100 Best Movies of the 21st Century: A Cinematic Odyssey

Introduction

The 21st century has delivered an extraordinary array of films—blockbusters, indie gems, international masterpieces, and boundary-pushing art-house creations. In June 2025, The New York Times released its updated list of the 100 best movies released since 2000, placing Parasite at the top. This roster is a testament to cinema’s evolution in storytelling, technology, and global influence. This deep dive explores the list’s highlights, notable directors, genre breakdowns, and what makes these films enduring.

Understanding the List & Its Significance

The New York Times Selection

The NYT list, compiled through critic surveys, ranks films spanning Hollywood blockbusters, Asian cinema, and award-winning indies. The top five include:

1. Parasite (2019)

2. Mulholland Drive (2001)

3. There Will Be Blood (2007)

4. Moonlight (2016)

5. In the Mood for Love (2000) 

Critics Weigh In

The NYT list celebrates critical milestones—Parásitos’ universal acclaim, Moonlight and Her’s emotional resonance, Dark Knight and Interstellar's blockbuster artistry, and international strength with Spirited Away and City of God .

Breaking Down the Top Tier

Top 10 Cinematic Masterpieces

Genre & Global Cinema Highlights

Diverse Narratives Across Borders

The list celebrates:

• Asian cinema: Spirited Away, Oldboy, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 

• Indie/Art-house: The Tree of Life, Synecdoche, New York, Yi Yi 

• Blockbusters with depth: The Dark Knight, Inception, Mad Max: Fury Road, Interstellar 

• Emotional dramas: Moonlight, Manchester by the Sea, The Master

Critic vs Reader Favorites

Audience Picks

Empire’s combined critics/readers polls highlight:

• Top 5 readers’ picks:

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

  • Mad Max: Fury Road

  • Inception

  • Moonlight

  • The Dark Knight 

• Critics’ most acclaimed top 3:

  1. Mad Max: Fury Road

  2. The Dark Knight

  3. Lost in Translation 

This contrast highlights both mass appeal and artistic credibility.

What Makes These Films Legendary

Essential Qualities of Great Cinema

1. Narrative Innovation: Films like Memento, Everything Everywhere, and Her break conventions with structure, meta-narratives, and philosophical core.

2. Visual Storytelling: Directors like Malick (The Tree of Life), Lynch (Mulholland Drive), and Miller (Mad Max) leverage visuals as central narrative tools.

3. Emotional Resonance: Moonlight, Manchester by the Sea, and Her capture universal themes of identity, loss, and relationships.

4. Cross-Cultural Power: Parasite and In the Mood for Love transcend language and regional barriers to reach global audiences.

5. Genre Redefinition: Superhero and blockbuster genres are elevated in The Dark Knight, Inception, and Mad Max, setting new creative standards.

Decades and Their Defining Films

• 2000–2005: In the Mood for Love, Mulholland Drive, Memento, Spirited Away, Eternal Sunshine

• 2006–2010: There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, The Social Network, The Dark Knight, Inception

• 2011–2015: Moonlight, The Tree of Life, Mad Max: Fury Road, Her, 12 Years a Slave

• 2016–2020: Parasite, Everything Everywhere..., Roma (honorable), La La Land

• 2021–2025: Anatomie d’une chute and The Zone of Interest make surprise debuts 

Legacy & Cultural Impacts

Beyond Box Office—Into Cultural Memory

• Awards & accolades:

  • Parasite topped NYT, won Best Picture Oscar.

  • Mad Max: Fury Road dominated at Oscars (6 wins) .

• Institutional recognition:

  • The Tree of Life won Cannes Palme d’Or en.wikipedia.org.

  • Spirited Away became one of the highest-rated animated films ever.

• Critics’ consensus:
  Consistently ranked in BBC/Empire polls (BBC #1 Mulholland Drive) .

Final Thoughts

The NYT's 100 best movies of the 21st century showcase cinema's remarkable evolution. From Parasite’s social commentary to Mad Max’s kinetic visuals, from Moonlight’s quiet power to Spirited Away’s enchanting animation—they demonstrate film’s capacity to reflect society, push creativity, and connect across cultures.

Whether you’re a cinephile, casual viewer, or creator, this list offers a roadmap—highlighting narrative complexity, genre reinvention, emotional truth, and artistic daring. For those building watchlists, study guides, or simply eager to experience modern cinema’s finest, these 100 films provide endless discovery.