AFI Names Top 10 Films of 2010

A scene from Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan."

The American Film Institute announced its annual list of the ten best American films of the year. The complete list of this year's winners are below (as well as two films honored in special prizes), with "Blue Valentine," "Rabbit Hole," "Shutter Island" and "Somewhere" some of the most notable exclusions in a generally unsurprising list.

AFI Films of the Year
"Black Swan," directed by Darren Aronofsky
"The Fighter," directed by David O. Russell
"Inception," directed by Christopher Nolan
"The Kids Are All Right," directed by Lisa Cholodenko
"127 Hours," directed by Danny Boyle
"The Social Network," directed by David Fincher
"The Town," directed by Ben Affleck
"Toy Story 3," directed by Lee Unkrich
"True Grit," directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
"Winter's Bone," directed by Debra Granik

AFI Special Awards
"The King's Speech," directed by Tom Hooper
"Waiting For 'Superman,'" directed by Davis Guggenheim

Check out last year's list here. Check out a list of all the awards so far this year here.

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7 Comments

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Will | January 11, 2011 6:46 AMReply

I couldn't agree more. These were all fantastic films that represent a very well rounded year in cinema. Personally, my favorite of the 10 was Black Swan, but again they were all really excellent. Very anxious for awards season.
Anon | December 17, 2010 2:16 AMReply

Is this list supposed to include documentaries? Like "Sweetgrass," "Inside Job," "Restrepo," and "Boxing Gym?" Even "Catfish." And little indies like "TIny Furniture?" How about "kid's" movies, like "How to Train Your Dragon," "Scott Pilgrim vs The World," and, last but not least, "Kick-Ass?" Any of these films (I believe they are all American and that they all came out this year, but I could be wrong), would be stronger picks than The Town, 127 Hours or Inception.
Red | December 13, 2010 9:23 AMReply

Winters Bone ROCKS! This Indy movie should win hands down. Entire cast and crew deserves accolades; heroine played by Jennifer Lawrence should snag Best Actress/Best upcoming Actress. John Hawke deserves Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Uncle Teardrop. Dale Dickey should be in the running for Best Supporting Actress; can't say enough about this film. Kudos to local actors cast in the movie Lauren Sweetser, Casey McClelland, Cody Shiloh Brown and their acting coach Scott Arthur Allen from Springfield, Mo. Winters Bone really brings home the sad truth about a subculture in the heart of the "Bible Belt" many prefer to ignore or overlook. GO WINTERS BONE!!!!!!!
Guest | December 13, 2010 8:02 AMReply

Somewhere would be a surprising omission....if it didn't suck.
Scott | December 13, 2010 6:48 AMReply

I'm really surprised that no one has included MOTHER AND CHILD on their "best of the year" list. I think it was the finest film of the year. Unfortunately it quickly left theaters. Deserving of special note: Rodrigo Garcia's writing and directing and the performances of Annette Benning (a much greater one than in THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT), Naomi Watts and S. Epatha Merkerson.
RobT | December 13, 2010 5:34 AMReply

The big surprise this time is no big surprises--no off-the-wall choices like last year's The Hangover or Sugar that wouldn't even be considered for most film awards. Except for the relegation of The King's Speech to a "special award", I could imagine the "best picture" Oscar lineup looking exactly like the AFI top 10.
jason | December 13, 2010 4:44 AMReply

enough with the blue valentine. it's such a chore to sit through. it's so not even close to top 10 of the year.