The Absolute Best Movies of 2015
The year delivered a packed slate of studio tentpoles, visionary indies, and international standouts that left a lasting imprint on filmmaking across genres. From large-scale action engineered with practical effects to intimate dramas adapted from acclaimed novels, the releases showcased bold direction, rich performances, and meticulous craft from crews around the world.
This list gathers a broad mix: animated features that redefined family storytelling, biographies powered by rigorous research, festival sensations that found global audiences, and documentaries assembled from rare archives. Each entry below includes concise production details—directors, principal cast, key crafts, and notable accolades—so you can quickly get a sense of how each project came together and where it made its mark.
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)
Directed by George Miller and produced by Village Roadshow Pictures and Kennedy Miller Mitchell, the film stars Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron with cinematography by John Seale and editing led by Margaret Sixel. Junkie XL composed the score, and principal photography took place largely in Namibia’s Namib Desert with additional work in Australia, emphasizing extensive practical stunts and large-format rigs.
The production earned multiple Academy Awards including categories for editing, costume design, makeup and hairstyling, sound editing, sound mixing, and production design. The film was released by Warner Bros. Pictures and features vehicles engineered by production designer Colin Gibson, whose team built and maintained dozens of custom machines for on-location sequences.
‘Inside Out’ (2015)
Developed at Pixar Animation Studios under director Pete Docter and co-director Ronnie del Carmen, the feature uses character animation to personify cognitive processes, with voice performances by Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Mindy Kaling, Bill Hader, and Lewis Black. Michael Giacchino composed the score, and the film’s story and structure were built through Pixar’s iterative “brain trust” process.
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the production won the Academy Award for Animated Feature and received additional recognition for original screenplay. Danielle Feinberg led lighting, and the color script guided by artist Chris Sanchez helped define the internal-world palette and transitions between settings.
‘Spotlight’ (2015)
Directed by Tom McCarthy and produced by Participant, Anonymous Content, and First Look, the ensemble includes Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, and Stanley Tucci. The script, by McCarthy and Josh Singer, details investigative methods of The Boston Globe’s Spotlight team, with extensive consultation from journalists portrayed in the film.
Released by Open Road Films, the production won the Academy Award for Best Picture and for original screenplay. Shooting utilized Boston locations and newsroom environments, with cinematographer Masanobu Takayanagi adopting unobtrusive camerawork to reflect the procedural nature of reporting.
‘The Revenant’ (2015)
Alejandro G. Iñárritu directed and co-wrote the film with Mark L. Smith, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, and Will Poulter. Emmanuel Lubezki served as cinematographer, using primarily natural light with long takes across remote Canadian and Argentine landscapes.
The project received Academy Awards for lead actor, director, and cinematography, with New Regency and Appian Way among the producers and 20th Century Fox as distributor. Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto contributed to the score, while extensive weather-dependent scheduling shaped the shoot’s logistics.
‘The Martian’ (2015)
Ridley Scott directed this adaptation of Andy Weir’s novel, with a screenplay by Drew Goddard. Matt Damon leads the cast alongside Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels, and Kristen Wiig, with production design by Arthur Max and cinematography by Dariusz Wolski.
Released by 20th Century Fox, the film collaborated with NASA on designs and consulted aerospace experts to model mission protocols and surface operations. The production used extensive set work at Korda Studios and location photography in Wadi Rum, Jordan, to depict the planetary environment.
‘Room’ (2015)
Directed by Lenny Abrahamson and adapted by Emma Donoghue from her novel, the film stars Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay with supporting performances by Joan Allen and William H. Macy. Cinematographer Danny Cohen and production designer Ethan Tobman coordinated tightly staged interiors to reflect the narrative’s spatial constraints.
Distributed by A24, the film earned the Academy Award for Best Actress for Larson and recognition from multiple guilds. The production schedule balanced child-performance regulations with story continuity, using careful blocking and lens choices to maintain perspective.
‘Brooklyn’ (2015)
John Crowley directed this adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s novel, with a screenplay by Nick Hornby. Saoirse Ronan stars alongside Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Julie Walters, and Jim Broadbent, with production design by François Séguin and costumes by Odile Dicks-Mireaux.
The project, produced by Luxembourg-Ireland-UK partners including Element Pictures, was distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures. It received Academy Award nominations for best picture, lead actress, and adapted screenplay, and features location work in Dublin, Wexford, and Montreal doubling for mid-century New York.
