I’ve seen around 3,000 movies in my life and more than 2,000 of those before graduating high school. If you ask me my favorites, I’d include silly-but-fun films like Con Air. If you ask me about “the best” movies I’ve seen, well, that’s a much different list. I’ve made an attempt below.
To keep the list manageable and honest, I’ve used three filtering criteria:
For film series, e.g. Star Wars and Indiana Jones, I’ve limited myself to one film only;
I’ve excluded any film with a name that I couldn’t remember. This isn’t as obviously disqualifying as it sounds. For example, I really enjoyed Infinity Chamber and Down by Law, but try as I might, I had to look those films up by an actor or director; and
Lastly, I’ve excluded any film that I have no desire to see again, even if it was a masterpiece. Two examples are Schindler's List and Requiem for a Dream.
Coming up with this list was hard enough; I didn’t dare to order it. Instead, I’ve presented these 100 films in chronological order. I’d love to hear about your favorites, so feel free to ping me on Twitter.
Image Credit: True Romance (1993), Warner Bros.
My Top 100 Movies of All Time
King Kong (1933) - The stop motion effects still impress. Explores timeless themes of exploitation and fear. Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - One of the first and best examples of "alternate timelines." Jimmy Stewart is a treasure. Directed by Frank Capra.
Sunset Boulevard (1950) - A clever and memorable film that seemingly inspired American Beauty and L.A. Confidential. Directed by Billy Wilder.
Singin' in the Rain (1952) - Gene Kelly was an amazing dancer; Donald O'Connor may have been even better. Classic. Directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen.
Glen or Glenda (1953) - A film about cross dressing made by a transvestite. This is brave filmmaking, not exploitive. Directed by Ed Wood.
12 Angry Men (1957) - An exploration of bias and truth. Could have been a play, yet it makes for a gripping movie. Directed by Sidney Lumet.
Paths of Glory (1957) - My favorite Kubrick film. I can't think of a final scene that is more powerful than this one. Directed by Stanley Kubrick.
The Dirty Dozen (1967) - All-star cast portrays a team of misfits facing an impossible challenge. The genre started here. Directed by Robert Aldrich.
Midnight Cowboy (1969) - Captures the essence of New York City and deals with subject matter rarely seen in cinema. Directed by John Schlesinger.
Harold and Maude (1971) - An exploration of love, mortality and social stigmas. One of the first and best dark comedies. Directed by Hal Ashby.
The Last Picture Show (1971) - Depicts the ups, but mostly the downs, of being a coming-of-age youth in a dying town. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich.
Slaughterhouse-Five (1972) - Highlights the absurdity of war while using "clever cuts" to transport us across time and space. Directed by George Roy Hill.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) - Haunting performance by Louise Fletcher. A reminder that evil sometimes hides behind beauty. Directed by Miloš Forman.
Jaws (1975) - Still suspenseful, even though I know what happens next. Also remains politically relevant. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Rocky (1976) - An inspiring story about love, friendship and a man who has something to prove...to himself. Directed by John G. Avildsen.
The Godfather Saga (1977) - I've only seen the chronological edit of the first two Godfather films and it is a masterpiece. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
The Jerk (1979) - One of the rare cases where I find myself rooting for a hopelessly stupid character. Still funny. Directed by Carl Reiner.
Being There (1979) - Peter Sellers at his best. Lampoons the credulousness of politics and economics. Directed by Hal Ashby.
The Warriors (1979) - It's hard to imagine a movie like this being made in any era other than the one in which it was. Directed by Walter Hill.
The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - Multiple storylines woven together to make a whole better than its parts. Great editing. Directed by Irvin Kershner.
The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980) - The first 10 minutes of this film are thought-provoking; the slapstick gags are timeless. Directed by Jamie Uys.
Das Boot (1981) - A claustrophobic and atmospheric film that humanizes the Nazis; then it pulls the rug out. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - Action masterpiece that borrows from cinematic classics like Lawrence of Arabia. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance (1982) - Like watching the passage of time as a divine observer and seeing humanity veer off course. Directed by Godfrey Reggio.
Blade Runner (Theatrical Cut) (1982) - The miniatures, matte paintings and optical effects still look amazing. The score is haunting. Directed by Ridley Scott.
Ghostbusters (1984) - Sigourney Weaver are Ernie Hudson are the glue that hold the comedic cast together. Directed by Ivan Reitman.
The Terminator (1984) - Haunted my childhood, even though the stop-motion Model 101 never looked real. Directed by James Cameron.
Back to the Future (1985) - The stars aligned to deliver the perfect cast and the perfect car. Infinitely rewatchable. Directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Aliens (1986) - An ode to strong women. Adds depth and complexity to one of cinema's best female leads. Directed by James Cameron.
