villains Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus. IMDB.com: “With Spider-Man's identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear.” 2021 box office champ.

#2. Nomadland IMDB.com: Frances McDormand, “a woman in her sixties, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.” 2020 winner of the British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) for Best Picture, Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film, Golden Globe – Best Drama, Producers Guild of America – Best Picture. 6 Oscar nominations including win for Best Picture. See DMDB page.

#3. The Power of the Dog IMDB.com: “Charismatic rancher Phil Burbank inspires fear and awe in those around him. When his brother brings home a new wife and her son, Phil torments them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love.” Directed by Jane Campion and starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Kirsten Dunst. 2021 winner of the British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) for Best Picture, Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film, Golden Globe – Best Drama. 12 Oscar nominations, including Best PIcture. See DMDB page.

#4. Dune Timothée Chalamet stars in part one of director Denis Villenueve’s two-part epic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi novel Dune. The film also starred Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, and Dave Bautista. 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. See DMDB page.

#5. Coda IMDB.com: “When the family’s fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her musical passion and her fear of abandoning her deaf parents.” Winner of Producers Guild of America – Best Picture, Screen Actors Guild – Outstanding Cast, Writers Guild of America – Best Adapted Screenplay. 3 Oscar wins, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. See DMDB page.

#6. West Side Story Director Steven Spielberg remade the classic 1961 film based on the hugely successful 1957 stage musical. While seemingly an idea doomed to fail, the movie was a success commercially and critically. Golden Globe – Best Comedy/Musical. 7 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

#7. No Time to Die This was the 25th film in the James Bond franchise and the fifth and final one to feature Daniel Craig in the starring role. IMDB.com: “James Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.” 3 Oscar nominations.

#8. Drive My Car (Doraibu mai kâ) IMDB.com: “A renowned stage actor and director learns to cope with a big personal loss when he receives an offer to direct a production of Uncle Vanya in Hiroshima.” 4 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Won the Oscar for Best International Film.

#9. Licorice Pizza Paul Thomas Anderson directed Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman play young adults “growing up, running around and going through the treacherous navigation of first love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973” (IMDB.com). The cast also included Sean Penn, Bradley Cooper, and Tom Waits. National Board of Review – Best Film. 3 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.

#10. The Battle at Lake Changjin (Chang jin hu) IMDB.com: “In the fierce battlefield in the midst of the harsh weather conditions, Wu Qian Li and Wu Wan Li, two brothers soldier including the brave Chinese soldiers must fight together and find a way to cope with the invasion of US forces.” With a $200 million budget, the war epic was the most expensive film ever produced in China.

Other Links: Dave’s Movie Database: Eras Dave’s Movie Database: Movies of the Year Dave’s Movie Database: Awards Page Originally posted 3/1/2025; last updated 3/5/2025.

Dune (part one) released

Dune Released: September 3, 2021 Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Genre: sci-fi Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: 108.90 Worldwide: 410.67 Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: -- Worldwide: --

Directing: Denis Villenueve Screenwriting: Denis Villenueve, Jon Spaihts, Eric Roth Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista Review: Frank Herbert’s 1965 epic sci-fi novel Dune was first adapted to the screen in “a fatally flawed 1984 version” GN from director David Lynch. It was adapted into a television mini-series in 2000. After Legendary Pictures acquired the rights to Dune in 2016, Denis Villenueve (Arrival, Blade Runner 2049) signed on to direct. The story focuses on the House Atreides, led by the Duke (Isaac), and their move to the desert planet of Arrakis which is the sole source of the universe’s valuable spice. The House Harkonnen, led by the Baron (Skarsgård), had previously been in control and plots to take down the House Atreides. After the Duke is assassinated, his son, Paul (Chalamet) and his mother (Ferguson) flee to the desert where they are taken in by the desert natives known as the Fremen. Villenueve offers an “astonishing visual sensibility” GN to a “novel that has become part of the fabric of popular science fiction.” GN There are “explosive action sequences and a booming Hans Zimmer score, but there are also low-key moments.” GN In a savvy casting move, multiple successful franchises are tapped for signature actors, including Issacs (Star Wars), Marvel movies (Brolin, Bautista), and DC Comics (Mamoa). Given the huge scope of the story, Denis Villenueve “sensibly tackles only manageable section of the story,” GN leaving the rise of Paul as a Messiah figure to a sequel released in 2024. See the review of Part Two here. Sources: GN The Guardian movie review by Mark Kermode WK Wikipedia

