My 25 Favorite Films of the 21st Century
Popular movies can also be meaningful and creative.
As the year wraps up and everyone starts sharing their end-of-year lists, I figured I’d join in and talk about movies, but not movies from this year. I decided to try to figure out my 25 favorite films from the past 25 years. Was it even possible to narrow it down?
As I took a few weeks to make my choices and write up short reviews, I realized something I hadn’t noticed before. The movies I chose were all directed and written by people who trust the audience to keep up and combine epic visuals with real emotion. I’m drawn to films that treat their stories seriously, whether it’s about someone stuck on Mars or a teen turning into Spider-Man.
What I left out is important, too. I skipped some well-known dramas that I respect (Mulholland Drive and There Will Be Blood are good examples), but didn’t really love. No comedies made the list, even though I like School of Rock, Bridesmaids, and Idiocracy. I tend to prefer bold genre movies, which is why you’ll find a lot of science fiction, action, and superhero films here. That’s also why Christopher Nolan shows up three times.
These aren’t the “greatest” films of the century by any measure, and I didn’t pick them based on awards or critics’ opinions. They’re the movies I enjoy, the ones I go back to watch when I see them as I’m browsing YouTube TV, and the ones that made me feel something more than simply admiring the way they were made. My only rule was that I had to want to recommend and rewatch each one.
If I look at this list again after a few years, I’m sure some of the picks will change. But for now, this list shows that popular movies can also be meaningful and creative, and that’s what I enjoy most.
I ranked these movies by preference, but honestly, most of them are pretty close to each other for me. I love each one for its own reasons, and each made the list because it offered something unique.
25. Black Panther (2018)
Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther transcends superhero norms with its richly detailed Wakanda. Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger stands as one of Marvel’s most complex villains, driven by colonialism and neglect. The production design seamlessly fuses African tradition with futuristic technology, proving superhero movies can explore meaningful themes.
24. Michael Clayton (2007)
Tony Gilroy’s thriller showcases George Clooney’s finest performance as a morally compromised legal fixer. Tilda Swinton’s Oscar-winning turn as an anxious corporate lawyer is unforgettable. The screenplay trusts audiences, building tension through character rather than action, culminating in a satisfying confrontation. The silent taxi ride is the perfect ending.
23. Her (2013)
Spike Jonze crafts a tender reflection on loneliness in the digital age. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a vulnerable performance as a man who falls for his AI operating system, brought to life by Scarlett Johansson’s voice work. The pastel-hued near-future feels both unfamiliar and relatable.
22. No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Coen Brothers adapted Cormac McCarthy’s novel into a relentless philosophical thriller. Javier Bardem’s Anton Chigurh is terrifying as an agent of chaos with a twisted moral code. Tommy Lee Jones brings weary gravitas as a sheriff overwhelmed by evil he cannot stop.
21. The Social Network (2010)
David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin transformed Facebook’s founding into a Shakespearean drama about ambition and betrayal. Jesse Eisenberg’s Mark Zuckerberg is brilliantly abrasive. The best part of the movie, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score, pulses with anxiety and momentum.
20. WALL-E (2008)
Pixar’s creative peak delivers a first act with no dialogue, only visual storytelling. The relationship between WALL-E and EVE is rendered entirely through visuals and sound design. The satire of consumer culture is pointed but never harsh, balancing cautionary themes with hope for humanity’s capacity to change.
19. Unbreakable (2000)
M. Night Shyamalan’s superhero story was ahead of its time, treating extraordinary abilities with grounded seriousness. Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson anchor the film in human emotion through philosophical conversations about heroism. The twist ending (It’s Shyamalan after all. How can there not be?) brilliantly reinterprets everything, revealing a darker reflection on obsession.
18. Interstellar (2014)
Christopher Nolan’s space epic blends hard science fiction with emotional stakes. Matthew McConaughey’s father-daughter bond offers real weight despite complex scientific concepts. The climactic tesseract scene is both a little confusing and immensely moving. Hans Zimmer’s organ-driven score rises with cosmic wonder and personal grief.
17. Knives Out (2019)
Rian Johnson crafted a delightfully smart murder mystery that subverts the genre. Daniel Craig clearly enjoys himself as detective Benoit Blanc, while Ana de Armas breaks through as the moral core. Johnson’s screenplay reveals the murder early on and then introduces new angles and reversals that feel well-earned rather than cheap.
16. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Ang Lee introduced wuxia to Western audiences with this visually stunning epic. Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-fat bring emotional depth to their repressed romance as honor-bound warriors. Yuen Woo-ping’s fight choreography, especially the bamboo forest scene, achieves ballet-like grace. The ending is ambiguous and haunting.
15. Almost Famous (2000)
Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical film captures the magic and disillusionment of 70s rock touring. Kate Hudson earned her Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Penny Lane, embodying both freedom and exploitation. The plane scene alone makes the movie, while Philip Seymour Hoffman’s moments as rock critic Lester Bangs are near-perfect.
