Relive the Magic: 10 Iconic Movies Turning 10 in 2025

2015 marked a significant year in cinema as many outstanding movies graced our screens, and these titles will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2025. In that year, the iconic Star Wars franchise returned to the big screen after a long hiatus, and the final installment of The Hunger Games, based on Suzanne Collins’s trilogy, was emphatically concluded. Moreover, esteemed directors like Guillermo del Toro, George Miller, and Denis Villeneuve unveiled groundbreaking projects during this period. The year 2015 also saw the electrifying directorial debut of Alex Garland, as well as Ryan Coogler’s second full-length film. Ranging from romantic to sci-fi, the best films of 2015 continue to be cherished for their innovative concepts, exceptional acting, stunning visuals, and thought-provoking narratives that resonate even today.

The following 10 movies remain 2015’s very best.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

2015 marked the start of a new phase for the iconic Star Wars franchise with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, its first film in a decade. J.J. Abrams stepped into George Lucas’ shoes as director, while Daisy Ridley’s Rey, John Boyega’s Finn, Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron, Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren, and others were introduced as the new generation of Star Wars heroes. Notably, it also saw the return of Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford’s Han Solo, Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia, Anthony Daniels’ C-3PO, and Peter Mayhew’s Chewbacca. By the year’s end, “The Force Awakens” stood as 2015’s top-grossing movie, earning over $2 billion at the worldwide box office.

10 years after its release, “The Force Awakens” continues to be recognized as a pioneer in setting the tone for future Star Wars films. Reviving the series following both the original and prequel trilogies was no small feat, but “The Force Awakens” skillfully blended fresh and familiar characters, making it a resounding success. Additionally, J.J. Abrams’ movie effectively rekindled the sense of adventure that Star Wars is renowned for, ensuring its longevity in popular culture.

Brooklyn

In the 1950s, Saoirse Ronan played Eilis, an Irish immigrant relocating to bustling New York City. There, she finds love with Tony (Emory Cohen), but struggles with conflicts arising from her former life in Ireland. The film Brooklyn, adapted from Colm Tóibín’s novel, offers a poignant exploration of divided lives and tough decisions. It serves as both a period drama and romance, showcasing Ronan’s impressive talent. Her role in Brooklyn significantly boosted her reputation as one of the generation’s top actors, with her performance still regarded among her finest leading roles.

Spotlight

10 years after taking home the Best Picture Oscar at the 2016 Oscars, I find myself still captivated by “Spotlight.” This film, directed by Tom McCarthy, tells the gripping true story of a team of Boston Globe journalists who uncovered a horrifying child molestation scandal within the local Catholic Church. The star-studded cast, featuring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Brian d’Arcy James, Liev Schreiber, and John Slattery, delivers powerful performances that make “Spotlight” a must-watch multiple times over. The film’s compelling narrative and flawless screenplay serve as a poignant reminder of the crucial role investigative journalism plays in keeping power structures accountable.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2

In a powerful conclusion, the final chapter of The Hunger Games trilogy, titled Mockingjay Part 2, brought the storyline to an end. Jennifer Lawrence once again embodied Katniss Everdeen, the series’ leading character, as she spearheaded a significant uprising against the Capitol. While Mockingjay Part 2 didn’t quite match the success of 2013’s Catching Fire, it still stands as a successful adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ novel. As time passes, the political themes in The Hunger Games continue to resonate, making the books and movies enduring classics. Fans of The Hunger Games series will undoubtedly appreciate revisiting Mockingjay Part 2 and the other titles before the upcoming prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, is released.

Crimson Peak

Guillermo del Toro’s frightening movie “Crimson Peak” offers lots of excitement and shivers. The stars are Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, and Jessica Chastain. In this film, a young writer named Edith Cushing (Wasikowska) experiences strange supernatural events after moving to an isolated mansion with her new husband Thomas Sharpe (Hiddleston) and his sister Lucille (Chastain) in old England during the Victorian era. The movie’s gothic decor is visually stunning, while its mysterious storyline keeps audiences guessing until the end. Even when you already know the surprising ending of “Crimson Peak,” the film still stands out among many other horror-romance films.

