Bong Joon-ho’s internationally acclaimed film Parasite has been named the best film of the 21st century by The New York Times, topping its curated list of 100 remarkable movies released since the year 2000. The distinction emerged after the publication surveyed more than 500 filmmakers, actors, critics and industry professionals worldwide.
Released in 2019, Parasite made cinematic history as the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. The South Korean black comedy-thriller also secured Oscars for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature, solidifying its global impact and critical success.
The New York Times praised the film’s storytelling and its layered portrayal of class division, deception and survival in modern society. Parasite follows a destitute family that slowly infiltrates the home of a wealthy one, exposing deep inequalities hidden beneath everyday interactions. The film was lauded for its suspenseful narrative, genre-blending tone and sharp social commentary.
Joining Parasite in the top five were Mulholland Drive by David Lynch, There Will Be Blood by Paul Thomas Anderson, In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar-wa and Moonlight by Barry Jenkins. The list represents the diverse and global voices that have shaped cinema over the last two decades.
In addition to Parasite, two other South Korean films were included in the ranking: Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy at No. 43, and Bong Joon-ho’s earlier true crime-inspired film Memories of Murder at No. 99. These inclusions mark a significant recognition of South Korea’s growing influence in global filmmaking.
Since its premiere, Parasite has earned over $260 million worldwide and won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, where it became the first Korean film to win the award. It broke language and cultural barriers, proving that powerful storytelling transcends subtitles and geographic borders.
Even years after its release, the film remains relevant, continuing to spark conversations about inequality, capitalism, and human behavior. With this latest recognition, Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite not only maintains its cultural momentum but also secures its place as one of the most significant films in modern history.