The Academy Awards are a source of both irritation and recognition for film fans. In many ways, the process of celebrating the best films of each year may give cinephiles the chance to see some of their favorite artists receive further honors for their exemplary work. However, it’s also quite annoying to see that the Oscars tend to gravitate towards mainstream projects and frequently ignore genre, arthouse, and international work.

This year’s awards did a better job than most in recognizing films that exemplified the year in film, and no one would argue that films such as Nomadland or Minari are deserving of awards. However, there were many great films from 2020 that didn’t receive nominations for the top prize, some of which were completely ignored all together. Here are ten great 2020 movies that should have been nominated for Best Picture.

10. Soul

Only three animated films have ever been nominated for Best Picture, and while Pixar frequently takes home the Best Animated Feature prize, only Up and Toy Story 3 were nominated for the top category. It’s not entirely surprising that Pixar has failed to contend for the top Oscars more recently, as the studio has produced many sequels and retreads that don’t hold a candle to the studio’s early work, but that certainly changed with Soul. The heartfelt philosophical fable is one of the best that the company has ever made.

Soul combines Pixar’s signature buddy adventure elements with a deeply profound exploration of purpose, meaning, and artistry. As is the case with the best films that take on this subject material, Soul leaves many questions ambiguous. The gorgeous score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross adds a unique jazz flavor to the film, as does Jamie Foxx’s exemplary vocal work as struggling band teacher Joe Gardner.

9. Palm Springs

Raunchy comedies are rarely seen as “serious” Oscar players, but Palm Springs is easily one of the best rom-coms of the 21st Century and cleverly integrates the Groundhog Day premise into a wild and fun escapade. Often shocking in its appetite for morbid violence, the film finds its heart in exploring outsiders who grow affection for each other, both in part and in spite of the supernatural situation that forces them to be together.

Films like Edge of Tomorrow and Source Code also utilized Groundhog Day as an inspiration, and Palm Springs similarly maximizes the potential of the premise as characters Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Miloti) explore the various ways to wreak havoc during Sarah’s sister’s wedding. It’s impressive that these two performers are able to weaponize their inherent charisma with performances that are both deeply lonely and humorously engaging to watch.

8. Possessor

Despite consistent evidence that he is one of the most important and influential artists of the last several decades of cinema, David Cronenberg has never received an Academy Award nomination in any category. Perhaps it is not surprising that the debut film of his son Brandon was also ignored. Brandon Cronenberg’s Possessor is the type of grotesque, body horror sci-fi mindbender that feels the furthest removed from the Academy’s tastes, but surely this brilliant future classic will be remembered either way.

Possessor borrows elements of formal brilliance to ground its deeply disturbing sci-fi storyline, exploring the nature of identity as characters seek to adopt the mannerisms, personalities, and consciousness of the targets they’re assigned to. Rarely do the Oscars recognize acting work in genre films, but Andre Risenborough’s work as an assassin whose mind devolves over the course of a mission is easily among the best of the year.

7. The Vast of Night

If the raw athleticism of filmmaking is something the Oscars take into consideration when selecting their nominees, then the dynamic showmanship of Andrew Patterson’s debut feature The Vast of Night should be an instant player within all the top categories. Patterson’s rendition of a 1950s sci-fi tale lifted straight from The Twilight Zone shows signs of early Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis with his unique ways of building suspense, atmosphere, and excitement.

The low budget film is entirely sparing in when it reveals its more elaborate visual effects work, and the long takes and tracking shots most young filmmakers couldn’t properly utilize fit perfectly within Patterson’s breathless story. Breakout performances from Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz instill the adventure with a youthful spirit that grounds the viewer with characters worth following.

6. Supernova

While often the Academy Awards like to recognize films that deal with aging and illness, the films they select tend to be more melodramatic, overtly sappy stories with signature “Oscar scenes” that can be used as clips in performance reels. Thus, a film like Harry Macqueen’s Supernova probably never had a chance, as it opts for a more low key, studied take on the paralyzing impact that the loss of memory puts on a lifelong couple.

Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci deliver some of the finest performances of their career, and the film mines tragedy from the mundanity as the two try to cope with adjusting their daily routine to accommodate Tucci’s character throughout his illness. Macqueen is patient in laying out the scenarios that will explode later on as Tucci’s condition grows more severe and the couple is forced to face unthinkable questions.

2020 has certainly been a challenging year for film fans. Not only are theaters largely shutdown, but studios have been hesitant to put out new releases on streaming services and VOD outlets, leading to a dearth in new films available. Many of the most anticipated films of the year have been either pushed to undated releases or have had their filming delayed.

That being said, there have been some great films released so far this year, and they are deserving of attention from cinephiles who would normally catch new releases in theaters. Many of these films had their marketing budgets or their festival debuts cut back, so fans looking to keep independent films alive owe it to themselves to check them out. Here are ten great 2020 movies you may have missed:

10. The Banker

The Banker is an old fashioned crowd pleaser with a timely message. The film is based on the inspiring true story of Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie), a real estate investor who forms an investing company with his friend Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson) in order to support minority communities. Unable to gain support from racist banks, the two enlist the help of Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult), a working class white man, to be the public front of the business.

While the film never ignores the brutality of history, it is presented in a way that is entertaining and allows the audience to root for the characters as they fight the system from within. Jackson, as perusal, gives an outrageously entertaining side performance, and delivers some refreshing comedy to the story, particularly when he must teach Steiner how to act like a rich man. It’s a film that is both inspiring and educational.

9. Vivarium

A twisted mix of satire and psychological horror, Vivarium examines the responsibility of parenthood and the blandness of suburban living by the means of a deeply unsettling nightmare scenario. Gemma (Imogen Poots) is a school teacher who searches for a home in the suburbs with her boyfriend Tom (Jesse Eisenberg), but their house hunting quest turns sinister when they become stuck in a never-ending neighborhood and are forced to raise a child.

While the idea of mocking parenthood first comes off as silly, the film does a good job at looking at the dehumanizing effects that this situation has on the characters. The quirks that the two characters have are first presented as endearing, but they begin to grate as the story goes on and the two grow farther apart. The idiosyncratic visuals and career best performance from Imogen Poots are enough to recommend the film.

8. Come to Daddy

A film like Come to Daddy should be inspiring to up and coming filmmakers, because it is the very definition of a bare bones production; set in only a few locations with a relatively small cast, the film succeeds based off of the undercurrent of black comedy and the engaging story. Elijah Wood sheds his nice guy persona to play Norval Greenwood, a pretentious music manager who travels to a cabin in the woods to reunite with his vile father Brian (Stephen McHattie).

The story ultimately descends into a twisted sage of betrayal and violence, but the film is clever in exploring how traits are passed from father to son, and how a scared child can transform into a monstrous adult. Wood is particularly engaging as a character who is both repulsive and sympathetic, and the film also features a scene stealing performance from Martin Donovan. It’s a film designed for midnight screenings, but horror fans should check it out at home nonetheless.

7. 7500

A thrilling chamber piece with Hitchcockian undertones, 7500 is a great comeback vehicle for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Gordon-Levitt has always been one of the most likeable and engaging leading men of his generation, and the natural pathos that he generates make his performance as a terrified airline pilot all the more compelling. When terrorists hijack an international flight and the pilot is killed, First Officer Tobia Ellis (Gordon-Levitt) must step up to the task and lead the passengers to safety.

The film does a great job at showing what type of quick decisions have to be made in a crisis situation; film fans often complain if a character acts unrealistically in a dangerous situation, but 7500 does a great job at justifying how the lead character proceeds in any given scenario. The film’s unflinching violence and tight runtime make it a quick, but unforgettable thrill ride.

6. Greyhound

Greyhound is a great old fashioned thriller that harkens back to submarine movies like The Hunt For Red October, Das Boot, and Crimson Tide. There is clearly a lot of focus paid to naval strategy and the realities that soldiers went through in the midst of a maritime war. Tom Hanks gives a suitably stoic performance as Commander Ernest Krause, a first time U.S. Navy Commander who leads his convoy in order to protect merchant ships from German U-boats.

