Director Quentin Tarantino has shared the opening entries of his Quentin Tarantino best movies list for the 21st Century, naming Steven Spielberg’s 2021 West Side Story remake as his first pick and sparking debate over what—and who—defines modern cinematic excitement. His comments came during a recent appearance on the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, where he also notably excluded many Martin Scorsese films widely considered contemporary classics.
Announcing his choices, Tarantino pointed to Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, which landed critical acclaim and a Best Supporting Actress win for Ariana DeBose at the 94th Academy Awards, as his top movie since 2000. In support of his selection, Tarantino remarked,
“This is the one where Steven shows he still has it,”
and added,
“I don’t think Scorsese has made a film this exciting [this century].”
– Quentin Tarantino, Director
Tarantino’s Surprising Choices and Scorsese’s Omission
While Tarantino praised Spielberg for capturing fresh excitement, he surprised many by overlooking films from Martin Scorsese’s 21st Century catalog. Since 2000, Scorsese’s films—including Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Hugo, Shutter Island, The Wolf of Wall Street, Silence, The Irishman, and Killers of the Flower Moon—have found both commercial and critical success, with several achieving status as modern classics. However, Tarantino’s remark suggested none of these reached the thrilling heights of Spielberg’s recent musical adaptation.
Audience reactions to West Side Story’s box office were more subdued, as the film collected $76 million globally despite its awards circuit success. Still, Tarantino’s commentary indicates he was more interested in the artistic impact and excitement value rather than mainstream popularity.
The List So Far: Tarantino’s Standout 21st Century Films
Those curious about Tarantino’s personal ranking can look to the partial list he revealed, which includes a wide range of genres and approaches. His current selections besides West Side Story are Cabin Fever, Moneyball, Chocolate, The Devil’s Rejects, The Passion of the Christ, School of Rock, Jackass: The Movie, Big Bad Wolves, and Battle Royale. Tarantino plans to reveal the next ten films in an upcoming episode of the podcast.
This varied lineup shows an appreciation for both mainstream and cult favorites, reflecting Tarantino’s renowned eclectic taste and his willingness to champion films that made a lasting impression, regardless of critical or box office consensus.
What’s Next for Tarantino and the Ongoing Debate
Tarantino himself remains busy, preparing a re-release of his iconic creation. The new edition, titled The Whole Bloody Affair, will combine both volumes of Kill Bill into a single feature and include a never-before-seen anime sequence. As viewers await this extended film cut and the rest of his Quentin Tarantino best movies list, discussion continues around the merits of Scorsese’s output and the subjectivity of cinematic excitement.
By publicly favoring Spielberg’s West Side Story over Martin Scorsese’s extensive 21st century work, Tarantino has reignited conversations among critics, audiences, and film lovers about how filmmakers influence modern cinema and which works resonate most powerfully. With the next part of his list still to come, fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely.
