10. 'How to Train Your Dragon'There are so many cute-but-disposable animated features every year, but there always manage to be one or two that steals just a little of Pixar's (well-deserved) thunder. In 2010, that film was the effortlessly (and unexpectedly) charming DreamWorks release 'How to Train Your Dragon.' Half-comedy, half-adventure, and 100 percent insightful about the morality tales it has to offer, 'Dragon' appeals to a wide array of demographics for a wide variety of reasons. But it all boils down to a simple equation: a film should be good enough for our children, and then it should go a bit further and be good enough for grown-ups, too. Plus, any animated feature that managed to avoid being overshadowed by the (also lovely) 'Toy Story 3' is most definitely worthy of note. -- SW
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9. 'The King's Speech'Sure, 'The King's Speech' may seem like your typical Oscar-bait at first, given its principal cast (Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter) and award-winning director (Tom Hooper). But seconds into the movie, you realize it's so much more. Writer David Seidler based the remarkable story around King George VI's real friendship with his speech therapist, Lionel, who helped the monarch overcome his nearly career-ending stammer. It's an endearing and at times funny movie that makes the Royal Family relatable to the average moviegoer. The film is also impeccably acted, especially by Firth, who is a shoo-in to win this year's Best Actor Oscar. -- AR
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8. 'The Kids Are All Right'Julianne Moore and Annette Bening turn out two of the year's best performances as a lesbian couple whose two kids throw a dysfunctional curveball at them by tracking down the biological father (Mark Ruffalo) they never met and injecting him straight into their everyday lives. Funny, charming and poignant, this film about learning who you are and why you are stormed our hearts while opening our minds. -- ED
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7. 'True Grit'This love letter to the old Western was more an adaptation of the novel than a straight remake of the John Wayne classic. The latest from writer-directors Joel and Ethan Coen follows a whip-smart, hardened 14-year-old girl (Hailee Steinfeld) who teams with a drunken, washed-up U.S. Marshal (Jeff Bridges) and a slightly inept, yet heroic Texas Ranger (Matt Damon) to hunt down the man who killed her father. With breathtaking scenic shots, addictive wordplay and top-notch performances all around (especially from up-and-comer Steinfeld), the Coen brothers once again find themselves at the top of their game. -- ED
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6. 'Black Swan'Natalie Portman's performance as Nina Sayers will tie your stomach in knots in this suspense-filled thriller, about a ballerina forced to draw out her evil, seductive side in order to deliver the perfect lead performance in 'Swan Lake.' As her dark side struggles to take control, Nina's grip on reality begins to fall apart, threatening the most important role of her life. If you haven't seen it already, be prepared to talk about it the next day. -- BC
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5. 'Exit Through the Gift Shop'Real or fake? Documentary or performance art? Elusive street artist-turned-filmmaker Banksy sure isn't fessing up to the truth behind his latest piece of work. At times laugh-out-loud funny, 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' –- which follows an inept French shop keeper who decides to shoot a documentary about Banksy, only to find himself turning into the kind of celebrated artist he set out to capture –- is surreal, ludicrous and totally a blast to watch play out. You'll laugh as the film ridicules its main character, though he (and Banksy) may be the ones sharing the last laugh at our expense. -- ED
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4. 'Winter's Bone'The story of Ree, a teenager trying to track down her wayward father among a network of similarly wayward (and criminal) relatives, seems like the kind of indie that gets acclaim at festivals and is quickly forgotten. But 'Winter's Bone' is a far better, far weightier film than that. Filmed on location in the Ozarks, the film evokes not just a place and a way of life but a fierce sense of loyalty, desperation and pride. John Hawkes as Ree's uncle is explosive with menace and pain -- and Jennifer Lawrence as the headstrong Ree, who comes of age in ways most people will never (thank God) have to undergo, is a revelation, giving us what is certainly one of the best performances and strongest female characters of the year. -- PJC
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3. 'Inception'Does the totem keep spinning? Does it matter? Whether or not Christopher Nolan's visually stunning sci-fi mind-bender about a team of "extractors" -- corporate spies who have developed a technique for stealing information from people's dreams -- hired for a risky mission all adds up is secondary to the thrill of tagging along with Leonardo DiCaprio and pals on their wildly inventive ride through the subconscious mind. -- JS
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2. 'The Social Network'From Aaron Sorkin's masterfully crafted script to Jesse Eisenberg's stellar and spot-on performance as Mark Zuckerberg, 'The Social Network' easily became so much more than "that Facebook movie." Director David Fincher creates a tight universe of young people careening toward something that will change the world and co-star Andrew Garfield gives a moving performance as the betrayed Eduardo Saverin. The film is crisp and modern and beautifully brought to light the story behind Facebook, the invention that defined a generation. -- GD
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1. 'Toy Story 3'Saying 'Toy Story 3' is "just an animated movie" is rather like saying the Taj Mahal is just a building. Or a Ferrari is just a car. Or ... well, you get the point. Hilarious (Mr. Tortilla Head!), heartbreaking, even white-knuckle thrilling, this film introduced terrific new characters and brought us full circle with the ones we already loved. 'Toy Story 3' isn't just for kids -- it's for adults who remember what it's like to be kids. It's both the best film of an already great franchise and our unanimous pick for the best movie of 2010. -- PJC
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