The Single Best Movie of the 21st Century, According to Critics
Based on the reviews, these are the greatest films of the last 20 years.
![white man and white woman watching a movie with popcorn on their couch](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/shutterstock_589767656.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
While any list of the greatest films ever made should include movies from throughout the 20th century, the last 20 years ought to be represented as well. There have been plenty of modern-day classics released since the year 2000, many of which could be considered some of the all-time greats. But rather than incorporate those into that larger list, we're focusing solely on the past two decades with this list of the best movies of the 21st century, based on the reviews.
The folks over at Stacker used data from review aggregator site Metacritic to compile a list of the best reviewed films since 2000. These are the movies that the critics loved, and that audiences couldn't get enough of either. Read on to see if any of your 21st century favorites made the list. And for other recent picks, These Are the Best Horror Films of 2020, According to Critics.
50
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2017)
![the diving bell and the butterfly](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/diving_bell_600.jpg)
Metascore: 92
49
Toy Story 3 (2010)
![toy story 3](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/Toy-Story-3_t00.mkv_snapshot_00.26.54_2019.06.09_16.39.17.jpg)
Metascore: 92
And to see how the critics felt about other Pixar classics, check out our Ranking of Every Pixar Movie, From Worst Reviewed to Best.
48
The Rider (2018)
![the rider](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/therider_0.jpg)
Metascore: 92
47
The Florida Project (2017)
![the florida project](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/1_rwpgxJv5ALiB4eyd6nseow.jpg)
Metascore: 92
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46
Shoah: Four Sisters (2018)
![shoah four sisters](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/maxresdefault-7.jpg)
Metascore: 93
45
Sherpa (2015)
![still from sherpa](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/160425_FOR_Nepal-promo.jpg.CROP_.promo-xlarge2.jpg)
Metascore: 93
44
Sita Sings the Blues (2009)
![sita sings the blues](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/06.RamHanuSitaRainReflect.jpg)
Metascore: 93
And to see what other lists this film has made, these are The 50 Best Comedies of All Time, According to Critics.
43
Yi Yi (2000)
![yi yi](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/image-w1280.jpg)
Metascore: 93
42
Toni Erdmann (2016)
![toni erdmann](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/Toni-Erdmann-1.jpg)
Metascore: 93
41
Shoplifters (2018)
![still from shoplifters](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/012059_1280x720_248375_209.jpg)
Metascore: 93
And for some lighter family fare, these are The Best Family Movies of All Time, According to Critics.
40
There Will Be Blood (2007)
![there will be blood](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/there-will-be-blood-ending-daniel-day-lewis.jpg)
Metascore: 93
39
Spotlight (2015)
![still from spotlight](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/MV5BMDE2MWFhMWYtZmMwMC00NzI0LWI4MzktYmExNzgyOTRjZjRkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTc3MjUzNTI@._V1_.jpg)
Metascore: 93
38
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
![inside llewyn davis](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/7002_02.jpg)
Metascore: 93
37
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
![call me by your name](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/TV_CallMeByYourName2Info.jpg)
Metascore: 93
36
We Were Here (2011)
![we were here](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/1609295357.jpg)
Metascore: 94
35
Carlos (2010)
![still from carlos](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/5580964_orig.jpg)
Metascore: 94
34
Faces Places (2017)
![faces places](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/1_LUdmenx8lKlLAvMmrpHVLQ.jpeg)
Metascore: 94
33
Amazing Grace (2018)
![amazing grace](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/MV5BOWJlNzVkNzctMzdkYy00MjA0LWE2YjgtOThhNzhlYjdmYjdjXkEyXkFqcGdeQXRyYW5zY29kZS13b3JrZmxvdw@@._V1_.jpg)
Metascore: 94
32
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
![crouching tiger hidden dragon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-1200-1200-675-675-crop-000000.jpg)
Metascore: 94
31
45 Years (2015)
![45 years](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/45-years_01.jpg)
Metascore: 94
30
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
