The 21st century is far from over, but even just 24 years in, filmmakers from Peter Jackson to Christopher Nolan have made veritable masterpieces.

The world of film moves fast, and nowhere is this more evident than in movies from the 21st century. Constant advances in technology have led to better visual effects and innovative film techniques, and in just the past few years, the landscape has been reshaped by the advent of streaming, a global pandemic, and historic labor strikes. Viewers now have access to more movies than ever before, but even with so many to choose from, some clear favorites have emerged.

The 21st century has given way to the rise of big-budget genre films and mega-franchises, like The Lord of the Rings movies and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At the same time, audiences still show up for their favorite auteur directors, such as Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve. These are the best movies released from January 1, 2001, to the present day, according to CBR’s readers.

25. Oppenheimer Became Half of a Surprising Double Feature

Oppenheimer tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, aka the father of the atomic bomb. The film follows the physicist from his days as a student to his involvement in the Manhattan Project and the revoking of his security clearance in 1954. It also depicts Lewis Strauss’s Senate Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Commerce, switching back and forth between his perspective and Oppenheimer’s.

In a surprising turn of events, Oppenheimer became one half of a must-see summer blockbuster double-feature, with many audiences going to see both it and another highly-anticipated movie, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie. Outside of the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, critics have praised the film as director Christopher Nolan’s magnum opus. Audiences have also lauded its talented cast, historical accuracy, and use of practical effects to recreate the mushroom cloud in the Trinity Test.

24. 12 Years a Slave Is a Harrowing True Story

Based on Solomon Northup’s memoir of the same name, 12 Years a Slave depicts the true story of a free Black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. Solomon endures a grueling ordeal as he fights to stay alive and tries to hold onto his true self in the face of great adversity. Eventually, he manages to find his way back to freedom.

12 Years a Slave has been praised for its historical accuracy, gripping narrative and top-notch performances. These qualities won it plenty of awards, including the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Lupita Nyong’o. While it’s certainly difficult to watch at times, most viewers agree that it’s an important film that takes a realistic look at slavery in the United States and doesn’t pull its punches.

23. Watchmen Brings a Beloved Comic Book to Life

Watchmen is set in a world where superheroes arose in the 1940s, altering history for better or worse. By 1985, vigilantism has been outlawed, but a group of retired heroes is brought back together after one of their own is murdered. Their search for answers leads them down a dark path, and they soon uncover a conspiracy surrounding the ongoing Cold War, which is dangerously close to heating up.

While it’s not without its fair share of criticism, Watchmen won over comic book fans for its faithfulness to the source material. Many admire its stunning visuals, for which director Zack Snyder is renowned, and appreciate its dark and gritty approach to the superhero genre. It may not have been the first movie to deconstruct superheroes, but between its surprising needle drops and hard R-rating, it’s definitely among the most memorable.

22. Godzilla Minus One Takes the Kaiju Back to His Roots

Set in the 1940s, Godzilla Minus One is the most recent retelling of the iconic kaiju’s origin. It follows a kamikaze pilot named Kōichi Shikishima, who encounters the creature multiple times as he struggles to recover from World War II and deals with a tragic loss. As Godzilla wreaks havoc in Japan, Shikishima must come to terms with his past and what he must do now to keep his loved ones safe.

Godzilla Minus One has been hailed as one of the best Godzilla movies to date, with the human drama giving the kaiju film a strong emotional anchor. Many were pleasantly surprised by how compelling the story is outside of the titular monster. Viewers were also highly impressed by the film’s visual effects, which were accomplished on a significantly smaller budget than what most blockbuster films receive today and looked much better as well.

21. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Is Wes Anderson’s Most Underrated Film

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou follows the titular oceanographer as he seeks to find and destroy the jaguar shark that ate his best friend. Zissou’s crew gains a new member when Ned Plimpton, a fan of Zissou who thinks he might also be Zissou’s son, agrees to fund his next documentary. Plenty of hijinks ensue as they try to track down the infamous and possibly imaginary jaguar shark.

