Are you a movie buff? Let’s find the top 25 movies of this 21st century till now that have gained attention and inspired a lot of people around the globe without commercial success.
Let people fight about how great the superhero and comic-based movies are, as they have not explored a diverse range of movies. However, movie buffs are well aware of all kinds of movies, and in the 21st century, the global movie industry is constantly growing. There are various kinds of movies that can inspire people for the rest of their lives, and not necessarily all inspiring movies have to be biographical or non-fiction. Let’s find the top 25 movies that inspired the rest of the world.
- There Will Be Blood
This is an amazing movie that helped people realize how power dynamics work based on possession and faith. In a nutshell, the movie showcases a rivalry between god and oil, which are the two most powerful components for control. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this movie provides an amazing projection of how life works, how brutal it is, and how success does not always come with happiness. Not to mention, Daniel Day Lewis turned this movie into a masterpiece with his impeccable acting skills. Though it is based on an American Land, the movie explores the real and dark themes among humans.
- Spirited Away
Those who think animated movies are for kids only, put them out of your life, and try watching the movies by Hayao Miyazaki under the Studio Ghibli Production. You will be mesmerized by the way the director and the animators created fictional worlds that embody real life. Spirited Away is one of the finest creations by Miyazaki, which inspired a lot of adults, including director Guillermo del Toro, who said that he created movies after getting inspired by Miyazaki, who showed how monsters have emotions too, and real monsters in this world are often the humans.
- Million Dollar Baby
Well, Clint Eastwood is not just a celebrated actor but also one of the most veteran and talented directors who offered motivational movies with a layer of grit. Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby is the perfect example that received critical acclaim from many. This 21st-century Hollywood movie perfectly captures the theme of the story, a rise from low to high that comes with a rollercoaster of emotions, as it takes a lot of sacrifice and consistency. It is not just a boxing movie but a story that shows the real battle that happens inside.
- A Touch of Sin
Chinese movies have showcased a different layer of art and aesthetic through their movies, and a major part of it can be found in ‘A Touch of Sin’, which is directed by Jia Zhangke. It got released in 2013, and it is still considered to be one of the best movies in the global film industry that leaves people in awe. The exploration of violence and sorrow, along with bright red blood sound obvious but it seems surreally beautiful. There is a palpable unease in the movie that will make you watch it till the end.
- The Death of Mr. Lazarescu
Directed by Cristi Puiu, this movie is definitely not something that would receive commercial success, but there is something in the movie that makes it unique and a standout. The title of the movie obviously seems too obvious, and it is based on a 60-year-old man who suffers from stomach pain, and that’s the baseline of the story. This three-hour-long Romanian movie stands out with its bleak, gripping, yet weirdly funny theme that is both engaging and entertaining at the same time.
- Yi Yi
Yi Yi is a remarkable movie by director Edward Yang, and the lead child artist in the movie also shares the same name as the director. Perhaps Edward found his perfect alter-ego in this kid, and thus, the 8-year-old boy onscreen offers a different perception of life that the director has always felt through his inner child. The kid in the movie always takes pictures of people from the back of the head because he believes a person can never see themselves from behind, and one might forget what they used to look like. The movie offers a slice of life that is beautiful, emotional, and makes you rethink life through the eyes of a little kid, just like we were once.
- Inside Out
Pixar Animation Studios has inspired more people through their movies than Marvel or DC ever could. Their animated movies are not just visually compelling but also quite intriguing with their storyline and approach, and that is vividly noticeable in Inside Out. Directed by Pete Docter and Ronnie del Carmen, this movie offered an amazing idea of how human emotions work inside our brains. The movie has amazingly dealt with vulnerability in humans, especially for kids, and also made the movie kid-friendly to make it simple yet deeply engaging.
- Boyhood
Boyhood is one of the most remarkable movies of the 21st century that took 12 years to shoot and create. However, that time is not spent behind CGI and green screens. The time was required as Director Richard Linklater decided to wait for the 6-year-old cast to grow and turn 18 so that he would not have to cast anyone else, and the boy could express his true emotions while growing up. Only directors like Linklater are capable of pulling off such a masterpiece that can offer you a different way to look at your life.
