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Best geek movies of the decade

These are the highest-rated geek films since 2010, according to Metacritic.

Lance Cartelli
Lance Cartelli is an Emmy Award-winning producer and writer based in Los Angeles, California.
Lance Cartelli
45-wonder-woman-cfotwf
1 of 53 Warner Bros.

49 (tie). Wonder Woman

We've rounded up great (and awful) geek movies of the year before. But what about films from the entire past decade? Using our CNET sister site Metacritic's scoring system, we've compiled a list of the best geek movies since 2010. (And don't miss CNET staffers' picks of the decade's best films here.) 

The fourth film in the DC Extended Universe "makes you eager for more," says GameSpot, another of our sister sites.  

Metascore: 76

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45-the-hunger-games-catching-fire-zym61j
2 of 53 Lionsgate

49 (tie). The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games sequel is "smoothly exciting but a bit of a tease," per Entertainment Weekly.

Metascore: 76

45-guardians-of-the-galaxy-956fe4
3 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

49 (tie). Guardians of the Galaxy

Chris Pratt's debut as Star-Lord is "a resounding success that takes a seat at Marvel's top table," says CineVue.

Metascore: 76

45-how-to-train-your-dragon-2-3ak7jw
4 of 53 Paramount Pictures

49 (tie). How to Train Your Dragon 2

The How to Train Your Dragon sequel "offers just the right amount of spectacle," according to the Miami Herald. 

Metascore: 76

10 CLOVERFIELD LANE
5 of 53 Paramount Pictures

49 (tie). 10 Cloverfield Lane

The second film in the Cloverfield saga is a "real nail-biter of a monster movie," per the New York Post.

Metascore: 76

45-the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo-6b4e4f5f
6 of 53 Columbia Pictures

49 (tie). The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

This 2010 thriller, based on the novel of the same name, is "entertaining enough to rise above its flaws," says the San Francisco Chronicle.

Metascore: 76

THE GIFT
7 of 53 Huayi Brothers Media

43 (tie). The Gift

The Gift is a "smart, adult thriller," according to Movie Nation.

Metascore: 77

40-finding-dory-45whxs
8 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

43 (tie). Finding Dory

The Finding Nemo sequel is "filled with compelling characters, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and several exciting set pieces, all propped up by a heartfelt core that has a lot to say about love and acceptance," GameSpot says. 

Metascore: 77

40-logan-yoy3vc
9 of 53 20th Century Fox

43 (tie). Logan

The third and final film in the Wolverine trilogy "elevates its genre, succeeding precisely because it's different, and because it strives to be the Wolverine movie fans have always wanted to see," per GameSpot.

Metascore: 77

40-the-jungle-book-ga56u8
10 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

43 (tie). The Jungle Book

The live-action remake of Jungle Book "has the bare necessities, and then some," according to Time Out London. 

Metascore: 77

40-paddington-cbc3d5
11 of 53 TWC-Dimension

43 (tie). Paddington

The first Paddington film is "charmingly funny and shamelessly punny," according to RogerEbert.com. 

Metascore: 77

Film EX MACHINA
12 of 53 Universal Pictures

40 (tie). Ex Machina

This 2014 sci-fi thriller is a "clever film with one indelible performance from Oscar Isaac," says The Globe and Mail.

Metascore: 78

37-zootopia-gyfewp
13 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

40 (tie). Zootopia

This Oscar-nominated animation film "remains entertaining throughout — a testament to the inventiveness of the on-screen action," according to Empire.

Metascore: 78

37-avengers-endgame-2j7e2y-1
14 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

40 (tie). Avengers: Endgame

We called the Avengers: Infinity War sequel "a triumph" in our review of the highest-grossing film of the year. 

Metascore: 78

33-annihilation-siisjk
15 of 53 Paramount Pictures

36 (tie). Annihilation

Based on the novel of the same name, Annihilation is "more than mere visuals, and it will shock, fascinate and haunt whatever screen it's watched on," per The Guardian.

Metascore: 79

33-dawn-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-7884ce
16 of 53 20th Century Fox

36 (tie). Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

The Rise of the Planet of the Apes sequel is a "much better and far less silly movie than its predecessor," says the Village Voice. 

