Welcome back to my retrospective series on the best films of the last decade. Yesterday, we covered the kickoff year of 2010, and today we move into 2011.
If 2010 was about introducing new ideas, 2011 was the year franchises evolved. It was the year we said goodbye to a certain boy wizard, saw the Fast & Furious series transform from street racing to heist insanity, and watched Marvel truly find its footing before The Avengers. But it wasn't all blockbusters; 2011 also gave us sharp financial thrillers, mind-bending sci-fi, and one of the best sports movies ever made.
Here are the 18 films from 2011 that made my top 150 list.
Margin Call
Rank: #16 Director: J.C. Chandor
Margin Call achieves the impossible: it makes a movie about guys looking at spreadsheets feel like a disaster film. Set over a single 24-hour period at an investment bank at the start of the 2008 financial crisis, the film captures the terrifying moment when the "smartest guys in the room" realize the music is about to stop. The dialogue is snappy and cynical, stripping away the glamour of Wall Street to reveal the cold, hard panic underneath.
The cast is an embarrassment of riches—Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Stanley Tucci, and Zachary Quinto all deliver incredible performances. But what makes it truly great is its refusal to villainize any single person. Instead, it villainizes the system. It’s a chilling portrait of survival where the only way to win is to be first, be smarter, or cheat.
Did You Know? The firm in the movie is never named, but it is heavily implied to be based on Lehman Brothers or Goldman Sachs. The screenplay is so technically accurate that it was reportedly studied by real-world financial analysts for its depiction of risk management failures.
Moneyball
Rank: #21 Director: Bennett Miller
You don’t have to like baseball to love Moneyball. At its core, this isn't a sports movie; it’s a movie about changing the way the world thinks. Brad Pitt gives one of his most effortless, charismatic performances as Billy Beane, the Oakland A’s GM who tries to build a winning team on a budget using math instead of scouts' intuition. The script, polished by Aaron Sorkin, crackles with wit and energy, turning statistical analysis into high drama.
Jonah Hill proved his dramatic chops here, earning an Oscar nomination for his role as the quiet, number-crunching assistant. The film finds beauty in the quiet moments of the game and the lonely reality of leadership. It’s an underdog story that relies on brains rather than brawn, and it remains endlessly rewatchable.
Did You Know? The scene where Billy Beane’s daughter sings "The Show" wasn't originally in the script. Brad Pitt liked the song and thought it fit the themes of the movie, so they added it in to show the softer side of his character.
Source Code
Rank: #24 Director: Duncan Jones
Following up his indie hit Moon, director Duncan Jones delivered one of the tightest, most efficient sci-fi thrillers of the decade. Jake Gyllenhaal plays a soldier who wakes up in another man's body on a commuter train, only to find out he’s part of a government experiment to find a bomber before the train explodes. He has to relive the same 8 minutes over and over again, gathering new clues each time.
It sounds like Groundhog Day meets Speed, and while that comparison is accurate, Source Code has a surprising amount of heart. Gyllenhaal sells the confusion and desperation perfectly, and his chemistry with Michelle Monaghan gives the high-concept plot real emotional stakes. It’s a puzzle-box movie that actually sticks the landing.
Did You Know? To film the train scenes, the production team built a sophisticated set on a gimbal that could shake and rattle to simulate movement. The "outside world" seen through the windows was a combination of green screen and massive rolling projections.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Rank: #25 Director: Brad Bird
This is the movie that officially turned Mission: Impossible from a spy thriller series into the premiere stunt franchise of Hollywood. Director Brad Bird, making his live-action debut after directing Pixar classics like The Incredibles, brought a kinetic, animated energy to the action sequences. The pacing is breathless, moving from a Russian prison break to a sandstorm in Dubai without missing a beat.
But the centerpiece, of course, is the Burj Khalifa sequence. Watching Tom Cruise actually scale the side of the world’s tallest building is one of those "I can't believe they filmed that" moments that defines the decade in action cinema. It revived the franchise and proved that Cruise was willing to do absolutely anything to entertain an audience.
Did You Know? The insurance company for the film refused to insure Tom Cruise for the Burj Khalifa stunt because it was too dangerous. Cruise and the studio essentially had to fire the safety officers and bring in their own team to get the shot.
X-Men: First Class
Rank: #29 Director: Matthew Vaughn
After the disappointment of The Last Stand, the X-Men franchise needed a reboot, and First Class delivered in style. By setting the film in the 1960s, director Matthew Vaughn infused the superhero genre with a cool, James Bond-esque spy aesthetic. The yellow spandex suits finally made sense, and the Cuban Missile Crisis backdrop raised the stakes perfectly.
The film works because of the dynamic between James McAvoy’s Charles Xavier and Michael Fassbender’s Erik Lensherr. Their friendship and eventual ideological split is the heart of the X-Men saga, and seeing it play out in its early days is tragic and compelling. Fassbender, in particular, is electric as a Nazi-hunting Magneto, bringing a ruthless intensity that rivals Ian McKellen’s iconic portrayal.
