Critics and Filmmakers Name the Best Movies of the 21st Century

At ScreenCrush, we’re fond of lists, and this week, The New York Times came up with an impressive one. They surveyed over 500 directors, actors, and critics, gathered the responses, and assembled a list of the top 100 films from the 21st century.

In the end, their decision for the best movie over the past 26 years turned out to be “Parasite,” the highly praised Oscar Best Picture winner from 2019 directed by Bong Joon-ho. This film tells the story of a destitute Korean family who insidiously infiltrate the lives of a wealthy family, leading to dire consequences for most of the characters.

The selection seems unquestionably sound, yet I’m aware that on the internet, disagreements are inevitable. For now, let’s consider them as the preferred choices from their esteemed list of the 21st century’s finest films.

The New York Times Picks for the Best Movies of the 21st Century

10. The Social Network (2010)

9. Spirited Away (2002)

8. Get Out (2017)

7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

6. No Country For Old Men (2007)

5. Moonlight (2016)

4. In the Mood for Love (2016)

3. There Will Be Blood (2007)

2. Mulholland Drive (2001)

1. Parasite (2019)

Check out the full list, found either above or below, for a comprehensive view. However, if you’re curious, genre films have held their ground quite well in this ranking. You’ll find comedies like Bridesmaids, superhero films such as The Dark Knight, sci-fi movies including Arrival, gangster flicks including The Departed, and sports dramas like Moneyball. This collection offers a broad representation of the diverse cinema we’ve seen throughout the 21st century.

1. A few movies I adore didn’t make the final list – I compiled my own ballot which is available here. To my amazement, seven out of my ten choices were included in the NYT‘s master list. The films that didn’t make it were Catch Me If You Can, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and Take Shelter. Still, seven out of ten isn’t too shabby! There are numerous excellent movies throughout the list. Should you randomly select one of the 100 titles for a movie night at home, I assure you that there’s no way to go wrong.

2. Some of my favorite films didn’t make it past the selection process – I prepared a custom ballot, which can be found here. To my astonishment, seven out of ten of my picks appeared on the NYT‘s master list. The movies that were left out were Catch Me If You Can, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and Take Shelter. All things considered, seven out of ten isn’t too bad! There are plenty of outstanding films scattered throughout the list. If you selected one of the 100 titles at random to watch during a home movie night, I can guarantee that there’s no way it would disappoint.

3. A few movies dear to my heart didn’t make the cut – I put together a personal ballot, which you can check out here. To my delight, seven of my ten selections were on the NYT‘s master list. The films that missed the mark were Catch Me If You Can, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and Take Shelter. Considering this, seven out of ten isn’t too bad! There are many fantastic movies throughout the list. Should you choose one of the 100 titles at random to watch during a home movie night, I can assure you that it would be a great choice anywhere on the list.

At their website, you can peruse the complete list from The New York Times, check out how individual filmmakers have voted, compile your own top ten list, and cast your vote for your preferred movies across numerous categories such as those featuring Tom Hanks or R-rated comedies.

The Best Sci-Fi Films of the Last 10 Years (2015-2024)

10. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

James Gunn masterfully concluded his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, blending blockbuster elements perfectly – action sequences, quirky alien visuals, and characters so compelling that viewers deeply invest in their stories. (By the end of Vol. 3, Bradley Cooper’s Rocket, initially a Marvel B-lister, had evolved into one of the company’s most intriguing and tragic heroes.) In a lineup of average Marvel films, Gunn made creating an MCU movie seem effortless, infusing a far-fetched sci-fi tale with the rare essence often missing in movies featuring sentient alien raccoons – genuine human emotion.

9. The Wild Robot (2024)

Reflecting on the unexpected emotions stirred: I can scarcely imagine a parent remaining dry-eyed throughout The Wild Robot, an enchanting and poignant animated sci-fi tale from DreamWorks. This story revolves around an advanced robot (brought to life by Lupita Nyong’o) who finds herself stranded on an animal-inhabited island and strives to adhere to her programming by nurturing an orphaned gosling as a mother figure. With captivating rural landscapes and dry wit, The Wild Robot delivers a profoundly relatable message about our world and the value of every creature, regardless of size.

8. The Substance (2024)

As a movie enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on this mind-blowing blend of Cronenbergian sci-fi, horror, and comedy that I recently watched. Titled “The Substance,” it features Demi Moore in one of her most electrifying roles in years, playing a struggling TV star who decides to experiment with an enigmatic drug named “The Substance.” This miraculous concoction transforms her into a youthful doppelganger, brilliantly portrayed by Margaret Qualley, providing her the perfect platform for a comeback.

This film is undoubtedly worth adding to your collection on Blu-ray or streaming platforms. However, if you didn’t catch it in theaters, I must say you missed out. Watching it alongside an engaged audience, discovering together how boldly writer/director Coralie Fargeat explored the absurd body standards prevalent in the entertainment industry, was nothing short of a mesmerizing experience. (Spoiler alert: She went extremely far.)

7. Godzilla Minus One (2023)

In a surprising turn of events, a prequel proved to be not only logical but brilliantly conceived. By setting Godzilla in the post-World War II Japan landscape, the original monster was once again given its chilling symbolism as a metaphor for the terror of atomic devastation and mental anguish from war. This new iteration of Godzilla is indeed terrifying – it’s immense, it’s diseased, and its atomic breath is genuinely petrifying. However, “Godzilla Minus One” isn’t just a mindless spectacle; it features a human protagonist (Ryunosuke Kamiki) who is both compelling and flawed, and delves into intricate subtext about kamikaze pilots that permeates the narrative, culminating in an emotionally heavy decision. There’s even a segment that feels reminiscent of a Howard Hawks film about a band of weathered sailors battling a colossal nuclear-powered dinosaur – and yes, it’s as captivating as it sounds.

6. Ex Machina (2015)

In the realm of modern science fiction cinema, few creators have made as significant an imprint as Alex Garland, who penned films such as “Sunshine” and “Dredd”, and made his directorial debut with the intricate exploration of humanity’s boundary with technology titled “Ex Machina”. This thought-provoking film features a talented programmer (Oscar Isaac) who develops the world’s first artificial intelligence, giving it a sleek female form (Alicia Vikander). He then enlists an inexperienced colleague (Domhnall Gleeson) to evaluate its capabilities.

At first glance, this appears to be a straightforward contest of wills. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Garland’s characters and script are layered with complexity. The distinction between hero and villain is not always clear-cut, changing from one perspective to another. In Garland’s chilling portrayal, it seems inevitable that robots will soon surpass us. And maybe, just maybe, this isn’t a bad thing.

5. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

In a remarkable feat, Blade Runner 2049 continued the narrative of a timeless science-fiction classic without resolving any of the enigmas that made the initial film so intriguing. Director Denis Villeneuve skillfully expanded upon Ridley Scott’s vision of a desolate future while modernizing the technology, all while maintaining the original film’s aesthetic. The sequel also showcased a heartfelt performance by Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard – arguably his finest in years. Ford’s return in Blade Runner 2049 seems to underscore one of the movie’s most potent themes: Even in dark times, it’s never too late to make a difference.

4. Annihilation (2018)

When people talk about a science fiction movie giving them the creeps, it’s typically figurative. However, for me, “Annihilation” was genuinely uncomfortable to watch in a literal sense. Based on the renowned novel by Jeff VanderMeer, this film chronicles a military team’s exploration into “The Shimmer,” an unusual region in Florida that changed dramatically following a mysterious meteor impact three years prior. Similar to his work in “Ex Machina,” writer/director Alex Garland employs science fiction as a means of reflecting humanity, a concept he visually portrays in the haunting concluding moments of “Annihilation.” The film is much like the partially human remnants Natalie Portman and her team discover plastered on a wall within the alien mutating boundaries of the Shimmer: Repulsive yet beautiful simultaneously.

3. Nope (2022)

In a time when many films consist of sequels, remakes, and high-octane action flicks, the work of writer/director Jordan Peele stands out remarkably. While others have crafted science fiction movies that are both aesthetically pleasing and spine-tingling, or used horror and sci-fi to reflect societal issues, Peele’s work today feels exceptionally unique. Collaborating with cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, he creates a distinct balance between breathtaking Western vistas and haunting scenes (and sounds, oh the haunting sounds) that are likely to linger in viewers’ minds long after the credits roll.

2. Dune (2021)

Reading Denis Villeneuve’s incredible adaptation of the first half of Frank Herbert’s cherished sci-fi novel, “Dune,” transformed me into a devoted fan. The film’s grandeur and vision echoed what book lovers have long claimed sets “Dune” apart. For the first time, I grasped why countless readers have been captivated by this material. Villeneuve tackled a challenging novel that had left many esteemed filmmakers puzzled in the past, producing something coherent, visually stunning, and brimming with desert intensity. The upcoming “Dune: Part Two” in 2024 was equally impressive.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

The film “Mad Max: Fury Road” stands out as one of the best science fiction movies from the past decade, if not the whole century, boasting impressive action sequences. However, it’s also among the most spiritual and even Biblically inspired films of recent years. In essence, it’s a journey reminiscent of the exodus from Sodom and Gomorrah, seeking a new paradise. This journey is led by Charlize Theron’s iconic character Imperator Furiosa, with Tom Hardy’s enigmatic Max serving as their desert guide in search of safety. George Miller’s chaotic masterpiece demonstrates that big-budget sci-fi can be both exhilarating and intelligent. If anyone attempts to persuade you otherwise, simply look them in the eye and say, “That’s absurd.

2025-06-27 17:25