A major film industry poll has effectively named Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival the best sci-fi movie of the 21st century. The 2016 film, centering on humanity’s first encounter with aliens, marked Villeneuve’s initial venture into pure science fiction and received rave reviews upon its release.
Nine years later, a poll featuring over 500 Hollywood professionalsâ€â€including directors and actorsâ€â€has positioned Arrival as the highest-ranking sci-fi entry. This prestigious list, compiled and published by The New York Times, showcases the best films of the century, with Arrival taking an impressive 29th place among the “100 Best Movies of the 21st Century.â€Â
What Being The Greatest Sci-Fi Movie Of The 21st Century Means For Arrival
It’s A Serious Acknowledgment Of The Movie’s Place In Sci-Fi History
Receiving the unofficial accolade of the 21st century’s greatest sci-fi movie from key industry figures is quite the coup for Arrival and Villeneuve. It places this film alongside some of the best works in cinematic history, showcasing its enduring impact.
This high ranking is particularly significant for a sci-fi film produced with a budget of only $47 millionâ€â€a modest sum by today’s standardsâ€â€and helmed by Villeneuve, who was then making just his fourth English-language feature. The recognition is not just a triumph for the film but a testament to Villeneuve’s creative legacy and the skilled work of screenwriter Eric Heisserer.
Our Take On Arrival Being Named The Greatest Sci-Fi Movie Of The 21st Century
Arrival’s High Ranking Is A Welcome Sight For Fans Of This Underseen & Underrated Movie
Despite its acclaim at release, Arrival has often been overshadowed by Villeneuve’s more recent blockbuster successes, like his Dune films. Thus, its high ranking in this poll is a refreshing acknowledgment, especially for fans who have long championed the film as one of the director’s best.
As an ingenious twist on the classic narrative of humankind’s first encounter with an extraterrestrial species, Arrival deserves this spotlight. Its recent recognition in The New York Times list might just broaden its audience and place it alongside all-time classics like Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
For both audiences and critics alike, this moment serves as a reminder of the film’s depth, emotional resonance, and the artistry behind its storytelling, solidifying its legacy in the annals of science fiction history.