‘Carol’ (2015)
Todd Haynes directed the adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel ‘The Price of Salt’, with a screenplay by Phyllis Nagy. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara lead the cast, supported by Kyle Chandler and Sarah Paulson, with cinematography by Edward Lachman using Super 16 to achieve a period texture.
Produced by Number 9 Films and Killer Films, the movie was distributed by The Weinstein Company in the U.S. and StudioCanal in select territories. It earned major festival and awards recognition, including a Cannes acting prize for Rooney Mara and nominations across cinematography, costumes, and score by Carter Burwell.
‘Ex Machina’ (2015)
Written and directed by Alex Garland, the film stars Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, and Oscar Isaac. Cinematographer Rob Hardy and production designer Mark Digby created a modernist research setting using a combination of Norwegian locations and set builds.
The production, financed by Film4 and DNA Films and distributed by A24 and Universal in various markets, won the Academy Award for Visual Effects for its seamless integration of performance, prosthetics, and digital compositing. Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury composed the score, and the shoot favored confined spaces to heighten controlled blocking.
‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015)
Directed by J.J. Abrams for Lucasfilm, the film introduces Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac alongside Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill. John Williams returned as composer, with Dan Mindel as cinematographer and Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey leading editorial.
The production emphasized practical effects and on-set creature work under Neal Scanlan, with principal photography at Pinewood Studios and locations including Abu Dhabi and Skellig Michael. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures handled distribution, and the release set multiple box-office records across domestic and international markets.
‘Sicario’ (2015)
Denis Villeneuve directed, with Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, and Josh Brolin in principal roles. Roger Deakins served as cinematographer, crafting desert-border imagery, while Jóhann Jóhannsson composed a percussive score.
The film was produced by Black Label Media and distributed by Lionsgate. It received Academy Award nominations in cinematography, original score, and sound editing, and features location work in New Mexico capturing border-adjacent infrastructure and aerial sequences.
‘The Hateful Eight’ (2015)
Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, the production used Ultra Panavision 70 lenses and a roadshow presentation with overture and intermission in select engagements. The ensemble includes Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, and Bruce Dern.
Ennio Morricone composed the original score, which earned an Academy Award, and cinematography was by Robert Richardson. The Weinstein Company distributed the film, with snowbound exterior work shot in Colorado and interiors built to accommodate wide-gauge camera movement.
‘Creed’ (2015)
Directed by Ryan Coogler and co-written with Aaron Covington, the film stars Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone, with Tessa Thompson in a key supporting role. Maryse Alberti handled cinematography, and Ludwig Göransson composed the score.
Produced by Chartoff-Winkler Productions, New Line, and MGM, the movie continues the ‘Rocky’ franchise through a new lead character and training arc. Warner Bros. Pictures released the film, and Stallone received major awards recognition for supporting actor, including a Golden Globe win.
‘Anomalisa’ (2015)
Co-directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson, the stop-motion feature uses handcrafted puppetry and sets to depict a single night’s events. David Thewlis and Jennifer Jason Leigh lead the voice cast, with Tom Noonan voicing multiple additional characters.
Produced by Starburns Industries with support from a crowdfunding campaign and later distribution by Paramount Pictures, the film earned an Academy Award nomination for Animated Feature. Carter Burwell composed the score, and the meticulous animation process required intricate facial replacement techniques for nuanced performance.
‘The Big Short’ (2015)
Directed by Adam McKay from Charles Randolph and McKay’s adaptation of Michael Lewis’s nonfiction book, the ensemble cast includes Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt. Barry Ackroyd served as cinematographer, and the production intercuts scripted scenes with selectively licensed archival material.
Distributed by Paramount Pictures, the film won the Academy Award for Adapted Screenplay. The project was produced by Plan B Entertainment and Regency Enterprises, with editing by Hank Corwin shaping a fast-cut, multi-thread structure across finance and regulatory settings.
‘Bridge of Spies’ (2015)
Steven Spielberg directed, with Tom Hanks portraying attorney James B. Donovan and Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel. The screenplay is by Matt Charman with contributions from Joel and Ethan Coen, and Janusz Kamiński handled cinematography.