14. Collateral (2004)
Michael Mann’s thriller follows a hitman holding a cab driver hostage through a violent LA night. Tom Cruise delivers cold precision as the assassin, while Jamie Foxx counters as an everyman finding courage. Dion Beebe’s cinematography turns the city into a neon-lit character.
13. Baby Driver (2017)
Edgar Wright synchronized every frame to music in this one-of-a-kind crime thriller. Ansel Elgort plays a getaway driver who soundtracks his life with curated playlists. The opening heist showcases Wright’s vision: every gunshot, footstep, and windshield wiper hits a beat. Baby Driver is a movie that couldn’t work in any other medium.
12. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s debut changed horror by examining it through the lens of racial anxiety. Daniel Kaluuya’s weekend visit turns into a nightmare as Peele uses horror conventions to expose liberal racism. The twist reveals a conspiracy both outrageous and disturbingly plausible, working as terrifying horror and sharp social commentary.
11. The Incredibles (2004)
Brad Bird’s superhero family adventure is arguably Pixar’s second-best film (Toy Story is clearly number one). It combines retro style with timeless themes about family and identity. Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter bring emotional complexity, while the action sequences rival those of live-action blockbusters. Michael Giacchino’s jazzy score evokes 1960s spy films.
10. John Wick (2014)
Chad Stahelski transformed a simple revenge story into a new action standard. The world-building of a secret assassin society remains endlessly intriguing. Long takes and practical effects replace quick cuts and CGI. What sets it apart: Wick’s grief is expressed through flawless action that never feels like a caricature.
9. Casino Royale (2006)
Martin Campbell rebooted James Bond by eliminating gadgets and emphasizing the brutal, emotionally vulnerable spy. Daniel Craig’s controversial casting proved right. Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd is the franchise’s most complex Bond girl, adding emotional depth. The centerpiece poker game creates tension through character rather than spectacle.
8. The Dark Knight (2008)
Christopher Nolan elevated superhero films to the level of serious cinema. Heath Ledger’s Joker is a chaotic force, earning him a posthumous Academy Award with a frightening, darkly humorous performance. The movie explores post-9/11 issues like surveillance and torture, demonstrating superheroes can bear complex moral responsibilities.
7. Dune Part One/Dune Part Two (2021/2024)
Denis Villeneuve accomplished the impossible: a faithful adaptation of Frank Herbert’s complex novel. Splitting the story allowed proper universe development while exploring colonialism and messianic dangers. Timothée Chalamet shows vulnerability as Paul Atreides, who isn’t a traditional hero. Hans Zimmer’s primal score perfectly captures the alien surroundings.
6. The Martian (2015)
Ridley Scott’s science fiction story is refreshingly optimistic about human ingenuity. Matt Damon stars as an astronaut stranded on Mars who must “science the shit” out of survival. Drew Goddard’s screenplay keeps the story moving while explaining complex science. The scene where Donald Glover’s character describes how the Mars ship can slingshot around the Earth and potentially save Damon’s character is one of my favorites.
5. Inception (2010)
Christopher Nolan’s heist movie features thieves who steal secrets from dreams. The film explores grief and reality while delivering spectacular action. Dream architecture rules are explained clearly without feeling like exposition. The rotating hallway fight and zero-gravity combat push visual effects into new territory. The ambiguous ending, with the spinning top, sparked endless debate.
4. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Joseph Kosinski’s legacy sequel surpassed all expectations 40 years after the original. Tom Cruise returns to train pilots for a seemingly impossible mission inspired by the Star Wars trench run. Val Kilmer’s brief appearance offers genuine poignancy. The film explores aging, regret, and redemption with unexpected maturity.
3. The Departed (2006)
Martin Scorsese’s remake of Infernal Affairs became his long-overdue Oscar winner. The double undercover premise creates intense tension as Leonardo DiCaprio infiltrates the mob while Matt Damon infiltrates the police. Jack Nicholson’s Frank Costello is charismatic and frightening. When I saw this film in the theater, the whole audience loudly gasped at one particularly sudden, violent moment.
2. The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
Peter Jackson’s adaptation demonstrates unmatched ambition in blockbuster filmmaking. Filming all three movies at once was a huge risk that paid off beautifully. Practical effects and New Zealand locations create a tangible fantasy world. Howard Shore’s score is among cinema’s greatest achievements.
1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
This animated film revolutionized superhero storytelling and animation simultaneously. Miles Morales’s origin explores identity and the choice to forge your own path. The animation blends computer graphics with hand-drawn techniques, creating something truly unique. The leap-of-faith sequence is visually stunning and emotionally powerful. In my opinion, Into the Spider-Verse is one of the greatest achievements in cinema and one of my favorite movies of all time.
Be seeing you.
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