When it comes to the greatest films of all time, the conversation often turns to classics like “The Godfather,” “Casablanca,” and “Citizen Kane.” But, what about the other 97 films that round out the top 100 movies of all time? Here is a list of 100 movies that have stood the test of time and have been considered as some of the best films ever made.
- The Godfather (1972) – Crime/Drama
The story of the Corleone crime family and their rise to power in New York City. - The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Drama
A story of a banker named Andy Dufresne, who is falsely convicted of murder and sent to Shawshank State Penitentiary, but finds hope and redemption through his friendship with fellow inmate, Ellis “Red” Redding. - Schindler’s List (1993) – Historical/Drama
The true story of a German businessman, Oskar Schindler, who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jewish refugees during World War II. - Pulp Fiction (1994) – Crime/Drama
A film that tells multiple interconnected stories through its nonlinear narrative, pop culture references, and black humor. - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) – Fantasy/Adventure
The final film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it follows hobbit Frodo Baggins and his quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. - 12 Angry Men (1957) – Courtroom/Drama
A story of a jury of 12 men as they deliberate the guilt or acquittal of a defendant on the basis of reasonable doubt. - The Dark Knight (2008) – Superhero/Action
The story of Batman and his fight against the Joker and his criminal empire. - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) – Western
The story of a bounty hunter and two criminals who embark on a journey to find a hidden treasure during the Civil War. - Forrest Gump (1994) – Comedy/Drama
The story of Forrest Gump, a simple man with a low IQ, who becomes an unlikely hero and witnesses historic events in the 20th century. - Inception (2010) – Science fiction/Action
A story of a professional thief who is offered a chance to have his criminal history erased as payment for the implantation of another person’s idea into a target’s subconscious. - Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Science fiction/Action
The story of Luke Skywalker and his journey to become a Jedi Knight and defeat the Empire. - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) – Drama
The story of Randle Patrick McMurphy, a criminal who fakes insanity to serve his sentence in a mental institution, where he clashes with the authoritarian Nurse Ratched. - Goodfellas (1990) – Crime/Drama
The true story of mobster Henry Hill and his life in the mob. - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) – Fantasy/Adventure
The first film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it follows hobbit Frodo Baggins and his journey to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron, with the help of his companions in the Fellowship of the Ring. - Seven Samurai (1954) – Action/Drama
The story of a village of farmers who hire seven ronin (masterless samurai) to protect them from bandits. - The Matrix (1999) – Science fiction/Action
The story of Neo, a hacker, who discovers that the world as he knows it is a simulated reality created by sentient machines to pacify humanity. - City of God (2002) – Crime/Drama
The story of young boys growing up in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and their involvement in organized crime. - Se7en (1995) – Crime/Thriller
The story of two detectives, who are hunting a serial killer, who chooses victims based on the seven deadly sins. - Silence of the Lambs (1991) – Thriller/Crime
The story of an FBI agent, who is hunting a serial killer, known as Buffalo Bill, and enlists the help of a cannibalistic psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. - It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – Fantasy/Drama
The story of George Bailey, a man who has given up on his dreams, and is shown by an angel what life would be like if he had never been born. - Saving Private Ryan (1998) – War/Drama
The story of a squad of soldiers, who are sent to find and bring back a paratrooper, whose three brothers have been killed in action. - Léon: The Professional (1994) – Action/Crime
The story of a hitman, who takes in a young girl, after her family is killed, and trains her to be a killer. - Star Wars (1977) – Science fiction/Action
The story of Luke Skywalker and his journey to become a Jedi Knight and defeat the Empire. - The Green Mile (1999) – Fantasy/Drama
The story of Paul Edgecomb, a guard on Death Row in 1935, who befriends an inmate with a supernatural power to heal. - American History X (1998) – Crime/Drama
The story of a former neo-nazi, who tries to prevent his younger brother from going down the same path of hate and violence. - Apocalypse Now (1979) – War/Drama
The story of a U.S. Army officer, who is sent to find and kill a rogue colonel, who has set himself up as a god among a remote tribe in Cambodia. - Interstellar (2014) – Science fiction/Adventure
The story of a group of explorers, who travel through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. - The Pianist (2002) – Biographical/Drama
The true story of Władysław Szpilman, a Jewish pianist, who survived the Holocaust in Poland. - Memento (2000) – Thriller/Mystery
The story of a man, who suffers from anterograde amnesia, and is trying to find the person who killed his wife. - Braveheart (1995) – War/Drama
The story of William Wallace, a Scottish warrior, who leads his countrymen in a rebellion against the English. - Gladiator (2000) – Action/Drama
The story of a Roman general, who is betrayed and enslaved, and rises through the ranks of gladiators to avenge his family and restore honor to Rome. - City Lights (1931) – Romantic/Comedy
The story of a poor man who falls in love with a blind flower seller and tries to raise money for her sight to be restored. - Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) – Western
The story of a harmonica-playing stranger, who seeks revenge on the killer of his brother. - The Prestige (2006) – Mystery/Drama
