It has only been a little over 25 years since the beginning of the 21st century, and we have already seen the release of some of the best films ever made. From intense action movies like John Wick to epic fantasy adventure films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, we have seen the release of many films that have elevated the art form of filmmaking. So, we thought of compiling a list of the best films of the 21st century for you to experience the magic of cinema. If you feel that the list is too short, then don’t worry, as we will be updating it periodically.
There Will Be Blood (Paramount+, MGM+, Pluto TV, & Rent on Prime Video)
There Will Be Blood is an epic period drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Based on Upton Sinclair’s 1927 novel Oil!, the 2007 film is set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it follows Daniel Plainview, a silver miner-turned-oilman who lies, cheats, and steals to get his share of the Californian oil boom. There Will Be Blood stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J. O’Connor, Ciarán Hinds, and Dillon Freasier.
John Wick (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video)
John Wick is an action-thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski from a screenplay by Derek Kolstad. The 2014 film follows John Wick, a legendary former hitman who goes on a murder rampage after the dog, which was the final gift from his late wife, is killed by a group of goons. John Wick stars Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, and Willem Dafoe.
Inglourious Basterds (Rent on Prime Video)
Inglourious Basterds is an alternate history war dark comedy film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The 2009 film is set during World War II, and it follows two converging stories of a woman determined to avenge her family’s death and a group of Jewish-American guerrilla soldiers as they plan to assassinate top-level Nazis. Inglourious Basterds stars Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Michael Fassbender, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Daniel Brühl, Til Schweiger, and Mélanie Laurent.
Memento (HBO Max, Prime Video, Tubi, Pluto TV, Peacock, Plex, & The Roku Channel)
Memento is a neo-noir psychological thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. Based on Jonathan Nolan’s 2001 short story Memento Mori, the 2000 film follows insurance investigator Leonard Shelby, who suffers from anterograde amnesia. He uses notes and tattoos to remember his sole mission in his life, which is to hunt down the person who killed his wife. Memento stars Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Mark Boone Junior.
Project Hail Mary (Rent on Prime Video)
Project Hail Mary is an epic sci-fi adventure film co-directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller from a screenplay by Drew Goddard. Based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Andy Weir, the 2026 film follows school teacher Dr. Ryland Grace as he is recruited to be a part of an interstellar mission, but when he wakes up in space, he has no idea why he is there and who he is. Project Hail Mary stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, and Lionel Boyce.
The Social Network (Rent on Prime Video)
The Social Network is a biographical drama film directed by David Fincher from a screenplay by Aaron Sorkin. Based on Ben Mezrich’s 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires, the 2010 film follows Mark Zuckerberg as he created Facebook and how its success caused him to be sued by his best friend and three Harvard alums for millions. The Social Network stars Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, and Max Minghella.
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (Rent on Prime Video)
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is a period comedy-drama film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The 2019 film is set in the late 1960s in Los Angeles, and it follows Rick Dalton, a fading actor, and his stunt double, Cliff Booth, as they contend with the rapidly changing film industry and somehow find themselves involved with the Mason family. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Austin Butler, Dakota Fanning, Timothy Olyphant, Mike Moh, and Margaret Qualley.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Buy on Amazon)
The Lord of the Rings is a trilogy of epic fantasy adventure films directed by Peter Jackson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Stephen Sinclair. Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel of the same name, the films are set in the fictional world of Middle-earth, and it follows hobbit Frodo and the Fellowship as they embark on a dangerous journey to destroy the One Ring to finally defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. The Lord of the Rings stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Liv Tyler, Bernard Hill, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, and Andy Serkis.
The Dark Knight (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video)
The Dark Knight is a superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jonathan Nolan. Based on DC Comics, the 2008 sequel film follows Batman as he is challenged by the Joker, who is determined to destroy Gotham City. With the help of Harvey Dent and James Gordon, Batman tries to bring the Joker to justice. The Dark Knight stars Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Morgan Freeman.
Oppenheimer (Rent on Prime Video)
Oppenheimer is an epic biographical thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. Based on Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin’s 2005 biography American Prometheus, the 2023 film is set during World War II and it follows physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer as he is recruited to lead the top-secret Manhattan Project by Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. Oppenheimer stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh.