The 10 Best Movies of 2009
A Lucky 13 Retrospective & Re-Ranking
In February 2010, I remember feeling a sense of "fan boy" embarrassment about this list. I spent months waiting for a heavy-hitting drama to arrive and give the list more "prestige." But looking back from 2026, I realize I was waiting for a ghost.
2009 wasn't a year for traditional prestige; it was a year of massive industrial friction. It was the year 3D tried to change our eyes, reboots tried to change our nostalgia, and Quentin Tarantino decided to change history itself. This wasn't a "weak" year for drama, it was a year where entertainment finally became bold enough to embrace its own power.
After a decade of hindsight and a total re-evaluation of the "Intel," I’ve stopped apologizing for these picks. From the blockbusters that held their ground to the "misfires" that gained a second life, this is the definitive 2009 Dossier, updated and re-ranked for the legacy of Lucky 13.
The Extended Ledger: Honorable Mentions
Field Notes: These films provided significant "Intel" during the 2009 season but failed to secure a permanent spot in the Top 10 rankings after the 2026 audit.
10. Up in the Air
The Dossier
| Original Release | December 4, 2009 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 90% |
| Letterboxd | 3.7/5 |
| Director | Jason Reitman |
Official Synopsis
Ryan Bingham is a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles, and just after he’s met the female version of himself.
The Personnel
- George Clooney as Ryan Bingham
- Vera Farmiga as Alex Goran
- Anna Kendrick as Natalie Keener
- Jason Bateman as Craig Gregory
- Danny McBride as Jim Miller
Fun Facts: Production Intel
- Real Stories: Many of the people 'fired' in the film were not actors; they were people who had recently lost their jobs in real life.
- The Mileage: At the time of filming, George Clooney actually had a fairly low frequent flyer mile count compared to his character.
- The Script: Jason Reitman wrote the role of Ryan Bingham specifically for George Clooney and Alex specifically for Vera Farmiga.
Original Thoughts: February 1st, 2010
To be honest, I went back and forth with this film. On one hand it's an entertaining character study of a man who happily lives a life of simple goals. On the other hand it is a naive look at the troubles of our economy and the devastation that it has left in its wake. I think what finally convinced me to place it on my list, is that I feel that the movie MAY perhaps serve as a representative of this turbulent time period in years to come. Much like Wall Street did in the 80's. I also felt the film hit close to home, since in 2009, I like many others, was laid off from my full-time job.
9. Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Inventory
| Original Release | November 13, 2009 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 93% |
| Letterboxd | 4.3/5 |
| Director | Wes Anderson |
Official Synopsis
An urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm-raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation.
The Accomplices
- George Clooney as Mr. Fox
- Meryl Streep as Mrs. Fox
- Jason Schwartzman as Ash
- Bill Murray as Badger
- Willem Dafoe as Rat
Fun Facts: Field Notes
- Authentic Wardrobe: Wes Anderson had the costume designers use the actual material from one of his own corduroy suits to create Mr. Fox's outfit.
- Camp Clooney: To capture the natural feel of the characters, Anderson took the cast to a farm in Connecticut to record their dialogue outdoors and in barns rather than a soundstage.
- Cuss Control: To maintain the PG rating while keeping the spirit of frustration, every actual profanity in the script was replaced with the word "Cuss."
Original Thoughts: February 1st, 2010
I enjoy Wes Anderson films. But he's not necessarily one of my favorite directors. I feel that his films suffer from being over stylized and too witty for their own good. But his latest film Fantastic Mr. Fox seems to capitalize on his unique style and brand of humor, more than any of his other films. The animation, timing and humor all just seems to come together in a perfect storm of entertainment.
8. Watchmen
The Case File
| Original Release | March 6, 2009 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 65% |
| Letterboxd | 3.5/5 |
| Director | Zack Snyder |
Official Synopsis
In an alternate 1985 America where costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, the murder of a former colleague sends the outlaw vigilante Rorschach into a sprawling conspiracy.
The Vigilantes
- Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach
- Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan
- Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl II
- Malin Akerman as Silk Spectre II
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan as The Comedian
- Matthew Goode as Ozymandias
Fun Facts: Production Intel
- The "Unfilmable" Novel: Before Zack Snyder, legendary directors like Terry Gilliam and Darren Aronofsky were attached to the project, but Gilliam famously called the graphic novel "unfilmable" due to its complexity.
- The Rorschach Mask: To achieve the shifting ink-blot effect on Jackie Earle Haley's mask, the actor wore a white mask with black motion-capture markers, and the shifting patterns were added in post-production.
- Family Ties: The actor who plays the young Walter Kovacs in the flashback scenes is actually Eli Snyder, the director's son.
The Journal: February 1st, 2010
So much for being un-film-able. The Watchmen is an excellent AND accurate adaption of the award winning graphic novel. Excellent performances and action. I'm aware that there are significant changes and omissions. But I feel the film really captures the themes and feel of the original novel. Which in itself is an amazing feat, nevermind that it actually is also a really good film.
