From the silent film era through Hollywood's Golden Age, straight up to the present, films have captivated our attention better than any other entertainment industry. Find out which movies have stood the test of time as fan and critic favorites.
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.
Notorious
One of Alfred Hitchock's most famous works stars Carey Grant, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Raines. It's classified as a "spy noir." The film is preserved in the Library of Congress.
Black Narcissus
Black Narcissus hit screens in 1947, and it tells the story of a group of nuns on a mission that takes them to the top of the Himalayas. The natives aren't pleased to have them there on a journey of conversion, and an inevitable conflict ensues. The film has extremely high ratings across the board.
Strangers on a Train
Alfred Hitchcock's 1951 success has a near-perfect rating on every major review platform. It follows two men who meet on a train and devise a plan to murder someone in each of their lives. Aside from the famous Hitchcockian suspense, the film also uses incredible angles. The cinematographer, Robert Burks, was nominated for an Oscar.
Badlands
Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen star in this 1970's crime drama. They're on the run from the law for murder, and the story is often referred to as one of the most powerful in history. Spacek said shooting the film changed the way she thought about filmmaking.
Unforgiven
Clint Eastwood stars in, directs, and produces this 1992 film. He won an Academy Award for Best Director and was nominated for Best Actor. The film also features Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman. It was the third ever western to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
In a Lonely Place
Legendary actor Humphrey Bogart stars as an unhinged screenwriter who's suspected of murder. It's made Time's "All-Time 100s" and "100 Essential Films" lists. It was added to the Library of Congress in 2007.
Laura
Laura is named one of the best film noirs of the 1940'. It's a mystery thriller that follows an NYPD detective as he investigates a woman's murder. The twist? As he furthers his investigation, he falls in love with the victim.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
One of the most popular film franchises to date, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is the fourth-highest grossing film of all time. It's revered as one of the best fantasy films and earned itself six Academy Award nominations. It kicked off Elijah Wood's career, that's for sure.
The Apartment
Though credited as a romantic comedy, The Apartment could surely fall under the category of "dramedy." It follows an insurance clerk who allows his senior advisors to use his apartment to meet women behind their wives' backs. The Guardian hails this one as the sixth-romantic film of all time.
Wall-E
Wall-E came out in 2008 and grossed over $533 million. It follows the story of a lonely trash-compacting robot who was left alone on an uninhabitable planet. It's an allegorical tale of what would happen if the world were to decay.
Coco
This sweet coming of age tale follows Miguel as he dreams of becoming a musician when he's older. He finds himself in the land of the dead and has the ability to talk to skeletons. Though the film is a comedy, you will surely shed a few tears.
Shadow of a Doubt
Alfred Hitchcock is regarded as one of the best directors of all time for a reason. This one is a psychological thriller with murder and mystery. Hitchcock has said it's his favorite film he's ever done.
Inception
Regarded as one of Leonardo DiCaprio's best roles, this unique sci-fi story directed by Christoper Nolan is a mind-meld of a watch. It explores the lucid and hive-mind dream experience and is regarded as one of the most original films to date. Watching it is migraine-inducing but worth it.
The Philadelphia Story
Carey Grant and Katherine Hepburn star as a married couple whose relationship is on the rocks. The story is considered one of the best of all time due to its realistic portrayals of love and marriage. It won the Academy Award for Best Writing in an Adapted Screenplay in 1940.
Cool Hand Luke
This film scored a perfect 100 on Rotten Tomatoes, and it's one of Golden Age Hollywood's most classic films. Paul Newman stars as the title character, a man who's been sentenced to a prison camp. He was nominated for an Oscar for the role.
Rebecca
Another Hitchcock film, if you can believe it, makes the list. This was his first American-made movie. Rebecca won several awards, including The Academy Award for Best Picture, and the award for Best Cinematography.
L.A. Confidential
This neo-noir thriller is an adaptation of James Ellroy's novel. Kim Basinger, Kevin Spacey, and Danny Devito star, and Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe's careers were skyrocketed. It tells the story of a corrupt LAPD in Hollywood's Golden Age.
The Kid
The Kid is a 1921 silent film starring Charlie Chaplin. It was his first full-length feature, and he also wrote and directed the flick. Various reviews say similar things along the lines of Theatre Magazine's "The Kid may be counted as a screen masterpiece" praise.
