Quentin Tarantino Drops His List of the 21st Century’s Best Films

Quentin Tarantino has revealed his choices for the top films of the 21st century, giving fans a look at the movies that have stood out to him over the last twenty years.

The director, famous for his passion for film history, selected titles from a wide range of genres, including action, drama, horror, and animation.

Movie lovers have been quick to dive into the list, eager to see which modern films captured his attention. His picks offer a clear window into the tastes of one of cinema’s most influential filmmakers.

20. West Side Story (2021)

Tarantino says Spielberg proved he can still deliver something exciting. He also admitted he was surprised to like Ansel Elgort in the lead role. “This is the one where Steven shows he still has it. I don’t think Scorsese has made a film this exciting [this century]… I couldn’t believe I liked the lead… I didn’t like him in anything else.”

19. Cabin Fever (2002)

He enjoys Eli Roth’s mix of tension, gore, and comedy, especially the chaotic final stretch. “There’s something so charming… Eli’s sense of humor, sense of gore — it just really, really works… it gets so genuinely funny in the last 20 minutes.”

18. Moneyball (2011)

Tarantino praises Brad Pitt for carrying the film with star power. “Brad Pitt’s performance was one of my favorite star performances of the last 20 years… he reminded you why he was a movie star.”

17. Chocolate (2008)

He’s amazed by the young actress who trained for years and calls the fight scenes outstanding. “People getting f**** up in the most spectacular of ways… this is some of the greatest kung-fu fights I’ve ever seen in a movie.”

16. The Devil’s Rejects (2005)

Tarantino respects Rob Zombie’s unique blend of Western grit and horror. “This rough Peckinpah–cowboy–Manson thing… he refined that voice with this movie… that didn’t exist before.”

15. The Passion of the Christ (2004)

He says the extreme violence made him laugh out of shock, while praising Gibson’s direction. “Extreme violence is just funny to me… it just gets funnier and funnier… Mel did a tremendous directorial job.”

14. The School of Rock (2003)

He loved the fun energy and the mix of Jack Black with Linklater and Mike White. “It was a real fun, fun, fun screening… the explosion of Jack Black… made it special.”

13. Jackass: The Movie (2002)

Tarantino says he hasn’t laughed that hard in decades. “This was the movie I laughed at the most in these last 20 years… I don’t remember laughing from beginning to end like this since Richard Pryor.”

12. Big Bad Wolves (2013)

He admires its bold approach and how it makes choices American films wouldn’t. “They handle it with guts and b***… you know the American movie wouldn’t do that.”

11. Battle Royale (2000)

Tarantino defends the Japanese classic and criticizes how The Hunger Games got praised for similar ideas. “They just ripped off the f*** book… this is just Battle Royale except PG!”

10. Midnight in Paris (2011)

He admits he didn’t like Owen Wilson at first, but the performance grew on him. “I really can’t stand Owen Wilson… then the third time I watched it, I found myself only watching him.”

9. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

He loves how it honors Romero’s zombie world and says it’s incredibly quotable. “My favorite directorial debut… I loved how much he loved the Romero universe he recreated.”

8. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Tarantino was hesitant at first but eventually blown away by Miller’s work. “You’re watching a truly great filmmaker… he had all the money in the world and all the time in the world to make it exactly as he wanted.”

7. Unstoppable (2010)

He sees it as one of Tony Scott’s purest action films and praises the “monster” train. “It gets better and better… the train becomes a monster… one of the greatest monsters of our time.”

6. Zodiac (2007)

Repeated viewings changed his opinion completely, turning it into a favorite. “It kept grabbing me… it was a whole different experience… a luxurious experience.”

5. There Will Be Blood (2007)

He loves the craft and Daniel Day-Lewis, but thinks Paul Dano weakens the film. “Daniel Day-Lewis… did it f*** amazingly… [Dano] is weak sauce, man… the weakest f**** actor in SAG.”

4. Dunkirk (2017)

Tarantino didn’t connect with it at first, but multiple rewatches revealed its power. “There’s a real mastery to it… it was almost too much the first time… then it just blew me away.”

3. Lost in Translation (2003)

He adored the film so much he jokingly says he fell for Sofia Coppola too. “I fell so much in love with ‘Lost in Translation’ that I fell in love with Sofia Coppola… it was like a Jane Austen novel.”

2. Toy Story 3 (2010)

The ending hits him emotionally every time, and he believes it’s the best ending to a trilogy. “That last five minutes ripped my f*** heart out… it’s almost a perfect movie… the greatest end of a trilogy.”

1. Black Hawk Down (2001)

Tarantino considers it a stunning achievement with relentless intensity. “It’s a masterwork… the only movie that goes completely for an ‘Apocalypse Now’ sense of purpose… it had me and never let me go.”

What do you think of Tarantino’s favorite films? Share your thoughts in the comments!