Even without a theatrical release, the film’s expansive sound design and exciting action set pieces make it feel like a summer event spectacle. Hanks also wrote the screenplay for the film, and he does a good job at combining a historical attention to detail with a heartwarming personal story about the relationship between a captain and his crew.

Earlier this summer, Taste of Cinema released a list of 2020 movies that the average reader may have missed. Given the decline of theatrical releases, this kind of list seemed like a necessity. Passionate film-lovers couldn’t just give up their hobby because the world was crumbling. On the contrary, the rise of social distancing meant that people had plenty of time to sit at home and sift through a large library of movies.

Well, it turns out that the world will continue to crumble for the foreseeable future. Numerous streaming services are available to help you get through your backlog, but new releases shouldn’t be ignored. So many talented filmmakers have been given platforms to release their projects, so why not give them your extra time?

Below, you’ll find ten more lesser-known movies that have come out this year. All of the entries listed below are available on some sort of streaming platform. Please understand that this list is not limited to any specific genre, so read carefully as you decide what you want to watch. Everything on this list has merit, but some entries fall into a specific niche. That being said, there should be something for everybody.

1. House of Hummingbird

Directors often have a hard time understanding adolescence. Teenagers are often portrayed as too naive or too perfect. Luckily, House of Hummingbird gets what it’s like to be a frustrated juvenile navigating through puberty. Even with its South Korean origins, the themes and motifs are universal. This is a narrative that practically anyone can relate to.

Eun-hee, the protagonist, tries her best to understand love, morality, and her future while dealing with a dysfunctional family. Regardless of how often these struggles have made their way to the big screen, House of Hummingbird finds a way to make them stand out. It doesn’t sugarcoat things, and because of that, it feels undeniably authentic. Considering how often directors struggle to understand the teenage psyche, this feels like a massive success.

Innumerable artistic decisions were made to create the best coming-of-age movie since Eighth Grade. Like Bo Burnham’s quirky dramedy, House of Hummingbird has an intelligent screenplay with a cast of performers who know what they’re doing. More importantly, everything feels genuine.

2. Marona’s Fantastic Tale

Marona’s Fantastic Tale uses beautiful visuals to tell a story that will have you crying into a pillow by the time the credits roll. It’s a classic “sad dog” story, but this time, the heart-wrenching doggy death happens in the beginning. From there, the clock rewinds and we get to experience the titular K9’s life from one owner to the next. It’s adorable, it’s visually stunning, and it’s occasionally devastating.

Romanian director Anca Damian clearly knows a thing or two about creating entertainment with universal appeal. Marona’s Fantastic Tale is both mature enough for adults and simple enough for children. It doesn’t talk down to the audience, but it rarely overcomplicates things. It covers topics like neglect, death, but it doesn’t do so in a way that could go over anybody’s head. Unlike so many other animated films, it strikes a necessary balance.

It also helps that it’s gorgeous to look at and pleasurable to watch. It’s not necessarily a fun family movie akin to the latest Dreamworks release, but it captivates in other ways. Impactful storytelling coupled with gorgeous animation results in something one-of-a-kind.

3. Babyteeth

At first glance, Babyteeth appears to tread familiar territory. The synopsis makes it sound like plenty of other coming-of-age teen dramas: a young female outcast falls for the local bad boy. She has a heart of gold, but that’s not all she has. She also has a terminal illness that makes her life expectancy one big question mark. The premise makes it seem like a schlocky spin on material we’ve seen before, but there’s a surprising amount of depth and originality on display.

Structurally, it feels very much like an indie movie. Babyteeth forgoes any sort of three-act structure in favor of something a little messier. Though the plot is presented linearly, title cards are used to introduce scenes that are more akin to vignettes than interconnected pieces of larger puzzle. This lends itself well to something that could have been, but thankfully wasn’t, far more traditional.

At the end of the day, it’s still a simple coming-of-age narrative, but the narrative is enhanced by daring decisions made by everyone involved. Rita Kalnejais’s screenplay carefully ignores dramatic pitfalls, while director Shannon Murphy sensitively tackles complex topics. At any given opportunity, Babyteeth could’ve taken the easy way out, but it never does.

