We’re now nearly 17 years into the 21st century, and the cinematic landscape has changed drastically since the year 2000. The highest grossing movie of that year wasHow the Grinch Stole Christmas, followed byCast Away—a lengthy drama starringTom Hankswith minimal dialogue. Indeed, in the entire box office Top 10 of 2000 there’s only one superhero movie and one sequel—the rest are dramas, comedies, and original stories. Contrast that with 2016 where only three of the Top 10 were original stories, four were superhero movies, and the highest grossing film of the year was aStar Warsprequel.
But that’s not to say there haven’t been great films in the interim, and certainly there are movies being made today that will stand the test of time. The New York Times publishedtheir listof the top 25 movies of the 21st century so far today, and with it have also publishedlists from a variety of filmmakersincludingDenis Villeneuve(Arrival),Sofia Coppola(Lost in Translation),Paul Feig(Bridesmaids), andAntoine Fuqua(Training Day).
The NY Times published lists from six filmmakers in all, with some further explanation on a few titles, but here’s a selection that comes with its own set of surprises. Note: Fuqua is the only one who ranked his choices.
Denis Villeneuve
Which movie is the best one …There Will Be BloodorNo Country for Old Men(both from 2007)? Strange question. I’m driven by the impact these movies had on me then, and still today. Time is the ultimate judge.
There are specific shots that went directly through my skull, like a bullet spreading particles of my brain on my walls. Like the shot of Daniel Day-Lewis baptizing a baby with oil, makingThere Will Be Bloodan instant new classic. I felt the same way watching the Coen brothers’ opusNo Country for Old Men. The image of the policeman’s boots making dark marks on the floor as he is being strangled by the nightmarish killer, portrayed by Javier Bardem, has haunted me since then.
There Will Be Blood
No Country for Old Men
Under the Skin
Children of Men
Amores Perros
Sofia Coppola
I usually like more subtle movies but can enjoy all kinds. [For this list] I just thought about movies I liked from the last 15, 20 years. I find them inspiring, especially when it’s something you haven’t seen before, and not close to anything I’m doing.
Force Majure
The White Ribbon
The Savages
Daddy’s Home
The Incredibles
Grizzly Man
Ex Machina
I’m a very noncynical filmmaker. I like uplifting endings, I love romance, just feel-good movies. The best experience I ever have [is] when I forget I’m watching a movie. Or when as a filmmaker, I’m going, “How did they do that?”
Napoleon Dynamite
Moulin Rogue
Sing Street
This Is the End
Love Actually
A Single Man
Casino Royale
Antoine Fuqua
I love all types of films: great character-driven pieces like “There Will Be Blood,” and entertainment like “Gravity” and “Avatar” that transported me to other places and filled me with wonderment — a reminder to us all to continue pushing our vision. “Fences” reminded me of my childhood growing up in Pittsburgh; “Munich” educated me while being entertaining and suspenseful in a way that only Steven Spielberg or Hitchcock could pull off. And like everyone else, I just like to grab my popcorn and sit back and enjoy what Hollywood is all about in movies like “Gladiator,” a throwback to the David Lean days of epic filmmaking.
2. Slumdog Millionaire
- Beasts of the Southern Wild
4. Zero Dark Thirty
7. There Will Be Blood
8. The Pianist
9. Eastern Promises
10. Gladiator
Head on over tothe NY Timesto see more lists and elaboration.
