Top 100 Movies Of All Time Poster

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The film tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover. Despite a seemingly hopeless situation, he never gives up hope and eventually gains the respect and friendship of his fellow inmates, including Red (Morgan Freeman). Through his friendship and unwavering determination, Andy eventually turns the tables on his captors and orchestrates a daring escape. The film is a timeless story of hope, friendship, and redemption.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather is a classic 1972 gangster drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo. It follows the life of mafia Don Vito Corleone and the tribulations of his crime family. After Vito's death, his son Michael takes over the family business and attempts to move them away from the criminal underworld by creating legitimate business opportunities. However, his attempts are met with opposition from rival crime families who want to keep the Corleones in the criminal world. Throughout the film, Michael deals with the enemies of his family as he struggles to keep his family's criminal empire together and protect them from harm. It stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Diane Keaton. The Godfather has become an iconic movie, receiving critical acclaim and numerous awards.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan. The film features the DC Comics character Batman and stars Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Gary Oldman. The film follows Batman's attempt to battle a criminal mastermind known as the Joker, played by Ledger, who is bent on creating chaos in Gotham City. With the help of Police Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman attempts to bring justice to Gotham but is forced to make choices that will ultimately test his own morality. The film is widely acclaimed for its performances, action sequences, and visual effects.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
Rated R

Schindler's List is a 1993 American historical drama film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg. It is based on the novel Schindler's Ark by Australian novelist Thomas Keneally. The film follows the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of over a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. The film chronicles Schindler's transformation from a profiteer to a humanitarian, by focusing on the events surrounding his interactions with the Nazi commandant Amon Goeth and members of the Jewish community. Schindler's efforts to save the Jews from genocide and forced labor are ultimately successful, and he is credited with saving the lives of over a thousand people. The film uses intense and powerful imagery to portray the human tragedy of the Holocaust, and was the first major motion picture to address the subject. The film won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

From Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom
Rated PG-13

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the third and final installment of Peter Jackson's epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. The movie follows the continuing journey of Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and the Fellowship of the Ring as they make their way to Mount Doom in Mordor to destroy the One Ring and defeat the evil forces of Sauron. Along the way, the group must face down Orcs, Uruk-Hai, and Ringwraiths as they defend the kingdom of Gondor against an impending attack from the armies of Mordor. After a long and hard-fought battle, Frodo successfully destroys the ring and the forces of Sauron are vanquished. In the end, peace is restored to Middle Earth and the Fellowship of the Ring returns home.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis
Rated R

Pulp Fiction is an American crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The movie tells several stories of criminal Los Angeles. The plot interweaves the stories of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster’s wife, and a pair of diner bandits. The hit men, Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, are hired to retrieve a briefcase stolen from their employer, mob boss Marsellus Wallace. Vincent and Jules’ experiences intertwine with those of their boss’s wife, Mia, gangster Butch Coolidge, and “Pumpkin” and “Honey Bunny”, two robbers who hold up a diner. Through their respective tales of black comedy, crime, and violence, the film explores themes of fate, redemption, and the human condition.

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier
Rated R

Fight Club is a 1999 American film directed by David Fincher, based on Chuck Palahniuk's novel of the same name. The film follows the narrator, an unnamed white-collar worker (Edward Norton), who forms an underground fight club with Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). The fight club's activities lead to a revolution against the corporate system and its consumer culture. The film also explores themes of nihilism, masculinity, and anticonsumerism. The film is noted for its violence, dark humor, and its social commentary on modern day society.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field
Rated PG-13

Forrest Gump is a 1994 American comedy-drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Eric Roth. The film is based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom, and stars Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, and Sally Field. The story tells of Forrest Gump, an intellectually disabled man from Alabama, who, with the help of his mother, embarks on an extraordinary life journey that spans much of the 20th century. Along the way, he meets a variety of people, all of whom shape his life in various ways, leading him to become a Vietnam War hero and an icon of American culture. The film also won an Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director (Robert Zemeckis), Best Actor (Tom Hanks), Best Adapted Screenplay (Eric Roth), Best Visual Effects (Ken Ralston and George Murphy), and two Golden Globe Awards.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe
Rated PG-13

Inception is a science-fiction action-adventure film directed and written by Christopher Nolan. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb, a skilled thief who specializes in entering people's dreams and stealing their secrets. Cobb is offered a chance to regain his old life in exchange for one last job: planting an idea into another person’s subconscious. He assembles a team of talented individuals to help him, and they must navigate their way through a web of dreams and nightmares to achieve their goal. The stakes are high, and their journey is filled with incredible action sequences, intense suspense, and mind-bending twists and turns. Inception is an unforgettable exploration of the power of the mind and the potential of human creativity.

From Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean
Rated PG-13

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is an epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson. The movie follows a fellowship of nine heroes, who set out on a quest for the magical Ring of Power. Along the way, the fellowship must face off against the fearsome Dark Lord Sauron and his army of Ringwraiths. The heroes must battle the forces of evil and ultimately destroy the Ring in order to save Middle-Earth from doom. The film stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, and Liv Tyler. The movie won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and numerous other awards. It is the first installment of the "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which was followed by The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003).

From Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffrè
Rated R

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a 1966 Italian spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Eli Wallach. Set during the American Civil War, the story follows three gunslingers as they compete to find a hidden cache of Confederate gold. Blondie (Eastwood) is a manipulative bounty hunter, Angel Eyes (Van Cleef) is a cold-blooded hired killer, and Tuco (Wallach) is a desperate outlaw who Blondie and Angel Eyes team up to find. Along the way, the three men must navigate through a number of gunfights and treachery as they race to be the first to uncover the treasure. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest Westerns ever made, and is known for its iconic score, its epic cinematography, and its iconic characters.

From Peter Jackson, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom
Rated PG-13

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a 2002 epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson and based on the second volume of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The film follows the continuing quest of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee as they travel towards Mordor in order to destroy the One Ring. Along the way, they are aided by the enigmatic Gollum, the resurrected Gandalf The White, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, who join forces to help the Fellowship of the Ring against the forces of Sauron and Saruman. The film also sees the kingdom of Rohan rise up against the evil forces of Saruman, who is determined to take over Middle-Earth by using the power of the Ring. The Two Towers culminates with an epic battle between the forces of good and evil, in which the future of Middle-Earth is determined.

From Irvin Kershner, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, directed by Irvin Kershner, is the second installment in the original Star Wars trilogy. After the Rebel Alliance destroyed the Death Star, Darth Vader and his Imperial forces are desperate to hunt down Luke Skywalker. Luke, along with his fellow Rebels, is on the run from the Empire and must find a way to save the galaxy. Meanwhile, Vader has enlisted the help of bounty hunter Boba Fett to capture Han Solo, a close friend of Luke's, who is frozen in carbonite. Luke and his friends are pushed to their limits as the Empire intensifies its attacks. Through training with the wise Jedi Master Yoda, Luke discovers his true power, and must confront Vader in a duel to the death. With the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, will Luke be able to defeat the powerful Sith Lord?

From Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction action film directed by the Wachowski sisters, Lana and Lilly. The movie follows the story of Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves), a computer programmer who discovers that the world he lives in is not real, but an artificial reality known as "the Matrix". After being contacted by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Anderson joins the rebellion against the machines and learns the truth about the Matrix. He is trained by Morpheus and Neo (Reeves) to use his newfound abilities to fight against the machines and free humanity from the Matrix's prison. With the help of Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and others, Neo leads the rebellion against the machines, ultimately succeeding and freeing humanity from the Matrix.

From Roberto Benigni, starring Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Giorgio Cantarini, Giustino Durano
Rated PG-13

Life Is Beautiful is an Oscar-winning Italian comedy-drama film directed by Roberto Benigni, who also stars in the lead role as Guido Orefice. Set in 1939 Italy, the story follows the life of Guido, a Jewish bookstore owner and father, as he struggles to protect his young son Giosué from the horrors of the Holocaust. Guido uses his imagination to transform their imprisonment in a concentration camp into a game in which the winner will receive a tank as a grand prize. Through his courage, wit, and a lot of imagination, Guido manages to keep Giosué alive and provide hope during the darkest of times. In the end, the powerful story of this father and son’s bond amidst the horrors of war is a testament to the power of love and hope.

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror film directed by Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster as FBI trainee Clarice Starling, and Anthony Hopkins as the notorious serial killer, Hannibal Lecter. Set in motion when a serial killer nicknamed "Buffalo Bill" begins kidnapping and murdering young women, Clarice is sent to interview the incarcerated Lecter in hopes of gaining insight that will help the FBI catch the killer. As Clarice engages in a psychological battle of wits with the imprisoned doctor, she must also confront her own demons in order to break the case. In a shocking conclusion, Clarice must confront the killer in a terrifying showdown. The Silence of the Lambs won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Hopkins, and Best Actress for Foster.

From George Lucas, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope is the fourth installment of the Star Wars saga, released in 1977 and directed by George Lucas. Set in a distant galaxy long ago, the story follows a spunky farm boy, Luke Skywalker, and two droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, on a quest to save the galaxy from the tyrannical Empire. Along the way, they meet a host of interesting characters, including Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke joins forces with the Rebellion and learns of the power of the Force and discovers his place in the universe. With the help of the Rebel Alliance, Luke and his friends fight to defeat the Empire and restore freedom to the galaxy.

From Hayao Miyazaki, starring Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Miyu Irino, Rumi Hiiragi
Rated PG

Spirited Away, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, is a 2001 fantasy-adventure film about a young girl, Chihiro, who finds herself trapped in a spirit world after her parents are turned into pigs. Chihiro is taken in by the witch Yubaba, who forces her to work in her bathhouse. With the help of a mysterious boy named Haku, Chihiro must discover her inner strength and face her fears in order to make it back to her own world. Along the way, she encounters a variety of characters, some friendly and some not so friendly, including a river spirit, a radish spirit, and the mysterious No-Face. In the end, with the help of her new friends, Chihiro is able to escape the spirit world and return to her own world.

