Apr 16 2009
The 10 Most Visually Stunning Movies of the Last 10 Years
Now that I’m about to be disappointed by every blockbuster coming out in May, I’m looking ahead to the next project that I’m truly excited about.
That would be James Cameron’s Avatar coming in December which promises to completely change the way we view movies. I’m sure the movie is going to be visually unforgettable, and I decided to take a look back at other similarly jaw dropping films of recent memory.
No worries about plot here, this is purely a beauty contest. Let me know what I forgot.
1) Sunshine
Danny Boyle’s sci-fi masterpiece had an endless parade of solar glamor shots.
2) Speed Racer
Everyone may have hated it, but you can’t honestly say you’d seen anything like it before.
3) The Fall
Way, way out there, but way, way too good looking to not be included here.
4) Sin City
More than just black and white, Sin City created a comic bookish visual style all its own.
5) The Matrix Reloaded
What? Not the original? No. Though light on story, the sequel was the visually superior of the two, thanks no doubt to a vastly increased budget.
6) What Dreams May Come
Heaven, Hell and everything in between were rendered beautifully in this movie that was way ahead of its time.
7) 300
Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that it’s gorgeous. And no, I’m not talking about the leatherbound chiseled men aspect of it.
8 ) Hero
Often overlooked in favor of its more popular predecessor, Crouching Tiger, Hero was actually both the better film and the better looking of the two.
9) Transformers
Say what you want about the absurdity of the toy-based film, it truly took special effect integration in movies to a completely new level.
10) The Fountain
I hated this movie with a passion, but I absolutely could not look away the entire time, and I still listen to the soundtrack to this day. It’s more like an art exhibition than an actual film.
| Share |
More Unreal Posts
- 10 People Who I Would Not Want to Play Guitar Hero With
- Unreal Movie Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- The 10 Most Polarizing Movies of the Last Decade
- Samuel L. Jackson Signs With Marvel…for NINE MOVIES
- Some of the Most Memorable Hairstyles in Movies
amazing pics, great post!!!
Baraka was an absolutely beautiful film.
Since there was no explicit plot, it would fit in your list nicely.
[…] their shit -10 amazing hotel views (actually kind of cool) -The 10 funniest movie fight scenes -The 10 most visually stunning movies of the last 10 years -10 pics of people sleeping at work -Interspecies animal sex is funny and arousing! Uh, just funny […]
Seen most of these and no arguments here. Only one I can think of not on the list is Curse of the Golden Flower. Spectacular.
Never heard of “The Fall”, 8 on IMDB after 15,000 votes means a must.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460791/
How about the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy? Those movies were gorgeous, and some of it was just because New Zealand is so beautiful to begin with.
Don’t forget Mirror Mask! I had never heard of this movie until about a month ago. It’s based on a Neil Gaiman graphic novel, and has character design by Jim Henson’s creature shop. It is absolutely STUNNING and I’ve never seen anything else like it.
@ Sub-Zero
Bravo on this article. No argument here at all. I am yet to see Hero - I really, really want to - but the guy who directed it also did Curse of the Golden Flower and Raise the Red Lantern, two gorgeous films. His name is Zhang Yimou; so far I’ve been very, very impressed with his work. He also directed the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics this year.
I guess I should give Speed Racer a shot…
One last thing” The Fountain is awesome. I think I’m fighting you next time we meet.
Wall-E was pretty good visually
Personally, I found House of Flying Daggers prettier than Hero.
Also, The Cell deserved a special mention, especially when not taking the plot in consideration (also, besides being stylish, J-Lo is what I would call Visually Stunning)
Great list, you hit everything I can think of. Unfortunatly, What Dreams May Come is from 1998 :).
Couldn’t agree more about The Fountain, esp. the soundtrack. Although, I actually enjoyed the movie as a movie, too.
It’s a shame it’s not a list from the past 15 years, then 5th Element could be on this list.
But kudos from Zhang Yimou’s Hero making it. If you liked that, go pick up Curse of the Golden Flower, House of Flying Daggers and Raise the Red Lantern. All are visually amazing.
No Wall-e?
Matrix Reloaded? Superior to the first?
Surely you jest.
The best part about the fall and much of Hero is that the visuals are real-life places, not CG sets.
The Fall should without a doubt be number one. So much more artistic than the other two and of the top 5 it is the only one that isn’t a CGI-fest which makes it even more impressive.
