TOP 100 MOVIES OF THE 21st CENTURY
!!! LINK FOR WORD- DOCUMENT (LIST) !!! (not a scam)
https://mega.nz/folder/TsxUTCDY#sSheiSKKvdyEPs52b-sBqQ
HUGELY SUGGEST TO WATCH THE LIST ON THE DOCUMENT !!!
because I put some pictures in there, wrote some texts and stuff - and you can see the whole scores right there. It will be a lot more of fun. As well, I'm suggesting to read the README-document, which is named a little bit different in the folder. It will help you understand the process. Also, there are mentioned some movies, which didn't make into the Top 100. You can basically relive my struggles with removing them from the list.
(APRIL 2022) - There might be small DEVIATIONS in score, imdb-votes, etc. because I created the list some months ago. It won't change much about the scores and the placements of the affected movies.
I'm trying to keep this list AS UP TO DATE AS POSSIBLE, as f.e. Top Gun Maverick and Everything Everywhere all at once are still missing and new, good movies are continued to be released, but they are still difficult to rank due to low voting and their exaggerated scores on imdb.
This list was made as objectively as possible. It took me some months to do so. Every movie received an individual score, which was put together by
adding imdb-rating x10, Metascore, Rottentomatoes viewers score and critics score - all divided by 4.
Of course, other traits, such as general acclaim, critical acclaim, socio-cultural impact, acclaim in the scene, Oscars and prizes came into play. And lastly, of course, my personal opinion, which nobody would be able to shut down. Nevertheless, I tried to keep it as objective as possible.
I originally made this project just for myself, because I simply love movies and it mainly was a whole lot of fun to do this list. But I decided to publish it instead. If you want to discuss somewhere, you can f.e. find my reddit-name down below.
I prefer good movies over every other kind of entertainment, as they mostly cause massive emotional reactions that go with me for days, weeks or even my entire life up to this point. Movies are beautiful. They got the power to move us to tears, to teach us or to simply entertain us. They make us feel alive, they make us believe it's possible to get connected, to get connected with other people who feel the same as we do. And it is a way of expression for the writers, the directors and the actors. A way of expressing their emotions, their experiences, their beliefs. And I just love when somebody knows what he's doing there, if somebody knows which story to tell and how to depict it. And I believe, that you feel the same if you found your way up here.
The layout of the list will probably only work on computers. The word-document looks weird on my smartphone, sometimes there are no pictures. But I think you'll probably understand, if you encounter it.
At last, I want to mention the little BONUS-list, which is also to be found under the documents. There are 21 extra-flicks, which didn't make into the Top 100. Nevertheless, stuff is explained there.
Please handle the documents responsibly. It took me a lot of time and passion. It would be a shame if people would claim them as theirs. Either way, I would be proud and happy if you'd spread the list and show them to friends or other moviegoers.
I hope you can agree with me on the list, but regarding the scores, there shouldn't be much stuff to discuss about. Just some placements, of course.
If you got any high scoring movies, which I forgot, you can of course suggest them to me. I'll check if they were thrown out early or if I completely forgot them (which should be a rare case).
Have a nice day, stay healthy and have fun with the list.
F.
https://mega.nz/folder/TsxUTCDY#sSheiSKKvdyEPs52b-sBqQ
HUGELY SUGGEST TO WATCH THE LIST ON THE DOCUMENT !!!
because I put some pictures in there, wrote some texts and stuff - and you can see the whole scores right there. It will be a lot more of fun. As well, I'm suggesting to read the README-document, which is named a little bit different in the folder. It will help you understand the process. Also, there are mentioned some movies, which didn't make into the Top 100. You can basically relive my struggles with removing them from the list.
(APRIL 2022) - There might be small DEVIATIONS in score, imdb-votes, etc. because I created the list some months ago. It won't change much about the scores and the placements of the affected movies.
I'm trying to keep this list AS UP TO DATE AS POSSIBLE, as f.e. Top Gun Maverick and Everything Everywhere all at once are still missing and new, good movies are continued to be released, but they are still difficult to rank due to low voting and their exaggerated scores on imdb.
