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Best Movies of the 2020s Ranked (Oscar Nominees Bracket) | Movie Knights Roundtable
Best movies of the 2020s ranked using every Best Picture nominee in a March Madness-style bracket. In this episode, we debate and break down the top Oscar-nominated films of the decade, from major winners to underrated contenders, to determine which movie truly stands above the rest.
We compare award winners, surprise nominees, and fan-favorite films while discussing cultural impact, performances, directing, and what defines the best movie of the 2020s so far.
If you’re looking for the best movies of the 2020s, Oscar nominees ranked, or a full breakdown of Academy Award contenders, this bracket delivers some of the most fun and heated movie debates we’ve had.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 - Best Picture Bracket Intro (2020s Oscar Movies)
00:33 - March Madness Style Bracket Explained
01:32 - Everything Everywhere All At Once vs Train Dreams
03:23 - Oppenheimer vs The Secret Agent
04:51 - Parasite vs Sinners
07:32 - CODA vs Marty Supreme
10:30 - Nomadland vs Hamnet
11:15 - Anora vs Frankenstein
12:06 - The Power of the Dog vs F1
13:30 - The Banshees of Inisherin vs Bugonia
16:08 - Top Gun: Maverick vs I’m Still Here
19:37 - Dune: Part Two vs Emilia Perez
19:52 - Dune vs Wicked
23:42 - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood vs The Substance
24:10 - The Irishman vs Nickel Boys
24:43 - 1917 vs A Complete Unknown
25:09 - Joker vs Conclave
25:29 - Barbie vs The Brutalist
26:12 - Killers of the Flower Moon vs Maestro
26:27 - Poor Things vs American Fiction
27:14 - The Fabelmans vs Don’t Look Up
27:37 - TÁR vs King Richard
27:55 - All Quiet on the Western Front vs Nightmare Alley
28:39 - West Side Story vs Marriage Story
29:15 - Elvis vs Little Women
29:47 - The Holdovers vs Jojo Rabbit
30:16 - Past Lives vs Ford v Ferrari
30:25 - Anatomy of a Fall vs The Father
30:30 - The Zone of Interest vs Judas and the Black Messiah
31:03 - Triangle of Sadness vs Minari
31:22 - Women Talking vs Promising Young Woman
31:30 - Drive My Car vs Sound of Metal
31:39 - Licorice Pizza vs The Trial of the Chicago 7
32:13 - Mank vs Avatar: The Way of Water
Round 2 + Bracket Progression:
32:23 - EEAAO vs Oppenheimer (Debate)
34:45 - Sinners vs CODA
34:53 - Hamnet vs Anora
35:08 - F1 vs Banshees of Inisherin
35:35 - Top Gun: Maverick vs Dune: Part Two
35:42 - Dune vs The Substance
35:50 - Nickel Boys vs A Complete Unknown
35:59 - Conclave vs Barbie
36:11 - Killers of the Flower Moon vs Poor Things
37:22 - The Fabelmans vs TÁR
37:35 - Nightmare Alley vs Marriage Story
37:42 - Elvis vs The Holdovers
37:52 - Anatomy of a Fall vs Past Lives
38:32 - Judas and the Black Messiah vs Triangle of Sadness
38:39 - Promising Young Woman vs Sound of Metal
38:50 - Trial of the Chicago 7 vs Avatar: The Way of Water
Elite 8 / Final Rounds:
38:56 - Everything Everywhere All At Once vs Sinners
40:30 - Anora vs Banshees of Inisherin
40:55 - Nickel Boys vs Conclave
41:02 - Killers of the Flower Moon vs The Fabelmans
41:10 - Marriage Story vs The Holdovers
41:15 - Anatomy of a Fall vs Judas and the Black Messiah
41:20 - Sound of Metal vs Avatar: The Way of Water
41:28 - Sinners vs Banshees of Inisherin
42:10 - Dune: Part Two vs Conclave
42:16 - Killers of the Flower Moon vs The Holdovers
42:25 - Anatomy of a Fall vs Avatar: The Way of Water
Final Four + Championship:
42:52 - Sinners vs Dune: Part Two
43:55 - The Holdovers vs Anatomy of a Fall
44:10 - Championship: Dune: Part Two vs The Holdovers
47:13 - Final Game (F, Marry, Kill – 2020s Movies)
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These Sequels Are BETTER Than The Original | The Movie Knights Roundtable
37:16|Sometimes the sequel is actually better than the original.In this episode of The Movie Knights Roundtable, we break down sequels that surpassed the original movies — from iconic follow-ups like The Dark Knight and The Godfather Part II to fan-favorite sequels like Spider-Man 2, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and more.We discuss what makes a great sequel, why some second installments improve on the original, and which franchises peaked with their follow-ups.If you’re looking for the best movie sequels, film debates, and movie discussions, this episode has you covered.Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Sequels Better Than The Original Movies00:37 - What Makes a Sequel Better?01:19 - The Dark Knight vs Batman Begins06:20 - Joker Fan Theory Explained (The Dark Knight)08:46 - The Godfather Part II vs The Godfather10:42 - Spider-Man 2 Still the Best Spider-Man Movie?13:54 - Batman Returns vs Batman16:06 - Evil Dead II vs The Evil Dead17:45 - Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Surprise Upgrade18:50 - Every Toy Story Sequel Ranked Discussion19:52 - What Happened to Buzz Lightyear of Star Command?20:33 - Star Wars Tangent (Original Clone Wars Discussion)24:38 - Terminator 2: Judgment Day vs The Terminator25:13 - Alien vs Aliens25:23 - The Empire Strikes Back & Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan27:02 - Game: Sequel Edition🎬 More from The Movie Knights:All Links: https://linktr.ee/Movie_Knights#film #movietalk #moviediscussion #sequelsMovies That SHOULD Be Remade | The Movie Knights Roundtable
