The People’s Verdict: The Top 100 Best Movies Of The 21st Century, According To Readers

The cinematic landscape of the 21st Century is a vibrant tapestry of blockbusters, arthouse gems, and international masterpieces, but what truly stands the test of time is the audience's enduring love. As of December 2025, a massive public poll conducted by The New York Times has finally settled the score, compiling a definitive list of the 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century (2000-2025) based on the votes of hundreds of thousands of readers. This "People's Choice" list offers a fascinating, and often controversial, counterpoint to the more traditional critics' selections, highlighting a clear preference for narrative complexity, emotional resonance, and high-concept genre filmmaking. The final results reveal a striking divergence from the critical consensus, proving that what resonates with a global audience is often very different from what film scholars deem "essential." While the critics often favor abstract or structurally experimental films, the readers' list is dominated by movies that deliver on spectacle, profound philosophical questions, and deeply satisfying character arcs. This list is not just a ranking; it is a cultural snapshot of the films that have truly shaped the modern movie-going experience.

The Readers' Definitive Top 10: A Blend of Global Thrillers and Sci-Fi Epics

The top tier of the Readers' Choice list immediately established a trend: a strong appreciation for international cinema and cerebral, high-stakes thrillers. The final tally from nearly 200,000 ballots solidified a powerful top six that has sparked endless debate across social media and film forums. The following list represents the films that received the highest number of votes from the public, showcasing the power of audience affinity over purely academic critique.

• #1. Parasite (2019) - Director: Bong Joon Ho. The South Korean masterpiece secured the top spot, a testament to its universal themes of class struggle and its flawless blending of dark comedy, thriller, and social commentary. Its historic Oscar win clearly cemented its place in the public consciousness.
• #2. Mulholland Drive (2001) - Director: David Lynch. The enduring cult status of this neo-noir mystery, which delves into the dark side of Hollywood ambition, proves that audiences are willing to embrace complex, dreamlike narratives.
• #3. No Country for Old Men (2007) - Directors: The Coen Brothers. This stark, philosophical Western-thriller remains a favorite for its relentless tension, moral ambiguity, and the iconic, terrifying performance by Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh.
• #4. There Will Be Blood (2007) - Director: Paul Thomas Anderson. A monumental epic of capitalism, ambition, and madness, Daniel Day-Lewis's commanding performance is clearly a major factor in its high placement.
• #5. Interstellar (2014) - Director: Christopher Nolan. Nolan's ambitious, visually stunning space opera, which tackles themes of love, time, and human survival, is a quintessential audience pick, reflecting a deep love for grand-scale science fiction that makes you think.
• #6. The Dark Knight (2008) - Director: Christopher Nolan. The highest-ranking superhero film on the list, this is a clear nod to the film's gritty realism, Heath Ledger's legendary Joker, and its impact on the modern comic book genre.

Other films that consistently appeared in the upper echelons of the poll, often rounding out the top 10, included Peter Jackson's *The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring* (2001), another Christopher Nolan mind-bender *Inception* (2010), the visceral action of *Mad Max: Fury Road* (2015), and Quentin Tarantino’s revisionist war film *Inglourious Basterds* (2009).

The Great Divide: Critics' Picks vs. Audience Favorites

The most compelling aspect of the Readers' Choice list is the stark contrast it provides to the official critics' list, which was compiled by a panel of over 500 directors, actors, and industry experts. The data reveals that only a mere 33 films managed to secure a spot on both the critics' and the readers' top 100.

The Films Critics Missed (But Readers Loved)

The readers' list is a treasure trove of "fan favorites" that were either completely snubbed or significantly lower on the critics' ranking. These are the movies that generate passionate repeat viewing and have established massive, dedicated fanbases. * Genre Dominance: The readers demonstrated a powerful preference for genre films. While critics often relegate action, sci-fi, and horror to lower tiers, the audience embraced them. The inclusion of the entire *The Lord of the Rings Trilogy*, the neo-Western *Children of Men* (2006), the psychological sci-fi *Moon* (2009), and the acclaimed horror film *Hereditary* (2018) are prime examples of this trend. * The Power of the Blockbuster: Films that were both critically respected and commercially massive, such as Martin Scorsese's crime epic *The Departed* (2006) and the high-octane South Indian action film *RRR* (2022), found much higher placement with the readers. These films offer a blend of high production value and accessible storytelling that resonates deeply with the general public. * The Cult of the Director: Readers showed a strong loyalty to certain auteurs whose work is highly stylized and immediately recognizable. Wes Anderson's whimsical films, including *The Grand Budapest Hotel* (2014) and *The Royal Tenenbaums* (2001), were consistently ranked high, demonstrating that unique visual style is a major factor in audience appeal.

The Critics' Darlings That Didn't Connect

Conversely, several films highly praised by critics and industry insiders failed to crack the readers' top 100. These are often films with a slower pace, more ambiguous themes, or highly niche appeal. This divergence highlights a fundamental difference in what constitutes "greatness" between the two groups: critics often value formal innovation and structural complexity, while readers prioritize emotional impact and rewatchability.

Key Trends and Influential Entities of the 21st Century

Analyzing the full list reveals several key trends that define the cinematic tastes of the 21st-century audience. The list is a powerful indicator of which directors, screenwriters, and franchises have had the most profound impact on the current generation of movie lovers.

The Rise of Global Cinema

The success of *Parasite* at number one is not an isolated incident. The readers' list features a significantly higher number of non-English language films compared to previous decades' polls. This reflects the impact of streaming services and global access, which have broken down traditional geographic barriers. Other highly-ranked international entities include the stylish South Korean revenge thriller *Oldboy* (2003) and Park Chan-wook’s sensual, complex mystery *The Handmaiden* (2016).

The Dominance of Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan is arguably the most represented director on the readers' list. With films like *Inception*, *Interstellar*, *The Dark Knight*, and *Dunkirk* all receiving high placement, his brand of blockbuster filmmaking—which pairs massive scale with complex, often non-linear narratives and philosophical undertones—is clearly the gold standard for modern audiences. His consistent appearance validates the audience's desire for intellectually stimulating spectacle.

The Enduring Power of the Auteur

Beyond Nolan, the list is populated by directors whose unique voices are instantly recognizable. Entities such as Paul Thomas Anderson, the Coen Brothers, Quentin Tarantino, and David Lynch all have multiple high-ranking entries. This suggests that while franchise cinema is popular, audiences still crave the singular vision of an auteur. Tarantino’s *Inglourious Basterds* and *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* (2019) are prime examples of his stylistic fingerprints connecting directly with the voting public. The New York Times Readers' Choice list is more than just a ranking; it is a declaration of the films that have truly mattered to the people. It's a celebration of global cinema, high-concept genre stories, and the directors who dare to challenge and entertain in equal measure. Whether you agree with the rankings or not, this list provides a fresh, definitive viewing guide for the best, most beloved films of the last 25 years.