The most influential films of 2010-2019

Introduction 
As the decade comes to a close, we invite introspection in the past 10 years. This includes politics (domestic and global), advances in science, and the arts. The latter of which is a reflection of our society and current events. There have been several dramatic shifts in movies over the last decade: streaming services on par with movies in providing quality content and mainstream hits and $1B hits and reboots are now the majority of most movies released in theatres. I researched and organized a list of the 8 most influential films of the past decade. I reviewed movies released between 2010 and 2019, while analyzing their impact on the industry and the films that followed. I reviewed criteria that included the following: Rotten Tomatoes Score, IMDB Score and ranking, and their box office totals. A film's legacy is not always easy to pinpoint. Films with a poor audience and critical reception still influence studios. For example, the Transformers series has made billions worldwide and set new standards (or perhaps lowered the bar) for future franchises. Although, the less that's said about that the better.

 Here are the most influential films of the past decade:

The Social Network (2010)
The Social Network is one of the defining films of the past ten years. It is impeccably shot from start to finish and is helmed by David Fincher, one of the best working directors in the film industry today. The film centers around the creation of Facebook and touches on themes of power. In recent years we have seen increased scrutiny of social media and it's influence on our lives. The Social Network was ahead of its time and had become more relevant with age. In many ways, it is a cautionary tale. Fincher should have won Best Director in 2010. It laid the foundation for the modern biopic.

Bridesmaids (2011)
All film's debut in theatres, but few become a phenomenon. Bridesmaids took the world by storm in 2011 with its quotes and iconic poster leaving its mark on pop culture and mainstream movies. It broke new ground in comedy and paved the way for films like Wonder Woman and Pitch Perfect. Audiences were not the only people who appreciated the film. It nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Melissa Mccarthy. Comedies seldom get recognized by the Academy Awards, which makes the film exceptional.

Get Out (2017)
Get Out showed horror could be a vessel for mature storytelling. More importantly, it showed us how film can highlight the uncomfortable truths in society that we are unwilling to acknowledge or address. It remains one of the few horror movies recognized by the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director. It raised the bar for the genre and all films that followed. It will also be remembered as one of the best film debuts of all time. Jordan Peele has defined himself as a master storyteller, leaving everyone in anticipation for what he does next.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens  (2015)
Disney's purchase of the Star Wars franchise is one of the defining moments of the decade. Immediately following the announcement was the other announcement of a new Star Wars trilogy. Kathleen Kennedy was entrusted with reviving an iconic film series, a task on par with blowing up the first death star. Like the rebel attack, it was successful in execution. JJ Abram's film was a hit with longtime fans and introduced Star Wars to a new generation. The film was a hit at the box office and has launched 2 sequels, 2 spinoffs, and an entire universe of content. Countless studios have tried the same blueprint for reviving film franchises with varying degrees of success. From Jurassic World to Blade Runner 2049 to Terminator Genesis. Although the latter is better left unsaid.

Bright (2017)
Bright is a Netflix Original movie starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton as a human cop and orc hunting down crime in Los Angeles. Critics derided the film but audiences responded more positively. Over 11 million people watched the film on its debut weekend, which would have given the film an opening weekend on par with several blockbusters if it had been released in theatres. The film’s success was groundbreaking in several ways. The film showed streaming services like Netflix could compete with movie studios.  The Irishman and Marriage Story would not have been possible without Bright.

Mad Max Fury Road (2015) Alfred Hitchcock once said films should be “understood in Japan without subtitles”. George Miller archives that vision with Mad Max Fury Road. The director relies on the character's actions and visuals to tell the story. Its scenes are powerful and resonate with the audience despite the absence of dialogue. The action scenes are all achieved through the use of sets instead of CGI. Which are at the heart of the film’s raw authenticity. It is one of the smartest and developed blockbusters of the decade. In a decade that brought us three Transformers movies, Mad Max Fury Road is a breath of fresh air. The film resurrects the action movie genre from mediocrity by showing the heights that can be achieved. The world may belong to the mad but quality film making belongs to George Miller.

The Avengers (2012)
The Avengers was not a guaranteed success. The two previous Marvel movies Thor and Captain America were modest successes at best. Studio execs were unsure if audiences would watch a film headlined by non-mainstream superheroes. The film passed the billion-dollar threshold, a rare feat at the time. The film balances its large cast and delivers a meaningful story. Its success helped usher in a resurgence of comic book adaptations/ superheroes on the silver and small screen. While showing it's viability and appeal to audiences. Several studies have attempted to recreate The Avengers formula with varying levels of success. They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. Hollywood is one of the best examples of this rule in practice.

Blackfish (2013)
In summer 2013 a film took the world by storm. This happened to be a documentary that debuted on CNN, called Blackfish which shed light on Sea World's treatment of its captive marine mammals. Overnight the park's attendance tanked as people called for boycotts of the park. The company found itself in several lawsuits by former trainers. Documentary films show the world as it is without any hint of fiction. Blackfish showed a documentary’s impact on the world. While speaking to the power of the medium. In recent years we have seen a resurgence in documentaries from Won’t You Be My Neighbor to RBG. Which are a result of Blackfish’s legacy of highlighting real stories and inspiring action among people in the audience.