What Were The Top Films Released Five Years Ago?

Five years feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago in pop culture! Around 2019, Billie Eilish was everywhere—her album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' dropped that year, and suddenly her whispery vocals and neon-green roots were inescapable. Same for Lil Nas X; 'Old Town Road' wasn’t just a meme, it reshaped how viral hits climb charts. On the acting side, Florence Pugh went from indie darling ('Midsommar') to Marvel star ('Black Widow') almost overnight. Then there’s the K-pop wave: ITZB debuted in 2019 with 'Dalla Dalla,' and now they’re global icons. Even YouTube felt it—MrBeast’s philanthropy stunts started gaining serious traction around then. It’s wild how some careers explode like fireworks, burning bright from day one.

Five years ago in 'One Piece,' the Wano Country arc was just heating up, and boy, what a rollercoaster that was! The Straw Hats had finally made it to Wano after the chaos of Whole Cake Island, and Luffy was dead-set on taking down Kaido. The tension was insane—Oden’s flashback revealed so much about Wano’s tragic past, and seeing the Scabbards’ loyalty hit hard. Meanwhile, Big Mom crashing the party added another layer of madness. The arc felt like a slow burn at first, but those build-ups paid off later with some of the most epic fights in the series. On the flip side, the Reverie was happening simultaneously, giving us glimpses of world-shaking events outside Wano. The fallout from Sabo’s actions, the abolition of the Warlord system, and Im-sama’s mysterious interest in Vivi—it all hinted at bigger things brewing. Looking back, it’s wild how much groundwork was laid back then for the current chaos in the story. Wano’s isolation made it feel like its own saga, but those Reverie crumbs kept reminding us the world was moving without Luffy.

The last decade has been absolutely wild for cinema, with so many groundbreaking films that reshaped how we experience stories. One that immediately springs to mind is 'Parasite' (2019) – Bong Joon-ho's masterpiece is a rollercoaster of emotions, blending dark humor, social commentary, and sheer suspense in a way that feels utterly unique. It’s one of those rare films where every frame feels intentional, and the way it flips genres halfway through still leaves me stunned. Then there’s 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015), which redefined action filmmaking with its relentless pace and practical effects. George Miller created this visceral, almost wordless epic that somehow feels ancient and futuristic at the same time. On the quieter side, 'Moonlight' (2016) is a film that lingers in your bones long after the credits roll. Barry Jenkins’ direction is poetic, and the way it explores identity, masculinity, and love with such tenderness is unforgettable. Another personal favorite is 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' (2022), which manages to be a multiverse-hopping chaos fest while also delivering one of the most heartfelt stories about family and existential dread. The Daniels packed so much creativity into every second, and Michelle Yeoh’s performance is just chef’s kiss. For something completely different, 'The Social Network' (2010) still holds up as a razor-sharp portrait of ambition and betrayal. Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue crackles, and Fincher’s icy precision makes even coding scenes feel tense. And I can’t forget 'Get Out' (2017) – Jordan Peele’s horror masterpiece is as terrifying as it is smart, weaving social critique into a genuinely unsettling thriller. The last ten years gave us films that weren’t just entertaining but felt like they were pushing the medium forward, and I’m still unpacking half of them.

Back in 2019, anime had some absolute gems that flew under the radar for a lot of folks. One that stuck with me was 'Vinland Saga'—Wit Studio knocked it out of the park with that brutal Viking revenge story. Thorfinn’s journey from rage-fueled kid to someone searching for deeper meaning hit me harder than I expected. The animation in the battles was insane, especially the duel scenes. Then there was 'Demon Slayer' exploding onto the scene. Ufotable’s visuals made every episode feel like a movie, and Tanjiro’s empathy even for demons added this emotional layer most shounen skip. Funny how both series balanced violence with heart in totally different ways.

There’s a handful of films that just never fade from the cultural conversation, and it’s wild how they keep finding new audiences. Take 'The Shawshank Redemption'—initially a box office flop, but now it’s the comfort movie for so many people. The themes of hope and resilience hit differently with every rewatch. Then there’s 'The Dark Knight', which redefined superhero films entirely. Heath Ledger’s Joker is still the benchmark for villains, and the moral complexity keeps it fresh. On the lighter side, 'Mean Girls' somehow stays relevant decade after decade. Maybe because high school drama never changes? The quotes are practically a language of their own. And of course, 'Titanic'—romance, disaster, historical spectacle—it’s got everything. These movies stick around because they tap into universal emotions or redefine genres in ways that newer stuff can’t quite replicate. They’re like comfort food for the soul.

Five years ago was 2019, and that was the year 'Game of Thrones' aired its final season. The impact? Oh boy. The show had been a cultural juggernaut for nearly a decade, but the last season... well, it was divisive, to say the least. Fans had spent years theorizing about prophecies, character arcs, and the ultimate fate of the Iron Throne, and when the finale rolled around, it felt rushed. Daenerys' turn to madness, Bran becoming king, and the Night King's anticlimactic defeat left many scratching their heads. Looking back, the backlash was intense. Petitions to remake the final season, memes mocking the writing, and even cast members expressing mixed feelings—it was a mess. But here's the thing: despite the disappointment, 'Game of Thrones' still left an indelible mark on TV. It redefined fantasy storytelling, raised the bar for production values, and spawned countless imitators. The legacy is complicated, but undeniable.

The vast world of film has produced some stunning recent gems that truly deserve a spotlight! One that has massively blown me away is 'Everything Everywhere All at Once.' It’s this wild ride that blends dimensions, family drama, and absolute chaos in a way that has never been done before. I mean, the concept of multiverses is not new, but this film has taken it and made it deeply personal and relatable, showcasing how the smallest choices can create wildly different outcomes. The humor is spot on, and the heartfelt moments really caught me off guard. Michelle Yeoh delivers such a knockout performance—she's just phenomenal! Then, let's talk about the visuals! A feast for the eyes, for sure. From the way they play with special effects to the choreography of the fight scenes, it all meshes together beautifully. The music complements the tone perfectly as well, weaving in and out of emotions that resonate long after the credits roll. It’s the type of movie that I found myself thinking about for days, which is such a marker of true cinematic brilliance. Another gem that’s totally worth mentioning is 'The Batman.' This film gave a grittier and darker take on Gotham, and wow, Robert Pattinson’s portrayal flipped my expectations! It’s a noir-inspired mystery, which really ties into the detective side of Batman that we've missed in other adaptations. The cinematography is so captivating, filled with atmospheric shots that perfectly embody this darker tone. I watched it with a friend who’s an avid comic reader, and we couldn’t stop analyzing the character depth and plot twists. It’s definitely a film that brings something fresh to the superhero genre, and I can't recommend it enough!

I get most of my book recs from movie trailers now. Is that bad? See a cool-looking film, check if it's based on a book, read the book first. It's reversed my whole process. The film is basically a really expensive, high-stakes book trailer for me.