100 best films of the 21st century, according to critics
Esperanto Filmoj
100 best films of the 21st century, according to critics
A scene on a beach from “Roma”
Though the golden age of Hollywood ended decades ago, the magic of Hollywood may be even more remarkable this century. Consider how technology enables filmmakers to include incredible CGI creations or create thought-provoking documentaries filmed on smartphones. Hollywood has started opening its doors to allow women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and others to tell new, diverse stories that appeal to critics and audiences alike. What’s more, there are countless publications and online outlets to critique and discuss the latest films, highlighting smaller, more obscure movies that might have otherwise gone undiscovered.
The rise of Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms has changed the game. While most of their innovations have been geared toward changing the TV landscape as we know it, they’re also producing original movies faster than the biggest studios and working with some of Hollywood’s best stars to do it. As their feature films and documentaries continue picking up awards and critical acclaim, in 20 years, a list like this might feature more Netflix and Amazon originals than big-budget blockbusters or indie flicks.
So which movies do critics say have bested the rest? Stacker collected data on the top movies of all time on Metacritic (as of October 2022) and ranked the top 100 from the 21st century according to Metascore, with ties broken by the number of IMDb user votes. Films with less than seven reviews were not considered.
Read on to find out the 100 best films of this century, according to critics.
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Bananeira Filmes
#100. Zama (2017)
Daniel Giménez Cacho in a scene from ‘Zama’
– Director: Lucrecia Martel
– Metascore: 89
– Runtime: 115 minutes
This Argentine period drama adapts a 1956 novel of the same name and takes place in the late 18th century. Awaiting a transfer from the Spanish crown, a frustrated magistrate remains stranded in a remote village. Director Lucrecia Martel employs a brooding and occasionally comic style while exploring themes of class and colonialism.
Netflix
#99. The Power of the Dog (2021)
Benedict Cumberbatch in a scene from “The Power of the Dog”
– Director: Jane Campion
– Metascore: 89
– Runtime: 126 minutes
Director Jane Campion won an Academy Award for this revisionist Western, which gradually builds toward a bone-chilling finale. At the heart of the story is rancher Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose brutish behavior belies a deeper internal conflict. National Herald India critic Namrata Joshi called it “a long-delayed contemplation on masculinity from the female eye, both about repression and control.”
JP Production
#98. Hit the Road (2021)
Amin Simiar and Mohammad Hassan Madjooni in ‘Hit the Road’
– Director: Panah Panahi
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 93 minutes
The feature debut from Iranian director Panah Panahi follows an idiosyncratic family on a road trip across the desolate countryside. As memories and tensions arise within the confines of their vehicle, the story wrangles in broader examinations of Iranian society. Expect to cry tears of both joy and sorrow before the final credits roll.
BBC Film
#97. The Souvenir: Part II (2021)
Honor Swinton Byrne in ‘The Souvenir: Part II’
– Director: Joanna Hogg
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 107 minutes
This acclaimed sequel finds its protagonist (Honor Swinton Byrne) coping with the aftermath of a tragic romance. Her reflective journey takes the form of a student film project, which blurs the line between fact and fiction. Costar Tilda Swinton hinted in an interview that a third installment is in development.
20th Century Fox
#96. The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Colin Farrell in ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’
– Director: Martin McDonagh
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 109 minutes
“In Bruges” director Martin McDonagh reunited with actors Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson for this pitch-black comedy about the sudden rift between two lifelong friends. Set in 1923 Ireland, the story’s simple plot line functions as a gateway to increasing chaos and cultural insights. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival and took home awards for writing and acting.
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Yes, Ma’am!
#95. The Fits (2015)
Royalty Hightower in ‘The Fits’
– Director: Anna Rose Holmer
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 72 minutes
An 11-year-old tomboy (Royalty Hightower) goes to extremes while trying to fit in with a local dance troupe in this unconventional drama. Director Anna Rose Holmer drew inspiration from the historical connection between hysterical fits and dance choreography when crafting the story. It blends slow-burn horror with coming-of-age themes to cultivate a unique exploration of racial and gender identity.
Sever Studio
#94. Hard to Be a God (2013)
Leonid Yarmolnik in ‘Hard to Be a God’
– Director: Aleksei German
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 177 minutes
The final film from Russian director Aleksei German follows a team of scientists to a distant planet, where civilization is in the midst of its own Dark Ages. From this premise swells a philosophical treatise with no shortage of contemporary undertones. It was made over several years and completed after German’s death in 2013.
Arte France Cinéma
#93. Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (2014)
Ronit Elkabetz in a scene from ‘Gett’
– Directors: Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi Elkabetz
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 115 minutes
This Israeli drama makes up the third part of a trilogy about the life and marriage of Viviane Amsalem (Ronit Elkabetz). It chronicles her three-year struggle to obtain a divorce after her husband refuses to grant a dissolution. Tragedy and absurdity collide as the outmoded laws of a patriarchal society present her with one obstacle after the next.
Don Hertzfeldt
#92. It’s Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
A black and white illustrated frame from ‘It’s Such a Beautiful Day’
– Director: Don Hertzfeldt
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 62 minutes
Don Hertzfeldt’s animated masterpiece strings together three award-winning short films to create a purposefully fractured whole. It follows a young man named Bill as he suffers a neurological breakdown with philosophical ramifications. Portions of the story are based on Hertzfeldt’s personal experiences and former diary entries.
