The 100 Best Movies of All Time

What makes a film one of the “best of all time”? Is it the groundbreaking cinematography, a script that sings, or performances that stay with you long after the credits roll? The truth is, it’s a mix of all these things and more. A great film has the power to transport us to different worlds, challenge our perspectives, and connect us to the shared human experience. It’s an art form that, at its best, is simply magic.

Compiling a definitive list of the 100 greatest movies is a monumental task, and one that is inherently subjective. Every film lover has their own set of personal classics, tied to memories and individual tastes. However, by looking at critical acclaim, cultural impact, and enduring popularity, we can identify films that have consistently been celebrated as pinnacles of cinematic achievement.

This list aims to be a starting point for exploration, a guide through the vast and wonderful history of cinema. From silent-era masterpieces to modern blockbusters, these are the films that have shaped the medium and continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike. Get ready to add some must-see titles to your watchlist.

How This List Was Chosen

To assemble this list, we considered several factors. We looked at iconic lists from respected institutions like the American Film Institute (AFI) and Sight and Sound magazine. We also factored in ratings from popular audience-driven platforms like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, which provide a snapshot of public opinion. Finally, we considered the cultural significance and lasting legacy of each film. The goal was to create a comprehensive and diverse list that honors both critical darlings and audience favorites.

The Top 100: A Cinematic Journey

Here are 100 of the most celebrated and influential films ever made, presented in no particular order. Each one is a masterpiece in its own right and offers a unique window into the art of storytelling.

Timeless Classics & Golden Age Gems

This era defined the very language of cinema, introducing narrative structures, character archetypes, and technical innovations that are still used today.

1. The Godfather (1972): Francis Ford Coppola’s epic crime saga is a masterclass in direction, writing, and acting.
2. Citizen Kane (1941): Orson Welles’s groundbreaking film is celebrated for its innovative cinematography and narrative structure.
3. Casablanca (1942): A timeless romance set against the backdrop of World War II, filled with iconic lines.
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi epic is a visual and philosophical marvel.
5. Seven Samurai (1954): Akira Kurosawa’s influential masterpiece has inspired countless action films.
6. Gone with the Wind (1939): A sweeping Civil War epic that remains one of the most popular films ever made.
7. The Wizard of Oz (1939): A beloved musical fantasy that has enchanted audiences for generations.
8. Singin’ in the Rain (1952): A joyful and iconic musical that captures the transition from silent films to “talkies.”
9. Sunset Boulevard (1950): A dark and compelling look at the fading glamour of Hollywood.
10. Lawrence of Arabia (1962): David Lean’s stunning desert epic is a triumph of large-scale filmmaking.
11. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946): A heartwarming classic that has become a holiday staple.
12. Psycho (1960): Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller changed the horror genre forever.
13. Dr. Strangelove (1964): A sharp Cold War satire from Stanley Kubrick.
14. The Searchers (1956): John Ford’s quintessential Western, known for its complex portrayal of its hero.
15. Vertigo (1958): A haunting tale of obsession from Alfred Hitchcock.
16. Bicycle Thieves (1948): Vittorio De Sica’s Italian Neorealist classic is a powerful story of poverty and desperation.
17. Rashomon (1950): Kurosawa’s film famously explores the subjective nature of truth.
18. The 400 Blows (1959): François Truffaut’s influential French New Wave film.
19. On the Waterfront (1954): Featuring one of Marlon Brando’s most powerful performances.
20. Metropolis (1927): Fritz Lang’s silent sci-fi film is a visually stunning look at the future.
21. The Gold Rush (1925): A Charlie Chaplin comedy classic.
22. All About Eve (1950): A witty and cynical look at Broadway ambition.
23. The Grapes of Wrath (1940): John Ford’s poignant adaptation of the Steinbeck novel.
24. Rear Window (1954): Another Hitchcock masterpiece of suspense.
25. Breathless (1960): Jean-Luc Godard’s stylish and revolutionary film.

The New Hollywood & Modern Masterpieces

Starting in the late 1960s, a new generation of filmmakers emerged, bringing a fresh, more personal vision to American cinema. This creativity continues today, with directors from around the world pushing the boundaries of storytelling.