Distributed in the U.S. by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (Touchstone) and in select international territories by 20th Century Fox, the production earned Rylance the Academy Award for Supporting Actor. Thomas Newman composed the score, and the film’s Berlin sequences combined location photography with set builds replicating divided-city environments.
‘Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation’ (2015)
Christopher McQuarrie directed and co-wrote, with Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Jeremy Renner, and Alec Baldwin starring. Joe Kraemer composed the score, and Robert Elswit served as cinematographer.
Produced by Skydance and Bad Robot for Paramount Pictures, the film features practical stunt work including an exterior aircraft takeoff performed by Cruise. International locations include Vienna, Casablanca, and London, coordinated through an extensive second-unit schedule.
‘Straight Outta Compton’ (2015)
Directed by F. Gary Gray, the biographical drama stars O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Ice Cube, Corey Hawkins as Dr. Dre, and Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E. Producers include Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, with Universal Pictures distributing and cinematography by Matthew Libatique.
The film received an Academy Award nomination for Original Screenplay and earned strong guild recognition for casting and sound. Music supervision coordinated licensed tracks with new recordings, and costume and production design recreated performance venues and period streetwear.
‘The Lobster’ (2015)
Yorgos Lanthimos directed and co-wrote with Efthymis Filippou. The English-language ensemble includes Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Léa Seydoux, Olivia Colman, and Ben Whishaw, with cinematography by Thimios Bakatakis.
The production won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and was distributed by A24 in the U.S. and by Picturehouse and others internationally. Principal photography took place in Ireland—primarily in County Kerry with Dublin interiors—and production design emphasized controlled, institutional interiors.
‘Mustang’ (2015)
Directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, the Turkish-French co-production stars Güneş Şensoy, Doğa Doğuşlu, and İlayda Akdoğan, with cinematography by David Chizallet and editing by Mathilde Van de Moortel. The screenplay is by Ergüven and Alice Winocour.
The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Foreign Language Film and received César Awards recognition. It was distributed by Cohen Media Group in the U.S. and features music by Warren Ellis, with location work in northern Turkey.
‘Tangerine’ (2015)
Sean Baker directed and co-wrote with Chris Bergoch, shooting primarily on iPhone 5s devices with Moondog Labs anamorphic adapters. The cast includes Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, and Karren Karagulian, with music supervision blending original score and curated tracks.
Premiering at Sundance and distributed by Magnolia Pictures, the film became a case study in mobile-first cinematography and lean production. Mya Taylor received significant awards recognition, including an Independent Spirit Award for supporting performance.
‘Son of Saul’ (2015)
Directed by László Nemes and co-written with Clara Royer, the Hungarian feature stars Géza Röhrig with cinematography by Mátyás Erdély. The production uses tight aspect framing and shallow focus to follow a single character through confined environments.
The film won the Academy Award for Foreign Language Film and the Grand Prix at Cannes. It was distributed by Sony Pictures Classics in the U.S., with sound design playing a central role in conveying off-screen action.
‘Amy’ (2015)
Asif Kapadia directed this documentary about singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, produced by James Gay-Rees for On the Corner Films with distribution by A24 and Altitude. The film assembles extensive archival footage, home videos, and interviews with family, collaborators, and management.
The documentary won the Academy Award for Documentary Feature and a BAFTA award. Audio post-production restored rare live recordings, and the project coordinated with the artist’s estate for rights clearances and materials access.
‘Victoria’ (2015)
Directed by Sebastian Schipper and photographed by Sturla Brandth Grøvlen, the film unfolds as a single unbroken take across multiple city locations. Laia Costa and Frederick Lau lead the cast, with carefully rehearsed blocking to integrate dialogue, music performance, and moving vehicles.
Premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival, the production received a Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution (cinematography). The film’s sound recording and location management teams coordinated late-night street permissions and live club interiors to maintain continuity.
‘Beasts of No Nation’ (2015)
Cary Joji Fukunaga wrote, directed, and served as cinematographer, with performances by Abraham Attah and Idris Elba. The film was produced by Red Crown Productions and Participant Media, with Netflix handling distribution and a day-and-date release strategy.
The project premiered at major festivals and earned Screen Actors Guild recognition for Elba’s supporting performance. Location work in Ghana involved extensive coordination with local crews, and the production employed a blend of nonprofessional and professional actors.
Share your picks in the comments—what would you add or swap among the absolute best releases from that year?
