Best Films of All Time: The Ultimate Top 100 Movies You Must Watch

Cinema has the rare power to transcend language, culture, and time. From silent-era masterpieces to modern blockbusters, the best films of all time are more than entertainment—they’re cultural landmarks that shape how we see the world.

This carefully curated Top 100 list of the best films of all time blends critical acclaim, audience love, historical importance, storytelling excellence, and lasting influence. Whether you’re a casual movie fan or a hardcore cinephile, this list is designed to help you discover (or rediscover) the greatest movies ever made.

How This List Was Curated

To create a balanced and meaningful ranking, the following criteria were used:

• Critical consensus and awards recognition
  
  

• Cultural and historical impact
  
  

• Storytelling, direction, and performances
  
  

• Longevity and rewatch value
  
  

• Influence on filmmaking and pop culture
  
  

This is not just a ranking—it’s a cinematic journey.

Top 100 Best Films of All Time

1–10: The Untouchable Classics

1. The Godfather (1972) – Francis Ford Coppola’s epic crime saga remains the gold standard of filmmaking.
   
   

2. Citizen Kane (1941) – Revolutionary storytelling and cinematography changed cinema forever.
   
   

3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – A timeless story of hope, friendship, and resilience.
   
   

4. Schindler’s List (1993) – A devastating yet essential historical masterpiece.
   
   

5. The Dark Knight (2008) – Elevated superhero films into serious cinematic art.
   
   

6. Pulp Fiction (1994) – Quentin Tarantino’s genre-defining narrative puzzle.
   
   

7. Casablanca (1942) – Romance, sacrifice, and unforgettable dialogue.
   
   

8. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) – A monumental fantasy finale.
   
   

9. 12 Angry Men (1957) – Proof that dialogue alone can be gripping cinema.
   
   

10. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – The darkest and best Star Wars film.
    
    

11–25: Cultural Giants

11. Forrest Gump (1994)
    
    

12. Goodfellas (1990)
    
    

13. The Matrix (1999)
    
    

14. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
    
    

15. Seven Samurai (1954)
    
    

16. Fight Club (1999)
    
    

17. Inception (2010)
    
    

18. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
    
    

19. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
    
    

20. Interstellar (2014)
    
    

21. Parasite (2019)
    
    

22. The Green Mile (1999)
    
    

23. Spirited Away (2001)
    
    

24. Psycho (1960)
    
    

25. Rear Window (1954)
    
    

26–40: Genre-Defining Masterpieces

26. Gladiator (2000)
    
    

27. The Departed (2006)
    
    

28. Whiplash (2014)
    
    

29. The Lion King (1994)
    
    

30. Back to the Future (1985)
    
    

31. Apocalypse Now (1979)
    
    

32. Alien (1979)
    
    

33. The Prestige (2006)
    
    

34. Memento (2000)
    
    

35. City of God (2002)
    
    

36. Blade Runner (1982)
    
    

37. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
    
    

38. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
    
    

39. American Beauty (1999)
    
    

40. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    
    

41–60: Modern Classics & Global Cinema

41. The Truman Show (1998)
    
    

42. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
    
    

43. The Shining (1980)
    
    

44. The Social Network (2010)
    
    

45. No Country for Old Men (2007)
    
    

46. Taxi Driver (1976)
    
    

47. Vertigo (1958)
    
    

48. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
    
    

49. Toy Story (1995)
    
    

50. Amélie (2001)
    
    

51. The Pianist (2002)
    
    

52. Braveheart (1995)
    
    

53. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
    
    

54. Oldboy (2003)
    
    

55. Jaws (1975)
    
    

56. There Will Be Blood (2007)
    
    

57. Her (2013)
    
    

58. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
    
    

59. Raging Bull (1980)
    
    

60. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
    
    

61–80: Underrated Gems & Cult Favorites

61. Donnie Darko (2001)
    
    

62. Fargo (1996)
    
    

63. The Big Lebowski (1998)
    
    

64. Trainspotting (1996)
    
    

65. Rocky (1976)
    
    

66. Heat (1995)
    
    

67. The Exorcist (1973)
    
    

68. Casino (1995)
    
    

69. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
    
    

70. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
    
    

71. Moonlight (2016)
    
    

72. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
    
    

73. La La Land (2016)
    
    

74. Stand by Me (1986)
    
    

75. The Terminator (1984)
    
    

76. The Thing (1982)
    
    

77. The Sixth Sense (1999)
    
    

78. Black Swan (2010)
    
    

79. The Breakfast Club (1985)
    
    

80. Shutter Island (2010)
    
    

81–100: Timeless Crowd Pleasers

81. Groundhog Day (1993)
    
    

82. The Sound of Music (1965)
    
    

83. Life Is Beautiful (1997)
    
    

84. The Imitation Game (2014)
    
    

85. Finding Nemo (2003)
    
    

86. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
    
    

87. The Iron Giant (1999)
    
    

88. Scarface (1983)
    
    

89. Logan (2017)
    
    

90. Die Hard (1988)
    
    

91. The Notebook (2004)
    
    

92. Gran Torino (2008)
    
    

93. Jurassic Park (1993)
    
    

94. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
    
    

95. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
    
    

96. The Princess Bride (1987)
    
    

97. The Avengers (2012)
    
    

98. Coco (2017)
    
    

99. Gone Girl (2014)
    
    

100. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
     
     

Why These Are the Best Films of All Time

The best films of all time endure because they resonate across generations. They influence other filmmakers, redefine genres, and stay relevant decades after release. Great films don’t just entertain—they connect, challenge, and inspire.

Final Thoughts

This Top 100 list isn’t meant to end debate—it’s meant to start conversations. Cinema is subjective, and personal favorites will always vary. But every film here has earned its place through excellence, influence, or emotional impact.

If you’re building your watchlist, this is the perfect place to start.