Year-End Lists

A hand-curated, browsable index of notable year-end lists. Follow the link for each list to see essential commentary from its author, at the source.

2020

Cinema Scope: Top Ten Films of 2020

26 March 2021

Days - Tsai Ming-liang

Cinema Scope: Top Ten Films of 2020

[see also 202220212010s201920182017201620152014201320122011]

Robert Daniels: Top 25 Films of 2020

20 February 2021

David Byrne's American Utopia - Spike Lee

Robert Daniels: Top 25 Films of 2020

[see also 20212019]

Some film that barely missed the cut but I loved nonetheless

Robert Christgau: Dean's List 2020

27 January 2021

Hanging Tree Guitars - various artists

Robert Christgau: Dean's List 2020

[see also 2023202220212010s2019201820172012]

  1. various artists
  2. various artists
  3. various artists

Film Society of Lincoln Center: Dennis Lim: Top 10 Films of 2020

22 January 2021

Days - Tsai Ming-liang

Dennis Lim: Top 10 Films of 2020, as posted by The Film Society of Lincoln Center

[see also 2017]

Ten more, alphabetical

Ten short/medium-length films, alphabetical

Village Voice Film Poll: Brian Darr: Top Ten Films of 2020

21 January 2021

Nomadland - Chloé Zhao

Brian Darr: Top Ten Films of 2020, as published by Filmmaker Magazine as part of the reconstructed Village Voice Film Poll

[see also 202320222019201820172016201520142013]


This list contributes to:

Village Voice Film Poll: Top 50 Films of 2020

21 January 2021

First Cow - Kelly Reichardt

Village Voice Film Poll: Top 50 Films of 2020, as reconstructed by Mike D’Angelo for Filmmaker Magazine

[see also 20192017201620152014201320122011]


This list summarizes other lists, including these:

Under the Radar: Top 100 Albums of 2020

15 January 2021

Punisher - Phoebe Bridgers

Under the Radar: Top 100 Albums of 2020

[see also 2023202220212019201820172016201520142011]

Reverse Shot: Best Films of 2020

14 January 2021

Days - Tsai Ming-liang

Reverse Shot: Best Films of 2020

[see also 2023202220212010s201920182017201620152014201320122011]

Nashville Scene: The 2020 Jim Ridley Film Poll

14 January 2021

First Cow - Kelly Reichardt

Nashville Scene: The 2020 Jim Ridley Film Poll. "An international assemblage of critics, filmmakers, podcasters, teachers, actors, exhibitors, publicists, festival programmers, artists and even a beloved horror host stepped up to get hierarchical and reflective. We do this every year in honor of the late, great Jim Ridley, who believed strongly in the value of conversations about film."

[see also 201920182017]

David Ehrlich: The 25 Best Films of 2020

11 January 2021

Time - Garrett Bradley

This year’s installment of David Ehrlich’s video countdown: The 25 Best Films of 2020

[see also 202320222021201920182017201620152014201320122011]