This list was made as objectively as possible. It took me some months to do so. Every movie received an individual score, which was put together by
adding imdb-rating x10, Metascore, Rottentomatoes viewers score and critics score - all divided by 4.
Of course, other traits, such as general acclaim, critical acclaim, socio-cultural impact, acclaim in the scene, Oscars and prizes came into play. And lastly, of course, my personal opinion, which nobody would be able to shut down. Nevertheless, I tried to keep it as objective as possible.
I originally made this project just for myself, because I simply love movies and it mainly was a whole lot of fun to do this list. But I decided to publish it instead. If you want to discuss somewhere, you can f.e. find my reddit-name down below.
I prefer good movies over every other kind of entertainment, as they mostly cause massive emotional reactions that go with me for days, weeks or even my entire life up to this point. Movies are beautiful. They got the power to move us to tears, to teach us or to simply entertain us. They make us feel alive, they make us believe it's possible to get connected, to get connected with other people who feel the same as we do. And it is a way of expression for the writers, the directors and the actors. A way of expressing their emotions, their experiences, their beliefs. And I just love when somebody knows what he's doing there, if somebody knows which story to tell and how to depict it. And I believe, that you feel the same if you found your way up here.
The layout of the list will probably only work on computers. The word-document looks weird on my smartphone, sometimes there are no pictures. But I think you'll probably understand, if you encounter it.
At last, I want to mention the little BONUS-list, which is also to be found under the documents. There are 21 extra-flicks, which didn't make into the Top 100. Nevertheless, stuff is explained there.
Please handle the documents responsibly. It took me a lot of time and passion. It would be a shame if people would claim them as theirs. Either way, I would be proud and happy if you'd spread the list and show them to friends or other moviegoers.
I hope you can agree with me on the list, but regarding the scores, there shouldn't be much stuff to discuss about. Just some placements, of course.
If you got any high scoring movies, which I forgot, you can of course suggest them to me. I'll check if they were thrown out early or if I completely forgot them (which should be a rare case).
Have a nice day, stay healthy and have fun with the list.
F.
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100 titles
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.• Imdb-votes: 2 500 000
• Imdb-score: 9
• Metacritic: 84
• Rottentomatoes critic: 94
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 94
Overall score: 90,5
As I’ve mentioned before, it was a really hard choice for me. Spirited Away beats The Dark Knight in scoring by far. Nevertheless, The Dark Knight is often, and well-deserved, considered one of the best movies of the century. It is far more popular than Spirited Away and it left a far bigger footprint in the world of filmmaking. It was the reincarnation of blockbusters, of intelligent blockbusters, the main part for one of the most successful trilogies of all time and it got one of the best ever acting performances in film history. In addition to that, the film is intelligent, it depicts this huge city, driven by corruption and the people’s will for safety, which leaves it vulnerable for Terrorism and Anarchy. I don’t think it’s Nolan’s best film, but everybody got a different perspective on that. What I think is that Nolan is one of the best filmmakers of our time, as he really understood how to cast a spell on the viewers, how to entertain but also challenge them. He all mashed in together in this masterpiece – It’s a clever blockbuster that includes everything a movie needs to have, it’s incredibly fast-paced (take the opening scene as an example!), a feast for the eyes and ambitious, as this is why I think Nolan is able to beat the Lord of the Rings, Parasite and Spirited Away. A figurehead for our most beloved medium of entertainment: movies. - DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.• Imdb-votes: 719 000
• Imdb-score: 8,6
• Metacritic: 96
• Rottentomatoes critic: 97
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 96
Overall score: 93,75
Fantasy seems to be the choice for the highest ranks on this list, as the best animated movie of the century, as well as the by far highest rated movie on this list, takes No. 2. It really was a hard choice for me, as the Top 3 stand above the other films, at least from my perspective. It also was a hard choice to not put Spirited Away at the peak, but I think this might be the most acceptable choice for everyone. What I also think is that its Miyazaki’s best movie, it’s Studio Ghibli’s best movie and the best Anime-Film of all time, also beating Akira. Miyazaki’s story is undeniably mature, as I think you’ll truly understand this movie only, if you’re old enough. Miyazaki put so many themes in this film, it’s hard to mention them all. Work, love, fears, growing up, maturity, dependencies, just to mention a few. The story is thrilling, so multi-layered and complex, but also partly easy to get for children and teenagers. We’ve got this girl, who’s totally scared, but who manages to accept where she is and what she has to become, to survive in this crazy world, full of demons and strange animals. Her way of coping with growing-up, is so beautiful to watch, so masterfully animated, as I think it’s one of the best movies ever made. - DirectorBong Joon HoStarsSong Kang-hoLee Sun-kyunCho Yeo-jeongGreed and class discrimination threaten the newly-formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.• Imdb-votes: 717 000
• Imdb-score: 8,6
• Metacritic: 96
• Rottentomatoes critic: 98
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 90
Overall score: 92,5
Japanese, Chinese and South Korean cinema established itself decades ago in our world of filmmaking. But with Parasite it was something different. Even the last person who hasn’t heard about it, should’ve had noticed back then. Bong Joon Ho was the star of the 2020-Academys and did not only win best foreign language film, but also best film, director and writer. A sheer unbelievable success for him, but well-deserved of course. Parasite is his best film to date, as it beats all of his predecessors like Snowpiercer or The Host. What we can see in his previous films is his desire for social and political criticism, as well as how his authentic characters work in these unfair worlds and societies. Kang-ho Song is again his choice for the main man, while he is assisted by a strong all around cast. The second highest rated movie on this list, Parasite was so multi-layered, so intelligent – there is so much to tell about it. It plays with height, with pictures of heights, with symbolisms (but never too much!), with humor and satire, but also with real feelings. It’s the figurehead for South-Korean filmmaking, a masterpiece for sure, and leaves a big gap to those movies behind it. - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodViggo MortensenIan McKellenGandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.• Imdb-votes: 1 800 000
• Imdb-score: 9,0
• Metacritic: 94
• Rottentomatoes critic: 93
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 86
Overall score: 90,75
The LotR-trilogy also stands in deep contradiction to a lot of other movies on this list, as we’ve got this massive, epic, huge blockbuster, with high production costs, big cast and large-scaled pictures which was all constructed for the big screen. A lot of other movies on this list are smaller, of course, because blockbusters don’t work as they’ve used to. A lot of other films are more subtle, more quiet, as they don’t got this huge scale with epic music. Lord of the Rings mostly tells you how to feel, with its underlaying music, its perception of good and bad, of the evil. Of course, Jackson adapted a novel here and he sticks to it very closely. Don’t get me wrong, I’m just writing down my thoughts, as I personally think we need to question what we see and what is told to us. Nevertheless, I want to lose some better words here: Of course The Return of the King is an amazing movie, in fact it’s one of the biggest movies ever made. Winning 11 Oscars, it’s one of the most influential movies of all time and I think that the third part especially catapulted the trilogy in another world with all its stunning fighting scenes, as it was the soil for a lot Fantasy-movies and -Series to come; the trailblazer for Game of Thrones in particular. - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.
• Imdb-votes: 1 777 000
• Imdb-score: 8,9
• Metacritic: 92
• Rottentomatoes critic: 91
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 95
Overall score: 91,75
Back at the Lord of the Rings-grind we’ve got the first installment to the trilogy. The 4-times Oscar-winner and highest rated LotR-movie on this list, opens up the Top 5. One might argue, that they liked this one more than the third one, but this is the choice I thought would be most acceptable for all of us. I just rewatched parts of the Fellowship and have to mention that, of course, these movies didn’t age as well as I’ve thought they would. Nevertheless, the opening to the trilogy still managed to entertain me, as the pictures, the whole setting and the characters were so massive and epic, Jackson still produced this special Lord of the Rings-feeling for me. I think this is mainly what these movies are about, a milestone in filmmaking history, a milestone in a lot of Mid20s, Mid30s’ and of course older people’s lives, as I think, the 80s and 90s generation grew up with these movies as their perception of thrilling blockbusters. The Fellowship is slower than the Return of The King, obviously, but we also get the time to be with our main characters, to learn about them, their fears and motivations, as the trilogy’s introduction takes No. 5 here. - DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsIvana BaqueroAriadna GilSergi LópezIn the Falangist Spain of 1944, the bookish young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world.
