10 Most Perfect Movies of the Last 25 Years, Ranked

The last 25 years have brought major advances in cinematic technology and a growing independent film movement, making it possible for more diverse voices to be heard. Landmark films such as Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar and Alexander Sokurov’s Russian Ark illustrate how different movies can define an era, yet some stand out for their production, immediacy, and universality.

Among the titles that rise to the top is Judas and the Black Messiah, which dramatizes Fred Hampton’s role in the Black Panther Party and the betrayal that led to his death, anchored by performances from Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield. Coco honors Mexican culture through a family story rooted in Día de los Muertos, notable for its detail, music, and the voice work of Gael García Bernal.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire offers a quiet, governed exploration of desire and the female gaze, while The Intouchables finds its power in an honest, heartful friendship that avoids easy tropes.

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