Awards/Honors/Lists: Eras: Oscars: Wins: 6. Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects. Nominations: 10, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling Lists: First posted 3/2/2025.

The Power of the Dog released

The Power of the Dog Released: September 2, 2021 Studio: Netflix Genre: Western Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: -- Worldwide: 0.27 Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: -- Worldwide: --

Directing: Jane Campion Screenwriting: Jane Campion Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee Review: The Power of the Dog is a Western psychological drama based on Thomas Savage’s 1961 novel. Jane Campion adapted the screenplay and directed the movie. It was given a limited theatrical release before being streamed on Netflix. It “is a thought-provoking, deep study of (toxic) masculinity surrounded by exceptional performances and truly stunning cinematography.” MSB Brothers Phil (Cumberbatch) and George Burbank (Plemons) own a ranch in 1925 Montana. George “is a kind, decent, presentable man who treats women with the utmost respect,” MSB while Phil is “the epitome of a toxic male.” MSB They meet Rose Gordon (Dunst), an inn owner. George is taken with her and they marry but Phil dislikes her, certain she only wants his brother’s money. When her teenage son Peter (Smit-McPhee) “arrives at the ranch for the summer break that the story starts going through surprising developments with a clear, shocking outcome.” MSB Phil belittles him as effeminate in an effort to cover up his own homosexuality. “When their arcs cross paths, the movie offers some of the most captivating, tense moments of the entire runtime.” MSB “Campion takes the best out of her technical crew, using the award-worthy cinematography to pull the audience closer to the complex characters. The dark, cold interiors contrast with the broad, breathtaking landscapes in a remarkable fashion.” MSB Sources: MSB MSB Reviews WK Wikipedia

Awards/Honors/Lists: Dave’s Movie Database Lists: Eras: Awards: Oscars: Wins: 1. Best Director Nominations: 12. Best Picture, Best Actor (Cumberbatch), Best Supporting Actor (Plemons), Best Supporting Actor (Smit-McPhee), Best Supporting Actress (Dunst), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Sound First posted 3/2/2025.

CODA premiered at Sundance

CODA Released: January 28, 2021 Studio: Apple Original Films Genre: coming of age Box Office (numbers in millions): Domestic: -- Worldwide: 1.91 Adjusted for Inflation: Domestic: -- Worldwide: --

Directing: Siân Heder Screenwriting: Siân Heder Starring: Emilia Jones, Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Daniel Durant, Marlee Matlin Review: CODA is a coming-of-age film written and directed by Siân Heder. It is an English-language remake of the French-Belgian 2014 film La Famille Bélier. Ruby Rossi (Jones) is a child of deaf adults (CODA) who wants to become a singer despite her family’s hope that she help with the family fishing business after she graduates from high school. MadnessBrewing.com says the movie “is a really great film…despite its formulaic nature.” MB “Even though the expected outcome was always the result, it never felt disappointing.” MB “What CODA suffers from in lack of twists, it makes up in character development and relationships.” MB CODA was the first film to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival to go on and win the Oscar for Best Picture. Kotsur was the first male deaf actor to win an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award. All of the deaf characters in the film were portrayed by deaf actors. Sources: MB MadnessBrewing.com review by Jamie Gore WK Wikipedia

Awards/Honors/Lists: Eras: Awards: Oscars: Wins: 3. Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Kotsur), Best Adapted Screenplay Nominations: 3 First posted 3/2/2025.