Film snobs and average movie-goers alike can all agree that their favorite film is the best of all time... but will those films make our list? There is a lot of ground to cover, from 1920s Buster Keaton stunt films to 2010s Pixar animated ones, the history of film is filled with incredible artistry.
Here's the most current list of the top films in history. Where does your favorite fall?
Airplane!
Even though it debuted in 1980, Airplane! is still one of the most beloved movies of all time. It has grossed nearly $250 million since its release. The spoof comedy takes hilarious jabs at ever-popular disaster-themed films. The star-studded cast had the likes of Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Lorna Patterson, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Pan's Labyrinth
Guillermo del Toro is critically acclaimed for a reason. Pan's Labyrinth is one of the very few Spanish-speaking films that made it into the top charts all over America. The 2006 film has grossed over $40 million in its lifespan. The storyline has love, war, and of course, magical beings and fairytale worlds.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Memento
Christopher Nolan awed audiences with this 2001 film. The neo-noir psychological thriller film has grossed around $35 million in the last 20 years. Critics commented on the complicated plotline with very little plotholes, which was impressive since the film followed a man with severe memory loss trying to find out who had killed his wife.
Slumdog Millionaire
Dev Patel hit the ball out of the park with Slumdog Millionaire. Somehow, the 2006 film nearly went straight to DVD but somehow made it onto the silver screen. After its premiere in 2008, it swept the Oscars. Since then, it's grossed over $150 million.
Almost Famous
Almost Famous takes a coming of age story into the rock n' roll universe. An aspiring music journalist leaves home to travel with a rock band before he even learned how to drive. The unique storyline captivated audiences and grossed nearly $50 million since its 2000 debut.
Bravehart
Mel Gibson directed and starred in this 1995 film. He felt that he was too old to play the lead role, but Paramount refused to take on the project unless he was the star. This was a power move on the studio's part, and Gibson had a memorable performance that grossed nearly $140 million since its inception.
Vertigo
Nearly every Alfred Hitchcock x Jimmy Stewart collaboration is timeless, but Vertigo really takes the cake. This film was heavily influenced by Hitchcock's own anxieties and flawed biases. The 1958 film is easily considered one of his top works.
Gladiator
Russell Crowe started his career through Gladiator while Oliver Reed ended his via a heart attack on set. The film was dedicated in his memory, which has grossed over $275 million since it was released in 2000. Ridley Scott directed this blockbuster.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Monty Python is a film that is still viewed and discussed to this day. The 1975 spoof follows the story of King Arthur and a modern-day murder mystery investigation. It's mostly spoofing historical and mythological films.
Blazing Saddles
With a domestic lifetime gross of over $500 million, Blazing Saddles is a popular choice for a favorite classic movie. This satirical spaghetti-Western film has Gene Wilder, Mel Brookes, and Cleavon Little at the forefront. One of the main plot points was around racism, which was something that was rarely touched on in 1970s Hollywood films.
All The President's Men
All the President's Men portrays the story of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the two green journalists for the Washington Post who uncovered the notorious Watergate scandal. The film debuted only four years after the scandal which led to Richard Nixon's resignation. The film was so historically accurate that it still captivates audiences and is shown in journalism university courses.
Avatar
James Cameron made headlines for years with this film. It's the highest-grossing film of all time, clocking in at a whopping $763 million since its 2009 inception. There are three sequels planned for 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Mary Poppins
Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke are some of the most beloved Hollywood actors. They made history with Mary Poppins, a film about a magical nanny. The usage of real-film and hand-drawn characters and settings is what set the 1964 film apart from its competition of that year (and decade!)
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Peter Jackson's legacy will forever be shadowed by his role in making the Lord of the Rings series come to life. This rendition of the series seems to be the most popular out of all of them. Elijah Wood also made his debut for his role. Return of the King has grossed over $400 million.
Inception
Inception is a film based on lucid dreaming, which is what makes it so mind-bending and crazy. Director Christopher Nolan is a lucid dreamer himself, which is where the inspiration came from. Even though the film is over a decade old, the controversial ending is still argued about to this day.
