2020 Favorites – Movies and TV Series

Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington in Little Fires Everywhere

Here at Old Ain’t Dead I made a list of my 2020 favorites among movies and TV for the year. I can’t make a “Best Of” list. I don’t watch everything. I only watch things made by or starring women. Nor do I subscribe to every service. There are many things I miss.

With that disclaimer in mind, may I present my list of 2020 favorites! The titles are links to full reviews, in case you need a refresher.

Ta Da!

I May Destroy You

I May Destroy You

Brilliant and powerful writing and directing and acting from Michaela Coel in a story about consent and sexual assault.

The Undoing

The Undoing

Suspense at its best from director Susanne Bier with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant in the lead roles.

37 Seconds

37 Seconds

Written and directed by Hikari with a disabled actress in the lead role, this beautiful film should be required watching for every Hollywood producer.

The Queen’s Gambit

The Queen's Gambit

Anya Taylor-Joy made the most of her role as an addicted chess prodigy who could conquer the world – as soon as she sobered up.

The Haunting of Bly Manor

The Haunting of Bly Manor

Ghosts and strange lakes and ladies in love – can’t beat that!

Enola Holmes

Enola Holmes

Millie Bobby Brown stars in this wonderful romp of an old fashioned melodrama. Boo! Hiss! Hurrah!

Rita, season 5

Rita

I love Rita. Every season. Every time. And season 5 was as wonderful as ever.

The Umbrella Academy, season 2

The Umbrella Academy

Season 2 of this series was even better than season 1 and a delightful, fun romp.

The Old Guard

The Old Guard

Starring Charlize Theron and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, I have lost count of how many times I’ve watched this thriller. Oh, my.

Cable Girls, the final episodes

Cable Girls

This Spanish melodrama has had everything for 5 wonderful seasons including a transgender male character. Love las chicas.

Dead to Me, season 2

Dead To Me

Funny lady creator Liz Feldman with a boatload of women directors and Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini to bring the convincing.

The Half of It

The Half of It

From director Alice Wu, this is my FAVORITE of the 2020 favorites. A perfect movie.

Last Tango in Halifax, season 5

the cast of Last Tango in Halifax at dinner

Always a favorite series from the brilliant writer and director Sally Wainwright. A year without something new from Sally Wainwright is not a good year. Nope, can’t blame Sally for 2020’s problems.

Little Fires Everywhere

Little Fires Everywhere

Brilliant writing, brilliant performances from Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon. Intense drama written and directed by women.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Burning love story between two women directed by Céline Sciamma.

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn

Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn

I’m sticking with the original title on this Harley Quinn story directed by Cathy Yan. What a fun blast of color and excitement this movie is.

Sex Education, season 2

Sex Education

With Gillian Anderson, women directors, women writers, and absolutely everything you ever wanted to know about sex education, how could I not include this series?

Grace and Frankie, season 6

Grace and Frankie

Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda bring it every time. Women directed and what guest star doesn’t want to come on board with these two greats?

Why?

I don’t know why I was so quiet about Killing Eve or WynonnaEarp. They remain favorite shows, but I never said a word about them in 2020 here on the blog. I talked about them on Twitter instead.

Are You Still Reading? Well, Merry Christmas. WW84 is on the way.

Okay, so technically I haven’t seen this yet and won’t until Christmas day. I have total confidence that Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot are going to make me love it COMPLETELY.

What do you think of my list of 2020 favorites? Did I include any of your favorites? Did I miss something fantastic that should be here?

Happy New Year. Wear your mask. Get vaccinated.

4 thoughts on “2020 Favorites – Movies and TV Series”

  1. Hi Virginia, I agree with you on 37 seconds (which I watched on your recommendation ) and Old Guard. Others I haven’t seen yet. For docs, I recommend Crip Camp on Netflix. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Best wishes for 2021! Claudia

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