Best Films of the 21st Century


About my 21st Century List

Welcome to my list for the best films of the 21st Century so far. All of these are films that I've watched that were released between January 1st, 2000 and June 28, 2017. Each film will be accompanied by the core player involved that made each film stand out and the year each film was released. I was first inspired to create this list by my friend Antonio, who is an excellent writer and recently wrote his own list as well. Feel free to check out his list at the link below:

AntonioTimes' 25 Best Films of the 21st Century

Honorable Mention

These are the films that didn't make the cut. Most of these are films that I had considered for this list, but didn't quite make the cut and I couldn't see myself leaving them off entirely. These are in no particular order.

The Top 25

This is it, the best of the best. Every show on this list contributed something unique and worthwhile to the film landscape, demonstrating excellence in at least one key area. This list is ordered sequentially with #1 being the best.

Baby Driver

2017

Directed by Edgar Wright

Four actors from 'Baby Driver' sitting at a table together

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

2004

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Three actors from 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' sitting looking fearfully with Dementors hovering behind them

Taken

2008

Starring Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson from 'Taken' standing and holding a gun towards the camera

Paranormal Activity

2007

Directed by Oren Peli

A tape recording of a couple sitting on a bed pointing at a large shadow on their bedroom doorway.

Saw

2004

The Ending

Adam from 'Saw' looking fearfully at something off camera

25. The Descent

2005

Directed by Neil Marshall

The lead actress from 'The Descent' standing and screaming while in a pool covered in blood

24. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

2003

Starring Johnny Depp

The primary cast of 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl' looking towards the camera

23. The Bourne Ultimatum

2007

Directed by Paul Greengrass and Starring Matt Damon

Matt Damon from 'The Bourne Ultimatum' looking away from the camera at the city skyline

22. Monsters

2010

Directed by Gareth Edwards

The lead actress from 'Monsters' looking towards the camera and wearing a gas mask

21. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

2014

Starring Andy Serkis

A group of apes waiting for the order to attack from Andy Serkis' Caesar in 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes'

20. The Witch

2015

Starring Black Phillip

The goat from 'The Witch' known as Black Phillip looking creepy with devil's horns

19. Sin City

2005

Directed by Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino

Bruce Willis from 'Sin City' looking away from his surrogate stripper daughter behind him played by Jessica Alba

18. The Last King of Scotland

2006

Starring Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker from 'The Last King of Scotland' looking concerned in a military outfit

17. Memento

2000

Written by Christopher and Jonathan Nolan

An infinite regression picture from 'Memento' featuring Guy Pearce and Carrie Ann-Moss

16. Children of Men

2006

Directed by Alfonso Cuarón

Clive Owen from 'Children of Men' standing next to a broken glass window and a swing set with someone sitting on it

15. Spider-Man 2

2004

Directed by Sam Raimi

Mary Jane holding onto Spider-Man as Doctor Octopus is mirrored in Spider-Man's eye in 'Spider-Man 2'

14. The Social Network

2010

Written and adapted by Aaron Sorkin

The primary cast of 'The Social Network' sitting and looking at a computer monitor

13. The Dark Knight

2008

Starring Heath Ledger

The Joker from 'The Dark Knight' feeling the wind on his face out of a police patrol car window

12. Silver Linings Playbook

2012

Starring Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper from 'Silver Linings Playbook' looking at each other with a family picture in the background

11. Melancholia

2011

Directed by Lars Von Trier

Kirsten Dunst from 'Melancholia' looking at her hands as electricity flows out of her fingers

10. Requiem For A Dream

2000

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

Jennifer Connelly from 'Requiem For a Dream' looking eerily into the camera

9. REC

2007

Directed by Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza

The lead actress from 'REC' looking terrified into the camera

8. The Grey

2011

Starring Liam Neeson and score composed by Marc Streitenfeld

Liam Neeson from 'The Grey' looking straight into the camera intensely

7. Django Unchained

2012

Directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Leonardo DiCaprio

Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio from 'Django Unchained' looking each other in the eye

6. Gone Girl

2014

Starring Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike from 'Gone Girl' looking into the eyes of someone as their hand caresses her hair

5. Shutter Island

2010

Directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring a song composed by Max Richter

Leonardo DiCaprio from 'Shutter Island' holding his wife as she turns to ashes.

4. Mad Max: Fury Road

2015

Directed by George Miller and starring Charlize Theron

Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron from 'Mad Max: Fury Road' holding their guns pointed in opposite directions surrounded by a world gone mad.

3. Drive

2011

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and starring Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling from 'Drive' holding his hand on the steering wheel with a red glove and looking into the distance.

2. The Lord of the Rings

2001-2003

Directed by Peter Jackson and score composed by Howard Shore

Posters for all three movies from 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy with the cast in each one.

1. 28 Days Later

2002

Directed by Danny Boyle, starring Cillian Murphy and score composed by John Murphy

Haunting yellow infected eyes oversee a blood draped world as a single man walks alone in '28 Days Later'.