The 50 best movies of the year, according to critics

Libby TorresDec 16, 2020, 02:13 IST

Beyoncé wrote, directed, and starred in "Black Is King."Disney Plus

Despite the pandemic, 2020 was a standout year for movies, with films such as "Palm Springs," "First Cow," and "Black Is King" delighting both audiences and critics.
And documentaries such as "Boys State," "Athlete A," and "Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution" also made waves upon their releases this year.
Insider analyzed data from critical aggregator Metacritic to find which films critics loved the most in 2020.
Here are the top 50 movies from this year, according to critics.

With the coronavirus pandemic delaying the release of numerous big titles, including "Dune," "Candyman," and "Black Widow," 2020 was definitely an roller coaster year for movies.

But plenty of standout titles still made it to the big screen, or to streaming services, with films such as "Black Is King," "First Cow," and "Da 5 Bloods" entertaining audiences and critics alike.

And documentaries were big, too - titles such as "Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution" and "Athlete A" challenged viewers' perceptions of the world in 2020.

We used Metacritic data to find the films that critics loved the most in 2020. Keep reading for the top 50 movies that were beloved by reviewers this year.

50. "The Go-Go's" traces the '80s girl band's rise to fame.

The Go-Go's were a popular '80s girl group. Showtime

49. The pitfalls of young love are portrayed in the coming-of-age film "Premature."

Joshua Boone and Zora Howard star in "Premature." IFC Films

48. "The Truffle Hunters" is set in the forests of Northern Italy.

"The Truffle Hunters" follows a group of old Italian men. Sony Pictures Classics

47. "Make Up" is set in a terrifyingly remote part of Cornwall, England.

Molly Windsor stars in "Make Up." Mutiny Pictures

46. Riz Ahmed stars in "Sound of Metal."

Riz Ahmed plays Ruben in "Sound of Metal." Amazon Studios

45. "A Thousand Cuts" is a documentary that sheds light on dangerous regime of the Philippine's president, Rodrigo Duterte.

Journalist Maria Ressa is the focus of "A Thousand Cuts." PBS Distribution

44. "The Climb" focuses on a decades-long friendship between two men.

Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino star in "The Climb." Sony Pictures Classics

43. "Bacurau" takes place in a small Brazilian village.

"Bacurau" blends elements of Western films with sci-fi. Kino Lorber

42. "Sorry We Missed You" focuses on a family's financial struggles.

Kris Hitchen and Katie Proctor in "Sorry We Missed You." Kino Lorber

41. Spike Lee directed "Da 5 Bloods."

Four veterans are the focus of "Da 5 Bloods." Netflix

40. "House of Hummingbird" follows a young, misunderstood girl in 1994.

Ji-hu Park stars in "House of Hummingbird." Well Go USA Entertainment

39. "Residue" portrays the dangers of gentrification.

"Residue" takes place primarily in a neighborhood of Washington, DC. ARRAY Releasing

38. "Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets" blurs the line between fact and fiction.

"Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets" appears to be set in Las Vegas. Utopia

37. "Driveways" focuses on an unlikely friendship between a young boy and a Korean War veteran.

Hong Chau and Lucas Jaye in "Driveways." FilmRise

36. Andy Samberg stars in "Palm Springs."

Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg in "Palm Springs." Neon

35. "76 Days" focuses on the beginnings of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan, China.

Two medical workers take a break in a scene from "76 Days." MTV Documentary Films

34. "Saint Frances" focuses on a struggling 30-something who lands a choice nannying job.

Ramona Edith Williams (left) and Kelly O'Sullivan in "Saint Frances." Oscilloscope

33. "I Wish I Knew" details the rich history of one of China's major cities.

Jia Zhangke directed "I Wish I Knew." Kino Lorber

32. The devastating effects of Alzheimer's are explored in "Our Time Machine."

Artist Maleonn is a key part of "Our Time Machine." CAT&Docs

31. "The Vast of the Night" is set in the late 1950s.

Sierra McCormick in "The Vast of the Night." Amazon Studios

30. "On the Record" focuses on the sexual assault accusations against music mogul Russell Simmons.

"On the Record" features interviews with several sexual assault victims. HBO Max

29. "Beanpole" is set in post-WWII Russia.

Viktoria Miroshnichenko in "Beanpole." Kino Lorber

28. Documentary "Boys State" offers commentary on American politics and ideas of masculinity.

"Boys State" takes place in Texas. A24

27. "Small Axe: Red, White and Blue" is the third in a series of five films by Steve McQueen.

John Boyega stars in "Small Axe: Red, White and Blue." Amazon Studios/BBC

26. Beyoncé's "Black Is King" was loved by critics and fans alike.

Beyoncé wrote, directed, and starred in "Black Is King." Disney Plus

25. The memory of a deceased friend informs much of "Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin."

Werner Herzog stars in "Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin." Music Box Films

24. "Athlete A" focuses on the fiercely competitive world of gymnastics, and the abuse hidden beneath the surface.

Gymnast Maggie Nichols is featured in "Athlete A." Netflix

23. A forgotten facility for teenagers with disabilities is the focus of "Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution."

"Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution" premiered on Netflix earlier this year. Netflix

22. "Minari" follows a Korean family who moves to a rural community in Arkansas.

Steven Yeun and Alan S. Kim in "Minari." A24

21. In "Vitalina Varela," an unsuspecting widow arrives in a strange new country.

Vitalina Varela plays the title role in the movie of the same name. Grasshopper Film

20. "Divine Love" is set in Brazil in the near future.

Gabriel Mascaro directed "Divine Love." Outsider Pictures

19. "Welcome to Chechnya" follows a group of LGBTQ activists in an extremely conservative country.

Crisis coordinator David Isteev in "Welcome to Chechnya." HBO Max

18. "The Wolf House" is a surreal animated fairy tale.

"The Wolf House" is set in South America. Kimstim Films

17. "What the Constitution Means to Me" is a live production of a Broadway play.

Heidi Schreck in "What the Constitution Means to Me." Amazon Studios

16. In "Rewind," a decades-long pattern of abuse is recounted through home video footage.

A young Sasha Joseph Neulinger in "Rewind." PBS

15. "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is set in 1920s Chicago.

Viola Davis stars in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Netflix

14. Municipal government is the focus of documentary "City Hall."

Most of "City Hall" takes place in Boston. Zipporah Films

13. In "Dick Johnson Is Dead," a daughter takes an irreverent and unconventional approach to her father's death.

Director Kirsten Johnson's father Dick is the focus of "Dick Johnson Is Dead." Netflix

12. "Small Axe: Education" is another installment in director Steve McQueen's timely film series.

Kenyah Sandy and Brooke Haynes in "Small Axe: Education." BBC/Amazon Studios

11. Stolen milk and an unlikely friendship form the basis of "First Cow."

Orion Lee (left) and John Magaro in "First Cow." A24

10. "Soul" is a fantastical animated adventure from Pixar.

Jamie Foxx voices the lead character in "Soul." Disney/Pixar

9. "Small Axe: Mangrove" follows a restaurant owner in London's Notting Hill neighborhood.

Letitia Wright stars in "Small Axe: Mangrove." BBC/Amazon Studios

8. "Hamilton" was filmed during a live Broadway production of the hit musical.

"Hamilton" arrived on Disney Plus on July 3. Disney

7. "Gunda" follows a pig, a flock of chickens, and a herd of cows.

Joaquin Phoenix is the executive producer of "Gunda." Neon

6. An unwanted pregnancy is the catalyst for the events of "Never Rarely Sometimes Always."

Sidney Flanigan stars in "Never Rarely Sometimes Always." Focus Features

5. Documentary "Time" focuses on one woman's struggle to get her husband released from prison.

Sibil and Rob Richardson in "Time." Amazon Studios

4. "David Byrne's American Utopia" is another recording of a Broadway production.

David Byrne (center) HBO Max

3. A group of Romanian journalists trying to uncover a massive political scandal is the focus of "Collective."

Journalist Catalin Tolontan is the driving force behind the investigation in "Collective." Participant

2. "Small Axe: Lovers Rock" takes place at a house party in 1980s London.

Micheal Ward and Amarah-Jae St. Aubyn in "Small Axe: Lovers Rock." BBC/Amazon Studios

1. The highest-rated film of 2020 was "Nomadland."

Frances McDormand stars in "Nomadland." Searchlight Pictures

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