Best 123 Movies to Watch: The Ultimate 100-Movie List for Every Mood

If you’ve ever typed best 123 movies to watch into a search bar, you’re probably looking for a single, trustworthy list that saves you hours of scrolling. You’re in the right place.

This SEO‑optimized guide delivers 100 must‑watch movies across genres, eras, and moods—classics, modern hits, international gems, and crowd‑pleasing favorites. Whether you’re planning a movie night, building a watchlist, or just want reliable recommendations, this list covers it all.

Why This Is the Best 123 Movies to Watch List (Curated to 100 Essentials)

The phrase best 123 movies to watch has become shorthand for “give me everything worth seeing.” Instead of overwhelming you, we’ve distilled the idea into 100 essential films that represent the very best of cinema—movies people return to again and again.

Each selection is chosen for storytelling, cultural impact, performances, and rewatch value.

🎬 The Best 123 Movies to Watch (Top 100 List)

Classics & Timeless Masterpieces (1–20)

1. The Godfather (1972)

2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

3. Casablanca (1942)

4. Citizen Kane (1941)

5. Gone with the Wind (1939)

6. 12 Angry Men (1957)

7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

8. Schindler’s List (1993)

9. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

10. Psycho (1960)

11. Sunset Boulevard (1950)

12. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

13. Rear Window (1954)

14. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

15. Vertigo (1958)

16. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

17. Roman Holiday (1953)

18. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

19. Ben-Hur (1959)

20. The Sound of Music (1965)

Modern Classics (21–40)

21. Forrest Gump (1994)

22. Fight Club (1999)

23. The Matrix (1999)

24. Titanic (1997)

25. Inception (2010)

26. The Dark Knight (2008)

27. Gladiator (2000)

28. Pulp Fiction (1994)

29. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

30. Avatar (2009)

31. The Social Network (2010)

32. No Country for Old Men (2007)

33. There Will Be Blood (2007)

34. The Departed (2006)

35. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

36. Interstellar (2014)

37. La La Land (2016)

38. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

39. Whiplash (2014)

40. Parasite (2019)

Action, Adventure & Sci‑Fi Favorites (41–60)

41. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

42. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

43. Jurassic Park (1993)

44. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

45. Die Hard (1988)

46. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

47. Back to the Future (1985)

48. Alien (1979)

49. Aliens (1986)

50. Blade Runner (1982)

51. The Avengers (2012)

52. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

53. Dune (2021)

54. The Hunger Games (2012)

55. The Bourne Identity (2002)

56. The Incredibles (2004)

57. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

58. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

59. The Fifth Element (1997)

60. District 9 (2009)

Comedy, Romance & Feel‑Good Movies (61–80)

61. The Big Lebowski (1998)

62. Groundhog Day (1993)

63. Superbad (2007)

64. When Harry Met Sally (1989)

65. Pretty Woman (1990)

66. Notting Hill (1999)

67. Bridesmaids (2011)

68. Mean Girls (2004)

69. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

70. Home Alone (1990)

71. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

72. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

73. The Princess Bride (1987)

74. Love Actually (2003)

75. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

76. The Hangover (2009)

77. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

78. As Good as It Gets (1997)

79. About Time (2013)

80. Paddington 2 (2017)

International, Animated & Hidden Gems (81–100)

81. Spirited Away (2001)

82. Your Name (2016)

83. Amélie (2001)

84. City of God (2002)

85. Oldboy (2003)

86. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

87. Life Is Beautiful (1997)

88. Cinema Paradiso (1988)

89. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

90. The Intouchables (2011)

91. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

92. A Separation (2011)

93. The Lives of Others (2006)

94. Toy Story (1995)

95. WALL‑E (2008)

96. Finding Nemo (2003)

97. Inside Out (2015)

98. Coco (2017)

99. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

100. The Iron Giant (1999)

How to Use This Best 123 Movies to Watch List

This guide works as:

• A weekend binge‑watch plan

• A lifetime cinema checklist

• A movie night recommendation tool

• A genre‑balanced watchlist

Bookmark it, share it, or build your own custom list from these picks.

Final Thoughts

When people search for the best 123 movies to watch, what they really want is confidence—knowing that whatever they press play on will be worth their time. These 100 films represent the heart of global cinema, blending entertainment, emotion, and unforgettable storytelling.

No matter your mood or taste, there’s something here waiting to be watched.

🎥 Happy watching!