A Glean movie guide
Modern Classics: Oscar-Winning Dramas
A decade of cinematic excellence.
The most powerful, award-winning stories of the 2010s.
Handpicked for this guide
The movie list
- 01
Parasite
A masterclass in tension and social commentary that made history as the first non-English Best Picture winner.
All unemployed, Ki-taek's family takes peculiar interest in the wealthy and glamorous Parks for their livelihood until they get entangled in an unexpected incident.
- 02
Moonlight
A visually stunning and deeply moving exploration of identity across three defining chapters of a young man's life.
The tender, heartbreaking story of a young man’s struggle to find himself, told across three defining chapters in his life as he experiences the ecstasy, pain, and beauty of falling in love, while grappling with his own sexuality.
- 03
12 Years a Slave
A harrowing and essential historical portrait of resilience in the face of unimaginable cruelty.
In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.
- 04
Spotlight
A methodical and gripping tribute to the power of investigative journalism and the search for truth.
The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
- 05
Whiplash
An electrifying, high-stakes look at the cost of greatness and the thin line between mentorship and abuse.
Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity.
- 06
Manchester by the Sea
A raw and profoundly human study of grief, family, and the difficult path toward redemption.
After his older brother passes away, Lee Chandler is forced to return home to care for his 16-year-old nephew. There he is compelled to deal with a tragic past that separated him from his family and the community where he was born and raised.
- 07
The Social Network
A sharp, fast-paced dramatization of the ego and ambition behind the birth of the modern digital age.
In 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer programmer Mark Zuckerberg begins work on a new concept that eventually turns into the global social network known as Facebook. Six years later, Mark is one of the youngest billionaires ever, but his unprecedented success leads to both personal and legal complications when he ends up on the receiving end of two lawsuits, one involving his former friend.
- 08
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
A bold, technically dazzling dive into the ego and insecurities of a fading star seeking artistic validation.
A fading actor best known for his portrayal of a popular superhero attempts to mount a comeback by appearing in a Broadway play. As opening night approaches, his attempts to become more altruistic, rebuild his career, and reconnect with friends and family prove more difficult than expected.
- 09
The King's Speech
An intimate and inspiring historical drama about an unlikely friendship and the courage to find one's voice.
The King's Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George ('Bertie') reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.
- 10
The Shape of Water
A lush, imaginative fairy tale for adults that celebrates love and the beauty of being an outsider.
An other-worldly story, set against the backdrop of Cold War era America circa 1962, where a mute janitor working at a lab falls in love with an amphibious man being held captive there and devises a plan to help him escape.
- 11
Argo
A pulse-pounding historical thriller that balances high-stakes diplomacy with a clever Hollywood twist.
As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.
- 12
Roma
A breathtakingly beautiful and intimate look at domestic life and social hierarchy in 1970s Mexico City.
In 1970s Mexico City, two domestic workers help a mother of four while her husband is away for an extended period of time.