The following rewrite presents Quentin Tarantino’s list of the top 20 films of the 21st century in English, preserving all key information and original meaning while offering a fresh wording and approachable explanations. It starts with a provocative hook to engage readers, clearly outlines the sources and context, and invites discussion about Tarantino’s selections and rankings.
But here’s where Tarantino surprises many: he’s named a surprising mix of mainstream blockbusters and offbeat picks as the century’s best, including animated favorites like Toy Story 3 and genre-shifting hits like Shaun of the Dead. On the Bret Easton Ellis podcast, Tarantino reveals his one-spot-per-director rule and delivers his definitive top 20 list, which we’re presenting here in reverse order.
Overview and context
- Tarantino is widely regarded as a filmmaker with a keen eye for standout cinema. His influence and taste have been the subject of extensive discussion, with several of his own films appearing on earlier Empire lists of the best movies ever made and best films of the 21st century.
- The list discussed here comes from his appearance on the Bret Easton Ellis podcast, where he restricted his picks to one film per director. The conversation was released in two parts, with the second half providing the completed top 20.
Top 20 films of the 21st century, in reverse order
- 20. West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg
- 19. Cabin Fever, directed by Eli Roth
- 18. Moneyball, directed by Bennett Miller
- 17. Chocolate, directed by Prachya Pinkaew
- 16. The Devil’s Rejects, directed by Rob Zombie
- 15. The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson
- 14. School of Rock, directed by Richard Linklater
- 13. Jackass: The Movie, directed by Jeff Tremaine
- 12. Big Bad Wolves, directed by Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado
- 11. Battle Royale, directed by Kinji Fukasaku
- 10. Midnight in Paris, directed by Woody Allen
- 9. Shaun of the Dead, directed by Edgar Wright
- 8. Mad Max: Fury Road, directed by George Miller
- 7. Unstoppable, directed by Tony Scott
- 6. Zodiac, directed by David Fincher
- 5. There Will Be Blood, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
- 4. Dunkirk, directed by Christopher Nolan
- 3. Lost in Translation, directed by Sofia Coppola
- 2. Toy Story 3, directed by Lee Unkrich
- 1. Black Hawk Down, directed by Ridley Scott
Commentary on the top pick
Tarantino has described Black Hawk Down as a film he initially admired but later found difficult to connect with in a lasting, personal way. He explains that repeated viewings have reinforced his view of the film as a masterful achievement that fully embraces an Apocalypse Now–style sense of purpose, visual ambition, and emotional intensity. This, he argues, is why it stands out as his number-one pick for the century so far.
Controversy and prompts for discussion
- The inclusion of titles like Toy Story 3 and Shaun of the Dead alongside more traditionally prestige-oriented picks challenges conventional lists and invites debate about what qualifies as a top film of the century.
- Do you agree with Tarantino’s one-film-per-director rule, or would your own rankings spread across multiple works by the same director? Which picks would you contest, and why?
If you’d like, this rewrite can expand on each title with brief reasons Tarantino might have appreciated them, or add more context about the podcast format and the broader reception of his list. Would you prefer a version that includes short justification for each entry and a closer look at notable omissions?
