Global English
Culture

Letterboxd's Top 10 Films of the 2020s: A Deep Dive into Audience Favorites

The NationalOctober 23, 2026 at 08:18 AM0 views
Letterboxd's Top 10 Films of the 2020s: A Deep Dive into Audience Favorites

Disclaimer

This story, titled "The 10 highest-rated movies of the 2020s so far, according to Letterboxd" First published on The National and was retrieved from its original source on October 23, 2026.

Our site bears no responsibility for its content. You can review the details of this story at its original source.

Letterboxd has emerged as a significant barometer of film popularity, offering a user-driven alternative to traditional critical reviews and box-office metrics. Since its inception in 2011, the social platform dedicated to cinema has enabled users to rate films on a five-star scale, pen reviews, and curate lists. Its user base has seen a dramatic expansion, growing from approximately 1.8 million members in 2020 to over 28 million by April 2026, with a notable resonance among Gen-Z audiences. Unlike Rotten Tomatoes, which focuses on the percentage of positive critic reviews, Letterboxd employs a weighted average of its members' ratings. These rankings provide a valuable insight into audience sentiment, showcasing independent films and documentaries alongside major Hollywood productions.

Based on a composite ranking of narrative features and documentaries compiled on October 17, the following are the 10 highest-rated films released since 2020, each having garnered at least 25,000 Letterboxd ratings. Their corresponding Rotten Tomatoes critic scores are included for comparative context.

  1. You Can See Everything (2026)
    Letterboxd score: 4.7/5
    Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
    Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim's documentary chronicles the final weeks before Elizabeth Holmes, the disgraced founder of Theranos, began her prison sentence for fraud. Gaining access to Holmes and her family, the filmmakers delve into her assertions of innocence while critically examining the concepts of truth and manipulation. Released in October, the nearly three-hour film briefly held the distinction of being the platform's highest-rated release with a 4.8-star score. 'You Can See Everything' also achieved a remarkable $15 million in its North American opening weekend, marking the most significant debut for a documentary in over two decades. The film has garnered five nominations for the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, including Best Documentary Feature.
  2. No Other Land (2024)
    Letterboxd score: 4.6/5
    Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
    Palestinian filmmakers Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal collaborate with Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor to document the systematic destruction of Palestinian communities in Masafer Yatta, located in the occupied West Bank. Over several years of filming, the documentary captures Adra's efforts to record demolitions and displacement, intertwined with his growing friendship with Abraham. Despite challenges in securing a U.S. distributor, the film achieved a significant milestone by winning Best Documentary Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards, becoming the first Palestinian film to receive an Oscar. In his acceptance speech, Adra expressed his profound hope that his newborn daughter would be spared the displacement and violence his community endures.
  3. Naza (2026)
    Letterboxd score: 4.5/5
    Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
    Filmmakers Abraham and Szor, following their success with 'No Other Land,' present 'Naza,' a documentary that scrutinizes Israeli military operations in Gaza through the use of anonymous testimonies from intelligence and military personnel. Filmed from rooftops in Tel Aviv, the film investigates the methodology behind calculating acceptable civilian casualty levels during air strikes. The title itself derives from an Israeli military term used to quantify anticipated civilian deaths. Produced by The Guardian and JW Films, with Jonathan Glazer serving as executive producer, 'Naza' received the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice Film Festival after an enthusiastic 25-minute standing ovation. It subsequently secured theatrical distribution in 56 territories, including the Middle East, with plans for worldwide free streaming.
  4. The Voice of Hind Rajab (2025)
    Letterboxd score: 4.4/5
    Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
    Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania reconstructs the final hours of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was trapped in a car under Israeli fire in Gaza in January 2024. The film masterfully blends actual recordings of Hind's emergency calls with dramatized scenes, depicting the efforts of Palestine Red Crescent Society workers to orchestrate her rescue. It earned the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 2025 Venice Film Festival and secured an Oscar nomination. The film has also been instrumental in advocating for accountability. In August 2026, Ben Hania, alongside Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees, raised questions regarding the potential for justice from an Israeli military investigation into Hind's killing.
  5. La Bola Negra (2026)
    Letterboxd score: 4.4/5
    Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
    Spanish filmmakers Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi explore themes of identity, relationships, and personal struggles across different generations in this drama, which draws inspiration from an unfinished work by the poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca. Spanning three distinct periods of Spanish history, the film intricately follows three interconnected lives profoundly shaped by longing, loss, and inheritance. The ensemble cast features notable performances from Penelope Cruz, Glenn Close, Miguel Bernardeau, and the singer Guitarricadelafuente. 'La Bola Negra' shared the Best Director award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, followed by wins for the People's Choice Award at Toronto and an audience award at San Sebastian. It was also selected as Spain's official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 2027 Academy Awards.
  6. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
    Letterboxd score: 4.4/5
    Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
    Miles Morales makes his return in this animated sequel, embarking on a journey across dimensions after encountering a specialized team of Spider-People tasked with safeguarding the multiverse. His quest leads him into conflict with Miguel O'Hara, whose unwavering commitment to preserving the established order poses a threat to Miles's future. Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K Thompson, the film builds upon the distinctive animation style of its 2018 predecessor, 'Into the Spider-Verse,' by integrating multiple artistic approaches. It garnered seven Annie Awards in 2024, including Best Animated Feature, and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature, ultimately losing to Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron.'
  7. Dune: Part Two (2024)
    Letterboxd score: 4.4/5
    Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
    Denis Villeneuve's science-fiction epic continues the narrative of Paul Atreides on the desert planet Arrakis, as he aligns with the Fremen and pursues vengeance against those responsible for his family's demise. Timothee Chalamet reprises his role as Paul, alongside Zendaya as Chani. The ensemble cast also includes Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Florence Pugh, and Austin Butler. Adapted from Frank Herbert's seminal novel, the film delves into themes of political power, religious prophecy, and the repercussions of revenge. 'Dune: Part Two' achieved a global box office revenue exceeding $700 million and secured two Academy Awards in 2025 for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects, in addition to a nomination for Best Picture.
  8. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024)
    Letterboxd score: 4.4/5
    Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
    Thai filmmaker Pat Boonnitipat's family drama centers on M, a young man who moves in with his terminally ill grandmother following her cancer diagnosis. Initially motivated by the prospect of an inheritance, he gradually develops a profound understanding of familial duty and the sacrifices inherent in caregiving. Starring Putthipong Assaratanakul and Usha Seamkhum, the film achieved significant box office success throughout Southeast Asia, drawing attention for its sensitive portrayal of aging and family dynamics. It earned the Audience Award at the 2024 New York Asian Film Festival and became the first Thai film to be shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
  9. Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc (2025)
    Letterboxd score: 4.4/5
    Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
    Based on Tatsuki Fujimoto's popular manga, 'Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc' continues the saga of Denji, a young devil hunter capable of transforming parts of his body into chainsaws. His life takes an unexpected turn with the appearance of Reze, an enigmatic girl who offers the potential for romance and a semblance of ordinary life. Their burgeoning relationship soon draws him into another intense confrontation with supernatural adversaries. Directed by Tatsuya Yoshihara and produced by animation studio Mappa, the film has been lauded for its dynamic action sequences and distinctive animation style. It also achieved international box-office success, building on the popularity of the original television series.
  10. Monster (2023)
    Letterboxd score: 4.4/5
    Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
    Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda's drama 'Monster' meticulously examines a contentious school incident through the distinct perspectives of a mother, a teacher, and two young boys, progressively unveiling how misunderstandings can distort reality. The narrative commences when Saori, a single mother, observes significant behavioral changes in her son Minato and suspects a teacher's involvement. As events unfold from various viewpoints, the film thoughtfully explores themes of childhood, prejudice, and the inherent difficulties in achieving mutual understanding. Written by Yuji Sakamoto, 'Monster' premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it was awarded Best Screenplay. It also features one of the final musical scores composed by the acclaimed Ryuichi Sakamoto, who passed away in March of that year.
Share this article: