Barack Obama reveals his favourite films and TV shows of 2020

Former president has made a tradition of sharing his cultural highlights of each year

Barack Obama has revealed his annual list of the TV shows and movies he has most enjoyed over the past 12 months. 

The former US president has made a tradition out of sharing his favourite books, TV shows, films and songs of the year.

“Like everyone else, we were stuck inside a lot this year,” Obama wrote in a tweet. 

“With streaming further blurring the lines between theatrical movies and television features, I’ve expanded the list to include visual storytelling that I’ve enjoyed this year, regardless of format.”

On TV in 2020, Obama has enjoyed Netflix’s hit chess drama The Queen’s Gambit, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, and British actor, writer and comedian Michaela Coel’s critically acclaimed BBC series I May Destroy You. 

His list also includes Better Call Saul, Mrs America, and sports documentary series The Last Dance. 

Making his list of top films were David Fincher’s Mank, starring Gary Oldman as screenwriter Herman J Mankiewicz during his development of Citizen Kane, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which stars late actor Chadwick Boseman in his final role. 

Obama’s favourite films:

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Beanpole

Bacurau

Nomadland

Soul

Lovers Rock

Collective

Mank

Martin Eden

Let Him Go

Time

Boys State

Selah And The Spades

Crip Camp (produced by the Obamas’ company Higher Ground)

Obama’s favourite TV series

Better Call Saul

The Queen’s Gambit

I May Destroy You

The Boys

The Good Lord Bird

Devs

The Last Dance

Mrs America

The Good Place

City So Real

You can find The Independent’s list of the best TV shows of 2020 here, and the best films of the year here.