The Fly (1986) - Creepy and unsettling. I find myself rooting for the protagonist, then rooting against him. Directed by David Cronenberg.
Platoon (1986) - Explores the deep, uncomfortable truth that the good guys aren't always the good guys. Directed by Oliver Stone.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) - I never tire of this movie. Tak Fujimoto's cinematography is fantastic, yet rarely mentioned. Directed by John Hughes.
The Princess Bride (1987) - A timeless tale of love, heroism and friendship. The ending is abrupt, but not disappointing. Directed by Rob Reiner.
Robocop (1987) - Christian allegory gets a sci-fi treatment, rebuking capitalism's dark side along the way. Directed by Paul Verhoeven.
Wall Street (1987) - Doesn't feel as dated as many movies from the era. In fact, it almost seems more relevant now. Directed by Oliver Stone.
Predator (1987) - Excellent performances from a diverse ensemble cast. Non-stop action and suspense. Directed by John McTiernan.
Spaceballs (1987) - One of the most polished direct parodies ever made. Excellent special effects seal the deal. Directed by Mel Brooks.
They Live (1988) - B-movie from start to finish, yet smarter than it looks. One of the all-time great fight scenes. Directed by John Carpenter.
Die Hard (1988) - Invented the action comedy genre. Its humor and heart render its mistakes unnoticeable. Directed by John McTiernan.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) - Modern film noir that looks a decade older than it is, but remains timeless all the same. Directed by Robert Zemeckis.
Major League (1989) - My favorite baseball movie. Genuinely captures the feeling of rooting for the underdog. Directed by David S. Ward.
Do the Right Thing (1989) - A stark reminder that some things don't change very much. More relevant than ever. Directed by Spike Lee.
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) - Airplane may have invented the modern farce, but the second Naked Gun perfected it. Directed by David Zucker.
Resevoir Dogs (1992) - A well-written play with extremely violent cut scenes. Madsen's performance is chilling. Directed by Quentin Tarantino.
My Cousin Vinny (1992) - Deep bench of character actors add just the right balance for Pesci and Tomei. Classic. Directed by Jonathan Lynn.
Wayne's World (1992) - Mike Myers was still a diamond in the rough, but his brilliance was already shining through. Directed by Penelope Spheeris.
Falling Down (1993) - Explores mental illness and moral ambiguity. The opening crane shot is an achievement. Directed by Joel Schumacher.
Groundhog Day (1993) - I can watch this movie over and over again, which seems like the most fitting compliment. Directed by Harold Ramis.
True Romance (1993) - Maybe the best cast ever assembled. Top notch writing, directing and a memorable score. Directed by Tony Scott.
Jurassic Park (1993) - This blew my mind when I saw it on the big screen. Breakthrough visual effects still hold up. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Maverick (1994) - Brilliant comedic performances from serious actors. Better than the TV show that inspired it. Directed by Richard Donner.
True Lies (1994) - The Harrier scenes are unlike anything I've seen before or since. Better than James Bond. Directed by James Cameron.
12 Monkeys (1995) - A journey through doubt, acceptance and inevitability. Delightfully weird and often creepy. Directed by Terry Gilliam.
Apollo 13 (1995) - A-list acting, directing and special effects give a true story the treatment it deserves. Directed by Ron Howard.
Leaving Las Vegas (1995) - Hitting rock bottom rarely happens in a straight line. An unforgettable movie about addiction. Directed by Mike Figgis.
Braveheart (1995) - Many great films depict the absurdity of war, yet this one makes a case for its necessity. Directed by Mel Gibson.
Get Shorty (1995) - Never takes itself too seriously. A fun (and funny) ode to mob movies and classic cinema. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.
Event Horizon (1997) - Terrifying concept with disturbing visuals. I always liked this one better than it was received. Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson.
Boogie Nights (1997) - Depicts the excesses of the 1970s and 1980s while humanizing the victims of addiction. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
Men in Black (1997) - Fast-paced, funny and infinitely rewatchable. My favorite action comedy since Ghostbusters. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.
Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) - Implausible and bizarre, yet also genuine and sincere. One of the best soundtracks of the '90s. Directed by George Armitage.
Cube (1997) - Proof that an interesting movie can be made in a single room with a very low budget. Directed by Vincenzo Natali.
Starship Troopers (1997) - Satirical rebuke of jingoism that is equal parts B-movie and Hollywood blockbuster. Directed by Paul Verhoeven.
The Fifth Element (1997) - Silly, captivating and visually original. One of the most interesting depictions of the future. Directed by Luc Besson.
The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997) - Timeless-yet-unloved farce about a clueless hero. Tighter pacing than the Pink Panther films. Directed by Jon Amiel.
