2020 was not a normal year—and cinema didn’t pretend otherwise. Theater closures, delayed releases, and streaming-first debuts reshaped how movies were made, released, and consumed. Some films rose to the challenge with creativity and urgency. Others collapsed under the weight of uncertainty. This tier list looks past excuses and circumstance to rank what actually worked—and what didn’t.
S-Star Ranking - All-Time Greats - Reserved for films that transcend their release year. These are the rare titles that leave a permanent mark on cinema, influence the industry, and continue to be discussed, studied, and rewatched years later. Craft, impact, and legacy all align here. Very few films earn this rank, and that scarcity is the point.
- N/A
5-Star Ranking - Best of the Best - Exceptional films operating at the highest level of filmmaking. Strong direction, performances, and execution elevate them above their peers, even if they don’t redefine the medium or achieve long-term cultural immortality. These are the best films of their year and stand as near-flawless examples of their genre.
- N/A
4-Star Ranking - Top 10 Worthy - Well-crafted, confident films that excel in multiple areas and earn their place among the year’s standouts. They may have minor flaws or limited scope, but the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses. Highly recommended viewing and often among the most enjoyable or impressive releases of the year.
- A Quiet Place Part II
- Extraction
- The Invisible Man
- The Devil All the Time
3-Star Ranking - Good Entertainment - Solid, watchable films that do their job well. They entertain, engage, and deliver on their premise without pushing boundaries or taking major risks. These are enjoyable experiences, even if they’re unlikely to linger long after the credits roll.
- The Old Guard
- Soul
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Underwater
- Onward
- Archive
- Enola Holmes
- Run
- Spree
- Bad Boys for Life
- Love and Monsters
- Ava
- Rogue
- Bad Hair
- The Owners
- Rent-A-Pal
- The Babysitter: Killer Queen
- Happiest Season
- I Care a Lot
- Skylines
- Godzilla vs. Kong
2-Star Ranking - Wasted Potential - Films with promising ideas, talent, or concepts that fail to come together. Whether due to weak execution, poor pacing, tonal confusion, or studio interference, these movies fall short of what they could have been. Frustrating more than offensive.
- Mulan
- Dolittle
- Vivarium
- Tremors: Shrieker Island
- Wonder Woman 1984
- Fantasy Island
- Bloodshot
- Monster Hunter
1-Star Ranking - Total Garbage - Broken films with little to no redeeming value. Poorly written, badly executed, or fundamentally misguided, these releases fail on nearly every level. Watching them feels like a chore rather than an experience, and they serve as cautionary tales rather than entertainment.
- Artemis Fowl
- Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn
Conclusion
2020 forced film to adapt or die. Some filmmakers adjusted and thrived; others simply treaded water. Time will be kinder to a few of these titles and harsher to others, but quality always leaves a paper trail. This list isn’t about survival—it’s about execution.
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