Quentin Tarantino Criticizes ‘Hunger Games’ for Copying ‘Battle Royale’ as He Begins to Unveil 20 Best Movies of the 21st Century: Why Hasn't Suzanne Collins Been Sued for Plagiarism?

Quentin Tarantino appeared on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast to discuss his personal ranking of the 20 best movies of the 21st century so far. The Oscar-winning filmmaker disclosed his picks for positions 20 through 11:

• #20: Steven Spielbergs West Side Story
• #19: Eli Roths Cabin Fever
• #18: Bennett Millers Moneyball
• #17: Prachya Pinkaews Chocolate
• #16: Rob Zombies The Devils Rejects
• #15: Mel Gibsons The Passion of the Christ
• #14: Richard Linklaters School of Rock
• #13: Jeff Tremaines Jackass: The Movie
• #12: Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushados Big Bad Wolves
• #11: Kinji Fukasakus Battle Royale

Fans of Tarantino will not be surprised by his inclusion of Battle Royale, a 2000 dystopian thriller adapted from Koushun Takamis novel. The story follows a group of junior high students forced to fight to the death under a totalitarian Japanese regime.

Tarantino compared Battle Royale to The Hunger Games series, noting the striking similarities in plot. He expressed disbelief that the original Japanese team never sued Suzanne Collins, the author of The Hunger Games. According to Tarantino, critics failed to recognize the parallels, praising Collins work as original despite the obvious connection to Fukasakus film.

Recalling his first viewing, Tarantino shared that he saw Battle Royale while in Japan scouting locations for Kill Bill. Fukasaku invited him to a private screening, leaving Tarantino blown away by the films intensity. He later attended the Seattle Film Festivals midnight showing, describing it as one of the most thrilling screenings he had ever experienced.

In the same podcast, Tarantino highlighted Spielbergs West Side Story (#20) for revitalizing the directors career, calling it an exceptionally exciting work for the 21st century. He also praised Jackass: The Movie (#13) for being the funniest film he had seen in two decades, recounting how he shared it with the Kill Bill crew during production.

Tarantinos full list of his top 10 movies will be revealed in the next episode of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast.

Author’s Commentary: Tarantino’s 21st Century Favorites

Quentin Tarantino’s recent appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast offers a unique glimpse into his personal taste in contemporary cinema. By sharing his picks for positions 20 through 11, Tarantino highlights a diverse range of films, from mainstream Hollywood to international and cult cinema.

Notably, Tarantino places Kinji Fukasaku’s Battle Royale at #11, emphasizing its influence on modern dystopian narratives like The Hunger Games. He critiques the lack of recognition for Fukasaku’s original work, noting that critics praised Suzanne Collins’ series as “original” despite clear parallels. This observation underscores Tarantino’s deep engagement with cinematic history and intertextual influence.

Other selections reflect Tarantino’s broad tastes: Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (#20) is praised for revitalizing Spielberg’s career, while Jackass: The Movie (#13) receives acclaim for its comedic impact. These choices illustrate how Tarantino values both technical craftsmanship and the emotional or visceral impact of a film, regardless of genre.

Overall, this segment of his ranking reinforces Tarantino’s reputation as a cinephile who bridges mainstream and niche cinema, highlighting overlooked works and celebrating films that resonate on a personal and professional level. Fans can anticipate his top 10 picks in the next podcast episode, which will likely further reveal his criteria for cinematic excellence in the 21st century.

Sources:

• Quentin Tarantino Blasts ‘Hunger Games’ for Ripping Off ‘Battle Royale’ as He Starts to Reveal 20 Best Movies of 21st Century: How Did Suzanne Collins Not Get ‘Sued for Every F—ing Thing She Owns’?