There Are Only 5 Near-Perfect Movies From 2010 According To Metacritic
Movies can be incredibly divisive. What one person considers a classic, another might consider overrated. Your pick for all-time greatest film might be the one your friend identifies as the worst movie they've ever seen. As such, it's difficult to find a movie that has recieved universal acclaim. However, occasionally a film comes along that is so well done, everyone can enjoy it, regardless of their preferred genre. These near-perfect films are few and far between — filmmakers and studios are lucky to release even one major hit every year.
2010 proved to be a great year for film: Five different movies released in 2010 have earned scores of at least 90 on Metacritic. These near-perfect films have been crowned "must-see" by the aggregate rating site, and we certainly can see why. Whether you prefer searing prison dramas or classic children's stories, we guarantee you'll enjoy at least one of the films on this list. Curious to know what films got the coveted 90-plus score on Metacritic? Have a scroll below.
The Social Network earned the year's top score of 95
"The Social Network" is a fictionalized portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg's creation of Facebook and his subsequent rise to power and fortune, with Jesse Eisenberg starring as the famed tech entrepreneur. By 2010, most of the world was familiar with Facebook, but the social platform seemed relatively benign and non-controversial. Yet as "The Social Network" shows, Zuckerberg's rise to the top was not without its fair share of drama — and many lawsuits.
Armie Hammer stars (with the help of some movie-making magic), as twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, who ultimately sue Zuckerberg for intellectual property theft. Andrew Garfield portrays Eduardo Saverin, a former friend of Zuckerberg and a Facebook co-founder who is enraged after his share in the company is diluted following its incorporation. Justin Timberlake appears as Sean Parker, the Napster co-founder and resident bad boy who helps get Facebook off the ground.
Based on Ben Mezrich's book "The Accidental Billionaires," the story hit the big screen with the help of screenwriter Aaron Sorkin. Sorkin scored both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his work. In the years since the "The Social Network" premiered, Facebook's prominence and controversy have grown, to the point that the site has become the center of high-pressure political contention. This lauded film feels more pertinent than ever before, and as its near-perfect Metacritic score attests to, it's darn well made to boot.
Carlos, based on a true story, earned a score of 94
"Carlos" is the incredible true story of Carlos the Jackal, a 1970s Venezuelan terrorist. It premiered as a three-part TV miniseries on the French premium channel Canal+, and also debuted at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival as a full five and a half hour film. The movie stars Edgar Ramirez in the titular role, earning him both an Emmy and a Golden Globe nomination.
The lengthy film covers 21 years of Carlos' life, from his first orchestrated terrorist attack in 1973 to his eventual arrest in 1994. Carlos' story covers some of the most contentious and important moments in the recent history of the Middle East. While the film's long run time may turn more easily-distracted viewers away, New York Magazine begs those potential viewers to reconsider: "You might opt to see [the] condensed version ... which clocks in at a trim two and a half hours. I say go for the whole shebang. Shot by shot, scene by scene, it's a fluid and enthralling piece of work. I wasn't bored for a millisecond." "Carlos" remains an impactful and eloquent viewing experience.
Toy Story 3 earned a score of 92, proving the franchise's longevity
When the original "Toy Story" premiered in 1995, it was clear audiences were seeing something very special. As the world's first fully computer-animated feature film, "Toy Story" enthralled '90s viewers with its new technology. However, it is the film's heartfelt story that truly resonates, leading untold thousands of children to believe their toys are secretly alive.
Pixar, which later became part of the Walt Disney Company, knew audiences wanted more. "Toy Story 2" was released in 1999, and 11 years later, the world finally got to see Andy grow up in "Toy Story 3." The film was a mammoth success: It became the seventh film in history to make $1 billion dollars at the box office, per Box Office Mojo. According to Entertainment Weekly, it also became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, a position it has since lost. The film led to another sequel, 2019's "Toy Story 4," which earned even more than its predecessors.
"Toy Story 3" serves as perfect nostalgia for those who were kids when the original film came out. Yet it's an equally entertaining watch for those born in the new millennium. Frankly, it's just plain perfect all around.
Winter's Bone earned a score of 90 and launched Jennifer Lawrence's career
In the 2010s, there was no bigger actress than Jennifer Lawrence. Her critically acclaimed performance in "Winter's Bone," which earned her both an Oscar and a Golden Globe nomination, is a big part of why. This mystery-drama was adapted from the novel of the same name by Daniel Woodrell and stars Lawrence as Ree Dolly, a teenage girl in the rural Ozark mountains of Missouri. She's on the hunt for her father, whom she needs to save her family home. On her way, she must endure the harsh natural elements of the region and navigate the local criminal underbelly. "Winter's Bone" is an incredible filmmaking accomplishment outside of Lawrence's performance, and the film scored a nomination for Best Picture at the 2011 Academy Awards.
"Winter's Bone" was widely praised for its unflinching look at a very real (and very troubling) part of American culture. Entertainment Weekly calls it "one of the unshowiest and most true-blooded epics of Americana you're ever likely to see." Shot for a mere $2 million and earning over $13 million worldwide, per Box Office Mojo, "Winter's Bone" is a harrowing, earnest story, and clear proof that Jennifer Lawrence's massive rise to fame was very well deserved.
A Prophet, a dramatic crime film, earned a score of 90
French film "A Prophet" tells the gripping story of a young man, Malik El-Djebena, locked in an Algerian prison. Malik is played by Tahar Rahim, whose performance USA Today called "superb ... With his soulful dark eyes, he powerfully conveys a primal need for self-preservation." Alone, illiterate, and penniless, Malik must navigate the gang violence of his prison in order to survive. "A Prophet" was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2010 Academy Awards, and won Best Film Not in the English Language at that year's BAFTA Awards.
While organized crime, mob bosses, and unwilling recruits are common elements of the crime genre, "A Prophet" provides a fresh approach to the well-known story. As the Miami Herald puts it, "The film never succumbs to the pitfalls of the prison-movie genre, and there's something poetic about how [director Jacques] Audiard, in the midst of all this violence, manages to make a punch to the stomach seem like the most violent act of all." Praised for its realistic storytelling, authentic characters, and beautiful direction, "A Prophet" is an incredible look at the grim reality of prison life.