Gamechanger Films
#91. The Tale (2018)
Laura Dern in a scene from ‘The Tale’
– Director: Jennifer Fox
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 114 minutes
Director Jennifer Fox explores her traumatic past in this autobiographical drama about sexual abuse. It finds Laura Dern playing a thinly veiled alter-ego who uncovers a suppressed memory while working on a documentary. Writing for Little White Lies, critic Hannah Strong called it “harrowing but essential viewing.”
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Paramount Pictures Classics
#90. Bloody Sunday (2002)
James Nesbitt in a scene from ‘Bloody Sunday’
– Director: Paul Greengrass
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 111 minutes
Before joining the Bourne franchise, British director Paul Greengrass crafted this gripping dramatization of the Bloody Sunday massacre. At the height of political unrest, British soldiers killed or injured a reported 28 unarmed Irish protestors in 1972. It won two prizes at the Berlin Film Festival, including the Golden Bear (in a tie with “Spirited Away”).
Good Machine
#89. American Splendor (2003)
Hope Davis and Paul Giamatti in a scene from ‘American Splendor’
– Directors: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 101 minutes
The film “American Splendor” is based on a series of autobiographical comic books by Harvey Pekar. Paul Giamatti stars in the biopic, which uses realistic footage and comic book-style art brought to life through animation.
Opus Film
#88. Cold War (2018)
Tomasz Kot and Joanna Kulig in a scene from ‘Cold War’
– Director: Pawel Pawlikowski
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 89 minutes
Star-crossed lovers fight to stay together during the Cold War as they travel through Poland, Berlin, Yugoslavia, and Paris. This foreign movie was filmed in black and white and nabbed the 2018 Cannes Film Festival award for Best Director.
Oslo Pictures
#87. The Worst Person in the World (2021)
Renate Reinsve in a scene from ‘The Worst Person in the World’
– Director: Joachim Trier
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 128 minutes
This Norwegian dramedy trails a young woman named Julie (Renate Reinsve) through a series of existential dilemmas and romantic misadventures. It caps off director Joachim Trier’s beloved Oslo trilogy, which depicts various characters in a perennial state of self-doubt.
Pandora Films
#86. Burning (2018)
Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, and Jeon Jong-seo in a scene from ‘Burning’
– Director: Lee Chang-dong
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 148 minutes
Unfolding at a purposefully gradual pace, this South Korean mystery centers on an aspiring novelist named Lee Jong-su. When his young female friend goes missing, Jong-su begins to suspect foul play. Entangled in the subsequent investigation are themes of psychological torment and class divide.
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K5 International
#85. Paterson (2016)
Adam Driver in a scene from ‘Paterson’
– Director: Jim Jarmusch
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 118 minutes
Indie auteur Jim Jarmusch brings his unique sensibilities to this understated drama, which follows a week in the life of New Jersey bus driver Paterson (Adam Driver). Paterson is tethered to a series of daily rituals and channels his mundane observations through poetry. While the movie failed to snag Palme d’Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, its canine actor, Nellie, did win a posthumous award for Palm Dog.
Capitol Films
#84. Gosford Park (2001)
Ryan Phillippe and Helen Mirren in a scene from ‘Gosford Park’
– Director: Robert Altman
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 137 minutes
2001’s “Gosford Park” is a British mystery film starring Maggie Smith, Ryan Phillippe, Michael Gambon, and Kristin Scott Thomas. The upstairs-downstairs drama with a large ensemble cast snagged an Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
Walt Disney Pictures
#83. Hamilton (2020)
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Phillipa Soo in Hamilton
– Director: Thomas Kail
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 160 minutes
A live recording of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hit Broadway musical, “Hamilton,” was recorded in 2015 and features the play’s original cast, including Miranda as the titular Alexander Hamilton. Based on Ron Chernow’s biography of the founding father, the show tells the real-life tale of Hamilton’s life from childhood to death. Originally slated to be released in 2021, the movie hit streaming services early as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2.4.7 Films
#82. Persepolis (2007)
A black and white illustrated frame from ‘Persepolis’
– Directors: Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 96 minutes
French Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi adapted her own graphic novel when co-directing this stunning animated drama. It draws from her experiences as a precocious young girl in Iran who witnessed the Islamic Revolution firsthand before attending school in Vienna. At simultaneous odds with two starkly different worlds, young Marjane’s journey becomes a bewildering search for self-identity.
Why Not Productions
#81. A Prophet (2009)
Niels Arestrup and Tahar Rahim in ‘A Prophet’
– Director: Jacques Audiard
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 155 minutes
A young convict of Algerian descent (Tahar Rahim) begins his first adult prison stint in this violent French drama. With his subsequent climb up the mob ranks comes newfound power and conflict alike. “Although it is 2 hours 29 minutes long and its story is not surprising, it is always riveting,” wrote critic Ed Koch for The Atlantic.
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Universal Pictures
#80. United 93 (2006)
Tom O’Rourke and Becky London in a scene from ‘United 93’
– Director: Paul Greengrass
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 111 minutes
Sept. 11, 2001, was a day that changed lives around the world. “United 93” follows the real-time story of one of the hijacked planes that crashed in a field. Passengers worked together to foil a terrorist plot, sacrificing themselves in the process.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
#79. Licorice Pizza (2021)
Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim in Licorice Pizza
– Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 133 minutes
Paul Thomas Anderson’s sweeping dramedy brings the director back onto his home turf of California’s San Fernando Valley. Set in 1973, it follows a savvy teen (Cooper Hoffman) and his older counterpart (Alana Haim) through a series of wild misadventures. Most of the events are based directly on the experiences of film producer Gary Goetzman.
