This profound list of 101 best movies of all time contains all the top-ranked films ever made in the history of cinema. From Shawshank Redemption to Green mile, and from Godfather to Forrest Gump, this list has all the movies that you must watch at least once in your lifetime.
Crack your corn choose your favorite movie, sit back, and enjoy watching the gems of cinema.
101 Best Movies Ever Made: The Full List
Ready to pick your great watch of the day? We have provided both the year of release and IMDb ranking beside each film to make it easier for you to choose. That being said, we are sure that all the films that made to this list are definitely worth a watch.
1. The Shawshank Redemption | 1994| 9.2 IMDB
The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. The film tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence.
You may also want to check this list of 15 top movies similar to Shawshank Redemption.
2. The Godfather |1972 | 9.2 IMDB
The Godfather is a crime drama about the Corleone family, one of the most powerful Mafia families in America. The story follows the family’s patriarch, Vito Corleone, as he tries to maintain his power and control over the family business. The Godfather is considered one of the greatest movies of all time, and its success helped launch the careers of its stars, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. You can also check this list of 15 great movies like Godfather.
3. The Dark Knight | 2008 | 9.0 IMDB
The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, based on the DC Comics character Batman. The film stars Christian Bale as Batman, Heath Ledger as the Joker, Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent / Two-Face, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, and Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon. The Dark Knight was released on July 18, 2008, in the United States, and grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
4. The Godfather: Part II | 1974 | 9.0 IMDB
The Godfather: Part II is a 1974 American crime epic that continues the story of The Godfather, while also serving as a prequel to the original film. The film stars Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, and Robert De Niro. The film received critical acclaim, with some critics calling it superior to the original film. The Godfather: Part II won the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor (Al Pacino), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo).
5. 12 Angry Men | 1957 | 8.9 IMDB
12 Angry Men is a classic courtroom drama that follows the jury of a murder trial as they deliberate the fate of the accused. The film is a tense and gripping examination of the American justice system, and the 12 men must put aside their personal biases and prejudices in order to reach a fair verdict. Despite the high stakes, the film is also a thought-provoking meditation on the nature of truth and justice.
6. Schindler’s List | 1993 | 8.9 IMDB
Schindler’s List is a 1993 American historical drama film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Zaillian. It is based on the novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally, an Australian novelist.
Schindler’s List tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.
7. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | 2003 | 8.9 IMDB
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the last movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The movie follows the characters as they fight against the evil Sauron. The movie was well-received by critics and won multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture.
8. Pulp Fiction | 1994 | 8.9 IMDB
Pulp Fiction is a crime thriller directed by Quentin Tarantino. The movie follows the lives of two hitmen, Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, as they go about their day-to-day work. The movie is non-linear, meaning the story is not told in chronological order and features an ensemble cast including John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, and Bruce Willis. Pulp Fiction was a critical and commercial success and is considered one of the greatest movies of all time.
9. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | 2001| 8.8 IMDB
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is an epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson, based on the novel of the same name by J. R. R. Tolkien. The film tells the story of a group of hobbits, men, dwarves, and elves who band together to destroy the One Ring, which is controlled by the Dark Lord Sauron. The film was nominated for 13 Academy Awards, winning 4, and was a critical and commercial success.
10. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly | 1966 | 8.8 IMDB
The movie is a spaghetti western that follows the three titular characters as they compete to find a treasure of gold buried in a cemetery. The Good is a former Confederate soldier, the Bad is a ruthless killer, and the Ugly is a Mexican bandit. The three characters are constantly double-crossing each other, and the movie culminates in a showdown between them.
11. Forrest Gump | 1994 | 8.8
The movie is a heartwarming story about a simple man with a good heart. Forrest (played by Tom Hanks) has an IQ of 75, but that doesn’t stop him from leading an extraordinary life. He goes on to become a Vietnam War hero, a successful shrimp boat captain, and even finds love along the way. Forrest Gump is a feel-good film that will leave you feeling uplifted and hopeful.
