Our Top 20 Movies Of 2020 So Far

By Matt Neglia 

​2020 started off with a historic moment when "Parasite" won the Oscar for Best Picture and then COVID-19 happened, shutting down movie theaters across the country. As a result, the movies we have received in 2020 have mostly been independents that were going straight to VOD, smaller movies that the studios were willing to release to streaming or the usual studio-fare we get during the January-March time period (which is traditionally the weakest quarter of the year in terms of quality). Despite all of this, the NBP Team managed to compile all of their Top 10 lists into one mega Top 20 list for the best films of 2020 so far as we enter into the second half and hopefully, theaters will eventually re-open.

20. The Gentlemen

​After working on various blockbuster films with middling results, Guy Ritchie returns back to the crime genre with "The Gentlemen." Profane, violent, and tons of fun (if also a bit politically incorrect), Ritchie's slick dialogue rolls off the tongues of his actors with glee as they relish in the bad boy lifestyle with class and honor. Everyone is having a blast but its Hugh Grant's role as a private investigator who has an attraction to Charlie Hunnam, who he's telling most of the story to that steals the show.

19. Crip Camp

From the producing team behind the award-winning “American Factory,” “Crip Camp” is a captivating documentary about a camp for disabled teens in the 1970s and how those same campers went on to become major political activists in the fight for disability rights. Co-directed by Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht (one for the former campers and subjects of the film), it utilizes archival footage as well as interviews to flesh out its wonderful subjects and their stories. Throw in a ‘60s and ‘70s soundtrack, and we see not only a different perspective on the hippie movement, but an in-depth look into the lives of people whose stories have not been told enough. ​

18. Buffaloed

Featuring a guns-blazing star turn by Zoey Deutch, "Buffaloed" is the most fun you will ever have around debt collectors. Playing like the bratty kid sister of "The Wolf of Wall Street" and "The Big Short" (and yes, that's a compliment), Tanya Wexler's film brazenly adopts the rhythm of a con artist playing a mark: It moves fast, pointing left and right and up and down, only occasionally pausing to listen as it takes you on a journey that seems like it could veer off course any second but is really specifically designed to confuse you into thinking that what it’s selling is what you want. This can be exhausting, but thanks to Deutch's charisma and finely detailed performance, as well as a killer ensemble, "Buffaloed" becomes one of the most re-watchable films of the year.

17. The Way Back

After having multiple career setbacks due to his own real-life alcoholism, Ben Affleck re-teams with "The Accountant" director Gavin O'Connor, to deliver his most vulnerable and best performance to date. "The Way Back" follows Jack Cunningham (Affleck) as he attempts to coach a high school basketball team despite his alcoholism. Filled with pain, empathy and of course, sports movie cliches, this earnest drama gets on by due to the strength of Affleck's powerful art imitating life performance.

​16. Babyteeth

One of the best independent films of the year. "Babyteeth" is a remarkable directorial debut from Shannon Murphy. Digging deep to understand her characters, she gets nuanced and heartbreaking performances out of Eliza Scanlen, Toby Wallace, Essie Davis & Ben Mendelsohn. On the surface, this may look like another teen illness drama but Murphy and writer Rita Kalnejais (based on her own stage play) manage to bring us something unexpected, sophisticated, while simultaneously crushing our hearts and re-affirming our desire to live life to the fullest.

15. Rewind

A difficult film to sit through, "Rewind" is a documentary that takes us through the cycles of abuse through the eyes of a now fully grown Sasha Joseph Neulinger. Revisiting painful memories from his past (that he has had to revisit countless times before) through the power of cinema, Sasha's work not only makes a huge impact on his own life but on the lives of others. Told through home video footage and contemporary footage of Sasha today, this is one documentary that is hard to recommend for its content but also the most rewarding in its ability to encourage others to break the cycle.

14. The King Of Staten Island

Judd Apatow returns to the director's chair with his most mature film yet in "The King Of Staten Island." Working with SNL star Pete Davidson in the lead role, Apatow mixes both comedy and drama to deliver a character study that showcases his growth as a filmmaker and storyteller. Davidson surprises us with his layered work while supporting turns from Marisa Tomei and Bill Burr help elevate the film at every turn. Some may be turned off by the film's long runtime but Apatow puts it to his advantage, focusing on Scott's troubles, growth, and possible redemption.

