10 Most Perfectly Acted Movies of the 21st Century, Ranked

The twenty first century has seen a exceptional evolution throughout the historical past of Hollywood, because the movie trade has change into extra reliant than ever earlier than on creating blockbuster franchises that generate huge monetary success. Whereas this can be a important change from the way in which by which the trade was operated, movie followers can nonetheless have hope for the long run primarily based on the extraordinary variety of nice actors which can be nonetheless working.

Though it could be straightforward to bemoan the dearth of film stars, there have been many contemporary faces which have emerged all through the twenty first century, and plenty of dwelling legends which have continued to do nice work. Each franchise will finally fade from relevance in some unspecified time in the future, however it’s the nice characters and the performers that embodied them that may finally stand the take a look at of time. Listed here are the ten most completely acted films of the twenty first century, ranked.

10 ‘Mystic River’ (2003)

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Kevin Bacon's Sean talking with aviators and a smirk into a walkie-talkie in Mystic River — Picture through Warner Bros.

Mystic River is likely one of the finest movies that was directed by Clint Eastwood, a former actor who has a eager potential to get essentially the most out of his proficient forged. Mystic River is a deeply unsettling crime drama in regards to the ramifications of generational trauma and childhood abuse; Sean Penn has by no means been as starkly terrifying or utterly heartbreaking as he’s in Mystic River, as his efficiency gained him the Academy Award for Finest Actor.

Though the nice Kevin Bacon reveals as soon as once more why he’s among the many most “in-demand” character actors working at this time, the devastating efficiency by Tim Robbins is what makes Mystic River extra impactful than most crime thrillers. Robbins gained the Oscar for Finest Supporting Actor for his efficiency in Mystic River, and devoted his victory to the victims of abuse that he so fantastically embodied along with his soul-shattering efficiency.

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Mystic River

The tragic homicide of a 19-year-old woman reunites three childhood pals nonetheless dwelling in Boston–the sufferer’s gangster father, a detective, and the disturbed man they each suspect of killing her.

Launch Date: October 15, 2003
Runtime: 138 minutes
Foremost Style: Crime
Writers: Brian Helgeland , Dennis Lehane

Lease on Amazon

9 ‘The Holdovers’ (2023)

Directed by Alexander Payne

Dominic Sessa, Brady Hepner, and Jim Kaplan in The Holdovers — Picture By way of Focus Options

The Holdovers has immediately solidified itself as a contemporary Christmas basic, even when it doesn’t have a scale similar to the ensembles in Love Truly or The Vacation. What The Holdovers does have is three wonderful performances from actors that utterly embody their characters; by the point that Alexander Payne’s heartfelt dramedy wraps up, the characters start to really feel a bit bit like household.

Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph deservedly gained the Academy Award for Finest Supporting Actress, as she utterly embodied a way of optimism and kindness that’s not often seen on display screen. Whereas Paul Giamatti is simply as good as one could think about from one of many best dwelling actors, it was the invention of breakout star Dominic Sessa, making his debut with the primary movie function of his complete profession, that actually made The Holdovers really feel like one thing particular.

A cranky historical past trainer at a distant prep college is pressured to stay on campus over the vacations with a troubled pupil who has no place to go.

Launch Date: November 10, 2023
Director: Alexander Payne
Runtime: 133 Minutes
Foremost Style: Comedy
Writers: David Hemingson
Manufacturing Firm
Studio(s): MiraMax , Gran By way of
Distributor(s): Focus Options

Watch on Prime Video

8 ‘Marriage Story’ (2019)

Directed by Noah Baumbach

Scarlett Johansson holding her face while Adam Driver stands in the kitchen in 'Marriage Story' — Picture through Netflix

Marriage Story is among the many most devastating films ever made a few damaged household, because it succeeds in displaying that each fighters should still have affection for one another. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson do the most effective work of their respective careers, because the non-linear approach by which Noah Baumbach constructs his story permits for them to each present moments of affection and troublesome arguments.

