Top 10 Best Movies of the 21st Century

Great movies do not all win the same way. Some flatten you with spectacle, some sneak up with quiet scenes that refuse to leave, and some make you argue with strangers online because apparently that is part of the hobby now.

This list is for the films you think stand above the rest from the 21st century so far. You might be drawn to bold comic-book epics, animated tearjerkers, tense historical dramas, surreal mind-benders, or character pieces that prove a single great performance can do more damage than a room full of explosions.

Vote for the movies you believe belong near the top. Your choices help decide which modern films deserve the most praise, the loudest applause, and the longest shelf life in the never-ending movie debate.

The Top Ten

The Dark Knight

This movie definitely has the most evil villain you can imagine - this guy is crazy. No, actually he isn't: The Joker is nothing more than a bank robber and assassin, but the best one ever "created". Late Heath Ledger justly won his Oscar for the best supporting actor. This movie has the best and most twisted story I know, in which the good guys turn bad and prisoners become heroes. The Batman himself is the Dark Knight who saves lives without anyone saying thank you. This movie shows an unbelievable character development and is just perfect.

Every time I watch this, it feels like there is a new story in it. We can watch from various perspectives as well: 1) Batman (of course), 2) Bruce, 3) Two-Face, 4) Joker, 5) Gordon, and 6) Rachel. All are awesome stories brought together by a wonderful storyteller.
Toy Story 3
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Surprised that even when so much had to be covered in so little time - and the movie did last for more than three hours - it still lived up to the high standards of the book. Skillfully made and aptly directed. The actors too have executed their task well.

It's unfair to split The Lord of the Rings because Tolkien meant for it to be all one book. And the movies too should truly be considered one massive film, which if it were the case, would easily top this list.
Nevertheless, LOTR: ROTK deserves to be #1. The Dark Knight is fantastic, and I absolutely love it, but nothing beats The Return of the King. There was a reason it clean-swept the Oscars.
Saving Mr. Banks
Cast Away
Bridge of Spies

A true story about how one man stood against his country, his family ostracized, steadfast in danger, and coming through.
I know I wouldn't have his moral courage. Would you?
Sully
Inception

People, are you serious? There's no way any of these movies is better than Inception. Perfect shot. Best storyline I've ever seen. Great acting. Amazing action. Just a perfect movie. It was as interesting as it was confusing, but in this movie, it is a good thing.

Easily the best movie of not only the 21st century but perhaps all time, Inception brings so much to the table. Amazing visuals, perfect scenes, emotional aspects, and so much more is what Inception offers. It's a practically perfect movie.
The Avengers

I have watched this movie over and over again.

This is an awesome movie. Make it higher!
The Human Centipede II, Full Sequence

The Newcomers

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Frozen 2
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Encanto

The Contenders

The Departed

Should be 2nd, this movie had Jack Nicholson, one of the best actors of all time.

Best work by DiCaprio. Best work by Scorsese. Jack Nicholson just has a way about him that makes you say, "Hey, that man's crazy."
There Will Be Blood

Amazing actor. Daniel Day-Lewis's performance is brilliant. It takes a talented person to make a great film, but it takes an even more talented one to know when to say enough is enough. This is a film by Paul Thomas Anderson that has overshot the runway of movie modernity with something thrillingly, dangerously new.

For me, this IS the best film of the 21st century, and it deserves a spot in the top 5 on this list. It's ahead of other modern masterpieces like The Dark Knight, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, No Country for Old Men, Nightcrawler, etc.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

Best movie of the century, definitely.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

A good mix of action, adventure, and comedy. A stellar cast including Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley all in a well-written plot. Definitely a franchise favorite.

Quite the thriller. May not be the absolute best but definitely one of them.
Interesting to see Twilight here. Cannot imagine who would call it good acting though.

It's a well-planned movie. Nice, settled, and very thrilling.
Pan's Labyrinth

Gruesome, magical, horrifying, hopeful... There are a plethora of words that could be used to describe this film. The best films have comedy in the mix, but that would ruin this masterpiece. From the very outset, you are in tune with the feelings of this girl as she tries to make her way in hard times and even harder places.
City of God
Avatar

Let's go blue people! (No offense if I hurt somebody's feelings or something)
Inglourious Basterds

Proof that Quentin Tarantino movies never get old, because nobody gets sick of bloody violence and cursing.

Hitler gets shot in the face and Brad Pitt speaks in a hilarious accent. What else could you possibly want?
Moonlight

This is without question the best movie of the 21st Century. It is absolutely perfect in every way and ticks off every box on what makes a great film.
Mulholland Dr.
Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind

If there's one movie that realistically delves into this relationship business, it's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Beautiful, poetic, subtle, and moving. This is the "Inception" of chick flicks or any other romantic movie.

Best romantic movie ever released. Period!
Pacific Rim
Oldboy
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

I liked it better than The Two Towers, to be honest.