The Wild Bunch
This 1969 American western stars William Holden, Robert Ryan, and Ernest Borgnine. It's one of the most controversial films of its time, though the "graphic" violence in this one is pretty commonplace for movies today. However, in the late '60s, this sort of violence was only just starting to hit screens.
The Searchers
Another western, this one came out in the mid-1950s, and it stars the iconic John Wayne. The film has earned high ratings on nearly every critic site it lands on. Wayne plays a Civil War veteran searching for his abducted niece. Of course, the twist is that he's not actually trying to rescue her.
Die Hard
Is Die Hard a holiday movie? Pretty much! The story takes place on Christmas Eve where family holiday visitations take a quick turn for John McClane. What was a sweet Christmas dinner turned into a terrorist attack where hostages need saving. Sure, this counts as a Christmas movie to watch with your family!
Amadeus
Amadeus follows the story of Mozart, the uber-famous composure who was known for his "bad boy" hedonist tendencies. Most people wouldn't think that mainstream audiences would prefer to watch a film about a classic composure who lived in the 1700s, but they would be wrong!
Ghostbusters
"Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!" Any time Halloween rolls around so does that song and these ghost busting men. Ghostbusters is a timeless paranormal comedy movie that has grossed over $500 million since its 1984 inception. Fun fact: the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man was supposed to be in a horde of other monsters, but it was too costly to produce them all so he was the main villain.
Notorious
Yet another one of Alfred Hitchcock's most famous works that top the charts. Carey Grant, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Raines all made history in Notorious, a classic "spy noir." The film was so popular that the original copy has been preserved in the Library of Congress.
Black Narcissus
Black Narcissus debuted in 1947. A group of nuns goes on a mission trip that takes them to the top of the Himalayas. The locals of the mountains are not too pleased to have the nuns there trying to convert people. Ultimately, inevitable conflict ensues. The film has high ratings and is considered a classic.
Strangers on a Train
Unsurprisingly, another Hitchcock film takes the stage! Strangers on a Train follows two men who meet on a train and quickly get into the nitty-gritty of their dull lives. The men then agree on a plan to murder someone that the other knows. The storyline is fantastic, but the cinematography is fantastic and noteworthy. The cinematographer, Robert Burks, was nominated for an Oscar.
Badlands
Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen star in this 1970's crime drama Badlands. The two are on the run after a murder begins to haunt them, with only each other to count on. This film seemed to have impacted a lot of people. Even Spacek said that shooting the film changed the way she thought about filmmaking.
Unforgiven
Actor and director Clint Eastwood starred in, directed, and produced this 1992 classic. Eastwood won an Academy Award for Best Director and was nominated for Best Actor for this role. Superstar actors Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman also starred in the film. It was the third ever western to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
In a Lonely Place
Humphrey Bogart stars in this timeless classic as a screenwriter who was suspected of murder. In a Lonely Place has made Time's "All-Time 100s" and "100 Essential Films" lists over the years. In 2007, the original copy of the film was added to the Library of Congress.
Laura
Laura has been named one of the best film noirs of the 1940s over and over again. The mystery thriller follows an NYPD detective as he investigates a beautiful woman's murder. As he investigates, he begins to fall for the deceased woman...
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Another LOTR film, The Two Tours is a film that hits home for a lot of fans. This is the fourth-highest grossing film of all time and commonly referred to as one of the best fantasy films ever. It has earned six Academy Award nominations. Plus, this is the film that introduced the world to Elijah Wood!
The Apartment
The Apartment is listed as a comedy but most fans would call it a dramedy. An insurance clerk allows his senior advisors to utilize his apartment so they can cheat on their wives in peace. Naturally, this doesn't work out, and the drama (and hilarity) that ensues is memorable.
