The Best Movies of the 21st Century

2000–2009

1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

   • The first installment of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy, blending breathtaking visuals, rich storytelling, and unforgettable characters on a quest to destroy the One Ring.

2. Spirited Away (2001)

   • Hayao Miyazaki’s animated masterpiece about a young girl navigating a magical world, celebrated for its imagination, artistry, and emotional depth.

3. The Dark Knight (2008)

   • Christopher Nolan’s groundbreaking superhero film, known for Heath Ledger’s iconic performance as the Joker and its realistic, intense take on Gotham City.

4. No Country for Old Men (2007)

   • A tense, dark thriller by the Coen Brothers about fate, violence, and moral ambiguity in the American West.

5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

   • A mind-bending romantic drama exploring love, memory, and heartbreak through innovative storytelling and stunning performances.

6. City of God (2002)

   • A raw, gripping depiction of gang life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, blending remarkable direction with a powerful social commentary.

2010–2019

1. Inception (2010)

   • Christopher Nolan’s visually spectacular heist film inside the human mind, blending action, suspense, and complex storytelling.

2. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

   • George Miller’s post-apocalyptic action epic, famous for its high-octane stunts, stunning cinematography, and feminist undertones.

3. Parasite (2019)

   • Bong Joon-ho’s darkly comedic thriller about class inequality, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, making history as the first non-English film to do so.

4. Moonlight (2016)

   • A tender, visually stunning coming-of-age drama that explores identity, sexuality, and family in a deeply emotional and poetic way.

5. Her (2013)

   • Spike Jonze’s sci-fi romance about a man falling in love with an AI, exploring loneliness, connection, and the nature of love in the modern world.

6. The Social Network (2010)

   • David Fincher’s gripping portrayal of Facebook’s rise, exploring ambition, betrayal, and the cost of success in the digital age.

2020–Present

1. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

   • A wildly imaginative multiverse adventure combining humor, heart, and existential questions, celebrated for its originality and emotional resonance.

2. Dune (2021)

   • Denis Villeneuve’s visually stunning adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic, praised for its scale, world-building, and immersive storytelling.

3. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

   • The thrilling sequel to the 1986 classic, delivering jaw-dropping aerial sequences, nostalgia, and emotional depth.

4. The Fabelmans (2022)

   • Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical drama about family, dreams, and the love of cinema, lauded for its heartfelt storytelling.

5. Tár (2022)

   • A psychological drama centered on a world-renowned conductor, featuring Cate Blanchett’s powerhouse performance and a nuanced exploration of ambition and artistry.