The Fountain is just a good all round film, will definitely be reassessed in a few years as a masterpiece.
Transformers? That was a bland and ugly film. Replace that with LOTR and you have yourself a half decent list.
Awesome list, I need to check out at least three still.
@Dorkus Malorkus
The LOTR trilogy were terrible films, not only from the plot POV, but the visual direction was the worst of any big budget film from the last 15 years. It gave me motion sickness just watching the swooping camera angles, and while I agree with you that NZ isa stunningly beautiful country, the CG rendered landscapes were so poorly detailed and of such low quality that it might as well been rendered in low-res using World of Warcraft graphics.
House of the flying daggers.
Hi,
Interesting, the movie you have shown as “The Fall” has the exact scenes (apparently) as a movie called “Baraka” if you haven’t seen Baraka or “Koyaanisqatsi” personally, you have not opened your eyes and lived until you have seen both of these movies.
I just found the scene I’m talking about on YouTube (below).
Koyaanisqatsi: (found on Google Video but please watch on DVD!)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5539613947839465921&ei=-kjoSfLXA5r0qAPkpNmIAw&q=Koyaanisqatsi
Baraka Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq1IiO6tA4w&feature=related
Pan’s labrynth and Shinobi were also great movies, and also kung fu hustle had amazing CGI
Difficult list… It seems to be a mix of pretty FX as well as plain ol’good cinematography.
I’m sorely missing Mann’s ‘The Insider’ as well as ‘Wall-e’ (or even ‘Cars’!).
Transformers should not be on it - in order for visuals to be stunning you at least gotta have some time to figure out what’s on the screen!
Great list. I couldn’t agree more on the Fountain - hated the movie, but it did look superb. Must check out The Fall.
cheers!
Nice … & #6 FTW
While I agree that Hero was a nice looking film, I don’t feel like it holds a candle to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Maybe you should have put a little more thought into the martial arts portion of your show…
Great list, and I’m glad you mentioned -The Fall-, although I would have placed it higher
Why isn’t Lord of the Rings Return of the King on this list?
I think its a toss up for Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and Curse of the Golden Flower personally. They were all stunning in scope and scale of their cinematography.
House of Flying Daggers.
Also, I’ve not seen it, but the animated film Waltz With Bashir looks pretty beautiful.
FIFTH ELEMENT!!! I am surprised it didn’t make the list of “Visually Stunning”
What about the remake of King Kong a few years ago. That deserves a spot here as much as any listed here…
@ Dude. Clearly you did not see Transformers on Bluray disc
If you hated The Fountain than you just didn’t understand it. Powerful film about life and death. One of the prettiest films of all time visually and thematically.
If you hated The Fountain than you just didn’t understand it. Powerful film about life and death. One of the prettiest films of all time visually and thematically.
Not to mention its way lower budget than Aronofsky intended. Studio intitially shut it down.
Overall I can’t complain, not a bad list. I’m glad LOTR isn’t on there, but I feel like Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” should be on there before Transformers. Fifth Element is a pretty good suggestion as well.
To chime in with Brad, What Dreams May Come is from ‘98. If I had to swap that film with another, I would put Children of Men or Pan’s Labyrinth/Hellboy series in its place.
Here are two more to consider: The Cell // Event Horizon
How did you miss “The Curse of the Yellow Flower”
I think that’s what it’s called, beautiful contrast in colors.
Kudos for The Fountain and Hero — those were the first two that came to my mind when I saw the headline.
Hey.. What about V For Vendetta.. That one had a slick retro-futuristic look to it..
If you would have ever comprehended “The Fountain”, you would have never wasted your precious moments to create this article sans any substance.
[…] April 17, 2009 · No Comments The 10 Most Visually Stunning Movies of the Last 10 Years […]
What about 2001: A Space Odyssey? It was from 1968, and had amazing visuals. I’m kind of dissapointed that I did not see it on this list.
I agree with all of these movies!!!
The Fall is by far on top for me!
I’ve never seen Sunshine, but since I’m in agreement that the rest of these movies really do have stunning visual effects, I think I’m going to enjoy it.
no wong kar wai? why are all these lists always so US/Euro centric?