Blade (1998) - Blade is a badass. Released a decade before Iron Man and two decades before Black Panther. Directed by Stephen Norrington.
Dark City (1998) - Pre-Matrix: A man with unique powers awakes in a strange world, pursued by tormentors. Directed by Alex Proyas.
The Matrix (1999) - Brilliant re-imagining of Plato's cave. Award-winning FX and sound design stand the test of time. Directed by The Wachowskis.
Fight Club (1999) - Hyper-stylistic interpretation of a beloved novel. The supporting cast is phenomonal. Directed by David Fincher.
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) - I've never witnessed a real-life murder, but after seeing this film, I feel like I have. Chilling. Directed by Anthony Minghella.
Payback: Straight Up (1999) - Make no mistake, the hero is a villain. Darker than the studio cut, but also more interesting. Directed by Brian Helgeland.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) - A stunning ballet of mythology, choreography and cinematography. Better than any CGI. Directed by Ang Lee.
Zoolander (2001) - An over the top comedy with heart and soul, not unlike The Jerk. Funny on repeat viewings. Directed by Ben Stiller.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) - Masterfully acted, directed and decorated. A tale of human frailty and forgiveness. Directed by Wes Anderson.
Apocalypse Now Redux (2001) - Skips from one bizarre scene to another, yet somehow feels right, like having a vivid dream. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Extended Edition (2003) - I love the entire LOTR trilogy, but The Battle of Helm's Deep holds a special place in my heart. Directed by Peter Jackson.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) - A beautiful love story about family, romance and friendship. Great cinematography. Directed by Jared Hess.
I, Robot (2004) - Terrifying premise grows in relevance. Alan Tudyk's motion-capture performance is amazing. Directed by Alex Proyas.
Sin City (2005) - A visual masterpiece. Perfectly captures the bleakness and artistry of the source material. Directed by Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez.
The Fall (2006) - Full of unforgettable visuals. First-rate performances by Lee Pace and Catinca Untaru. Directed by Tarsem Singh.
Stranger Than Fiction (2006) - Heartwarming story. First use of a now clichéd visual style. Love the Wreckless Eric number. Directed by Marc Forster.
The Departed (2006) - Not as stylized as Scorsese's other work, but full of twists, turns and unexpected moments. Directed by Martin Scorsese.
It is Fine! Everything Is Fine. (2007) - A window into the fantasy world of a man trapped in a dying body. Honest and unsettling. Directed by David Brothers and Crispin Glover.
Michael Clayton (2007) - Like seeing life's hidden dangers through a window. Superb writing, acting and directing. Directed by Tony Gilroy.
The Wrestler (2008) - Well-crafted story about a man who hurts people, and gets hurt, when he steps out of the ring. Directed by Darren Aronofsky.
District 9 (2009) - Does our appearance dictate our humanity? A brilliant sci-fi allegory for apartheid. Directed by Neill Blomkamp.
Life of Pi (2012) - Delves deep into friendship, survival and the meaning of truth. Amazing visuals throughout. Directed by Ang Lee.
These Final Hours (2013) - A tale of redemption set against an ambiguous judgment day. Excellent character development. Directed by Zak Hilditch.
The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared (2013) - Like Forrest Gump, only darker, funnier and minus the love story. Glad to have found this one. Directed by Felix Herngren.
Blue Ruin (2013) - Ultra-low budget film that had me sitting on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Brilliant. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014) - Clever wordplay and physical comedy keep the well-trodden confessional format fresh. Directed by Jemaine Clement.
Whiplash (2014) - Suspenseful and intense throughout, but the last 10 minutes are really something special. Directed by Damien Chazelle.
Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015) - Proves that comedy is in the eyes, even if those eyes are made from clay. Fun for all ages. Directed by Richard Starzak and Mark Burton.
The Martian (2015) - Feels like non-stop action, but in reality, uses dialogue to build tension and suspense. Directed by Ridley Scott.
Everybody Wants Some!! (2016) - A more wholesome and inclusive version of Animal House. Somehow, has even less of a plot. Directed by Richard Linklater.
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) - Effective use of sets, sound design and psychological twists. The ending is really something. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg.
Passengers (2016) - Inventive sci-fi premise. Deals with betrayal, love and forgiveness (after a grievous wrong). Directed by Morten Tyldum.
Split (2016) - Perfect vehicle for James McAvoy to flex his many talents. Suspenseful and well directed. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Get Out (2017) - Unpredictable thriller full of funny, creepy and cringeworthy moments. Modern masterpiece. Directed by Jordan Peele.
Stan & Ollie (2018) - The acting is so good that I feel like I jumped in a time machine. A beautiful homage. Directed by Jon S. Baird.
You're still here? The list is over. Go home. <chickachicka>