In this piece, we will take a look at the 50 best movies of all time. For some more prominent movies in this list, head on over to the 10 Best Movies of all Time.
Exceptional films typically excel in various aspects, encompassing compelling writing, captivating music, and memorable performances that often reach iconic status. Ultimately, determining what makes a movie great is subjective, and there isn’t a single definitive answer, just as there isn’t a singular category for remarkable films. Naturally, movies have evolved significantly from the days of 50-second reels, making ranking the best movies of all time seem even more impossible. With the abundance of films now readily available for streaming from the comfort of home, the options for discovering quality movies are virtually limitless.
The film industry or motion picture industry includes commercial and technological companies which specialize in cinematography, film studios, production companies, film production, animation, pre-and post-production, film festivals, and distributors. All of these things together are the filmmaking industry. Today, the movie/cinema industry is not only limited to theaters, but OTT platforms are majorly contributing to the overall revenues of films.
Based on a report by The Motion Pictures Association (MPA), the Global Theatrical and Home Entertainment market experienced steady growth from 2016 to 2019. During this period, the market comprised three sectors: Physical, Digital, and Theatrical, with respective values of $8.8 billion, $47.2 billion, and $42.3 billion in the final year of growth. However, the sector faced a significant downturn the following year due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, experiencing an 18% drop to $80.8 billion. This shift caused a major disruption within the industry, as the Theatrical segment plummeted to $12 billion, while the Digital segment surged to $61.8 billion. A different report from Gower Street suggests that the global box office market can grow to $29 billion by the end of this year if it maintains a 12% growth rate, which will still be slower than the 21% growth rate achieved last year. At the same time, Gower Street points out that even if the global box market does grow to $29 billion, it will still be significantly less than the $42.3 billion that it was worth in 2019.
Streaming, also known as video on demand, has become a prevalent global phenomenon. It was not long ago that the concept of a laptop or smartphone serving as a gateway to vast entertainment platforms, offering an abundance of TV shows and movies at our fingertips, seemed unimaginable. However, we now find ourselves in a reality where the industry not only generates substantial revenue but also demonstrates immense potential for further growth, as demonstrated by the success of streaming services such as Apple Inc. (AAPL), Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)’s Prime Video, and The Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)’s Disney+.
While the global streaming market is also made up of other sectors such as healthcare streaming, the video-on-demand subsector is an accurate indicator of pureplay content streaming. On this front, Fortune Business Insights estimates that this market was worth $69.55 billion in 2021 and grew to $82.77 billion in 2022. From then on, it is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 17.6% to be worth $257 billion by the end of 2029.
We believe this is actually where most of the value can be realized by movie producers. We believe, eventually, that there will be major consolidation in the streaming industry and with one company serving the entire world with a market capitalization of north of $5 trillion dollars. We believe the winner is likely to be one of Apple Inc. (AAPL), Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), and The Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS). We don’t yet know who the winner will be, but the companies who hold the rights to the 50 best movies of all time that we shared below and other irreplaceable content will be richly rewarded.
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash
Our Methodology
To start off our list of the best movies of all time, we first looked at IMDB’s expansive list of movies, and then ranked the top 50 according to their respective scores. The compiled selection consists of contemporary gems such as the acclaimed “Interstellar” and “Parasite,” which have earned Oscars in recent years, alongside timeless classics like “The Godfather” and “The Shawshank Redemption”. For more movies, you can check out 30 Highest Grossing Movies of all time Adjusted for Inflation.
50 Best Movies of all Time
50. Rear Window
IMDB Rating: 8.4
Rear Window is a 1954 American mystery thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and written by John Michael Hayes based on Cornell Woolrich’s 1942 short story “It Had to Be Murder.” It follows the story of a professional photographer who is stuck in his apartment while recuperating from a broken leg. Out of boredom, he begins to spy on his neighbors and comes across a shocking revelation. Originally released by Paramount Pictures, it is considered one of Hitchcock’s finest works and has become a quintessential example of suspenseful filmmaking. Its gripping narrative, memorable characters, and Hitchcock’s masterful direction have solidified its place as a classic in the thriller genre.
49. Cinema Paradiso
IMDB Rating: 8.4
Cinema Paradiso is a renowned Italian film directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, released in 1988. Set in a small Sicilian town, the film centers on the friendship between a young boy and an aging projectionist who works at the titular movie theatre. Commended for revitalizing Italy’s film industry, Cinema Paradiso has been praised as one of the greatest films of all time. A commercial success, the movie won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the Cannes Film Festival’s Grand Prix.
48. Once Upon a Time in the West
IMDB Rating: 8.4
Once Upon a Time in the West is a 1968 epic Spaghetti Western film directed by Sergio Leone, who co-wrote it with Sergio Donati based on a story by Dario Argento, Bernardo Bertolucci, and Leone. The first installment in Leone’s Once Upon a Time trilogy, the film introduces a mysterious harmonica-playing gunslinger known as “Harmonica”, who is seeking vengeance against Frank, a ruthless outlaw responsible for the death of his brother. Renowned for its grand scale, stunning cinematography, and compelling storytelling, Once Upon a Time in the West subverts traditional Western tropes, thus leading to its selection for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” in 2009.
47. Modern Times
IMDB Rating: 8.4
Modern Times is a 1936 American part-talkie satirical romantic black comedy film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin in which his iconic Little Tramp character, his last performance as the character, struggles to survive in the modern, industrialized world. Largely a silent film, with Chaplin’s physical comedy and expressive gestures driving the narrative, Modern Times acts as both a social commentary on the industrialization and modernization of society and a humorous exploration of the challenges faced by the working class during the Great Depression. Often hailed as one of Chaplin’s greatest achievements the film continues to be celebrated for its artistic and cultural significance.
46. The Untouchables
IMDB Rating: 8.5
The Untouchables is a 1987 American crime film directed by Brian De Palma, produced by Art Linson, and written by David Mamet. Loosely based on the book of the same name and real-life events, the film follows law enforcement agent Eliot Ness as he forms the Untouchables team to bring notorious crime boss Al Capone to justice during the era of Prohibition. The film grossed $106.2 million worldwide and generally received positive critic reviews, and went on the be nominated for four Academy Awards.
45. Harakiri
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Harakiri, also known as “Seppuku,” is a Japanese jidaigeki film directed by Masaki Kobayashi and released in 1962. Set in the Edo period between 1619 and 1630, under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, the film revolves around the rōnin named Hanshirō Tsugumo. Seeking an audience with a feudal lord, Hanshirō requests to perform seppuku (harakiri) within the lord’s manor. This act serves as an opportunity for Hanshirō to share the events that led him to contemplate death, narrating his story before an audience of samurai. Often considered to be one of the best samurai movies ever made, Harakiri continues to garner critical acclaim as one of the best movies of all time.
44. Grave of the Fireflies
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Grave of the Fireflies is a renowned 1988 Japanese animated war tragedy film that is based on a 1967 short story by Akiyuki Nosaka. A devastating meditation on the human cost of war, the film chronicles the journey of Seita, a teenager burdened with the responsibility of caring for his younger sister, Setsuko. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the siblings are tragically separated from their parents in the wake of a devastating American firebombing. The siblings must rely completely on each other and struggle against all odds to stay together and stay alive. Universally acclaimed, Grave of the Fireflies has been ranked as one of the greatest war movies of all time and is recognized as a major work of Japanese animation.
43. Casablanca
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, and starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid. Set in the titular Moroccan town at the onset of World War II, the movie centers on an American bar owner who unexpectedly meets his former lover, who is on the run from the Nazis alongside her husband. Exceeding expectations, Casablanca went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, while Curtiz was selected as Best Director. Over time, its acclaim has steadily risen to the extent that its main characters, unforgettable dialogue, and pervasive theme song have all achieved iconic status, and it consistently ranks near the top of lists of the best movies in history.
