The films of 2010

Inevitably, Hollywood still insists that, even as the way we watch films online is more tightly regulated, it is not willing to give up ground on cinema exclusivity and general releases. This means that both on DVD and online, new releases do not come out until up to 6 months after the initial hype and excitement.

Perhaps this is fair, cinemas do represent the main source of income for the studios, and it is a much easier way of driving hype with one coordinated release and relatively limited viewing opportunity – short(ish) supply drives demand, after all.

What’s more, piracy – both online and physical – is much more difficult to control when the film is released on media that is easy to copy. Most people now, even if they are willing to indulge in this illegal practice, still have little time for poor recordings.

Still, with this in mind, it is the best films of 2010 that are going to be the best films to watch online in 2011 at sites such as www.lovefilm.com, as the services really kick into overdrive. So what shall we look out for?

For the kids, four of the world’s top ten grossing films this year have been animated, and were also critically well received. Toy Story 3, Shrek Forever After, Despicable Me and How to Train Your Dragon all grossed at least $500m worldwide, with Toy Story 3 topping $1,000m.

You don’t have to be a child to enjoy any of these films, but for true grown-up blockbusters Inception is a must-see, and Iron Man 2 and Clash of the Titans also made big money and should be worth catching up on.

2010 wasn’t just about blockbusters, though, and there are plenty of critically acclaimed films that will be available to watch online in the coming year.

The Kids are Alright, True Grit and Hereafter are all tipped for the best film Oscar in January 2011 and you should be able to watch these films online before you know it.