Quentin Tarantino, acclaimed filmmaker and known for his unwavering opinions on cinema, recently shared the first half of his personal Quentin Tarantino favorite films list for the 21st century during a candid appearance on the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast. Focusing on movies that have resonated with him since the year 2000, Tarantino offered his unfiltered thoughts and colorful commentary on spots 11 through 20, providing rare insight into his tastes and cinematic inspirations.
Tarantino Shares His Picks: Positions 11 to 20
During the wide-ranging podcast conversation, Tarantino began by revealing his fondness for unique storytelling and directorial originality. The director, known for films such as “Kill Bill” and “Pulp Fiction,” described the significance and personal impact of the films placed in his 11th through 20th favorite slots. His selections span a variety of genres—from horror to sports drama, and from slapstick comedy to intense thrillers—showcasing his eclectic and passionate embrace of global cinema.
Detailed Breakdown of Tarantino’s Favorite Films (11-20)
The following films make up the initial half of Quentin Tarantino’s curated list, each selected for its memorable impact, artistic daring, or personal resonance. Alongside each, Tarantino added candid thoughts that reflect his trademark enthusiasm and frankness:
11. Battle Royale (Kinji Fukasaku)
“I do not understand how the Japanese writer didn’t sue [‘Hunger Games’ author] Susan Collins for every fcking thing she owns. They just ripped off the fcking book. Stupid book critics are not going to go watch a Japanese movie called Battle Royale, so the stupid book critics never called her on it — they talked about how it was the most original fcking thing they’d ever read. As soon as the film critics saw the film, they said, ‘what the fck, this is just Battle Royale except PG!’”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director
12. Big Bad Wolves (Aharon Keshales, Navot Papushado)
“This has got a fantastic script and a similar storyline to Prisoners […] they handle it with guts and balls — you know the American movie wouldn’t do that […]”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director
13. Jackass: The Movie (Jeff Tremaine)
“This was the movie I laughed at the most in these last 20 years. I don’t remember laughing from beginning to end like this since Richard Pryor […] As I was making Kill Bill, I thought this movie was so f*cking funny I had to show it to the crew. So we found a print, watched the movie, and just died.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director
14. The School of Rock (Richard Linklater)
“It was a really fun time at the theaters. It was a real fun, fun, fun screening. I do think this one had the explosion of Jack Black combined with Rick Linklater and Mike White — that made it special […] this is as close to Bad News Bears as we ever got.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director
15. The Passion of the Christ (Mel Gibson)
“I was laughing a lot during the movie. Not because we were trying to be perverse, laughing at Jesus getting fcked up — extreme violence is just funny to me — and when you go so far beyond extremity, it just gets funnier and funnier. We were just groaning and laughing at how fcked up this was […] Mel did a tremendous directorial job. He put me in that time period. I talked to Mel Gibson about this and he looked at me like I was a f*cking nut.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director
16. The Devil’s Rejects (Rob Zombie)
“This rough Peckinpah–cowboy–Manson thing [from Zombie] — that voice didn’t really exist before [in House of 1000 Corpses], and he refined that voice with this movie […] Peckinpah wasn’t part of horror before this. He melded it with sick hillbillies, and it’s become a thing now. You can recognize it across the street, but that didn’t exist before.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director
17. Chocolate (Prachya Pinkaew)
“Here’s a movie you probably never heard of […] People getting f*cked up in the most spectacular of ways […] they trained this 12-year-old girl for four years to star in this movie […] this is some of the greatest kung-fu fights I’ve ever seen in a movie.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director
18. Moneyball (Bennett Miller)
“Brad Pitt’s performance was one of my favorite star performances of the last 20 years — where a movie star came in and reminded you why he was a movie star and just carried the movie on his shoulders.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director
19. Cabin Fever (Eli Roth)
“There’s something so charming. Eli’s sense of humor, sense of gore — it just really, really works. People kind of forget how tense it is in the first half because it gets so genuinely funny in the last 20 minutes […] Hostel might be his best movie, but this is my favorite.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director
20. West Side Story (Steven Spielberg)
“This is the one where Steven shows he still has it. I don’t think Scorsese has made a film this exciting [this century]. It revitalized him […] I couldn’t believe I liked the lead [Ansel Elgort] as I didn’t like him in anything else”
— Quentin Tarantino, Director
Tarantino’s Distinctive Taste Leaves Film Lovers Anticipating More
This initial half of Quentin Tarantino’s favorite films list underscores his appreciation for risk-taking filmmakers, unexpected performances, and inventive approaches to genre. By highlighting a mix of international creators such as Kinji Fukasaku and Prachya Pinkaew, as well as well-known Hollywood names like Mel Gibson, Richard Linklater, Eli Roth, and Steven Spielberg, Tarantino demonstrates a respect for both boundary-pushing narratives and enduring storytelling talent. The notably raw and sometimes provocative commentary provides an authentic look into his critical sensibilities, echoing his own bold directorial style.
With the second half of his list set to be revealed soon, fans, critics, and moviemakers alike await further insight into the cinema that has shaped Tarantino’s creative vision—an influence spanning genres, cultures, and decades. The conversation not only offers a glimpse into his favorites but also spotlights films and performances that have left a measurable impact on a director who has himself shaped the cinematic landscape of the last several decades.