Mad Max: Fury Road

George Miller breathed new life into the Mad Max series with the release of Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015. This action-packed movie featured Tom Hardy as Max Rockatansky, Charlize Theron as Imperator Furiosa, Nicholas Hoult as Nux, and Hugh Keays-Byrne as Immortan Joe. Mad Max: Fury Road was highly acclaimed by both critics and fans, leading to the 2024 prequel titled Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, with potential for more Mad Max projects in the future.

In the vibrant and daring setting of its post-apocalyptic desert landscape, the movie Mad Max: Fury Road stands out as an extraordinary visual experience filled with remarkable action sequences. Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy, and Nicholas Hoult expertly take charge of their scenes, while the rest of the cast also delivers impressively. Among the top action films of the last ten years, Fury Road remains in a class of its own.

Ex Machina

In 2015, Alex Garland introduced himself as a director with the premiere of the film, “Ex Machina“. This science-fiction story revolves around a CEO and a programmer who endeavor to assess a robot’s human-like abilities. Actors Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, and Alicia Vikander star in this production. In our current era where artificial intelligence is becoming more widespread, “Ex Machina” holds even greater significance. Alicia Vikander’s portrayal of the artificially intelligent humanoid Ava remains a standout science-fiction performance. The captivating and engaging premise of “Ex Machina” continues to be as gripping as it was when initially released 10 years ago.

It Follows

The film “It Follows” stands out from typical horror movies by focusing more on building an eerie ambiance rather than relying on jump scares or terrifying visuals. Directed by David Robert Mitchell, this is his first full-length directorial effort. The story revolves around a teenage girl, portrayed by Maika Monroe, who experiences a haunting presence after a sexual encounter with someone or something supernatural. To this day, it’s challenging to find another horror movie quite like “It Follows“, as its distinctive concept keeps it fascinating and earns it a place among essential horror films to watch. A sequel to “It Follows“, named “They Follow“, is being developed, with Mitchell and Monroe expected to reprise their roles.

Creed

Back in the day, Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa reigned supreme in the world of sports movies. But then, in 2015, the mantle was passed to Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis Creed – the son of a beloved character from the original Rocky series, played by Carl Weathers. In the film Creed, directed by Ryan Coogler, we meet Adonis as a promising boxer who found guidance under the tutelage of Rocky himself. Tessa Thompson made her entrance as Adonis’s love interest, Bianca, and has been a constant presence in each sequel since then.

The fight scenes in the movie are skillfully arranged, elevating Creed to one of the best sports films. The origin tale for Adonis effectively portrays the resilient character of the up-and-coming athlete, both in his professional boxing life and his personal experiences outside the ring. The subsequent two movies, released in 2018 and 2023, have launched a fresh boxing film franchise, with Creed IV, the next installment, set to continue this series.

Sicario

In 2015, Denis Villeneuve demonstrated his proficiency in the action genre through the film “Sicario”, which marked the rise of screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, now known for creating the “Yellowstone” universe. Led by a stellar cast including Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio del Toro, Jon Bernthal, Victor Garber, and Daniel Kaluuya, the movie follows a U.S. special task force as they pursue a Mexican drug lord employing unconventional methods. “Sicario” intensifies tension to unprecedented levels as FBI agent Kate Macer, portrayed by Blunt, encounters shock after shock, overcoming obstacles and deception at every turn. The impact of Villeneuve’s production opened the door for Stefano Sollima’s 2018 sequel, “Sicario: Day of the Soldado”. With a third “Sicario” film in development, it’s clear that the original title remains powerful and engaging even after ten years. Villeneuve’s “Sicario” is an exhilarating journey worth revisiting.

All of these titles are available to stream, rent, and purchase across various platforms.

2025-01-31 19:41