Top 250 Movies

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

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Prison for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the course of his time in prison, he befriends a fellow inmate, Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), and finds himself protected by the guards after the warden begins using him in his money-laundering operation. With the help of his friends, Andy is eventually able to gain his freedom and reunite with Red. The film received critical acclaim, was nominated for seven Academy Awards, and was a box office success, grossing over $28 million worldwide.

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

The Godfather is a 1972 American crime epic directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy, based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel of the same name. It stars Marlon Brando and Al Pacino as the leaders of a powerful New York crime family. The story spans 10 years from 1945 to 1955 and chronicles the family under the patriarch Vito Corleone, focusing on the transformation of his son Michael Corleone from reluctant family outsider to ruthless mafia boss. In addition to Brando and Pacino, the film features an all-star cast including James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, and John Cazale. The film received universal acclaim and is regarded by many as one of the greatest films ever made. It was the recipient of three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for Brando.

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

The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero action-thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Heath Ledger as the Joker, and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face. The film follows Bruce Wayne/Batman as he battles the criminal mastermind Joker, who is determined to destroy Gotham City and plunge it into chaos. Throughout the story, Batman must confront his own inner demons and struggle with his feelings for the beautiful but dangerous Rachel Dawes. The Dark Knight has been praised for its performances, direction, action sequences, and moral themes. It is often cited as one of the greatest films of all time, and has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather Part II is a 1974 American epic crime drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by Albert S. Ruddy, based on Mario Puzo's best-selling novel of the same name. It is both a sequel and a prequel to The Godfather (1972), which is the first installment in The Godfather trilogy. The film is centered around the story of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), the new Don of the Corleone family, as he attempts to expand the family's business and secure its future. The story also follows his father Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro), from his early childhood in Sicily to his rise to power in New York City. Through the use of parallel storylines, this epic story of loyalty and family is told against a backdrop of violence, crime, and politics. It is an award-winning film, having won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor (De Niro).

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

Schindler's List is a 1993 American epic historical drama film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Zaillian. The film is based on the true 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. It stars Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ralph Fiennes as his pursuer Amon Göth, and Ben Kingsley as Schindler's Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern. The film follows Schindler's efforts to save the lives of over a thousand Polish Jews during World War II by employing them in his factory and providing them with false identity papers and other protection. It also examines the consequences of life in the Kraków Ghetto and the Plaszow concentration camp, and culminates in a powerful and emotional climax when Schindler's workers are saved at the last possible moment. The film was both a critical and commercial success, earning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Score, as well as numerous other awards.

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 in Peter Jackson's award-winning trilogy of films adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel. The story follows Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship of the Ring, who continue their quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron. As the battle for Middle-Earth rages on, tensions rise as the Fellowship attempts to keep the Ring safe and battle the evil forces of Mordor. Meanwhile, the people of Gondor prepare for a final confrontation with Sauron's armies. In this epic conclusion of the trilogy, the fate of Middle-Earth hangs in the balance as the Fellowship fights to destroy the Ring and save the world.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam, John Fiedler
Rated Approved

12 Angry Men is a classic courtroom drama directed by Sidney Lumet. The story takes place in a New York City jury room, where a group of twelve men must decide the fate of a young man accused of murdering his father. As they deliberate, they must confront their own preconceptions and prejudices in order to reach a unanimous verdict. At first, all but one of the jurors vote guilty, but a persistent dissenting juror, played by Henry Fonda, slowly persuades the others to look at the evidence more closely. In the end, the jury manages to come to a unanimous not guilty verdict, revealing the importance of questioning one's own biases in order to come to the right decision.

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

Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film, which follows the intertwining storylines of mobsters, small-time criminals, and a mysterious briefcase, stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, and Christopher Walken. Set in Los Angeles, the film follows hitmen Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, who are on a mission to recover a mysterious briefcase for their boss, Marsellus Wallace. Along the way, their paths cross with a variety of characters, including a washed-up boxer, a suicidal pawn shop owner, and a pair of bank robbers. As the storylines converge, the characters are forced to confront the consequences of their violent actions. Pulp Fiction was an instant critical and commercial success, and is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time. The film was also noted for its intricate dialogue and creative use of nonlinear storytelling. Tarantino was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival, and the film earned seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

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

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a classic spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone. Set during the American Civil War, the film follows three gunslingers who are competing to find a hidden fortune. Blondie (the Good), a professional gunslinger, Angel Eyes (the Bad), a ruthless, cold-blooded killer, and Tuco (the Ugly), a bandit who has been thrown in jail numerous times, form an uneasy alliance to pursue the treasure. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and betrayals in their pursuit of the money. Along with its iconic characters, the film is best known for its unforgettable score composed by Ennio Morricone. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is one of the most acclaimed westerns of all time, and it has become an enduring cult classic.