Tarsem Singh traveled to 18 countries in 4 years to complete The Fall. Everything about the movie: the locations, costumes and that girl with the thing over her face are beautiful…except the story. It started out so interesting and fantastic but towards the end just kinda fell off (no pun intended). Definitely worth a watch, though, if not for the visuals and some great acting.
What about 2001: A Space Odyssey?
I pretty much agree with everything here but Transformers.
Super awesome/amazing special effects? Yes
Visually stunning? Not in the least
It doesn’t belong in a list full of movies where you could take almost any still of any of them frame it, and put it up in a photography/art exhibition.
(Granted, I feel somewhat the same way about the Matrix film, but it at least had SOME beautiful snapshot moments)
I vote for casshern
All good, one addition though, The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen.
“why are all these lists always so US/Euro centric?”
erm, what about Tarsem Singh and Zhang Yimou? 2/10 asian directors doesn’t seem too bad for an english language website.
Personally, I would have all of Yimou’s films from the past decade on the list.
I would also have replaced Transformers with Renaissance
Yes Space Oddyssey was amazing.. but would you read the damn title?!
Yes 2001 was an amazing film. But you might want to read the damn title of article.
Good list but missing a very good visual movie “bodysong” this could easily replace transformers on the list.
could not agree with you more about the Fountain.
great list! personally, Oldboy (2003) rocked it for me!
Viewed Speed Racer at an IMAX and must say it belongs on this list. I really think most of the people who reviewed that film didn’t watch the entire film or never watched the show as a kid. Hoping it did well enough over seas for a sequal.
RIDDICK!!!!!
Transformers suks! You forgot J-Lo movie: CELL, that was very “visually stunning”.
Since this is purely a visual list, I think “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” should have been on here. It was a terrible movie, but it created an amazing retro-sci-fi landscape like I have never seen.
How could you possibly make a movie about the most ‘visually stunning’ films of the last 10 years, and include Transformers on that list while leaving out Lord of the Rings?
Isn’t the LOTR trilogy one of the most obvious examples of a gorgeous movie?
I agree with most of the movie titles from the list. If I would be the one who makes the list I would add the Doomsday.
I disagree with Transformers. It felt… generic.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Howl’s Moving Castle
Team America
King Kong
Watchmen
Transformers was bad choice
LORD OF THE RINGS would have a place in the list
I agree with Mirror Mask. Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy 2 both made me stop paying attention to plot to watch the prettiness. Also, Casshern!
Phooey on Transformers and all the LoTR fans.
I agree that The Fall should’ve been higher. And on the case of Hero vs The House of the Flying Daggers and The Curse of the Golden Flower, Hero is by far superior in both the visuals and the story, imo.
I also thought that Pan’s Labyrinth should have made it on the list.
Big Fish I thought was visually stunning.
The cinematography in that was amazing.
gondry’s “the science of sleep”
Hero was better than Crouching Tiger in the same sense that Mickey Blue Eyes was better than The Godfather. In other words, you’re retarded.
Great list. Agree with the Fountain. Its one of those movies you’ll either love or hate. And the people that like it tend to be of the artsy fartsy variety (no offense fans.) I’m on the fence about transformers but really the only movie I can think of that really SHOULD have been on the list was WALL E. Great selections though.
If we’re talking pure cinematography how about Thin Red Line, any Wes Anderson film, There Will Be Blood, Eyes Wide Shut.
[…] looks back at The 10 Most Visually Stunning Movies of the Last 10 Years, starting with Danny Boyle’s […]
[…] Source: Unrealitymag […]
I know i’m giong to get murdered for this but Australia was a superbly shot movie… watchmen was very well done as well… mr snyder did a really good job in choosing to do a one camera shoot… transformers did NOT belong… its not a creative piece… i think someone mentioned it was generic and that hits it spot on!
All youcritics take ur screencaps and and support your arguments. It’s pics or lies!!!
how about star wars?
Pan’s Labyrinth is a sad omission. And for those naming older movies…it’s a “last ten years” list…
I loved Speed Racer.
The Fountain was gorgeous, yes..
The Cell and the Fall were the two movies, both by director Tarsem Singh, that came to my mind when i saw this headline.
Did u know that ‘The Fall’ almost did not get made cos of production issues. Tarsem had to pay from his own pocket to get the movie done.
I would like to suggest The Polar Express, Finding Nemo, Final Fantasy, Sleepy Hollow, Gatacca(not so sure abt this one though), Apocalypto and Beowolf for the next installment of this list.