• Imdb-votes: 650 000
• Imdb-score: 8,2
• Metacritic: 98
• Rottentomatoes critic: 95
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 91
Overall score: 91,5
Crashing into the Lord of the Rings-Party, we’ve got another Fantasy-epos, this time from Spain. Pan’s Labyrinth, only 3 times Oscar winner, is del Toro’s masterpiece about war, fears and magic. With an inventive storyline, del Toro depicts the spirit of discovery of a young girl, all in the overlaying context of war and Spanish history. His film of course leans on Alice in Wonderland, as it also stands in contradiction to Disney’s fairytales, which are never experienced in such a grim and brutal way. Del Toro really had the courage to show that life could well be a box of chocolates (as I’m referring to another movie classic here) but what you might receive out of that box could also be a surreal being with hands on his eyes, moving these hands to its face, using them as its eyes. It’s much like another film on this list which is still to come, both dealing with fears, youth and growing up in a masterful way. - DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenViggo MortensenWhile Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.• Imdb-votes: 1 586 000
• Imdb-score: 8,8
• Metacritic: 87
• Rottentomatoes critic: 95
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 95
Overall score: 91,25
An attentive reader should’ve noticed that the Lord of the Rings-Trilogy was still missing, well – here it comes. First up we’ve got the second installment to one of the best and most influential film trilogy’s of all time, generally referred to as the ‘worst’ of the 3. Anyways – it’s still a movie good enough to find its way into the Top 10, as imdb-ratings were extremely high on all of the 3. Also winning the least Oscars of all, only 2, it received the worst critics on Metacritic. While Gollum should partly annoy viewers, The Two Towers is nevertheless the necessary mid-part of the trilogy, connecting up on the Fellowship but also preparing the way for the huge final in The Return of The King. Surely this film is more than a filler, it’s more a must-needed part, following tense storylines and playing on a very high level, like every other of Jackson’s Fantasy-Masterpieces. - DirectorAndrew StantonStarsBen BurttElissa KnightJeff GarlinIn the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.• Imdb-votes: 1 070 000
• Imdb-score: 8,4
• Metacritic: 95
• Rottentomatoes critic: 95
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 90
Overall score: 91
The best animated feature of the 2009 Oscar’s is the best Disney-film of the century. Outscoring Inside Out and Toy Story 3 closely, Wall-E had higher popularity and is overall seen as one of the best animated films of the last decades. Stanton and Docter strike again here, as they implemented themselves as some of the most influential filmmakers of animated movies. Wall-E is a beautiful story, for both children and adults, brilliantly animated, with wonderful pictures, magical colors and on top of that a clever Sci-Fi-film. A new genre for Pixar back in the days, as our two main characters still seemed so familiar, so likeable and heartwarming, the all-around package was intense. Not to forget the whole story, the background, was surely thought provoking, ahead of its time, while Wall-E takes the 8th spot on this list well-deserved. - DirectorAsghar FarhadiStarsPayman MaadiLeila HatamiSareh BayatA married couple are faced with a difficult decision - to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer's disease.• Imdb-votes: 239 000
• Imdb-score: 8,3
• Metacritic: 95
• Rottentomatoes critic: 99
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 92
Overall score: 92,25
The best-foreign-language-film of 2012 is by far more than an underdog or an insider, as the Iranian movie received more than 200 000 votes on imdb. With the third highest score of all movies on this list, Farhadi’s drama has to make sacrifices, due to its relatively low popularity and it’s low influence on western filmmaking. That shouldn’t belittle the flick, as I think it’s an incredibly well-made drama with undeniable maturity. The film is constantly entertaining, in spite of its difficult themes. This is achieved not only through the carrying performances of the lead cast, including Payman Maadi, who some should already know through ‘The Night Of’, it is also achieved through its realistic approach to some of the most important themes of life: relationships, marriage and family. - DirectorTom McCarthyStarsMark RuffaloMichael KeatonRachel McAdamsThe true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.• Imdb-votes: 454 000
