Rotten Tomatoes Names Greatest Movie of the 21st Century

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It's hard to believe, but we're approaching the quarter mark of the 21st century. 2025 marks the one-fourth point for the next 100 years, and many outlets are taking a look at the art that has defined the last two and a half decades.

Music, movies and more are all being examined this year, and one major film website has decided to rank the top 100 films of the century so far.

The list was filled with variety, from horror films to superhero movies and even animated comedies for children. In the end, only one film could take the website's top spot, and it's a movie that's received an incredible amount of critical acclaim.

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Rotten Tomatoes has ranked 2019's "Parasite" as the greatest movie of the 21st century. The South Korean drama has a 99% rating with critics and a 90% rating with audiences.

"An urgent, brilliantly layered look at timely social themes, "Parasite" finds writer-director Bong Joon-Ho in near-total command of his craft," the critics synopsis reads.

"Parasite" won best picture at the 2020 Oscars, and Bong Joon-Ho won best director, best original screenplay and best international feature film. It was the first non-English film to win best picture, and it madeBong Joon-Ho a household name among American film fans.

Kang-ho Song, Choi Woo-shik, Hye-jin Jang, and Park So-dam in "Parasite"

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He released "Mickey 17" earlier this year, which starred Robert Pattinson and Mark Ruffalo. The film was well-received by critics and currently holds a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

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Bong Joon-Ho is currently working a new animated film called "The Valley," set to release in 2027. According to Screen Daily, the film will "explore the connection between deep-sea creatures and humans."

Other films in Rotten Tomatoes' top five included 2022's "Top Gun: Maverick," 2003's "Finding Nemo," 2010's "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Toy Story 3." The next non-animated film on the list was 2023's Godzilla Minus One, seen as a strong return to form for the legendary character.

"Parasite" makes a strong case for the top movie of the century so far, but film fans will be eager to see what the next 25 years have in store for them.

Rotten Tomatoes Names Greatest Movie of the 21st Century first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 8, 2025