Focus Features
#78. Phantom Thread (2017)
Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Krieps in Phantom Thread
– Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 130 minutes
“Phantom Thread” is a slow, beautiful movie about the tragic and terrifying collision of larger-than-life personalities. Set in the 1950s, the film portrays a famous dressmaker whose life is turned upside down by the young woman he falls in love with. It stars Daniel Day-Lewis in a role he claims will be his last.
Anonymous Content
#77. Winter’s Bone (2010)
Jennifer Lawrence in a scene from ‘Winter’s Bone’
– Director: Debra Granik
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 100 minutes
“Winter’s Bone” rocketed actress Jennifer Lawrence into mega-stardom at age 19. The film follows a young woman living in a largely drug-addicted community in the Ozarks, set against a stark, wintery backdrop.
Warner Independent Pictures (WIP)
#76. Before Sunset (2004)
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in a scene from ‘Before Sunset’
– Director: Richard Linklater
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 80 minutes
“Before Sunset” is part of the Before trilogy, which includes 1995’s “Before Sunrise” and 2013’s “Before Midnight.” All three films star Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. “Before Sunset” follows an afternoon spent by lovers reuniting nine years after their first meeting in Paris.
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Columbia Pictures
#75. Almost Famous (2000)
Kate Hudson and Patrick Fugit in a scene from ‘Almost Famous’
– Director: Cameron Crowe
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 122 minutes
“Almost Famous” is based on the true story of director Cameron Crowe’s experience working as a teenage writer for Rolling Stone. This coming-of-age film is set in the 1970s as a young journalist goes on tour with a famous rock band.
Annapurna Pictures
#74. American Hustle (2013)
Christian Bale and Amy Adams in a scene from ‘American Hustle’
– Director: David O. Russell
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 138 minutes
“American Hustle” follows the story of con artists who take part in an FBI sting operation. Starring powerhouse actors Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, and Jennifer Lawrence, this film became known for its flashy, late-1970s style and brilliant moments of comedy. Interestingly, its plot is loosely based on a true story.
Walt Disney Pictures
#73. The Incredibles (2004)
An illustrated frame from ‘The Incredibles’
– Director: Brad Bird
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 115 minutes
In Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” a family of superheroes attempting to lead a normal life gets sucked into a top-secret assignment. It won Oscars for Best Animated Film and Best Sound Editing.
Warner Bros.
#72. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Charlize Theron in a scene from ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’
– Director: George Miller
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 120 minutes
The film that spawned thousands of Halloween costumes, “Mad Max: Fury Road” has become one of the most famous post-apocalyptic action movie franchises. Starring Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy, the story chronicles a man who teams up with a band of women fleeing a psychopathic tyrant.
Pixar/Walt Disney Pictures
#71. Finding Nemo (2003)
An illustrated frame from ‘Finding Nemo’
– Directors: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
– Metascore: 90
– Runtime: 100 minutes
In “Finding Nemo,” a Pixar classic, a little clownfish gets separated from his father and has to traverse the wide ocean to find his way home. The movie features voice acting from Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks, among others.
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Ousmane Sembène
#70. Moolaadé (2004)
A scene from the film ‘Moolaadé’
– Director: Ousmane Sembene
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 124 minutes
“Moolaadé” confronts the tradition of female genital mutilation, telling the fictional story of a woman who shelters a group of girls fleeing the procedure. The film, set in Burkina Faso, was made by Senegalese writer and director Ousmane Sembène.
Isuma Igloolik Productions
#69. Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2001)
Natar Ungalaaq in a scene from ‘Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner’
– Director: Zacharias Kunuk
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 172 minutes
Starring Inuit actors, this film revamps an ancient legend. It follows a young man who falls in love with a woman betrothed to the tribal chief’s son. The movie became known for its riveting scenes in the Arctic.
185 Films
#68. Memoria (2021)
TIlda Swinton în a scene from ‘Memoria’
– Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 136 minutes
The latest effort from award-winning director Apichatpong Weerasethakul was played exclusively in theaters with no plan of ever arriving on video-on-demand platforms. It tells the story of a Scottish expatriate (Tilda Swinton) who experiences mysterious sensations while traveling in Colombia. General moviegoers were less receptive than critics, hence the film’s current IMDb user rating of 6.6.
BBC Films
#67. The Souvenir (2019)
Tom Burke and Honor Swinton Byrne in a scene from ‘The Souvenir’
– Director: Joanna Hogg
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 120 minutes
Critics and audiences are thus far divided on Joanna Hogg’s coming-of-age drama, which takes place in the 1980s. Based on the director’s experiences, it chronicles the destructive relationship between a young film student and a mysterious older man. Writing for the London Evening Standard, critic David Sexton called it “one of the best U.K. films in years.”
Jahar Panahi Film Production
#66. Taxi (2015)
Jafar Panahi in a scene from ‘Taxi’
– Director: Jafar Panahi
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 82 minutes
When the Iranian government banned director Jafar Panahi from filmmaking, he pretended to be a taxi driver. He then affixed a camera to his dashboard and interviewed his passengers, which resulted in a docu-fictional film about social issues in Iran.
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Bitters End
#65. Drive My Car (2021)
Hidetoshi Nishijima and Tôko Miura in a scene from ‘Drive My Car’
– Director: Ryûsuke Hamaguchi
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 179 minutes
Winner of Best International Feature Film at the 2022 Academy Awards, this meditative Japanese drama unfolds in careful layers. What opens with the story of a man and his wife pivots on the turn of a tragic event, giving way to a troubled stage production and themes of grief and acceptance. It’s a slow drive perhaps, but one with impactful destinations in mind.
Laokoon Filmgroup
#64. Son of Saul (2015)
Actors in a scene from ‘Son of Saul’
– Director: László Nemes
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 107 minutes
Winner of Best Foreign Language Film at the 2016 Academy Awards, this Hungarian drama takes place in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. It follows a prisoner named Saul Auslander as he seeks proper burial for a young child. The first full-length feature from director László Nemes, “Son of Saul” introduced a powerful new voice in cinema.
Les Armateurs
#63. The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
An animated still from ‘The Triplets of Belleville’
– Director: Sylvain Chomet
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 80 minutes
When “The Triplets of Belleville” was released in 2003, it dazzled audiences worldwide with its unique animation style. The French comedy narrates the story of Madame Souza, whose professional cyclist grandson is kidnapped. The film earned two Academy Award nominations.
Music Box Films
#62. Ida (2013)
Agata Trzebuchowska in a scenę from ‘Ida’
– Director: Pawel Pawlikowski
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 82 minutes
Pawel Pawlikowski’s black-and-white film is set in 1962 Poland. A young woman is about to take her vows to become a nun—when she discovers from her only living relative that she is Jewish.
Pathé Pictures International
#61. The Queen (2006)
Helen Mirren in a scene from ‘The Queen’
– Director: Stephen Frears
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 103 minutes
Dame Helen Mirren snagged an Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in this period drama. The movie chronicles the days after the death of Princess Diana, and the surprises, controversy, and mourning that followed.
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Fox Searchlight Pictures
#60. The Favourite (2018)
Olivia Colman in a scene from ‘The Favourite’
– Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 119 minutes
This period film set in 18th-century England stars Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, and Olivia Colman. Amid war, a friend of Queen Anne becomes enraged when a servant threatens to usurp her role as the favored royal adviser. Stone, Weisz, and Colman each earned Academy Award nominations for their respective performances, with the latter winning the Best Actress Oscar.
Columbia Pictures
#59. Little Women (2019)
Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen in ‘Little Women’
– Director: Greta Gerwig
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 135 minutes
Greta Gerwig’s 2019 take on “Little Women” is the seventh movie interpretation of the Louisa May Alcott novel, though its Oscar win (Best Costume Design) and six total nominations (Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score), underlines its impact and universal praise. The March sisters are played by Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, and Eliza Scanlen, and their performances elevated this movie from an iteration to one of the best films of the century.
A24
#58. Uncut Gems (2019)
Adam Sandler, Kavin Garnett and Maksud Agadjani in a scene from ‘Uncut Gems’
– Directors: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 135 minutes
The Safdie Brothers’ anxiety-inducing “Uncut Gems” earned critical acclaim. Adam Sandler impresses as a motormouth Manhattan diamond dealer whose sports gambling and extramarital affairs unsurprisingly stress viewers out and lead to his downfall. The cinematography, sound, and frantic energy are the backbones, and the themes are dark and tragic, even if predictable. By its end, audiences may be more relieved than satisfied.
Annapurna Pictures
#57. Her (2013)
Joaquin Phoenix in a scene from ‘Her’
– Director: Spike Jonze
– Metascore: 91
– Runtime: 126 minutes
“Her” will likely inspire science fiction writers and creators of technology for generations to come. A romantic sci-fi film starring Joaquin Phoenix, it is about a lonely man who falls in love with his AI assistant, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.
Institut Català de les Empreses Culturals (ICEC)
#56. Sunday’s Illness (2018)
Susi Sánchez and Bárbara Lennie in a scene from ‘Sunday’s Illness’
– Director: Ramón Salazar
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 113 minutes
In this Spanish drama, a wealthy woman is unexpectedly reacquainted with the daughter she abandoned decades earlier. Over the 10 days that follow, the daughter reveals an ulterior motive with shocking consequences.
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Soudaine Compagnie
#55. 35 Shots of Rum (2008)
Alex Descas in a scene from ’35 Shots of Rum’
– Director: Claire Denis
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 100 minutes
Directed by French filmmaker Claire Denis, “35 Shots of Rum” was inspired by the Japanese film “Late Spring.” Originally called “35 Rhums,” the movie follows the relationship between a father-daughter duo and their neighbor.
13 Productions
#54. Werckmeister Harmonies (2000)
Lars Rudolph in a scene from ‘Werckmeister Harmonies’
– Directors: Béla Tarr, Ágnes Hranitzky
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 145 minutes
This black-and-white Hungarian drama mystery is based on the novel “The Melancholy of Resistance” by László Krasznahorkai. Set against the communist regime, it’s about a circus that comes to town and fails to perform a promised act, resulting in riots.
Arte France Cinéma
#53. Timbuktu (2014)
Ibrahim Ahmed in a scene from ‘Timbuktu’
– Director: Abderrahmane Sissako
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 96 minutes
This French Mauritanian drama is about a cattle herder and his family. Though they live quietly, a horrific regime of Islamic militants looms in the nearby city of Timbuktu. It’s inspired by the true story of a couple stoned to death for alleged adultery.
Caviar
#52. The Rider (2017)
Brady Jandreau in a scene from ‘The Rider’
– Director: Chloé Zhao
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 104 minutes
Featuring staggering scenes of the Pine Ridge Reservation and of beautiful horses, “The Rider” is about a rodeo rider who fights to get back in the saddle after being critically injured in an accident. This Chloé Zhao film blends fact and fiction—the lead actor plays a character whose story is significantly based on the thespian’s real-life past.
BBC Films
#51. Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)
Actors in a scene from ‘Never Rarely Sometimes Always’
– Director: Eliza Hittman
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 101 minutes
A powerful film about teen pregnancy and the realities of being a woman in the United States, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” follows two teenage cousins as they travel from Pennsylvania to New York to obtain a second-trimester abortion. Tenderly written and stunningly performed, the movie is just as much of a character study as it is a telling of an all-too-real tale.
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Haut en Court
#50. The Class (2008)
François Bégaudeau in a scene from ‘The Class’
– Director: Laurent Cantet
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 128 minutes
Based on an autobiographical novel of the same name, “The Class” is about an idealistic young teacher working with underprivileged youth. It won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2008.
Non-Stop Productions
#49. Leviathan (2014)
Actors in a scene from ‘Leviathan’
– Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 140 minutes
In “Leviathan,” a Russian fisherman fights government corruption to keep his ancestral home. Written, directed, and produced by Andrey Zvyagintsev, it earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Miramax
#48. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Mathieu Amalric and Anne Consigny in a scene from ‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’
– Director: Julian Schnabel
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 112 minutes
In this now-famous docudrama, the editor-in-chief of French Elle magazine suffers a stroke in his early 40s. Afterward, he faces locked-in syndrome. This film is based on the memoir of the same name by Jean-Dominique Bauby, which was composed by “dictating” his memoir through blinking, the only way he was able to communicate.
Cre Film
#47. The Florida Project (2017)
Actors in a scene from ‘The Florida Project’
– Director: Sean Baker
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 111 minutes
Set just outside of Disneyland over the course of a summer, this film by Sean Baker depicts a mother and daughter living at a budget motel run by Bobby (Willem Dafoe). Much of the film focuses on the resilience of the young girl and the sacrifices her mother must make for her.
Disney/Pixar
#46. Toy Story 3 (2010)
An animated still from ‘Toy Story 3’
– Director: Lee Unkrich
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 103 minutes
Pixar’s “Toy Story” series follows the adventures of toys that come to life when humans aren’t looking. The third movie is about what happens when the owner of the toys heads off to college, and they’re accidentally put in the trash. It features voice work from Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack.
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Paramount Vantage
#45. No Country for Old Men (2007)
Josh Brolin in a scene from ‘No Country for Old Men’
– Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 122 minutes
“No Country for Old Men,” a crime thriller, is based on a 2005 novel by Cormac McCarthy of the same name. After a hunter (Josh Brolin) stumbles across the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong, he steals the cash left behind. Little does he know that he’ll soon be the target of a terrifying killer, played by Javier Bardem.
New Line Productions
#44. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
– Director: Peter Jackson
– Metascore: 92
– Runtime: 178 minutes
The first installment of the Lord of the Rings fantasy saga is about a hobbit named Frodo (Elijah Wood) who acquires a dangerous, magical ring and must assemble a group that can help get him to Mordor, the place where the ring was forged and the only place where it can be destroyed. It’s based on the 1954 book of the same name by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Nina Paley
#43. Sita Sings the Blues (2008)
An animated still from ‘Sita Sings the Blues’
– Director: Nina Paley
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 82 minutes
“Sita Sings the Blues” is an animated romantic comedy. Directed, produced, and animated by American artist Nina Paley, the film reimagines events from the Indian epic poem “Ramayana” mixed with autobiographical events.
France 3 Cinema
#42. Petite Maman (2021)
Nina Meurisse, Joséphine Sanz, and Gabrielle Sanz in a scene from ‘Petite Maman’
– Director: Céline Sciamma
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 73 minutes
French filmmaker Céline Sciamma followed “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” with this acclaimed fantasy drama. In the wake of her grandmother’s death, a young girl makes a mysterious new friend. Employing a stark and delicate execution, Sciamma squeezes multiple kinds of magic into the brief runtime of just 73 minutes.
1+2 Seisaku Iinkai
#41. Yi Yi (2000)
Jonathan Chang in a scene from ‘Yi Yi’
– Director: Edward Yang
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 173 minutes
“Yi Yi,” a dramedy, is about the year in the life of a middle-class family in Taipei. The film director, Edward Yang, a famous Taiwanese New Wave filmmaker, won the Best Director Award at Cannes.
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Komplizen Film
#40. Toni Erdmann (2016)
Peter Simonischek and Sandra Hüller in a scene from ‘Toni Erdmann’
– Director: Maren Ade
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 162 minutes
“Toni Erdmann” tells the tale of a father so desperate to reconnect with his business-focused daughter that he poses as her CEO’s life coach to spend time with her. The German Austrian dramedy was written, directed, and co-produced by Maren Ade and stars Peter Simonischek and Sandra Hüller.
AOI Promotion
#39. Shoplifters (2018)
Actors in a scene from ‘Shoplifters’
– Director: Hirokazu Koreeda
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 121 minutes
Directed, written, and edited by Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda, “Shoplifters” is a drama about a poor family that takes in an abused girl. The twist? The family gets by with a small government pension and supplements their income by shoplifting.
CBS Films
#38. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
Oscar Isaac in a scene from ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’
– Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 104 minutes
There are many stories of struggling artists, but this one focuses on a fictional folk singer named Llewyn Davis in 1961 Greenwich Village. The film stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, and John Goodman. The Coen brothers, who wrote, directed, and co-produced the film, were inspired by the story of a musician named Dave Van Ronk.
