My top 10 movies of the 21st century
I am certainly not above a frivolous list
This week, my timeline has been flooded with people picking their top 10 movies of the 21st century thanks to a recent New York Times project. I’ve enjoyed seeing people’s picks, and thought I’d chime in with my own.
First, some honorable mentions. This is not exhaustive – the full list I started from was much too long to even include here. Lots of great movies have been made this century, it turns out!
Runners-up: Carol, Certified Copy, Decision to Leave, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, Edge of Tomorrow, Emily the Criminal, Leave No Trace, Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, Moonlight, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Pulse, Shin Godzilla, Southland Tales, Speed Racer, Spy, The Fits, The Host, The Irishman, The Prestige, The Social Network, Under the Skin, Unfriended, Unstoppable
For an additional wrinkle, NYT’s tool is somewhat limited – some of my favorite movies of the past 25 years aren’t even included as options. So here are a few I wanted to include, but weren’t listed in NYT’s database:
Blood and Bone (streaming on Netflix)
Eega (Available to rent on YouTube)
SPL 2: A Time for Consequences (Peacock, Prime Video, Criterion Channel)
Joint Security Area (free with a library card on Kanopy, free with ads on Tubi)
And finally, my list. The thing about lists like this – it’s impossible to truly pick the “best” movies of any period, so it’s more about how you’re feeling on a particular day and what you’re vibing with. Ask me tomorrow, and it’d likely be a completely different top 10. In no particular order:
Where to watch those movies:
Michael Clayton – For rent on VOD platforms
Mad Max: Fury Road – For rent on VOD platforms
Uncut Gems – For rent on VOD platforms
Dark Waters – For rent on VOD platforms
The Grand Budapest Hotel – For rent on VOD platforms
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Max, Prime Video
No Country for Old Men – Free with a library card on Kanopy
In the Mood for Love – Max, Criterion Channel
First Reformed – Prime Video, free with ads on Pluto TV
First Cow – Free with ads on Pluto TV
And here’s my version on Letterboxd, with the movies I wanted to include:
Now I’d love to hear from you. What are your favorite movies of the century so far? Respond to this email or share in the comments!