7. Zombieland
The Survival Stats
| Original Release | October 2, 2009 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 89% |
| Letterboxd | 3.6/5 |
| Director | Ruben Fleischer |
Official Synopsis
A shy student trying to reach his family in Ohio, a gun-toting tough guy trying to find the last Twinkie, and a pair of sisters joined by a shared goal of surviving the zombie apocalypse.
The Survivors
- Jesse Eisenberg as Columbus
- Woody Harrelson as Tallahassee
- Emma Stone as Wichita
- Abigail Breslin as Little Rock
- Bill Murray as Himself
Fun Facts: Production Intel
- Rule #1 - Cardio: Woody Harrelson is a vegan in real life, which made the "Twinkie" subplot difficult. The Twinkies he eats on screen were actually custom-made vegan "sponge cakes" made from cornmeal.
- The Cameo: The legendary Bill Murray cameo was originally written for Patrick Swayze, but he became ill. It was then offered to several others, including Joe Pesci and Mark Hamill, before Woody Harrelson reached out to Murray personally.
- Small Screen Origins: The film was originally written as a television pilot. This is why the "Rules" feel like a recurring segment and why the characters are named after cities.
The Rules: February 1st, 2010
I'm not a fan of horror films in general. I just find that the suspense and humor are typically over-the-top and very poor in most of the horror genre. That's why I'm pleasantly surprised when I run across a good genre film. Granted Zombieland is more of a comedy than horror. But it's still, technically, a Zombie film and a fun one at that, which stands up to repeat viewing.
6. Whatever Works
The Philosophical Ledger
| Original Release | June 19, 2009 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 50% |
| Letterboxd | 3.3/5 |
| Director | Woody Allen |
Official Synopsis
An eccentric, misanthropic New Yorker abandons his upper-class life to lead a more bohemian existence, eventually meeting a young girl from the South and her family, leading to improbable and chaotic relationships.
The Cynics
- Larry David as Boris Yellnikoff
- Evan Rachel Wood as Melody St. Ann Celestine
- Patricia Clarkson as Marietta
- Ed Begley Jr. as John
- Henry Cavill as Randy James
Fun Facts: Production Intel
- From the Archives: Woody Allen actually wrote the script for this film in the early 1970s. It was originally intended as a vehicle for Zero Mostel, but after Mostel passed away in 1977, Allen shelved it for decades.
- Breaking the Wall: Larry David’s character frequently breaks the fourth wall. While this is a staple of Allen's earlier work like *Annie Hall*, it took David multiple takes to feel comfortable talking directly to the lens.
- Pre-Superman: A young, pre-fame Henry Cavill appears in a supporting role. At the time, Cavill was primarily known for *The Tudors* before his eventual rise to blockbuster status.
The Briefing: February 1st, 2010
It's well documented that I'm an avid fan of Woody Allen films. I find satisfying humor and drama in even his less accomplished movies. Whatever Works however, is one of his better, dare I say great films. It is a hilarious and ultimately poignant look at the ups and downs of this journey we call life. Excellent and surprising heartfelt performances from Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood.
5. The Hurt Locker
The Mission Report
| Original Release | July 31, 2009 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 97% |
| Letterboxd | 3.8/5 |
| Director | Kathryn Bigelow |
Official Synopsis
During the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squadmates due to his maverick way of handling his work.
The Bomb Squad
- Jeremy Renner as SSgt William James
- Anthony Mackie as Sgt J.T. Sanborn
- Brian Geraghty as Spc Owen Eldridge
- Guy Pearce as Sgt Matt Thompson
- Ralph Fiennes as Team Leader
Fun Facts: Technical Intel
- The Walk: Kathryn Bigelow insisted that Jeremy Renner wear the actual 80lb bomb suit in nearly every shot, including wide pans. Production attempted to use 15 different doubles, but none could replicate Renner's specific, swaggering walk in the heavy gear.
- Heat of the Moment: Filming took place in Jordan during the height of summer. Temperatures often reached 115°F, causing several crew members (and the heavy equipment) to frequently overheat.
- Oscar History: With this film, Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman in history to win the Academy Award for Best Director.
Technical Intel: February 1st, 2010
The Hurt Locker is a harrowing, intense and gritty film. Its take on the addiction of war is both fascinating and terrifying. It’s a film that manages to be both a great character study and a pulse-pounding action film. It's a film that doesn't rely on huge explosions or over-the-top heroics to get its point across. It's a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.
4. Avatar
The Manifest
| Original Release | December 18, 2009 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 81% |
| Letterboxd | 3.5/5 |
| Director | James Cameron |
Official Synopsis
A paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.
The Na'vi Council
- Sam Worthington as Jake Sully
- Zoe Saldana as Neytiri
- Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Grace Augustine
- Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch
- Michelle Rodriguez as Trudy Chacón
Fun Facts: Pandora Intel
- The Long Wait: James Cameron wrote an 80-page treatment for Avatar in 1994, but he waited over a decade to begin filming because he felt the technology didn't exist yet to portray his vision.