Cor Cordium Productions
#37. Nomadland (2020)
Frances McDormand in a scene from ’Nomadland’
– Director: Chloé Zhao
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 107 minutes
Director Chloé Zhao’s revealing drama features a cast of both veteran actors and real-life nomads. Frances McDormand gives a boldly unfettered performance as Fern, who takes up a life on the road after losing everything she has to the Great Recession. It won Academy Awards for Best Actress, Best Picture, and Best Director, the latter of which made Zhao the first Asian woman to win an Oscar for directing.
Sony Pictures Classics
#36. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Timothee Chalamet in a scene from “Call Me by Your Name”
– Director: Luca Guadagnino
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 132 minutes
This lush film set over a summer in Italy dives into the story of an American teenager (Timothée Chalamet) who has a sexual awakening when his family hosts an older graduate student named Oliver (Armie Hammer). Based on a novel of the same name, the gay romance film is known for a few shocking moments, as well as a haunting final scene with music from Sufjan Stevens. A sequel is reportedly in talks.
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IAC Films
#35. Lady Bird (2017)
Saoirse Ronan in a scene from “Lady Bird”
– Director: Greta Gerwig
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 94 minutes
Greta Gerwig’s coming-of-age insta-classic “Lady Bird” depicts the daily life of a strong-willed Catholic high schooler in Sacramento as she deals with friends, boyfriends, and her mother. The film was also known for notable performances by Saoirse Ronan as the title character and Laurie Metcalf as her mother.
Participant Media
#34. Spotlight (2015)
Michael Keaton and cast in a scene from ‘Spotlight’
– Director: Tom McCarthy
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 129 minutes
Based on real events, “Spotlight” traces the footsteps of investigative journalists at the Boston Globe looking into allegations against a priest accused of abusing boys. Soon, they learn of a larger cover-up within the Catholic Church. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and today, the real-life investigative team still works to uncover scandals.
Paramount Vantage
#33. There Will Be Blood (2007)
Daniel Day-Lewis in a scene from ‘There Will Be Blood’
– Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
– Metascore: 93
– Runtime: 158 minutes
In Paul Thomas Anderson’s adaptation of the novel “Oil!” by Upton Sinclair, a greedy silver miner-turned-oil prospector moves to California and tries to con landowners out of their oil-rich land. It earned Daniel Day-Lewis an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Sony Pictures
#32. Mr. Turner (2014)
Actors in a scene from ‘Mr Turner’
– Director: Mike Leigh
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 150 minutes
“Mr. Turner,” directed by Mike Leigh, covers the last 25 years in the life of the English painter J.M.W. Turner. The controversial figure had many affairs, including with a landlady and his housekeeper, and was known for his eccentric behavior.
BFI Film Fund
#31. 45 Years (2015)
Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay in a scene from ’45 Years’
– Director: Andrew Haigh
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 95 minutes
In “45 Years,” a husband and wife are about to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary when the husband learns that the body of his long-lost former lover has been found in the Swiss Alps—a discovery that threatens to change their lives forever. This British film is based on a short story titled “In Another Country” by David Constantine.
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Les Films du Losange
#30. Amour (2012)
Emmanuelle Riva in a scene from ‘Amour’
– Director: Michael Haneke
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 127 minutes
Don’t forget your tissue box: The French romance film “Amour” is about a loving marriage torn apart by a woman’s debilitating stroke. The New Yorker’s Hannah Goldfield called it depressing “to the point that I seriously contemplated escaping to the bathroom to have it out and collect myself, and considered leaving the theatre altogether.” It won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
The Weinstein Company
#29. Carol (2015)
Cate Blanchett in a scene from “Carol”
– Director: Todd Haynes
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 118 minutes
This bewitching drama follows the romance between a married woman named Carol (Cate Blanchett) and a young shopkeeper (Rooney Mara). Set in 1950s New York, the film is based on the novel “The Price of Salt” by Patricia Highsmith.
Sony Pictures Classics
#28. Before Midnight (2013)
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in a scene from ‘Before Midnight’
– Director: Richard Linklater
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 109 minutes
In the final installment of the Before trilogy, the two lovers (Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy) reminisce on their lives together and how things might have been different. This time, the story is set during their vacation in Greece.
20th Century Fox
#27. Sideways (2004)
Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church in a scene from ‘Sideways’
– Director: Alexander Payne
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 127 minutes
Wine snobs and film buffs alike adore this black comedy about two friends who have a series of adventures (and misadventures) through California’s Santa Ynez Valley. Starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, the film was nominated for five Oscars.
Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia
#26. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh in a scene from ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’
– Director: Ang Lee
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 120 minutes
Martial arts movies are often considered relics: not so for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” The Chinese film by Ang Lee, which tells the tale of a stolen sword, was released in 2000 and nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture.
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Netflix
#25. Marriage Story (2019)
Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson in a scene from ‘Marriage Story’
– Director: Noah Baumbach
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 137 minutes
Indie legend Noah Baumbach examines the crumbling marriage of Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) in this poignant dramedy. Divided between two coasts, the drifting partners struggle to balance their personal lives with the demands of their respective careers. Along with films like “Roma” and “The Irishman,” this work further establishes Netflix as a provider of Oscar-worthy content.
Fábrica de Cine
#24. The Irishman (2019)
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Ray Romano and others in a scene from ‘The Irishman’
– Director: Martin Scorsese
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 209 minutes
Based on an alleged work of nonfiction, Martin Scorsese’s latest mob saga promises to reveal the true fate of Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino). Bringing the tale to life is former hitman Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro), who claims to have partaken in the union leader’s disappearance. Much of the film’s costly budget went toward de-aging technology to present Sheeran at various points in his life without swapping actors.
