Alright, we’ve had my favourite movies of year, and we’ve had the Academy’s choice for the Best movie of the year (Congratulations Parasite), now it’s time to put my heart aside and think with my brain. With this post, I’m attempting to rank the top 20 movies that will stand the test of time; the top movies that the world will still be talking about in ten years – the most popular, and most memorable. This is the first time I’ve tried producing a list like this, and I like that I’m doing it after the Oscars since I don’t want to pick the best movie of the year when so many have been great; this is something different. I look forward to looking back on this list in ten years and seeing how wrong I was 😊
Like always, I haven’t seen every movie of the year so there is the possibility that there will be some notable exemptions from just because I haven’t seen it, but I did try to get to the majority of blockbusters of 2019 so here we go:
My Notable Exceptions (according to the Academy Awards)
Harriet
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
I Lost My Body
Klaus
Missing Link
Pain and Glory
Parasite
Richard Jewell
The Two Popes
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20 Movies that Will Stand the Test of Time (The Biggest Movies of 2019)
20. Captain Marvel – There was a massive hullabaloo over this movie back at the beginning of the year – was Brie Larson the right fit? Was Marvel being cruel by giving us a movie in between the Avengers stories whilst we sat on a knife’s edge wondering how Thanos would be stopped? Could Captain Marvel really call itself the first female Marvel movie with Elektra coming out in 2005? The movie was somewhat underwhelming, but the event was real, and with more Captain Marvel to come, we will remember her first outing.
19. Marriage Story – Marriage Story is a brilliant movie with terrific performances, but what will help Marriage Story be remembered for a while are the memes that have been created using the epic argument between Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. Who cares what helps make this film memorable in the long run, so long as it is; it’s great.
18. Detective Pikachu – I think the people at Nintendo are onto something with Ryan Reynolds voicing Detective Pikachu. This movie was a success and I think more live-action Pokémon movies will be made – bring it on. Plus, the nerdy Pokémon community is strong and we’ve been craving a live-action Pokémon movie for years; we won’t forget.
17. The Lion King – I really struggled knowing where to place The Lion King on this list. On the one hand, people saw The Lion King in droves, but on the other hand, it was an uninspiring shot-for-shot remake of the original, and CGI money-grab. Who remembers the Psycho remake from 1998, that’s main claim to fame was that it was now in colour? Nobody. I think this The Lion King will be more memorable though, due to the sheer millions it made – it currently sits 7th on the list for the highest grossing movies of all time.
16. Rocketman – Although not as popular as Bohemian Rhapsody that focused on Queen, Rocketman is a movie about Elton John, and with it, follows a legion of devoted fans. Some day Elton is going to leave this world, and if this is the only movie to exist chronicling his life, then it will get played again. This movie was also oversighted by Elton John, and earned him an Academy Award for the beautiful original song “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again.” Elton John is a living legend and an unshakable icon of the music industry; his music, featured heavily in Rocketman, won’t be forgotten.
15. Ford v Ferrari – This movie should appeal to car enthusiasts and movie fans alike. It’s a solid movie featuring well-admired actors Matt Damon and Christian Bale… That’s all I have; ain’t that enough?
14. Uncut Gems – Through word of mouth, I expect Uncut Gems to command a cult following. It is a ripping good time with everyone I have heard to have seen it absolutely loving the adrenaline rush it provides. Adam Sandler already has somewhat of a cult following alone, so it shouldn’t be too hard to imagine that this movie, featuring perhaps his greatest performance, won’t be quickly forgotten. Uncut Gems is on Netflix now, so check it out!
13. Knives Out – Knives Out was a surprise hit for 2019, and with a sequel already in talks, Knives Out already seems to be a part of some future conversations. It’s also a lot of fun – the movie is a whodunit, a comedy, a thriller, and a family movie in one, which exemplifies a wide appeal and re-watch value.
12. Midsommar – I think director Ari Aster is going places, and although I didn’t understand the message of Midsommar when I first watched it, I know a lot of people instantly adored it. Midsommar had a long run at my local cinema, including a run of the Director’s Cut. I was a big fan of Aster’s first horror movie, Hereditary in 2018, and I will be lining up for his next one. I think (I hope) we’re at the beginning of a new wave of smart-horror movies, through works by Aster and Jordan Peele, and I think Midsommar could be a referential touchstone in the future.
11. Frozen II – Disney is the best at regenerating memory for their work, through DVDs and books, re-screenings and theme parks. Frozen II is not a bad movie, and I think initial trepidation around it is due to an overwhelming swell of love for the original Frozen. I predict a Frozen III is coming, and when people revisit Frozen II, they might realise that it was pretty great. There are some members of the public that already love it… (me!).
