Quentin Tarantino Unveils His Top Ten Films of This Century

Quentin Tarantino, the legendary filmmaker, recently opened up about his favorite movies released since the year 2000. During a conversation on The Brett Easton Ellis Podcast, Tarantino surprised fans by naming Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down as his number one pick. The director’s choices reflect his appreciation for a broad spectrum of modern cinema, highlighting both blockbusters and more intimate stories.

Black Hawk Down Takes the Crown

When discussing his top choice, Tarantino didn’t hold back his admiration for Scott’s 2001 war epic.

I think it’s a masterwork, and one of the things I love so much about it is […] this is the only movie that actually goes completely for an Apocalypse Now sense of purpose and visual effect and feeling, and I think it achieves it.

He went on to say,

It keeps up the intensity for two hours 45 minutes, or whatever it is, and I watched it again recently. My heart was going through the entire runtime of the movie; it had me and never let me go, and I hadn’t seen it in a while. The feat of direction is beyond extraordinary.

Tarantino’s praise for the film’s relentless pace and emotional impact shows just how deeply it resonated with him.

Animated Hits and Indie Darlings

Among the other films that made Tarantino’s top ten, Toy Story 3 stands out. He called it

almost a perfect movie

and admitted it

ripped my fucking heart out

. Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation also earned a spot, with Tarantino joking,

I fell so much in love with Lost in Translation that I fell in love with Sofia Coppola and made her my girlfriend.

These selections reveal his appreciation for both animated storytelling and nuanced, character-driven narratives.

Genre Favorites and Modern Classics

The rest of Tarantino’s list is just as eclectic. He included Mad Max: Fury Road, Shaun of the Dead, and Midnight in Paris, showing his love for action, comedy, and romance alike. Other notable entries are Dunkirk, There Will Be Blood, Zodiac, and Unstoppable. Each film brings something unique to the table, whether it’s gripping suspense, powerful performances, or innovative direction.

Here’s Tarantino’s full top ten films of the 21st century so far:

1. Black Hawk Down
2. Toy Story 3
3. Lost In Translation
4. Dunkirk
5. There Will Be Blood
6. Zodiac
7. Unstoppable
8. Mad Max: Fury Road
9. Shaun of the Dead
10. Midnight in Paris