My Favourite Films and TV Shows of the Last Decade

Earlier in the year, I was planning on writing a post about the movies and shows I had watched and loved over the last year (2019), sort of based on how some people I follow on Twitter write threads (lists) of what they have watched over the year. In 2019, I’ve watched a total of twenty-five films and twenty-seven programmes and hope that I can watch as many, if not more, in 2020.

However, the plan changed after seeing a few newspapers and journalists I follow on Twitter begin to write about the best films and programmes of the whole decade just gone – the 2010s. As we are now in the midst of 2020, I thought it was appropriate to give my own list of movies and shows that were my favourites throughout the decade. I have also decided to separate favourite TV shows into Drama and General as I wanted to mention a few shows I loved for both categories.

Films

Marvel Cinematic Universe (2008-)

Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, Iron Man, Ant Man, Hulk, Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, Spider Man, Black Panther, Scarlet Witch, Loki, Gamora, Nebula, Falcon, Winter Soldier, Groot, Rocket, Star Lord... A long list of characters, a LOT of films and storylines that come and go throughout. Though Thor: Ragnarök is probably my favourite out of them all, I love a lot of the Marvel films and characters equally and am looking forward to seeing how the next few films and tv shows that are going to be a part of the universe come out.

Green Book (2019)

My favourite stand-alone film of the last year, it tells the tale of a working-class Italian-American bouncer who becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist on a tour of venues throughout the 1960s American South. Starring Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings!), I’ve seen it a number of times and loved it more with each showing. It’s not the sort of film I would have liked watching earlier in the decade, but I definitely think my tastes have changed and I’m more inclined to watch things that I may not have 10 years ago.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Hilarious yet moving, an American mother challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter’s rape and murder after they fail to discover who did it by putting up three ginormous red billboards with statements on them. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, who wrote the play The Lieutenant of Inishmore, this is a film that gives me shivers. I really want to watch more of Frances McDormand and it appears I already have...

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

One of my favourite animated children’s films that brings Vikings and dragons together. Toothless is the cutest. Also, David Tennant is in it (more of him later in the blog post). I really want to rewatch this film again soon as it’s been a while since I last watched it (and the sequels - I’ve seen the second but not the third).

Star Wars Episodes VII to IX (2015-2019)

I grew up with the second round of Star Warsfilms – the terrible one to three ones that it’s only highlight now is that they starred Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan Kenobi (if they don’t cast him in the stand-alone films there planning on doing about Kenobi I will not be happy). The last three of the franchise though have returned to the brilliance that the second (filmed first) three instalments have. Also, BB-8 is the cutest but not as cute as the Ewoks.

Paddington 1 and 2 (2014 & 2017)

My other favourite animated children’s films are these two. Although it can be awkward when you remember that the voice of Paddington and the villain from the second film played lovers in a certain BBC television show, don’t let that put you off. The movies have some wonderful quotes and has great casts in both. They’re emotional but also really, really funny.

The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)

Although not as brilliant as the Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003), mainly due to it being put into way too many films, the cast and special effects are the reasons why I still love these films. The first of the trilogy (An Unexpected Journey) was the first movie I saw my now favourite actor (Aidan Turner) in, but the other two (The Desolation of Smaug and the Battle of the Five Armies) fall a little flat when too much detail is brought in and the use of the old trope of a love triangle which wasn’t really that necessary. All in all, as a Tolkien fan, the films are alright but not as good as LOTR. It would be interesting to see some of J.R.R.’s other works being filmed though.

Lady Bird (2017)

A coming-of-age film starring another favourite actor Saoirse Ronan and sit is uch a great movie! I constantly tell people who haven’t seen it to see it, especially quoting the scene with the communion wafers near the beginning to my fellow Christians (‘they’re not consecrated!’). A lovely coming-of-age film that you should all watch.

Easy A (2010)

‘I got a pocketful, a pocketful of sunshine...’ This film introduced me to another of my favourite actors, Emma Stone, who I adore in La La Land. It’s just really, really funny but also is a great film about sexuality and sex. It’s a cool teen comedy that I think every teenager should watch. Also, that Natasha Beddingfield song is such an ear worm.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

The story and songs of the legendary British rock band Queen and its lead singer Freddie Mercury played excellently by Rami Malek. Though it takes time to work your head around Roger being played by the same guy who played Peter Beale in EastEnders, you learn so much about what Mercury was like as a human being and his relationships with the band, managers and his love interests throughout the years. I also adore the small cameo made by the real Brian and Roger during the incredible Live Aid scenes.

TV Shows - Dramas

Poldark (2015-2019)

It’s one of my favourite shows and it’s given me something to be passionate about and I’ve made online friends through loving it and ITS JUST THE BEST I LOVE IT SO MUCH. It’s the show that made me adore my favourite actor (Aidan Turner) even more and is one of the two show fandoms that I wrote my master’s paper about. Due to how much I love this show, another post may have to be written on it...

It is also the programme that I have had real life experiences with: in 2016, I met Aidan at London Comic Convention, in 2017 I went to the British Film Institute (BFI) and Radio Times Festival Poldark event, and in 2018 I went to the BFI Poldark series four preview event. I have had questions answered and posts liked and commented on by members of the cast on Twitter over the years as well.

Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Another favourite show and the other programme I included in my master’s dissertation; I even argued in my thesis, even though it is branded as epic fantasy, it could be categorised as an “erotic costume drama”. Based on the seven novels by George R. R. Martin, which I binge-read after I first watched the opening two series in 2012, it was definitely the next step up for me in terms of fantasy fiction after Tolkien due to the amount of gore and sex. The last series or two may have gone a little haywire due to going off-piece from the books from the middle series’ onwards, but it’s still one of my all-time favourites and I’m looking forward to re-watching it.

The Crown (2016-)

Netflix was founded in 1997 but seemed to fully arrive as a subscription-based streaming service during the last few years of the 2010s. I pay six pounds a month for access to thousands of tv shows and films and The Crown is one of them that I have watched. The series showcases the early life of our current monarch and her family dynamics. Due to the changing of the actors playing the main characters every few series, you do fall in and out of love with them in the way that each actor plays a particular monarch and how it translates from actor to actor. However, it’s a great show and you learn a lot.

Sherlock (2010-)

A modern telling of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, I became a fan of the show around the same time as the Hobbit films which both starred Martin Freeman (who is also in the much-loved Christmas film Love Actually). I really like how the episodes are ninety minutes long so each feels like a mini-movie rather than a bog-standard television show. The writers, Steven Moffatt and Mark Gatiss, have also written for the next programme in my list of favourites as well.

Doctor Who (2005-)

David Tennant is my Doctor and no one can tell me overwise. However, I did also love Matt Smith and I think Jodie Whittaker’s doing incredibly even though the storylines have been slightly dumbed down. I feel that the show can sometimes be a little naff and predictable but when it’s not that then It can be brilliant. My two favourite episodes will always be the one where the Doctor and Rose say goodbye to one another and the one where the Doctor and Amy meet Vincent Van Gogh. Also, Bernard Cribbins and John Barrowman are absolute legends.

His Dark Materials (2019-)

A more recent favourite of mine and a much better version of Philip Pullman’s novels than that god awful 2007 Hollywood film. With a feel that makes me think it won’t be too long before it’s on Netflix and with a second series coming to BBC this year, the story of children versus certain adults and the use of daemons (animals that are the humans’ souls) make it a really cool fantasy drama. I’ve not read the books for this, but I would really like to at some point.

Victoria (2016-)

HALLELUJAH! I liked Jenna Coleman in Doctor Who but not as much as other companies but I appear to have formed a liking for good costume dramas. Although the show is on ITV which means we usually record it so we can fast-forward the adverts, Victoria shows us the early life and reign of the 19thcentury British female monarch including her relationship with her husband Albert. There are some historical inaccuracies for dramatic effect, but I don’t find that a problem when watching it. All in all, a good costume drama.

