To mark the fact that we’re two decades deep into the 21st Century, Empire is celebrating the start of 2020 by taking a look back at the films that have defined cinema since the millennium – the best, most beloved, and mind-blowing post-2000 movies that stand as all-time greats. To draw up the full list – which you can read online here – we asked both our critics and you, our readers, to submit votes. With equal weighting afforded to the critics list and the readers list, the two were combined to give us the definitive top 100.
Here you’ll find the top 10 as picked by Empire’s staff and critics – a list that takes in huge blockbuster spectacles, game-changing horror, beautifully emotional indie-dramas and more. Stay tuned for the reader-voted top 10 coming soon.
The 100 Greatest Movies Of The 21st Century: The Critics List
1 of 1010) Lost In Translation
I'd already been seduced by Sofia Coppola's heady debut The Virgin Suicides, but was hypnotised by this follow-up. Lost In Translation is melancholic, funny, knowing, and utterly candid as Bob and Charlotte rediscover themselves in finding each other — heightened by the context of an alien but totally invigorating culture. I had friends who moaned that nothing actually happened — and yes, I did judge them. For me, everything happens – Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson expertly speaking volumes in just one word or a look. One of the most romantic movies of all time, never mind the century.– Liz BeardsworthBuy now on Amazon
2 of 109) Inception
Inception is one of those films that is so incredibly well-conceived that just watching it makes you feel like an idiot. The level of invention, imagination and complexity in Nolan's screenplay twists your brain left and right, barely cognisant of whether you're keeping up as it adds (literal) layer upon layer, unravelling the fabric of the subconscious mind. A 'mental' heist movie that proved to be so much more than its pithy premise.– James DyerBuy now on Amazon
3 of 108) Get Out
I couldn't be prepared for the wayward left turn Get Out took. Jordan Peele set up the premise in a way that made me none-the wiser about the hypnotic chaos of what was about to take place – a viewing experience that really challenged my expectations of a modern horror film. Get Out is so relevant to today's complex notion of white privilege, exploring a sensitive subject with wit, humour, and jump-in-your-seat thrills.– Aliyah AllenBuy now on Amazon
4 of 107) Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Eternal Sunshine is essentially the anti-romantic comedy. Rather than a classic meet-cute that ends happily ever after, the ever-subversive Kaufman and irrepressible French director Michel Gondry start the film at a relationship's end, and works backwards. By unravelling the memories of Clementine (Kate Winslet) and Joel (Jim Carrey, never better), the film manages to be funnier and more romantic than most conventional rom-coms. The best film about consensual brain damage ever made.– John NugentBuy now on Amazon
5 of 106) There Will Be Blood
An intense man with a huge moustache growling, digging, and bowling for almost three hours may not sound like an enjoyable night at the movies. Yet Paul Thomas Anderson's oily opus still calls to me regularly, drawing me in with its hypnotic spell. Yes, it's a Big Important Film, with things to say about America, capitalism and religion, but it never feels like work to watch — from the dialogue-free mine-shaft intro, propelled by Jonny Greenwood's jangly score, to the iconic last line, it's stuffed with great scenes. Thirteen years on, this film will still drink your milkshake.– Nick de SemlyenBuy now on Amazon
6 of 105) The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
I grew up obsessed with Star Wars, but hold an Uruk blade to my throat and I'd be forced to concede that it's Jackson's fantasy trilogy, not Lucas', that represents the greatest cinematic achievement of my lifetime. Breathing a life into Tolkien's characters that was never on the page, it's a masterful adaptation and this first instalment is the pinnacle. Towers has the action, King has the feels, but Fellowship is where it's at.– James DyerBuy now on Amazon
7 of 104) Moonlight
Moonlight, a story about being gay, poor and black in '80s America, successfully re-defines the narrative of the modern LGBTQ+ movie, whilst at the same time exploring sexuality and identity within the black community. Both heartfelt and tragic, director Barry Jenkins skilfully guides the character of Chiron from child to man, with a much deserved Oscar win for Mahershala Ali as supportive drug dealer Juan – portrayed not as the community's menace, but as a kind, loving individual whose lasting influence ultimately propels the young Chiron towards his future. This film will stay in my (and your) heart forever.– Chris LuptonBuy now on Amazon
8 of 103) The Social Network
I struggle to think of any film that better reflects the 21st Century than The Social Network – the rise of social media at the expense of interpersonal relationships, the thrilling possibilities presented by the internet, greedy white men being awful to everyone. It's a quote-unquote "important" film that's incredibly entertaining too – nobody does dialogue like Aaron Sorkin, or shoots with icy intensity like David Fincher. Plus, it involves multiple characters calling Mark Zuckerberg an asshole – what's not to love?– Ben TravisBuy now on Amazon
9 of 102) The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan's crime epic answers the question, 'What would a superhero film directed by Michael Mann look like?' Why, Batmann, of course. Nolan dropped the timeframe contortions of Batman Begins for a linear thriller, in which Christian Bale's Batman is confronted and confounded by Heath Ledger's never-to-be-bettered take on The Joker. It's easy now, with the likes of Logan and Joker, to forget how seismically Nolan shifted the comic book movie needle, showing that they could work both as wish fulfilment fluff about billionaires playing dress-up and pulsating crime thrillers, serious of tone and intent. – Chris HewittBuy now on Amazon
10 of 101) Mad Max: Fury Road
You know those NOS buttons they push in the Fast & Furious movies for a flame-bursting speed boost? Watching Mad Max: Fury Road feels like having one of those hooked up to your brain – it zaps straight to your synapses and solar plexus. George Miller's movie is everything you want from a cinematic experience, and more – it's a bonkers action spectacle, a deranged arthouse movie on an epic scale, a thrilling feat of technical mastery, a film with one of the greatest female action heroes of all time, and a baddie who looks like an irradiated not-so-far-future Donald Trump. All hail Fury Road.Buy now on Amazon
You can read plenty more about the 100 Greatest Movies Of The Century in the new issue ofEmpire – on sale now. Inside, you’ll find 32 pages going deep on the list, with all-new critic essays, reader reviews, and brand new interviews with filmmakers including Greta Gerwig, Edgar Wright, Denis Villeneuve, Sofia Coppola, Paul Feig, Paul King, and many more – exclusive to the magazine. Find it now at your local newsagent – and pick one of our six stunning covers illustrated exclusively by Paul Shipper.
