How Cinema’s Elite Voted for the Greatest Films Since 2000
When The New York Times set out to determine the 100 greatest films of the 21st century, they didn’t rely on algorithms or box office numbers. Instead, they conducted an unprecedented survey of more than 500 film industry luminaries – directors, actors, critics and scholars – each submitting their personal top 10 list. The result is perhaps the most authoritative ranking of modern cinema ever assembled.
The Methodology Behind the Masterpiece Selection
The voting panel included Oscar winners, Palme d’Or recipients, and some of the most respected voices in film criticism. Participants were asked to consider only films released after January 1, 2000, with votes weighted to create this definitive hierarchy. The complete interactive experience on NYTimes.com allows readers to:
- Submit their own top 10 ballot
- Create personalized watchlists
- Explore in-depth commentary on each selection
- Filter films by genre, director or country of origin
The Top 10: A New Cinematic Pantheon
- Parasite (2019) – Bong Joon Ho’s genre-defying masterpiece became the first foreign language film to win Best Picture at the Oscars, cementing its place as the defining film of our era.
- Mulholland Drive (2001) – David Lynch’s hypnotic Hollywood nightmare continues to haunt viewers with its surreal narrative and unforgettable imagery.
- There Will Be Blood (2007) – Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic of American greed features Daniel Day-Lewis’ career-defining performance as oil tycoon Daniel Plainview.
- In the Mood for Love (2000) – Wong Kar-wai’s exquisite romance captures longing and restraint through sumptuous visuals and heartbreaking subtlety.
- Moonlight (2016) – Barry Jenkins’ tender triptych about Black queer identity broke barriers while achieving universal emotional resonance.
- No Country for Old Men (2007) – The Coen Brothers’ flawless adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s novel redefined the modern western thriller.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) – Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman created the most inventive and poignant sci-fi romance of our time.
- Get Out (2017) – Jordan Peele’s social horror masterpiece announced a major new voice in American cinema while sparking crucial cultural conversations.
- Spirited Away (2001) – Hayao Miyazaki’s animated wonder remains Studio Ghibli’s crowning achievement, a gateway drug for adult animation.
- The Social Network (2010) – David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin’s razor-sharp portrait of Facebook’s origins predicted our digital dystopia.
Notable Trends and Takeaways
- International Dominance: Nearly half the list (47 films) originate outside the U.S., with strong showings from South Korea, France, Mexico and the UK.
- Directorial Heavyweights: Christopher Nolan and Paul Thomas Anderson each have 4 films represented, while the Coen Brothers and Alfonso Cuarón claim 3 entries apiece.
- Genre Diversity: The list spans from superhero films (The Dark Knight) to documentaries (The Act of Killing), proving artistic merit knows no categorical bounds.
- Recent Recognition: 2023’s Oppenheimer (#65) and The Zone of Interest (#12) made strong showings despite their recent release.
Surprises and Snubs
While the list celebrates many expected classics, some omissions have sparked debate:
- No Marvel films besides Black Panther (#96)
- Absence of Pixar staples like Toy Story 3
- Only one superhero movie in the top 50 (The Dark Knight at #28)
- Recent critical darlings like Everything Everywhere All At Once landed lower than some predicted (#77)
The Complete Century-Defining 100
[The full ranked list continues through #100 as in original…]
This landmark survey offers more than just a ranking – it provides a roadmap to understanding 21st century cinema’s evolution. From South Korean class warfare to French romantic longing, from American western landscapes to Japanese bathhouse spirits, these films collectively capture our globalized, fragmented, technologically-transformed world.
As film culture becomes increasingly decentralized in the streaming era, The New York Times has given us both a time capsule and a compass – 100 artistic touchstones that will continue to influence how we see ourselves on screen for decades to come.
