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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/imaydestroyyou-p-676x1024.jpg)
Brilliant and powerful writing and directing and acting from Michaela Coel in a story about consent and sexual assault.
The Undoing
![The Undoing](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/theundoing-p-698x1024.jpg)
Suspense at its best from director Susanne Bier with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant in the lead roles.
37 Seconds
![37 Seconds](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/37seconds-p-726x1024.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/thequeensgambit-p-693x1024.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/thehauntingofblymanor-p.jpg)
Ghosts and strange lakes and ladies in love – can’t beat that!
Enola Holmes
![Enola Holmes](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/enolaholmes-p-690x1024.jpg)
Millie Bobby Brown stars in this wonderful romp of an old fashioned melodrama. Boo! Hiss! Hurrah!
Rita, season 5
![Rita](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rita-s5-p.jpg)
I love Rita. Every season. Every time. And season 5 was as wonderful as ever.
The Umbrella Academy, season 2
![The Umbrella Academy](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/theumbrellaacademy-s2-p-696x1024.jpg)
Season 2 of this series was even better than season 1 and a delightful, fun romp.
The Old Guard
![The Old Guard](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/theoldguard-p-691x1024.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cablegirls-s6-p-687x1024.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/deadtome-s2-p-691x1024.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/thehalfofit-p-691x1024.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/LTIH-s5-2.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/littlefireseverywhere-p-682x1024.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/portraitofalady-p.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/birdsofprey-p-682x1024.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sexeducation-s2-p-690x1024.jpg)
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](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/graceandfrankie-s6-p-691x1024.jpg)
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.
![](https://oldaintdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/wonderwoman84-p-691x1024.jpg)
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.
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
I thought Crip Camp was very good, too.
This is AWESOME. Thank you. I’m going to try and get a bunch of these into my watching rotation!
Hope you find something you like.