10 Most Popular Movie Masterpieces of the Past 6 Years

Published Oct 18, 2026, 6:03 PM EDT

Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage manager, written several produced plays, critiqued hundreds of theatrical performances, drag and cabaret shows, and has produced events randing from drag competitoons to variety concerts! 
On Block Talk, he interviews nightlife personalities, covers the wide world of entertainment through features, ranking episodes, and recaps ALL of Drag Race, as well as Dragula and Survivor. He has interviewed hundreds of RuGirls that span the globe at DragCon NYC, DragCon LA, and DragCon UK. 
In his free time, he makes one-of-a-kind jewelry and gift baskets with his mom. He is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. 

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The 2020s have been a journey thus far. Prior to 2020, very few of us could have imagined how a global event could have such a drastic impact on the world of entertainment, let alone just movies. With the COVID-19 global pandemic shaping the decade thus far, how and where we consume our films has changed. Because of that, timing was everything. Some films suffered from being released when the world was shut down, while others flourished, riding the wave of getting butts back into the seats.

No matter how or when they arrived, the 10 films on this list are universally beloved. From big-budget blockbusters of historical figures to instant animated classics, genre-blending masterpieces to films that boosted a franchise, these 10 films are extraordinary works that have already impacted cinema history. Though some films came just shy of being included— Challengers, Luca, we’re talking about you — we all love the 10 that are here.

1 'Barbie' (2023)

Image via Warner Bros.

Lifting iconic IP into a feature-length film is risky, but Barbie mastered the game from inception to marketing to execution. As a main factor in bringing audiences back to the theaters, Barbie brought instant joy to everyone who watched. Brought to life by Greta Gerwig, Barbie took the iconic toy and gave her the big screen treatment. A satirical fantasy-comedy, the film follows Barbie (Margot Robbie) as she leaves the perfect, female-led "Barbieland" to enter the real world upon an existential crisis. Along with Ken (Ryan Gosling), she faces the challenges of human reality on the search for her “owner,” which doubles as a journey of self-discovery. Exploring themes of feminism, societal pressures, gender roles, and individuality, Barbie is beloved for being a humorous, bright, and self-aware romp.

As one half of one of the greatest double features in Hollywood history, Barbie was more than just a pop culture moment; it was a movement. Behind the campy facade was a profoundly intimate and personal story that resonated with every viewer in some manner. Barbie may have been the entry point, but the focus was on the beauty of being human, which involves accepting imperfection, mortality, and the freedom to define one's own purpose rather than being a perfect, unchanging idea. Barbie is an example of effortlessly tapping into nostalgia, infusing the right amount of modernity, and employing fun as the prime ingredient. Let’s face it, we can’t help but sing along when “I’m Just Ken” comes on! Barbie broke the glass ceiling in many ways, but most importantly, it reminded us to have fun while we ponder life.

2 'Dune: Part Two' (2024)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

If Dune: Part One was the appetizer and the upcoming Dune: Part Three is the cherry on top of a delicious dessert, then Dune: Part Two was the incomparable entrée that we couldn’t consume fast enough. The first part of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune arrived as a mixed release, so it didn’t have a fair footing, but with a clean blockbuster release, Dune: Part Two gave audiences everything they wanted and more. The second of a three-part journey, Dune: Part Two continues the story as Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) unites with the Fremen people of the desert planet Arrakis to wage war against House Harkonnen. Learning the Fremen ways on the road of revenge, Paul must grapple with a prophesied messianic role and visions of a devastating future holy war he might unleash. Through power, love, religious manipulation, and the inevitable rise to become a dark anti-hero, Dune: Part Two built upon its predecessor's success, becoming something even more epic.

Dune: Part Two masterfully took the complex source material of Frank Herbert’s novel and found the balance between staying faithful and being a visually spectacular blockbuster. From the sand-filled landscape of Arrakis to the striking black-and-white arena scene on Giedi Prime, the world-building was richly detailed, giving the film a truly immersive theatrical experience. The film also provided further enlightenment for its central character while expanding the roles of many other crucial characters, including Chani (Zendaya), Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), and newcomer Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler). A boldly stunning masterpiece, Dune: Part Two enhanced the sequel tropes without falling into a trap. If the trajectory is going, Dune: Part Three will be extraordinary.

