Quentin Tarantino, celebrated filmmaker and critic, has spotlighted his favorite modern horror films in a recent reveal of his top 20 movies from the past 25 years, highlighting six that define his perspective on the genre. The Quentin Tarantino top horror movies selection includes both cult classics and influential films by directors such as Edgar Wright, Eli Roth, and Rob Zombie.
Tarantino’s Approach to Modern Horror Selections
While renowned for his own distinct cinematic style, Quentin Tarantino has long been a discerning voice in film appreciation, often sharing his opinions on influential works by his peers. For his list of top 20 films of the 21st century, Tarantino selected six horror titles, each standing out for its impact on audiences and the genre. The directors chosen—Edgar Wright, Eli Roth, and Rob Zombie—are all notable for their contributions to both horror and, interestingly, their involvement with faux trailers in the “Grindhouse” project co-created by Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez.
This overlap underscores Tarantino’s admiration not only for their filmmaking, but also for their shared dedication to pushing boundaries within horror. The synergy among these directors and Tarantino has led to a deeper recognition of their works, as reflected in his curated list.
The Six Standout Horror Films on Tarantino’s List
Each of Tarantino’s horror film choices has secured a unique spot on his personal ranking of 21st-century cinema. Here are the titles, listed with their ranking among his broader top 20 films:
19) Cabin Fever (Eli Roth)
16) The Devil’s Rejects (Rob Zombie)
12) Big Bad Wolves (Aharon Keshales & Navot Papushado)
11) Battle Royale (Kinji Fukasaku)
9) Shaun of the Dead (Edgar Wright)
6) Zodiac (David Fincher)
Eli Roth’s “Cabin Fever” just made the cut at number 19, praised by Tarantino for its distinctive blend of humor and gore. Rob Zombie’s “The Devil’s Rejects,” the second film in his Firefly Trilogy, is ranked 16th, recognized for creating a new fusion of genre elements. Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado’s “Big Bad Wolves” appears at 12th, bringing Israeli thriller-horror into focus. At 11th is Kinji Fukasaku’s “Battle Royale,” a Japanese cult phenomenon. Edgar Wright’s comedic riff on horror, “Shaun of the Dead,” lands at number 9, while the chilling “Zodiac” by David Fincher sits at the impressive number 6 slot among all genres.
Tarantino’s Personal Reflections on His Horror Picks
The following remarks, directly from Tarantino, offer insight into what each film represents to him and why they earned a spot on his list:
“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, on Cabin Fever
“This rough Peckinpah–cowboy–Manson thing— that voice didn’t really exist before, 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, on The Devil’s Rejects
“I do not understand how the Japanese writer didn’t sue Suzanne Collins for every fucking thing she owns.”
— Quentin Tarantino, on Battle Royale
“My favorite directorial debut even though he did a cheapie debut movie he doesn’t like to talk about. I loved how much he loved the Romero universe he recreated. The script is really terrific, it’s one of the most quotable films on this list, I still quote the line ‘the dogs don’t look up.’ It’s not a spoof of zombie movies, it’s a real zombie movie, and I appreciate the distinction.”
— Quentin Tarantino, on Shaun of the Dead
“When I first watched Zodiac, I wasn’t that into it, and then it started playing the movie channels, and first thing I knew, watching 20 minutes of it, 40 minutes of it, and I realized this is a lot more engaging than I remember it being, and it kept grabbing me in different sections. So I decided to watch this goddamn thing again, and it was a whole different experience from that point on. I found myself, every six or seven years, watching it again, and it’s a luxurious experience that I give myself over to […] mesmerizing masterwork.”
— Quentin Tarantino, on Zodiac
Context and Impact Among Contemporary Films
Tarantino’s ranking includes a diverse collection of films spanning genres, such as “Black Hawk Down,” “Toy Story 3,” “Dunkirk,” and “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Horror remains a significant part of his cinematic appreciation, with the six titles standing shoulder to shoulder with major releases from directors like David Fincher and Edgar Wright. Notably, the presence of “Battle Royale,” a Japanese film, signals the influence of international works on Tarantino’s taste and on the global film landscape. Several of these selections—“Shaun of the Dead” and “The Devil’s Rejects,” in particular—bridge traditional horror with comedy, satire, or crime, challenging what audiences expect from the genre.
The high rankings for films like “Zodiac” and “Battle Royale” also show Tarantino’s willingness to cross genre boundaries, appreciating the thematic complexities and artistic risks that have defined horror’s evolution since 2000.
The Continuing Legacy of Tarantino’s Horror Choices
Quentin Tarantino’s endorsement of these horror films is expected to fuel renewed interest in them, bringing recognition not only to directors like Rob Zombie, Eli Roth, Edgar Wright, and David Fincher, but also to the broader resurgence of horror as a respected cinematic form. Fans and critics alike may revisit these titles, exploring the style of filmmaking that Tarantino so passionately admires, and drawing connections to the ongoing evolution of the genre. His list shines a light on the creative risks and boundary-pushing narratives that have shaped horror in the new millennium.
For those wishing to hear more of Tarantino’s thoughts, his full commentary can be found on the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, where he elaborates on each pick in the context of both cinematic craft and personal impact.
