50 Favorite Films of the 21st Century
Revealing my 50 favorite films of the 21st Century. I wanted to keep this to one film per director, though some directors could have multiple films on this list.
I wanted more variety. Keeping the same style as my Top-50 list of the year, listing 50-21 and writing a paragraph about 20-1.
50. The Devil Wears Prada (2006) – David Frankel
49. Babylon (2022) – Damien Chazelle
48. Sexy Beast (2001) – Jonathan Glazer
47. Out of the Furnace (2013) – Scott Cooper
46. Wildlife (2018) – Paul Dano
45. Brooklyn (2015) – John Crowley
44. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) – Peter Weir
43. Maps to the Stars (2015) – David Cronenberg
42. Ocean’s Eleven (2001) – Steven Soderbergh
41. Greenberg (2010) – Noah Baumbach
40. Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018) – Christopher McQuarrie
39. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) – Celine Sciamma
38. Moneyball (2011) – Bennett Miller
37. Oldboy (2003) Park Chan-wook
36. Moonrise Kingdom (2012) – Wes Anderson
35. Hereditary (2018) – Ari Aster
34. Mississippi Grind (2015) – Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden
33. Rec (2007) – Paco Plaza, Jaume Belaguero
32. Sicario (2015) – Denis Villeneuve
31. Superbad (2007) – Greg Mottola
30. The End of the Tour (2015) – James Ponsoldt
29. In Bruges (2008) – Martin McDonagh
28. Michael Clayton (2007) – Tony Gilroy
27. You Were Never Really Here (2018) – Lynne Ramsay
26. Old Joy (2006) – Kelly Reichardt
25. Blackberry (2023) – Matt Johnson
24. Zero Dark Thirty (2012) – Kathryn Bigelow
23. The Tree of Life (2011) – Terrence Malick
22. Inception (2010) – Christopher Nolan
21. Into the Wild (2007) – Sean Penn
20. Take Me Home Tonight (2011) – Michael Dowse
One of the most underrated movies ever? Incredibly funny, still holds up today. Tremendous 80s soundtrack. Dan Fogler is hilarious in his supporting role.
I’ve always liked Topher Grace, and the more stories we hear about his That ‘70s Show co-stars, the more we understand why he didn’t get along with them.
19. Collateral (2004) – Michael Mann
Michael Mann is a personal favorite director, so I knew one of his films had to be on this list. When looking at his 21st-century movies, there was no contest. Super cool movie with an all-time Tom Cruise performance.
18. 25th Hour (2002) – Spike Lee
Probably the best post-9/11 film about America after 9/11. Made by our most preeminent New York filmmaker. In most Spike films, New York is like its own character. So, he was the perfect filmmaker for this story. Plus, it’s got a good depiction of a Pitbull, Win/Win.
17. The Mist (2007) – Frank Darabont
One of my favorite horror films. I love this story because it’s a monster movie where the monsters end up being the humans. What humans are capable of when they’re forced into an unknown situation. Humanity is screwed if we ever have an even more serious pandemic.
16. The Place Beyond the Pines (2013) – Derek Cianfrance
This film has grown in my estimation with every rewatch. I love the linear storytelling. Most directors would tell this with flashbacks, but the linear approach distinguishes this film from other sins of the Father affecting their son movies.
15. Columbus (2017) – Koganada
I love a meditative film, and Koganada is a new meditative filmmaker. Using a special location to tell a story about feeling stuck, and how your home can affect who you are. Madison and I took a trip to Columbus, Indiana, because of this film. A hidden architectural gem in the middle of America.
14. Uncut Gems (2019) – Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie
I’ll never forget leaving the theater on such a high after this film; I felt like I could run 10 miles. The energy, the Sandler performance, the supporting performances, the score, everything about this film I love. Maybe says something about me that I love this anxiety-inducing film this much.
13. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) – Peter Jackson
It was immediate, I knew this world was for me. How kids must’ve felt when they watched Star Wars back in 1977. I wanted to live in this world. Can’t believe it took me so long to play D&D after these movies came out. The first one will always be my favorite.
12. A Serious Man (2009) – Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
The most nihilistic film in these nihilist brethren’s filmography. It’s also one of their funniest. Every time I watch it, it gets better. It’s the tightrope walk of tone that makes me love this more than No Country for Old Men.
11. The Devil’s Rejects (2005) – Rob Zombie
I still refer to this as my favorite horror film. There are others I watch more or are “scarier,” but seeing this at 15 set off my journey and love of horror films.
I find the film darkly comedic and terrifying. Rob found that perfect blend that he’s never replicated. Plus, it has an all-time ending.
10. The Virgin Suicides (2000) – Sophia Coppola
Sophia came out of the gate swinging. There is a case to be made that her first feature is still her best film. Amazing soundtrack/score, it announces the world to grown-up Kirsten Dunst. I am on every vibration/wave length that Sophia is on here. It’s one of the darkest movies I constantly rewatch.
09. Memories of Murder (2002) – Bong Joon Ho
Parasite is great, but I loved it immediately when I saw it. Madison took me five years ago for the rerelease in theaters for my birthday, and it was so intense on the big screen in a dark theater. It might be Bong Joon-ho’s tensest movie, featuring a chilling ending.
08. Shame (2011) – Steve McQueen
Steve is such a humanist director, and his films are generally deep character studies. I think this is most perfect version of this. The music, the bookend scenes, the use of color, and the performances by Michael Fassbender and Michelle Williams. Not a moment is out of place.
07. Before Sunset (2004) – Richard Linklater
Linklater was another director I knew would be on here, just had to decide which one. His Before trilogy is some of my favorite movies of his behind Dazed and Confused. Sunset is my favorite of the three, capturing that feeling of the one that got away.
Plus, I can’t imagine having to wait nine years after that ending.
06. Friday Night Lights (2004) – Peter Berg
My favorite sports movie ever. It’s not only the best football movie ever but possibly the best sports movie ever. Somehow, it also spawned a more iconic TV show. I watch this once a year when football season starts.
05. Inglorious Basterds (2009) – Quentin Tarantino
Every time I watch Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, I wonder if it’ll eventually overtake as my favorite Tarantino film. I’ve had so much more time with this film though. It’s a blast, and I’d argue his best script ever. With some of the best performances he has put on screen.
04. The Social Network (2010) – David Fincher
Perfect on every level. Became an immediate fan of Andrew Garfield. Has one of my favorite film scores. One of my favorite scripts. It never gets old, only gets richer every time I watch this one. There were a few Fincher’s I could’ve chosen, but this remains my favorite Fincher.
03. There Will Be Blood (2007) – Paul Thomas Anderson
PTA is my favorite filmmaker. My favorite movie of his is Boogie Nights, which, of course, was in 1997. So, I had to pick another one of his films. It’s pretentious to say, but this film is like reading The Great American Novel. What’s great is that every time you watch it, you realize how funny the movie really is.
02. Almost Famous (2000) – Cameron Crowe
This is my comfort movie. I could watch this anywhere, anytime. Perfect for a bad day, like being wrapped in a warm blanket. It’s an ode to classic rock with a wall-to-wall incredible soundtrack. Endlessly quotable, brilliant performances. I love everything about this film.
01. The Departed (2006) – Martin Scorsese
Unlike Almost Famous, this isn’t a movie I rewatch all the time. Instead, this movie was the impetus for my love of cinema and wanting me to branch out and watch foreign films and other arthouse films that Marty champions. Not only that, but this almost altered my life, I tried to apply to be a Massachusetts Statey.