Wall-E
Wall-E stole the hearts of millions of viewers. The little trash robot went on the adventure of a lifetime after he was rescued from an uninhabitable planet. Wall-E never even spoke a word, but still managed to tug on viewers' heartstrings. The film has grossed over $533 million since its 2008 debut.
Coco
Coco is a sweet coming of age story that follows a young boy named Miguel. He wants to become a musician and looks up to a famous guitarist who was basically a hero to his small town. Miguel gets into trouble and finds his way into the land of the dead. Like most Pixar movies, the story is funny, sweet, and tear-jerking.
The Philadelphia Story
Carey Grant, Katherine Hepburn, and Jimmy Stewart... What gets better than that? The Philadelphia Story follows a married couple who are struggling to stay together. It's regarded as one of the best films of all time due to its uber-realistic portrayals of love and marriage, which was hard to come by in Hollywood back then. It won the Academy Award for Best Writing in an Adapted Screenplay in 1940.
Cool Hand Luke
Cool Hand Luke has scored a 100 on Rotten Tomatoes, which basically tells you all you need to know about this classic film. Paul Newman plays the main character, who has been sentenced to a prison camp but hasn't gotten rid of his bad-boy lifestyle. Newman was nominated for an Oscar for this role.
Rebecca
Rebecca is actually Alfred Hitchock's very first American-made movie. It has won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Cinematography. Laurence Olivier (Wuthering Heights icon) starred in this incredible film.
L.A. Confidential
Danny Devito, Kim Basinger, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce, and Russell Crowe starred in this iconic neo-noir thriller. The story is based in Los Angeles and follows some corrupt officers doing what they do best. It's set during Hollywood's Golden Age and explores the realm of untouchable celebrities.
The Kid
The Kid was released in 1921. It starred iconic filmmaker, stunt man, and actor Charlie Chaplin. This film was Chaplin's very first full-length feature film which he wrote and directed. Reviews of the time called it a "screen masterpiece," and many critics today can still agree with that. Chaplin, despite his problematic lifestyle and career, set the precedent for filmmaking.
His Girl Friday
Carey Grant and Rosalind Russel star in this must-see romantic comedy. A newspaper editor and reporter, who were at odds with one another, end up having to work on a murder case together. Naturally, they fall in love. This film has been preserved in the Library of Congress for its "cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance."
Shadow of a Doubt
This Hitchcock psychological thriller is filled with the best sort of murder-mystery. This film, along with many other Hitchcock films, has been regarded as the baseline for all murder-mystery thrillers. Hitchcock has admitted that Shadow of a Doubt is his favorite film.
Aliens
Aliens, despite looking like a sci-fi nerds dream, is one of the most iconic films of its generation. Even today, it's regarded as one of the best horror-sci-fi films out there and easily has a court following. Sigourney Weaver became the face of Aliens and one of the most famous sci-fi actresses of all time. Even though this film came out in the '80s, there are still remakes and sequels being made!
Holiday
Rotten Tomatoes gave Holiday a 100%, and it's well-earned! Carey Grant and Katherine Hepburn star in this romantic comedy directed by George Cukor. Critics back in the day loved it, and it still holds up.
All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front is an anti-war film depicting the story of German soldiers in WWI. This film has been highly regarded as one of the best anti-war films in history. In America, that is. Germany stopped showing the film due to the propaganda factors. Before they banned it, they would make the theaters uninhabitable so customers wouldn't want to sit and watch it.
Playtime
Playtime has been regarded as a "one of a kind" film. It holds the record for the most expensive film ever made in France. Regular audiences weren't fans of the movie, but critics and film snobs adored it. The film made the British Film Institute's "50 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Touch of Evil
Orson Welles is an insanely popular sci-fi horror writer and director. This film noir was directed and written by him, and he also plays the main lead. The story follows corrupt police officers down in Mexico, where crime mixes with passion. This is one of Welles' best works!
The Grapes of Wrath
Everyone has heard of The Grapes of Wrath. Most middle school students had to read it in English class. This film is adapted from the John Steinbeck novel, so the stakes were already high. Critics and audiences loved the film and thought that it really did the book justice, which is hard to come by for a movie adaption.