• Imdb-score: 8,1
• Metacritic: 93
• Rottentomatoes critic: 97
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 93
Overall score: 91
Somewhat of a surprise, Spotlight opens up the Top 10 due to one of the best scores overall. The best picture- and best-screenplay-winner received only 454 000 votes on imdb, which is why it has to make little sacrifices. Tom McCarthy was on this list before, in different manner, as he co-wrote Disney’s ‘Up’. Nevertheless, this film is completely distinct, as he tried a difficult take on child molestation in and through the Catholic Church. An important theme, not only historically, but still in recent years. McCarthy’s approach is investigative, but not overly emotional or forced, it’s like good journalism itself. Things we already saw from him in the fifth installment to ‘The Wire’; as we know McCarthy got a sense for understatement and sober storytelling. This is what we see in the movie, as Ruffalo entered different fairways and is assisted by a strong squad around him, including not only the ones mentioned above, but also Schreiber, Slattery, d’Arcy James and Stanley Tucci. Spotlight’s scope as a movie is bigger than one might think, which grants it a spot in the Top 10. - DirectorSteve McQueenStarsChiwetel EjioforMichael Kenneth WilliamsMichael FassbenderIn the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free Black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.• Imdb-votes: 678 000
• Imdb-score: 8,1
• Metacritic: 96
• Rottentomatoes critic: 95
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 90
Overall score: 90,5
12 Years a Slave is a film that I personally wouldn’t have ranked that high and I’m sad about those words being my first about the movie. It is nevertheless a staggering picture, truly important for America in particular, as well as the whole world in general. Driven by strong performances by Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, who sadly passed away recently, Fassbender, Brad Pitt and the oscar-winning Lupita Nyong’o, the film is carried not only by them, but also by its obviously gripping and shocking plot. Winning best picture in 2014 and best writer for Ridley, the film also received great overall scores, cracking the 90-point-mark, as it can’t move further than this. Anyways – an ultimately depressing and thoughtful story, McQueen’s picture surely stays powerful and heartbreaking in the end. - DirectorDamien ChazelleStarsMiles TellerJ.K. SimmonsMelissa BenoistA promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.
• Imdb-votes: 792 000
• Imdb-score: 8,5
• Metacritic: 88
• Rottentomatoes critic: 94
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 94
Overall score: 90,25
Whiplash was part of the strong year of the 2015’s Academys, including not only Boyhood, Imitation Game and The Grand Budapest Hotel, but also the winning Birdman. J.K. Simmons received on Oscar for one of the most frightening and energetic performances of the century, as he not only scared Miles Teller’s character, but also viewers. What is to say is that it was Chazelle’s breakthrough, as he came in with a smash. His first big feature film established him in the world of Hollywood and as one of the most cheered up directors after the Oscar’s favorite ‘La La Land’. Nevertheless, this is about his best film to date, created with such passion for music; passion, which actually means ‘Leidenschaft’ in German. The first part of ‘Leidenschaft’ – Leiden – means suffering in English. I think this is probably the best way to describe what the film is about, a powerhouse of madness, emotions and dedication, No. 44 of imdb’s Top 250 misses the Top 10 closely. - DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsAdrien BrodyThomas KretschmannFrank FinlayDuring WWII, acclaimed Polish musician Wladyslaw faces various struggles as he loses contact with his family. As the situation worsens, he hides in the ruins of Warsaw in order to survive.• Imdb-votes: 794 000
• Imdb-score: 8,5
• Metacritic: 85
• Rottentomatoes critic: 95
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 96
Overall score: 90,25
The most recent and most important take on (one of) the most miserable time periods of humanity is surely a War-Classic by now and probably the best take of the 21st century if it comes to historical War-Dramas. While Polanksi won best director and Harwood best writer, the film ranks 34th on imdb’s Top 250. What is to mention particularly is Brody’s lifetime-performance, winning him an Oscar due to his sober but dedicated performance. Probably Polanski’s best works to date, he managed to depict the horrors and tragedies resulting through war, as he created one of the historically most important movies of the century. - DirectorMichel GondryStarsJim CarreyKate WinsletTom WilkinsonWhen their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories forever.• Imdb-votes: 968 000
