When Empire named the 100 Greatest Movies Of The Century, marking the start of 2020 and two decades of game-changing cinema, it wasn’t just our critics who contributed to the list. We also asked you, our readers, to submit votes for your most beloved movies to have his UK screens since the dawn of the millennium – the ones that moved you, changed you, changed cinema, and still rattle around in your brain up to 20 years later.
You responded in your thousands – and your votes were given equal weighting to the critics’ list in the overall rankings. Now we present the top 10 of the readers’ vote, with testimonials written by you, our readers, about what makes these films so special, and why they deserved to make the list. Want to know what Empire’s staff picked? You can read the critics’ top 10 here.
The 100 Greatest Movies Of The 21st Century: The Readers' List
1 of 1010) Lost In Translation
I saw Lost In Translation at a time when I myself felt lost and adrift, and instantly connected with the film and its characters. It taught me that the more you know who you are and what you want, the less you let things upset you. I got a job I enjoyed at my local cinema where I developed my love of film, a passion for writing about movies – and even met my wife! This year, I finally follow in the footsteps of Bob and Charlotte and visit Tokyo for relaxing times… and Suntory times.– Dallas KingBuy now on Amazon
2 of 109) Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
"All right, let's do this one last time…" Who would have thought transferring this classic tale to a different protagonist would give us the defining Spider-Man experience? The visual style of Spider-Verse incorporates bold graphics, using CG and hand drawings to create an on-screen comic book – no wonder this was approved by the comic code authority! Interestingly written characters make it immediately accessible, with intelligent, innovative, and fun use of the source material. It's a fantastic, kinetic, enjoyable adventure. "It always fits… eventually."– Robert FarleyBuy now on Amazon
3 of 108) Get Out
'Get out… of this cinema immediately!' This was my first thought as I sat on the edge of my seat watching the brilliant Daniel Kaluuya as Chris – his eyes said it all, so expressive that I was internally shouting the film's title. A deeply disturbing but ultimately compelling film, superbly directed by Jordan Peele who captures innocence and ferocity with equal surety and calmness. I was deeply impressed, so much so that I need to see every Peele movie from now on.– Lynne LawrenceBuy now on Amazon
4 of 107) Pan's Labyrinth
Pan's Labyrinth is the film that helped me 'overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles' (as Parasite director Bong Joon Ho recently put it at the Golden Globes). Not only did it open me up to the bittersweet and magical world of Ofelia and Fauno, and to the monstrous world of Guillermo del Toro – it opened me up to a literal world of cinema that I had previously, and foolishly, put to one side.– Alic JoyBuy now on Amazon
5 of 106) Moonlight
Somehow, James Laxton's cinematography in Moonlight has a haptic sensitivity to it. Barry Jenkins' film manages to convey not just what Chiron thinks, sees, or does, but how it feels to have a father figure put his hand on your head when you've grown up without one, the sensation of being touched by another man for the first time, and how it feels to wake from a dream of a former lover.– Craig GentBuy now on Amazon
6 of 105) The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight was the first film I saw in the cinema where the audience collectively exclaimed – reasonable, considering the pencil-in-the-eye circumstances. Christopher Nolan's masterpiece is rare evidence that a sequel can unquestionably exceed the quality of the first film, especially if you were lucky enough to have Heath Ledger onside.– Ellie ReidyBuy now on Amazon
7 of 104) Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War is the pinnacle of cinematic crossovers – with interactions between characters who previously hadn't met that make for some of the most entertaining scenes in the MCU. But the movie's strongest element is its antagonist, Thanos – a well-written character who ultimately becomes the villain of the decade. The action is incredible, the script is kinetic, and the pacing is slick considering the amount of characters, all leading up to that gut-wrenching ending – the energy of the crowd was intoxicating, and it has remained my favourite experience at the cinema.– Jack NovareseBuy now on Amazon
8 of 103) Inception
Has there ever been a movie as mind-blowing and mind-boggling as this genre-defining epic? Christopher Nolan's dream-infiltration blockbuster is a visual masterpiece. Leonardo DiCaprio, as ever, is a standout, powerfully bringing Cobb's vulnerabilities to the fore, while the rest of the cast excel, from Tom Hardy's bullish Eames, to Cillian Murphy battling both emotional demons and intruders in his dreams. And the late, great Pete Postlethwaite makes any movie worth watching. A dream of a movie, within a dream, within a dream…– Steven MacaulayBuy now on Amazon
9 of 102) Mad Max: Fury Road
Who would have thought that the fourth film in a franchise would be the best? This is movie-making in the grand old Hollywood style of William Wyler's Ben Hur, with actors and stuntmen at the top of their game taking physical risks to provide big-screen entertainment – all performing under a 74-year-old director, the genius George Miller, in supreme command of his art. Watch it on an IMAX screen and be totally blown away.– Michael KisilBuy now on Amazon
10 of 101) The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
I was overwhelmed by Fellowship when I first saw it, and it was only subsequent re-watches that allowed it to dominate my life. Here was a movie unlike anything I'd ever seen before – a fantasy world that felt so real, now-iconic performances, pioneering visual effects, and music that transported us all the way from the Shire to Amon Hen. Some movies you just watch and enjoy, others connect on an almost spiritual level: this trilogy is the ultimate example for me. Thank you, Peter Jackson and your team, for changing cinema.– Jonathan EdneyBuy now on Amazon
You can read plenty more about the 100 Greatest Movies Of The Century in the new issue of Empire – on sale now. Inside, you’ll find 32 pages going deep on the list, with all-new critic essays, reader reviews, and brand new interviews with filmmakers including Greta Gerwig, Edgar Wright, Denis Villeneuve, Sofia Coppola, Paul Feig, Paul King, and many more – exclusive to the magazine. Find it now at your local newsagent – and pick one of our six stunning covers illustrated exclusively by Paul Shipper.