The story of two rival stage magicians, who engage in a bitter and deadly rivalry. - Psycho (1960) – Horror/Thriller
The story of a young woman, who steals money from her employer and checks into a remote motel, run by a disturbed owner. - Whiplash (2014) – Music/Drama
The story of a young drummer, who enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory and struggles to make it to the top. - The Departed (2006) – Crime/Thriller
The story of two men, one an undercover cop and the other a mole within the police department, who are trying to outsmart each other in the midst of a rising crime organization. - Back to the Future (1985) – Science fiction/Comedy
The story of a teenager, who travels back in time and accidentally interferes with his parents’ meeting, putting his own existence in jeopardy. - Alien (1979) – Science fiction/Horror
The story of a crew of a commercial spaceship, who encounter a deadly alien creature that begins to stalk and kill them one by one. - Citizen Kane (1941) – Drama
The story of a newspaper tycoon, who rises to power and wealth, but ultimately loses everything he cares about. - There Will Be Blood (2007) – Historical/Drama
The story of a ruthless oilman, who will stop at nothing to make his fortune and gain power, even if it means sacrificing everything and everyone around him. - Amadeus (1984) – Historical/Drama
The story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the greatest composers of all time, and his rival, Antonio Salieri, who becomes obsessed with Mozart’s talent and becomes determined to destroy him. - American Beauty (1999) – Drama
The story of a suburban father, who is going through a midlife crisis and begins to question his life and values, while also developing an infatuation with his daughter’s best friend. - A Clockwork Orange (1971) – Science fiction/Crime
The story of a violent and intelligent young man, who is arrested and subjected to an experimental rehabilitation program, which ultimately backfires. - A Separation (2011) – Drama
The story of an Iranian couple, who are going through a separation and the events that unfold as a result. - Amélie (2001) – Romantic/Comedy
The story of a young woman, who discovers a box of childhood treasures hidden in her apartment and decides to return them to their rightful owners, while also searching for her own sense of purpose. - Braveheart (1995) – War/Drama
The story of William Wallace, a Scottish warrior, who leads his countrymen in a rebellion against the English. - Children of Heaven (1997) – Family/Drama
The story of a young Iranian boy, who loses his sister’s only pair of shoes and the lengths they go to keep it a secret from their parents. - Chinatown (1974) – Mystery/Thriller
The story of a private investigator, who gets caught up in a web of corruption and deception, while investigating a case involving a wealthy businessman and his daughter. - Citizen Kane (1941) – Drama
The story of a newspaper tycoon, who rises to power and wealth, but ultimately loses everything he cares about. - Double Indemnity (1944) – Crime/Film noir
The story of an insurance salesman and a housewife, who conspire to murder the housewife’s husband for his insurance money. - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) – Romance/Science fiction
The story of a man, who decides to have his memories of his ex-girlfriend erased, but begins to regret it as the process unfolds. - Full Metal Jacket (1987) – War/Drama
The story of a group of Marine recruits, who are trained for the Vietnam War and the psychological toll it takes on them. - Gandhi (1982) – Biographical/Drama
The story of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement, and his nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule. - Gone with the Wind (1939) – Historical/Romance
The story of Scarlett O’Hara, a strong-willed Southern belle, who tries to survive the Civil War and rebuild her life. - Good Will Hunting (1997) – Drama
The story of a young man, who is a janitor at MIT, but is also a genius-level mathematician, and the therapist who helps him overcome his past and find his true potential. - Grave of the Fireflies (1988) – War/Drama
The story of two siblings, who are trying to survive in Japan during World War II. - Heat (1995) – Crime/Thriller
The story of a detective and a professional thief, who become locked in a battle of wills, as the detective tries to catch the thief and the thief tries to pull off one last heist. - Inglourious Basterds (2009) – War/Drama
The story of a group of Jewish soldiers, who are on a mission to kill Nazis during World War II. - Into the Wild (2007) – Adventure/Biographical
The story of a young man, who drops out of society and goes on a journey of self-discovery, leading him to the Alaskan wilderness. - Jaws (1975) – Horror/Thriller
The story of a great white shark, who terrorizes a New England beach town, and the police chief, who sets out to hunt it down. - Lawrence of Arabia (1962) – Historical/Adventure
The story of T.E. Lawrence, a British Army officer, who becomes a legendary figure in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. - Life Is Beautiful (1997) – Drama/Comedy
The story of a Jewish father, who tries to protect his young son from the horrors of a concentration camp by pretending that it is all just a game. - Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) – Crime/Comedy
The story of four friends, who get in over their heads with a gangster, after a card game goes wrong. - M (1931) – Crime/Thriller
The story of a child killer, who is hunted by the police and the criminal underworld. - Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) – Comedy/Adventure
The story of King Arthur and his knights, as they embark on a quest for the Holy Grail. - My Neighbor Totoro (1988) – Fantasy/Family
The story of two sisters, who move to a new house in the countryside and discover magical creatures living in the forest nearby. - Mystic River (2003) – Crime/Drama
The story of three childhood friends, who are reunited after one of their daughters is murdered, and the investigation and personal struggles that follow. - No Country for Old Men (2007) – Crime/Thriller
The story of a man, who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and takes a satchel of money, only to be hunted by a ruthless hitman. - North by Northwest (1959) – Thriller/Adventure
The story of an advertising executive, who is mistaken for a government agent and must clear his name while being pursued by spies. - Oldboy (2003) – Thriller/Mystery
The story of a man, who is kidnapped and held captive for 15 years, and upon his release, sets out to find out who his captor was and why he was taken. - On the Waterfront (1954) – Crime/Drama
The story of a former boxer, who becomes a longshoreman and stands up against the corrupt union leaders. - Once Upon a Time in America (1984) – Crime/Drama
The story of a group of Jewish friends, who grow up in the early 20th century and become involved in organized crime in New York City. - Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) – Fantasy/Drama
The story of a young girl, who discovers a fantastical world and must complete dangerous tasks to prove her worth to the ruling queen. - Paths of Glory (1957) – War/Drama
The story of a French general, who orders his men to attack a heavily fortified German position, resulting in a tragic failure and the court-martial of three soldiers. - Persona (1966) – Drama/Psychological
The story of an actress and a nurse, who develop a deep bond and their identities begin to blur. - Platoon (1986) – War/Drama
The story of a young soldier, who serves in the Vietnam War and is caught in the middle of a battle between his own officers. - Ratatouille (2007) – Animation/Comedy
The story of a young rat, who has a passion for cooking and becomes the chef of a Parisian restaurant. - Rear Window (1954) – Mystery/Thriller
The story of a man, who is confined to his apartment with a broken leg, and begins to spy on his neighbors, only to suspect that one of them may have committed a murder. - Requiem for a Dream (2000) – Drama
The story of four individuals, whose lives spiral out of control as they struggle with addiction. - Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – Horror/Thriller
The story of a pregnant woman, who begins to suspect that her unborn child may be part of a satanic cult. - Schindler’s List (1993) – Biographical/Drama
The story of a German businessman, who saves the lives of more than a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. - Sherlock Jr. (1924) – Comedy/Crime
The story of a young man, who dreams of becoming a detective and finds himself transported into the movie he is watching. - Singin’ in the Rain (1952) – Musical/Comedy
The story of Hollywood actors, who are trying to navigate the transition from silent films to talkies in the 1920s. - Spirited Away (2001) – Animation/Fantasy
The story of a young girl, who enters a spirit world and must work in a bathhouse for spirits in order to find her way back home. - Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) – Science fiction/Adventure
The story of a young farm boy, who discovers that he is a Jedi and joins a rebellion against the evil Empire. - Sunset Boulevard (1950) – Film noir/Drama
The story of a down-on-his-luck screenwriter, who becomes entangled in a dangerous relationship with a faded Hollywood star. - Taxi Driver (1976) – Crime/Drama
The story of a Vietnam veteran, who becomes a taxi driver and descends into violence and madness as he becomes obsessed with cleaning up the streets of New York City. - The Apartment (1960) – Romantic/Comedy
The story of a man, who lends out his apartment to his coworkers for their extramarital affairs, but things become complicated when he falls in love with one of the women. - The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) – War/Drama
The story of a group of British soldiers, who are held as prisoners of war by the Japanese during World War II and forced to build a bridge, while their commanding officer struggles with his sense of duty and honor. - The Elephant Man (1980) – Biographical/Drama
The story of John Merrick, a man with severe physical deformities, and the doctor who takes him under his care and helps him to live a dignified life. - The Exorcist (1973) – Horror/Thriller
The story of a young girl, who is possessed by a demon and the two priests, who attempt to exorcise it. - The Godfather (1972) – Crime/Drama
The story of the Corleone crime family and the patriarch, Vito Corleone, who tries to maintain his power and keep his family together. - The Gold Rush (1925) – Adventure/Comedy
The story of a prospector, who travels to the Klondike during the gold rush of the 1890s and the struggles he faces. - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) – Western
The story of three gunslingers, who are competing to find a hidden treasure during the American Civil War. - The Grapes of Wrath (1940) – Historical/Drama
The story of a poor family, who are forced to leave their farm during the Great Depression and their struggles as they travel to California in search of work. - The Great Escape (1963) – War/Adventure
The story of a group of Allied prisoners of war, who plan and execute a mass escape from a German POW camp during World War II. - The Green Mile (1999) – Fantasy/Drama
The story of a death row corrections officer, who develops a friendship with a condemned man who has a supernatural ability. - The Hunt (2012) – Drama/Thriller
The story of a man, who is falsely accused of a crime and must fight to clear his name and regain his reputation in his small community. - The Incredibles (2004) – Animation/Superhero
The story of a family of superheroes, who are forced to live a normal life and must come out of retirement to save the world from a dangerous villain.
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With this list, you can watch some of the best movies of all time, spanning across different genres and eras. These films have stood the test of time and continue to be considered as some of the greatest films ever made. From the Godfather to City Lights and from The Shawshank Redemption to Goodfellas all the movies are worth watching.
