Back to 2016: 5 Best Movies Released a Decade Ago, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes
Let's take a trip down memory lane and remember what cinema was like ten years ago. Spoiler alert: it was amazing.
A new wave of nostalgia has swept the internet, prompting us to fondly recall 2016. It was a time when we didn't know what was in store for us, when we simply went to the movies unaware that many of those films would become classics.
The year was truly rich: Damien Chazelle made the world fall in love with musicals with La La Land and Denis Villeneuve laid the foundation for his future success.
5. 'La La Land', 2016
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Today, it's safe to say that La La Land has made history and achieved cult status. You don't have to be a fan of musicals to be captivated by its magic: the musical numbers are etched in memory, and the love story of two dreamers breaks hearts.
Like many in Los Angeles, Mia and Sebastian dream big – she aspires to have an acting career, he wants to open a jazz club.
At the beginning of their journey, the two young people meet and begin a relationship. However, their shared future is threatened as they get ever closer to fulfilling their dreams.
4. 'Arrival', 2016
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Denis Villeneuve directed one of the most unusual movies about contact with extraterrestrial intelligence. There are no standard depictions of aliens or typical plots about fighting them.
Aliens arrive on Earth, and mysterious ships hover in the air over various continents. Humans are confused about the aliens' purpose and what to expect from the invasion.
While the military is on high alert, scientists try to figure out how to communicate with the beings. Linguist Louise Banks is tasked with deciphering the aliens' language.
3. 'The Handmaiden', 2016
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
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One of the most notable Asian movies of 2016 was The Handmaiden, directed by Park Chan-wook, the filmmaker behind Oldboy. This erotic thriller uses the Rashomon technique, telling the same story from different characters' perspectives.
Set in 1930s Korea, the movie takes place during the Japanese occupation. A professional con man known as Count makes a tempting offer to a beggar named Sook-hee that could lead to riches.
She must help him charm the wealthy Mrs. Hideko. To accomplish this, Sook-hee takes a job as a maid in Mrs. Hideko's house. However, the Count's plan soon begins to unravel.
2. 'Paterson', 2016
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
The main character, Paterson, lives in the city of Paterson with his beloved wife. He is a bus driver who also writes poetry, drawing inspiration from everyday landscapes.
He is inspired by everything around him: conversations on the bus, his beautiful wife, the noise of the city, the details of the urban landscape, and strangers and acquaintances.
Each day for the poet is similar to the one before, yet each day is unique.
1. 'Manchester by the Sea', 2016
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
The title of the saddest movie of 2016 rightfully goes to Manchester by the Sea, Kenneth Lonergan's poignant drama about a broken man who can't come to terms with his past.
Casey Affleck delivered one of the best performances of his career and earned a well-deserved Oscar for it. Manchester by the Sea also won the award for Best Original Screenplay.
Lee Chandler is forced to return to his hometown. His older brother has died, and his will stipulates that Lee be the guardian of his 16-year-old nephew. Lee not only seeks common ground with the teenager, but also recalls the traumas of his past that once forced him to leave.
