Renowned director Quentin Tarantino has publicly shared part of his personal list of favorite 21st-century films, choosing to reveal his rankings for numbers 11 through 20 during his appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis podcast. This curated selection, which is expected to generate significant discussion among film enthusiasts, marks the first installment of his anticipated top 20, putting Quentin Tarantino favorite 21st-century films in the spotlight.
Tarantino Unveils His Picks for 21st-Century Cinema
While speaking with Bret Easton Ellis, Quentin Tarantino surprised listeners by sharing his numbers 11 to 20 from his list of what he considers the best cinematic offerings produced since the year 2000. The choices reflected his distinct taste and appreciation for a range of genres and storytelling styles, sparking animated conversations in the film community. The following films comprise the portion of his top 20 revealed so far:
20. West Side Story, directed by Steven Spielberg
19. Cabin Fever, directed by Eli Roth
18. Moneyball, directed by Bennett Miller
17. Chocolate, directed by Prachya Pinkaew
16. The Devil’s Rejects, directed by Rob Zombie
15. The Passion of the Christ, directed by Mel Gibson
14. School of Rock, directed by Richard Linklater
13. Jackass: The Movie, directed by Jeff Tremaine
12. Big Bad Wolves, directed by Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado
11. Battle Royale, directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Context Behind Tarantino’s Notable Selections
Tarantino’s remarks during the podcast gave insight into why he chose these films and directors, including icons like Steven Spielberg, Kinji Fukasaku, and Bennett Miller. He highlighted Spielberg’s direction of West Side Story for reinvigorating the legendary filmmaker’s career, and specifically remarked,
“This is the one where Steven shows he still has it. I don’t think Scorsese has made a film this exciting,”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director, in reference to 21st-century films.
Giving further background to his decisions, Tarantino acknowledged his unique sense of humor and admiration for films with comedic impact when discussing Jackass: The Movie. He candidly expressed,
“laughed the most at these last 20 years.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director. He also reminisced about classic comedians, adding,
“I don’t remember laughing beginning to the end like this since Richard Pryor.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director.
Personal Favorites and Recurring Inspirations
Some selections, like Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale, are not new to Tarantino’s public lists. He has frequently referenced this Japanese film as a major inspiration over the years. He was quoted saying of the film,
“If there was any movie that has been made since I’ve been making movies, that I wish I had made, it’s that one.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director. Such admissions illuminate how Tarantino’s influences span global cinema, crossing genres and cultures to shape his creative vision.
Impact and Anticipation For the Remainder of the List
Tarantino’s choices have ignited lively debate across fan circles, with many speculating what titles will populate the top half of his list. The early entries reflect his appreciation for filmmakers such as Aharon Keshales, Navot Papushado, Rob Zombie, Eli Roth, and Richard Linklater, as well as nods to pop culture and genre-defining films. As the remainder of Quentin Tarantino favorite 21st-century films is set to be unveiled later, both his fans and the wider film community eagerly await the director’s full rankings and the conversations they are certain to provoke about modern cinematic achievement.