42. The Usual Suspects
IMDB Rating: 8.5
The Usual Suspects is a 1995 neo-noir mystery film[5] directed by Bryan Singer and written by Christopher McQuarrie. It stars Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Kevin Pollak, Chazz Palminteri, Pete Postlethwaite, and Kevin Spacey. The story revolves around the interrogation of Roger “Verbal” Kint, a petty con-man who miraculously survives a massacre and fire aboard a ship in the Port of Los Angeles. As Verbal shares his account with the interrogator, the narrative weaves between flashbacks and narration, revealing a convoluted story of how he and his fellow criminals found themselves involved in the events surrounding the ill-fated ship. Central to their story is the enigmatic figure of Keyser Söze, a formidable crime lord who holds a powerful grip over their lives. The Usual Suspects has earned critical acclaim and a dedicated following for its intelligent storytelling and unforgettable ending. The Writers Guild of America ranked the film as having the 35th greatest screenplay of all time
41. The Prestige
IMDB Rating: 8.5
The Prestige is a 2006 psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan that is based on the 1995 novel by Christopher Priest. The film delves into the intense rivalry between two 19th-century magicians, exploring the themes of obsession, sacrifice, and the blurred line between illusion and reality. The movie was greeted by positive reviews and grossed $109 million worldwide against a production budget of $40 million. It received Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography.
40. Whiplash
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Whiplash is a 2014 American independent psychological drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle that follows the story of ambitious music student and jazz drummer Andrew Neiman, who is pushed to his limit by his abusive instructor Terence Fletcher at the fictitious Shaffer Conservatory in New York City. The film garnered immense praise for its exceptional screenplay, masterful direction, precise film editing, and immersive sound mixing. Despite its modest budget of $3.3 million, it achieved a remarkable box office success, grossing $49 million. Additionally, the film garnered numerous accolades, including Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing, while also earning nominations for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
39. The Departed
IMDB Rating: 8.5
The Departed is a 2006 American epic crime thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by William Monahan. It is both a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs and also loosely based on the real-life Boston Winter Hill Gang. The film takes place in Boston and explores the world of organized crime and undercover police work, delving into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the blurred lines between good and evil. The Departed was a critical and commercial success, moving on to earn several accolades, including four Oscars at the 79th Academy Awards: for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
38. American History X
IMDB Rating: 8.5
American History X is a 1998 American crime drama film directed by Tony Kaye (in his feature directorial debut) and written by David McKenna. The movie revolves around neo-Nazi Derek who goes to prison after killing two black youths. Upon his release, Derek vows to change and hopes to prevent his brother, Danny, who idolizes Derek, from following in his footsteps. Distributed by New Line Cinema, the film grossed $23.9 million, against a $20 million budget. American History X was critically praised, with Edward Norton and Edward Furlong’s performances and the film’s message drawing acclaim.
37. Alien
IMDB Rating: 8.5
The ultimate science-fiction horror film, Alien takes the idea of a slasher film and ups the tension by placing it in space. The story follows the crew of the commercial spaceship Nostromo, who, after coming across a mysterious derelict spaceship on an uncharted planetoid, find themselves up against an aggressive and deadly extraterrestrial. Although it faced mixed reviews on release in 1979, Alien was a box-office success, winning the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, three Saturn Awards (Best Science Fiction Film, Best Direction for Scott, and Best Supporting Actress for Cartwright), and a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. Critical reassessment since then has resulted in the movie being widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential science fiction and horror movies of all time.
36. Gladiator
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Inspired by Daniel P. Mannix’s 1958 book Those About to Die, Gladiator is a 2000 epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. The plot revolves around Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when Commodus, the ambitious son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, murders his father and seizes the throne. Reduced to slavery, Maximus becomes a gladiator and rises through the ranks of the arena to avenge the murders of his family and his emperor. Winning numerous accolades, Gladiator won five Academy Awards at the 73rd Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor. Since then it has been considered one of the best films of the 2000s and one of the greatest historical epic movies ever made.
35. Léon: The Professional
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Léon: The Professional is a 1994 English-language French action-thriller film written and directed by Luc Besson. The film tells the story of Léon, a skilled and reclusive hitman living a solitary life in New York City. His life takes an unexpected turn when he forms an unlikely bond with Mathilda, a young girl seeking refuge after her family is brutally murdered by corrupt DEA agents. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $45 million worldwide on a $16 million budget. Additionally, it grossed 26.8 million French francs ($5.1 million) in its opening week in France.
34. Parasite
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Parasite is a critically acclaimed South Korean film directed by Bong Joon-ho and released in 2019 that follows a poor family as it cons their way into working at the home of a wealthy family by pretending to be unrelated and highly qualified. The movie grossed $71.4 million in South Korea, $53.4 million in the United States and Canada, and $133.9 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $258.7 million. It also set a new record for Bong, becoming the first of his films to gross over $100 million worldwide. Among its numerous accolades, Parasite won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 92nd Academy Awards, a first for a non-English film.