Sweet Smell of Success
A newspaper columnist hires a public relationships specialist to meddle in his sister's relationship with a well-known jazz musician. For some reason, he's just not too keen on the musician dating his sister, but he had no clue what he was really getting himself into... This film has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes!
Reservoir Dogs
Nowadays, Quentin Tarantino is regarded as one of the best filmmakers out there (despite his problematic "artistic" decisions.) Reservoir Dogs was his very first feature-length film, which he made on a whim and a dream. He had no idea that it would bring him so much success! Empire has called the film "the single greatest independent film of all time."
Spotlight
Mark Ruffalo stars in this emotional story that sheds light on the wrongdoings of the Catholic church. It's well known that clergy members routinely sexually abuse children and others cover it up, so the director of the film wanted to spread the word far and wide. The story follows a reporter for the Boston Globe who attempts to uncover more stories, which are all based on true events.
Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for Prosecution is based on a famous Agatha Christie novel. The story follows a young screenwriter who is accused of murdering an older, wealthy woman. The crime drama has scored a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for six Oscars.
Once Upon a Time in America
Sergio Leone directed this crime drama that captivated audiences and received a fifteen-minute-long standing ovation at its Cannes Film Festival premiere. The film tells the story of two best friends (Robert De Niro and James Woods) and their journey as Jewish men who become New York City gangsters.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Naturally, Star Wars is going to grace this list. It's one of the most popular film franchises in the world, even today! The first movie (which was actually the fourth installation of the story) had Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher. It was first released in 1977. The final movie was released in 2019. Harrison Ford and Mark Hammil both starred in the final film. Fisher passed away before then but was still included.
The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs has been regarded as one of the best thriller movies out there. It's also the most quotable, even by today's standards. Anthony Hopkins plays insane serial killer/cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The detective on his case, Clarice, finds herself deep in a psychological battle with the man as she tries to track down another murderer, Buffalo Bill. The movie won four Oscars.
To Be or Not to Be
This film is regarded as a comedy even though it's based on a historically dark timeline. A Polish theater company was in jeopardy after the Nazis invaded. The staff turns themselves into spies in order to stay open and thriving. Time Out says the film is "certainly one of the finest comedies to come out of Paramount."
Out of the Past
Out of the Past was based on the novel "Build My Hallows High" by Geoffry Homes. This is a crime noir film full of twists, turns, and incredible cinematography. It stars Janet Greer, Kirk Douglas, and Robert Mitchum.
Duck Soup
Duck Soup follows a bunch of spies who stage a revolution in the fake world of Freedonia. The 1933 debut did pretty poorly at the box office, but film critics loved it. It has a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Boyhood
Boyhood was a film 13 years in the making. This is a true coming of age tale as it follows a young boy as he grows up. In order to keep this film true and raw, they used the same actors over filming. They began work in 2001 and released the film in 2014.
Stagecoach
Stagecoach is actually iconic actor John Wayne's first major role in cinema. This ended up launching his career, which he certainly wasn't expecting. The film was adapted from a short story by Ernest Haycox. A group of people is traveling through Apache Indian territory when they run into trouble.
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
Before Steamboat Willie, there was Steamboat Bill, Jr. The 1928 film ended up laying out the groundwork for the Disney film. Buster Keaton, one of the most famous stunt actors known in film, helped bring this film to life because of his incredible stunts. This includes the famous one where an entire house falls on him.
Stairway to Heaven
Critics have described Stairway to Heaven as "bursting with tantalizing ideas, surprising connections, and suggestive flights of fancy." The directors of the film, Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell, also teamed up for Black Narcissus. This film has a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.
12 Years a Slave
12 Years A Slave captivated audiences due to his incredible cinematography, acting, and retelling of true events. A free Black man is kidnapped and sold back into slavery, and the audience is following his journey. The film launched Lupita N'yongo's career and features ever-popular favorites Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt.
