Even during the pandemic-est of years, literally hundreds of movies were released in some form for your viewing pleasure. With the Academy Awards airing Sunday, the simple math is that many worthwhile and entertaining movies will never get recognition from the top brass. With the importance we (foolishly?) imbue the Academy, whichever dozen or so films collect the top nominations are usually the canonically “best” any given year has to offer. Sometimes that ages well, and other times it fails to represent the movies that truly captured a year in culture. So I wanted to share my top movies that are not Oscar contenders, but that you should absolutely still watch.

The rules for my list are simple: I have to have seen the movie and I have to have really enjoyed it. Even I, with my all-consuming and neverending curse to devour as many films as possible, miss out on several fantastic movies every year.

The King of Staten Island: As with most Judd Apatow comedies, this movie is just a hare too long, but is a touching, funny, honest look at trauma and depression, and makes excellent use of SNL alum Pete Davidson’s very specific charisma. The King of Staten Island is rated R, runs 136 minutes, and is available to stream on HBO Max.

Happiest Season: A true bright spot released against countless generic Hallmark Christmas Rom-Coms, this movie is funny and refreshing, with a slew of gifted comedic performances driving a heartful and modern story. Happiest Season is rated PG-13, runs 102 minutes, and is available to stream on Hulu.

I Care A Lot.: Rosemund Pike won a Golden Globe for this slick, fun, acerbic crime thriller. The storytelling is confident, stylish, and surprising, and every element from cast to production strikes the perfect tone. I Care A Lot. is rated R, runs 118 minutes, and is available to stream on Netflix.

Palm Springs: This Sundance darling was perfect escapist relief in the early pandemic days. Its clever script makes great use of a high-concept premise, and features stand out performances by Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg. Try going into this one knowing as little of the plot as possible. Palm Springs is rated R, runs 90 minutes, and is available to stream on Hulu.

The Trip to Greece: Comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Bryden play self-effacing fictionalised versions of themselves on a restaurant tour of Greece. This is actually the fourth and final installment of a Trip To… series, and each entry is pithy, hilarious, and deeply human. The Trip to Greece is rated R, runs 103 minutes, and is available to stream on Hulu.

Bill & Ted Face the Music: A rare decades-later sequel that captures the innocence, charm, and spirit of the cult classic originals. The earnestness of Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter (returning to these characters after nearly 30 years) and the heartfelt, hopeful themes were a surprising and effective antidote for the chaos of 2020. Bill & Ted Face the Music is rated PG-13, runs 91 minutes, and is available to rent on Amazon Prime and Google Play.

Bad Education: A bizarre true story of the largest public school embezzlement in American history, with an outstanding, unconventional performance by Hugh Jackman at the center. If that pitch doesn’t convince you to watch this, nothing will. Bad Education is rated TV-MA, runs 108 minutes, and is available to stream on HBO Max.

Supernova: Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci give powerful, heartbreaking performances in this sombre drama, authentically capturing an aging couple facing harsh realities and their own mortality. Supernova is rated R, runs 95 minutes, and is available to rent on Amazon Prime and Google Play.

Our Friend: I’ve written at length about how great this movie is–it’s raw, emotional, and hopeful, with honest performances anchoring a tragic story, and the friendships that pull us through the lowest moments of life. Our Friend is rated R, runs 124 minutes, and is available to rent on Amazon Prime and Google Play.

Mangrove: This is the film The Trial of the Chicago 7 wanted to be. Released as a part of Steve McQueen’s five-part Small Axe miniseries, this historical courtroom drama about the 1971 trial of the Mangrove Nine is powerful and relevant, balancing its many ambitious storytelling goals to great effect. Mangrove is rated TV-MA, runs 127 minutes, and is available to stream on Amazon Prime.

Did I overlook your favorite 2020 movie? Did I include one you absolutely abhor? Is the need to subjectively rank and rate art a disturbing reminder of our futile inability to control our own fate and destiny? Let me know in the comments below!