The 2020s have been a decade of change, challenge, and reinvention for cinema. As streaming platforms gained more dominance and theatrical releases adapted to new realities, filmmakers pushed the boundaries of storytelling. The drama genre, in particular, has thrived, delivering emotionally powerful, visually striking, and thematically rich films that capture the complexities of modern life. From intimate character studies to sprawling epics, these are some of the best drama films of the 2020s (so far).

The Power of the Dog (2021) – A Masterclass in Psychological Drama

Director: Jane Campion

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee

Jane Campion’s return to feature filmmaking after over a decade resulted in one of the most haunting and layered dramas of the 2020s. The Power of the Dog is a slow-burn Western that unpacks masculinity, repression, and power dynamics with surgical precision. Benedict Cumberbatch delivers a career-best performance as Phil Burbank, a domineering yet deeply troubled rancher whose relationship with his brother’s new wife (Dunst) and her son (Smit-McPhee) leads to a tense, unpredictable psychological battle. Campion’s direction and Ari Wegner’s cinematography create an unsettling atmosphere, making every frame feel loaded with unspoken tension.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) – A Genre-Bending Emotional Journey

Directors: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert

Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis

While Everything Everywhere All at Once is often described as a multiversal action-comedy, at its core, it’s a deeply emotional family drama. Michelle Yeoh plays Evelyn Wang, an overworked laundromat owner who is thrust into an absurd, chaotic journey across parallel universes.

The film’s genius lies in its ability to balance spectacle with sincerity. Between scenes of hot dog fingers and kung fu battles, Everything Everywhere tells a moving story about generational trauma, identity, and the power of kindness. Ke Huy Quan’s comeback performance as Evelyn’s gentle husband, Waymond, is particularly heart-wrenching.

Aftersun (2022) – A Heartbreaking Portrait of Memory and Loss

Director: Charlotte Wells

Starring: Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio

Charlotte Wells’ debut feature Aftersun is a quietly devastating meditation on memory, nostalgia, and parental relationships. Paul Mescal plays Calum, a young father on vacation with his daughter Sophie (Frankie Corio) in the late 1990s. The film unfolds through Sophie’s hazy recollections as an adult, piecing together fleeting moments and unspoken emotions. Mescal’s understated performance captures a man struggling with inner turmoil while trying to be the best father he can be. The final moments of Aftersun are among the most emotionally overwhelming in recent memory, cementing it as a modern drama masterpiece.

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) – A Darkly Funny Tragedy of Friendship

Director: Martin McDonagh

Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, Barry Keoghan

Set on a remote Irish island in 1923, The Banshees of Inisherin follows two longtime friends, Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), whose relationship takes a bizarre turn when Colm suddenly decides he no longer wants to speak to Pádraic. What starts as a simple conflict escalates into a tragic meditation on loneliness, pride, and the meaning of life. McDonagh’s sharp writing and the incredible chemistry between Farrell and Gleeson make this film both heartbreakingly sad and darkly hilarious. It’s a drama that lingers long after the credits roll.

TÁR (2022) – A Chilling Character Study of Power and Ego

Director: Todd Field

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Nina Hoss, Noémie Merlant

Cate Blanchett delivers one of the most complex performances of the decade in TÁR, a film about the unraveling of a world-renowned conductor, Lydia Tár. The film meticulously dissects power, cancel culture, and the intersection of genius and toxicity. Todd Field’s direction keeps the audience on edge, making Lydia’s slow downfall feel almost like a psychological thriller. TÁR is both an intimate character study and a commentary on contemporary cultural dynamics, making it one of the most thought-provoking dramas of the 2020s.

Past Lives (2023) – A Subtle and Poignant Reflection on Fate and Love

Director: Celine Song

Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro

Celine Song’s debut film is a delicate, beautifully written exploration of love, destiny, and the choices that shape our lives. It follows childhood friends Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), who reconnect years later after she has built a new life in the U.S. With quiet, deeply emotional performances and stunning cinematography, Past Lives captures the melancholy of what could have been. It’s a drama that resonates on a deeply personal level, offering a rare, contemplative take on romance and personal growth.

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) – A Haunting True Crime Epic

Director: Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro

Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon is a historical drama that examines the Osage murders in 1920s Oklahoma. With its deliberate pacing and unflinching look at systemic corruption, the film is both an epic and an intimate story about betrayal and greed. Lily Gladstone’s performance as Mollie Burkhart is mesmerizing, bringing depth and heartbreak to a tragic true story. Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio plays a deeply conflicted but morally compromised man caught between loyalty and personal gain. Killers of the Flower Moon is a prime example of how drama can be both cinematic and socially significant.

Memorable Mentions

Women Talking (2022) – A powerful film about abuse, faith, and female solidarity.

Nomadland (2020) – A moving exploration of modern-day nomadic life, starring Frances McDormand.

Sound of Metal (2020) – A gripping drama about a musician’s journey through deafness.

Anatomy of a Fall (2023) – A gripping courtroom drama with rich psychological depth.

The Zone of Interest (2023) – A chilling Holocaust drama that offers a unique perspective on evil.

Conclusion: A Decade of Profound Storytelling

The 2020s have already delivered some of the most profound and innovative dramas in recent memory. These films don’t just tell stories—they challenge, provoke, and move audiences in unexpected ways.

As the decade continues, it’s clear that drama remains one of the most powerful cinematic genres, capturing the depth of human experience with artistry and emotional weight. What are your favorite dramas of the 2020s so far? Let’s discuss!