My Top 10 Films of 2020

These compliments would mean more if I was fully in focus.
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[@danmaloney9215]

You really have a way of selling these films. When I watch these videos I want to watch all of them straight away

[@ICOEPR]

DO IT!

[@danmaloney9215]

@@ICOEPR OKAY I WILL!

[@jappev924]

A list of the movies, for me, for you, to keep track of: Honorable mentions: - Sound of Metal - Shirley - Babyteeth - The Father - Promising Young Woman - Quo Vadis, Aida? - The White Tiger (Available on Netflix!) - The Wolf of Snow Hollow Sammy's top ten: 10: Possessor (0:41) 9: Driveways (1:20) 8: Soul (2:20) 7: Dick Johnson is Dead (3:20) (Available on Netflix!) 6: Another Round (4:08) 5: Nomadland (5:16) 4: Boys State (6:21) 3: The Climb (7:36) 2: Minari (8:38) 1: Kajillionaire (10:02) Thanks Sammy!

[@ShuntKrunt]

It's people like you that make the world just that little bit easier to live in. Thank you.

[@papaquonis]

Mads Mikkelsen should honestly have been nominated for an Oscar for his performance in Another Round.

[@LaytonObserves]

Disappointed to say I hadn't seen _any_ of these films. Elated to say I now have a list of 10 bangers to watch at any given time, given your rich descriptions and praise of them.

[@ICOEPR]

Fuck yeah!

[@MrGREATGAMERGUY]

genuinely never pressed a notification faster in my life.

[@thephoenixsystem6765]

Gotta love a pb

[@TwelveOThirteen]

In 2020 I finally watched Three Identical Strangers thanks to your recommendation!

[@ICOEPR]

Ah, nice! Isn’t it great / crushing.

[@TwelveOThirteen]

Totally both

[@dubbie7879]

i've now decided to watch all of the movies you've recommended

[@ICOEPR]

GODSPEED

[@WaistHighView]

The way you talk about film is just so lovely, and it makes me remember why I love it so much. That means a lot, especially this year when I really haven't watched many films, just not being in the right mood - I think this is the first time I haven't already seen a single one on your list. Can't remember how many of your top 10s I've seen from over the years, but I think it's a good chunk, both from just usually seeing a lot myself but also following your recommendations after the videos.

[@ICOEPR]

Thanks so much, man. Thankfully there’s some softer ones in the mix for this horrible year. Maybe don’t start with Possessor.

[@FernandoSeelig]

I just absolutely love your lists! Thank you for keeping the tradition!

[@josetieneoro]

After a horrible week, this is just the movie watching motivation that I need to immerse myself into. Thanks Sammy✨

[@kingmejam]

can you get on letterboxd so i can try to keep up in advance? i'd love to see what you're watching throughout the year!!

[@peachy2164]

been waiting some time for this to come out and definitely did not dissapoint,, happy 5 year anniversary sammy

[@Erin-vy2ho]

i've been WAITING for this one

[@MrFrutix]

We needed this so much, looking forward to see every one of them. Thanks. I've watched this "Series" for 3 years so far and discovered more than I can count. TOTALLY WOULDNT MIND this comming twice a year, or more.

[@diogoalmeidavisuals]

I look forward to this top 10 every year!

[@whatkindofblue17]

I look forward to this video every year! Thanks Sammy, some good recommendations I haven’t seen anywhere else.

[@tayamoskva]

YES i've been waiting for this! Thanks a lot for making this

[@swanslegend]

So I went back through your old lists, and I've seen a total of 6/50 of your top 10s. I'm not really a movie person, I struggle to sit down and concentrate on something for more than 30 minutes or so at a time. But there's something about the way that you talk about films that keeps me coming back to your lists every year.

