My Favorite Movies By Decade

This is a list of my favorite movies from each decade in which I’ve been alive. They are films that I’ll gladly stop and watch again and again straight through. I never get bored of them.

Bear in mind that I make no claim that these are in any way the best films of those decades.

This post was inspired by stolen from Lou Plummer.

1970s

The Black Hole directed by Gary Nelson (1979)

I don’t care that it was Disney’s attempt to take on Star Wars, or that the story is a rehash of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, or that the science was terrible, or even that it was a groundbreaking film in other ways. I just love the mood of this film.

1980s

Amadeus directed by Miloš Forman (1984)

This is just such a—how to put it?—luxurious film. I mean, how do you not delight in Salieri’s mad feud with Mozart? Or is it F. Murray Abraham’s brilliant portrayal? No matter. Even though the feud is a fiction, it’s a thoroughly satisfying version of events. I admit though that I could have done without the director’s cut, which puts a disturbing spin on Salieri’s plan.

1990s

Gattaca directed by Andrew Niccol (1997)

This movie explores an old trope about the triumph of determination over perfection. When Vincent tells his brother that he never left anything for the swim back, it’s a powerful moment.

2000s

The Holiday directed by Nancy Meyers (2006)

This is maybe the best romantic comedy film ever made. It just hits works in every way. And how do you not totally get pulled into these two interwoven love stories? Plus, Eli Wallach is a treasure!

2010s

Tron: Legacy directed by Joseph Kosinski (2010)

After watching this movie several times over the years since its release, I put it among the greatest science fiction stories ever put on film. It fires on all cylinders: originality, plot, storytelling, visual effects, nostalgia, timelessness, and meaning.

2020s.

Wicked directed by Jon Chu (2024)

Great musicals often translate to film very well because so much can be done on screen that is simply not possible on stage. But that doesn’t mean every film adaptation is great. Despite its length, Wicked works to bring its story to life in a powerful way without feeling drawn out. And the casting is spot on.

Honorable Mentions

In the original version of this post, these films were among my favorites above. I do still love these films, but I had to bump a couple of them in favor of others that I had forgotten about or—as in the case of the 2020s—something better came along.

The Prestige directed by Christopher Nolan (2006)

David Bowie as Nicola Tesla and the biggest “Holy Shit” twist ending I’ve ever experienced. I don’t know what else to say.

Isle of Dogs directed by Wes Anderson (2018)

I think you either love or hate Wes Anderson movies, and I tend to love them. But this one is head-and-shoulders my favorite of them all. It makes me laugh out loud every time.

Next Goal Wins directed by Taika Waititi (2023)

This movie is an embellished retelling of true events following the American Samoan soccer team’s spectacular 31–0 loss to Australia during a World Cup qualifying match. Apart from everyone’s quirky pronunciation of American Samoa, it’s a fairly ordinary loser-to-slightly-less-of-a-loser sports movie. But it’s fun.

See you at the movies. Save me an aisle seat.