3 'Encanto' (2021)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Since the moment Encanto was released, there wasn’t a moment in which you didn’t hear the soundtrack or drop a reference. We may have been told “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” but now, we simply can’t stop talking about Encanto. An instant Disney classic, the colorful musical tells the story of the Madrigals, a multigenerational Colombian family living in a magical, sentient house where every child receives a unique magical gift. The story follows Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), the only family member without powers, who must save her family and home when their magic begins to fade. Encanto is a masterclass in visual vibrancy, with an infectious sound about a family that resonates with everyone.

Brought to life as a story of healing, understanding individual worth, and finding the true gifts in life, Encanto had every ingredient that makes a Disney classic while simultaneously subverting those standards. Firstly, there was no traditional villain; instead, it used familial misunderstanding as the central conflict. Second, the hero’s journey was typical for Disney, as Mirabel’s quest was rooted in emotional reality. And yet, it still captured hearts because of the character-driven score and colorful sequences. There’s not a single flop on the soundtrack. Perhaps the most important element of the film is telling a culturally authentic story. From music to food, attire to history, the detailing was so sublime that it gave the film an immersive feel. Encanto is a story about family for families. Kids may love it, and adults will adore it.

Collider Exclusive · Oscar Best Picture Quiz Which Oscar Best Picture
Is Your Perfect Movie? Parasite · Everything Everywhere · Oppenheimer · Birdman · No Country

Five Oscar Best Picture winners. Five completely different visions of what cinema can be — and what it can do to you. One of them is the film that was made for the way your mind works. Ten questions will figure out which one.

🪜Parasite

🌀Everything Everywhere

☢️Oppenheimer

🐦Birdman

🪙No Country for Old Men

FIND YOUR FILM →

01

What kind of film experience do you actually want? The best movies don't just entertain — they leave something behind.

ASomething that pulls the rug out — that makes me think I'm watching one kind of film and then reveals I'm watching another entirely. BSomething overwhelming — funny, sad, absurd, and genuinely moving, all at once. CSomething grand and weighty — a film that makes me feel the full scale of what I'm watching. DSomething formally daring — a film that pushes what cinema can even do. ESomething lean and relentless — pure tension with no wasted frame.

NEXT QUESTION →

02

Which idea grabs you most in a film? Great films are driven by a central obsession. What's yours?

AClass, inequality, and what people are willing to do when desperation meets opportunity. BIdentity, family, and the chaos of trying to hold your life together when everything is falling apart. CGenius, moral responsibility, and the catastrophic weight of a decision you can never take back. DEgo, legacy, and the terror of becoming irrelevant while you're still alive to watch it happen. EEvil, chance, and whether moral order actually exists or if we just tell ourselves it does.

NEXT QUESTION →

03

How do you like your story told? Form is content. The way a story is shaped changes what it means.

AGenre-twisting — I want it to start in one lane and migrate into something completely different. BMaximalist and genre-blending — comedy, action, drama, sci-fi, all in one ride. CEpic and non-linear — cutting between timelines, building a mosaic of cause and consequence. DA single unbroken flow — I want to feel like I'm living it in real time, no cuts to safety. ESpare and precise — every scene doing exactly what it needs to do and nothing more.

NEXT QUESTION →

04

What makes a truly great antagonist? The opposition defines the protagonist. What kind of opposition fascinates you?

AA system — invisible, structural, and almost impossible to fight because it has no single face. BThe self — the ways we sabotage, abandon, and fail the people we love most. CHistory — the unstoppable momentum of events that no single person can stop or redirect. DThe industry — the machinery of culture that chews up talent and spits out irrelevance. EPure, implacable evil — a force so certain of itself it becomes almost philosophical.

NEXT QUESTION →

05

What do you want from a film's ending? The final note is the one that lingers. What do you want it to sound like?

AShock and inevitability — a conclusion that recontextualises everything that came before it. BEarned emotion — I want to cry, laugh, and feel genuinely hopeful, even if the world is a mess. CDevastation and grandeur — an ending that makes me sit in silence for a few minutes after. DAmbiguity — something that leaves enough open that I'm still thinking about it days later. EBleakness — an honest refusal to pretend the world is tidier than it actually is.

NEXT QUESTION →

06

Which setting pulls you in most? Where a film takes place shapes everything — mood, stakes, what's even possible.

AA gleaming modern city with a hidden underside — beauty masking rot, wealth masking desperation. BA collapsing suburban life that opens onto something infinite — the multiverse of a single ordinary person. CThe corridors of power and science at a world-historical turning point — where decisions echo for decades. DThe grimy, alive chaos of New York and Hollywood — fame as both destination and trap. EVast, indifferent landscape — desert and highway where violence arrives without warning or reason.

NEXT QUESTION →

07

What cinematic craft impresses you most? Every great film has a signature — a technical or artistic element that makes it unmistakable.

AProduction design and mise-en-scène — every frame composed to carry meaning beneath the surface. BEditing and tonal control — the ability to move between registers without losing the audience. CScore and sound design — music that becomes inseparable from the dread and awe of what you're watching. DCinematography as performance — the camera not recording events but participating in them. ESilence and restraint — what's left unsaid and unshown doing more work than any dialogue could.

NEXT QUESTION →

08

What kind of main character do you root for? The protagonist is the lens. Who you choose to follow says something about you.

ASomeone smart and resourceful who makes increasingly dangerous decisions under pressure. BSomeone overwhelmed and ordinary who turns out to be capable of something extraordinary. CA brilliant, tortured figure whose gifts and flaws are inseparable from each other. DA self-destructive artist whose ego is both their superpower and their undoing. EA quiet, principled person trying to make sense of a world that has stopped making sense.

NEXT QUESTION →

09

How do you feel about a film that takes its time? Pace is a choice. Some films sprint; others let tension accumulate slowly, deliberately.

AI love a slow build when I know the payoff is going to be seismic — patience for a devastating reveal. BGive me relentless momentum — I want to feel breathless and emotionally spent by the end. CEpic runtime doesn't scare me — if the material demands three hours, give me three hours. DI want it to feel propulsive even when nothing is technically happening — restless energy throughout. EDeliberate and unhurried — I want dread to accumulate in the spaces between the action.

NEXT QUESTION →

10

What do you want to feel walking out of the cinema? The best films leave a mark. What kind of mark do you want?

AUnsettled — like I've just seen something I can't fully explain but can't stop thinking about. BMoved and energised — like the film reminded me what actually matters and gave me something to hold onto. CHumbled — like I've been in the presence of something genuinely important and overwhelming. DExhilarated — like I've just seen cinema doing something it's never quite done before. EHaunted — like a cold, quiet dread that stays with me for days.

REVEAL MY FILM →

The Academy Has Decided Your Perfect Film Is…

Your answers have pointed to one Oscar Best Picture winner above all others. This is the film that was made for the way your mind works.

Parasite

You are drawn to films that operate on multiple levels simultaneously — that begin in one genre and quietly, brilliantly migrate into another. Bong Joon-ho's Parasite is a film about class, desire, and the architecture of inequality that manages to be darkly funny, deeply suspenseful, and genuinely shocking across a single extraordinary running time. Your instinct is for cinema that hides its true intentions until the moment it's ready to reveal them. Parasite is exactly that — a film that rewards close attention and punishes assumptions, right up to its devastating final image.

Everything Everywhere All at Once

You want it all — and this film gives you all of it. The Daniels' Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of the most maximalist films ever made: action comedy, multiverse sci-fi, family drama, existential crisis, and a genuinely earned emotional core that sneaks up on you amid the chaos. You are someone who responds to ambition, who doesn't want cinema to choose between being entertaining and being meaningful. This film refuses that choice entirely. It is overwhelming by design, and its overwhelming nature is precisely the point — because the feeling of being crushed by infinite possibility is exactly what it's about.

Oppenheimer

You are drawn to cinema on a grand scale — films that understand history not as a backdrop but as a force, and that place their characters inside that force and watch what happens. Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is a film about the terrifying gap between what we can do and what we should do, told with the full weight of one of the most consequential moments in human history behind it. You want your films to feel important without feeling self-important — to earn their ambition through sheer craft and the gravity of their subject. Oppenheimer does exactly that. It is enormous, complicated, and refuses easy comfort.

Birdman

You are drawn to films that foreground their own construction — that make the how of the filmmaking part of the what it's about. Alejandro González Iñárritu's Birdman, shot to appear as a single continuous take, is cinema examining itself through the cracked mirror of a fading actor's ego. You respond to formal daring, to the feeling that a film is doing something that probably shouldn't be possible. Michael Keaton's performance and Emmanuel Lubezki's restless camera create something genuinely unlike anything else — a film that is simultaneously about creativity, relevance, self-destruction, and the impossibility of ever truly knowing if your work means anything at all.

No Country for Old Men

You are drawn to cinema that trusts silence, that refuses to explain itself, and that treats dread as a form of meaning. The Coen Brothers' No Country for Old Men is a film about the arrival of a new kind of evil — implacable, arbitrary, and utterly indifferent to the moral frameworks we use to make sense of the world. It is one of the most formally controlled films ever made, and its controlled restraint is what makes it so terrifying. You want your films to haunt you, not comfort you. You are not interested in resolution if resolution would be dishonest. No Country for Old Men is honest in a way that most cinema never dares to be.

↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ

4 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' (2022)

Image via A24

Visibility and representation have become increasingly important over the years, especially in spaces where diversity is less common. Then Everything Everywhere All at Once arrived, and the argument became more profound. Defying Hollywood's ageist, sexist, and racist stereotypes by centering a sci-fi blockbuster on a middle-aged Asian immigrant worker alongside a predominantly Asian cast, Everything Everywhere All At Once was what we needed at the time. And it was welcomed with open arms. Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s mindblowing epic tells the story of Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh), a stressed Chinese-American laundromat owner whose life unravels as she's pulled into a multiversal adventure, where she must connect with versions of herself from other realities to save existence from a nihilistic threat, all while dealing with family issues, a tax audit, and an existential crisis. Tackling themes of generational trauma, love, nihilism, finding meaning in chaos, and accepting loved ones, the genre conglomerate became an instant game-changer in Hollywood.

The film challenged Hollywood and societal norms, and an eye was barely battered. It emerged as a beloved classic for its strong storytelling, extraordinary performances, and its ability to simultaneously merge and subvert genre tropes. Through an empowering science-fiction narrative that brought hot dog fingers into its multiverse, the absurdity and heartfelt moments were unified into a spectacular action flick. There was literally something for everyone inside the film. Featuring brilliant performances from Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, and Jamie Lee Curtis, the film was in capable hands. Wondrously creative and largely accessible, Everything Everywhere All At Once honored the power of kindness.

5 'KPop Demon Hunters' (2025)

Image via Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

It's almost been a year since its release, and KPop Demon Hunters is still going "up, up, up!" Since then, it's smashed Netflix records, dominated the Billboard charts, snatched award show trophies, and earned itself a highly anticipated sequel. Why? The world simply cannot get enough of its sheer brilliance. The instant animated classic follows HUNTR/X, a popular K-pop girl group that secretly uses its music to fight demons and protect humanity. With their power stemming from their fans' adoration, they use it to maintain Honmoon, a magical barrier against the demons. When Saja boys, a rival demon group in the form of a boy band, emerge to steal their fans to weaken the barrier, it's soon revealed that one of HUNTR/X's own has a secret that could crumble it all down. Though the metaphors may not be hidden too deeply, the film is a triumphant story about friendship, loyalty, and embracing your self-identity.

Reminding Disney that they're not the only animated powerhouse in town, KPop Demon Hunters found its initial niche, which then helped it move into the mainstream. From there, it was easy to embrace the film with open arms. It was a strikingly animated film with a sharp visual style. The music was addictive. The high-octane action led to world-building adventures, all while blending K-pop, Korean mythology, and accessible themes. KPop Demon Hunters was relatable content that was also extraordinary. Very few films deserve the moniker of global sensation quite like this one. The trouble now is, how will it top itself? Surely you can't get better than "Golden," right?

6 'Oppenheimer' (2023)

Image via Universal Pictures

While it may have served as the other half of the most iconic unrelated double feature in Hollywood history, Oppenheimer stands out on its own as a legendary film of epic proportions. Directed by the titan that is Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer dramatizes J. Robert Oppenheimer’s (Cillian Murphy) life, focusing on his leadership of the Manhattan Project to develop the first atomic bomb during WWII. The biopic about the father of the atomic bomb goes through his life in a non-linear format, honing in on his crisis of morality. A masterpiece-level production, Oppenheimer is a richly crafted, character-driven study of a monumental moment in world history that goes beyond the rules of biopics to offer a haunting depiction of the man who changed the world.

Beyond the all-around stellar performances, including those from Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Josh Harnett, and more, Oppenheimer is lauded for its stunning craftsmanship. From the extraordinary ability to replicate the Trinity Test to the mind-blowing immersive sound design, Oppenheimer went all-in to ensure a perfect product. Layer in the keen cinematography, jumping from color to black-and-white to distinguish different perspectives, and you get a film as you've never witnessed before. A technical achievement with extraordinary performances, there was something for everyone in this thought-provoking blockbuster.

7 'Project Hail Mary' (2026)

Image via Amazon MGM Studios

The calendar year has yet to reach the halfway point, and while many of the blockbusters haven't been released yet, an early year entry has already captured our hearts: Project Hail Mary. Based on the novel by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary tells the story of Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a science teacher who wakes up alone on a spaceship with amnesia. He learns that he is on a last-chance mission to save humanity from a solar-dimming microorganism called Astrophage and ultimately teams up with an alien called Rocky (James Ortiz) to save their respective planets. A sci-fi film with heart, humor, and hope, Project Hail Mary is the cozy comfort movie we never knew we needed.

