There was unexpected variety and diversity in cinemas this year, including some genre films that broke through the barriers...

Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler

10) Nightcrawler - Jake Gyllenhaal goes very dark in this creepy black comedy about a man who has very few limits in what he'll do to become famous. It's so timely that it almost hurts to watch it.Watch the trailer for Nightcrawler here.

Polish Drama Ida

9) Ida - Beautifully shot in black and white, this Polish drama tells a story that ingeniously blends religion, politics and history in a deeply personal tale of two very different women exploring their roots. Watch the trailer for Ida here.

Scarlett Johansson in Under The Skin

8) Under The Skin - One of the artiest horror movies in recent memory is livened up by a terrifically stripped-down performance from Scarlett Johansson as an undercover alien collecting men in Scotland. Watch the trailer for Under The Skin here.

Edward Snowden in Citezenfour

7) Citizenfour - Like a great thriller, this documentary about Edward Snowden features unexpected heroes and terrifying villains. And it's all still happening all around you, even as you read this sentence. Watch the trailer for Citizenfour here.

Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything

6) The Theory Of Everything - Eddie Redmayne's performance as Stephen Hawking is sensational in this biopic, which by avoiding the usual formula reveals the person rather than the events in his life. Watch the trailer for The Theory of Everything here.

British Comedy Pride

5) Pride - What Britain does best: take a tumultuous historical period and turn it into a raucously enjoyable comedy with a seriously emotional kick. This one benefits from a fabulously up-for-it cast and resonant issues. Watch the trailer for Pride here.

Zoe Saldana, Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista in Guardians of the Galaxy

4) Guardians Of The Galaxy - Just when superhero movies were getting predictable, James Gunn rocked the universe with this rip-roaring ensemble adventure that once again had us gasping for more. Watch the trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy here.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

3) The Grand Budapest Hotel - Wes Anderson excels at making quirky, detailed romps, but this one mixes the humour and drama with real emotion and characters we can't help but fall in love with. Watch the trailer for The Grand Budapest Hotel here.

A still from Leviathan

2) Leviathan - From Russia, this staggeringly clever spin on the Book of Job is also a riveting comment on the connection between government and religion in Russia. And everywhere else. Plus lots and lots of vodka. Watch the trailer for Leviathan here.

Ethan Hawke in Boyhood

1) Boyhood - There's a reason this film is atop most Best of 2014 lists: Richard Linklater's film is an unprecedented exploration of what growing up is all about. Told through stunning performances over 12 years of filming. Watch the trailer for Boyhood here.

And here are five runners-up: The Imitation Game (a great story with a terrific Benedict Cumberbatch performance); Lilting (an unusually intimate drama with Ben Whishaw); Maps to the Stars (a lacerating romp through inbred Hollywood); Whiplash (a playfully nerve-jangling look at what it costs to make it); Winter Sleep (three utterly riveting hours of Turkish conversations).