Did You Know? James McAvoy purposefully didn't study Patrick Stewart's performance because he wanted to play Charles as a younger, brasher, and slightly more arrogant man who hadn't yet become the wise sage we know.
Super 8
Rank: #44 Director: J.J. Abrams
Super 8 is a pure shot of nostalgia, a love letter to the Amblin movies of the late 70s and early 80s. J.J. Abrams channels his inner Spielberg (who produced the film) to tell a story about a group of kids making a zombie movie who accidentally witness a train crash and uncover an alien conspiracy. The film captures the feeling of childhood summers perfectly—the freedom, the bike rides, and the friendships.
The train crash sequence remains one of the loudest and most chaotic set pieces of the decade, a masterclass in sound design and visual effects. But the movie lives and dies on its young cast, led by a breakout performance from Elle Fanning. It’s a monster movie, yes, but it’s mostly a movie about letting go of grief.
Did You Know? The train crash scene was filmed practically to a large extent. While the train itself was CGI, the explosions and debris were real pyrotechnics, and the production actually derailed a real train car on set to get the aftermath shots right.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Rank: #48 Director: Joe Johnston
In hindsight, it’s amazing how well this movie holds up. Before he was leading the Avengers, Steve Rogers was just a skinny kid from Brooklyn who didn't like bullies. Director Joe Johnston leans heavily into the 1940s pulp aesthetic, giving the film a sepia-toned, adventure-serial vibe that distinguishes it from every other Marvel movie.
Chris Evans is Captain America. He embodies the earnest goodness of the character without ever making him seem boring or naive. The first act, featuring "Skinny Steve," is arguably the best part of the film because it establishes his heart before he gets his muscles. It’s a straightforward, old-fashioned hero's journey that laid the foundation for the entire MCU.
Did You Know? To create "Skinny Steve," the filmmakers used a combination of digital shrinking and a body double. For many scenes, a thinner actor named Leander Deeny acted out the scene, and they digitally grafted Chris Evans’ face onto his body.
Horrible Bosses
Rank: #59 Director: Seth Gordon
Comedy is hard to get right, but Horrible Bosses succeeds thanks to a killer premise and impeccable casting. Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis have incredible chemistry as three friends who conspire to murder their abusive employers. The banter feels natural and often improvised, capturing the frustration of the modern workplace.
The "bosses" steal the show, though. Jennifer Aniston plays against type as a sexually aggressive dentist, Colin Farrell is unrecognizable as a coke-head heir, and Kevin Spacey is terrifyingly cruel. It’s a dark comedy that manages to be consistently funny while maintaining a surprisingly tight plot.
Did You Know? Colin Farrell requested the comb-over haircut and the potbelly for his character, wanting to look as sleazy as possible. He essentially created the look of the character from scratch.
Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Rank: #68 Director: Glenn Ficarra & John Requa
This is arguably the last truly great studio romantic comedy. It weaves together multiple storylines about love, divorce, and dating with a level of sophistication that elevates it above the genre standard. Steve Carell plays a man navigating single life after his wife (Julianne Moore) asks for a divorce, guided by a smooth-talking lothario played by Ryan Gosling.
The chemistry between Gosling and Emma Stone is undeniable—this is the movie that proved they were a cinematic power couple long before La La Land. But the film’s secret weapon is its twist. Just when you think you know where the stories are going, they collide in a backyard brawl that is one of the funniest scenes of the year.
Did You Know? The famous Dirty Dancing lift scene was entirely Ryan Gosling's idea. He told the directors he actually used that move in real life to impress women, and they insisted on putting it in the script.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
Rank: #70 Director: David Yates
The end of an era. Deathly Hallows Part 2 had the impossible task of wrapping up a decade of storytelling, and it delivered on every front. It is basically one long, extended climax. The Battle of Hogwarts is epic in scale, yet the film never loses sight of the characters we grew up with.
The reveal of Snape’s true allegiance, told through the "Prince's Tale" montage, is perhaps the most emotional sequence in the entire franchise. Alan Rickman delivers a heartbreaking performance with barely any dialogue. It was a satisfying, explosive, and tear-jerking finale that honored the source material and the fans.
Did You Know? During the filming of the final battle, the set of Hogwarts was largely destroyed. The production designers said it was emotionally difficult to burn down the sets they had spent ten years building and maintaining.
Thor
Rank: #83 Director: Kenneth Branagh
Hiring Kenneth Branagh, a director famous for Shakespeare adaptations, to direct a movie about a space Viking was a stroke of genius. Thor brings a theatrical, operatic weight to the Marvel Universe. The family drama between Odin, Thor, and Loki feels Shakespearean in its tragedy and scope.
Chris Hemsworth instantly proved he was a star, balancing the arrogance of the character with genuine charm and humor. But Tom Hiddleston’s Loki was the breakout performance, creating a villain who was complex, sympathetic, and manipulative. The film successfully blended the cosmic weirdness of Asgard with a fish-out-of-water comedy on Earth.
Did You Know? Tom Hiddleston originally auditioned for the role of Thor. He bulked up and dyed his hair blonde for the screen test, but Branagh decided his intensity was better suited for the god of mischief.