Although The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou received mixed reviews upon its release, it has since gained a cult following. Along with director Wes Anderson’s signature quirky style, fans enjoy the movie’s deadpan humor and deceptively tragic story. It also leans into the strangeness of Anderson’s colorful imagination, leaving audiences with an eccentric and truly unique movie that stands out from his other films.

20. The Avengers Realized the Potential of Cinematic Universes

The Avengers brings six disparate superheroes together to combat a potentially world-ending threat. After Loki comes to Earth to wreak havoc, Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D., calls in the planet’s mightiest heroes to bring him in. It takes some time for them to put aside their differences, but Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye and the Hulk come together to defeat Loki and his forces.

Although Marvel Studios had been teasing the team-up since Iron Man, The Avengers finally got the group together on the big screen after establishing all the main characters in different movies. The film was so successful that it ushered in a new era of cinematic universes as other studios sought to capture the same magic. The Marvel Cinematic Universe was already gaining steam, but the final film in Phase One cemented the franchise’s status as a pop culture staple.

19. Ready Player One Is an Ode to Pop Culture

Based on Ernest Cline’s novel of the same name, Ready Player One takes place in a future where everyone escapes reality by playing in a VR world called the OASIS, created by James Halliday. Posthumously, Halliday reveals that whoever finds a golden Easter egg in the OASIS will receive ownership over his creation. Fans like Wade Watts race to find it before the greedy IOI corporation does.

Ready Player One caught audiences’ attention with its endless pop culture references and spectacular CG action sequences, but what truly impressed viewers was the fact that there was still plenty of heart and a good message in its story. That said, pop culture fans did enjoy the many Easter eggs. It may not be remembered as director Steven Spielberg’s best film, but it’s a worthy addition to his body of work that shouldn’t be overlooked.

18. Parasite Broke International Barriers

Parasite follows the struggling Kim family as they slowly infiltrate the well-off Park family by getting jobs in their household using false identities. But while they enjoy the fruits of their labors, the actions they took to get their new positions soon come back to haunt them when they make a shocking discovery. It all leads to a tense showdown as the Kims scramble to maintain their secret from the Parks.

With an engrossing story, sharp social commentary, and a gorgeous setting, Parasite quickly found international success. The movie particularly impressed Western audiences, becoming the first non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. While similar “eat the rich” films have risen in popularity in the years since its release, Parasite continues to be the gold standard of the genre.

17. Mulholland Drive Is an Irresistible Mystery

Set in Hollywood, Mulholland Drive begins with an amnesiac car crash survivor breaking into the house of Betty Elms, a young aspiring actor. Calling herself Rita, Betty agrees to help the other woman figure out who she is and what happened to her. Their search for answers leads them to some strange and unsettling revelations, made only more complicated by their growing romantic feelings for each other.

Mulholland Drive is best known for its twisted and puzzling storytelling, which can be seen as a weakness or a strength, depending on the viewer. Many enjoy the way that director David Lynch’s narrative doesn’t play by the rules and can be interpreted in many different ways, allowing audiences to come to their own conclusions. It earned Lynch the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival and garnered praise for star Naomi Watts in her breakout role.

16. Joker Is the Ultimate Villain Origin Story

Joker gives the iconic Batman villain an origin story, something that has often eluded the character. The film follows a clown and aspiring stand-up comic named Arthur Fleck, who is struggling with his mental health and his career. After a brief encounter on the subway turns deadly, Arthur goes down a dark path as he reckons with his actions, becoming an unlikely symbol amid growing unrest in Gotham.

Although Joker has been criticized by some for its depiction of people with mental illness and for excusing the awful actions of its protagonist, one thing most viewers will agree on is that Joaquin Phoenix’s performance is unforgettable. Fans have also praised its cinematography, which perfectly captures the grittiness of Gotham, and its haunting musical score. It even has a sequel, titled Joker: Folie à Deux, set to release on October 4, 2024.

15. Everything Everywhere All at Once Has a Little Bit of Everything

From directing duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once follows a Chinese immigrant named Evelyn Wang. Her relationships with her father, husband and daughter are strained, and the IRS is auditing their family business, but Evelyn is suddenly confronted with an even bigger problem. The multiverse is in trouble, and she’s the only one who can save it.

Everything Everywhere All at Once took the world by storm with its unique approach to the multiverse and utterly heartfelt storytelling. The film expertly balances the sillier parts of its premise with the more serious moments, and its all-star cast, which includes Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu and James Hong, give it their all. It’s no wonder the indie darling swept the Oscars, winning seven Academy Awards out of 11 nominations.

14. Dunkirk Is an Epic War Movie

Dunkirk portrays the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II. On the ground, British soldiers wait to be evacuated but face enemy fire as they try to leave. Across the sea, a civilian named Dawson, along with his son and their hired hand, takes his boat out to aid the evacuation. In the clouds, a couple of pilots oversee the evacuation and try to protect their side from enemy fire.

Upon its release, Dunkirk was lauded as Nolan’s best film to date, with some ranking it among the best war movies ever made. Audiences praised its realism and historical accuracy, with its slow-simmering plot creating plenty of tension and suspense as the drama unfolded. It also earned recognition for its technical achievements, winning the Academy Awards for Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.

13. Black Panther Is a Cultural Touchstone

Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther follows T’Challa as he becomes King of Wakanda. T’Challa strives to be a strong and just leader, but when an old enemy, Ulysses Klaue, emerges from the shadows with a formidable ally, Erik Killmonger, they threaten his country’s very existence. The new king is then forced to reckon with a long-buried family secret that makes him question everything.

Black Panther was the first MCU movie to be headlined by a Black superhero, and its celebration of pan-African culture in the form of Wakanda helped it become a pop culture phenomenon and a touchstone for diverse representation. Viewers praised the performances of its star-studded cast, particularly those of its hero and villain, played by the late Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan. It was even the first superhero movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

12. Arrival Takes a Different Approach to Alien Invasions

Arrival follows linguistics professor Louise Banks, who is recruited by the US government to help communicate with aliens that have landed around the globe. Accompanied by physicist Ian Donnelly, Louise races to figure out why the extraterrestrials are here before other nations do. At the same time, Louise is plagued by dreams of her daughter, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness and died young.

Adapted from the novella “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang, Arrival offered a more thoughtful, realistic take on humans’ first contact with aliens. Director Denis Villeneuve’s first foray into sci-fi forewent the usual action-driven hostile takeover scenario in favor of a quiet, emotional story brought to life with inspired filmmaking. Viewers enjoyed its themes of free will and determinism and praised Amy Adams’ nuanced and grounded performance.

11. There Will Be Blood Is a Grueling Rumination on Greed

Based on Upton Sinclair’s novel, Oil!, There Will Be Blood centers on an oilman named Daniel Plainview. After getting a tip from a young man about a new oil deposit, Daniel does whatever he can to profit from it, from swindling the family who owns the land to being baptized in the local church so he can continue working it. Daniel’s greed only continues to grow as time goes on, even as things start to go south.

There Will Be Blood has been hailed as director Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece, diving into themes of greed, capitalism and religion. Many have applauded Daniel Day-Lewis’ intense, award-winning performance, which becomes increasingly unhinged as his character is consumed by an insatiable thirst for more. Although it may have lost the Academy Award for Best Picture to No Country for Old Men, it’s still considered one of the best films of the decade.

10. No Country for Old Men Is a Master Class in Suspense

No Country for Old Men is based on Corman McCarthy’s novel of the same name. In it, a man named Llewelyn Moss comes across the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and takes a suitcase containing $2 million. This puts him at odds with a hitman named Anton Chigurh, who was hired to retrieve the money, as well as the group behind the deal. Meanwhile, the local sheriff, Ed Tom Bell, is hot on Chigurh’s tail.

Directed by the Coen brothers, No Country for Old Men is well-remembered as a gripping thriller that is full of suspense. The directors’ style perfectly suits the source material, making for a pretty faithful adaptation that still leaves room for the Coens to make the story their own. Audiences praised the performances of the leads, and the film took home the coveted Best Picture Academy Award, among others.

9. Spider-Man: No Way Home Is a Love Letter to Spider-Man Fans

In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker deals with the fallout of Mysterio revealing his secret identity to the world. His attempt to fix it with magical aid from Doctor Strange only leads to more problems when a spell gone awry starts pulling foes — and friends — from other universes into their own. Through it all, Peter tries to save as many people as he can, but his quest to do the right thing comes at a cost.

Spider-Man: No Way Home had a lot to live up to, with speculation about potential cameos from past Spider-Men running rampant. Thankfully, it stuck the landing, delivering the crossover fans had been dreaming of while also telling a heartfelt, bittersweet story about what it truly takes to be a hero. The movie also pulled viewers back to theaters, even amid a global pandemic, and showed fatigued audiences that the MCU still had plenty of exciting stories to tell.

8. Children of Men Is a Gripping Dystopian Drama

Children of Men takes place in a future where the human race has become infertile, and civilization has dissolved into chaos. Former activist Theo Faron is tasked with getting transit papers for young refugee Kee, the first pregnant woman in 18 years. They embark on a journey to find the Human Project, a mysterious group of scientific researchers, in the hopes of finding a way to restore humanity’s fertility.

Although it made several changes to P. D. James’ source novel, Children of Men gained widespread acclaim for director Alfonso Cuarón’s poignant reinterpretation of the story. The movie’s commentary on immigration rights has kept it relevant in the years following its release. It is also well-remembered for its grounded, documentary-like style, employing long, handheld camera shots to resemble news footage and lend the story an added sense of realism.

7. Blade Runner 2049 Is a Visual Feast

Set 30 years after the first film, Blade Runner 2049 follows K, a replicant and a blade runner who discovers a shocking secret. He finds out that the replicant Rachael, now deceased, had a child with Rick Deckard, a retired blade runner, and is tasked with hunting down and killing their offspring. Accompanied by his AI girlfriend, Joi, K finds Deckard and begins to question his own origins and mission.

Blade Runner 2049 was praised as an excellent sequel that perfectly builds on the world established in the 1982 sci-fi classic. Many enjoyed Villeneuve’s striking and artistic visuals, which earned the movie multiple awards, including the Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects. Audiences were also complimentary of the stars’ performances, particularly Harrison Ford, who reprised his role as Deckard.

6. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Ranks Among the Best Movie Trilogies Ever Made

The Lord of the Rings trilogy brought J. R. R. Tolkien’s iconic books to the big screen in live-action. The films follow Frodo Baggins on his quest to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth from the evil Sauron. At the same time, the various beings that inhabit Middle-earth must put aside their differences to defeat Sauron’s forces and ensure that Frodo completes his mission.

While fans may have their nitpicks about its deviations from the source material, Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy is widely regarded as the best adaptation of Tolkien’s work. The films are technical marvels that have stood the test of time and helped reinvigorate the fantasy genre in cinema. The final installment, The Return of the King, swept the Academy Awards, and many consider it one of the best film trilogies ever.

5. Inception Brought Prestige Back to Blockbusters

In Inception, Leonardo DiCaprio’s Dom Cobb is a wanted man leading a team of extractors — thieves that infiltrate their target’s dreams to steal information. They’re then hired to plant an idea in someone’s head in exchange for clearing Cobb’s name so he can finally reunite with his children. While Cobb and his team prepare for the job, the whole mission is threatened by a dark secret from Cobb’s past.

