Ranked roundup
The best films of 2020
25 ranked · updated July 2026
The cinematic landscape of 2020 proved remarkably diverse, blending intense character studies with sweeping tales of redemption and supernatural wonder. These selections highlight a year defined by profound explorations of the human condition, ranging from the complexities of memory and terminal illness to the visceral power of animated storytelling.
How this ranking works
Ranked by a Bayesian-weighted score combining each title's average rating and rating count (minimum 200 ratings to qualify, weighted toward titles with more votes), filtered to films released in 2020.
Gabriel's Inferno
This film earns its place through a deeply passionate and sophisticated exploration of forbidden love, grounding its romantic drama in a compelling journey toward personal redemption.
Explores: Redemption, Forbidden love, Academic romance.
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train
The film secures its high rank by masterfully balancing intense supernatural action with a poignant focus on duty, honor, and the emotional weight of overcoming trauma.
Explores: Duty and Honor, Self-sacrifice, Overcoming trauma.
Soul
By blending existential inquiry with a vibrant musical backdrop, this story offers a profound and imaginative look at the nature of purpose and human passion.
Explores: Purpose and passion, Existentialism, Afterlife.
Gabriel's Inferno: Part II
This chapter deepens the series' commitment to complex romantic dynamics, focusing on the difficult path toward second chances and the resolution of long-standing academic tensions.
Explores: Redemption, Forbidden Love, Second Chances.
The Father
The film is essential viewing for its harrowing and technically precise portrayal of dementia, capturing the tragic erosion of reality through a deeply personal lens.
Explores: Dementia, Memory loss, Aging.
Life in a Year
This drama earns its spot by delivering a heart-wrenching meditation on unconditional love, focusing on the urgency of living life to the fullest despite terminal circumstances.
Explores: Terminal illness, Coming of age, Unconditional love.
Gabriel's Inferno: Part III
Serving as the definitive conclusion to the saga, this installment effectively synthesizes the central themes of forbidden romance and ultimate personal redemption for its lead characters.
Explores: Forbidden love, Personal redemption, Academic romance.
Justice League Dark: Apokolips War
This feature stands out for its high-stakes narrative, which utilizes the scope of intergalactic war to examine the heavy costs of sacrifice and collective revenge.
Explores: Revenge, Sacrifice, Intergalactic War.
Wolfwalkers
The film is distinguished by its stunning visual style and its thoughtful thematic exploration of the conflict between encroaching civilization and the magic of the natural world.
Explores: Nature vs Civilization, Friendship, Transformation.
Clouds
This biographical drama resonates through its authentic depiction of a young musician’s struggle with illness and his enduring legacy as he faces his final months.
Explores: Terminal illness, Musical legacy, Living life to the fullest.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge
This adaptation captures the brutal essence of its source material, focusing on the dark cycle of vengeance and the complex motivations behind a warrior's quest for redemption.
Explores: Revenge, Resurrection, Redemption.
Miraculous World: New York, United HeroeZ
This superhero entry is notable for its lighthearted focus on cultural exchange and the importance of friendship as young heroes navigate the challenges of New York.
Explores: Friendship, Heroism, Cultural Exchange.
The Gentlemen
Guy Ritchie
Guy Ritchie’s crime comedy earns its place through a sharp, fast-paced script that navigates the intricate power struggles and criminal schemes of the London underworld.
Explores: Criminal Underworld, Power Struggle, Blackmail.
A Whisker Away
Tomotaka Shibayama
This film is celebrated for its unique premise, using magical realism to provide a sensitive and creative look at identity crises and the complexities of unrequited love.
Explores: Transformation, Identity Crisis, Unrequited Love.
Sound of Metal
Darius Marder
This character study is remarkable for its raw and honest portrayal of a drummer grappling with the loss of hearing and his subsequent search for identity.
Explores: loss of hearing, identity crisis, acceptance.
Onward
Dan Scanlon
A standout among the best films of 2020.
Explores: Brotherhood, Loss and Grief, Rediscovering Magic.
The Trial of the Chicago 7
Aaron Sorkin
A standout among the best films of 2020.
Explores: Civil Disobedience, Government Overreach, Social Justice.
The Kissing Booth 2
Vince Marcello
A standout among the best films of 2020.
Explores: Long-Distance Relationship, High School Romance, Best Friend Conflicts.
Josee, the Tiger and the Fish
A standout among the best films of 2020.
Explores: Disability awareness, Personal growth, Overcoming adversity.
Another Round
Thomas Vinterberg
A standout among the best films of 2020.
Explores: Alcoholism, Existential Crisis, Male Friendship.
All the Bright Places
Brett Haley
A standout among the best films of 2020.
Explores: Mental Illness, Grief, Suicide.
Violet Evergarden: The Movie
A standout among the best films of 2020.
Explores: Loss and grief, The power of letters, Post-war recovery.
The Call of the Wild
Chris Sanders
A standout among the best films of 2020.
Explores: Man vs. Nature, Self-Discovery, Animal Protagonist.
We Bare Bears: The Movie
Daniel Chong
A standout among the best films of 2020.
Explores: Brotherhood, Outsider Acceptance, Environmentalism.
Given
A standout among the best films of 2020.
Explores: Unrequited love, Romantic rivalry, Emotional growth.
Common questions
What are the best animated films from 2020?
Notable animated films from 2020 include the supernatural action hit Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie: Mugen Train, the existential musical fantasy Soul, the folklore-inspired Wolfwalkers, the magical realism story A Whisker Away, and the superhero feature Miraculous World: New York, United HeroeZ.
Are there any good dramas about terminal illness released in 2020?
Yes, several 2020 dramas explore this theme, including Life in a Year, which follows a teenager attempting to give his dying girlfriend a full life, and Clouds, a biographical film about a young musician who creates a viral hit while facing his final months.
What is the film about a drummer losing his hearing?
The film is titled Sound of Metal, directed by Darius Marder. It follows a metal drummer named Ruben who must navigate a profound identity crisis and seek acceptance after he begins to lose his hearing, forcing him to adapt his life and career.