12. Fight Club | 1999 | 8.8 IMDB
Fight Club is a 1999 American film based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The film was directed by David Fincher and stars Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter. Flight club revolves around an unnamed protagonist who is struggling with insomnia and forms a “fight club” with Tyler Durden, a soap maker. The movie was a commercial and critical success and has since been considered a cult classic.
13. Inception | 2010| 8.7 IMDB
Inception is a 2010 science fiction action film written, co-produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan, and co-produced by Emma Thomas. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a professional thief who steals information by infiltrating the subconscious and 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.
14. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | 2002 | 8.7 IMDB
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is the second movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It was released in 2002 and directed by Peter Jackson. The movie is based on the second book in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The movie follows the journey of the characters as they attempt to destroy the One Ring and defeat the evil Sauron.
15. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back | 1980 | 8.7 IMDB
The Empire Strikes Back is the fifth installment in the Star Wars franchise. It was released in 1980 and directed by Irvin Kershner. The movie picks up three years after the events of the first movie, with the rebels being forced to retreat to their hidden base on the ice planet Hoth. The empire soon discovers their location, leading to a massive attack.
16. The Matrix | 1999 | 8.7 IMDB
In the movie The Matrix, a group of rebels fights against the machines that have taken over the world. The humans are able to connect to the matrix, which is a computer program that controls the machines. The rebels are able to use their skills to fight against the machines and eventually defeat them.
17. Goodfellas | 1990 | 8.7 IMDB
Based on the book “Wiseguy” by Nicholas Pileggi, Goodfellas is a 1990 American crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. It stars Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci. The film tells the true story of Henry Hill, a small-time gangster who eventually becomes a made man in the New York Mafia. The film follows Hill’s life from 1955 to 1980, focusing on his involvement in organized crime and his relationships with his wife, Karen, and his friends, Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito. Goodfellas is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.
18. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest | 1975 | 8.6 IMDB
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Milos Forman, based on the 1962 novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey. The film stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, an anti-authoritarian criminal who is sent to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation. There, he clashes with the hospital’s tyrannical head nurse, Mildred Ratched.
20. Seven Samurai | 1954 | 8.6 IMDB
Set in 16th century Japan, “Seven Samurai” follows a group of masterless samurai who agree to protect a small village from a group of bandits. The samurai train the villagers in the art of warfare and, together, they build a formidable defense. But when the bandits finally attack, the samurai and villagers must fight for their lives in one of the most epic battles ever put on film.
21. It’s a Wonderful Life | 1946 | 8.6 IMDB
George Bailey has a wonderful life. He’s a good husband, father, and friend. He’s also a successful businessman. But when he’s faced with financial ruin, he begins to question whether his life is really wonderful. With the help of his guardian angel, Clarence, George learns that his life has been full of blessings.
22. The Silence of the Lambs | 1991 | 8.6 IMDB
The movie The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller that follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she tries to catch a serial killer, known as Buffalo Bill, who is kidnapping and murdering young women. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris.
23. City of God | 2002 | 8.6
A young man named Rocket grows up in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. He dreams of becoming a photographer but gets caught up in the city’s crime and violence. Despite the danger, he persists in trying to capture the beauty and hope of his home through his lens.
24. Saving Private Ryan | 1998 | 8.6 IMDB
Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American epic war film set during World War II. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film stars Tom Hanks as United States Army Ranger Captain John H. Miller and Matt Damon as Private First Class James Francis Ryan, who is the last-surviving brother of four servicemen. The film received universal acclaim, winning several awards for film, cast, and crew, as well as earning significant returns at the box office.
25. Life Is Beautiful | 1997 | 8.6 IMDB
In the movie Life Is Beautiful, a Jewish man and his family are sent to a concentration camp during World War II. The man, Guido, tries to make the best of the situation by making it into a game for his son. Despite the horrific conditions, the family manages to stick together and survive.