Critics Name the Best Films of the Past 25 Years: Here’s the Top 5

Recently, aggregator Rotten Tomatoes decided to celebrate its 25th anniversary in an unusual way. The service asked leading American film critics to pick the best films released in the past quarter century.

After several rounds of debate and voting, Rotten Tomatoes finally did it. Here are the films that made it into the top five of the list:

5. Portrait of a girl on fire, 2019

Celine Sciamma’s refined French melodrama about forbidden love set in the atmosphere of late 18th-century France made actresses Noemie Merlant and Adele Haenel superstars of European cinema.

“Portrait of a Lady and on Fire” won the Palme d’Or for best screenplay, and audiences unanimously voted it the best romantic drama of the past decades.

Rating on Kinopoisk – 7.2

4. The Dark Knight, 2008

Christopher Nolan’s intelligent blockbuster is often called the best Hollywood film of the 21st century, so its appearance on the Rotten Tomatoes list isn’t particularly surprising.

Everything about the second part of the Batman trilogy is great: the insane performance by Heath Ledger, the stoic acting by Christian Bale and expensive practical effects. A true classic of modern cinema.

Rating on Kinopoisk – 8.5

3. Mulhollandlaan, 2001

David Lynch’s mystery thriller about a girl who loses her memory after a car accident left audiences so confused that most people still don’t understand what the director was trying to say.

The film stars Naomi Watts and Laura Harring, and the film itself received four Golden Globe nominations. If you like movies that are confusing and difficult to understand, Mulholland Drive is definitely for you.

Rating on Kinopoisk – 7.7

2. Parasites, 2019

The intense social drama directed by Bong Joon-ho shocked viewers with its brutality and excellent performances by Korean stars, foreshadowing the future success of ‘The Squid Game’.

‘Parasite’ won no fewer than four Oscars, including for best picture, best screenplay and best director – a good result for an auteur film from Asia.

Rating on Kinopoisk – 8.0

1. Mad Max: Fury Road, 2015

George Miller’s film breathed new life into the tired concept of the Hollywood blockbuster. The adrenaline-pumping action film starring Tom Hardy as the iconic hero captivated audiences with incredible action, original costumes and a killer soundtrack by Junkie XL.

The film won no fewer than 6 Oscars and was named Best Film of the 21st Century.

Rating on Kinopoisk – 7.8