• Imdb-score: 8,3
• Metacritic: 89
• Rottentomatoes critic: 92
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 94
Overall score: 89,5
Kaufman won his screenplay-Oscar with the film, as it’s surely one of the best scripts of the 21st century. So original, moving and intelligent, as we navigate through the unknown surprises of the story together with the main-man, Jim Carrey. The interaction with Winslet is on point, the dialogues with the comrades are humorous and the conclusion to the basic story is perfect. The pictures Gondry created, not only on the screen, but also in the head of viewers, will last forever, once you’ve seen the flick. Covering themes like love, freedom of thought and relationships with gripping storytelling and a proper amount of wisdom, Gondry’s Romantic Sci-Fi-Drama is one of the best of its kind. - DirectorGeorge MillerStarsTom HardyCharlize TheronNicholas HoultIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper and a drifter named Max.• Imdb-votes: 954 000
• Imdb-score: 8,1
• Metacritic: 90
• Rottentomatoes critic: 97
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 86
Overall score: 88,5
George Miller somehow managed to create one of the best action-adventure movies of all time, including riveting action and fighting scenes, as well as unique pictures and backgrounds. It was the reincarnation of the franchise, as Tom Hardy delivered a strong leading performance, which brought back Mad Max’s sheer desperation but also his power and anger. Highly praised by a lot of critics, but not receiving any major Oscars, Mad Max won a total of 6 technical, minor Oscars. While also a lot of viewers didn’t like the flick as much as critics did, the general reputation is extremely good, which is also why the film ranks relatively high with a rating of ‘only’ 88,5. Miller managed to create a kind of own momentum for his film, like the cult of the mad people in it is transferred to those who watch it in front of the screen, so prepossessing, so engaging – this post-apocalyptic Thriller was an explosion for the eye, the ears and the mind. - DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsDaniel Day-LewisPaul DanoCiarán HindsA story of family, religion, hatred, oil and madness, focusing on a turn-of-the-century prospector in the early days of the business.• Imdb-votes: 520 000
• Imdb-score: 8,2
• Metacritic: 93
• Rottentomatoes critic: 91
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 86
Overall score: 88
Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie is, at least from my perspective, one of the best dramas ever made, a masterpiece, a staggering picture about modern society and capitalism. A film that breaks walls, that comes with so much power, so much to tell, such strong performances and such a strong cast, I’ve got to stop myself right now from cheering this up too high. Two of the best acting performances of the century, including an Oscar-winning D.D.-Lewis, as well as Paul Dano, Anderson’s movie is so multi-layered and so complex, like it’s America put into a movie, a reckoning with the whole American society and economy. So many themes in there – family, religion, madness – There Will be Blood is simply stunning, as I can’t believe it just scored 88 overall. - DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.• Imdb-votes: 927 000
• Imdb-score: 8,2
• Metacritic: 91
• Rottentomatoes critic: 93
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 86
Overall score: 88
No Country For Old Men receives an overall score of just 87,75, which can’t prevent it from climbing up in the Top 20’s. Best Picture, best script, best director(s) and most importantly best actor for Bardem, who delivered one of the best acting performances of the century. The film also manages to rank on No. 17 due to its cult-status among the scene and because I just felt, it’s a movie a lot of people think about when hearing ‘Best movies of the 21st century’ – including me. Also led by strong performances of Lee and Brolin, the dark and partly sarcastic script, as well as the absurd killing-scenes lead to a gripping thriller, which seems to look like a Western, but isn’t at all. So many phrases, dialogues, pictures, we’ll keep in our minds – the Coen brother’s little masterpiece will surely keep classic-status throughout the coming decades. - DirectorFlorian Henckel von DonnersmarckStarsUlrich MüheMartina GedeckSebastian KochIn 1984 East Berlin, an agent of the secret police conducting surveillance on a writer and his lover finds himself becoming increasingly absorbed by their lives.• Imdb-votes: 380 000
• Imdb-score: 8,4
• Metacritic: 89
• Rottentomatoes critic: 92
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 96
Overall score: 90,25
I didn’t rank this film in the Top 20 due to its German origin, as I’m German myself, I did it because it’s an incredibly good movie with an overall score over 90. The Lives of Others, in fact in German: ‘Das Leben DER Anderen’ – ‘The Lives of THE Others’, is Germany’s best movie of the 21st century, beating The Downfall, as I’d say it’s also capable of being referred to as the best German movie of all time, receiving huge competition in 1981’s The Boat. Nevertheless, what I can talk about here is how I experienced the movie as a German, not living in the time period actually, but understanding how our country was divided and how thoughts and society were different in East Germany – and partly still are. It was von Donnersmarck’s one-hit-wonder, as he never got there again and never received the recognition he deserved in Germany, but it was also the stellar performances of the cast members, which led to the foreign-language-Oscar. With inimitable, almost military soberness the film tells its story, depicting Germany’s most recent history, and delivers all the major themes, emotions and desires of the people in East Germany. - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioMatt DamonJack NicholsonAn undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.• Imdb-votes: 1 270 000
• Imdb-score: 8,5
• Metacritic: 85
• Rottentomatoes critic: 90
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 94
Overall score: 88,5
The Departed is surely one of the best Thrillers of the century, if not of all time, one of the best movies of Scorsese and the best movie of the 2007 Oscars from the Academy’s perspective. Winning script and directing in addition, The Departed is the mother of all casts, as I couldn’t even mention the Oscar-nominated Mark Wahlberg up there. The adapted screenplay works all the time, never confuses and is incredibly gripping instead. The mentioned cast and Scorsese deliver excellent work, while the film works as 21st century’s modern Gangster-/Mafia-Thriller. In fact I’ve got nothing more to add on here, as the film stands as a milestone itself and takes its place in the Top 20, even though it stays under the 89-point-line. - DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsEllar ColtranePatricia ArquetteEthan HawkeThe life of Mason, from early childhood to his arrival at college.• Imdb-votes: 348 000
• Imdb-score: 7,9
• Metacritic: 100
• Rottentomatoes critic: 97
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 80
Overall score: 89
We’re back in the Arthouse-genre, as Linklater’s movie makes it up to No. 20. Rated with a score of 100 on Metacritic, Boyhood took 12 years of filming, which is also seen on Coltrane’s development throughout the film. Arquette’s performance won her best supporting actress, as the film didn’t manage to take any more Oscars with it. While Boyhood wasn’t loved by everybody, because of its length and its slow pace, it is to say that it’s nevertheless a really intelligent movie. It comes with a lot of calmness and maturity, that Linklater has taken to perfection in this one. We are rewarded with Family of the Year’s ‘Hero’ in the end, as Boyhood marks itself as a beautiful movie about youth, growing up and life in general. - DirectorPete DocterRonnie Del CarmenStarsAmy PoehlerBill HaderLewis BlackAfter young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.• Imdb-votes: 676 000
• Imdb-score: 8,1
• Metacritic: 94
• Rottentomatoes critic: 98
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 89
Overall score: 90,5
The Oscar-winner for best animated feature ranks one higher than Toy Story 3, because it was a little more original and all around stronger than the previous. The second best Disney-movie on this list, as the big fish is still to come, Inside Out was another strike for Docter and his crew. Inside Out also managed to depict a completely new world for Disney, for the viewer and created numerous loveable and heartwarming characters. Moving viewers to tears and being emotionally strong and powerful, it was not just the little ones who liked it. In addition – the animation, the colors and the pictures we’re groundbreaking, as the film used as its strengths to transport as much Joy to the viewer as it could. - DirectorLee UnkrichStarsTom HanksTim AllenJoan CusackThe toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren't abandoned and to return home.• Imdb-votes: 804 000
• Imdb-score: 8,2
• Metacritic: 92
• Rottentomatoes critic: 98
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 90
Overall score: 90,5
We’re back in classic Disney-fairways, as the third installment to the Toy-Story-franchise just misses the Top 20 by 2 spots. It’s again the main Disney-Squad, including Unkrich as director, while he is assisted by Lasseter, Arndt and Stanton. While lots of other sequels or even second sequels can’t hold up to its predecessor’s quality, Toy Story really does and even exceeded expectations back in the days. With great animation, authentic voice acting and a gripping adventurous storyline, the film managed to bring its characters to life – again. Toy Story 3 stays funny throughout the whole runtime, is a perfect activity for the whole family, as it ranks as one the best Disney movies of the century with a score of 90,5 on No. 22. - DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsJeremy RennerAnthony MackieBrian GeraghtyDuring the Iraq War, a Sergeant recently assigned to an army bomb squad is put at odds with his squad mates due to his maverick way of handling his work.• Imdb-votes: 441 000
• Imdb-score: 7,5
• Metacritic: 95
• Rottentomatoes critic: 97
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 84
Overall score: 87,75
The Oscar-winner of 2010, including best directing and best screenplay, ranks relatively high in spite of its ‘low’ score, which is mainly influenced by low viewers ratings. The Hurt Locker is one of the best war movies of all time, because it tells various war-stories brilliantly gripping, because it shows real conditions of American soldiers in Middle East and – most importantly – depicts the characters emotions, desires, fears and inner demons with a directness that is not often seen in war-dramas. It was probably Jeremy Renner’s lifetime performance, as he carries the whole film, even though he is assisted by a solid squad, he is THE Hurt Locker, the star and the heart of the movie. And heart is a big word here, because the film has – despite its outer appearance – a lot of heart. - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsMatthew McConaugheyAnne HathawayJessica ChastainWhen Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.• Imdb-votes: 1 700 000
• Imdb-score: 8,6
• Metacritic: 74
• Rottentomatoes critic: 72
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 86
Overall score: 79,5
This was probably the hardest movie to rank, as Interstellar doesn’t fit into my concept with a score of only 79,5, due to low critic’s ratings. In comparison to Tenet, Interstellar was mostly praised by viewers and often named one of the best movies they’ve ever seen, which does stand in deep contradiction to Tenet. While I think that Interstellar is Nolan’s best movie and in addition to that one of the best movies ever made, I know there are a lot of people who feel different (which is okay). Of course the score is low here, but I have to honor the incredible ratings and the huge amount of votes on imdb. I think No. 24 is a fair spot, as I’d loved to put it higher, but I also think it beats nearly every movie behind. Nevertheless – Interstellar is beautifully shot, technically on a completely new level, intellectually demanding and emotional like no other Nolan movie before. It’s a breathtaking story about how humanity exists in places far beyond our imagination, an exploration of our mind, our thoughts, mind-bending for sure, about family and time, and most importantly: Love. - DirectorChristopher NolanStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJoseph Gordon-LevittElliot PageA thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the project and his team to disaster.• Imdb-votes: 2 236 000
• Imdb-score: 8,8
• Metacritic: 74
• Rottentomatoes critic: 87
• Rottentomatoes viewers: 91
Overall score: 85
While I personally think Inception is by far not Nolan’s best movie, it still had major influence for all following sci-fi-thrillers and will always have an exclusive standpoint in the world of cinema. The 3rd-most voted movie on imdb, it manages to keep a score of 8,8 and takes No. 13 on imdb’s Top 250. Nolan set new standards with Inception and surprised everyone out there. With his staggering pictures, mind-bending thoughts and images, he managed to get in a lot of people’s heads. He also manages to tell an emotional story in a more or less confusing movie, which is probably referred to as one of the best of its sort. In addition, Inception puts together a lot of strong performances by its (literally) diverse cast, all concluding in one of the most influential movies of all time, that takes No. 25 here, which is a fair spot I guess, regarding the low overall-score of 85.