The New York Times: 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century
Compiled from a poll of over 500 directors, actors, and critics worldwide
Compiled from a poll of over 500 directors, actors, and critics worldwide
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Top 10
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1. Parasite (2019) — Bong Joon Ho A tale of haves and have-nots following a destitute family as it insinuates itself into a wealthy household.
2. Mulholland Drive (2001) — David Lynch A perverse fairy tale tracking the downward spiral of a bright-eyed young actress in Los Angeles.
3. There Will Be Blood (2007) — Paul Thomas Anderson A masterpiece about blood and oil, following Daniel Plainview's rise as an oil baron.
4. In the Mood for Love (2000) — Wong Kar-wai A rapturously beautiful romance between two married neighbors in 1960s Hong Kong.
5. Moonlight (2016) — Barry Jenkins A delicate drama following the life of a Black gay man through three stages.
6. No Country for Old Men (2007) — Coen Brothers A neo-western crime thriller featuring Javier Bardem's menacing Anton Chigurh.
7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) — Michel Gondry A wildly inventive story about a couple who erase memories of their relationship.
8. Get Out (2017) — Jordan Peele A thriller about modern-day slavery and the horrors of white supremacy.
9. Spirited Away (2002) — Hayao Miyazaki A hand-drawn fairy tale about a girl navigating a magical bathhouse.
10. The Social Network (2010) — David Fincher The hypnotically unflattering origin story of Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook.
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11-20
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11. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) — George Miller12. The Zone of Interest (2023) — Jonathan Glazer13. Children of Men (2006) — Alfonso Cuarón14. Inglourious Basterds (2009) — Quentin Tarantino15. City of God (2003) — Fernando Meirelles16. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) — Ang Lee17. Brokeback Mountain (2005) — Ang Lee18. Y Tu Mamá También (2002) — Alfonso Cuarón19. Zodiac (2007) — David Fincher20. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) — Martin Scorsese
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21-30
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21. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) — Wes Anderson22. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) — Wes Anderson23. Boyhood (2014) — Richard Linklater24. Her (2013) — Spike Jonze25. Phantom Thread (2017) — Paul Thomas Anderson26. Anatomy of a Fall (2023) — Justine Triet27. Adaptation (2002) — Spike Jonze28. The Dark Knight (2008) — Christopher Nolan29. Arrival (2016) — Denis Villeneuve30. Lost in Translation (2003) — Sofia Coppola
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31-40
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31. The Departed (2006) — Martin Scorsese32. Bridesmaids (2011) — Paul Feig33. A Separation (2011) — Asghar Farhadi34. WALL-E (2008) — Andrew Stanton35. A Prophet (2010) — Jacques Audiard36. A Serious Man (2009) — Coen Brothers37. Call Me By Your Name (2017) — Luca Guadagnino38. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) — Céline Sciamma39. Lady Bird (2017) — Greta Gerwig40. Yi Yi (2000) — Edward Yang
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41-50
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41. Amélie (2001) — Jean-Pierre Jeunet42. The Master (2012) — Paul Thomas Anderson43. Oldboy (2005) — Park Chan-wook44. Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019) — Quentin Tarantino45. Moneyball (2011) — Bennett Miller46. Roma (2018) — Alfonso Cuarón47. Almost Famous (2000) — Cameron Crowe48. The Lives of Others (2007) — Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck49. Before Sunset (2004) — Richard Linklater50. Up (2009) — Pete Docter
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51-60
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51. 12 Years a Slave (2013) — Steve McQueen52. The Favourite (2018) — Yorgos Lanthimos53. Borat (2006) — Larry Charles54. Pan's Labyrinth (2006) — Guillermo del Toro55. Inception (2010) — Christopher Nolan56. Punch-Drunk Love (2002) — Paul Thomas Anderson57. Best in Show (2000) — Christopher Guest58. Uncut Gems (2019) — Safdie Brothers59. Toni Erdmann (2016) — Maren Ade60. Whiplash (2014) — Damien Chazelle
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61-70
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61. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) — Quentin Tarantino62. Memento (2001) — Christopher Nolan63. Little Miss Sunshine (2006) — Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris64. Gone Girl (2014) — David Fincher65. Oppenheimer (2023) — Christopher Nolan66. Spotlight (2015) — Tom McCarthy67. Tár (2022) — Todd Field68. The Hurt Locker (2009) — Kathryn Bigelow69. Under the Skin (2014) — Jonathan Glazer70. Let the Right One In (2008) — Tomas Alfredson
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71-80
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71. Ocean's Eleven (2001) — Steven Soderbergh72. Carol (2015) — Todd Haynes73. Ratatouille (2007) — Brad Bird74. The Florida Project (2017) — Sean Baker75. Amour (2012) — Michael Haneke76. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) — Coen Brothers77. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) — Daniels78. Aftersun (2022) — Charlotte Wells79. The Tree of Life (2011) — Terrence Malick80. Volver (2006) — Pedro Almodóvar
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81-90
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81. Black Swan (2010) — Darren Aronofsky82. The Act of Killing (2013) — Joshua Oppenheimer83. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) — Coen Brothers84. Melancholia (2011) — Lars von Trier85. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) — Adam McKay86. Past Lives (2023) — Celine Song87. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) — Peter Jackson88. The Gleaners & I (2001) — Agnès Varda89. Interstellar (2014) — Christopher Nolan90. Frances Ha (2013) — Noah Baumbach
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91-100
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91. Fish Tank (2010) — Andrea Arnold92. Gladiator (2000) — Ridley Scott93. Michael Clayton (2007) — Tony Gilroy94. Minority Report (2002) — Steven Spielberg95. The Worst Person in the World (2021) — Joachim Trier96. Black Panther (2018) — Ryan Coogler97. Gravity (2013) — Alfonso Cuarón98. Grizzly Man (2005) — Werner Herzog99. Memories of Murder (2005) — Bong Joon Ho100. Superbad (2007) — Greg Mottola
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Notable Facts
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- Christopher Nolan has the most entries with 5 films (The Dark Knight, Inception, Memento, Oppenheimer, Interstellar)
- Spirited Away is the highest-ranking animated film (#9)
- Parasite topped both the critics' poll and readers' poll
- The list was compiled in June 2025 from over 500 filmmakers, actors, and critics worldwide
- Voters included Oscar-winning directors like Pedro Almodóvar, Sofia Coppola, Barry Jenkins, and Guillermo del Toro
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/movies/best-movies-21st-century.html#movie-10