Werner Herzog once ate his shoe to honor a bet with Errol Morris. That's the kind of commitment to a bold claim that inspires us to make our own predictions about which movies will stand the test of time. While I'm not about to chow down on footwear, I am willing to go out on a limb and say that a handful of recent films have the kind of lasting power that will make them classics a century from now.
It's a fun game to play: which movies from today will still be talked about, studied, and loved in 2125? Some films feel like they're just for the moment, while others have a timeless quality that transcends their era. Here are six modern movies that I believe will be considered greats for generations to come.
'The Worst Person in the World' (2021)
Joachim Trier's The Worst Person in the World is a film that captures the anxieties and uncertainties of being in your late 20s and early 30s with brutal honesty. It's a coming-of-age story for a generation that's taking a little longer to figure things out, and it does so with a blend of humor and heart that feels both specific and universal. The film's exploration of love, career, and identity is so raw and relatable that it's hard to imagine it not resonating with audiences in the future. It's a time capsule of early 21st-century life, but its emotional core is timeless.
'Babylon' (2022)
Damien Chazelle's Babylon was a divisive film upon release, but that's often the case with movies that later become classics. It's a sprawling, chaotic, and ambitious look at Hollywood's transition from silent films to talkies, and it's a film that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. The technical achievements are staggering, and the score is one of the best of the decade. Like The Shining and The Thing, Babylon might be a movie that's ahead of its time, and future generations may look back on it with the reverence it deserves.
'The Odyssey' (2026)
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is a massive undertaking, but it's also a safe bet for longevity. The story of Odysseus has been captivating audiences for thousands of years, and Nolan's interpretation is likely to be a definitive version for modern audiences. The film's pacing is impeccable, and its visual and thematic depth will likely keep it relevant for decades. As the film's box office success shows, there's a hunger for epic storytelling, and this is one that will be studied and admired for years to come.
'Aftersun' (2022)
Charlotte Wells's Aftersun is a quiet, devastating film about memory, grief, and the complexities of parent-child relationships. It's a film that rewards multiple viewings, as its subtle details and emotional depth reveal themselves over time. The performances are naturalistic and deeply moving, and the film's exploration of how we remember our loved ones is universal. It's the kind of movie that will be discovered and rediscovered by future generations, and its reputation will only grow.
'All of Us Strangers' (2023)
Andrew Haigh's All of Us Strangers is a haunting and beautiful film about love, loss, and the ghosts of our past. It blends the supernatural with the deeply personal, creating a story that feels both intimate and epic. The film's exploration of grief and the need for connection is handled with such grace and sensitivity that it's impossible not to be moved. It's a film that will resonate with anyone who has ever lost someone, and its emotional power will not fade with time.
'Better Man' (2024)
Michael Gracey's Better Man is a biopic about Robbie Williams that takes a bold creative risk by depicting the singer as a CGI chimpanzee. It's a decision that could have been a gimmick, but instead it becomes a powerful metaphor for the way Williams sees himself as an entertainer. The film is a visual and musical spectacle, with some of the most inventive musical sequences in recent memory. It's a film that's unafraid to be weird and ambitious, and that's exactly why it will be remembered as a classic.
These six films represent a diverse range of genres and styles, but they all share a common thread: they are bold, ambitious, and emotionally resonant. They are the kind of movies that people will still be talking about in 100 years, not just because they are great, but because they capture something essential about the human experience. And if I'm wrong? Well, I'll be long gone, but I'm confident in these picks.