- Summer Hours
This movie by Olivier Assayas can put critics in reverie as the stories are deeply intriguing. The movie starts with a birthday celebration of the 70-year-old man, who is surrounded by his whole family. While it may sound wholesome, it quickly turns into chaos when the complex relations are involved. The movie also offers a fair share of French people and their cultures, along with their lifestyle, with a touch of simplicity. The movie portrays a family problem that can be a relatable issue for most audiences.
- The Hurt Locker
The Hurt Locker got released in 2009, and it created a big sensation among movie lovers with Jeremy Renner’s amazing acting skills, who most people know as Hawkeye from the MCU. This amazing movie by Kathryn Bigelow also includes Anthony Mackie, who most people know as the Falcon from the MCU. Jeremy plays the role of Sgt. William James, who is an expert bomb diffuser, has techniques that are pretty radical. The movie puts you on the edge of your seat with some of the most breathtaking moments and incidents that happen on the military front.
- Inside Llewyn Davis
Those who know Issac Oscar would know how versatile an actor he is, but a lot of people do not know that he also used to be a full-time member of a ska band. This multitalented artist could be seen in his true form in the movie ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’, where he played the character of a struggling country singer. This movie is not just about music but also an emotional depiction of life and its little moments. This movie by the Coen Brothers set an example in the industry and showcased how every art form, such as music, can imitate life.
- Timbuktu
This is an amazing movie by Abderrahmane Sissako that offers a bigger picture of the sociopolitical situation that is influenced by religion and its devastating man-made rules, which are considered to be the rules of god. The story revolves around a couple who were stoned to death in Timbuktu and how this act of violence is an accumulation of people with their dark sides. Football, cigarettes, music, and a lot of elements of life are banned in the minds of Jehadi Islamists, and the story breaks through the banned rules. It is definitely a tragic movie that showcases the history of violence and establishes an optimism that fears nothing, not even god.
- In Jackson Heights
This movie is made by Frederick Wiseman, who is one of the greatest documentary filmmakers in the film industry, and he is well-revered for his subjects and visions that could stir a deeper emotion among the audience. This movie shows people, their daily life in institutions, and bumping into each other just like a daily scenario, but there is something artsy about it. Perhaps, we are forgetting what life is really about, and this movie will put you back on your feet.
- L’Enfant
Belgian director brothers Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne are quite revered for their emotionally engaging works, and this movie is the perfect example of that. Their tough and realistic stories of normal people, the mass and naturally engaging characters, make the story more relatable, like a part of us. “L’Enfant” is a suspenseful thriller where a criminal becomes a father, and this sudden change in his life also brings a certain change in his personality and perception of life. The story showcases the dark side of Christianity and describes how only we can save ourselves, as there are no gods.
- White Material
This movie, directed by Claire Denis, was released in 2010 and offered a bold and realistic statement instead of following the typical white savior mentality followed by Hollywood. Even Robin Pattison once talked about this movie and how it inspired him. The actor said, “I saw ‘White Material’ about seven years ago, and she became an immediate favorite.” The story is based on Maria, who has a coffee plantation in Africa and finds herself amidst the civil war when she visits the country to check her business. The movie showcases the effects of postcolonialism and how it has affected the whole world.
- Munich
Director Steven Spielberg is best known for his sci-fi adventure movies, but he is also revered for his complex narrative and movies that depict history, such as “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan.” However, one of his greatest works, Munich, is often overlooked, which is equally remarkable and intriguing in its narrative. This drama revolves around the themes of violence, righteousness, and revenge, and offers some interesting perspectives that question the reality of geopolitics and war situations. The story is based on the horrific attack at the Munich Olympics, but the twisty visions of all sides make it highly engaging.