26. The Godfather Part II (1974): A rare sequel that many consider superior to the original.
27. Pulp Fiction (1994): Quentin Tarantino’s non-linear crime film redefined independent cinema.
28. The Shawshank Redemption (1994): A powerful story of hope and friendship that consistently tops “best of” lists.
29. Schindler’s List (1993): Steven Spielberg’s profoundly moving Holocaust drama.
30. Goodfellas (1990): Martin Scorsese’s energetic and stylish gangster film.
31. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Often cited as the best of the original trilogy for its dark tone and shocking twist.
32. The Dark Knight (2008): Christopher Nolan’s superhero film is elevated by Heath Ledger’s legendary performance.
33. Apocalypse Now (1979): Coppola’s hallucinatory Vietnam War epic.
34. Taxi Driver (1976): Scorsese’s gritty portrait of urban alienation.
35. Blade Runner (1982): Ridley Scott’s visually stunning sci-fi noir has become a cult classic.
36. The Silence of the Lambs (1991): A chilling thriller that swept the major Academy Awards.
37. Forrest Gump (1994): A heartwarming journey through American history.
38. Fight Club (1999): David Fincher’s subversive and stylish cult hit.
39. The Matrix (1999): A landmark sci-fi action film that changed the genre.
40. Parasite (2019): Bong Joon-ho’s genre-bending masterpiece was the first non-English language film to win Best Picture.
41. Spirited Away (2001): Hayao Miyazaki’s enchanting animated fantasy.
42. There Will Be Blood (2007): A powerful tale of greed and oil, featuring a towering performance by Daniel Day-Lewis.
43. No Country for Old Men (2007): The Coen Brothers’ tense and minimalist neo-western.
44. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003): The epic conclusion to Peter Jackson’s trilogy.
45. Fargo (1996): A quirky and violent crime story from the Coen Brothers.
46. Alien (1979): Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror masterpiece.
47. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): A perfect adventure film from Spielberg and Lucas.
48. Inception (2010): Nolan’s mind-bending heist thriller.
49. City of God (2002): A visceral and energetic look at life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.
50. Do the Right Thing (1989): Spike Lee’s powerful and still-relevant film about racial tensions.
51. Raging Bull (1980): Scorsese’s brutal and beautiful boxing biopic.
52. Annie Hall (1977): Woody Allen’s unconventional romantic comedy.
53. The Shining (1980): Kubrick’s unsettling and iconic horror film.
54. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982): A touching story of friendship between a boy and an alien.
55. Good Will Hunting (1997): A moving drama that launched the careers of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
56. Saving Private Ryan (1998): Spielberg’s unflinching depiction of the D-Day invasion.
57. Back to the Future (1985): A fun and inventive sci-fi adventure.
58. Jurassic Park (1993): A thrilling blockbuster with groundbreaking special effects.
59. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): A creative and heartbreaking look at love and memory.
60. Moonlight (2016): A beautiful and poignant coming-of-age story.
61. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015): A relentless and visually spectacular action film.
62. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975): A powerful drama about rebellion and conformity.
63. Amadeus (1984): A lavish and entertaining look at the life of Mozart.
64. The Departed (2006): Scorsese’s Oscar-winning crime thriller.
65. Gladiator (2000): Ridley Scott’s revival of the historical epic.
66. Jaws (1975): The original summer blockbuster.
67. A Clockwork Orange (1971): Kubrick’s disturbing and provocative look at free will.
68. The Thing (1982): John Carpenter’s masterpiece of paranoia and practical effects.
69. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Guillermo del Toro’s dark and beautiful fairy tale.
70. The Truman Show (1998): A prophetic and poignant satire.
71. Cinema Paradiso (1988): A beautiful love letter to the movies.
72. The Big Lebowski (1998): A beloved cult comedy.
73. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968): Sergio Leone’s epic spaghetti Western.
74. The Princess Bride (1987): A charming and endlessly quotable fantasy-comedy.
75. Whiplash (2014): An intense and electrifying drama about the price of greatness.

Global Cinema and Documentary

Great filmmaking knows no borders. This section highlights influential films from around the world and groundbreaking documentaries that have captured reality in unforgettable ways.

76. The Intouchables (2011): A heartwarming French comedy-drama.
77. Life is Beautiful (1997): An Italian film that finds humor and heart in the Holocaust.
78. Oldboy (2003): Park Chan-wook’s shocking and stylish Korean thriller.
79. A Separation (2011): An emotionally complex Iranian drama.
80. Yi Yi (2000): Edward Yang’s sprawling and intimate portrait of a Taiwanese family.
81. Harakiri (1962): A powerful and subversive samurai film.
82. In the Mood for Love (2000): Wong Kar-wai’s visually stunning film about unspoken love.
83. Stalker (1979): Andrei Tarkovsky’s meditative and philosophical sci-fi film.
84. Come and See (1985): A harrowing and unforgettable anti-war film from the Soviet Union.
85. Persona (1966): Ingmar Bergman’s complex and experimental psychological drama.
86. 8½ (1983): Federico Fellini’s surreal and autobiographical film about a director’s creative crisis.
87. The Battle of Algiers (1966): A gripping and realistic depiction of the Algerian War for independence.
88. Close-Up (1990): Abbas Kiarostami’s fascinating blend of documentary and fiction.
89. Tokyo Story (1953): Yasujirō Ozu’s gentle and moving family drama.
90. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000): Ang Lee’s breathtaking martial arts epic.
91. Man with a Movie Camera (1929): A revolutionary documentary that captures the energy of Soviet city life.
92. Hoop Dreams (1994): An epic documentary following two inner-city teens with NBA aspirations.
93. The Thin Blue Line (1988): Errol Morris’s groundbreaking documentary that helped exonerate a wrongly convicted man.
94. Shoah (1985): Claude Lanzmann’s monumental nine-hour oral history of the Holocaust.
95. Grizzly Man (2005): Werner Herzog’s fascinating portrait of Timothy Treadwell.
96. Parasite (2019): Bong Joon-ho’s masterpiece gets a second mention for its global impact.
97. Rome, Open City (1945): A landmark of Italian neorealism.
98. La Dolce Vita (1960): Fellini’s episodic look at high society in Rome.
99. Contempt (1963): Godard’s dissection of a marriage and filmmaking itself.
100. Playtime (1967): Jacques Tati’s ambitious and visually inventive comedy.

Your Cinematic Journey Starts Now

This list is just the beginning. Each of these 100 films offers a unique experience and a reason why it has stood the test of time. Whether you’re revisiting an old favorite or discovering a new classic, the world of cinema is rich with stories waiting to be told.

The best movies do more than just entertain; they make us think, feel, and see the world in a new light. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and let these incredible films take you on a journey. What will you watch first?