The Best of the 21st Century: Movies and TV That Defined an Era

A century defined by the evolution of storytelling

The 21st century hasn’t just delivered new films and TV shows. It has completely reshaped the way we experience stories. Television is no longer a secondary format, cinema has been forced to constantly reinvent itself, and audiences have become more demanding than ever.

This ranking isn’t meant to be academic or definitive. It’s a way of understanding this era through the works that have truly left a mark — the ones that still resonate today and, above all, have defined a generation.

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From 10 to 7: closing a remarkable era

At number ten, Parasite breaks cultural barriers and proves that international cinema can dominate the global conversation without sacrificing its identity. Just above it, Gladiator sets the tone for the century, bringing epic storytelling back into the spotlight.

Joker takes the eighth spot as one of the boldest character-driven films within modern mainstream cinema, while Inception lands in seventh place as a perfect example of ambitious filmmaking that connects with audiences without compromising complexity.

The middle ground: where film and television find balance

In sixth position, we find a compelling balance between genres and formats. Mystic River represents grounded, classic drama, while Coco elevates animation to an emotional level that places it alongside any live-action film in this ranking.

Just above, Kill Bill delivers pure authorial style, while The Wire stands as one of the most influential and respected TV series of the modern era.

When storytelling reached maturity

The fourth position brings together two very different worlds. On one side, Game of Thrones, a global phenomenon that redefined the scale and ambition of television. On the other, Gran Torino, a much more intimate film that reminds us of the enduring power of character-driven storytelling.

At number three, the ranking focuses on pure excellence. Million Dollar Baby and True Detective represent two distinct ways of achieving narrative perfection — one rooted in classic cinema, the other in carefully crafted television.

The real impact of the 21st century

The second position is reserved for works that have defined the era. Chernobyl stands as a near-perfect miniseries, while The Lord of the Rings trilogy remains one of the most ambitious cinematic achievements of modern times.

Both represent the peak of their respective formats and highlight just how far storytelling has evolved in recent decades.

The top: where film and television converge

At the very top, the ranking reaches its defining point. Breaking Bad represents the ultimate rise of television as a dominant storytelling medium, while The Dark Knight embodies the peak of modern blockbuster cinema.

This isn’t just about two great works. It’s about two different ways of understanding storytelling that, together, explain why the 21st century stands apart from everything that came before.

How the 21st century has evolved

This ranking makes one thing clear: the 21st century doesn’t belong exclusively to cinema or television. It belongs to the audience — one that demands more, compares formats, and values stories based on what they truly deliver.

The boundaries between both mediums have blurred, allowing works like these to coexist in the same space without losing their identity.

A ranking with its own identity

This list isn’t meant to be definitive. It’s meant to be honest. It reflects a specific way of understanding modern storytelling — one where emotional impact, quality, and legacy matter more than labels.

And that, ultimately, is what defines the 21st century.

For a closer look at one of the television landmarks discussed in our coverage, read why Breaking Bad transformed character-driven storytelling.

For a wider perspective, read our 20th-century film and television selection. This 21st-century ranking is also available in Spanish.

To explore the television side of this century in more depth, read why The Wire remains influential and how Game of Thrones transformed the medium.

To explore one of the more distinctive television productions of 2025 in detail, read our analysis of Netflix’s Adolescence.