What are the best movies of all time according to IMDb votes and what makes them the top 10 movies of all time?
What are the best movies of all time? Ranking the best movies ever made is a pretty impossible task. The closest thing to a definitive ranking. However. Is a list based on ratings. In that sense. IMDb’s list of the highest-rated movies of all time might be among the best of its kind.
IMDb remains one of the most popular movie information sites on the Internet. Their top rated. Movies list is compiled with movies that have been rated. By millions of viewers. While the list is always changing. The best movies have remained unchanged for several years.
Updated August 16. 2022 by Colin McCormick: While it’s fun to keep up with all the new movies coming out. Sometimes it’s easier to go back to those ever-popular classic movies that everyone loves. While all moviegoers have different opinions on what constitutes the top 10 movies of all time, there’s something for everyone among IMDb’s top-rated movies. From Hollywood bests to international blockbusters and from 21st-century movies to decades-old movies. of movies. ancient.
Whether fans are revisiting an old favorite or catching up on a famous movie they’ve overlooked. This collection is a good place to look for the best movies of all time.
1: Back to the Future (1985) – 8.5
- Available to rent on Apple TV
There have been several time travel movies over the years, but few have utilized the concept as brilliantly as Back to the Future. Michael J. Fox stars as Marty McFly. A young man living in the 1980s. Who is. Transported. Back to the 1950s. With the help of his scientist friend. Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd).
2: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) – 8.6
- Available on HBO, HBO Max
Continuing the sci-fi thriller The Terminator wouldn’t be an easy task. But James Cameron found a smart new approach for Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The film. Follows young John Conner. Who is now the target of a terminator. From the future only. For a T-800 (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to be sent back as his protector.
Changing Schwarzenegger from villain to hero was a cool move and made for a much more fun ride than the original. With innovative special effects and some incredible action sequences. It’s one of the best. Sequels ever made.
3: Star Wars (1977) – 8.6
- Available on Disney+
Although not often seen as the best of the series. Star Wars is still the movie that kicked off what is probably the most popular film franchise of all time. Introducing fans to a galaxy far. Far away. The film established its iconic character and the great adventure began.
Even all these years later. It’s easy to see how Star Wars wowed audiences at the time. It’s an endlessly enjoyable space adventure that’s as fascinating as it is entertaining.
4: Interstellar (2014) – 8.6
- Available on Paramount+, FX Now and DIRECTV
Few directors have as passionate a following as Christopher Nolan. Although Interstellar was not as critically acclaimed or as financially successful as some of his other films. It is still considered by many Nolan fans to be one of the greatest films of all time.
Matthew McConaughey stars as a man who reluctantly leaves his family behind to join a space mission to find a suitable planet for humanity to live on. With stunning visuals. A complex story. And great performances, Interstellar is seen by many as a sci-fi movie that demands rewatching.
5: The Green Mile (1999) – 8.6
- Available on Tubi
Although not one of Stephen King’s most famous stories. The Green Mile was a compelling movie. Set in a death row prison in the 1930s. Tom Hanks stars as a prison guard who makes an unexpected connection with a seemingly friendly new prisoner (Michael Clarke Duncan).
The drama is a surprising. Moving and heartbreaking story of the life of these prison guards changed by a man. It also features several standout performances. Especially from Hanks and Duncan.
6: Life is Beautiful (1997) – 8.6
- Available on Paramount+
It is very difficult for a film to combine humor and an uplifting tone within a story that is also full of tragedy and heartache. But that is something that Life is Beautiful achieved in the minds of many fans. Which explains its popular reputation.
Written. Directed by and starring Roberto Benigni. The Italian film tells the story of a positive-minded Jewish man and his son who become victims of the Holocaust in World War II and the father goes to great lengths to convince the son of him They’re in the middle of a big game.
7: Saving Private Ryan (1998) – 8.6
- Available on Paramount+
Steven Spielberg has narrated several war movies throughout his career. But Saving Private Ryan has been hailed as one of the greatest movies of all time realistically capturing the horror and chaos of war. The film stars Tom Hanks as the leader of a memorable war movie squad who embarks on a rescue mission to find a soldier who is being sent home.
The depictions of World War II battles have been called some of the best ever seen on film. Spielberg’s sweeping vision and exciting storytelling elevate this film from a typical team-up adventure on a mission to a deeply impactful experience.
8: City of God (2002) – 8.6
- Available on HBO Max, HBO and Max Go
It takes a very special international film to strike a chord with audiences around the world. But City of God was a story that transcended language. The film takes place in the slums of Rio and tells the story of two young boys on different paths. One seeking to become a photographer and the other seeking to become a criminal kingpin.
The film is a harrowing coming-of-age story. It’s also a stylish adventure that doesn’t shy away from the ugliest aspects of the story. But is also infused with a riveting energy.
9: The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – 8.6
- Available on Prime Video, Showtime and Fubo TV
Sometimes audiences want to experience a story that will put them on the edge of their seats for the entire movie. The Silence of the Lambs offers such an experience. As it stars Jodie Foster as an FBI agent who seeks the help of serial killer Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to catch a new killer.
Lecter has become one of the most iconic movie villains of all time. But that’s not the only reason the movie ranks so highly. It’s an expert thriller that fills the audience with awe but keeps their eyes glued to the screen with a brilliant display of acting. Writing and directing.
10: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – 8.6
- Available on Prime Video, Hoopla and Plex
As perhaps the most beloved Christmas classic of all time. How Beautiful It Is to Live is a film that many fans continue to enjoy year after year. But while it’s the perfect holiday viewing experience. It’s a story that can touch the hearts of audiences any time of year.
Jimmy Stewart gives a winning performance as a man who finds himself in a desperate place on Christmas Eve and is given the gift of seeing what his life means to those around him. It is a funny. Charming and emotional story that stands the test of time.
Related: List of 100 Hot Hollywood Actresses With Pictures 2022
11: Seven Samurai (1954) – 8.6
- Available on HBO Max and Criterion Channel
It cannot be understated how widely Akira Kurosawa has influenced some of Hollywood’s greatest film directors and his film Seven Samurai is probably the most influential of them all. Not only has the film been remade into Western films like The Magnificent Seven. But the cinematic style has also received many tributes.
The adventure story follows a group of masterless samurai who are hired by poor farmers to help protect their village from bandits. It truly is one of the best action movies of all time and it’s still a wild ride decades later.
12: Se7en (1995) – 8.6
- Available on Netflix
David Fincher established himself as one of the best Hollywood film directors of the 90s with the gripping serial killer film Se7en. It’s a movie that has a premise scary enough to scare the audience. However. Viewers were not prepared for the intensity and shocking story that awaited them.
Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman play two homicide detectives on the trail of a killer who murders his victims based on the seven deadly sins. It’s an atmospheric and haunting criminal procedural with one of the most shocking endings in Hollywood history.
13: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) – 8.7
- Available on HBO Max
Jack Nicholson delivered one of his best performances in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He plays a criminal who fakes mental illness to go to a mental hospital instead of prison. There. He becomes the leader of the eccentric group of patients and challenges the sadistic head nurse.
The movie is an excellent mix of comedy and drama with Nicholson giving the best devilishly charming performance of him. The result is a complex and unforgettable story.
14: Goodfellas (1990) – 8.7
- Available on HBO Max and Netflix
Martin Scorsese has made several gangster movies throughout his career. But many see Goodfellas as his masterpiece. It tells the true story of Henry Hill (played by the late Ray Liotta) who became a major player in a lucrative and dangerous crime family.
Scorsese’s brilliance in telling this story lies in how he draws the audience in with the intoxicating nature of this exciting and luxurious world before shocking them with violence and ugliness. He also introduces one of the most disturbing movie villains of all time: Tommy DeVito, played by Joe Pesci.
15: The Matrix (1999) – 8.7
- Available on HBO Max
While last year’s The Matrix: Resurrections didn’t work for everyone. The first film remains one of the most innovative films of the 1990s. From the inventive action to the thought-provoking story. The Matrix is a masterpiece. of the hallucinatory genre.
Keanu Reeves stars as Neo. A bored office worker who is exposed to a shocking reality about the world he lives in and begins his quest to become the savior of humanity. Even more than two decades later. It has aged extremely well for an action movie.
16: Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – 8.7
- Available on Disney+
Perhaps it’s shocking to some fans that no Star Wars movies make the top ten. What’s less surprising is that The Empire Strikes Back is the highest-rated movie in the franchise. The story set in a galaxy far. Far away told a much darker and more complex story this time.
The story finds the heroes separated with Darth Vader closing in on them. With some interesting growth for returning characters and the appearance of some iconic new ones, this movie really showed how much sequels can improve a story.
17: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) – 8.8
- Available on HBO Max and Prime Video
Seeing that The Two Towers comfortably ranks as one of the best movies of all time on IMDb despite being the lowest rated movie in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, it’s pretty apparent that this series is much loved. The second movie saw the community divided as they tried to defeat the evil forces of Sauron.
The film is another great epic fantasy with two standout elements. The first being the proper introduction of the character Gollum and the second being the massive and exciting battle sequence in the third act.
18: Inception (2010) – 8.8
- Available on Tubi
Christopher Nolan proved to be one of the most ambitious filmmakers with his amazing crime movie, Inception. The film follows a team of thieves with the ability to break into people’s dreams and steal their ideas. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the team leader. Looking to score one last score.
The inventive idea of the film is backed up by Nolan’s stunning visuals. He does some unforgettable action sequences. It is much more than just another heist movie and contains one of the most debated endings of all time.
19: Fight Club (1999) – 8.8
- Available to rent on Apple TV
David Fincher remains one of the most talented filmmakers working today. His projects are often dark. But always engaging thanks to his own perfectionist approach and unique visual style. Fight Club stands as his most popular project and one of the most exciting films of the 1990s.
Brad Pitt creates an iconic character with Tyler Durden. A mysterious philosopher who leads the mild-mannered protagonist played by Edward Norton to create an underground fighting community. The dark humor. Brutal violence. And warped philosophies make for a thrilling watch. And the unexpected ending makes fans want to rewatch the movie over and over again.
20: Forrest Gump (1994) – 8.8
- Available to rent on Apple TV
Tom Hanks created perhaps his most iconic movie character of all time with the title character in Forrest Gump. The film follows the many misadventures of a simple but kind man who inadvertently inserts himself into many of the most important moments in American history.
Hanks gives a wonderful performance. Infusing this character with enough charm and heart to save him from coming across as cartoonish. It’s a funny. Moving. And entertaining film that remains a crowd-pleasing adventure all these years later.
Related: List of The 50 Best Hollywood Actors in Pictures 2022
21: The Good – The Bad And The Ugly (1966) – 8.8
- Available on Starz
The so-called spaghetti westerns changed westerns forever with unique cinematic styles unlike anything audiences had ever seen before. The Good. The Bad and the Ugly is the definitive entry in that subgenre.
The film follows three deadly men on a quest to retrieve buried treasure in the midst of the Civil War. The film helped popularize the Mexican Standoff trend still used in action movies today. Made Clint Eastwood a star. And gave movie fans one of the most iconic soundtracks of all time.
22: The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Rings (2001) – 8.8
- Available on HBO Max and Prime Video
Peter Jackson’s hugely popular fantasy trilogy began with The Fellowship of the Rings. J.R.R. Tolkien’s books came to life as fans were transported to Middle-earth. Where Frodo Baggins and the brave heroes of the Fellowship set out to destroy the mighty One Ring before Sauron could use it for evil.
The film beautifully presents this beautiful world and its characters. The simple but exciting quest is full of fun. Horror and action. It’s not hard to see why fans were immediately drawn to this franchise.
23: Pulp Fiction (1994) – 8.9
- Available on HBO Max, Sling, TNT and TBS
Quentin Tarantino is one of the most popular filmmakers of all time. His unique voice. His extensive cinematic knowledge and his penchant for mixing hilarious comedy with brutal violence helped inspire a generation of filmmakers. Pulp Fiction is considered by many to be his masterpiece. And it’s hard to argue with that.
The film interspersed several stories set in the underworld of Los Angeles. Tarantino takes familiar crime stories and puts his own twist on them. The film is fast-paced and unpredictable. With endlessly quotable dialogue. All backed by an incredible soundtrack. Often imitated. But never duplicated.
24: The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003) – 9.0
- Available on HBO Max and Prime Video
Few people thought to adapt J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic The Lord of the Rings series for the big screen would be possible. But Peter Jackson proved everyone wrong. With The Return of the King. Jackson managed to wrap up one of the greatest film trilogies of all time in a truly satisfying way.
The film brings the quest to destroy the One Ring to a grand finale. While the film is derided for dragging out its ending. Jackson and his team did a beautiful job of bringing everything to a close in this emotional show that features some truly amazing battle sequences.
25: Schindler’s List (1993) – 9.0
- Available on Starz and DIRECTV
Steven Spielberg is known for creating some of the best movies of all time. However. It is the hardest film to watch that ranks highest. Which is fitting as it is some of his best work as a director.
Schindler’s List is a harrowing true-life story of Oskar Schindler and his attempts to save Jewish citizens during Nazi rule in Germany. While Schindler can be an inspiring hero. The film is more effective as a horrifying depiction of the Holocaust. Shot in haunting black and white. Spielberg created a film that will linger in viewers’ minds for years to come.
26: 12 Angry Men (1957) – 9.0
- Available to rent on Apple TV
Yet Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men is a smaller-scale movie that does nothing to lessen its impact. The film takes place almost entirely inside a jury room as the twelve men debate a murder case they have just overseen. With a voice that insists the accused is innocent. The film details the life and death debate that follows.
While the setting may seem dull. It only helps give the film a sense of intensity. The footage brilliantly makes the room seem more and more confined as the debate progresses. The claustrophobic feeling adds to the atmosphere of everything. It’s impressive proof that small-scale movies can have a big impact.
27: The Godfather: Part II (1974) – 9.0
- Available on Paramount+
It probably seemed like an absurd idea at the time for Francis Ford Coppola to make a sequel to his acclaimed crime saga. But The Godfather: Part II proved that it was a very good idea.
Without the return of Marlon Brando for his iconic role. The film tells the story of young Vito Corleone. Played by Robert De Niro. Who makes the role his own. Along with those amazing flashbacks. The sequel follows Michael’s descent into the world of crime and his complicated relationship with his brother Fredo. A brilliant sequel and a masterpiece in its own right.
28: The Dark Knight (2008) – 9.0
- Available on HBO Max
The superhero genre may not get much respect from most moviegoers. But Christopher Nolan’s second Batman movie proved that they can deliver smart. Epic. And exciting movies.
The Dark Knight details Batman’s desperate attempt to stop the Joker from destroying Gotham as he searches for someone to step into the role of the city’s protector. The movie feels like a crime epic. With that darker version of the Caped Crusader. However. The film is best remembered for the late Heath Ledger’s riveting performance as the anarchist Joker.
29: The Godfather (1972) – 9.2
- Available on Paramount+
The Godfather: Part II is one of the most acclaimed movies of all time and it’s still not the highest rated movie in that trilogy. That honor goes to the original. There is a lot of debate among movie fans as to which is the better movie. But it’s safe to say that they are both massive achievements in cinema.
This is the story of the Corleone family. An Italian-American mob family struggling to maintain power after their patriarch is nearly assassinated. The film is violent. Funny. Intense. Emotional and much more. There are countless quotable lines and unforgettable sequences. No wonder it’s a movie that all critics and fans agree is great.
30: The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – 9.3
- Available on HBO Max
It’s no surprise that the highest-rated movie of all time is also one of the most crowd-pleasing movies of all time. It might be easy to assume that a story set inside a maximum-security prison wouldn’t have many happy moments. But The Shawshank Redemption manages to be a surprisingly uplifting story.
Based on a Stephen King story. The film is told over several years in the titular prison and focuses on the friendship between two inmates. The relationship between the two men is one of the most touching friendships ever shown on screen and helps give the film those beautiful moments that lead to one of the greatest endings in movie history.
