The 9 Best Movies of the 21st Century, Ranked From Good To Flat-Out Terrific

We’re not one to argue about the validity of a publication like The New York Times.

The creme de la creme of the journalism industry, The New York Times remains one of the most widely read, globally respected publications for a reason, employing some of the most talented writers, critics, and reporters in the world today. As such, it’s no surprise that their highly publicized list of the best films of the 21st century has garnered a certain amount of media attention – and more than a little furious online debate.

With viewers continuing to argue about which films The New York Times highlighted, we decided to take our own crack at the greatest films of the 21st century to date, ranked in order from good to flat-out fantastic.

9. The Dark Knight (2008)

Nowadays, it’s easy to dismiss the superhero genre as being egregiously oversaturated, as seen from the dozens of recent entries in the MCU, DCEU, and upcoming DCU. Back in 2008, however, nobody had seen a superhero film quite like The Dark Knight. Propelled by Heath Ledger’s sensational performance as Gotham’s Clown Prince of Crime, The Dark Knight continues to live on as one of the greatest, most intelligent, and sophisticated superhero films ever put to the screen.

8. Get Out (2017)

Putting the comedic landscape in the rearview mirror, Jordan Peele set out to create the ultimate psychological horror film with 2017’s Get Out. Defying clear-cut expectations in regards to its story, characters, or distinct basis in either horror or comedy, Get Out outfitted the horror genre with a newfound sense of social relevancy, establishing Peele as one of the most talented directors of the modern generation.

7. There Will Be Blood (2007)

Nearly 20 years since its initial release, viewers continue to acclaim Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood as one of the ultimate contributions to the modern drama film. Less a Western movie than it is an intelligent deconstruction of wealth, power, religion, greed, and basic human relationships, There Will Be Blood is an existential period piece that lingers on in the imagination for years, even decades, to come.

6. No Country for Old Men (2007)

The other major release that dominated the 2007 awards’ season, No Country for Old Men stands tall as one of the finest outings from the Coen brothers yet, even when held up to the duo’s previous work on Fargo or The Big Lebowski. A painstaking adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s best-selling novel, No Country for Old Men strips away the myths surrounding the legendary Old West, painting the genre not as some romanticized portrait of good versus evil, but as an ongoing struggle for survival amongst desperate, fundamentally flawed characters.

5. Moonlight (2016)

There are many different reasons to love Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight. A meditative study of race, sexuality, and interpersonal connections among friends and family, this 2016 Oscar winner examines not only how we live with others, but also how we live with ourselves. Featuring a meandering journey of one man’s life from youth to adolescence to young adulthood, it’s a powerful reflection of how time, our surroundings, and our inner natures affect who we are and the type of person we grow to become.

4. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Years before Moonlight took home the most prestigious prize in the filmmaking industry, Brokeback Mountain caused a stir with its heartrending portrait of two cowboys caught in a love affair that can never be. A landmark entry in queer cinema, Brokeback Mountain bravely forged a path for dozens of similarly vivid explorations of LGBTQ+ romances in mainstream film, influencing everything from Call Me By Your Name to Queer in the decades that followed.

3. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)

Undoubtedly the best film trilogy of all time, there’s literally not a single bad installment in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings series. As fantastic as each entry is on its own, however, it’s impossible to overstate just how utterly extraordinary 2003’s Return of the King is in its own right. The fateful conclusion to Jackson’s trilogy, it’s the perfect example of cinematic storytelling at its finest, combining immersive set pieces, an ambitious scope, a booming score, and an epic story into a singularly unforgettable film.

2. Spirited Away (2001)

Maintaining the same taut hold over the animation industry he’d held in the late 20th century, Hayao Miyazaki entered the new millennium in grand fashion with 2001’s Spirited Away. Arguably the strongest effort from Studio Ghibli yet, Spirited Away is a wondrous illustration of Japanese folklore and a young girl’s relationship with the spirits and natural world around her, leaving an unparalleled impression on every audience member fortunate enough to see it.

1. Parasite (2019)

The average viewer can split hairs about The New York Times’ ranking Inglourious Basterds over Once Upon a Time in Hollywood or the relatively low ranking of Gravity. But one thing no one can argue about is the placement of Parasite at the very top of the list. The best entry in an altogether flawless filmography from director Bong Joon-ho, Parasite is a smart, funny, endlessly sharp social drama touching upon mass culture’s most glaring issues today, from the gross disparity in income inequalities to the lingering effects of late-stage capitalism.