Quentin Tarantino SLAMS The Hunger Games as he reveals his must-watch films of the 21st century; says, 'This is just Battle Royale except PG!'

Quentin Tarantino reveals his must watch films of the 21st century

Quentin Tarantino has never been shy about his cinematic opinions, and this week, the filmmaker sent movie lovers into a frenzy after unveiling his personal list of the 20 best films of the 21st century. The Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill director shared his rankings during an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, revealing entries 11 to 20 and promising to announce his top 10 soon.

Tarantino said he was inspired by The Big Picture podcast’s “25 Best Films of the Century” episode and immediately “grabbed a pen” to jot down his own choices. His only rule: one film per director. The result is a wildly varied list spanning Japanese thrillers, Thai martial arts, Hollywood comedies, and modern musicals.

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Here’s a deep dive into Tarantino’s picks from No 20 to No 11:

20. West Side Story (Steven Spielberg, 2021)
Spielberg’s reimagining of the beloved musical left Tarantino astonished. He said the film proves, “Steven still has it. I don’t think Scorsese has made a film this exciting this century.” He even praised lead actor Ansel Elgort despite not liking him “in anything else.”

19. Cabin Fever (Eli Roth, 2002)
This gory horror-comedy became Roth’s breakout, blending gore with chaotic humor. Tarantino noted its tension and charm, saying the film’s final stretch is “genuinely funny […] this is my favourite [Roth film].”

18. Moneyball (Bennett Miller, 2011)
The baseball drama starring Brad Pitt impressed Tarantino for its emotional heft and star power. He called Pitt’s performance “one of my favorite star performances of the last 20 years.”

17. Chocolate (Prachya Pinkaew, 2008)
A Thai martial-arts gem, featuring a young autistic girl with extraordinary fighting abilities. Tarantino marvelled at its action choreography: “Some of the greatest kung-fu fights I’ve ever seen.”

16. The Devil’s Rejects (Rob Zombie, 2005)
Zombie’s brutal horror-western blend struck Tarantino as genre-defining. He praised its hybrid style: “This rough Peckinpah–cowboy–Manson thing […] Zombie refined that voice with this movie.”

15. The Passion of the Christ (Mel Gibson, 2004)
The violent biblical epic had the filmmaker reacting with shock and dark laughter. He said the extremity was overwhelming: “When you go so far beyond extremity, it just gets funnier and funnier.”

14. The School of Rock (Richard Linklater, 2003)
Jack Black’s iconic comedy earned a place on the list for its infectious energy. Tarantino said the mix of Black, Linklater and writer Mike White made it “a fun, fun, fun screening.”

13. Jackass: The Movie (Jeff Tremaine, 2002)
According to Tarantino, no film has made him laugh harder in two decades. “We found a print and showed it to the Kill Bill crew — we just died,” he recalled.

12. Big Bad Wolves (Aharon Keshales & Navot Papushado, 2013)
This Israeli thriller shocked him with its boldness. He applauded its risk-taking: “They handle it with guts and balls — the American movie wouldn’t do that.”

Also Read: Quentin Tarantino to join Simon Pegg for next film Only What We Carry

11. Battle Royale (Kinji Fukasaku, 2000)
Tarantino praised the cult classic’s ferocity and slammed The Hunger Games for its similarities. “This is just Battle Royale except PG!” he said, calling it one of the most influential films of the era.

What’s next?
Tarantino’s full ranking — including his top 10 of the century — will be revealed soon. But even with only half the list out, his trademark mix of genre chaos, bold opinions, and cinephile passion is unmistakable. If this is any indication, the top 10 is bound to be just as surprising.