Alien
Alien is actually the predecessor to Aliens. This is the original film that launched the franchise. It won the 1980 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects! Fans always argue which film is better, but it's really up to preference. Alien is more horror while Aliens is more about a sci-fi adventure.
2001: A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey is regarded as one of the most epic films to date. It was initial released in 1968, then re-released in 1977, 2001, and 2017 as film technology progressed. Stanley Kubrick wrote, directed, and produced this classic and timeless film.
The Wages of Fear
The Wages of Fear is a French-Italian film that is based on the novel "Le Salaire de la Peur" which translates to "The Salary of Fear." It became the fourth-highest earning film of 1953 in France. It won the Golden Bear Award at the 1953 Berlin Film Festival.
Raging Bull
A very young Robert De Niro plays a boxer who ends up falling in love as he enters his epic battle for a gold medal in boxing. The story follows this love-sick man who is trying to balance his feelings for a woman and his growing career. It has a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.
It Happened One Night
This film follows a newly married heiress accidentally falls in love with a clumsy newspaper reporter. This screwball comedy was directed and co-produced by iconic Frank Capra. It has won all five of the Major Academy Awards and is one of three films in history to do so!
The Gold Rush
Charlie Chaplin strikes again with The Gold Rush. It premiered in 1925 and describes the struggles of American class workers. Naturally, chaos ensues. Chaplin has said that this is the film he wants to be remembered for. He definitely got his wish, as this film is still looked at in film classes all over the globe!
Whiplash
Whiplash is about a young jazz drummer who gets entangled with a stern and abusive instructor. The two have horrible differences but they share the same aggressive passion for music. This film premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and won the Grand Jury Prize in drama and the Audience Award.
Some Like it Hot
conic and beautiful Marilyn Monroe stars in Some Like It Hot. It's highly regarded as one of the best films of all time. The story follows a musician who dresses in drag to hide from the mafia because he accidentally witnessed a crime. It's a refreshing storyline for an older movie!
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Aguirre, the Wrath of God follows a group of conquerers on a failed expedition to find a lost city. Klaus Kinski plays the main role. Wener Herzog, a cinema legend, directed the film. It has won tons of awards, including the 1977 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cinematography.
The Night of the Hunter
The Night of the Hunter tells the story of a Catholic preacher who ends up losing his mind. He goes on a murder spree and trouble ensues. Charles Laughton directed the film, and it's the only one that he didn't star in himself.
The Maltese Falcon
The Maltese Falcon received three Academy Award nominations. This 1940s film noir was written and directed by John Huson. It was adapted from the 1930 novel of the same name by Dashiell Hammett. Warner Bros. tried to make a sequel but could not bring it to fruition.
The Last Picture Show
The Last Picture Show has been described as "feeling new and old at the same time." It has won two Academy Awards and two BAFTA Awards in 1972. It has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes!
It's a Wonderful Life
This is an ultimate Christmas classic, but it's definitely an evergreen film and can be enjoyed during any part of the year. A workaholic father and husband becomes a "ghost" and he gets to see what life is like without him there. It's horrifying to him as he sees his friends and family struggling with his loss, and he realizes that he's more appreciated than he thought. It was produced and directed by esteemed Frank Capra. It's easily hailed as one of the best movies of all time.
Inside Out
Inside Out is a newer Pixar film that has left a mark on people of all ages. A young girl moves across the country, and the viewers get to see her reaction through her emotions. Joy, Fear, Disgust, Sadness, and Anger are brought to life to help convey her emotions.
Sunrise
This film also goes by Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans. This is a romantic silent film directed by F.W. Murnau. Oddly enough, this is the same director behind the classic silent horror film Nosferatu. Sunrise was his American debut.
Apocalypse Now
Martin Sheen plays a war captain in Vietnam who is on the hunt for an insane war officer (Marlon Brando). Francis Ford Coppalo directed, co-wrote, and produced the film. It was based on the novel "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad.