11 Greatest Movies of the Last 30 Years, Ranked
From the widespread transition to DVD from VHS to the advent of the digital era and streaming services as the new norm, the past 30 years of filmmaking has seen a multitude of changes and evolutions to fit the ever expanding landscape of film. However, the singular constant throughout all of these wild changes across the decades is that great, truly inspiring films were consistently being released. There was absolutely no shortage of great films released in this time, with the best of the best becoming legendary icons in their own right. While each individual is going to have their own select choices of what the best films from the past 30 years are, these 11 films distinctly stick out as some of the most celebrated, versatile, and overall best offerings that the medium of film has had to offer. Even outside of the confines of the past 30 years, these films would make excellent choices for some of the most impactful and greatest filmmaking achievements of all time.
11
‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)
Batman (Christian Bale) looming over The Joker (Heath Ledger) in ‘The Dark Knight’Image via Warner Bros.
Helping to massively revitalize the superhero genre as well as becoming one of the defining blockbusters of the 21st century, The Dark Knight could very easily be considered the greatest superhero movie of all time. The inherent legacy of Christopher Nolan’s Batman sequel largely precedes itself, as it quickly became not only the quintessential film adaptation of the iconic DC character, but one of the biggest, most recognizable superhero movies of all time. The film hasn’t achieved such a continued legacy thanks to its initial popularity, however, as its mixture of great performances, top-notch action filmmaking, and dynamic deconstruction of Batman and the world of Gotham makes this the defining Batman film experience. It has quickly become the defining superhero blockbuster that all other high profile superhero films will inevitably be compared to, cementing a legacy that will continue to last well into the future of the superhero genre.
10
‘The Social Network’ (2010)
Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg in The Social NetworkImage via Sony Pictures Releasing
The prospect of a biopic following the rise and creation of social media platform Facebook, especially one being made only a few years after it became the world’s most popular social media platform, by all accounts seemed like a recipe for disaster. However, leave it to David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin to weave together a powerful and self-reflective tale of friendship, betrayal, and billions of dollars that isn’t afraid to paint its biopic subjects in a less than glamorous light. The Social Network’s striking approach to the story of Mark Zuckerberg and the creation of Facebook continues to be fascinating all these years later, by simply being a well-crafted work of art that utilized the story to say much more about these people instead of treating them like untouchable gods. With a highly anticipated sequel planned to be released in 2026, The Social Network continues to cement itself in wider culture as one of the most respected and important biopics not just of the past 30 years, but of all time.
9
‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
Chihiro holding into Haku as he flies above the river in Spirited Away.Image via Studio Ghibli
Spirited Away utilizes the very notions and medium of traditional 2D animation with seamless passion and graceful beauty, to a point where it still manages to be one of the most jaw-dropping and breathtaking animated experiences decades after its release. However, the visuals prove to be only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the myriad of reasons that Spirited Away is widely considered to be a masterpiece of Japanese filmmaking and the crowning jewel of Hayao Miyazaki’s filmography. The film’s fantasy worldbuilding and magnificent characterization is simply second to none when it comes to animated family filmmaking, immediately engrossing the audience into its highly creative world as it weaves a tale of self-determination and growth that can be appreciated by all. All the inherent strengths that have made Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki’s films such global phenomenons are seen at their absolute best in Spirited Away, which still continues to maintain its status as one of the all-time best animated movies.
8
‘The Truman Show’ (1998)
Image via Paramount Picture
Featuring one of the most striking and brilliantly poignant premises in contemporary filmmaking history, The Truman Show found great success thanks to both the brilliance of its concept and the striking execution and exploration of the psyche of its main character. It blends together wildly impactful self-aware comedy with some genuinely heartbreaking emotional moments to create one of the most strikingly beautiful films that the 90s have to offer. At the very center of what makes the film so brilliant is the lead performance from Jim Carrey, who deviates from his traditionally manic and absurd style of humor to portray an everyday man brought to the brink of insanity when he reailzes that the entire world around him is a falsehood. Its messages of humanity and society’s inherent fascination with realism in their entertainment, even at the cost of people’s lives, has aged shockingly well into the modern digital age, creating a timeless, one-of-a-kind examination of life itself.
7
‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (2022)
Ke Huy Quan as Waymond Wang mid-fight in an office building in Everything Everywhere All at OnceImage via A24
An absolute blast of creativity and infinite potential that took the world by storm and became one of the defining cinematic achievements of the 2020s so far, Everything Everywhere All at Once is an absolute blast of high-concept action, goofy multiverse shenanigans, and a poignant emotional core. It makes the absolute most out of the insanity and limitless possibilities of the multiverse, utilizing it for sheer unpredictability and comic absurdity that manages to amplify both the action and the drama on-screen. However, between all the entertaining flourishes and fun multiverse antics, the greatest strength of the film that has helped it become one of the biggest hits of the 2020s is its genuine heart and themes of familial trauma. Its relatable story of not being able to connect with family and the overwhelming strength of love and connection has touched the hearts of many audiences and critics alike.
6
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ (2015)
Immortan Joe, played by Hugh Keays-Byrne, driving in ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
In terms of pure action spectacle and glorious practical filmmaking at a blockbuster scale, no other modern film come close to the glorious execution of George Miller’s magnum opus, Mad Max: Fury Road. It’s a film that operates on a mindset of pure catharsis, creating several of the most satisfying and energizing action sequences imaginable while continuously one-upping itself in terms of visuals and flair. The vision and potential of the apocalyptic wasteland of previous entries is fully realized in Fury Road, creating a glorious mixture of anarchy and unyielding hope. No other modern blockbuster comes close to the sheer scale and gravitas that is consistently on display within Fury Road, utilizing every last penny of its budget to create some of the most satisfying and glorious action sequences possible. Its a glorious sight to behold that still manages to awe and leave audiences breathless a decade after its release, easily standing as the defining action masterpiece of the past 30 years.
5
‘In the Mood for Love’ (2000)
Image via Janus Films
One of the most striking and emotionally poignant romance films ever created, In the Mood for Love is unmatched in its ability to recreate feelings of passion and longing between two lost, heartbroken souls. The Hong Kong film follows two neighbors who find themselves forging a strong bond with one another after they both begin to suspect that their spouses are having an affair with one another. However, because they won’t want to commit the same painful wrongs as their spouses, they agree to keep their bond platonic, despite the sparks and clear love that they share for one another. In the Mood for Love, as a cinematic experience, is much less about the core story being told, and instead, the exceptional mood that elevates and amplifies the emotional weight of each scene. Similar to director Wong Kar-wai’s other cinematic achievements, the film’s visual style and beautiful shot composition and lighting further amplify this illicit tone, making it one of the most erotic and sensual cinematic experiences of recent memory.
4
‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007)
A Close Up of Daniel Day Lewis’ Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood.Image via Paramount Vantage
A lofty and strikingly powerful epic period drama that would become a cultural phenomenon due to its sheer overwhelming quality, the craft and brilliance of There Will Be Blood have continued to be appreciated well after its initial release. Even among the massively praised works that Paul Thomas Anderson has released both before and since, this unyielding masterpiece stands tall not just as his greatest cinematic achievement, but one of the all-time greatest period pieces in film history.
From the masterful lead performance by Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview to the film’s powerful messaging and perspective on the dark side of the American Dream, There Will Be Blood will forever be a compelling and captivating cinematic epic. It makes use of the scale and scope of the time period better than any other film set during the early 20th century. Few films have maintained their status as being as widely celebrated as a masterpiece throughout the past 30 years as There Will Be Blood has managed to achieve.
3
‘The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)
Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, Boromir, Samwise, Frodo, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin forming The Fellowship in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingImage via New Line Cinema
The first film in what would soon be lofted as one of the most highly acclaimed blockbuster trilogies of all time and a masterful feat of scale and high-budget that brings a sprawling fantasy world to life like never before, The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring is a defining staple of the fantasy genre. The film is graciously earnest towards its adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary original novel, with Peter Jackson adding his own directorial flair and brilliance to further transform the story into a fantasy classic for modern audiences. While there will forever be arguments as to which film in the legendary fantasy trilogy is the absolute best, there’s something about the earnestness and standalone nature of Fellowship that makes it just as awe-inspiring nearly 25 years later. Even now, the film is often touted as the absolute peak of what is possible with the fantasy epic genre, having a gravitas and care put into every little detail and making it the definitive way to experience the story of Middle-earth.
2
‘Moonlight’ (2016)
A young boy looks out over the ocean on a beach with palm trees in Moonlight.Image via A24
A beautiful, deeply personal story of self-discovery and growth in the face of hardship, Moonlight has grown to be the defining independent movie masterpiece of the 21st century, weaving together an uncompromising vision of growth and evolution in a young man’s life. While coming-of-age movies as a whole are far from newly explored territory, the harsh, mature themes that Moonlight delves into, combined with its breathtaking visuals and powerful performances, have made it a beacon of originality and brilliance within independent filmmaking. The film delves into a multitude of different themes and topics as it spans the difficulties of Chiron’s life, all the while never losing sight of his inner humanity and the layers of his difficult lived experience and complicated view of himself. Moonlight’s beauty and graceful execution have allowed it to touch the hearts of audiences in a way that only the absolute best of dramas are capable of, feeling powerful and important in its execution as a defining step forward for independent filmmaking as a whole.
已发布: 2025-12-25 02:30:00
来源: collider.com