Summit Entertainment
#23. La La Land (2016)
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in a scene from ‘La La Land’
– Director: Damien Chazelle
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 128 minutes
“La La Land” follows two star-crossed lovers—one an actress, the other a jazz musician—as they pursue their dreams in Los Angeles. One big twist? The romantic dramedy, which won six Oscars, also happens to be a musical.
Warner Bros.
#22. Dunkirk (2017)
Fionn Whitehead in a scene from ‘Dunkirk’
– Director: Christopher Nolan
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 106 minutes
Christopher Nolan, known for blockbusters like “The Dark Knight” and “Inception,” directed this war film. The movie, which has an ensemble cast, illuminates the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II, showing it from the perspectives of air, sea, and land.
Disney/Pixar
#21. Inside Out (2015)
An Illustrated frame from ‘Inside Out’
– Directors: Pete Docter, Ronnie Del Carmen
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 95 minutes
What if your feelings had personalities? That’s the idea explored in Pixar’s “Inside Out,” a colorful film about the emotions of a young girl who moves with her family from Minnesota to San Francisco. Her emotions are voiced by Amy Poehler (“Joy”), Phyllis Smith (“Sadness”), Lewis Black (“Anger”), Mindy Kaling (“Disgust”), and Bill Hader (“Fear”).
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New Line Cinema
#20. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Viggo Mortenson, Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom in a scene from ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’
– Director: Peter Jackson
– Metascore: 94
– Runtime: 201 minutes
The final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy lived up to the hype as Frodo the hobbit nears Mount Doom. The other members of his fellowship fight to defeat the evil armies deployed to take them down. Though some mocked it for being long-winded (the runtime was nearly 3 1/2 hours), it was nominated for 11 Oscars—and won each one.
British Film Institute (BRI)
#19. Rocks (2019)
Bukky Bakray and Kosar Ali in a scene from ‘Rocks’
– Director: Sarah Gavron
– Metascore: 95
– Runtime: 93 minutes
After the sudden departure of her mother, a British teen (Bukky Bakray) must take care of herself and her younger brother (D’angelou Osei Kissiedu) in this heartfelt drama. It offers a stark portrait of London life through the eyes of young women with authentic performances to match. At the BAFTAs, Bakray became the youngest actress to ever win the EE Rising Star Award.
Lilies Films
#18. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Adele Haenel and Nome Merlant in a scene from “Portrait of a Lady on Fire”
– Director: Céline Sciamma
– Metascore: 95
– Runtime: 122 minutes
It might be set in the 18th century, but Céline Sciamma’s latest effort is far from the average costume drama. When a French artist named Marianne is commissioned to paint the portrait of a young woman, the two gradually develop a forbidden romance. In addition to winning Best Screenplay at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Sciamma became the first female director to win the Queer Palm.
Sony Pictures Classics
#17. A Separation (2011)
Leila Hatami and Payman Maadi in a scene from ‘A Separation’
– Director: Asghar Farhadi
– Metascore: 95
– Runtime: 123 minutes
This Iranian drama film is about the separation of a couple and the fallout from their decision. In 2012, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. This was a big accomplishment, considering it was the first foreign-language film to garner a nomination in that category in five years. Though it didn’t win, it did snag an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
Columbia Pictures
#16. Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Jessica Chastain and Jessica Ann Collins in a scene from ‘Zero Dark Thirty’.
– Director: Kathryn Bigelow
– Metascore: 95
– Runtime: 157 minutes
Kathryn Bigelow’s follow-up to her critically acclaimed film “The Hurt Locker,” “Zero Dark Thirty” stars Jessica Chastain as CIA operative Maya, who spearheads the SEAL team-led search for Osama bin Laden. The story is based on actual events.
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Voltage Pictures
#15. The Hurt Locker (2008)
Jeremy Renner in a scene from ‘The Hurt Locker’
– Director: Kathryn Bigelow
– Metascore: 95
– Runtime: 131 minutes
Kathryn Bigelow’s drama takes on the high-stakes world of bomb disposal. This story depicts a sergeant in the Iraq War (Jeremy Renner) who faces conflict with his squad for his unconventional methods.
Columbia Pictures Corporation
#14. The Social Network (2010)
Jesse Eisenberg in a scene from ‘The Social Network’
– Director: David Fincher
– Metascore: 95
– Runtime: 120 minutes
Today, billions of people around the globe use Facebook. David Fincher’s snappy drama fictionalizes the roots of the company, starting with its complicated beginnings at Harvard. Fincher digs into the darker side of Facebook’s founding, from the friendship-ending legal fights to the ways social networking has changed human interaction.
Walt Disney Pictures
#13. WALL·E (2008)
Ben Burtt in a scene from ‘WALL·E’
– Director: Andrew Stanton
– Metascore: 95
– Runtime: 98 minutes
Pixar’s sci-fi extravaganza “WALL·E” is about the last robot left on an abandoned Earth. He spends his days cleaning up trash until an encounter with a sleek space probe called EVE changes his life. Not only was this film by Andrew Stanton lauded for its beautiful art direction, but it was also beloved for its timely environmentalist message.