Inception received praise for Nolan’s inventive story, which trusted mass audiences to be smart enough to keep up with its complex lore and plot twists. At the same time, the film was still grounded in deeply human emotions, all portrayed by a stellar cast. The movie is also well-remembered for its stunning visuals, which are still top-notch, and its creative action sequences, and it won four Academy Awards for its technical prowess.

4. Interstellar Balances Scientific Accuracy and Emotionally Effective Storytelling

Interstellar takes place on a future Earth overtaken by famine. Former NASA pilot Joseph Cooper discovers that the agency is secretly looking for a new home for the human race. To save his children, Cooper joins the mission and travels to faraway planets, experiencing time dilation that keeps him the same age as his kids grow up. Meanwhile, his daughter, Murph, searches for another solution.

While not as universally acclaimed as Nolan’s other features, Interstellar has been lauded for its commitment to scientific accuracy within a thought-provoking, deeply emotional story. The sci-fi epic comes with the breathtaking visuals that have come to be expected from the director, and although some claim that the scientific portions overshadow the film’s more human moments, others find its story more personal than other Nolan movies.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road Is Darkly Imaginative

Released 30 years after the last Mad Max movie, Mad Max: Fury Road picks up with the titular character being captured by warlord Immortan Joe’s gang, the War Boys. When Joe’s lieutenant, Imperator Furiosa, absconds with his five wives, Max is brought along for the pursuit as a living blood donor for a sick War Boy. Max seizes his chance to escape and reluctantly joins Furiosa’s quest to free the women.

Mad Max: Fury Road has been hailed as one of the best action movies of all time, with many admiring the complex fight sequences taking place on moving vehicles. Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron both give strong performances as Max and Furiosa, bringing a grounded humanity to George Miller’s outrageous dystopian world. Audiences have also praised the film’s focus on strong women, as opposed to earlier Mad Max films, which were more male-centric.

2. The Dark Knight Redefined Superheroes in Cinema

Following the events of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight follows Christian Bales’ Batman as he meets his greatest nemesis: The Joker. He works alongside Harvey Dent and Jim Gordon to clean up Gotham City, but the Clown Prince of Crime threatens to derail their efforts when he decides to shake up the criminal underworld and tries to expose Batman’s secret identity.

The Dark Knight has been lauded as a genre-defining comic book movie, with Nolan bringing a grounded tone and sense of gravitas not usually associated with superheroes. The film is also full of memorable performances, particularly Heath Ledger’s interpretation of The Joker, which has been praised as the best depiction of the villain and one of the best movie villains of all time. In 2020, it rightfully earned a place in the National Film Registry.

1. Avengers: Endgame Was 11 Years in the Making

Avengers: Endgame sees the titular superhero team trying to pick up the pieces after Thanos successfully erased half the universe. After Tony Stark makes a major scientific breakthrough, they reunite and embark on the ultimate quest to restore all the lives lost to Thanos’ snap. It culminates in an epic battle against the Mad Titan, with each hero doing their part to defeat him and his forces once and for all.

As the culmination of 21 movies’ worth of story, Avengers: Endgame had a lot to live up to, and for many, it succeeded. The film provided the emotional catharsis fans needed after Avengers: Infinity War’s devastating ending. It also brought several characters’ stories to a satisfying conclusion while also closing out the Infinity Saga, delivering plenty of laughs, tear-jerking moments and nostalgia along the way.

Honorable Mentions

It would be remiss not to mention the following films, which also received multiple votes from CBR readers. Ridley Scott’s Gladiator and Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love are both influential classics in their own right and certainly would’ve been made the cut if they’d been released after January 1, 2001. Additionally, The Passion of the Christ and Sound of Freedom made waves as two of the most successful independent films of the last two decades. Finally, Rian Johnson’s Knives Out helped renew interest in the murder mystery genre with its clever subversion of tropes and biting social commentary. While the century is far from over, filmmakers have already delivered plenty of noteworthy movies that are sure to be remembered for years to come.