Quentin Tarantino Names His Top 10 Movies of the 21st Century

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Quentin Tarantino is known for sharing his strong and sometimes controversial opinions. His films are distinctive and often spark debate, but he’s widely considered a masterful storyteller. He’s achieved success in Hollywood by embracing topics that divide audiences, and this extends beyond his films, which frequently feature flawed characters. His recent list of the best movies from this century perfectly illustrates his willingness to challenge and provoke.

Last week, Quentin Tarantino shared the first part of his list of favorite movies, revealing it on The Bret Easton Ellis podcast. It included both well-loved films like West Side Story and surprising horror choices like The Devil’s Rejects and Cabin Fever. Now, we’re back with the second half of his eclectic collection of the best films from this century. And believe us, this list shows Tarantino letting his true tastes shine.

The director chose Ridley Scott’s film Black Hawk Down as the greatest movie of the 21st century. He explained his decision, stating:

I was initially impressed by it, but it turned out to be so overwhelming that I lost interest and didn’t connect with it as much as I expected. I’ve revisited it a few times since then, and now I consider it a masterpiece. What I especially appreciate is that it’s the only film that truly captures the same intense atmosphere and visual style as Apocalypse Now, and it succeeds brilliantly.

Tarantino’s Top 10 Is Hilarious, Unhinged, and the Most Tarantino Thing You’ll Read Today


Pixar/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

It seems Quentin Tarantino is a huge fan of Toy Story 3, calling it a deeply emotional film that left him heartbroken. He even described it as the best conclusion to a movie trilogy ever made. He explained that:

This movie is incredible – it’s nearly flawless. And it’s full of hilarious moments that just keep coming! Usually, the third movie in a series doesn’t live up to expectations, but this one is a phenomenal conclusion – truly the best way to end a trilogy.

Although some of Tarantino’s picks are arguable, his explanation for choosing Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood is what’s really surprising people. He shared a particularly shocking opinion, calling a famous and highly-regarded actor – known for his role in The Batman – the “weakest actor in the Screen Actors Guild.” He explained his reasoning as follows:

The film felt like a classic Hollywood production, but without consciously trying to emulate that style. It was unique in his filmography, as it didn’t rely on elaborate set pieces – the fire being the closest example. The focus was entirely on storytelling, and he executed it brilliantly. However, despite its strengths, There Will Be Blood would likely rank even higher if not for one significant weakness: Paul Dano’s performance. While intended as a two-person story, the film doesn’t quite achieve that balance. Dano’s performance felt underwhelming, and Austin Butler would have been a much stronger fit for the role. He simply didn’t bring enough to the part, and honestly, he’s one of the least compelling actors I’ve seen.

Quentin Tarantino’s list of the 20 best films of the 21st century includes titles like Dunkirk, Lost in Translation, and Zodiac. He also shared some surprising opinions, stating he doesn’t like Owen Wilson and that he would have preferred Mel Gibson in Mad Max: Fury Road. Other films on his list include the zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead and Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. Here’s the complete list:

1. Black Hawk Down (2001) — Ridley Scott

2. Toy Story 3 (2010) — Lee Unkrich

3. Lost in Translation (2003) — Sofia Coppola

4. Dunkirk (2017) — Christopher Nolan

5. There Will Be Blood (2007) — Paul Thomas Anderson

6. Zodiac (2007) — David Fincher

7. Unstoppable (2010) — Tony Scott

8. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) — George Miller

9. Shaun of the Dead (2004) — Edgar Wright

10. Midnight in Paris (2011) — Woody Allen

11. Battle Royale (2000) — Kinji Fukasaku

12. Big Bad Wolves (2013) — Aharon Keshales & Navot Papushado

13. Jackass: The Movie (2002) — Jeff Tremaine

14. School of Rock (2003) — Richard Linklater

15. The Passion of the Christ (2004) — Mel Gibson

16. The Devil’s Rejects (2005) — Rob Zombie

17. Chocolate (2008) — Prachya Pinkaew

18. Moneyball (2011) — Bennett Miller

19. Cabin Fever (2003) — Eli Roth

20. West Side Story (2021) — Steven Spielberg

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2025-12-03 15:41