Top 200 Films of All Time

First and foremost while my film knowlege is fairly extensive it is not complete.There are a handful of films considered classics that I have not seen. Perhaps, most notably "Easy Rider", "The Wild Bunch", "The Shining" and a handful more.Obviously as time goes by there is likely to be a change in the list.
Secondly, you will not see many films that appear on many other lists.Not included (and yes I have seen them) are "The Graduate", "Midnight Cowboy", "Chinatown", "2001","Terms of Endearment","Out of Africa", "Dances With Wolves","Raging Bull", "Taxi Driver", "Pulp Fiction", "Apocalypse Now" and other notables.
Thirdly, the list is compiled based on story,character and total production values relative to the time they were made, so special effects earn no great place in making the list.Of course this is all just my opinion.
Fourthly, this list is not a list of favorites, but just those I deem greatest as objectively as I can determine.


1.) Citizen Kane (1941) This is not my favorite film, but when viewed from every side, it is as close to perfection a movie as has ever been produced.
2.) The Wizard of Oz (1939) This is slightly higher than it appears on most lists. It can hardly be doubted that this is the most widely watched film in history, and all due to themes that remain universal even if the Kansas that Dorothy and Toto knew no longer exists.
3.) It's A Wonderful Life (1946) Frank Capra's masterpiece that far too many people associate with Christmas in error. It's a frank, but honest view of life that very effectively demonstrates the meaning of our lives no matter how bleak it may seem at times.
4.)Gone With the Wind (1939) With the exception of a minor but acceptable casting error, this stands the test of time and more than capably humanizes both individual and community drama.All the more impressive being a period piece set in the Civil War.A groundbreaking film of staggering performance and unmatched as an epic film.
5.) Casablanca (1942) Most lists have this higher. If this was about just the writing, it would be at the top of the list. This was a patriotic film in its day,but not jingoistic.In grading it out,its more modest sets are the only thing keeping it from going higher.
6.) Schindler's List (1993) Steven Spielberg's greatest work. Why? Simply stated he manages to find great triumph amid the greatest of human tragedies.He strikingly displays the indifference of the Nazis,with a staggering personal courage displayed by Liam Neeson's performance. This film is unique in that it both horrifies and inspires.
7.) The Godfather (1972) Many will be appalled to see this as low as #7, but here it is anyway. One of my personal favorites.Be that as it may there a couple plot holes in this movie,however minute that bring it to this point.If I have to explain this movie, then you clearly need to hand in your movie lovers card.
8.) Potemkin (1922) Sergei Eisenstein's silent masterpiece dealing with the mutiny of sailors on the Russian Battleship Potemkin near the end of the First World War is as effective now as then. For those who do not know this is the movie that provided the scene of the baby carriage rolling down stone steps,which has often been stolen and parodied.
9.) The Ox Bow Incident (1943) A concise but beautifully portrayed film about mob justice. Henry Fonda tries to prevent a posse from a lynching of three men accused of murder. A great tale full of memorable characters.
10.) The Grapes of Wrath (1940) John Ford brilliantly adapts and directs John Steinbeck's novel. Starring Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, Jane Darwell in an Oscar winning performance as his mother and John Carradine in his greatest role. It covers the life of Oklahoma farmers forced to travel to California for work only to find it's not much greener there.
11.) The Bridge On the River Kwai (1957) David Lean brilliantly captures obsession in Alec Guinness's portrayal of a British Colonel demanding discipline to the point of collaboration. This film deals with the harsh complexities of war and ones' sense of duty.
12.) The Godfather, Part II (1974) This, the second Godfather movie deftly demonstrates the daily peril of mob life by creating a sense of confusion about the motives of its characters. Some argue it's better than the first, but I don't find enough evidence.
13.) How Green Was My Valley (1941) This John Ford classic won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1941 instead of "Citizen Kane". It has also been ridiculed by many because they hold "Citizen Kane" in higher regard. This is grossly unfair to what may be the greatest ensemble cast ever assembled. It introduced Roddy McDowell and starred Donald Crisp in an Oscar winning role, Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Anna Lee, Sara Allgood and many more from John Ford's regular acting crew. This film about a family in a community of Welsh coal miner's is to the heart what Citizen Kane is to the mind. It's just that good and comes with the highest recommendation.
