‘Da 5 Bloods' Named Best Film of 2020 So Far, According to Poll of Over 100 Critics

In what has been a strange year so far, filled with a complete stoppage in theatrical release and the full embracement of VOD and other such streaming platforms, the Netflix-backed and Spike Lee-directed “Da 5 Bloods” has been named the best movie (so far) of 2020, at least according to a group of film critics, journalists, bloggers, and entertainment reporters. Lee’s war movie, which nabbed 48 votes, barely squeezed by its closest competitors, Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” (42) and Leigh Whannell’s “The Invisible Man” (37).

FULL LIST OF CRITICS POLLED

Close to 100 critics submitted their picks for the fifth annual poll of this kind. Votes were spread out among critics. Participants included leading critics from IndieWire, Variety, USA Today, The A.V. Club, Forbes, and Rolling Stone.

Critics were asked to submit a list of up to 10 films (some could only come up with 5), unranked, released between January 1st and June 30th, that they thought were the cinematic highlights of the year thus far. With a lack of theatrical films, many opted for “Bad Education,” which was picked up last September at the Toronto International Film Festival and aired on HBO in late April.

Despite not having a U.S. release date, nor a distributor to its name, Roman Polanski’s Venice-winning “An Officer and A Spy” was mentioned in 4 lists.

In all, only 7 titles in the top 20 managed to have theatrical runs in U.S. theaters this year, with the rest released either on VOD or online platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.

Of note, despite making it clear that only movies released up to June 30th would be eligible, that didn’t stop some critics from including on their lists July releases, “Hamilton” and “Palm Springs,” both of which would have probably cracked the top 10 if this poll were conducted a few weeks later.

Jordan Peele had won the 2017 and 2020 mid-year polls with, respectively, “Get Out” and “Us.” In previous years, Paul Schrader’s “First Reformed” won the 2018 poll.

1. Da 5 Bloods (49 votes)
2. Never Rarely Sometimes Always (44)
3. The Invisible Man (40)
4. Bad Education (31)
5. The Assistant (31)
6. First Cow (31)
7. Bacurau (29)
8. Vast of Night (27)
9. Shirley (26)
10. Emma (16)

11. Beanpole (12)
12. Sorry We Missed You (12)
13. Vitalina Varela (11)
14. The King of Staten Island (11)
15. Swallow (11)
16. Driveways (10)
17. Crip Camp (10)
18. Wild Goose Lake (10)
19. Babyteeth (9)
20. The Lodge (9)

21. Birds of Prey (8)
22. True History of the Kelly Gang (8)
23. Palm Springs (7)
24. Onward (7)
25. Fourteen (7)
26. Saint Frances (6)
27. Hamilton (6)
28. Blow the Man Down (6)
29. Zombi Child (6)
30. Tigertail (6)

31. Color Out of Space (6)
32. On the Record (6)
33. The Painter and the Thief (6)
34. The Half of It (6)
35. The Way Back (5)
36. Rewind (5)
37. The Whistlers (5)
38. The Traitor (5)