24:05|Hollywood loves remakes… but they’re usually the wrong ones.In this episode of The Movie Knights Roundtable, we break down movies that SHOULD be remade — films with great concepts, flawed execution, or untapped potential that deserve a modern update.From cult classics like Big Trouble in Little China to high-concept sci-fi like In Time, we discuss what worked, what didn’t, and how these movies could be reimagined for today’s audience.If you’re into movie discussions, film debates, and breaking down Hollywood trends, this is the episode for you.Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Movies That SHOULD Be Remade00:30 - Why Hollywood Gets Remakes Wrong01:05 - Anaconda & The Right Way to Do a Remake02:50 - Big Trouble in Little China Remake Potential06:01 - In Time Deserves a Second Chance09:30 - The Three Amigos Modern Remake Idea13:17 - Eddie and the Cruisers Revisit15:45 - Should Stand By Me Be Remade?18:38 - Eyes Without a Face Horror Remake Potential20:09 - Game: Remake Edition🎬 More from The Movie Knights:All Links: https://linktr.ee/Movie_KnightsBe sure to like, subscribe, and stick around for more movie reviews!#movies #remakes #moviediscussionThese Movies Should NOT Have Gotten A Sequel | The Movie Knights Roundtable
29:45|Some movies should have been left alone… but Hollywood couldn’t help itself.In this episode of The Movie Knights Roundtable, we break down movies that should NOT have gotten sequels. From controversial follow-ups like Joker 2 to unnecessary comedy sequels, franchise overextensions, and legacy cash grabs that missed the point of the original.We dive into what makes a bad sequel, the biggest mistakes studios make when continuing stories, and which films actually hurt their legacy by getting another installment. Plus, we pitch some wild sequel ideas and play a game to wrap it all up.If you love movie discussions, film debates, and breaking down Hollywood trends, this is the episode for you.Episode Timestamps:00:00 - Movies That Should NOT Have Gotten Sequels00:30 - Why Hollywood Keeps Making Unnecessary Sequels01:52 - Joker & The Sequel Debate06:44 - Why Comedy Sequels Usually Fail14:58 - Percy Jackson Franchise Missteps18:58 - What’s the Biggest Sequel Mistake?20:11 - Why Toy Story 4 Actually Works21:27 - The Mask Sequel Disaster21:50 - More Movies That Didn’t Need Sequels23:40 - Fixing Jaws Sequels (Soft Pitch)26:31 - Game: Sequel Edition27:24 - Air Bud Mockumentary Pitch🎬 More from The Movie Knights:All Links: https://linktr.ee/Movie_KnightsBe sure to like, subscribe, and stick around for more movie reviews!#movies #sequels #moviediscussionThese Movie Trends Need to STOP… and These Need to Come Back | Movie Knights Roundtable
31:48|Movie trends are shaping modern movies and Hollywood more than ever. In this video, we break down the biggest movie trends that need to die and the film trends that need to come back.We discuss what’s hurting modern movies, what Hollywood is getting wrong, and the film trends we miss the most. If you love movie discussions, film analysis, and talking about where the industry is headed, this episode is for you.Full breakdown of the worst modern movie trends and the film trends we want Hollywood to bring back.Episode Timestamps:00:00 — Movie Trends That Need to Die vs Come Back00:37 — Movie Trends That Need to Die (Overview)01:43 — Multiverse Movies Trend04:03 — 3 Hour Movie Runtimes Problem06:34 — Post-Credit Scenes Fatigue08:05 — Legacy Sequels Trend08:21 — Trailers That Spoil the Movie10:54 — Dark Color Palettes in Movies12:52 — Awards Bait Biopics15:37 — Sky Beam Endings in Movies16:45 — Movie Trends That Need to Come Back (Overview)16:54 — Erotic Thrillers Return18:46 — Movie Genres We Miss (Comedies, Sci-Fi, Originals)21:47 — 90 Minute Movies21:54 — Movie Star Vehicles (Non-IP Films)23:40 — Wilhelm Scream in Movies24:01 — No Spoilers / Surprise Movies25:54 — Practical Effects, Stunts & Sets28:28 — F Marry Kill Movie Trends Game🎬 More from The Movie Knights:All Links: https://linktr.ee/Movie_KnightsBe sure to like, subscribe, and stick around for more movie discussions. #movies #movietrends #filmdiscussion #hollywoodWe are tired of pretending these movies are good | Movie Knights Roundtable
33:39|Some movies get universal praise… but honestly, not all of them deserve it. This video breaks down some of the most overrated movies and why the hype doesn’t match the reality. From fan favorites to critically acclaimed hits, it’s time to stop pretending these movies are better than they actually are.🎬 More from The Movie Knights:All Links: https://linktr.ee/Movie_Knights00:00 - Start01:07 - Topic Introduction01:31 - Isle of Dogs04:08 - I know Nick is going to upset me04:27 - Pulp Fiction08:17 - Invisible Man (2020)11:04 - Spiral14:25 - Annihilation17:54 - Wicked: For Good18:51 - Black Panther26:09 - Napoleon Dynamite 30:59 - GameBe sure to like, subscribe, and stick around for more movie discussions. #movies #unpopularopinions #filmdiscussion #netflixDid the Oscars Get It Right? The Last 5 Best Picture Winners Debated | Movie Knights Roundtable
46:44|Did the Oscars get it right with the last five Best Picture winners? In this video, we break down the most recent Academy Award for Best Picture winners and debate whether the Academy made the right choice each year.From Oppenheimer to Everything Everywhere All at Once to Anora, we revisit the competition, discuss other major awards these films won, and ask the big question — did the Academy truly reward the best movie?🎬 More from The Movie Knights:All Links: https://linktr.ee/Movie_Knights00:00 - Start02:52 - Anora & the 2025 Oscars10:53 - Oppenheimer and the 2024 Oscars20:14 - Everything Everywhere All At Once and the 2023 Oscars29:35 - CODA and the 2022 Oscars🔔 Subscribe for Weekly Movie News, Movie Reviews, and Insightful Conversations!#oscars #academyawards #moviediscussion #filmanalysis #netflixLegacy Sequels: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly - Movie Knights Roundtable
40:07|Legacy sequels have taken over Hollywood — but why do some legacy sequels work while others completely fall apart? In this video, we break down the best and worst legacy sequels, what makes them succeed, and why so many fail to capture the magic of the original.From nostalgic revivals to franchise misfires, we look at what defines a true legacy sequel, how studios use them, and whether audiences are finally getting tired of them.Episode Timestamps:00:00 — Legacy Sequels Explained: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly01:21 — Star Wars: The Force Awakens & The Legacy Sequel Formula04:40 — Creed — The Right Way to Pass the Torch05:43 — Blade Runner 2049 — Prestige Legacy Sequel07:50 — Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny — When Nostalgia Backfires10:04 — The Exorcist: Believer — Franchise Misfire?11:55 — Top Gun: Maverick — The Gold Standard14:05 — Ghostbusters: Afterlife — Fan Service vs Story16:06 — The Matrix Resurrections — Meta Sequel Debate18:02 — Twisters — Modern Blockbuster Revival18:42 — Jurassic World — Reboot or Legacy Sequel?22:39 — 28 Years Later — Horror Legacy Hype23:12 — Halloween — The Soft Reboot Blueprint26:23 — Scream — Passing the Meta Torch31:56 — Terminator: Dark Fate — Why It Didn’t Work38:05 — Smash or Pass: Legacy Sequel Edition🎬 More from The Movie Knights:All Links: https://linktr.ee/Movie_Knights🔔 Subscribe for Weekly Movie News, Movie Reviews, and Insightful Conversations!#legacysequels #moviediscussion #filmanalysis #netflixThese Actors Changed Their Careers With One Movie | Movie Knights Roundtable
37:52|Some actors completely changed their career paths — and it paid off. In this video, we break down the best actor career reinventions and role pivots, from Matthew McConaughey shifting from rom coms to prestige dramas to Matt Damon becoming an action star with the Bourne franchise, plus more major casting and genre shifts that worked.We look at the smartest genre switches, unexpected casting turns, and how these actors reshaped their careers and on-screen identities.Timestamps:00:00 - Actors Who Changed Roles for the Better Overview02:13 - Matthew McConaughey Career Reinvention02:55 - Bryan Cranston Career Transformation04:44 - Matt Damon Action Star Shift06:59 - Unexpected Actor Casting Choices12:09 - Amy Madigan Career Role Shift13:58 - Every Batman Casting Discussion15:44 - Mia Goth Breakout Horror Role16:12 - Sally Hawkins Dramatic Role Turn17:32 - Robert De Niro Genre Shifts19:28 - Heath Ledger Career Reinvention25:10 - Pitching unexpected movie pairings🔔 Subscribe for Weekly Movie News, Movie Reviews, and Insightful Conversations!#actors #moviediscussion #hollywood