- Native Tongue: A professional linguist, Dr. Paul Frommer, was hired to create a functional Na'vi language, which consisted of about 1,000 words at the time of the first film's release.
- Visual Storage: One minute of Avatar footage required 17.28 gigabytes of storage space—a staggering amount for 2009.
Pandora Intel: February 1st, 2010
There's not much more than can be said about this ground breaking film. Amazing special effects and breathtaking 3D. My only complaint is that the plot and dialogue don't measure up to the visuals. Not even close. But one can argue that audiences don't go to movies like this for plot and dialogue. They go for the exciting ride, which this film genuinely is.
3. Star Trek [2016 RANK: #1]
The Flight Log
| Original Release | May 8, 2009 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 94% |
| Letterboxd | 3.7/5 |
| Director | J.J. Abrams |
Official Synopsis
The brash James T. Kirk and the equally youthful half-Vulcan Spock board the USS Enterprise to combat a Romulan from the future who is creating black holes to destroy the United Federation of Planets.
The Crew
- Chris Pine as James T. Kirk
- Zachary Quinto as Spock
- Karl Urban as Bones
- Zoe Saldana as Uhura
- Eric Bana as Nero
Fun Facts: The Transmissions
- The Uniforms: If you look closely at the Starfleet uniforms, the fabric is actually covered in a tiny repeating pattern of the Delta Shield insignia.
- Voice Command: The computer voice for the Enterprise was provided by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, the widow of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. She completed her voice recordings just two weeks before she passed away.
- The "Old" Spock: Leonard Nimoy was the only original cast member to appear in the reboot. He reportedly gave Zachary Quinto his full blessing, saying he felt the character was in "very capable hands."
The Transmissions: February 1st, 2010
I grew up a huge Star Trek fan. HUGE. For years, I literally fell asleep every night to a vhs cassette tape of my favorite old school and next generation episodes... That's why this reboot version resonates with me. It respects the original series, but moves away from the fan boy fanaticism. Excellent action, drama, suspense, and special effects. So a combination of nostalgia and new blood excitement makes this easily, my favorite film of 2009.
2. Public Enemies
The Criminal Record
| Original Release | July 1, 2009 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 68% |
| Letterboxd | 3.2/5 |
| Director | Michael Mann |
Official Synopsis
Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger is pursued by high-profile FBI agent Melvin Purvis, while the outlaw captures the heart of Billie Frechette and the attention of a nation.
The Most Wanted
- Johnny Depp as John Dillinger
- Christian Bale as Melvin Purvis
- Marion Cotillard as Billie Frechette
- Stephen Graham as Baby Face Nelson
- Jason Clarke as Red Hamilton
Fun Facts: The Investigation
- Location Authenticity: Michael Mann filmed many scenes at the actual locations where the events occurred, including the Little Bohemia Lodge in Wisconsin and the Biograph Theater in Chicago.
- High-Def Grit: The film was shot almost entirely on high-definition digital video (Sony F23) rather than film. Mann chose this specifically to give the 1930s a "present-day" visceral feel rather than a nostalgic, soft-focus look.
- The Gunfire: As is tradition with Michael Mann, the gun sounds in the film are the actual live recordings from the set, not sweetened or replaced in post-production, giving the shootouts their signature "snap."
The Investigation: February 1st, 2010
A stylized look at one of the 20th century's most infamous outlaws. It is an excellent character study of John Dillinger and the team that brought him down. Excellent action, drama and suspense. Though I did feel that at times the digital film look made the movie look more like a tv movie than a feature film. But it was a small distraction, in an otherwise great film.
1. Inglourious Basterds [NEW CHAMPION]
The War Record
| Original Release | August 21, 2009 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 89% |
| Letterboxd | 4.3/5 |
| Director | Quentin Tarantino |
Official Synopsis
In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish-American soldiers coincides with a theatre owner's vengeful plans for the same.
The Basterds
- Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine
- Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa
- Mélanie Laurent as Shosanna
- Diane Kruger as Bridget von Hammersmark
- Michael Fassbender as Lt. Archie Hicox
Fun Facts: The Cinema Archives
- A Decades-Long Script: Tarantino worked on the script for over ten years, originally struggling with an ending until he decided to embrace "revisionist" history.
- Native Tongues: The film is famously polyglot; over 70% of the film is in a language other than English (German, French, and Italian).
- The Bear Jew: Director Eli Roth, who played Donny Donowitz, actually gained 35 pounds of muscle and learned how to cut hair from his own father to prepare for the role.
The Final Verdict: April 15th, 2026
I wasn't expecting THIS film. I was actually expecting a men-on-a-mission movie in the vein of The Dirty Dozen or even Saving Private Ryan. Inglourious Basterds isn't even really about the so-called Basterds. What it is, is a fascinating homage and testament to the power of film and entertainment. The movie demonstrates that the medium is so powerful...that it can even re-write history, and brutally and gloriously assassinate the most evil man in the history of the world. Not only will audiences not complain about the historical inaccuracies, they'll love every minute of it.
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