2015 Movies

The 2015 Plex database offers an extensive, fully organized compilation of every film released that year. It is ideal for enthusiasts and casual viewers alike, providing a convenient and streamlined approach to accessing this year's movies.
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Browse 13,050 titles in our 2015 Movies Database

The Best Movies of 2015

The following sections revisit the most renowned films from that year, highlighting their unique features and their significant impact on the audience.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, directed by J.J. Abrams is a blend of nostalgia and innovation, offering the audience an exciting continuation of the iconic Star Wars saga. It is a popcorn movie par excellence, steeped in style and soul.

Anomalisa

Anomalisa, a brainchild of Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson, is a stop-motion film that narrates a poignant story of a one-night stand between a self-help guru and an ebullient woman. Jennifer Jason Leigh's voice acting in this film is truly a masterclass, making the film a memorable cinematic experience.

Spotlight

Spotlight is a gripping drama about investigative journalism at its best. The film is a moving tribute to the journalists of The Boston Globe who, in 2002, exposed the Catholic Church's scandal of child abuse and cover-ups. Featuring an ensemble cast delivering exception

Inside Out

Inside Out, created by Pete Docter and produced by Pixar, is a remarkable film that masterfully personifies human emotions. It compels us to reassess the importance of our feelings in shaping our lives, a remarkable feat for an animated movie.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is a romantic drama that will leave you captivated. Saoirse Ronan's magnetic performance as an Irish girl emigrating to America in the 1950s brings an authentic, moving touch to this immigrant tale. Director John Crowley and screenwriter Nick Hornby successfully keep sentimentality at bay, making the narrative all the more compelling.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs is a biographical drama that delves into the life and mind of Apple's legendary co-founder. Despite the commercial performance, the film stands out for its brilliant script, bold direction, and Michael Fassbender's stellar performance in the title role. It represents a triumphant exploration of the intersection between technology, innovation, and human nature.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Mad Max: Fury Road is an exhilarating post-apocalyptic action film directed by George Miller. Tom Hardy's and Charlize Theron's performances are remarkable, with Theron's feminist hero stealing the show. Despite the desolate setting, the film is filled with vibrant energy and a driving narrative.

The Martian

Next on our list is 'The Martian.' Ridley Scott's expert direction makes this film an exuberant exploration of the unknown, scientifically and humanly. The plot revolves around an astronaut, portrayed by Matt Damon, abandoned on Mars by his space crew. Despite the precarious situation, the film manages to maintain a surprisingly light-hearted tone throughout.

Tangerine

Tangerine is a remarkable indie film shot entirely on iPhones. Directed by Sean Baker, it features stirring performances from transgender actresses Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez as two Los Angeles sex workers. Their realistic portrayal of life on the margins of society gives the movie a raw and unforgettable quality.

Straight Outta Compton

A biographical drama about the rise of N.W.A, the influential gangsta rap group from the 1980s. Directed by F. Gary Gray, Straight Outta Compton is a compelling snapshot of the sociopolitical climate of the time, interweaving it with the personal stories of the group's members.

Carol

Finally, we end our mentions with Carol, a romantic drama set in 1950s Manhattan. It tells the story of an affair between two women from different social backgrounds, played by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Todd Haynes' deft direction and the actors' compelling performances turn the period piece into a timeless exploration of love and defiance.

2015 Movies & Industry Highlights

The cinematic year of 2015 was characterized by a remarkable dichotomy. Critics labeled it as one of Hollywood's most disappointing years, citing the lackluster performance of expected Oscar-winning entries. Yet, despite these low expectations, 2015 was also an exceptional year for movies in general, boasting some of the highest-grossing films of all time.

Contrasting Perspectives

Some critics attributed the year's subpar offerings to a simple scheduling mishap. Highly esteemed directors like Martin Scorsese, Sofia Coppola, Wes Anderson, Miranda July, Terrence Malick, James Gray, David Fincher, Steven Soderbergh, and Paul Thomas Anderson, all of whom have significantly contributed to the richness of cinema in previous years, had no releases in 2015. This absence left a discernible void in the film landscape, reflecting a calendar year that was unfortunately devoid of their creative flair and innovative storytelling.

Box Office Triumphs

In stark contrast to the critical perspective, the box office numbers painted a different picture. The top 10 films released in 2015 achieved extraordinary commercial success.

  • "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" took the crown as the highest-grossing film, raking in a staggering $2,068,223,624 worldwide. It became the third film to cross the $2 billion threshold, placing it among the highest-grossing films ever.
  • Other films such as "Jurassic World," "Furious 7," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," and "Minions" each grossed over $1 billion, a remarkable feat positioning them among the top earners of all time. Films like "Spectre" and "Inside Out" also performed impressively, each accumulating more than $850 million.
  • "Minions" carved its name in the annals of cinema history by becoming the first non-Disney animated film to gross over $1 billion, subsequently ranking as the sixth highest-grossing animated film of all time.

Remarkable Studio Records

Studio records in 2015 further emphasized the paradox of the year. It marked the first time a single studio, Universal Pictures, released three films that each grossed over $1 billion. Universal also established new precedents by earning $2 billion and $3 billion at the international box office faster than any studio before.

In parallel, Walt Disney Studios carved a unique record by releasing three films within a single franchise, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), that each grossed over $1 billion. The MCU surpassed the Harry Potter franchise to become the highest-grossing film franchise ever, with total earnings exceeding $8 billion.

Noteworthy Film Records

2015 was also a record-setting year for individual films. "Furious 7" became the quickest film to reach $1 billion in global ticket sales, achieving this in just 17 days. This record was soon broken by "Jurassic World," which reached the billion-dollar mark in 13 days, only to be overtaken six months later by "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," which achieved the same feat in 12 days.

"Jurassic World" also boasted the highest-grossing worldwide opening of all time, surpassing "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2." This record was later surpassed by "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

Despite these massive box office successes, it is worth noting that these record-breaking films did not always translate to critical acclaim, emphasizing the paradox that defined 2015 in cinema.