Though each Driver and Johansson had been nominated for his or her work, Laura Dern gained the Academy Award for Finest Supporting Actress for her efficiency as a vindictive lawyer who threatens to tear the couple aside in essentially the most bitter approach potential. Marriage Story can be an actual “who’s who” on the subject of legendary character actors that pop up in small roles, as legends like Ray Liotta and Wallace Shawn are gifted with scenes that enable them a possibility within the highlight.

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Marriage Story

Directed by Noah Baumbach, Marriage Story follows Charlie and Nicole Barber, a theater director and his actress spouse, by the dramatic disintegration of their marriage and subsequent divorce. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson star as Charlie and Nicole, with an additional forged that features Laura Dern, Alan Alda, and Ray Liotta.

Launch Date: December 6, 2019
Director: Noah Baumbach
Runtime: 136 minutes
Writers: Noah Baumbach
Finances: $8.6 million
Studio(s): Netflix
Distributor(s): Netflix

Watch on Netflix

7 ‘The Brutalist’ (2004)

Directed by Brady Corbet

Joe Alwyn, Guy Pearce, Stacy Martin , Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Raffey Cassidy in The Brutalist. — Picture through A24

The Brutlalist has already established itself as among the finest movies of the twenty first century, and will feasibly be remembered as a basic within the vein of The Godfather or The Deer Hunter within the years that come. On the middle of the movie is an excellent efficiency by Adrien Brody as a Jewish architect attempting to attain the American dream; whereas Brody famously grew to become the youngest actor ever to win the Finest Actor Oscar for his work in The Pianist, his work in The Brutalist signifies simply how a lot he has grown on display screen.

Brody’s work is almost not possible to overlook, however The Brutalist options some of the terrifying villains in current reminiscence because of the efficiency by Man Pearce, an actor who has all the time deserved extra credit score for the flexibility that he has proven himself to be able to.

The Brutalist follows visionary architect László Toth and his spouse Erzsébet as they flee Europe, aiming to rebuild their legacy in trendy America. Their journey takes an sudden flip when a mysterious and rich consumer alters the course of their lives, intertwining ambition with the challenges of a brand new world.

Launch Date: December 20, 2024
Director: Brady Corbet
Forged: Adrien Brody , Man Pearce , Felicity Jones , Joe Alwyn , Raffey Cassidy , Stacy Martin , Emma Laird , Isaach De Bankole , Alessandro Nivola , Michael Epp , Jonathan Hyde , Peter Polycarpou , Salvatore Sansone , Ariane Labed , Jeremy Wheeler , Jaymes Butler , Matt Devere , Natalie Shinnick , Stephen Saracco , Peter Linka , Robert Jackson
Foremost Style: Drama
Character(s): László Tóth , Harrison Lee Van Buren , Erzsébet Tóth , Harry Lee Van Buren , Zsófia , Maggie Lee Van Buren , Audrey , Gordon , Attila , Jim Simpson , Leslie , Hoffman , Orazio , Zsófia in 1980 , Social gathering Visitor , Bar Supervisor , Mayor Kinney , Receptionist , Development Supervisor , Townsperson , Townsperson #2
Writers: Brady Corbet , Mona Fastvold

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6 ‘Lincoln’ (2012)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Tommy Lee Jones speaking in court as Thaddeus Stevens in Lincoln — Picture through Dreamworks Photos

Lincoln is a robust biographical drama about some of the essential moments in American historical past, and Steven Spileberg put collectively a tremendous forged of actors to embody many of those iconic historic figures. There isn’t a foul efficiency in Lincoln, but it surely was the career-defining efficiency by the nice Daniel Day-Lewis because the sixteenth President of the USA that gained him the third Academy Award for Finest Actor in his profession.

Day-Lewis manages to seize the softness, humanity, and charisma of Lincoln, and Sally Subject is simply as compelling as his embittered spouse, Mary Todd. Though Day-Lewis is not possible to look away from at any time when he’s on the display screen, Lincoln additionally options spectacular work from Tommy Lee Jones, Walton Goggins, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Adam Driver, Hal Holbrook, James Spader, Jared Harris, David Strathairn, Lee Tempo, Jackie Earl Haley, and Jeremy Sturdy.

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Lincoln

Because the Civil Battle rages on, U.S President Abraham Lincoln struggles with persevering with carnage on the battlefield as he fights with many inside his personal cupboard on his choice to emancipate the slaves.

Launch Date: November 9, 2012
Runtime: 120
Writers: Tony Kushner , Doris Kearns Goodwin
Finances: $65 million
Studio(s): DreamWorks Distribution, Disney
Distributor(s): DreamWorks Distribution, twentieth Century, Disney

Lease on Amazon

5 ‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005)

Directed by Ang Lee

Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis (Heath Ledger) have a secret affair in Brokeback Mountain (2005). — Picture through Focus Options

Brokeback Mountain is likely one of the best romantic dramas ever made, and broke new floor for Hollywood when it comes to LGTQIA illustration; though it infamously misplaced the Academy Award for Finest Image to the overrated drama Crash, Brokeback Mountain will proceed to be cited as a masterful basic within the years to return.

The chemistry between Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger is completely extraordinary; each actors had been nominated for his or her performances, and had been in a position to play their characters over the course of many a long time as their relationship evolves, and turns into extra tragic. Ang Lee is a filmmaker who’s delicate to giving each character an opportunity to shine, as Brokeback Mountain nonetheless spends time devoted to the feminine characters portrayed by Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams. The intimacy, honesty, and well timed message about acceptance and love make Brokeback Mountain a very heroic feat of filmmaking.

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Brokeback Mountain

Ennis and Jack are two shepherds who develop a sexual and emotional relationship. Their relationship turns into sophisticated when each of them get married to their respective girlfriends.

Launch Date: December 9, 2005
Runtime: 134 minutes
Writers: Larry McMurtry , Diana Ossana
Finances: $14 million
Studio(s): Focus Options

Watch on Max

Directed by David Fincher

Rooney Mara as Erica (left) and Jesse Eisenberg as Mark (right) talk over their beers in 'The Social Network' — Picture through Sony Photos Releasing

The Social Community is the movie that seemingly outlined a era, as David Fincher was in a position to seize the distinctive methods by which communication and relationships had modified by the event of expertise and the Web. Though it guarantees to be an epic origin story about how Fb modified the world, The Social Community reveals itself to be a really private character drama in regards to the splintering of a single relationship.

Jesse Eisneberg is ready to seize all of the mannerisms of Mark Zuckerberg, and pulls off a efficiency that’s surprisingly empathetic earlier than it turns into utterly terrifying. Though Eisenberg acquired his first and solely Academy Award nomination for Finest Actor for his efficiency, it’s unlucky that Andrew Garfield was not additionally acknowledged by the Oscars for his wonderful work, as Eduardo is in some ways the center of the movie.

As Harvard pupil Mark Zuckerberg creates the social networking web site that may change into often called Fb, he’s sued by the twins who claimed he stole their concept and by the co-founder who was later squeezed out of the enterprise.

Launch Date: October 1, 2010
Runtime: 120 minutes
Writers: Aaron Sorkin
Finances: $40 Million
Studio(s): Columbia Photos , Relativity Media , Scott Rudin Productions , Michael De Luca Productions , Set off Avenue Productions
Distributor(s): Sony Photos Releasing

Watch on Paramount Plus

3 ‘The Departed’ (2006)

Directed by Martin Scorsese

Jack Nicholson as Frank Costello pointing his gun at a person offscreen in The Departed — Picture through Warner Bros. Photos

The Departed is a masterpiece that solely Martin Scorsese would have been able to, as he managed to remix components of the basic Infernal Affairs motion trilogy and switch it into an epic, sprawling crime saga in regards to the growth of the mafia in modern-day Boston.

Jack Nicholson is aboutley unleashed along with his function as Frank Costello, a personality that actually ranks among the many most memorable villains in current reminiscence. Though it was surprisingly Mark Wahlberg that acquired an Oscar nomination for his hilarious efficiency because the scene-stealing, foul-mouthed Sergeant Dignam, Leonardo DiCaprio performs a really dynamic, darkish hero, and Matt Damon was in a position to present one of many extra despicable characters of his profession. Between Alec Baldwin as a police captain and Martin Sheen as a lifelong cop, The Departed was in a position to forged wonderful performers in even essentially the most minor of roles.

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The Departed

An undercover cop and a mole within the police try to determine one another whereas infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.

Launch Date: October 6, 2006
Runtime: 151 minutes
Foremost Style: Crime
Writers: William Monahan , Alan Mak , Felix Chong
Finances: $90 million
Studio(s): Warner Bros. Photos
Distributor(s): Warner Bros. Photos

Watch on Tubi

2 ‘As soon as Upon A Time in Hollywood’ (2019)

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Cliff (Brad Pitt), Rick (Leonardo DiCaprio), and Sharon (Margot Robbie) stand against a sunset backdrop — Picture through Sony

As soon as Upon A Time in Hollywood was the final word love letter by Quentin Tarantino to the “Golden Age of Hollywood,” because the movie celebrates an age of innocence earlier than the homicide of Sharon Tate triggered important modifications inside the way in which that the trade developed new initiatives.

Brad Pitt deservedly gained the Academy Award for Finest Supporting Actor for his function as Cliff Sales space, a charismatic stuntman who finally ends up having the ability to change historical past for the higher. Nevertheless, DiCaprio was additionally nominated for what could have been essentially the most susceptible efficiency of his profession; enjoying a struggling actor dealing with anxieties about his future could have been a task that he may relate to. As with each Tarantino movie, As soon as Upon A Time In Hollywood options a tremendous ensemble; among the memorable supporting gamers within the movie embody Kurt Russell, Timothy Olyphant, Margaret Qualley, Bruce Dern, Dakota Fanning, Sidney Sweeney, and Lena Dunham.

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As soon as Upon a Time in Hollywood

A pale tv actor and his stunt double try to attain fame and success within the remaining years of Hollywood’s Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles.

Launch Date: July 26, 2019
Forged: Tim Roth , Margot Robbie , Mike Moh , Timothy Olyphant , Al Pacino , Kurt Russell , Leonardo DiCaprio , Dakota Fanning , James Marsden , Brad Pitt , Luke Perry , Bruce Dern , Scoot McNairy , Michael Madsen , Margaret Qualley , Emile Hirsch
Runtime: 159 minutes
Finances: $90 million
Studio(s): Columbia Photos , Heyday Movies , Bona Movie Group , Visiona Romantica
Distributor(s): Sony Photos Releasing

Watch on Hulu

1 ‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007)

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

Daniel Day-Lewis sitting down in There Will Be Blood. — Picture through Paramount Vantage

There Will Be Blood contains a efficiency by Day-Lewis that’s usually cited as one of many best of all-time. Though successful the Academy Award for Finest Actor was actually recognition of his nice work, Day-Lewis’ efficiency in There Will Be Blood has continued to age effectively as the final word instance of what an awesome anti-hero ought to seem like.

Day-Lewis confirmed a unprecedented quantity of vulnerability, rage, and entitlement enjoying a personality that was completely revolting, but by no means lower than utterly compelling to look at. Whereas spending everything of a historic epic within the firm of a personality that was so vile could have been a problem, the robust supporting efficiency by Paul Dano helps make sure that There Will Be Blood is extra balanced when it comes to its division of time. It’s due to his work in There Will Be Blood that each new Day-Lewis film appears like an occasion.