What makes Project Hail Mary an instantly beloved film is its accessibility. Rooted in hard sci-fi, the complexity of the science concepts is not overbearing like a high school biology class. Instead, it's presented in an engaging manner that allows the audience into the conversation, tapping into their intelligence. Gosling delivers another top-notch performance, even if he's outshone by a puppet that's giving Grogu a run for his money. The Phil Lord and Christopher Miller-directed film continues to warm hearts, having both the spirit of the past and the allure of the present.

8 'Sinners' (2025)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

Horror movies were officially given a seat at the table once again, thanks to the extraordinary masterpiece Sinners. Produced, written, and directed by Ryan Coogler, Sinners was a subversive vampire that reshaped the genre. The smooth and sultry, sensational and sensual thriller set in 1932 Mississippi Delta follows criminal twin brothers, Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan), who return to their hometown to open a juke joint, only to confront a supernatural vampiric evil, Hoodoo, and deep-seated trauma. The toe-tapping thriller’s ingenuity lies in its ability to infuse a horror-first premise without compromising the culturally and racially significant story at its soul.

Sinners wasn’t just a typical vampire film. With a nuanced, bloody narrative, Sinners is a rare original blockbuster that evokes nostalgia through its modern approach to a period drama. More importantly, Sinners was a powerful love letter to Black culture and resilience that resonated with a widespread audience. Through its unique genre-blending, pushing beyond a standard vampire flick through a mix of horror, action, drama, and musicals with 1930s Southern Gothic elements and Delta Blues, Sinners captured immense emotional depth with a captivating narrative. Technically masterful and musically tactful, Sinners will be the film that we’ll be talking about until the sun rises again and again.

9 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' (2021)

Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment

The Marvel Cinematic Universe had a bit of a low point post-Avengers: Endgame, save for one major entry: Spider-Man: No Way Home. In the third chapter of the Spider-Man saga within the MCU, the film follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as his identity is exposed, destroying his private life. Seeking help, he asks Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to cast a spell, making the world forget he is Spider-Man. When the spell malfunctions, it tears open the multiverse and brings in villains Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Doc Ock (Alfred Molina), Electro (Jamie Foxx), Sandman (Thomas Haden Church), and Lizard (Rhys Ifans), who know Peter Parker from other universes. When Peter attempts to redeem the villains, it causes a rift, and Spider-Men (Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield) arrive to help prevent the multiverse from breaking entirely. Spider-Man: No Way Home was complete and utter fan service, and we couldn’t be happier.

There has yet to be an MCU film more nostalgic than Spider-Man: No Way Home. Rich with deep character development, the film was an emotional love letter to 20 years of Spider-Man cinema. It not only invited back some of the iconic characters of the past, but it also gave a chance to many characters to earn a redemption arc, namely, Garfield's Peter Parker to find closure regarding Gwen Stacy's death. While we may have believed at the time that it was the conclusion of a beloved trilogy, there’s more in store to continue the story. That said, it will only enhance the impact of what felt like finality. Easily Holland’s best performance thus far, Spider-Man: No Way Home reminded fans that high-stakes emotional stories are equally as impactful as the action sequences.

10 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022)

Image via Paramount Pictures

It only took three decades before a Top Gun sequel came to life! Directed by Joseph Kosinski, Top Gun: Maverick follows Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise), on the orders of Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky (Val Kilmer), as he returns to the Top Gun naval flight school over 30 years later to train an elite group of graduates for a dangerous mission to destroy an unsanctioned uranium enrichment facility. Maverick must confront his past, including training Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of his deceased best friend, Goose. Filled to the brim with sensational flight sequences, the heartfelt sequel took audiences' breath away once more.

A story of redemption, legacy, and the transition from human pilots to automated warfare, Top Gun: Maverick was fan service to the original fans while serving as a standalone entry point for the next generation. Though it did feel very much like a formulaic sequel, it didn’t matter. The purpose of the film was to give audiences something to look forward to. In a post-lockdown world, Top Gun: Maverick brought audiences back to the cinema, earning it the title of the ultimate movie-theater blockbuster. A wonderful popcorn film, there have been very few movies that define escapism at its finest. Nostalgic yet mature, Top Gun: Maverick paved the way for the characters and audiences who seek more amazing, sky-high aerial sequences.

Top Gun: Maverick

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