Drive
Rank: #94 Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Drive is the definition of "cool." Drenched in neon lights and set to a pulsating synth-pop soundtrack, it’s a style-over-substance movie where the style is the substance. Ryan Gosling plays the unnamed Driver, a stuntman/getaway driver who barely speaks but communicates everything through stares and violence.
The film oscillates between quiet, tender romance and shocking brutality. It turned the satin scorpion jacket into an iconic piece of pop culture imagery. It’s an arthouse action movie that feels like a throwback to the 80s while feeling completely modern.
Did You Know? Ryan Gosling and director Nicolas Winding Refn came up with the idea for the Driver’s character during a long car ride where they barely spoke. They decided the character should be a man who only drives and listens to pop music.
Kung Fu Panda 2
Rank: #122 Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Sequels are rarely better than the original, but Kung Fu Panda 2 deepens the lore and the emotional stakes of the franchise significantly. It delves into Po’s origin story, tackling heavy themes of adoption, trauma, and genocide (yes, really) with surprising maturity.
The animation is stunning, incorporating 2D shadow puppet styles for the flashbacks that contrast beautifully with the vibrant 3D world. The villain, Lord Shen (voiced by Gary Oldman), is genuinely terrifying and elegant, providing a perfect physical and psychological foil for Po. It’s a beautiful film about finding inner peace.
Did You Know? The final battle in the harbor required so much computing power to render the water and the ships that it took over 55 million render hours to complete the film.
The Adjustment Bureau
Rank: #125 Director: George Nolfi
Based on a Philip K. Dick story, The Adjustment Bureau is a sci-fi romance that asks a big question: Do we have free will, or is everything planned for us? Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have electric chemistry as a couple trying to outrun fate itself.
Instead of aliens or robots, the sci-fi elements here are bureaucratic—men in fedoras navigating a maze of doors to control human destiny. It’s a unique, thoughtful thriller that cares more about the romance than the chase, though the chase scenes through New York City are excellent.
Did You Know? The original ending of the film involved the characters actually meeting "The Chairman" (God), but the filmmakers decided it was better to keep the higher power ambiguous and mysterious.
Limitless
Rank: #126 Director: Neil Burger
What if you could access 100% of your brain? Limitless takes a ridiculous premise and turns it into a slick, fast-paced power fantasy. Bradley Cooper oozes charisma as a struggling writer who takes a pill that turns him into a genius. The visual style of the film is distinct—when he’s on the drug, the world is bright, golden, and hyper-focused; when he’s off it, the world is grey and bleak.
It’s a fun, energetic thriller that captures the modern obsession with self-optimization and the fear of falling behind.
Did You Know? The "fractal zoom" effect used to show Cooper’s hyper-awareness (where the camera seems to zoom infinitely down the street) was created by stitching together multiple camera angles and zooms seamlessly.
Fast Five
Rank: #127 Director: Justin Lin
This is the movie that saved the franchise. Fast Five abandoned the street racing underground and transformed the series into a globetrotting heist saga. It brought back characters from all the previous films, creating the "Family" dynamic that defines the series today.
But the biggest addition was Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Hobbs. His sweaty, hulking presence provided the perfect antagonist for Vin Diesel. The vault heist finale, where two cars drag a massive bank vault through the streets of Rio, is one of the best practical stunts of the decade. It’s loud, dumb, and incredibly fun.
Did You Know? The vault heist wasn't CGI. They built a prop vault on wheels that could be steered by a driver hidden inside it, allowing them to actually smash it into real cars on the streets of Puerto Rico (standing in for Rio).
Contagion
Rank: #131 Director: Steven Soderbergh
Watching Contagion after 2020 is a surreal experience. Steven Soderbergh’s thriller about a global pandemic was praised for its realism upon release, but today it feels almost like a documentary. It captures the spread of misinformation, the panic buying, and the political maneuvering with chilling accuracy.
The cast is stacked—Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow—but the real star is the virus. The driving electronic score by Cliff Martinez keeps the tension high, making a handshake or a cough feel like a gunshot. It’s a terrifyingly smart horror movie rooted in science.
Did You Know? The scientific community praised the film for its accuracy. The term "social distancing" is used in the film, predicting the exact terminology the world would adopt a decade later.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Rank: #137 Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rebooting Planet of the Apes seemed like a bad idea, but Rise proved everyone wrong by focusing entirely on the ape. Andy Serkis delivers a groundbreaking motion-capture performance as Caesar, conveying complex emotions and intelligence without speaking a word for most of the film.
It’s a prisoner-revolt movie disguised as a sci-fi blockbuster. You root for the apes to overthrow the humans because the film takes the time to show their abuse and Caesar's growing consciousness. The moment Caesar finally speaks is a genuine show-stopper that signals the beginning of the end for humanity.
Did You Know? This was the first film to use motion-capture technology in outdoor environments on such a massive scale (specifically the Golden Gate Bridge scene), proving that mo-cap characters could exist seamlessly in the real world.