Quentin Tarantino Shares His Pick for the Best Movie of the 21st Century — and It’s Not What You’d Expect

Quentin Tarantino Reveals his Top Movie of the 21st Century

As the year 2025 draws to a close and we approach the second quarter of the 21st century, acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino has shared his personal selection of the best movies from the last 25 years. In a recent appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast on December 2, Tarantino, known for his iconic films like “Pulp Fiction” and “Kill Bill”, discussed his favourite movies with host Bret Easton Ellis, the renowned author of “American Psycho”.

Surprising many cinephiles, Tarantino, aged 62, revealed that his top pick for the best movie of the 21st century so far is Ridley Scott’s 2001 ensemble war drama, “Black Hawk Down”. Despite initially liking the movie, Tarantino confessed that its intense nature led to it not resonating with him as strongly as he had anticipated. The film, starring Ewan McGregor, Josh Hartnett, and others, follows American soldiers whose helicopter is shot down during a crucial battle in the Somali civil war in 1993, earning two Oscars for Best Sound and Best Film Editing in 2002.

Tarantino praised “Black Hawk Down” for its uncompromising commitment to its vision and its ability to evoke the same sense of purpose and visual impact as “Apocalypse Now”. Upon revisiting the film recently, he noted that it captivated him from start to finish, with his heart racing throughout the entire runtime, a testament to its powerful storytelling and cinematic prowess.

In addition to “Black Hawk Down”, Tarantino also hailed “Toy Story 3” and “Lost in Translation” as his second and third favourite movies of the past 25 years. He emotionally described how the conclusion of “Toy Story 3” tugged at his heartstrings, while lauding director Sofia Coppola’s “Lost in Translation” for its poignant portrayal of human connection and isolation.

Rounding off his top 10 list of the best movies of the 21st century, Tarantino included acclaimed titles such as “Dunkirk”, “There Will Be Blood”, “Zodiac”, “Unstoppable”, “Mad Max: Fury Road”, “Shaun of the Dead”, and “Midnight in Paris”. Each film, according to Tarantino, showcases exceptional storytelling, compelling characters, and masterful direction that have left a lasting impact on audiences.

Despite his critical acclaim for these films, Tarantino himself last directed “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” in 2019, starring A-list actors such as Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. Fans can anticipate a spinoff of the film featuring Pitt’s character, Cliff Booth, in collaboration with director David Fincher, slated for release in 2026. Furthermore, Tarantino hinted that his much-anticipated 10th and purportedly final film may not materialise until his son Leo reaches a certain age, creating a lasting memory for them both.

As the movie industry continues to evolve, Quentin Tarantino’s discerning taste and unique perspective offer valuable insights into the cinematic treasures that have defined the 21st century thus far. With his bold choices and deep appreciation for the art of filmmaking, Tarantino’s recommendations serve as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling on the silver screen.