An extensive survey organized by The New York Times has resulted in a definitive list of the 100 best movies of the 21st century, based on the opinions of over 500 directors, actors, screenwriters, and critics from around the world. This selection offers a panoramic and diverse view of global cinema, highlighting those works that have made an artistic, cultural, and emotional impact over these 25 years.
The list includes productions of all kinds, with a strong presence of international and independent cinema.
What is the Top 10 of the best 100 movies of the century?
Unlike previous lists published by The Times, which were created solely by specialized critics, this time the media outlet chose to invite over 500 professionals from the film industry. Among the voters are renowned names such as Guillermo del Toro, Sofia Coppola, Pedro Almodóvar, Barry Jenkins, and Julianne Moore. Each of them shared a personal list of their 10 favorite films of the century, and from these individual selections, the definitive ranking was constructed.
In a varied spectrum, there are also animated movies. Three from Disney/Pixar made the list: “Ratatouille” (73rd), “Up!” (50th), and “WALL-E” (34th). Of course, the most outstanding was the Japanese animated film “Spirited Away” (“El viaje de Chihiro”), where the main character embarks on a journey to an alternative world, which made it into the Top 10.
The first place went to “Parasite,” the film directed by Bong Joon-ho that generated an unprecedented global impact. The Korean work was praised by The New York Times, which highlighted the director’s ability to move between genres: from comedy and social satire to a dramatic violence ending. According to the publication, Bong is “a master of the genre not tied to conventions,” and his film represents a synthesis of elements that have deeply resonated with audiences worldwide. In 2019, “Parasite” became the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
This is the Top 10 according to the NY Times (the director is mentioned in parentheses):
- “Parasite” (Bong Joon Ho).
- “Mulholland Drive” (David Lynch).
- “There Will Be Blood” (Paul Thomas Anderson)
- “In the Mood For Love” (Wong Kar Wai)
- “Moonlight” (Barry Jenkins)
- “No Country For Old Men” (Joel & Ethan Coen)
- “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (Michel Gondry)
- “Get Out” (Jordan Peele)
- “Spirited Away” (Hayao Miyazaki)
- “The Social Network” (David Fincher)
Criticism of The New York Times selection
Although the list has been praised for its diversity and global reach, it was not without criticism.
In Esquire, it was questioned that only one Steven Spielberg film was included (“Minority Report”), and that notable films by the director such as “Lincoln” and “Munich” were left out.
Several also questioned why Disney’s animated film “Toy Story 3” did not make it onto The New York Times’ list of the 100 best films of the century.