4. Blow the Man Down

Blow the Man Down is the feminist regional noir you didn’t know you wanted. This quick-witted thriller immediately grabs you with its intricate premise, but unlike so many similar movies, it manages to remain engrossing throughout its 91-minute runtime. Even if it never reaches the heights of Fargo, this is a memorable crime story that is sure to stick with fans of the genre.

The central mystery involves a missing girl and a suspicious brothel run by the enigmatic town matriarch, but that’s only a fraction of the densely packed storyline. There is a lot to unravel in such a short runtime, and although none of it is necessarily shocking, it is consistently amusing.

The entertainment value mostly comes from a whip-smart screenplay written by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy. The two manage to create a world that feels very much alive. Characters all have distinct personalities and the rural town should resonate with viewers who understand this kind of setting. The two clearly had an artistic vision, and luckily, everything comes together.

In theory, the praise could end there. Seriously, the top-notch writing is enough to warrant recommendation. However, that wouldn’t be fair to everyone else involved. Blow the Man Down also benefits from an exceptional cast, a skilled editor, and a pair of composers who know how to set the scene. It’d be easy enough to single out one strong element, but that simply isn’t enough.

5. Extra Ordinary

In Extra Ordinary, Will Forte plays a washed-up rock musician who decides to sacrifice a virgin in an effort to become famous once again. You may be surprised to hear that this premise is even weirder than it sounds. Extra Ordinary is one of the wildest horror comedies in recent memory, and although it doesn’t always stick the landing, it never fails to charm.

Will Forte’s bubbly performance certainly helps elevate things, but let’s not undersell this gem. Extra Ordinary is more than just a former SNL cast member having the time of his life. It’s a wide variety of people having a blast, and they want you to have a blast with them. Even if there are some problems with the script here and there, this is well worth the time commitment. Invite a few friends over and enjoy this eccentric roller coaster.

Unless you’ve been scavenging through the depths of countless VOD apps and websites, you’ve likely had an unusually slow year when it comes to movie-watching. With theater chains closed across the globe, it’s safe to say that blockbusters are out and indie gems are in, but even then, it’s hard to find which indie gems to watch. After all, they’re not being advertised before theatrical releases because there aren’t any theatrical releases.

With all of that in mind, it might be surprising to hear that 2020 has had some legitimately excellent releases. Black Widow, Mulan, No Time to Die, and countless other films have been pushed aside, and that’s a shame, but there’s a silver lining here. In their place, you’ll find a variety of smaller films that have made their way onto services like Vudu, Mubi, and Hulu. Without the competition, they finally have a chance to shine. They just need to overcome the lack of publicity.

That brings us to this list. Below, you’ll find ten lesser-known movies that are worthy of your time. They may be missing Vin Diesel’s lengthy monologues about family, but they have more than enough to offer. In fact, they might help you temporarily forget about the chaos that is 2020, and that’s the gift that keeps on giving.

1. Never Rarely Sometimes Always

What makes Never Rarely Sometimes Always the best reviewed movie of the year? Could it be the breakthrough performance from newcomer Talia Ryder? What about the daring subject matter? Maybe it’s the memorable screenplay. Let’s not kid ourselves: it’s a combination of everything. Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a near-perfect motion picture.

At any given opportunity, it could’ve forced some kind of message down viewers’ throats but it doesn’t. Eliza Hittman’s abortion drama may be heavy, but it’s never preachy. It’s refreshing to see something take on such a controversial issue without yelling at you, even if it’s still relatively easy to tell where this film stands on the topic.

Preachy doesn’t always equal bad, but in the case of Never Rarely Sometimes Always, the more low-key approach results in something more honest than we’re used to seeing. It doesn’t feel like you’re watching an after school special. Hell, sometimes it doesn’t feel like you’re watching a movie at all. It feels like you’re stepping in somebody’s shoes in an attempt to understand their pain and suffering, and it’s brilliant.