Esperanto Filmoj
#12. Roma (2018)
Promotional cast photo of ‘Roma’
– Director: Alfonso Cuarón
– Metascore: 96
– Runtime: 135 minutes
In this black-and-white, semi-autobiographical movie, Alfonso Cuarón (“Children of Men” and “Gravity”) takes viewers to 1970s Mexico City. It recounts a year in one household, examining the life of a housekeeper and the mother of four who employs her.
Amazon Studios
#11. Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Casey Affleck and Kyle Chandler in a scene from ‘Manchester by the Sea’
– Director: Kenneth Lonergan
– Metascore: 96
– Runtime: 137 minutes
Filmed in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, this drama was written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan and based on a story by actors Matt Damon and John Krasinski. When the main character’s brother dies, he must care for his teenage nephew. Though star Casey Affleck’s performance was lauded, even winning him an Oscar, he later came under fire for sexual harassment allegations. As a result, he broke the tradition of presenting the Academy Award for Best Actress the following year.
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Regency Enterprises
#10. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Lupita Nyong’o in a scene from ’12 Years a Slave’
– Director: Steve McQueen
– Metascore: 96
– Runtime: 134 minutes
Adapted from a slave memoir of the same name, this movie tells the real-life story of a free Black man in New York (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who is kidnapped and sold back into slavery. During his 12th year of slavery, he has a chance meeting with a Canadian that changes his life. The film, which also earned Lupita Nyong’o her breakout, Oscar-winning role, won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Pixar Animation Studios
#9. Ratatouille (2007)
An animated still from ‘Ratatouille’
– Directors: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
– Metascore: 96
– Runtime: 111 minutes
What would you do if you found out that your fancy French meal was made by a rat? That’s the premise of this 2007 Pixar film, wherein a rat named Remy teams up with a young kitchen worker at a restaurant named Linguini to secretly become a chef.
Studio Ghibli
#8. Spirited Away (2001)
An animated still from ‘Spirited Away’
– Director: Hayao Miyazaki
– Metascore: 96
– Runtime: 125 minutes
Beloved Japanese director and founder of the animation studio Studio Ghibli Hayao Miyazaki may be best known for “Spirited Away.” The coming-of-age, animated fantasy is about a 10-year-old girl who enters the spirit world.
Barunson E&A
#7. Parasite (2019)
A scene from the film ‘Parasite’
– Director: Bong Joon Ho
– Metascore: 96
– Runtime: 132 minutes
From the director of “Okja” and “Snowpiercer” comes this pitch-black comedy, in which the underprivileged Kim family inserts itself into a wealthy household. As a bizarre symbiotic relationship develops, parasitic metaphors bubble to the surface. It won the Palme d’Or at 2019’s Cannes Film Festival by unanimous decision.
Warner Bros.
#6. Gravity (2013)
Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in a scene from ‘Gravity’
– Director: Alfonso Cuarón
– Metascore: 96
– Runtime: 91 minutes
This Alfonso Cuarón film focuses on a medical engineer (Sandra Bullock) on her first space mission and a veteran astronaut (George Clooney) on his last. When their shuttle is destroyed, the two of them are lost in space, fighting to survive.
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Deblokada Produkcija
#5. Quo Vadis, Aida? (2020)
Jasna Djuricic in ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’
– Director: Jasmila Zbanic
– Metascore: 97
– Runtime: 101 minutes
This gripping Bosnian drama unfolds against the backdrop of a violent war and dramatizes the notorious Srebrenica massacre. When the Serbian army takes control of her small town, a local UN translator tries desperately to save her family. Director Jasmila Zbanic’s minimalist approach renders palpable authenticity and severe emotional impact.
Mobra Films
#4. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)
Anamaria Marinca and Laura Vasiliu in a scene from ‘4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days’
– Director: Cristian Mungiu
– Metascore: 97
– Runtime: 113 minutes
Four months, three weeks, and two days: That’s how long a young Romanian woman has been pregnant. Aided by her university roommate, she seeks an illegal abortion. Directed by Cristian Mungiu, this film set in the late 1980s won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2007.
Estudios Picasso
#3. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Ivana Baquero in a scene from ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’
– Director: Guillermo del Toro
– Metascore: 98
– Runtime: 118 minutes
Director Guillermo del Toro spins a twisted fairy tale with “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Set in Spain just after the Spanish Civil War, it relates the story of a young girl named Ofelia, whose stepfather is a murderous military officer. While her pregnant mother grows ill, Ofelia meets magical creatures who draw her into a whimsical, sometimes terrifying place called Pan’s Labyrinth.
A24
#2. Moonlight (2016)
Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in a scene from “Moonlight”
– Director: Barry Jenkins
– Metascore: 99
– Runtime: 111 minutes
The story of Chiron, a black boy living in Miami, is told in three parts. First, young Chiron befriends a drug dealer named Juan, who becomes a father figure to him. Next, he’s an adolescent struggling to survive in a household with a crack-addicted mother. Finally, he’s an adult man reckoning with how his life has turned out. Though this beautiful, emotional film was awarded the Academy Award for Best Picture, the ceremony is largely known for a gaffe from Oscar presenters, who accidentally announced “La La Land” as the winner before correcting themselves in one of the most awkward moments in Oscar history.
IFC Films
#1. Boyhood (2014)
Ellar Coltrane in a scene from ‘Boyhood’
– Director: Richard Linklater
– Metascore: 100
– Runtime: 165 minutes
Richard Linklater knows how to dedicate himself to his art. He filmed “Boyhood,” which examines a kid’s life over the course of 12 years, from his childhood up until he turns 18. He began with only basic plot points for this coming-of-age epic. The rest of the story evolved over the course of more than a decade of filming.
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