10. Little Women – At one point in time I had Little Women off my list completely, but through listening to how other people were reviewing Little Women, I began to reconsider how potentially poignant the movie might prove for a female audience. I think Greta Gerwig has a terrific eye, and insight into telling stories for women, which I might underestimate as a male. Little Women is a terrific movie, and realistically, it’s unrealistic for me to truly rate this interpretation of Little Women without having read the book. At the end of the day, I just felt like Little Women should be higher on my list. Plus, as Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen take off, people might revisit Little Women to check out them in their young careers (if they haven’t already seen Little Women for the brilliant Saoirse Ronan and wonderful Timothee Chalamet; shame of those people)
09. Cats – It’s going to take a long time to forget this stinker. It’s not every day that a studio spends so much money and creates such a mess. Cats is going to be referred back to as the measuring stick for bad movies for a long time. And I still find those cats attractive; I may need therapy.
08. Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker – For better or for worse, Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker is a Star Wars movie, and Star Wars is a brand that isn’t completely fading away any time soon. This movie is also the last piece in Disney’s experimental sequel trilogy, and I just know Star Wars fanboys will be picking it apart for decades, just like they did the prequels. The fact that Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker isn’t higher on this list highlights its disappointment.
07. Last Christmas – I am going out on a limb here, to predict Last Christmas makes its way onto televisions regular Christmas movies rotation. Last Christmas is a competently-made Christmas movie, and enough people didn’t see the “twist” coming that it will create conversation and intrigue audiences to sit down and watch it again with friends. Last Christmas is also so breezy; you don’t have to be paying that much attention to enjoy it – it has a sweet message about helping others too. Christmas movies often become nostalgic, and I feel Emelia Clarke’s bumbling elf is going to be around for a while.
06. 1917 – If this movie had won Best Picture, then it would have been higher. But, as you will discover from the rest of the list, 1917 doesn’t have as many ‘tags’ as the movies to follow. 1917 is a tremendous achievement in cinematography and directing, and might be a reference point that other movies copy in the future. If you haven’t seen 1917, please do while it’s still in cinemas.
05. Toy Story 4 – Nobody wanted Toy Story 4, but when Tim Allen told us on The View that they had a story worth telling, we should have believed him. I’d say Toy Story 4 is one of the most successful risk-takers of 2019, adding further to the Toy Story mythology in a positive way. I left the cinema thinking about Toy Story 4 for days. Toy Story 4 is still probably my least favourite of the Toy Story movies, but it earns a place on the shelf alongside the others, and that’s high praise. We also got some great new toys out of it – Duke Kaboom, Bunny, Ducky, Bo Peep, Gabby Gabby and Forky!
04. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Every movie fan loves themselves a new Quintin Tarantino movie, especially one featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt that is good enough to be nominated for awards. Car officiants and Los Angelinos have had their eyes poppin’ over Quentin Tarantino’s quest for realism in recreating 1970’s Hollywood and film-buffs have adored Tarantino’s effort to recontextualise the past. For me, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a long movie to make a five-minute point, but I’m really glad it exists; “a love letter to the past”, as they say. It’s a Quentin Tarantino movie of a different taste, and it will provide a good talking point when discussed among his best works.
03. The Irishman – who knows what the future holds, but The Irishman might be the most memorable cap on the career for a few people. We know Joe Pesci won’t act again, and who’s to say how many more times Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino will be this great again. This movie is an experience that urges people to discuss it just due to its sheer length, but it also harkens back to an era where these artists were at the heights of their powers. Not only that, the use of the de-aging technology is only going to evolve, and The Irishman will provide a marker as to how de-aging has progressed.
02. Joker – Critically and publicly adored, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Batman’s Joker has created a very good movie. Like Heath Ledger before him, Joaquin Phoenix has garnered much accolade through awards for the role, and was practically declared a shoe-in for the Academy Award from the middle of the year. The parallels between Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy provide a talking point too. Joker only beats out The Irishman because it is a comic book movie, which means merchandise and fanboys, baby!
01. Avengers: Endgame – The default answer for the most memorable movie of 2019 must be Avengers: Endgame; the highest grossing movie of all time and the cap on the initial outlay of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We saw the end of two of the greatest cinematic characters of all time, and the end to an epic two-part saga. There is no doubt Avengers: Endgame is the ultimate highlight of 2019.
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Honestly, there were so many good movies in 2019, I couldn’t fit them all in. Special mentions to Aquaman, Jojo Rabbit, Shazam!, Us, Alita: Battle Angel, Booksmart, Judy and Hustlers.
Have I stuffed up the order? Which movies do you think will be the most memorable movies of 2019? Leave a Reply in the box below.
2019 is officially done. It’s time to look forward to 2020!!!!!!!!
P.S. Sorry about the delay on this one; I thought I’d have this up a few days after the Oscars, but life happens.
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