Call the Midwife (2012-)

Another period drama to add to the collection of ones I love! The show focuses on the lives of a group of East London midwifes and nuns in the 1950s and 60s. I’ve watched the show since its very first series, and although some characters and their actors have now departed the show, I still adore the storylines and characters in the programme it is now at in its ninth series. Dr Turner and Shelagh are relationship goals and Sister Monica Joan is a hoot. Also, whoever decided to bring in the legend that is Miriam Margoles into it was a genius.

Good Omens (2019)

Though this is premiering on BBC Two this year, Good Omenswas first shown last year on Amazon Prime Video, the Internet video on demand service that is developed, owned, and operated by Amazon. Starring David Tennant (my Doctor Who) and Michael Sheen, it tells the tale of an angel and a demon and how they fit into Armageddon aka the apocalypse. Also, Frances McDormand is in this as the voice of God. Yes, a female God. If you haven’t seen this, then please do!

A Christmas Carol (2019)

The last show I watched in the last month of the last year of the last decade! I saw the play of it the year before at Bristol Old Vic but this version was much more up my street. It is darker, eviler and some scenes are definitely not for the faint hearted! A highlight for me was the Ghost of Christmas Past being played by Andy ‘Gollum’ Serkis and I have started to quite like the acting chops of Joe ‘Taylor Swift’s boyfriend’ Alwyn (he was also quite good in Mary Queen of Scots).

TV Shows – General

The Great British Bake Off (2010-)

My favourite food competition show, even though I have a love-hate relationship with Paul Hollywood and was sceptical when the show moved broadcasters and changed hosts. Yet, I still fall in love with the contestants every year and am excited to see who’ll my new favourites will be when the show returns later this year. I also sometimes like watching the specials they do, especially when it involves celebrities, but I think I prefer the main show more.

Gogglebox (2013-)

Jenny and Lee, Giles and Mary, Pete and Sophie, the Malones, the Siddiqui’s... Some people would think that watching people watching television would be a farce but it’s like seeing your friends’ reactions to TV you’ve either watched or not watched. It’s also a little like watching TV with your own family and friends. The best moments sometimes happen though when they’re not watching tv but just chatting about their lives. Also, Dave the dog is my favourite.

Queer Eye (2018-)

My parents used to own a hardback copy of the book from the original Fab Five who were part of the earlier noughties version of this show with its longer title of ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’. However, I never actually watched that version but have watched this more recent up-to-date Netflix show. My favourite member of the Fab Five changes with each episode I watch (although Jonathan is my all-time preference) and you do fall in love with the contestants. A lovely little show about acceptance and humility and I just love it.

I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! (2002-)

This is very much a guilty pleasure of mine that only comes on once a year but is made for me by the brilliantly hilarious hosting duo that are Ant and Dec. You always know that Christmas is coming when this begins and is definitely a hoot. It can become repetitive if you watch the show every single night for the three weeks so it’s better if you watch it in ebbs and flows. However, I do love it.

The Last Leg (2012-)

A satirical look at the week’s news that came about as part of Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympics when it and the Olympics were staged in London. The show acknowledges and celebrates disability and stars two disabled people – comedian Adam Hills has one prosthetic leg and broadcast journalist Alex Brooker has a prosthetic leg and deformed hands and arms. With comedian Josh Widdecombe, and different guests each week, they use their comedic views to entertain whilst helping us to begin changing the stereotypes we have towards people with visible and physical disabilities.

I know this was more of a fun blog post that doesn’t really relate to career development but I hope you enjoyed reading it anyway. I’m planning on writing another post in the not too distant future on films and shows that might be helpful to watch for those wanting to get into media and marketing careers. What have been your favourite movies and programmes of the 2010s? Let me know in the comments.

Beth x