As a follow-up to the filmmakers’ poll, the NYT readers pick Best Movies of the Century, casting 200,000 ballots; the “century “started on 1/1/2000. Here are the films NOT on the filmmakers’ list. The year is the date of the review.
If I saw it and wrote about it, I will link to that post. I will note movies I have NOT seen this way:
DK—I don’t know this film and have never heard of it before, except if it was indicated in previous lists.
WS- I’m familiar with the film and would have seen it, but it fell through the cracks, usually during the Oscar rush to see movies in December through February.
FF – There was a fear factor that it would be too violent or otherwise upsetting to watch.
100. Avengers: Endgame (2019) A suitable ending
99. Midsommar (2019) WS
98. The Holdovers (2023) It should become a holiday classic.
97. The Lighthouse (2019) DK
96. Howl’s Moving Castle (2005) – quite enjoyable
93. Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) FF
92. The Incredibles (2004) My favorite non-Toy Story Pixar item
91. Knives Out (2019). Fun
89. Drive My Car (2021)
88. Top Gun: Maverick (2022). I feel as though I should see the original film first.
86. Dune: Part One (2021). I was invited to see the sequel, but I hadn’t seen the original
84. Barbie (2023) – a suitable adaptation
83. Perfect Days (2024) DK
82. Mean Girls (2004) – I remember liking it
77. The Prestige (2006) DK
67. The Handmaiden (2016) DK
65. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) is enjoyable, even eight years after its release
63. Blade Runner 2049 (2017) WS
62. Heredity (2018) DK/FF
LMA
60. Little Women (2019) I liked it; my wife loved it. I bought the original soundtrack
59. Django Unchained (2012) FF, because
52. Sinners (2025) Thumbs up
50. Pride & Prejudice (2005). This is in my wife’s wheelhouse, but I liked it too
43. Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002). One is enough
34. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
27. Dune: Part Two (2024) Haven’t seen the first one
16. La La Land (2016) I liked it
15. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) Haven’t seen the second one
I’ve seen half of them (14/28), about the same as the filmmakers’ list (49/100).
My list
Then I was to submit up to ten films. I don’t know how to make these lists, but I will do so anyway. It’s in alphabetical order:
Everything Everywhere All At Once
The Incredibles
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
I will admit to a particular recency bias. It helped that I’d written about most of them. I would see these films again, whereas I won’t rewatch Parasite or The Zone of Interest.
What would be on YOUR list?
Did I tell you that our summer sermon series is about movies/films? If you are interested, let me know and I can send some links to you. We’ve generated adult Sunday School curriculum to use alongside the sermons. The sermons are based on the type of movie — like Inside Out (coming of age) and the scripture was about Samuel and Eli.
I’ve seen very few of the movies mentioned – I have seen The Incredibles (loved it). I’ve seen Black Panther Wakanda Forever (loved it). I’ve seen Pride and Prejudice, Barbie, Top Gun: Maverick, and Knives Out (I freak out when someone throws up – should have read about it beforehand – but I did like the movie!).