Legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has unveiled his personal ranking of the best movies released since the year 2000, offering a surprising and eclectic list during a recent podcast appearance.
From War Epic to Animated Masterpiece
Appearing on The Bret Easton Ellis podcast on Tuesday, the 62-year-old director of Pulp Fiction placed Ridley Scott's 2001 war film 'Black Hawk Down' at the pinnacle of his list. Tarantino described the intense depiction of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu as a 'masterwork', praising its relentless intensity and extraordinary direction.
In a move that may surprise cinephiles, the second spot went to Lee Unkrich's animated sequel 'Toy Story 3' (2010), which Tarantino called an 'almost perfect movie' whose finale deeply moved him. Rounding out the top three was Sofia Coppola's 'Lost in Translation' (2003).
A List of Directorial Powerhouses
The director's selections heavily feature works from some of modern cinema's most acclaimed auteurs. The top ten continued with Christopher Nolan's 'Dunkirk' (2017) at number four, another war film that Tarantino admitted grew on him after multiple viewings.
Paul Thomas Anderson's 'There Will Be Blood' (2007) claimed fifth place, followed by David Fincher's 'Zodiac' (2007) in sixth. The list also included Tony Scott's 'Unstoppable' (2010) at seven, George Miller's 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015) at eight, Edgar Wright's 'Shaun of the Dead' (2004) at nine, and Woody Allen's 'Midnight in Paris' (2011) in the tenth and final position.
Tarantino's Passionate Defence of 'Battle Royale'
Beyond his top ten, Tarantino also shared his picks for positions 11 through 20. He used this opportunity to launch a fierce defence of Kinji Fukasaku's 'Battle Royale' (2000), which placed at number 11.
The director accused The Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins of directly copying the premise of the Japanese novel and film, expressing disbelief that no legal action was taken. His extended list further showcased his diverse taste, including entries like 'Jackass: The Movie' (2002), 'The Passion of the Christ' (2004), and Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' (2021).
Tarantino's list provides a fascinating insight into the films that have captivated one of cinema's most distinctive voices in the current century, highlighting both blockbuster spectacle and intimate drama.