I would second Fountain, LOTR, Matrix, 300.
[…] have to credit this entirely to ‘The 10 Most Visually Stunning Movies of the Last Ten Years’ but I was so taken with the idea - I like movies, adore them - addicted to them, but I love film […]
Gattaca is amazing looking and one of the first I thought of, but it is from 1997.
Jeunet’s A Very Long Engagement should easily make this list. Every shot is composed and shot beautifully.
I would also consider Children of Men and Minority Report.
Few more to add:
ecks vs sever: ballistics
Snow falling on the cedars
Gladiator
Pitch Black
Troy
Golden Compass
Tomb Raider
Kung Fu Panda
Slumdog millionaire
hot fuzz
House of Flying Daggers surely takes it away from both Hero and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. That movie gave me a new appreciation for the color green.
Although somewhat of a slow film, I think “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” was visually stunning. Their use of color gave such an amazing sense of weight and emotion to every scene. Also, I thought it was a good movie.
Pan’s Labrinth and Watchmen should be on there, but wow only one knows about Casshern. Like it or not, the sci-fi anime come to life, political fantasy was directed by a famous Japanese music video director. Casshern is on a level above all of these films, if you want to compare them visually. If you want to see it don’t get the “director’s cut.” It’s translation is dumbed down for Americans since most of us are… well, stupid. Get the original from Japan, with English subtitles, to see what I am talking about. Oh yeah, and what about Donnie Darko (2000) or Fight Club (1999)? They deserve at least a mention among the comments.
My fave is still THE FALL
Great list. I’m really surprised that no one yet has suggested Jeunet/Caro’s “The City of Lost Children”, an absolutely breathtaking visual odyssey, I highly recommend to all reading this list.
Other notables that I haven’t seen mentioned here that bear consideration, Terry Gilliam’s masterpiece “Brazil”, and of course Alan Parker’s “Pink Floyd - The Wall”.
Good call on “Hero”, forgot how cool that movie was.
oops, I’m a dumbass, didn’t see the “of the last 10 years” modifier… please disregard last post
Surprised Flying Daggers wasn’t there, but i suppose you had Hero as the token Asian flick.
Glad to see The Fall - nice article.
Keep them coming
lost in translation, there will be blood, the darjeeling limited, the royal tenenbaums, the life aquatic, american beauty, the pianist. Maybe some of those, i also really like cinematography in Control, but i might be getting a bit indietronic
inland empire was pretty visually stunning, but maybe in another sense haha.
great pics. thanks for the “thoughts”
[…] source Share and Enjoy: […]
Persepolis was beautiful
Cell would’ve definitely made a good addition. What a visually outstanding movie.
Transformers is def worth being on your list, all these “film buff” wannabe’s can just just eat it.
Very nice.
2001 ASO also comes to mind.
Both Bottle Shock and Moving Sideways had wonderful views of vineyards here in CA.
Under the Tuscan Sun also had some beautiful views of Italy.
nobody ever seen “mirrormask”. i got a thousand plus dvds in my shelf and this is the visually most stunning. dreamy fairytale style.
The Fountain’s a masterpiece, something that’s overlooked in the filmic tradition today, CONTENT both narrative and visual!
Meh, You have to include The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Say what you will about the pacing, but it’s incredible visually. The New World and There Will Be Blood should be on here too.
[…] full list here « we be taken’ ova Thompson LES every tuesday […]
I am glad other people realize that all of the LOTR films were pretty bad in the visuals department. If you have ever been to New Zealand, then you would know that it looks even better in person.
I think Mann’s Collateral is overlooked too. Also Tigerland is pretty impressive. Sunshine’s DOP also shot a film called Code 46 which is super visual.
ShaidyAidy. You are a moron. and I’m not even a LOTR fanboy.
Because your tummy goes cuckoo with with the camera swoops.
It may not have been your cup of tea but “terrible”. No one would call those movies terrible. Reach into your knapsack for a more apt adjective to describe what you did not like about the trilogy. But the blanket statement of terrible and reaching really far to say it was as bad as WOW shows laziness on your part in real discourse.
Ask anyone who gets paid to shoot and I guarantee no one would call it terrible. They may have differing opinions that span the spectrum, but terrible would not be on their lips.
Go watch Speed Racer again with your hand lotion and box of kleenex.
Man, I just saw Sunshine, and it’s grand, vivid, imaginative and stunning..
Thank you for including Hero. That movie used color to differentiate scenes like no film I have ever seen before, and was a great movie to boot. Too bad the stupid, backwater theater in my hometown didn’t get it, so I had to wait for it on DVD and miss the big screen experience altogether.
LOTR?
THE CONSTANT GARDENER with Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz - the only reason I bought the DVD is due to how beautiful looking the film was.
If you care to include anime, I must highly recommend putting 5 Centimeters Per Second in the list since it is an absolute eye-candy.
And The Fountain - my favorite film of all times, no matter what others say.
Man, lots of arguments back and forth about LotR and Transformers and omissions and inclusions…but hardly anyone seems to question Sunshine coming in at #1. I find this very encouraging.
Also, good to see Hero and What Dreams May Come getting the props they deserved.
Great list, thank you.
[…] awesome scenes. And add to that I’ve followed a link about top 10 visually stunning movies here: Unreality - The 10 Most Visually Stunning Movies of the Last 10 Years | So I would like to know from our members which are the movies that you think is a visually […]
yeah, i watched speed racer the 1st time on DVD and i have to say, I don’t live my life with much regret but not seeing that movie in IMAX is going to stick with me for some time… sigh.
The Fall is a beautiful movie, I was really happy to see that on the list.
Sorry to see Pans Labyrinth was omitted.
Jesus some people just can’t read.
Note: ‘….of the last ten years.’
Agree with the list, anyone who doubts Transformers, you need to invest in HD. Saw in normal quality and though ‘neh!’.Then saw in in its 1080p glory…..WOW! Crap film, look amazing.
People, stop trowing out suggestions, they make you look stupid, i mean…sleepy hallow, i love burton and it lloks GOOD, but really visually stunning???
And Manns Collertal wasn’t stunning, just digital. Thompson Viper get the credit there. Pitch Black
Troy
Golden Compass
Tomb Raider
Kung Fu Panda
Slumdog millionaire
hot fuzz… are you sure your not just pretending to be into movies are know what your talking about. So if I could be so bold, as to why to do find Kung Fu Panda. Great movie, but as even CGI animation movies go it looks bad. Its like you just picked random movies for no reason. Jesus ….go home.
@fuckyjebus
Gotta agree with you. Kung Fu Panda was very cool, but wasn’t anything spectacular visually. I though Ratatouille actually had better animation.
Silent Hill.
incomprehensible, but the most gorgeously horrifying movie I’ve ever seen. (Personally, I even enjoyed the surreal plotlessness.)
Really? all these comments and suggestions and not one mention of “City of God”?? an amazing film with beautiful imagery throughout
also kudos to pan’s labyrinth and silent hill both excellent suggestions. (pl clearly taking the cake tho)
The film was excellent until we all went hang on, she is a gardener? !
1. Sunshine is in no way, shape or form a masterpiece.
2. Hero is a dull, lifeless movie that doesn’t come even close to Crouching Tiger. (And I don’t even think it is a better looking film).
Planet Earth is one movie I would add to this list, maybe one I would have given a special mention to since it wasn’t a theatrical release. Watching that movie in HD on a large screen is an experience beyond just watching a “movie”.
[…] Months back I read an article The 10 most visually stunning movies of the last 10 years! […]
Agree with all entries, love the presence of ‘Hero’ (and yes, it more stunning than House of flying daggers or Crouching, or Curse of the golden flower, which looked fantastic too, but not better than Hero).
Have not watched Speed Racer, What dreams may come or The Fountain.
Movies that could have probably been included - Pan’s Labyrinth, Dark City, Watchmen, The spirit, The brothers Grimm, Gattaca, The Cell, I am Legend, Star Trek, Snow falling on Cedars, Underworld, Terminator 2: Judgment day, The Abyss, Finding Nemo, Up, Wall-E, The road to Perdition, Heavenly Creatures.
Unsure about The Mothman Prophecies, Saving private Ryan, The thin red line, Letters from Iwo Jima - felt they were pretty strong visually.
Older movies that were also fantastic visually - Brazil, The fifth element, The good the bad and the ugly, Mckenna’s Gold, Ben Hur, The 10 commandments, The bridge on the river Kwai, Predator (yes! and it should have been shot in cinemascope), Black Rain, Aliens, High Noon (and many more).