33. Psycho
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch, Psycho is a 1960 American thriller film produced and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The plot centers on an encounter between on-the-run embezzler Marion Crane and shy motel proprietor Norman Bates and its aftermath, in which a private investigator, Marion’s lover Sam Loomis, and her sister Lila investigate her disappearance. The film was initially considered controversial and received mixed reviews, but audience interest and outstanding box-office returns prompted a major critical re-evaluation. Psycho was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Director for Hitchcock. Considered by many as Alfred Hitchcock’s most renowned film, Psycho pushed the boundaries of suspenseful horror with its daring portrayal of moral decay, violence, and sexuality on the screen.
32. The Pianist
IMDB Rating: 8.5
The Pianist is a 2002 biographical war drama film produced and directed by Roman Polanski, with a script by Ronald Harwood, and starring Adrien Brody. Based on the memoir of the same name by Władysław Szpilman, the film chronicles the incredible true story of a Polish-Jewish pianist, Szpilman, and his struggle for survival during the Holocaust. At the 75th Academy Awards, the film won for Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor, and was nominated for four others, including Best Picture.
31. Spirited Away
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Spirited Away is an animated film directed by Hayao Miyazaki that is known for its breathtaking visuals, imaginative storytelling, and profound themes. The film follows a 10-year-old girl who, while moving with her family to the suburbs, wanders into a strange world filled with witches, spirits, and gods, and where humans transform into beasts. Often regarded as the greatest work of Hayao Miyazaki’s career, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards, making it the first, and to date only, hand-drawn and non-English-language animated film to win the award.
30. Back to the Future
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Back to the Future is a 1985 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis, and Bob Gale. Taking place in the year 1985, the film tells the story of Marty McFly, a teenager who finds himself unintentionally transported back to 1955 in a DeLorean car turned time machine, created by his eccentric scientist companion, Emmett “Doc” Brown. In this unfamiliar era, Marty accidentally disrupts the budding romance of his own parents, jeopardizing his very existence. Now faced with the task of reuniting his parents and finding a way back to his own time, Marty must navigate the challenges of the past while preserving his future. Back to the Future was a critical and commercial success, earning $381.1 million to become the highest-grossing film of 1985 worldwide. Additionally, it received multiple award nominations and won an Academy Award, three Saturn Awards, and a Hugo Award.
29. Terminator 2: Judgment Day
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 American science-fiction action film directed by James Cameron, who co-wrote the script with William Wisher. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, and Edward Furlong, it is the sequel to The Terminator (1984) and is the second installment in the Terminator franchise. It follows the story of young John Connor and his mother Sarah Connor, the keys to humanity’s victory over a future robot uprising, as they become the targets of a shape-shifting T-1000, a Terminator sent from the future to kill him. However, another Terminator, a T-800, has been sent back to protect the boy. As John and his mother go on the run with the T-800, the boy forms an unexpected bond with the machine. Critically praised for its visual effects, action sequences and cast, Terminator 2 has won several accolades, including Saturn, BAFTA, and Academy awards.
28. Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
IMDB Rating: 8.5
Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 film written and directed by George Lucas. The first part of the Star Wars original trilogy and the first Star Wars film released, it revolves around the abduction of princess Leia by the insidious Darth Vader and the Imperial Forces. Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, captain of the Millennium Falcon, work together with the companionable droid duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the princess and restore freedom to the galaxy. The film opened to critical acclaim for its acting, direction, story, musical score, action sequences, sound, editing, screenplay, costume design, and production values, but particularly for its groundbreaking visual effects. Additionally, it was one of the first 25 films selected by the United States Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1989.
27. The Green Mile
IMDB Rating: 8.6
The Green Mile is a 1999 American fantasy drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont. Based on Stephen King’s 1996 novel of the same name, The Green Mile is is the riveting and tragic story of John Coffey, a giant, preternaturally gentle inmate condemned to death for the murder of two nine-year-old girls. Set in the 1930s at the Cold Mountain Penitentiary’s death-row facility, corrections officer Paul Edgecomb’s life will forever change when he realizes that the gentle giant has a mysterious, supernatural gift. Since its debut, the film has earned a reputation as one of the most profoundly moving and heartfelt movies ever made. It enjoyed tremendous commercial success, surpassing expectations by earning a remarkable $286 million against its modest $60 million budget, and was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Duncan, Best Sound and Best Adapted Screenplay.