[@blackangel7017]

After Hazel hinting at your return in a past video I was waiting patiently for this one to come out! It really made me realize how much not being able to go to the cinema has affected the amount of movies I watched. And surprisingly this seems to be the first year where I haven't seen any one of the ones you mentioned. Also whilst I'd have to go back through all videos to figure out how many I ended up watching and I frankly don't have the patience for that, I do remember several occasions where I ended up watching a movie because I remembered you liking it. So I'm very much looking forward to that happening again in the near future (:

[@lennox3915]

i just wanted to say that i almost always watch all the movies you recommend in these videos each year !! you have such a way of selling them

[@Emzyisaces]

I look forward to these every year so thanks for making them. On average, I've picked up two or three new films to watch each year you've made a list. Minari and Boy State are two I had missed but are now on the list. 👍

[@rudd9418]

I look forward to these every year !

[@sarahgarciaclaustro3314]

Wooow I’m so early, I’m definitely going to watch all of these!! Especially now that I have two weeks of brake before starting my next quarter of film school

[@okaykatieokay]

I didn't get to see many films last year, but I did see Herself on my birthday, and absolutely loved it. It was beautifully understated and made me properly cry at the end whilst simultaneously allowing me hope.

[@gohomebella]

I look forward to these videos every year! There’s always a lovely mix of films I’ve seen, films on my watchlist, and films I’ve never heard of. For your question of how many of the 50 have I seen, I’m not sure off the top of my head (probably 4/5 per year?), but if I watch a film that I remember made it onto your list, I go back to the video to rewatch the part where you mentioned it. I would love to see more videos where you talk about film, it’s such a treat listening to your opinions but so sad to wait a whole year for the next one... Or maybe letterboxd if making videos takes up too much time? My favourite film of 2020 (at the moment) was Rocks, but I’m still catching up on a lot of the ones on this list...!

[@emmarubacava]

Ooh I was looking forward to this! You always recommend films I never would have heard of otherwise and I end up loving most of them so now my Films-To-Watch list just got even longer!

[@jinglekeys43]

Look forward to this vid every year. Excellent suggestions!

[@Playerdue]

Fantastic! I really like your selections and the way you describe each movie! I can't say exactly how many of your recommendations I watched during the past years, but I watched a lot of them! What I like is the fact that you watch every type of movie and concentrate on the cinematography, the story and the overall feelings. Really great job. One of my favourite movies you suggested and I didn't know was The Hunt for the Wilder People, it was brilliant!

[@smilesnthings]

I've seen 31/50 films! I look forward to these videos every year, thanks for making them! I also appreciated your shoutout to Emile Mosseri. His Last Black Man in San Francisco score is one of my all-time favorites, and his scores for Minari and Kajillionare definitely secured him as one of the top composers in the game right now, at least for me!

[@ICOEPR]

Nice, thems some numbers! And yeah absolutely agreed - Last Black Man score is a so tasty.

[@nawaf2997]

I'm thinking of ending things deserve an honorable mention and I'm amazed how you arranged the top 3 all was so good

[@Artemisdianaxxx]

The hype I feel every year

[@AlinaTheGoblin]

Cheers, I've got the next few months of movie nights sorted then. Happy to see your lovely self and hear your fantastic recommendations, Sammy, hope you're doing well :)

[@mirixf]

ohh i didn´t notice you'd uploaded your annual top 10, these are always such good recommendations!

[@ediewizz14]

Really great video! Thoroughly enjoy your lists

[@yoanna5646]

I really love your film taste and I think I watched almost all if not all of your recommended films, even with this video I have either already seen and liked the films you mentioned or they were already on my watchlist, so when you mention films i haven't heard of before the only logical next step is to watch them asap

[@starr6198]

Always look forward to these. Kajillionaire was at the top of my list for 2020 as well.

[@maheryverywell2121]

Missed your content! I may take a look at these films ! Very Happy to find you on KZbin again ❤️😊

[@kohhna]

My top ten: This is based on when it was released for me to actually watch in a cinema locally or (and more significantly this year) on streaming and based only on my subjective opinion - 10, The Vast Of Night 9, Bait 8, Blood Quantum 7, Weathering With You 6, Relic 5, Parasite 4, The Lighthouse 3, Small Axe: Lover's Rock bubbling under - the rest of Small Axe, The Platform, Ya No Estoy Aquí, I'm Thinking of Ending Things, St Maud. The last two are kind of joint in my esteeme. As someone from Ireland I like to support the local arts scene and will try to get to the showings or even local premieres of any big Irish films that come out, but for whatever reason its very rare that anything done locally will trouble my top ten of the year. This year I'm extremely happy to say that the two films that I have enjoyed the most thoroughly this year were both made and set here with mostly Irish cast and crew. Those films are Wolfwalkers, the latest effort from the cultural powerhouse that is Cartoon Salon and Calm With Horses, a crime drama that balances brutality with a strong emotional core. Of the 50 films in your lists I've seen 35/50, and a lot of those not there are from the last year and mostly just because I've not been able to see them yet.

[@ICOEPR]

Really great list!

[@klownck]

Usually I will check out mostly all the films you recommend and over the past 5 years its been amazing to find ones that really did go under the radar.

[@SergeyDzakhoev]

Love the video! Thank you for this list! Took notes and definitely going to watch those movies! Really liked hearing your thoughts! P.s. the beard looks good on you :)

[@DaniloAllen]

This is the first year of the past five where I haven’t watched a single film on your list yet. I’ve got some watching to do!

[@mariannecotte6141]

Just started watching and my heart already is breaking for Promising Young Woman, which is definitely my favourite of the year. Can't wait to find out about the ten movies that bested it in your much more expert opinion!

[@kittyk8438]

my thoughts as well! and the father:/

[@JiixBooks]

Was much looking forward to this 😌

[@thesuninwinter]

I've seen 32/50 films! Only one from 2020 so far though... can't wait for cinemas to reopen!

[@elizabethblanton5928]

I look forward to these videos ever year.

[@bananamanasaur]

This is the first time I haven't heard of any of these! Just goes to show what diversity of good things are out there

[@rebeccabowen3754]

ALSO I've been slowly watching the movies you reccomend, I often re watch the older videos to update my letterboxd but my film taste has definitely evolved thanks to you m8

[@ICOEPR]

Aw no way, that’s so cool!

[@mandy-gi8ul]

SAMMYYY i’ve missed you

[@stephengalvinjrtrue]

He’s back!

[@yulicornlovesyou]

Thanks again for the recommendations! I have been looking forward to your annual video for 3 years now, and I've seen a good chunk of the films, all of which left me progressively more inlove with the art of cinema. I was also wondering if you have a letterboxd account I can follow... Bless your soul, man

[@Superr_Catz]

I know it's not 2013 anymore but I was wondering about your thoughts on the Richard Curtis comedy/romance About Time? also would you ever go back and cover the years before you started? I'd be interested to see what you think of films you may have already seen or those you may have missed years ago! love the videos and keep up the fascinating work!

[@homefreylf]

I always love your movie reviews- I definitely need to check out Dick Johnson is Dead and Kajillionaire! My favorite movie of the year was First Cow, but I'm always a sucker for anything Kelly Reichardt does.

[@le4372]

i haven’t watched all the films you’ve mentioned but my favorite film of 2020 is definitely nomadland which i’ve actually only seen for the first time this week. other than that, another round & minari are up there for me as well. some that you haven’t mentioned but that i loved are uncle frank, the boys in the band and freaky which i have to say is a bit of a guilty pleasure but wow vince vaughn was great. a film i would recommend if you haven’t seen is Nobody Knows Im Here... i haven’t heard anyone talk about it but it’s on netflix and it’s absolutely wonderful and i think about it a lot ...

[@daffodilcath6857]

I bloody loved Kajilionaire, it was one of 3 films I saw in the cinema last year and I’m so glad I did!

[@suesskind]

It's not always easy to see movies in time for award season because in Germany they sometimes air months up to a year later. And after they've run in the cinema (if they even do), streaming services can be skim pickings. So sadly, I can never really watch half of what you recommend. But one I always wanted to see, heard you talk so much about and then finally were able to see due to the grace of the VPN gods was Hunt for the Wilderpeople. This movie was amazing, really showed me why I love movies again and I'll forever be grateful to you for that

[@Elhana515]

Would defo recommend Saint Frances, it's on netflix and it seems to have been looked over but I absolutely loved it! Both really honest and also heartwarming

[@ICOEPR]

Yeah, I dug it :)

[@lilligresham5690]

