Acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino has unveiled his highly anticipated “Quentin Tarantino favorite films list,” ranking his top 20 movies of the 21st century as 2025 draws near. Sharing the top ten choices on Bret Easton Ellis’s podcast, Tarantino limited himself to one entry per director, ultimately choosing Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down as his leading film so far this millennium.
Tarantino’s Approach in Assembling His Top Films
Much like many former video store clerks, Quentin Tarantino’s love for film discussion remains unwavering. As reported by sources such as World of Reel, he carefully curated a list of the greatest movies made since 2000, following his rule of including only one work from each director. This particular method showcases his admiration for a wide variety of filmmakers and prevents domination by just a handful of names.
While he allotted spots 11 through 20 to a broader mix of international works—including Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale and Prachya Pinkaew’s Chocolate—the top ten films are all creations of well-established Western directors. Notable filmmakers featured include Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris), Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road), Tony Scott (Unstoppable), and Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will Be Blood).
Insights Into His Top Picks and Candid Commentary
Tarantino emphasized his appreciation for unique and impactful storytelling. On the podcast, he revealed why Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down took his number one place:
“the only movie that actually goes completely for an Apocalypse Now sense of purpose and visual effect and feeling.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker.
His choice for Christopher Nolan’s standout film was Dunkirk, which secured fourth place. Tarantino shared,
“I feel there’s a real mastery to it, and I came around to it watching it again and again and again.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker. Third on his list is Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, for which he stated,
“I hadn’t seen such a girlie movie in a very long time, and I hadn’t seen such a girlie movie like that be so well done.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker.
Pixar’s Toy Story 3 claims second place, with Tarantino declaring,
“This is the greatest end of a trilogy.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker. His remarks illustrate a passion for both storytelling craft and cinematic impact across genres and directors.
His interest in David Fincher’s films has shifted over time. While Tarantino once championed The Social Network as the finest movie of the 2010s, he now chooses Zodiac as his favorite Fincher work, ranking it at number six. He reflected,
“It was a whole different experience from that point on. I found myself, every six or seven years, watching it again.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker. Previously, regarding The Social Network, he simply stated:
“It’s number one because it’s the best, that’s all! It crushes all the competition.”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker.
These candid evaluations underscore Tarantino’s ever-evolving perspective on filmmaking, influenced by repeated viewings and changing tastes that many film enthusiasts—such as fellow video store clerks—can appreciate.
Ongoing Projects and Professional Collaborations
Although his rumored tenth and apparently final film remains shrouded in mystery, Quentin Tarantino continues to engage with the world of cinema. He’s currently working alongside David Fincher on a Netflix sequel related to Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, with Fincher set to direct Tarantino’s script for The Adventures of Cliff Booth. Additionally, Tarantino fans will soon have the chance to see Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair back in theaters starting December 5th, while Tarantino has also hinted at developing a prequel to Kill Bill.
Quentin Tarantino’s Top 20 Must-See Movies of the 21st Century
Tarantino’s passionate opinions on film are reflected in his carefully curated top 20 list, with each title representing a unique facet of 21st-century cinema. Here are the movies that made the cut:
20. West Side Story
19. Cabin Fever
18. Moneyball
17. Chocolate (
“a movie you probably never heard of… People getting fucked up in the most spectacular of ways…”
— Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker)
16. The Devil’s Rejects
15. The Passion of the Christ
14. School of Rock
13. Jackass: The Movie
12. Big Bad Wolves
11. Battle Royale
10. Midnight in Paris
9. Shaun of the Dead
8. Mad Max: Fury Road
7. Unstoppable
6. Zodiac
5. There Will Be Blood
4. Dunkirk
3. Lost in Translation
2. Toy Story 3
1. Black Hawk Down
The Ongoing Influence of Tarantino’s Film Preferences
Quentin Tarantino’s favorite films list not only provides a personal look at his influences and evolving taste, but also sparks renewed discussion among cinephiles and industry professionals alike. By profiling diverse films from Western directors and international auteurs such as Kinji Fukasaku, he highlights both established and unconventional storytelling. As new projects and collaborations, including work with David Fincher and others, continue to take shape, Tarantino’s picks are likely to inspire both moviegoers and filmmakers for years to come.