26. Life is Beautiful
IMDB Rating: 8.6
Loosely based on a true story with an exceptional original score and outstanding acting performances, Life is Beautiful is a 1997 Italian comedic masterpiece directed by and starring Roberto Benigni, about a gentle Jewish-Italian waiter, Guido Orefice, and his family as they attempt to survive the Nazi concentration camps. Determined to shelter his son from the grim realities of his surroundings, Guido uses humor to convince him that their time in the camp is nothing more than just a game. An overwhelming critical and commercial success, the movie won the Grand Prix at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival, nine David di Donatello Awards (including Best Film), five Nastro d’Argento Awards in Italy, two European Film Awards, and three Academy Awards
25. Interstellar
IMDB Rating: 8.6
Interstellar is a 2014 epic science fiction film co-written, directed, and produced by Christopher Nolan. Acclaimed on behalf of its scientific accuracy, the film revolves around Joseph Cooper, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot who is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans Earth looks to become uninhabitable in the future. Since its premiere, Interstellar has gained a cult following, and is now regarded by many experts as one of the best science-fiction films of all time. The film was nominated for five awards at the 87th Academy Awards, and won the award for Best Visual Effects, among other accolades.
24. City of God
IMDB Rating: 8.6
City of God, also known as Cidade de Deus, is a 2002 Brazilian epic crime film co-directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, released in Brazil in 2002 and worldwide in 2003. It depicts the growth of organized crime in the Cidade de Deus suburb of Rio de Janeiro, between the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1980s, and follows the life of two boys that are brought up in this sadistic neighborhood . However, they both adopt diverse professional paths, with one of them becoming a photographer, while the other, a drug kingpin. The film garnered critical acclaim and received four nominations at the 76th Academy Awards.
23. Saving Private Ryan
IMDB Rating: 8.6
Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American epic war film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat. Set in 1944 in France during World War II, it follows a group of soldiers, led by Captain John Miller, on their mission to extract Private James Ryan from the war after his three brothers are killed in battle. Saving Private Ryan is considered one of the greatest films ever made, with its battle scene filming techniques impacting many subsequent war, action, and superhero films. It went on to win many accolades, including Golden Globe, Academy, BAFTA, and Saturn awards.
22. The Silence of the Lambs
IMDB Rating: 8.6
The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 American psychological horror film directed by Jonathan Demme and written by Ted Tally, adapted from Thomas Harris’s 1988 novel of the same name. The film follows Clarice Starling, an FBI agent, who seeks help from Hannibal Lecter, a psychopathic serial killer and former psychiatrist, in order to apprehend another serial killer who has been killing several female victims. The Silence of the Lambs is regularly cited by critics, film directors, and audiences as one of the greatest and most influential films. In 2018, Empire ranked it 48th on their list of the 500 greatest movies of all time, while The American Film Institute ranked it the fifth-greatest and most influential thriller film.
21. Seven Samurai
IMDB Rating: 8.6
Seven Samurai is a 1954 Japanese epic samurai film co-written, edited, and directed by Akira Kurosawa. Taking place in 1586 in the Sengoku period of Japanese history, it follows the story of a village of desperate farmers who seek to hire rōnin to combat bandits who will return after the harvest to steal their crops. Regarded as Kurosawa’s finest testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the samurai epic delves deep into the lives of intricately crafted characters, showcased through breathtaking action sequences and masterful artistic direction. Since its release, it has consistently ranked highly in critics’ lists of greatest films, and was even voted the greatest foreign-language film of all time in BBC’s 2018 international critics’ poll.
20. It’s a Wonderful Life
IMDB Rating: 8.6
It’s a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra. Based on the short story and booklet, The Greatest Gift, it follows the life of George Bailey, a man who has given up his personal dreams in order to help others in his community and whose thoughts of suicide on Christmas Eve cause his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody to intervene. Clarence shows George all the lives he touched and what the world would be like if he did not exist. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made.
19. Se7en
IMDB Rating: 8.6
Se7en is a 1995 American crime thriller film directed by David Fincher and written by Andrew Kevin Walker. Set in an unnamed, crime-ridden city, it follows disenfranchised, near-retirement detective William Somerset and his newly transferred partner David Mills as they attempt to stop a serial killer before he can complete a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins. In the years following its release, critic and commercial consensus on the movie has shifted, with Se7en now being regarded as one of the best thriller, crime, and mystery films ever made.
18. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
IMDB Rating: 8.6
Equal parts uplifting and depressing, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is a darkly humorous look into the flawed psychiatric system of the 1960s. Based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey, the film is a 1975 American psychological comedy drama that follows prisoner Randal McMurphy as he fakes insanity and is shifted to the special ward for the mentally unstable. In this ward, however, he must rise up against a cruel nurse, Ratched. The film was the second to win all five major Academy Awards (Best Picture, Actor in Lead Role, Actress in Lead Role, Director, and Screenplay), an accomplishment not repeated until 1991.
17. Goodfellas
IMDB Rating: 8.7
A 1990 American biographical crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, Goodfellas builds on well-established crime film tropes that it further spins into something new and thrilling. It follows the story of young Henry Hill and his life in the mob, his relationship with his wife Karen Hill, and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito as they climb the ranks of the Italian-American crime syndicate. Goodfellas is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made, especially in the gangster genre. In 2000, it was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress.
16. The Matrix
IMDB Rating: 8.7
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction action film written and directed by the Wachowskis that follows Thomas Anderson, also known as the hacker Neo, who has always questioned his reality. However, the truth is much more sinister as New is led to fight an underground war against powerful computers who have constructed his entire reality with a system called the Matrix. The first installment in the Matrix series, the film won all four categories it was nominated for at the 72nd Academy Awards: Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Sound Editing.
15. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
IMDB Rating: 8.7
The sequel to Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back is the second film in the Star Wars film series and the fifth chronological chapter of the “Skywalker Saga”. Set three years after the events of Star Wars it follows the story of Luke Skywalker as he begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett. Released on May 21, 1980, the highly anticipated sequel became the highest-grossing film that year, earning approximately $401.5 million worldwide. Since its release, The Empire Strikes Back has been critically reassessed and is now often regarded as the best film in the Star Wars series and is often used as an example of a sequel that is superior to its predecessor.
14. Inception
IMDB Rating: 8.7
Inception is a 2010 science fiction action film written and directed by Christopher Nolan, who c0-produced the film with his wife Emma Thomas. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a professional thief who steals information by infiltrating the subconscious of his targets. He is offered a chance to have his criminal history erased as payment for the implantation of another person’s idea into a target’s subconscious. A testament to Christopher Nolan’s direction and screenplay, the film won four Academy Awards (Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects) and was nominated for four more: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Score.
13. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
IMDB Rating: 8.7
The sequel to 2001’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the film is the second instalment in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Continuing the plot of the previous film, it intercuts three storylines. Frodo and Sam continue their journey towards Mordor to destroy the One Ring, while Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli come to the war-torn nation of Rohan. Meanwhile, Merry and Pippin escape capture and encounter an ancient race. Like the other films in the trilogy, The Two Towers is widely recognized as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made as well as one of the greatest sequels in cinema history. The film received numerous accolades; at the 75th Academy Awards, it was nominated for six awards, including Best Picture, winning for Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects.
12. Fight Club
IMDB Rating: 8.7
Fight Club is a 1999 American film directed by David Fincher that is based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The plot follows the unnamed narrator, who is discontented with his white-collar job. He forms a “fight club” with mysterious soap salesman Tyler Durden as a means of reclaiming their masculinity and rebelling against societal norms, and becomes embroiled in a relationship with a strange woman named Marla Singer. Ranked as one of the most controversial and talked-about films of the 1990s, the film later found commercial success with its home video release, establishing Fight Club as a cult classic. In 2009, on the tenth anniversary of the film’s release, The New York Times dubbed it the “defining cult movie of our time.”
11. Forrest Gump
IMDB Rating: 8.8
Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth. It is based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom and stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson and Sally Field. The film follows several decades in the life of a slow-witted and kindhearted Alabama man named Forrest Gump and his experiences in the 20th-century United States. The film was an enormous success at the box office, becoming the top-grossing film in America released that year and earning over $678.2 million worldwide during its theatrical run. Additionally, it went on to win six Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Hanks, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, and Best Film Editing.
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