Quentin Tarantino named Ridley Scott’s 2001 film Black Hawk Down his top film of the 21st century in an interview on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast, according to Variety. It is Tarantino’s personal ranking—not an objective verdict or a consensus award.
Why Tarantino changed his mind about Black Hawk Down
Tarantino told the podcast that the film’s intensity initially overwhelmed him. “I liked it when I first saw it, but I actually think it was so intense that it stopped working for me, and I didn’t carry it with me the way that I should’ve,” Variety reported.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Black Hawk Down | $11.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Black Hawk down - 4K + Blu-ray + Digital | $26.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Black Hawk down / Tears of the Sun - Set | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Black Hawk Down (Blu-ray) | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
After seeing it again, he came to regard the film as a “masterwork.” He praised its attempt to achieve the “purpose and visual effect and feeling” of Apocalypse Now, and said he felt gripped throughout a recent viewing. Variety transcribed his description of the direction as “beyond extraordinary.” His remarks are quoted in Variety’s December 4, 2025 report.
Tarantino estimated that the film sustains its intensity for “2 hours 45 minutes, or whatever it is.” That was his uncertain spoken estimate, not a verified runtime.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Based on the true story of a war waged in Mogadishu by the high tech Black Hawk helicopters and the US Army Rangers and Deltas.
Tarantino’s top ten films of the 21st century
Variety reported the following order from Tarantino’s list:
- Black Hawk Down
- Toy Story 3
- Lost in Translation
- Dunkirk
- There Will Be Blood
- Zodiac
- Unstoppable
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- Shaun of the Dead
- Midnight in Paris
The list pairs war films and thrillers with animation, comedy, and drama. Its range reflects Tarantino’s own selections; it should not be read as a poll or a broader critical ranking.
Rank #2
- Based on the true story of a war waged in Mogadishu by the high tech Black Hawk helicopters and the US Army Rangers and Deltas.
What the film is, and how others involved have described it
Ridley Scott directed Black Hawk Down, released in 2001. The film depicts the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. TechRadar reported that it won two Academy Awards at the 2002 ceremony.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer praised Scott’s work in a December 12, 2025 TechRadar interview: “Look, Ridley Scott’s a brilliant director, and it’s a great movie.” Bruckheimer also said, “And the authenticity that Ridley pulled off in [Black Hawk Down] was amazing. I think it’s a terrific movie, so I’m fortunate that I got to be a part of it.” These are Bruckheimer’s views as the film’s producer, distinct from Tarantino’s ranking.
Rank #3
- Blu-ray
- Subtitled
- French (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Korean (Subtitled)
- 2
- 265
Where to watch Black Hawk Down
TechRadar reported that the film was available free through Kanopy and Hoopla in the United States when its article appeared on December 12, 2025. Streaming catalogs change by date and region, so check each service for current access where you live. The cited coverage does not establish current disc editions or stock.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