Just a quick note on where to find these in the UK Honorable Mentions - Sound of Metal - Amazon Prime, Shirley - Amazon (£4.49), Babyteeth (search for Eliza Scanlen) - Amazon(£1.99), The Father (In cinemas 11 June), Promising Young Woman (Sky, NowTV), Qui Vadis, Aida - Amazon (£4.49), The White Tiger - Netflix, The Wolf of Snow Hollow - Amazon (£9.99) Possessor - Amazon (£4.49) Driveways - Sky, NowTV Soul - Disney+ Dick Johnson is Dead - Netflix Another Round - In Cinemas June 25th Nomadland - Disney+ (April 30th) Boys State - AppleTV+ The Climb - Amazon (on offer right now £1.99) Minari - Amazon (£9.99) Kajillionaire - Amazon (£4.49) P.S I'm sure the ones you can buy/rent are available other places like iTunes but this was my notes, and I don't use iTunes.

[@ICOEPR]

Renting/buying some of the films on KZbin is also an option. Thanks for listing this out, very nice idea :)

[@lilligresham5690]

I also completely forgot about buying some of these on Curzon! If you're wanting to support cinemas, I recommend using their online service :)

[@jesusrael7716]

Missed seeing you on KZbin, Sammy!

[@hazelpaulband]

what a great video. can’t wait to go watch all of these films

[@ICOEPR]

DO IT I BELIEVE IN YOU

[@estrelarl2698]

I've watched 40 of the films you've recommended (including honourable mentions) and I'm about to watch Another Round, so that'll be 41!

[@jessedwardes690]

You’re definitely right about Kajillionaire being an acquired taste... it was one of my least favourite movies of 2020! Which is interesting because normally I completely agree with your lists! Nomadland was my favourite of the year with Minari second in the Oscar-nominated list. Awesome video!

[@jessedwardes690]

I also just finished watching Quo Vadis, Aida? and it really was excellent

[@ICOEPR]

Totally respect that! The joys of agreeing to disagree.

[@Artemisdianaxxx]

Definitely gonna check all of these out (except probably possessor I don’t like to feel bad I’m sorry). I barely watched any movies last year which makes me sad I think I normally only watch new films at the cinema

[@andresvalenzuela6765]

Hey Sammy! i really think you should watch "Tengo miedo torero" and/or "el agente topo" if you havent yet, they are both amazing and making Chile an incredible place to make movies

[@blanche5202]

yes!!! kajillionaire was my favourite from 2020 too

[@maxresdefault_]

Can't wait to see the 2021 list in two months time probably

[@Tuariq1]

I probably have seen about 40% of your lists. I usually watch the top 3 and some others you recommend 😊👍✨

[@maxresdefault_]

I never thought I'd see the day. Always like to add to my watchlist

[@ICOEPR]

Hot tip: I always upload these the Friday before The Oscars.

[@louisdark3746]

‘falling into’ shows Mads Mikkelsen falling in Another Round - great

[@jacquelineavery]

Do you have a list of your top ten films for the past five years online anywhere? I think I watched all or most of the videos as you published them and I've often written down your recommendations, but I would be interested to see how many of them I have actually followed through and watched.

[@ICOEPR]

Nocturnal Animals La La Land Hunt for the Wilderpeople The Nice Guys Arrival Hell or High Water Manchester by the Sea Moonlight Wiener Kubo and the Two Strings The Shape of Water Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri Raw Get Out I, Tonya Paddington 2 Coco The Killing of a Sacred Deer City of Ghosts Good Time You Were Never Really Here First Reformed Vice Three Identical Strangers American Animals The Favourite Mandy Sorry to Bother You Mid 90s The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Jojo Rabbit Parasite The Lighthouse 1917 Us Toy Story 4 Uncut Gems Marriage Story The Farewell Benjamin Kajillionaire Minari The Climb Boys State Nomadland Another Round Dick Johnson is Dead Soul Driveways Possessor

[@mariakerman6558]

I have not seen Kajillionaire jet but a little while back I watched The Future by Miranda July and oh my god it is one of my favourite films and just ate my soul away while being so perfectly weird at the same time and I just really recommend it :)

[@seifoof]

I've only seen 8 out of the 50 films but i made a spreadsheet with them all in it so i can get through them all whenever i have the time

[@Daybed4448]

Sammy, would you be able to make Letterboxd lists of these videos? That'd be very very useful

[@jennyjenjen80]

I was thinking about you just yesterday and thinking I should ask you since lockdown restrictions are starting to ease pllleeaaassee can we have some more 'Lovey board game' videos? They were my favourite x

[@teodoras9611]

thank you!