- Three Times
Directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien, this movie was released in 2006 and received much attention with its visually compelling representation. The Taiwanese director created an emotionally subtle movie that comprises three different stories, namely “A Time for Love,” set in 1966; “A Time for Freedom,” set in 1911; and “A Time for Youth,” set in the present. Each story revolves around a couple played by the same actor and actress and illuminates a love story in different timelines.
- The Gleaners and I
‘The Gleaners and I’ is a remarkable movie by Granny Punk, better known as director Agnès Varda, who always embodies the defiant, anarchic, do-it-yourself ethos through her persona movies as well. The cinema is inspired by the famous 1857 painting by Jean-François Millet, “The Gleaners and I,” and the director has perfectly portrayed the theme that inspired her. Perhaps, this is the best painting adaptation movie in the industry, where most movies are inspired by novels for material. This is a cinematic essay on the importance of valuing what we might be tempted to overlook or throw away.
- Mad Max: Fury Road
‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ was released in 2015 by George Miller, and it created a huge sensation by recreating the cult classic. This movie set a new standard for action movies in Hollywood that is not heavily dependent on CGI but offers a raw taste of dirt and blood. The story takes place in an apocalyptic world where water and food can become the greatest assets. The movie showcases how power dynamics and faith work among deprived people. There is chaos, somehow that appears to be satisfying with Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron, who offered some ‘badass’ performances for the audience.
- Moonlight
This movie, directed by Barry Jenkins, was released in 2016 and won an Oscar as one of the most inspiring movies of the century. It was definitely a bold take where a black homosexual love story was established, and the director did this a decade before now, when there was very little awareness about the LGBTQ community. However, this movie is not about gay advocacy but a testament of lost love that often stays in our lives like a soft wound. The title of the movie is perfectly justified, and you will understand that midway. The protagonist of the movie, Chiron, can make you cry with his transformation.
- Wendy and Lucy
This 2008 drama is directed by Kelly Reichardt, and the movie has deeply impacted audiences. The story is based on a young woman named Wendy who passes through a Pacific Northwest town on her way to Alaska, where she hopes to find work. She has a little bit of money, an unreliable car, and her dog, Lucy. This stripped-down tale of desperation and hope in hard times is needed for every human to survive in this harsh world. There is poignancy blended with optimism and the indomitable will of survival that can keep you hooked.
- I’m Not There
Long before Timothy’s arrival, Todd Haynes made this movie in 2007, which is based on the greatest singer and songwriter Bob Dylan, who also won a Nobel Prize in literature. It’s an extended essay in Dylanology, with six actors, incarnating aspects of the future Nobel laureate’s protean personality. The movie offers a closer look at Dylan’s life, and the conversations could inspire you.
- Silent Light
This is a masterpiece by Mexican director Carlos Reygadas, who is capable of turning movies into prayer. However, the movie is not strictly religious; rather, it invites audiences into a world of grace and wonder. The narrative is minimal; the filmmaking lush. Set in an isolated Mennonite community in Mexico, it traces the agonies of a farming couple, Johan and Esther, who are being torn apart by his love for another woman. Little seems to happen, but this is a movie about everything: what it means to love, to have faith, to live in the world. It is definitely a good watch for everyone who is tired of watching regular cheesy rom-coms.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
No matter how many decades pass, there will be no greater romantic movie than ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, where you can find a heart-warming chemistry between Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. Jim deserves an Oscar for his performance that made many people cry with his depiction of loneliness. Jim’s wacky comedic essence is completely gone in this movie, and it is replaced by Kate’s playfulness. We all want to get rid of our pain and memories in the past, but what would we have if we erase them all? You will find the answer in this spectacular flick.
- The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Steve Carell is a master of his craft, and ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’ is a perfect example of that. While a lot of people think it is a comedy movie, it is just a movie about midlife crisis and how people behave in their vulnerabilities. Starting from violent chest-waxing to lonely tuba playing, there are many engaging moments in the movie that you will enjoy. Overall, it is an ode to life and self, and everyone should watch.