Metascore: 79

33-the-dark-knight-rises-dy2ncy
17 of 53 Warner Bros. Pictures

36 (tie). The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight sequel "brings the Batman story to a close in enormous, satisfying fashion," according to the Arizona Republic. 

Metascore: 79

33-life-of-pi-c9376b
18 of 53 20th Century Fox

36 (tie). Life of Pi

Based on the 2001 novel of the same name, Life of Pi is "as enchanting as it is ambitious," according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Metascore: 79

ad-astra-fdoyug
19 of 53

33 (tie). Ad Astra

Brad Pitt plays an astronaut who searches the solar system for his missing father in this sci-fi drama our reviewer called a "stunning sci-fi epic." 

Metascore: 80

31-incredibles-2-s6chzu
20 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

33 (tie). Incredibles 2

The Incredibles sequel is "beautiful, creative, smart, funny and more fun than a barrel full of Jack-Jacks. It was well worth the wait," says GameSpot.

Metascore: 80

31-the-martian-3vsfhx
21 of 53 20th Century Fox

33 (tie). The Martian

This 2015 sci-fi film, based on the novel of the same name, is an "enormously entertaining movie," per the Arizona Republic.

Metascore: 80

Coco
22 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

24 (tie). Coco

This two-time Academy Award-winning fantasy film is "one of Pixar's most gorgeously animated outings in some time," says USA Today. 

Metascore: 81

22-mandy-9ywnzb
23 of 53 RLJE Films

24 (tie). Mandy

Mandy is a "deliberately paced, ultraviolent, outlandishly stylish delivery system for Nicolas Cage's wild-eyed acting style," according to TheWrap. 

Metascore: 81

22-blade-runner-2049-6cwky9
24 of 53 Warner Bros. Pictures

24 (tie). Blade Runner 2049

The Blade Runner sequel delivers an "intense and intensely cinematic experience, per our review. GameSpot says it's "as close to a perfect sequel as has ever existed." 

Metascore: 81

MOANA
25 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

24 (tie). Moana

This two-time Oscar-nominated animation is a "crowd-pleasing oceanic musical with big tunes and beguiling characters," according to Empire.

Metascore: 81

22-arrival-sxxqg7
26 of 53 Paramount Pictures

24 (tie). Arrival

Our reviewer calls Arrival a "gripping, relevant parable about the importance of connecting rather than cutting ourselves off."

Metascore: 81

22-the-worlds-end-e80c34
27 of 53 Focus Features

24 (tie). The World's End

The third and final entry in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, following Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, "stands on its own as hilarious high-end nonsense," according to the Wall Street Journal. 

Metascore: 81

22-us-kesjue
28 of 53 Universal Pictures

24 (tie). Us

Jordan Peele's latest horror film is a "brilliant exploration of current-day America," per GameSpot.

Metascore: 81

22-star-wars-the-force-awakens-eqiocv
29 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

24 (tie). Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The first film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy "pumps new energy and life into a hallowed franchise in a way that both resurrects old pleasures and points in promising new directions," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Metascore: 81

22-skyfall-91c1ebf7
30 of 53 Columbia Pictures

24 (tie). Skyfall

It's "easily the most cinematically striking Bond film ever" our reviewer says.

Metascore: 81

19-isle-of-dogs-delfrq
31 of 53 Fox Searchlight Pictures

21 (tie). Isle of Dogs

This Oscar-nominated stop-motion animated film, directed by Wes Anderson, is "packed with laugh-out-loud moments, full of deadpan observations – a quintessential Anderson touch – and exciting sequences," per CineVue.

Metascore: 82

A QUIET PLACE
32 of 53 Paramount Pictures

21 (tie). A Quiet Place

We called this 2018 post-apocalyptic horror film a "unique family-oriented horror." 

Metascore: 82

19-war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-n3xvtg
33 of 53 20th Century Fox

21 (tie). War for the Planet of the Apes

The third entry in the Planet of the Apes reboot series is "the rare blockbuster that's both entertaining and full of complexity," says Vox.

Metascore: 82

17-the-lego-movie-aotjdy
34 of 53 Warner Bros. Pictures

19 (tie). The Lego Movie

The first film in the Lego Movie franchise is a "wickedly smart and funny free-for-all," according to Rolling Stone. 

Metascore: 83

17-hugo-d91263
35 of 53 Paramount Pictures

19 (tie). Hugo

Directed by Martin Scorsese, this 2011 drama is "rich and stimulating even when it wanders," according to the Chicago Tribune.

Metascore: 83

12-first-man-c92gsy
36 of 53 Universal Pictures

13 (tie). First Man

Based on the book First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, this 2018 biopic is "awe-inspiring," our reviewer says

Metascore: 84

Film Title: Get Out
37 of 53 Universal Pictures

13 (tie). Get Out

This Oscar-winning horror film, helmed by Jordan Peele, "rattles with provocations," according to The Telegraph.

Metascore: 84

Joseph Gordon Levitt
38 of 53 Sony Pictures

13 (tie). Looper

This 2012 sci-fi action film starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt  is "the smartest and most enthralling thing to hit cinemas since Inception," writes our reviewer

Metascore: 84

12-snowpiercer-c311f1
39 of 53 The Weinstein Company

13 (tie). Snowpiercer

"Snowpiercer has been brought to the screen with the kind of solid narrative craftsmanship, carefully drawn characters and — above all — respect for the audience's intelligence," says Variety.

Metascore: 84

12-kubo-and-the-two-strings-gkdgbv
40 of 53 Focus Features

13 (tie). Kubo and the Two Strings

This Academy Award-nominated stop-motion fantasy film is "captivating from the very first moments," per the Arizona Republic.

Metascore: 84

toy-story-4-ur9cy7
41 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

13 (tie). Toy Story 4

Released nine years after the third entry in the saga, Toy Story 4 "not only delivers plenty of gonzo-funny moments and genuine thrills, but also interrogates and complicates the series's core themes," says Vanity Fair.

Metascore: 84

11-star-wars-the-last-jedi-t8zl52
42 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

12. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The Force Awakens sequel is "heart-rending yet seriously funny," our reviewer says, and a "visually stunning addition to the beloved franchise." 

Metascore: 85

10-mission-impossible-6-jqbwcv
43 of 53 Paramount Pictures

11. Mission: Impossible - Fallout

The sixth entry in the Mission Impossible saga is "another ridiculously entertaining -- and entertainingly ridiculous -- superspy stuntfest," according to our reviewer

Metascore: 86

7-hereditary
44 of 53 A24

7 (tie). Hereditary

This 2018 film starring Toni Collette is a "tormenting horror about the worst nightmare of all -- family," writes our reviewer, who says Collette carries the film. 

Metascore: 87

7-spider-man-into-the-spider-verse-b5ucxe
45 of 53 Sony Pictures

7 (tie). Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse

This 2018 superhero film, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, is an "instant animated classic," according to GameSpot.

Metascore: 87

7-birdman-d0f352
46 of 53 Fox Searchlight Pictures

7 (tie). Birdman

"Birdman is a delicious and delirious pleasure," says The Guardian.

Metascore: 87

7-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-ii-69ef58df
47 of 53 Warner Bros. Pictures

7 (tie). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

The final film in the Harry Potter franchise is the "epic and impassioned close that the saga deserves," says the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Metascore: 87

null
48 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

5 (tie). Black Panther

Black Panther's standalone film debut is "a cultural event that's going to be hard for Marvel to top," according to GameSpot. 

Metascore: 88

5-paddington-2-uojc7p
49 of 53 TWC-Dimension

5 (tie). Paddington 2

The Paddington sequel is a "delightfully heartwarming tale about everyone's favorite marmalade-loving bear," per Entertainment Weekly. 

Metascore: 88

4-mad-max-fury-road-6b187b
50 of 53 Warner Bros. Pictures

4. Mad Max: Fury Road

The fourth installment in the Mad Max franchise is a "stunningly painted, sandblasted future of fire and blood," our reviewer says

Metascore: 90

3-toy-story-3-107872f9
51 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

3. Toy Story 3

The third Toy Story is a "thoroughly engaging, emotionally satisfying return," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Metascore: 92

2-inside-out-igukrs
52 of 53 Walt Disney Pictures

2. Inside Out

This 2015 comedy, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, is "one of Pixar's best films," per ScreenCrush.

Metascore: 94

1-gravity-p2ckbu
53 of 53

1. Gravity

A seven-time Oscar winner, this 2013 sci-fi thriller is a "stunning space saga that takes off for new technical frontiers without leaving its humanity behind," says Total Film.

Metascore: 96

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