[@tommyrichards1589]

Wow no Tenet. Jack won't be happy...

[@ICOEPR]

I will FIGHT HIM (really liked Tenet!)

[@Sophie_Stedman]

luv u sammy

[@sleantia]

I've kept a list in a book of lists I've got, so I've gone back and seen most of them. I counted that I haven't seen thirteen of the movies in your top tens, but seven of those are from this year 😅 I've also noted down all the honourable mentions... This was the year I watched everything on your 2016 list and I've only got one to go from 2018. I like lists, and I love lists of movies.

[@ICOEPR]

God damn that’s good going - love a list! Do you have a favourite and a least favourite cf my recommendations?

[@sleantia]

@@ICOEPR I think my favourite is Tickled. In general I love that you have some documentaries on your list every year. But tickled is a movie I watch with a friend and then twice more with other friends because I needed them to see it 😄 Least favourite is probably Mandy. I watched it with two friends and none of us liked it. But at least it was something new to watch and it gave us something to talk about

[@frogvangessel2754]

Has anyone made a master list of all these top 10's? Id love to go watch em at somepoint but my adhd keeps forgetting danggit

[@moammonster_Jess_]

Me going into this: yeah new films for me to watch Also me: has already seen literally all of them because I'm a film nerd Also Sammy I've literally seen all 50 😂

[@shafwa234]

2021?

[@rebeccabowen3754]

I was supposed to study today but now I just want to stay in bed and watch all these films:((

[@nome8207]

That fire be lit though

[@lyluball]

completely agree about kajillionare, it was beautiful, horrible and so tender

[@antuanduanel]

I think Never Rarely Sometimes Always is my favorite from 2020 🤔

[@kohhna]

That looks excellent, looking forwards to seeing it.

[@1from31]

I want hot coco now

[@CasparFalkenstein]

I didn't know a SINGLE film sammy just told us about. Not a single one. ^^

[@audreyr5938]

22 out of 50!

[@Davelime501]

iv watched all 5 episodes

[@emmarubacava]

Mank wasn’t on your list. It was the film I was most looking forward to in 2020 because I love David Fincher films but I have to be honest I was disappointed. I was bored. The oscars have raved about it though. What did you think?

[@ICOEPR]

I dug it! Certainly not as dynamic as Fincher’s usual work but knowing that it was his late father’s script added a certain sweetness to the whole thing. Also, I found The Monkey and the Organ Grinder Parable at the end (speaking to the relationship between writers and film studios) really effectively bleak and haunting.

[@emmarubacava]

@@ICOEPR Yes I figured that it wasn’t his usual style as he was making his father’s script into a film. Perhaps he was trying to honour the script as close as possible and not add too much of his own ‘auteur’ness to it.

[@Harri_James]

I haven't even heard of most of these...do out if the loop

[@nunodias3791]

I loved sam's list but I have to say Kajillionaire was such a disappointment for me. It's an incredible film right up until its ending. Because man does the ending come out of left field. I mean it's just unrealistic and doesn't go along with the main character's arc. I was really sad cause I was loving the movie until its last scenes. My favourite film of 2020 was definitely Sound of Metal. Damn what a powerful and original movie

[@CrazyMonkeyMinecraft]

Did you not see Im thinking of ending things?

[@ICOEPR]

I dug what it was up to but, sinfully, didn’t love it (even on rewatch).

[@ToriKo_]

@@ICOEPR I agree

[@nav3346]

Hello old friend! 😀

[@Sophie_Stedman]

came here because sammy is epic and definitely not cause dodie and hazel say you need help building your channel 🙄😂

[@emmanuelantow4593]

Yurtyu

[@user-mj8ru6bx4w]

why u green r u hulk hi hulk