A ‘100 Best Movies’ List Is Only As Good As Its Celeb Ballots

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In 2017, when The New York Times first published its list of the top movies from the 21st century, Sofia Coppola’s selections stood apart from the diverse and eccentric director submissions. Her list included some art-house favorites like Ruben Östlund’s “Force Majeure”, Jonathan Glazer’s “Under the Skin”, and Lukas Moodysson’s “Together”. However, what really caught attention was an unexpected addition – the 2015 comedy “Daddy’s Home” starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. This film tells the story of a mild-mannered stepfather (Ferrell) dealing with his wife’s ex-husband (Wahlberg), a cool, carefree figure who challenges him in a battle of fatherhood. Coppola had remarked at the time that it was the only movie she and her kids enjoyed together. With Romy Mars added to the mix, this statement is now six times funnier!

The distinctive nod in Coppola’s Daddy’s Home contributes significantly to the allure of various film lists, such as those from The New York Times, Sight & Sound, Letterboxd Four Favorites, Criterion Closet, and so on. It isn’t the specific final rankings that make these lists appealing; for instance, the new NYT list placing Everything Everywhere All at Once over Tree of Life doesn’t carry much weight beyond a hint of recent popularity. Instead, what captivates us is the individual ballots. These lists serve as indicators of a particular standard, suggesting that celebrities and artists share tastes similar to our own. We are intrigued by what they watch and why.

For example, when crime novelist Dennis Lehane, whose works have been adapted into films like Gone Baby Gone and Shutter Island, includes Inside Out on his list, it leaves us questioning — perhaps he’s trying to say something? Even though the meaning might not be clear, it still seems significant.

It’s fascinating to scrutinize individual ballots as they contain a form of additional information – for example: Which films did famous actors include in their own movies? Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), and Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread) are some examples. Additionally, some voters have opted to include a family member’s film, such as Celine Song promoting her husband’s movie Queer or Gia Coppola adding her sister Sofia’s The Virgin Suicides. Despite recent studio output being somewhat lackluster, there remains a strong affection for early 2000s Pixar films: Oscar-winning cinematographer Eric Messerschmidt has Up on his list, Arian Moayed from Succession has Toy Story 3, and Tony Hale (known for Forky from Toy Story 4) chose Inside Out. However, no animated film seems to have held its popularity quite as long as Spirited Away, which is likely to make the overall top ten and appears on the lists of Bryce Dallas Howard, Molly Ringwald, and John Turturro.

In the diverse assortment of these lists, certain trends become noticeable: There’s a predicted Hollywood-leaning bias, but films from Bong Joon Ho, Park Chan-wook, and Alejandro González Iñárritu are frequently spotted. The lists also show a preference for timeless classics that can be enjoyed at any hour – such as The Social Network, There Will Be Blood, and Mad Max: Fury Road. Unexpected choices, like June Squibb’s fondness for Wicked Little Letters and Naomie Harris’s choice of the intriguing film titled Emilia Pérez, are also present. Lists that caught our attention as particularly movie-enthusiast-oriented include Will Sharpe’s, filled with numerous non-English films, and Lesley Manville’s, acknowledging her past directors Paul Thomas Anderson and Luca Guadagnino.

Among the most intriguing and unconventional film selections, according to an individual whose preferences seem to contradict the emotional narratives portrayed in Nicholas Sparks’ books, are titles such as “Avatar”, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “The Dark Knight”, “Inception”, “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted”, and “Toy Story 3”. This eclectic mix of films, which range from acclaimed but controversial Oscar nominees to beloved animated features, suggests a penchant for fun and entertainment over tear-jerking dramas. The list appears to be a reflection of the voter’s personality, showcasing an individual who casts their ballot with heart rather than intellect.

A good list is one that reinforces or challenges the celebrity’s public persona. For instance, Charles Melton’s selection of “A Knight’s Tale” aligns with his image as a charming and romantic leading man. However, Coppola’s inclusion of “Daddy’s Home” in 2017 and Brian Cox’s choice of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” add an unexpected twist, making these lists memorable and iconic.

In the second day after The New York Times unveiled its upcoming top 20 films, most people have shifted their focus towards creating personal movie lists. This is because they recognize that debating the same 40 or so movies in various orders, just to stir up discussions within your social circles, adds spice to life. When it comes down to it, choosing between a Studio Ghibli or a Paul Thomas Anderson film can be quite challenging when your fingers hover over the voting button. It might seem that allowing users to make their own lists is less about demonstrating cultural sophistication and more about understanding the plight of celebrities who expose their unique tastes. It takes courage, perhaps, to share what you watch and what you enjoy.

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2025-06-25 00:54