From David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Kevin Walker
Rated R

Se7en is a 1995 thriller/mystery film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey. The film follows two detectives, Somerset (Freeman) and Mills (Pitt), as they investigate a series of murders based on the seven deadly sins. As their investigation progresses, their pursuit of the mysterious killer leads them to a shocking and horrifying conclusion. Along the way, the detectives discover the depths of human depravity and their own limitations in the face of it. The film is both a gripping crime thriller and a dark psychological study of morality, making it a classic of the genre.

From Directors: Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund, starring Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino, Matheus Nachtergaele, Phellipe Haagensen
Rated R

City of God is a 2002 Brazilian drama film set in the 1960s and 70s in Rio de Janeiro's Cidade de Deus (City of God) housing project. The film is based on the 1997 novel of the same name by Paulo Lins and follows the story of two young boys living in the slums of the city and their journey to adulthood. Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues) is a poor, aspiring photographer who is determined to rise above the violence and poverty of his surroundings. On the other side of the law is Li'l Zé (Leandro Firmino da Hora) who is determined to become the city's most powerful crime lord. The film follows both of their stories and shows how the choices they make have life-altering consequences. It is a violent and gritty film but it also highlights the beauty and resilience of the people living in the City of God. As the stories intertwine, it paints a vivid portrait of the city, its people, and their struggles.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy
Rated PG-13

Interstellar is a 2014 science fiction film directed by Christopher Nolan. The film follows a team of explorers who travel through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. The team is led by a former NASA pilot, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), who is joined by a group of scientists including Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway), Doyle (Wes Bentley), Romilly (David Gyasi), and Professor Brand (Michael Caine). The crew is forced to make difficult decisions and face great dangers as they attempt to find a new planet that can sustain life. Along the way, they encounter strange phenomena and a mysterious artificial intelligence, TARS (voiced by Bill Irwin). The film features spectacular visuals and a gripping story, exploring themes of love and loss, sacrifice and hope. Ultimately, the crew must make a decision that will determine the fate of mankind.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
Rated R

Saving Private Ryan is an American war film released in 1998. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film tells the story of a group of U.S. soldiers who are sent on a mission to find and bring home a paratrooper whose three brothers have been killed in action during World War II. The film follows the men as they embark on a dangerous mission across enemy-held territory to find the missing soldier, and their struggle to survive against both the enemy and the emotional and physical toll of war. Along the way, they must also come to terms with their own mortality and the sacrifices they must make to complete their mission. Filled with intense battle scenes, Saving Private Ryan is both a powerful tribute to those who served in World War II and a gripping tale of survival and courage.

From Frank Darabont, starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt
Rated R

The Green Mile is a 1999 American fantasy drama film based on Stephen King's 1996 novel of the same name, directed and written by Frank Darabont, and starring Tom Hanks, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt and Michael Clarke Duncan. The film follows a supernatural story of death row inmate John Coffey, who possesses mysterious healing powers, and is accused of murdering two girls. The Green Mile takes place on Death Row in the Cold Mountain Penitentiary in 1935, as guard Paul Edgecomb (Hanks) develops a unique relationship with Coffey and comes to question his own beliefs on life, death, justice and redemption. Ultimately, Coffey's extraordinary powers, the kindness of Edgecomb and his fellow guards, and a miracle of justice provide an unforgettable experience of hope and redemption.

From Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshirô Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima, Yukiko Shimazaki
Rated Not Rated

Seven Samurai is a 1954 Japanese epic samurai drama film directed by Akira Kurosawa. The storyline follows a village of farmers who hire seven masterless samurai to protect them from bandits. The samurai, with varied personalities and skills, are led by veteran Kambei and also include Kikuchiyo, a man of peasant origins who wants to be a samurai. Through years of training, the seven samurai learn to work together and devise a plan to protect the village. In the end, the farmers and samurai triumph over the bandits and come together as a unified community. The film is recognized as an important work of Japanese cinema and is hailed as one of the greatest films ever made.

From Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains
Rated PG

Casablanca is an iconic 1942 romantic drama directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Set during the early days of World War II in the titular city of Casablanca, the film follows Rick Blaine, a cynical ex-pat American who runs a nightclub in the city. Rick encounters Ilsa Lund, an old flame who is now married to a Czech Resistance leader and who is in danger of being captured by the Nazis. As Rick is forced to choose between love and virtue, he must decide whether to help Ilsa and her husband, Victor Laszlo, escape from the Nazis or remain neutral in the conflict. The movie also features a strong supporting cast of characters, including the shady Captain Renault, the bumbling police chief, and the notorious Ugarte. As the plot thickens, Rick is forced to make tough decisions under immense pressure and must eventually confront his past. The film is considered one of the all-time greats and was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won three, including Best Picture.