2. Rewind

When you look at the botched releases of so many films from 2020, it’s easy to forget that there are numerous high-quality offerings outside of major theatrical releases. This is particularly true when it comes to documentaries. Crip Camp, Miss Americana, Spaceship Earth, and On the Record represent only a small portion of the excellent documentaries that have come around this year. They quickly gained traction thanks to their availability on wider-known platforms like HBO and Netflix, but there are other documentaries that remain relatively obscure.

Rewind was given a release on PBS as part of their Independent Lens series. Unfortunately, this series does not have the same kind of draw as something like Netflix. As a result, this harrowing tale of abuse quickly faded into oblivion.

Sasha Neulinger’s stomach-churning analysis of sexual and physical abuse can be hard to watch. By compiling decades of home video footage, Neulinger is able to tell his story in a way that comes across as authentic.

At the same time, it should be noted that old footage can only help so much. Rewind would be nothing without a strong voice. This isn’t just a collection of videos from twenty years ago. Neulinger’s narration, mixed with skilled editing, creates an educational experience with a booming message.

Keep in mind that the Independent Lens series locks documentaries behind a paywall after a certain period of time, so Rewind is no longer accessible for free through their website. It is, however, available on every major VOD platform, and the rental price is worth it. Be aware that the subject matter can be triggering for viewers who have experienced similar traumas. Even so, this is a necessary watch.

3. Driveways

In Driveways, we meet an introverted young boy who can’t relate to the kids who try to befriend him in an unfamiliar New York neighborhood. Rather than enjoying his time with people his age, he meets a Korean War veteran whose tough exterior doesn’t match his warm interior. From the outside looking in, this sounds an awful lot like a certain Clint Eastwood movie, but Driveways separates itself by approaching the material in a far more understated manner.

Unlike Gran Torino’s gruff Walt Kowalski, this old retiree remains static throughout. He doesn’t need to learn any lessons about racism because he’s not outwardly racist. In theory, this could be a problem, but there are conflicts elsewhere. Driveways just wants to tell a story about a lonely kid who finds a friend, and it does so successfully. It’s not as loud and proud when it comes to the central message. Nevertheless, it has a lot to say.

This heartwarming story is made better by a game-changing performance from the late Brian Dennehy. The Golden Globe winning actor delivers a tender performance that’s filled with muted emotions. Alongside his stellar costars, we’re gifted with a movie that grips viewers and doesn’t let go.

4. Shirley

Director Josephine Decker and screenwriter Sarah Gubbins could’ve taken the easy way out. They could’ve taken a Shirley Jackson biography and recreated it for the big screen. That’s what a lot of filmmakers do, and those movies tend to do pretty well. A nice, safe biopic would’ve been perfectly watchable, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting as this small dose of madness.

Though Shirley is biographical, it can’t fairly be deemed a biopic. Sure, a lot of biopics take liberties with their stories, but this doesn’t revolve around a specific event from Jackson’s life at all. Instead, viewers are transported into a Jackson-inspired world that happens to feature the author as a character. The events featured in the movie are almost entirely fictional, but the actual characterization of the acclaimed author is genuine.

This unusual approach to storytelling benefits Shirley in the long-run. Viewers will come in expecting a been-there-done-that biopic only to be surprised when they’re transported to a gothic world akin to We Have Always Lived in the Castle. It’s bold, it’s unconventional, and it’s exactly what fans of the author would appreciate.

5. The Wolf House

The Wolf House is a fairy-tale inspired nightmare masquerading as a stop motion animated movie. It’s grotesque and often repellent, but it’s one of the most unique cinematic experiences you will ever encounter. Calling it a modern take on Grimms’ fairy tales would be underselling it. This is something else entirely.

Like several entries on this list, The Wolf House lacks accessibility to some degree. This isn’t simply arthouse adjacent; this is a picture-perfect example of an arthouse film. It doesn’t tell its story by going from point A to point B. It zigzags around until it finally wraps up in its own peculiar way. This can be jarring, but the method of storytelling lends itself well to the artistic vision.

In the end, the artistic vision is the main draw. It’s immediately clear that the pair of directors poured their hearts and souls into this quirky indie flick. The result is haunting, bleak, and utterly memorable.