![the lord of the rings the return of the king](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/arwen-aragon-return-of-the-king-e1555528580343.jpg)
Metascore: 94
29
Before Midnight (2013)
![before midnight](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Before-midnight-high-on-films.jpg)
Metascore: 94
28
Sideways (2004)
![still from sideways](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/sidewayslg-1024x576.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Metascore: 94
27
Mr. Turner (2014)
![mr. turner](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/screenshot-35.jpg)
Metascore: 94
26
Amour (2012)
![still from amour](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/amour.jpg)
Metascore: 94
25
Carol (2015)
![still from carol](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/1575151918663.jpeg)
Metascore: 94
24
Lady Bird (2017)
![still from lady bird](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/1_HXky3I3KagqRU30auqIGvg.jpeg)
Metascore: 94
23
Dunkirk (2017)
![dunkirk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/dunkirk_still1.jpg)
Metascore: 94
22
Marriage Story (2019)
![marriage story](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Screenshot-2020-01-14-at-4.20.40-PM-e1579106357299-1155x770.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Metascore: 94
21
La La Land (2016)
![la la land](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Screen_Shot_2017_01_03_at_3.42.59_PM.0.jpeg)
Metascore: 94
20
Inside Out (2015)
![inside out rotten tomatoes highest ratings](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/inside-out-movie.jpg)
Metascore: 94
19
The Irishman (2019)
![the irishman](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/theirishman-deniro-younger-office.jpg)
Metascore: 94
18
I Am Not Your N***** (2016)
![james baldwin in documentary](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/HNRK88.jpg)
Metascore: 95
17
The Hurt Locker (2009)
![the hurt locker](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/MV5BMzhhYWRmYTQtMDA4My00YTIyLTkwZTItYmU4ODNhYjRmZjY5XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyOTc5MDI5NjE@._V1_SX1777_CR001777999_AL_.jpg)
Metascore: 95
16
WALL-E (2008)
![wall-e](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/wall-e-and-eve.jpg)
Metascore: 95
15
A Separation (2011)
![a separation](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/maxresdefault-8.jpg)
Metascore: 95
14
The Social Network (2010)
![the social network](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/6eb0347c20058533fda0cb73de8a4abf89dccc17.jpg)
Metascore: 95
13
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
![zero dark thirty](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/d7a9fe84f7f53c64f2d1d31ce34d8b321c-11-jessica-chastain-zero-dark-thirty-2.rsocial.w1200.jpg)
Metascore: 95
12
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
![portrait of a lady on fire](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/portrait-3.jpg)
Metascore: 95
11
Ratatouille (2007)
![still from ratatouille](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/ratatouille_2007_4.jpg)
Metascore: 96
10
Spirited Away (2002)
![spirited away](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/09/0_S6BD6E2-IldA21J-.jpg)
Metascore: 96
9
Gravity (2013)
![still from gravity](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/gravity-2-1200-1200-675-675-crop-000000.jpg)
Metascore: 96
8
Roma (2018)
![roma](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/2125c4afade5afb964f24f3b6f5abe07b3a430d3.jpeg)
Metascore: 96
7
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
![manchester by the sea](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/010852_1280x720_386949_179.jpg)
Metascore: 96
6
Parasite (2019)
![still from parasite](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/nbcu-89L57-Full-Image_GalleryBackground-en-US-1582838410350._SX1080_.jpg)
Metascore: 96
5
12 Years a Slave (2013)
![12 years a slave](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/12years-750x400.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Metascore: 96
4
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2008)
![4 months 3 weeks 2 days](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/4monthscap2.jpeg)
Metascore: 97
3
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
![pan's labyrinth](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/PL-Faun-with-Fairy.jpg)
Metascore: 98
2
Moonlight (2016)
![still from moonlight](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/moonlight-2016-movie-review-barry-jenkins-drama-trevante-rhodes.jpg)
Metascore: 99
1
Boyhood (2014)
![still from boyhood](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/Boyhood.jpg)
Metascore: 100