13. The Vast Of Night

It’s hard to believe that “The Vast of Night” is the debut film from director Andrew Petterson. It’s so brilliantly crafted, with every element of the mise-en-scene used to great effect. From the breathtaking cinematography by M.I. Littin-Menz, to the score and performances from the film’s central leads, Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz, every aspect of this film is noteworthy. It pays homage to the sci-fi classics of the 1950s but also has that ‘Spielberg-magic’ to it as well. The premise is simple, but Petterson and writers James Montague and Craig Sanger cleverly build on atmosphere, as well as creating and maintaining the right amounts of tension and suspense. The film’s final few minutes are truly ‘on-the-edge-of-your-seat’ stuff and there are moments where you find yourself holding your breath in anticipation. With fast-paced, well-written dialogue, the two leading actors are really given a chance to shine. It’s an alluring and hypnotic movie that will leave you looking up at the skies in awe and terror. 

​12. The Assistant

A normal day at work. Normal tasks. Normal small talk. Everything about Kitty Green's "The Assistant" feels normal. And that's where it deceives us, for the world of workplace abuse is anything but despite those with power desperately trying to make it appear so. Based on Harvey Weinstein's own office for The Weinstein Company, this haunting film follows Jane, played by "Ozark"'s Julia Garner, during the course of a single day. Methodical in its approach, it may feel mundane and slow but that patient storytelling from Green becomes growingly agonizing, signifying that nothing that is going on here in the course of a single day is alright.

11. Birds Of Prey

When it was first announced that there was to be a "Birds of Prey" movie most of us were a little nervous (especially after the disaster that was "Suicide Squad"). However, Cathy Yan’s brilliant addition to the DC cinematic universe managed to surpass all expectations. Bright, loud and completely bonkers, "Birds of Prey" keeps going at full speed for its 109-minute runtime. We barely pause for a breath as we watch Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) take on the likes of Roman Sionis (Ewan McGregor) and his henchman, Victor Zsasz (Chris Messina). DC films are hardly known for their complex and well-developed villains, but we finally get one in the form of Sionis, in what is a chilling and frankly disturbing performance by McGregor. Robbie is a delight as she always is, and she’s joined by the wonderful Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett, and Rosie Perez. The film is over all too quickly, and you can’t help but crave more. It’s absolutely ‘fantabulous’.

10. Miss Americana

A fascinating peek into the life of one of America’s most beloved and most-maligned musicians working today, “Miss Americana” stands out amongst the documentary releases from the first half of the year. Directed by Lana Wilson, it follows Taylor Swift through her “Reputation” tour and the writing of her album, “Lover.” It paints a clearer picture of Swift than the public has ever been given and her vulnerability is impressive, particularly when addressing her mother’s illness. But more than that, it explores what it means to be a woman in the entertainment industry: the struggles due to sexism that come with fame and the difficulty of finding and using your political voice when you’re held up as “America’s Sweetheart.” It’s a fantastic watch for both “Swifties” and those who don’t consider themselves fans alike.

9. Beanpole

Russian cinema is often noted for its punishing air of misery and despair, and Kantemir Balagov's second feature (winner of Best Director and the FIPRESCI prize in the Un Certain Regard section of last year's Cannes Film Festval) is definitely a tough sit. But what really sticks with you afterward are the moments of humor and humanity that pierce through the bleakness of its post-WWII story of desperate women trying to survive. And those women. Viktoria Miroshnichenko and Vasilisa Perelygina give two of the finest performances of the year, creating a complex relationship that can be read in any number of ways. It's not an easy film to watch - war is hell, after all, and PTSD makes the recovery even more so - but how Balagov shows we can move on, slowly but surely, even with missteps, is what makes "Beanpole" a most cathartic watch right now.

​8. And Then We Danced

​A Swedish film set in the world of the country of Georgia's National Dance Ensemble, Levan Akin's "And Then We Danced" is something of a miracle. Not just in terms of how this tender, effective drama takes a very specific story and renders it universal, but in its very existence: In vehemently homophobic Georgia, theaters playing the film had to protected from armed protesters by special riot police. Levan Gelbakhiani gives the best debut performance of the year as a young member of the National Georgian Ensemble struggling with his sexuality, especially after a more naturally masculine dancer joins the company (Bachi Valishvili, also great). Akin's intimate film follows their relationship in a quiet, mesmerizing register, and the stunning ending is one of the most heart-stopping cinematic moments of the year.

7. The Lodge

One of the chilliest horror films to come out in recent memory (and that's not just because of the setting), "The Lodge" opens with a bang and never lets up with his haunting atmosphere and well-placed jump scares. Riley Keough continues to push herself as Grace, the only survivor from a cult that committed mass suicide and is now in a relationship with Richard (Richard Armitage). In order to get to know his two young children better, they go up to a remote lodge in Massachusetts. Things...get creep from there. With some of the best sound design you'll hear in any movie this year the creative team behind "Goodnight Mommy" continues to find entertaining and innovative ways to unsettle us.

6. Emma.

Jane Austen herself worried that no one would like the titular heroine of her novel “Emma,” but it’s impossible not to like Anya-Taylor Joy’s incarnation of her in this year’s “Emma.” (Styled with a period at the end because this is a period piece, after all.) Autumn de Wilde’s directorial debut is full of gorgeous gowns, lavish foods, and the sort of witty humor that defined “The Favourite,” but what’s most impressive is how it captures human emotions. From the ridiculous clergyman played by Josh O’Connor to the town’s old maid played by Miranda Hart, each actor delivers a fantastic and memorable performance. Plus, a romantic drama in which the leading man (played exquisitely by Johnny Flynn) is emotional and even cries? “Emma.” is not just the best period piece of 2020 thus far, but one of the best films released this year overall.

5. Onward

"Onward" should not have worked. Its suburban fantasy world-building felt so massive that it threatened to overshadow the story and the characters. But this is Pixar we're talking about here. If anyone knows how to handle story and characters, it's them and they proved it once again here. Centering the plot on two brothers desperately trying to spend one last day with their deceased father, "Onward" finds its emotional center and delivers the tears by the end in plenty. With fun voice-over performances from MCU co-stars Tom Holland and Chris Pratt along with an outrageously fun turn from Octavia Spencer "Corey" The Manticore, "Onward" gave us enough gags, thrills and, heart to tide us over until Pixar comes along again with "Soul" later on this year.

​4. ​The Invisible Man

One of the best surprises of 2020, Leigh Whannel's "The Invisible Man" was a hit with critics and audiences and gave us another terrifying horror movie performance for the ages in Elisabeth Moss's Cecilia Kass, following in the footsteps of Toni Collette and Lupita Nyong'o from the past two years. Re-framing the classic story to hone in on both physical and mental abuse, Whannel's film was not only meticulously constructed but also deeply engaging on an emotional level. Much of the credit is owed to Moss but Whannel's skills as a filmmaker also deserve a shout out here for how well he immersed us in Cecilia's headspace and delivered on several nail-biting sequences. 

3. Never Rarely Sometimes Always

Debuting earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, Eliza Hittman's "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" was already hailed as yet another triumph for the independent director. Unfortunately, the film released in theaters the same weekend cinemas across the country were shut down, so it's been a slow build-up for this gem of a film to find its audience. Painfully realistic and honest in its portrayal of a teenager seeking an abortion, Hittman doesn't shy away from the film's more upsetting moments, exemplified by the titular scene where newcomer Sidney Flanigan astounds with her on-screen debut performance. With her ever gliding camerawork, on-site location shooting and compassionate writing, Hittman has delivered not only one of the best films of 2020 so far, but most likely one of the best films of the entire year when all is said and done.

2. Shirley

In what is sure to be one of the most unconventional biopics of the year, "Shirley" represents an exciting leap forward in the career of Josephine Decker as she tackles horror writer Shirley Jackson. With a smidge of "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?", Sarah Gubbins' screenplay puts two couples in the same house, one older and one younger, and let's human nature take over with a bit of madness. It is an exciting and unpredictable movie filled with literary prose, sexuality, manipulation, and suspense. Elisabeth Moss delivers yet another strong performance, while Odessa Young carries the film. Everyone is firing on all cylinders here as Logan Lerman and Michael Stuhlbarg round out the tremendous ensemble. While more conventional than her previous film ("Madeline's Madeline"), Josephine Decker maintains her singular vision, examining female roles in marital relationships with creativity and spontaneity.

1. Da 5 Bloods

The timing could not have been any better for another Spike Lee joint. During one of the largest movements the country has ever seen for #BlackLivesMatter, Spike Lee's "Da 5 Bloods" dropped on Netflix like an explosive grenade in the jungles of Vietnam. At two and a half hours long, his latest is a whole lot of movie filled with outstanding performances from the entire cast, thrilling action sequences, small and insightful character moments, and political commentary that draws on the past to tell us about our present. Delroy Lindo delivers what can only be called the finest performance of 2020 so far as a war veteran suffering from PTSD symbolizing that for Black men all over, the war is still not over. "Right on."

What do you think of our list? Any films missing that you wish had made the cut? Let us know in the comments section below or on our Twitter account.

You can follow Matt and hear more of his thoughts on the Oscars and Film on Twitter at @NextBestPicture