How Do You Determine the Best Films?

Last month, the internet was in a tizzy over the NY Times’ crowdsourced list of the Best Movies From 2000-2025. I’m not linking to the list because the NYT sucks, and this isn’t necessarily about the list or placements at all. But I was struck a few times by what the list can mean to people and whether or not you can be a true fan of ~cinema~.

When the lists started circulating, both the actual submissions to NYT and the ones made by normal people, you were already seeing a divide. And the list itself doesn’t have that many surprises. As expected, there’s barely any comedy, romcoms, musicals, or big-budget blockbusters not made by Christopher Nolan. I scrolled the list and mostly nodded along even though I’ve only seen 43 of the 100 films on the list (that number was 49 on the second list made by readers). Even more illuminating to some is the fact that I only marked 16 as want to watch. So, eventually I’d get to 50%, but no way I’d get to 100%.

We discussed the list at work, where I’m surrounded by actual cinephiles, not the fake one I am. Because I don’t need to watch a movie that’s prestigious, I like watching movies to have fun. I’m a big proponent of saying, “I’m sure that movie is great, but it is not for me” (wish more people would do this tbh!).

For example, I love awards season, but in the past few years and especially since the pandemic, the more depressing films turn me off. I don’t care how good The Last Duel is, I’m not watching a movie about a woman being raped! Even the ones I was excited for (The Banshees of Inisherin, All of Us Strangers) left me depressed for DAYS. And those type of movies are all on the list.

When people started making their own lists, I also began to think of my top 10. I set rules for myself. I do this a lot, it’s the same way I approach my Letterboxd Four Favorites, and how I answer any question regarding favorites. I need to break them out into categories, so my top 10 films from 2000-2025 had the following rules:

• One film per director

• One film per franchise

• One film per studio (this was moreso for Disney Animation and Pixar, it’s like a little bit similar to a franchise, but not really)

The list I cobbled together, in no particular order:

• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (or Curse of the Black Pearl, they’re always fighting in my brain)

• Hot Fuzz (so I can’t pick Scott Pilgrim vs. the World)

• The Avengers

• Star Trek (2009) (one reason why there’s no Star Wars on here!)

• The Incredibles (means I couldn’t choose Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol)

• Big Hero 6

• The Prestige

• Eighth Grade

• The Brothers Bloom (the other reason there’s no Star Wars)

• The Fall

Honorable Mentions: Casino Royale, Closer, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., National Treasure, Center Stage, She’s the Man, A Knight’s Tale, Pride & Prejudice, Inside Man

See? I’m not a serious cinephile. While I think there is a bit of a mix, I tend to go more for entertainment value than thinking. But I DO also enjoy movies with more of a cerebral goal, but I’m not always drawn to them. There’s nothing wrong with that! And again, I wish I wasn’t always made to feel bad for watching more popular, special effects heavy movies.

How would your list of Top 10 Films from 2000-2025 shake out? Would they be more awards contenders or box office winners?