2020

2020: Stories That Grounded Us in an Uncertain Time. 2020 will forever be remembered as the year the world stood still - and in that stillness, many turned to cinema for comfort, escape, and reflection. With cinemas closing and daily life disrupted, home viewing took centre stage like never before. At CinemaParadiso.co.uk, our members sought out a rich variety of titles, from stylish thrillers and stirring biopics to genre hits and animated favourites. Despite the global pause, the films of 2020 proved just how essential storytelling is in helping us understand ourselves and the world around us.

Leading the way was Joker, a bold, unsettling portrait of mental illness and societal neglect that became a cultural flashpoint. Joaquin Phoenix's haunting performance dominated conversation - and awards season. Parasite, meanwhile, made history as the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars, thrilling audiences with its razor-sharp satire of class division and its masterful genre shifts.

Cinematic spectacle still had its moment, even from the sofa. War epic 1917 wowed with its technical prowess and single-shot execution, while Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker brought the Skywalker saga to a close with fanfare and nostalgia. Ad Astra, Gemini Man, and Le Mans '66 took viewers on journeys across space, time, and the racetrack - each one visually dazzling in its own right.

For lighter, more comedic fare, members turned to Knives Out, a modern whodunit with sharp wit and a stellar ensemble cast, and The Gentlemen, Guy Ritchie's return to form with slick, fast-talking British crime drama. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood also made its mark, offering Quentin Tarantino's revisionist take on late-1960s Los Angeles, while Jojo Rabbit blended satire and heart in a way few films could manage.

Animated hits like Toy Story 4, Frozen II, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, and The Lion King brought joy to families at home, while Dolittle and Jumanji: The Next Level provided playful, high-energy adventures for all ages.

There were also quieter triumphs. The Personal History of David Copperfield, Judy, Official Secrets, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood delivered poignant, performance-driven stories that found meaning in the small and deeply human. Films like Little Women, Rocketman, Bait, and Blinded by the Light offered fresh perspectives on beloved genres and icons.

2020 may have forced the world into lockdown, but the films of the year reminded us that stories can travel anywhere - bringing laughter, tears, and insight right into our living rooms. In a year of isolation, cinema helped us feel connected again.