How quickly can a film earn the label of masterpiece, and how long before that status fades? In cinema, timing is everything. Some movies that were once universally praised have slipped from the cultural conversation within a few years, while others that were initially panned have found devoted cult followings. No film is guaranteed to endure, but looking back at the 2010s, a handful of titles have only grown in reputation since their release, suggesting they are here to stay.
These are the movies from the 2010s that seem destined to be remembered as true masterpieces, not just for their initial acclaim but for their lasting impact on audiences and the industry.
Rango (2011)
The 2010s weren't a prolific decade for Westerns, but what it lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality. Rango, the gonzo animated film directed by Gore Verbinski, stands out as a modern classic. A decade and a half later, this Oscar-winning tale of a cowardly chameleon still looks stunning and remains hilarious.
As the first full animated feature from Industrial Light & Magic, Rango captures the sweeping vistas and sunbaked deserts of the genre, populated with a colorful cast of anthropomorphic animals. The story follows the titular chameleon (voiced by Johnny Depp), who stumbles into a frontier town after his vivarium is shattered during a road trip. He gets swept into a plot involving outlaws and corrupt officials, drawing inspiration from A Fistful of Dollars, Chinatown, and Raising Arizona.
It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
While Rango could easily be the defining animated masterpiece of the decade, Don Hertzfeldt's It's Such a Beautiful Day offers a different kind of brilliance. Combining three of Hertzfeldt's shorts into a feature-length narrative, the film is a surreal, emotional journey through memory and mortality. Its idiosyncratic style and unexpected depth make it linger long after viewing.
Bill, a stick figure, suffers from a neurodegenerative disease that affects his memories and causes hallucinations. He embarks on a metaphysical journey through his distorted past and family history toward certain death. Hertzfeldt's unique animation and simple character designs amplify the emotional weight, making it an existential film that can make you laugh and cry over the tragedy of a stick figure.
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
The Coen Brothers' Inside Llewyn Davis is the best music film of the decade, though it looks as cold and grey as a New York winter. Loosely inspired by folk musician Dave Van Ronk, it's not a biopic but rather a film that captures the mood of a folk song. Oscar Isaac stars as Llewyn, a couch-surfing misanthrope struggling to make it in the '60s folk scene.
Over a week, the film follows Llewyn on a cyclical journey of failure and misfortune. It's bitterly funny, with a stacked cast that leaves a lasting impression. The Coens may have split as co-directors later, but they left behind a body of work peppered with masterpieces, and Inside Llewyn Davis is one of them.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Martin Scorsese has numerous masterpieces, and his 2010s collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio produced one of his most enduring: The Wolf of Wall Street. This three-hour epic follows real-life stockbroker Jordan Belfort, played by DiCaprio, who builds a financial empire through fraud and excess. The film isn't concerned with the mechanics of his crimes but rather with depicting his lavish, grotesque lifestyle.
Some critics misinterpreted the film as an endorsement of Belfort, but Scorsese portrays him as a sleazy, abusive conman who never learns. Like Goodfellas showed the allure and dangers of organized crime, The Wolf of Wall Street exposes the high risk and low consequences for white-collar criminals in America.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
The 2010s introduced new action franchises, but the best action of the decade featured a hero absent for three decades. Mad Max: Fury Road took years to make, with production delays and challenges, but the result was a relentless, visually stunning masterpiece. George Miller's return to the wasteland redefined action filmmaking, with practical effects and breathtaking stunts that still set the bar.
The film's minimal dialogue and maximal spectacle, led by Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron's Imperator Furiosa, made it an instant classic. It's a rare sequel that surpasses its predecessors and has only grown in esteem since its release.
These films, along with others like Parasite and Moonlight, represent the best of the 2010s. They've proven that true artistry can stand the test of time, and they'll likely be celebrated for decades to come. For more cinematic gems, check out our list of Tim Curry's most rewatchable movies or explore the best movies over 100 years old.