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

Forrest Gump is a 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film stars Tom Hanks as the title character, who embarks on a journey through the U.S. during the mid-1960s. Forrest experiences a series of important events in U.S. history such as the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and the birth of the hippie movement, all while still maintaining his simple outlook on life. Along the way, he meets a wide variety of people, including Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, and John Lennon, and develops a relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Jenny (Robin Wright). Despite his mental limitations, Forrest demonstrates great courage and wisdom, and eventually finds true love and inner peace.

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

Inception is a science fiction action thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb, a thief who enters the subconscious of his targets in order to extract valuable information. Cobb and his team are tasked with planting an idea, rather than stealing one, into the mind of a CEO and must survive the dangerous world of dreams and memories to pull off the mission. Along the way, they face a number of obstacles and must rely on each other to complete the job. The film features mind-bending visuals, intense action sequences, and an intricate and thought-provoking story that keeps the audience guessing until the very end.

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 directed by Peter Jackson. The story follows a small group of heroes, dubbed the Fellowship of the Ring, as they set out on a quest to destroy the One Ring, a powerful and evil artifact created by the Dark Lord Sauron. Along the way, they must brave perilous dangers, such as the Ringwraiths, the Balrog, and the Orcs. They must also enlist the help of unlikely allies, such as elves, wizards, and even a talking tree. Ultimately, the Fellowship must battle the Dark Lord himself, in order to save Middle Earth from his tyranny.

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

Fight Club is a 1999 dark comedy directed by David Fincher. It follows an unnamed protagonist (Edward Norton), an insomniac office worker who is discontented with his white-collar job. He forms a "fight club" with soap maker Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt) and they are joined by men who also want to fight recreationally. The fight club's activities evolve into an underground movement that starts to threaten the security of the government and corporate America. The protagonist finds himself in a mental battle against Tyler, whose goal is to liberate people from their mundane lives. In the end, the protagonist is forced to choose between his fight club and his own identity.

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

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is the second movie in the famous Lord of the Rings trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson. The story continues after the events of The Fellowship of the Ring; Frodo and Sam must continue their journey to Mordor to destroy the One Ring, while the rest of the fellowship attempt to defend Middle-earth against the growing evil of Sauron and his army. Along the way they encounter the Ents, who have awoken to protect the woods of Fangorn, encounter the Riders of Rohan who are sworn to the service of the fallen King Theoden, and must ultimately confront the might of the Uruk-Hai at the walls of the ancient city of Helm's Deep. In the end, the fellowship and their allies must draw on all their courage and strength to stand against the power of the dark lord and save Middle-earth.

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

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space-opera film directed by Irvin Kershner and written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas. Set three years after the events of the first film, Episode V follows the story of Luke Skywalker, a young Jedi Knight, and his friends as they battle the Galactic Empire. The Imperial forces are in pursuit of the rebels and capture Han Solo. Luke embarks on a quest to rescue his friend and learns the ways of the Jedi from the wise and powerful Yoda. Meanwhile, Han and his friends are held captive in Cloud City, where Darth Vader reveals that he is Luke's father. Luke confronts Vader in a thrilling lightsaber duel and is eventually rescued by his friends. The rebels then embark on a mission to destroy the Empire's new weapon, the Death Star II. In the end, Luke escapes with the help of his friends and decides to continue his Jedi training.

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

"The Matrix" (1999) is a science fiction action film directed by siblings Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski. It stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker who discovers the truth behind the Matrix, a simulated reality created by sentient machines. In the Matrix, the machines use humans as their power source and enslave them in a false reality. Neo is recruited by rebel leader Morpheus to join the fight against the machines. With the help of Trinity and other rebels, Neo must learn the secrets of the Matrix and use them to save humanity. The film features groundbreaking visual effects, intense action sequences, and thought-provoking themes, making it one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Rated R

Goodfellas is a classic crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese and released in 1990. The film follows the story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), an Italian-American mobster, and his two friends, Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro). Together, the three rise up through the ranks of the notorious Lucchese crime family in the 1970s, becoming a powerful criminal trio. However, their success comes with a price, as their lives become increasingly complicated and filled with violence and betrayal. As the authorities start to close in on them, the trio face a struggle to stay ahead of the law and keep their criminal empire intact. Goodfellas is filled with vivid and intense moments, and its dramatic storytelling and gritty visuals make it one of Scorsese's most acclaimed films.

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American dark comedy-drama directed by Milos Forman and starring Jack Nicholson. The film follows the story of Randle McMurphy, a criminal who is sent to a mental institution after pretending to be insane in order to escape a prison work farm. Once inside, he challenges the oppressive authority of Nurse Ratched, who runs the institution with an iron fist. With the help of his fellow inmates, McMurphy attempts to take back control of the facility and restore a sense of freedom and joy. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Jack Nicholson.

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

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope is a 1977 American epic space-opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Cushing, and Alec Guinness. Set nineteen years after the formation of the Galactic Empire, the film follows the quest of Luke Skywalker, a young farm boy, to join the Rebel Alliance in battling the Galactic Empire. Along the way, he is aided by a motley group of rebels, including the smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee friend, Chewbacca. Together, they face Darth Vader, the Emperor’s chief enforcer, as well as the relentless Stormtroopers. In the end, by destroying the planet-destroying superweapon, the Death Star, the Rebel Alliance defeats the Galactic Empire and brings peace to the galaxy.

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

City of God is a 2002 Brazilian crime drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund. Set in the Cidade de Deus slum of Rio de Janeiro, the film follows the story of two young boys, who take different paths: one becomes a photographer and the other a drug dealer. The film chronicles the growth of organized crime in the area from the 1960s to the 1980s, as crime and violence become an everyday reality for the slum's inhabitants. With its vivid cinematography, intense performances from its cast, and raw, often violent realism, City of God is an unflinching portrait of the realities of life in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. The film won numerous awards and was the official Brazilian entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 76th Academy Awards.

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

Seven Samurai is a classic 1954 Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa. Set in feudal Japan, the story follows a village of farmers who hire seven masterless samurai to help defend them against a band of marauding bandits. The samurai agree, and the villagers are trained to help defend their homes. Through a series of battles and events, the samurai and villagers ultimately succeed in warding off the bandits. Along the way, the samurai develop close bonds with the villagers and come to understand the importance of loyalty and honor. As a result of their successful defense, the village is saved from destruction and the samurai's reputations are elevated, allowing them to start new lives.

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

Interstellar is a science-fiction epic directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain. The film follows a team of astronauts who travel through a newly discovered wormhole to find a new home planet for humanity, as Earth is becoming increasingly uninhabitable. Along the way, they face a variety of challenges, including the forces of time and space, an alien world, and their own personal demons. Ultimately, they must make difficult choices that will determine the fate of humanity.

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

The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 American psychological horror-thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme, based on Thomas Harris's 1988 novel of the same name. The film follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she enlists the help of the infamous cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to help her track down another serial killer, Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). Throughout the film, Lecter provides her with insight and clues to help her solve the case, while simultaneously manipulating her with psychological games. The film is a thrilling cat-and-mouse game between Clarice and Lecter, as she slowly comes to understand the darkness in her own mind and the depths of Lecter's depravity. Ultimately, Clarice is able to use Lecter's knowledge to her advantage and apprehends Buffalo Bill, leading to her professional success. The Silence of the Lambs won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins' performance as Hannibal Lecter.

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

Se7en is a psychological thriller directed by David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. Set in a unnamed city, the film follows two detectives, Mills (Pitt) and Somerset (Freeman), as they investigate a series of gruesome murders inspired by the seven deadly sins. As they delver deeper into the case, they become aware of the killer's agenda and the fate of his final victim. As the detectives race to catch him, their own morality and mortality are put to the test. Along the way, they uncover a shocking truth that is darker and more disturbing than anything they could have imagined.

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

Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American war film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat. The plot is set during World War II and follows United States Army Rangers Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) and his squad as they search for a paratrooper, Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), who is the last-surviving brother of four servicemen. As Miller and his men fight their way across Europe to find him, the mission turns into a moral and personal journey. Along the way, the soldiers face the harsh realities of war and grapple with their own individual philosophies about life, death, and the value of the human spirit. The film was widely acclaimed for its realistic and gritty depiction of combat, sound design, musical score, and visual effects. It went on to win numerous awards and is widely considered to be one of the greatest war films ever made.