His Girl Friday
This is a must-see romantic comedy. Carey Grant and Rosalind Russell tell the story of a newspaper editor and reporter who work on a murder case and (of course) fall in love. It was preserved in the Library of Congress for its "cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance."
All the President's Men
This classic Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman film tells the story of the infamous Watergate scandal. President Nixon's term was slated with various other scandals, but thanks to reports Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, Watergate takes the lead. The film was preserved in the Library of Congress in 2010.
Aliens
James Cameron started a classic franchise with Aliens, one of the most popular sci-fi films of all time. The 1986 film stars Sigourney Weaver, and there are still remakes and continuations coming out today. And, if you're a fan, then you know this movie gave us the creepiest scene in history.
Holiday
Another flick with Carey Grant and Katherine Hepburn is beloved by critics everywhere. It's regarded as director George Cukor's best film. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 100%.
All Quiet on the Western Front
This classic anti-war film tells the story of German Army recruits in the heat of WWI. It's often regarded as the best anti-war film in history. However, Germany stopped showing the film due to its propaganda and actually let mice into movie theaters to discourage people from watching.
Playtime
Nearly every film rating site describes this film as "one of a kind." It is the most expensive film ever made in French history, and, though it wasn't necessarily loved by audiences, it did win a lot of art awards. It made the British Film Institute's "50 Greatest Films of All Time" list.
Touch of Evil
This film-noir stars Orson Welles, who also wrote and directed the flick. It follows the story of corrupt law enforcement officers in Mexico. It's referred to as one of Welles' best projects.
The Grapes of Wrath
Henry Fonda stars in this film based on the classic John Steinbeck novel. While it can be difficult to adapt a movie to a film, this one was so well-received by audiences and critics. It's noted as "one of the best fifty films ever made," according to Bosley Crowther.
Sweet Smell of Success
This Hecht-Hill-Lancaster film follows the story of a newspaper columnist who disproves of his sister's relationship with a jazz musician. Then, e hires a public relations specialist to meddle his way into the relationship and drive the two apart. It has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs was Quentin Tarantino's first feature-length project, and he never thought it would skyrocket him into success. Empire lists it as "the single greatest independent film of all time." Despite the common use of gore in a Tarantino flick, it was pretty controversial for the early 90s.
Spotlight
This powerful film shed light on cases of the Catholic church covering up clergy members who had sexually abused children. The film stars Mark Ruffalo as a reporter for the Boston Globe who is on the case, interviewing victims and digging up proof. The movie earned $99 million at the box office.
Witness for the Prosecution
This crime drama has a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. It's based on an Agatha Christie novel and follows the story of a screenwriter accused of murdering an old, wealthy woman. Though it didn't win any Oscar awards, it was nominated for six.
Witness for the Prosecution
This crime drama has a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. It's based on an Agatha Christie novel, and follows the story of a screenwriter accused of murdering an old, wealthy woman. Though it didn't win any Oscar awards, it was nominated for six.
Once Upon a Time in America
Robert De Niro and James Woods play two best friends and Jewish gangsters who live in New York City. Directed by Sergio Leone, this film would be his last project before he died. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and received a standing ovation that lasted fifteen minutes.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
Star Wars is one of the most popular film franchises to date. The original cast included Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher. It was filmed for $11 million and grossed seven $776 million at the box office.
The Silence of the Lambs
Anthony Hopkins expertly plays serial killer cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The story follows his interviews with detective Clarisse as she tries to track down another killer, Buffalo Bill. The film won four Oscar awards.
To Be or Not to Be
To Be or Not to Be follows the story of a Polish theater company threatened to go under when the Nazis invade. To avoid closure, the staff turn themselves into spies. Time Out says the film is "certainly one of the finest comedies to come out of Paramount."
Out of the Past
This film is based on the novel "Build My Gallows High" by Geoffry Homes, and the film goes by the same title in the UK. The film-noir is full of twists, turns, and jarring cinematography.
Duck Soup
1933's Duck Soup is another that didn't do well in the box office, but somehow won over critics. The Marx Brothers' comedy is a tale of spies who stage a revolution in the nation of Freedonia. It has a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4/4 on Roger Ebert.
Boyhood
This film was released in 2014 but actually started filming in 2001 in order to organically capture the aging process of a young boy. The script was conceptualized throughout the decade of filming, working off of just basic plot points. It premiered at Sundance and won several awards.
Stagecoach
Stagecoach was John Wayne's first major role, and it ended up launching his career. Adapted from a short story by Ernest Haycox, it follows a group of people traveling through Apache Indian territory. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won two of them.
Steamboat Bill, Jr.
The 1928 film actually laid the groundwork for Disney's Steamboat Willie. It stars Buster Keaton and includes his most famous on-screen stunt where an entire house falls on him. Yes, he really did it.
Stairway to Heaven
David Niven stars in this 97% film on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have described this as "bursting with tantalizing ideas, surprising connections, and suggestive flights of fancy." Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell also teamed up for another mentioned film, Black Narcissus.
12 Years a Slave
The haunting true story brought to life tells the story of a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. The tale of Solomon Northup grossed $188 million in the box office. It also launched Lupita N'yongo's career and features Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt.
Alien
The original Alien is one of the most popular sci-fi films of all time. It won the 1980 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, and it was the easy choice considering how those aliens look onscreen. It's one of the longest-standing alien cannons to exist.
Vertigo
Another Hitchcock film, this time based on a novel by Boileau-Narcejac. When it first hit theaters, it was met with both positive and negative reviews. However, it was eventually recognized as a longstanding great.
2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick wrote, directed, and produced this 1968 classic. It's regarded as one of the most epic films to date. It has been re-released several times over the years, including 1977, 2001, and 2017.
The Wages of Fear
This French-Italian film is based on the novel Le Salaire de la Peur, meaning "The Salary of Fear." It has become the fourth-highest earning film of 1953 in France. It won the Golden Bear Award at the 1953 Berlin Film Festival.
Raging Bull
Young Robert De Niro plays a rising star boxer who falls in love along his quest for a gold medal. However, he doesn't know how to express his feelings to her and it leads him through several downfalls. It has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
It Happened One Night
A recently-married heiress gets herself entangled with a goofy newspaper reporter who ends up falling in love with her in this screwball comedy. It was directed and co-produced by Frank Capra and earned high reviews. It is one of three films to win all five of the Major Academy Awards.
The Gold Rush
Another one of Chaplin's most famous works, The Gold Rush came out in 1925. It describes the struggles of American workers paired with Chaplin's classic comedic effect. Chaplin said if he could be remembered for one film, it would be this one.
Whiplash
Miles Teller plays a jazz drumming student at Shaffer Conservatory who battles against an abusive instructor. It premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and won the Grand Jury Prize in drama and the Audience Award. It is one of Teller's most prominent roles.
Some Like it Hot
Marilyn Monroe stars in this picture, and it's regarded as the best film of all time. It follows the story of a musician who must dress in drag to hind from the mafia after they accidentally witness a crime. It was nominated for six Academy Awards.
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Roger Ebert gives this one a perfect rating. It follows a group of conquistadors on a failed expedition for a lost city. It stars Klaus Kinski and is directed by Werner Herzog, cinema legends. It has won several awards, including the 1977 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cinematography.
The Night of the Hunter
This dark film tells the story of a preacher who loses his mind and goes on a murder spree. It's directed by Charles Laughton and is the only film that he doesn't also act in. Roger Ebert gives it a perfect 4/4.
The Maltese Falcon
This film noir from the 1940s was written and directed by john Huson and is an adaptation of the 1930 novel by Dashiell Hammett. It received three Academy Award nominations. Warner Bros. also attempted to make a sequel, but couldn't get the original cast together.
The Last Picture Show
This movie is described as "feeling new and old at the same time." It's a perfect Rotten Tomatoes and Roger Ebert film. It won two Academy Awards and two BAFTA Awards in 1972.
It's a Wonderful Life
Everyone's seen this Christmas classic. It was produced and directed by Frank Capra and based on a short story by Phillip Van Doren Stern. It's hailed as one of the best movies of all time.
Inside Out
This Pixar film tells the story of a young girl moving across the country from the perspective of her emotions. Joy, Fear, Disgust, Sadness, and Anger are brought to life in order to help her deal with all the changes. It has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sunrise
Also known as Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans, this is a romantic silent film. Directed by F.W. Murnau, he's the same man behind the classic silent horror film Nosferatu. Sunrise was his American debut.
Apocalypse Now
Martin Sheen stars as a 1970s war captain in Vietnam on the hunt for an insane war officer, played by Marlon Brando. Directed, co-written, and produced by Francis Ford Coppalo, and based on the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad, this film became an instant classic.