14.) The Searchers (1956) John Ford's western classic and perhaps John Wayne's greatest role. His brother, sister in law and nephew killed by indians, the Duke,Jeffrey Hunter & Harry Carey Jr. go out to rescue his two nieces.The search becomes an obsession and ends, well , it ends with perhaps the greatest, most poignant and most often stolen ending in film history. This film perhaps more than any inspired Coppolla,Scorcese,Spielberg & Lucas.
15.) Rear Window (1954) Hitchcock fans will disagree, but on every level this is his best film, and frankly genius. Not only is the plot,the acting,the writing superior,but he paints a portait of Jimmy Stewart's neighbors without them uttering a word of dialogue that draws you in.
16.) Star Wars (1977) In short, this is what going to the movies is all about. Good guy versus bad guy with happy ending. At least for now. There are clear flaws, but sometimes entertainment value overcomes the rest. This, the first movie is in no way diminished by the many other and has stood the test of three decades.
17.) Saving Private Ryan (1998) Without question a modern classic with timeless appeal.It evokes the humanity of war and yet provides the strategic sensibilities of the conflict that has never been seen in film previously. A rare balance that only a Spielberg can seem to accomplish.
18.) The Court Jester (1956) Without a doubt Danny Kaye's greatest film.It's not funny throughout, but it's a great send up to swahbucklers. It's high points are as funny today as then and will bust a gut.Not to be missed.
19.) Lawrence of Arabia (1962) It should be acknowledged I have never seen this on the big screen and this movie clearly was meant for a theatre, not a living room. It's a tour de force film directed by David Lean which introduced Peter O'Toole to the world. It is probably the most successful all star cast in film history as well.
20.) The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) If this list was about special effects, then this gets nowhere near the list. But this simple telling of a man exposed to a mysterious fog and its effects are oddly poignant. A man shrinking is silly on its face as a plot, but the trials he goes thru as he gradually becomes reduced to sub atomic size is poignant. This is the movie for those who don't know where he fights a house spider in his basement ans is attacked by the family cat.
21.) The Return of the King (2003) The third and final of the Lord of the Rings films is the best. The range of emotions,the sense of desperation even amidst success and its epic scale make this a timeless classic.
22.) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) Errol Flynn is the definitive Robin Hood in this all time classic from Warner Brothers. It's as entertaining as any film ever made.It is also notable for the score by Korngold and its Technicolor brilliance.
23.) The Third Man (1949) One of the great thrillers of all time starring Joseph Cotten, but dominated in no small amount by Orson Welles's performance as Harry Lime. His "Cuckoo Clock" speech is maybe the greatest monologue in film.
24.) A Night At the Opera (1935) The funniest Marx Brothers movie. Seventy one years later and you laugh hysterically. A movie you must see.
25.) Singin In the Rain (1952) Many lists have this in the top ten, and a case can be made. Here it is nonetheless.Movie includes the title song, Donald O'Connor's "Make Em Laugh" and the trio singing "Good Morning". Not to be overlooked is Jean Hagen's performance.
26.) The Quiet Man (1952) This timeless John Ford classic, set in Ireland is not normally this high on comparable lists. Simply put this film has stood the test of time and has endeared itself to new generations of film lovers. John Ford as usual uses non verbal communication where many would otherwise bore us with dialogue.As a result we are provided with a richer,deeper understanding of the characters.
27.) Dr. Strangelove (1964) This Stanley Kubrick classic may have the most stirring images in all of film history. Slim Pickens riding an atomic bomb, the war room scene at The Pentagon, and of course a great monologue by Sterling Hayden about the evils of fluoridated water. A dark satire with a larger point.
28.) Giant (1956) Unfortunately, this has come to be better known as James Deans' last film. I say unfortunately because it's Rock Hudson's best film and performance. It deals with bigotry and racism, but with a grace and subtlety that avoids being preachy. Hudson's character never fully erases his prejudices but he does combat them.A movie well worth watching.
29.) Mr. Deeds Goes To Town (1936) Frank Capra's Depression Era classic.Gary Cooper inherits a large fortune and ultimately decides to give it away to people in need. It may not seem like a comedy, but it is most certainly.
30.) Paths of Glory (1957) Kirk Douglas starred in and Stanley Kubrick directed this great film about three French soldiers randomly selected to be shot to make an example for the army.This is a film that deals with justice in impossible conditions. A film that all should watch.
31.) To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) The film adaptation of Harper Lee's classic tale of growing up in a small Depression Era Alabama town. It compellingly demonstrates the bond of family and how they deal with racial strife. This is another one not to be missed.
32.) The Producers (1968) Mel Brooks deservedly won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for this, his best film. Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder are perfectly teamed as the producer and accountant trying to get rich by producing a flop.
33.) Apollo 13 (1995) As big a hit as this was in 1995, it is generally underated and undeservedly so. Given the subject, this film could've gotten out of control, been to long and in turn too boring. But Ron Howard's deft direction very delicately crams information into the viewer's mind without confusing.
34.) The Seven Samurai (1954) Akira Kurasawa's masterpiece as the title characters come to the aid of townsfolk being terrorized by bandits. A little overlong, otherwise would have been higher.
35.) Badlands (1973) Martin Sheen is as bad as they get, but portays his characters behavior so casually, that it's almost appealing. A disturbing film that engrosses you every step along the way.
36.) Paper Moon (1973) Ryan and Tatum O'Neil are father and daughter in this movie set during the Depression. He brings her into his conning ways and she proves superior to the task. Madeleine Kahn once again is great in support.
37.) Ben Hur (1959) I have had for a while a sense that this film is losing respect in some corners, but not in this one. Next to Gone With the Wind it typifies the best in epic film making. The Chariot Race scene & the scene as a galley slave are among the greatest ever filmed, but the movie as a whole inspires one to overcome the great trials that life can present.
38.) Some Like It Hot (1959) I must admit I've thought this movie overrated. While many have this as a top 15 film. I simply can't go that high. Ironically, this film is carried by Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis's performances and not the strength of the script which is not nearly Billy Wilder's best.
39.) Vertigo (1958) Hitchcock almost blows it as he reveals the films' secret 2/3rds of the way thru the film. Jimmy Stewart's performance is so compelling that he overcomes Hitchcock's near fatal error in judgement.
40.) Sunset Boulevard (1950) Billy Wilder present great characterization,eccentric as ever. Truthfully, this film earns its place in film history because Wilder managed to create one of the greatest exits in film history. Great endings are rare and it had the effect of lifting the entire product however pedestrian at times.
41.) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Spielberg takes Saturday afternoon cliffhanger and creates an enduring classic. Next to Star Wars, this is the greatest action adventure film ever made, at least in the modern sense.
42.) To Be or Not To Be (1942) Carole Lombard's last film and Jack Benny's greatest. Benny as a Polish Shakesperean actor get him and his troupe in a world of trouble after the Nazis invade and occupy. Unique because it poked fun at Hitler directly and blends comedy amidst tragedy brilliantly.
43.) All Quiet On the Western Front (1930) If great war movies are anti war movies, then this is the best. The acting today may seem dated or stilted, but it packs a punch. This was the Saving Private Ryan of the day, except that it better exemplified public sensibility about war. A serious film lover cannot miss this.
44.) Patton (1970) George C. Scott's performance is arguably the greatest ever delivered by an actor in a film.He captures that fine line between genius and insanity.
45.) Silence of the Lambs (1991) It all comes down to Hannibal Lecter. Anthony Hopkins' performance is as enduring as it is unsettling. This film again shows that fine line between genius and insanity and what can happen when you choose the latter.
46.) One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) Based on the novel, Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher deliver incredible performances. Jack Nicholson the unklikely and inspirational hero to Louise Fletcher's best "wicked witch of the west" impersonations.
47.) Rocky (1976) This great original is often overshadowed by lesser sequals, but on its own packs a wallop, mostly in vivid characterizations outside the ring. This film walks a line not between genius and insanity, but perseverance, and foolhardiness. Those who ignored this due to jokes about the many films need to look at this the original.
48.) E.T., the Extra Terrestrial (1982) Another example of a film that seems to be increasingly marginalized, and unfairly. Mistaken as a kids film, this film deals sensibly about the bonds of friendship and lengths one takes to sustain it.Friendship as a child endures always, only as adults do we seem to attach conditions. More people need to get back in touch with the original spirit of this movie and stop analyzing.
49.) His Girl Friday (1940) This may be the only moment in his career when Cary Grant was equaled by his co star. Rosalind Russell is the perfect match for him in this film and she's no shrinking violet.The dialogue is crisp, clear and a joy to behold.
50.) An American In Paris (1951) This classic dominated the film going public so much that it resulted in the dwarfing of Singin In the Rain. While the later has come to be more highly regarded despite its modest showing, An American In Paris cannot ignored. It's striking visually and the romantic flavor of the film is passionate, but effectively subtle in its demonstration.
51.) Titanic (1997) This is higher than most would place it, but it drew audiences in record numbers for a reason. It evokes every possible emotion with dramatic effect against a fatal setting.Its success alone has fueled criticism, but truthfully evokes sentiment without being overly sentimental or simplistic.
52.) Odd Man Out (1948) Carol Reed directs and James Mason stars in a story of a wanted felon in Ireland, wounded and trying to outwit the law. He comes into contact with a variety of people who by hook or crook aid him. This may be the greatest film you've never watched.
53.) The Defiant Ones (1958) Sidney Poitier & Tony Curtis, escaped cons handcuffed together. The conflict of racism is confronted by a necessary reliance on each other to survive.It deals directly, but not over the top and creates a compelling picture.
54.) Spartacus (1960) This movie gets better with age. It's an all star cast as Kirk Douglas leads a slave revolt against the mighty Roman Empire. Not to be missed.
55.) Becket (1964) A movie about medieval politics of church and state, this will not suit every one's taste, but an all but forgotten classic is worthy of this rank. Starring Richard Burton and Peter O'toole, it leads us on a journey from friendship to murder.
56.) The Lion In Winter (1968) It may be convenient that this follows Becket on the list, because Peter O'Toole reprises his role as a middle aged King Henry II of England. This time he is matched by Katharine Hepburn as his Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine. The dialogue is razor sharp and a joy to watch.
57.) America! America! (1963) An Elia Kazan classic as it traces the journey of a young Turkish man on a journey to America and all the stops in between.
58.) West Side Story (1961) Maybe the best film version of Romeo and Juliet, at least the ones that are set in 1950's New York. It musically transmits the tale of forbidden love in a manner modern audiences could appreciate.
59.) The Deer Hunter (1979) Just like Sunset Boulevard, the Deer Hunter is elevated due to its dramatic climax featuring russian roulette. It provides tragic closure and raised the product to a higher level as a result.
60.) Modern Times (1936) Charlie Chaplin's last silent film evokes a sense that man is being lost in an increasingly industrialized world, nothing more than a cog in the engine.
61.) They Were Expendable (1945) This is a John Ford film that seems to always get lost in the shuffle. Made towards the end of World War II , it deals with the struggles of Pt Boat commanders and their crews in the Phillippines at the beginning of the war.It's notable as a reminder of those days when the outcome did not seem inevitable. Ford once again uses the non verbal rather than unnecessary dialogue to define the characters and emotions of the time.
62.) Boyz N the Hood (1991) John Singleton's first film and best. As powerful a film as you'll ever see. It deals with everyday life in south central Los Angeles and the ever present desire to find a better life.
63.) Top Hat (1935) Fred and Ginger's first and best film collaboration. The sets are cheesy, but the rest overpowers you with its simple charm. Includes "Cheek to Cheek" and "Isn't It A Lovely Day" among its many numbers.
64.) The Passion of Joan of Arc (1927) This silent French classic draws it script from the Saint's trial account.Compelling and passionate (obviously), this film you should not miss.
65.) Harold and Maude (1973) The ending of this film seems to contradict the movie's larger point, but not enough to deny its impact. Ruth Gordon was never better.This odd tale of love is a black comedy at heart, but with an engaging sense of optimism, no matter its ending.
66.) Miracle On 34th Street (1947) The original and best version. If you haven't seen it then you never had a childhood.It holds up for all ages though.This is a better picture than people remember as the fluff they may think. It has comical political commentary as well.
67.) Force of Evil (1948) This is one of the most underappreciated films of all time. John Garfield was never better. He plays a small time lawyer in bed with small time numbers racketeers. Tis one deserves greater attention.
68.) In Cold Blood (1968) Richard Brooks directs and Robert Blake stars in the film version of Truman Capote's best selling book. It is frightening in its simplicity.
69.) Unforgiven (1992) An ironic film for Clint Eastwood as he directed and starred in a western with decidedly pacifist leanings.Unlike many of his other westerns, he demonstrates the consequences of a life of violence.Not to be missed.
70.) A Man for All Seasons (1965) Paul Schofield portays Thomas More, sentenced to death by King Henry VIII for failing to swear an oath of allegiance. An honest, forthright portrayal.
71.) Frankenstein (1933) The original with Boris Karloff as the monster. Truly frightening in its day and still has great allure and relevance about the limit and pursuit of knowledge.
72.) Braveheart (1995) Even though it won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1995, it received modest critical praise. Over the last decade it has picked up a lot of steam and has justly earned a spot at this point. An inspirational tale of the pursuit and defense of freedom.
73.) Forrest Gump (1994) Shortly after winning the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1994, it became fashionable to suggest that "Pulp Fiction" or "The Shawshank Redemption" were more worthy. As good as those movies are one depends on frank dialogue and the other a gimmick ending. From beginning to end Forrest Gump deals real character issues and demonstrates that a life well centered can positively effect those they come in contact. It is not a simple retelling of a generations life story, but possesses timeless principles and characteristics that endure through each generations trials.
74.) The African Queen (1951) Bogart and Bacall had nothing on the pairing of Bogart and Hepburn. The two of them, almost without peer endure the trials of traveling down river to find a German battleship. This film and these performance is almost magical.
75.) Psycho (1960) This film hinges on your believing that knife wielding murderer is not Tony Perkins. The shower scene is of course brilliant, but is not enough to merit a higher ranking. This is a very good film to be sure. A classic. It's just the most overrated of the classics in my view.
76.) Dracula (1931) Bela Lugosi could never outdo this, his trademark character.
77.) The Maltese Falcon ( 1941) This was actually the third and final version produced by Warner Brothers, the second by the same title. Classic stuff that started this whole notion of "film noir". John Huston's first film and made Bogart a star.
78.) A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) This film resurrected Vivien Leigh's and established Marlon Brando's career. Based on the Tennessee Williams play, although rewritten is powerful and evocative thru the sheer will of its cast.Otherwise it's dark and dreery.
79.) Great Expectations (1946) Probably the best film version of a Dickens novel and one of David Lean's earliest efforts at directing. Wonderful telling and highly recommended.
80.) Strangers On A Train (1951) With all of the more obvious plot holes in the script, the performances by Robert Walker and Farley Granger are strong enough to rate this high.Hitchcock, also one of his better efforts of directing.
81.) All About Eve (1950) As great an ensemble cast as has ever been assembled.The dialogue and performances are right on target and fantastically realized. This is one for all those who like a quick wit and dynamic personalities.
82.) The Sound of Music (1965) Next to The Wizard of Oz, this may be the second most watched film ever. It's easy to see why. Like all Rodger's and Hammerstein musicals, what initially looks like fluff, has a more ominous background undermining one's cozy existence and how it's overcome defines the film's greatness.
83.) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) People who haven't seen this movie perceive it as a fluffy political film, when in fact it exposes that corruption is an ever present reality that needs to be rooted out. The movie has a happy ending on the particulars, but serves as a reminder that things weren't always as good as we thought.With the right perspective you'll get past what you think is hokey and come away feeling better about yourself.
84.) The Dirty Dozen (1966) This would probably surprise many people. This film is viewed as the quintissential guy movie, but in truth it's the first modern war movie.This film while not gory does not pull its punches.A brutally honest depiction.
85.) High Noon (1952) The Gary Cooper classic that earned him his 2nd Academy Award.Everyone abandons him to his fate as three outlaws come to take him down.
86) The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) The first installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.Brilliantly acted and realized.A real treat.
87.) The Gold Rush (1924) Charlie Chaplin's silent film classic as the litte tramp goes in search of gold in Alaska
88.) The Color Purple (1985) A tale of suppression and redemption as Whoopi Goldberg struggles to find her way in this Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the Alice Walker novel.
89.) Marty (1954) Ernest Borgnine's Oscar winning performance written by Paddy Chayevsky.A simple tale of love and how it transforms one's life. A genuine classic, not to be missed
90.) Sullivan's Travels (1942) Joel McCrea is a run of the mill director of comedies in Hollywood. He goes out on the road disguised as an indigent man, looking for a story that will inspire a great dramatic film. Not to be missed.
91.) The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) The impact of the film from then til now has diminished only because of the immediacy of the subject when released. That being said it deals with family and community as they deal with returning soldiers and their impact upon return.
92.) The Thing From Another World (1951) What might seem a simple horror movie is far more as men and woman isolated from the rest of the world are confronted by something they do not understand, but must destroy.Script is concise, characters well defined.
93.) The Little Foxes (1941) Based on the Lillian Hellman play, this is high drama at its best.Bette Davis at her evil best.
94.) Shane (1953) Alan Ladd never stood taller.The classic tale of the gunfighter reluctantly forced to fight.One of the greats.
95.) The Planet of the Apes (1968) What can you say? This great film deals with the proverbial fish out of water. Heston, used to being a member of a dominant race, now finds himself treated like a savage.(ape?) Great turnaround, again brilliantly realized.
96.) Annie Hall (1977) Woody Allen's classic telling of a dysfunctional romance, honest and genuine to the core.
97.) Glory (1989) Classic telling of the first black military unit in the Union Army during the Civil War. True to the realities of war and provides fully dimensional characters.
98.) Goodfellas (1990) Many would have this higher, but as usual Scorcese flubs the ending just enough to almost ruin it.Otherwise this is an highly enjoyable film ,but only for the strong of stomach. Definitely, a guy thing.
99.) The President's Analyst (1968) James Coburn's best role has him playing the President's shrink. A black comedy as spies from all over the world try to kidnap him for his presumed knowledge of the President's psyche.Not to everyone's taste, but a grossly underrated film deserving of more praise.
100.) Now, Voyager (1942) Bette Davis's greatest performance and maybe the greatest by a lead actress ever. By virtue of it alone the film is elevated to another plateau as she goes from wallflower to charming outgoing albeit middle aged woman.
101.) Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) The most patriotic film ever made as Cagney plays a somewhat fictional portrayal of George M. Cohan.
102.) Of Mice and Men (1939) John Steinbeck's novels play brilliantly on film and this if no exception.Burgess Meredith & Lon Chaney Jr. provide the leads as Lenny and George in their best performances.
103.) The Sting (1973) The classic Newman and Redford film as they con mob boss Robert Shaw. It also exposed a new generation to Scott Joplin's music. A joyy to watch.
104.) It Happened One Night (1934) Frank Capra's classic screwball comedy starring Gable and Colbert. Claudette Colbert plays Runaway Bride before Julia Robert's was a twinkle in her fathers' eye.
105.) The Caine Mutiny (1954) Classic film adaptation of a real mutiny on a U.S. naval ship during World War II. Bogart, typically steals the show.
106.) The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968) This should surprise many. Anthony Quinn is a former Russian political prisoner and priest elected Pope.Honest,forthright insight into the Papacy, Christianity and its conflict with the realities of the world around them. This film is one of the few that is not cynical about religion or those who hold power.It shows a balanced, human perspective, which is rare.
107.) A Christmas Story ( 1983) The classic comedy centered on a family during Christmas has endured when many other supposed classics have faded.A great movie.
108.) Field of Dreams (1989) Another enduring classic that uses baseball as a prop to heal old family wounds. A personal favorite.
109.) The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Many people will insist that thisd is the best Star Wars film. It seems this view hinges on the idea that getting your butt kicked makes for better film making as opposed to a happy ending.This is a great movie, but too fatalistic to be considered the best that Lucas offered.
110.) Mutiny On the Bounty (1935) Charles Laughton as Captain Bligh and Clark Gable as Fletcher Christian at loggerheads and results in mutiny.Classic film, based on actual events.
111.) Young Frankenstein (1974) Mel Brooks' classic but reverent spook of horror movies.Excellent cast with Gene Wilder,Terri Garr,Cloris Leachman,Madeleine Kahn,Marty Feldman & Gene Hackman.
112.) Airplane (1980) This classic by the Zucker Brothers changed film comedy forever as they redefine screwball comedy by spoofing disaster movies.
113.) A Raisin In the Sun (1961) A moving story about a black family and their struggles.Well defined,diverse characters as the family seeks to move into a new home and the conflict it creates.
114.) Stagecoach (1939) While a great movie, this quite likely John Ford's most overrated venture.Join John Wayne and many more as passengers on a stagecoach trying to evade hostile indians.
115.) M (1931) Classic German film about a murderer of small children, starring Peter Lorre.It's unique in that the German underworld joins in the effort to track him down.A brilliant film.
116.) The Treasure of Sierra Madre (1949) John Huston & Humphrey Bogart's classic film about peospecting for gold. Walter Huston steals the show.
117.) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1968) Newman and Redford in their first pairing about the famous pair of train robbers.Classic film making at its best.
118.) A Star Is Born (1954) A rare moment when a remake is superior to the original. Judy Garland & James Mason;her star rising, his falling and the consequences.
119.) M*A*S*H* (1970) This film classic is often overlooked due to the success of the TV show, but remains a classic for all ages.A film that incorporated comedy with a dramatic backdrop war pulls no punches.
120.) Lust for Life (1956) Kirk Douglas as Vincent Van Gogh and Anthony Quinn as Pierre Gaughin.Great film with troubling insights into the life of the great painter.
121.) The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) Edward Arnold is Daniel Webster and Walter Huston is Nick Scratch, aka the Devil. Classic filming of a short story, the highlight being the Jury of the Damned as they judge the soul of the defendant.
122.) Battleground (1949) Although filmed on MGM's back stages this film never loses touch with its subjects. Soldiers of the 101st Airborne surrounded at Bastogne by German Panzer Divisions. Rare for its time as being focused on the personalities and not the broader,more sanitized treatment.
123.) Twentieth Century (1934) Classic screwball comedy set mostly on a train. Starring John Barrymore & Carol Lombard the two in engage in personal warfare as Barrymore offended that their relationship ended once LOmbard hits the big time.
124.) The Student Prince In Old Heidelberg (1927) Classic silent starring Norma Shearer who falls in love with Crown Prince.Being a maiden in a beerhall inevitably ends the affair.Deals with the complexities of love and power,without being sentimental.
125.) Blazing Saddles (1974) The greatest spoof of Westerns is actually funny while not so subtly dealing with racism.This effective combination has sustained it over the years.Co written by Richard Pryor.
126.) The Misfits (1960) This a rare film in that character development holds you throughout. Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift as rodeores.Eli Wallach,Thelma Ritter and especially Marilyn Monroe provide stunning support. No real plot,but boy it stays with you. It's also Monroe's and Gable's last film.
127.) Open Range (2004) Kevin Costner's largely ignored Western classic that is as honest an appraisal as you can get.Beautifully shot and Robert Duvall is outstanding.
128.) The Big Parade (1925) Silent anti war classic starring John Gilbert.A sensation then and justifiably so.Highly recommend.
129.) One!Two!Three! (1963) Jimmy Cagney retired after making this Billy Wilder screwball comedy.Cagney, A COKE executive in West Berlin tries to keep his daughter away from a Marxist young man from East Berlin. Horst Buccholz co stars in his only other signifigant role besides the Magnificent Seven.
130.) Ran! (1985) Akira Kurasawa brings Shakespeare's King Lear to medieval Japan and succeeds gloriously.
131.) A Shot In the Dark (1968) The greatest of the Pink Panther films is one of the funniest films of all time.It stands alone in the genre.
132.) The Great Escape (1964) One of the great action movies of all time as an all star cast tries to escape a German P.O.W. camp. Steve McQueen as usual steals the show.
133.) Rio Grande (1950) Perhaps John Ford's most underrated and underappreciated film. Beautifully shot in black and white covering the trials of cavalry on the Texas-Mexico border.
134.) Henry V (1989) Kenneth Branagh brings Shakespeare's king to life like no other.A balanced performance.
135.) Napoleon (1927) This silent French classic starring Abel Gance as the famed Emperer is the best by far.Long, but dramatic and compelling.
136.) The Hustler (1961) A great film that is dragged by a slow, plodding middle. When it's on target, there are few better.
137.) Throne of Blood (1957) Akira Kurasawa's original attempt to transmit Shakespeare to medieval Japan.This time it's Macbeth and its outstanding.
138.) Gaslight (1944) MGM's classic remake of the 1940 British film of the same title. And it's better! Ingrid Bergman & Charles Boyer star in this, one of the great threillers of all time.
139.) El Cid (1961) Try finding this Charlton Heston, Sophia Loren Classic! I dare you! Maybe the most forgotten classic of all time is the epic telling of "The Saga of the Cid", Spain's greatest hero of the Middle Ages.
140.) Double Indemnity (1944) If you love films, then you're likely shocked it's rated this low.A great film, but a little too casual. Also, I've never been too comfortable with Fred MacMurray in the lead opposite Barbara Stanwyck. This is still a classic of love and murder.
141.) Harvey (1950) The Classic Jimmy Stewart comedy about a giant invisible rabbit that only he can see.Besides being a comedy it explores quite subtly the sense of what qualifies one as sane.
142.) The Four Feathers (1939) This is a visual joy.The tale of a soldier who refuses to serve and his desire to undo his shame.
143.) Twelve O'Clock High (1950) This is one of the greater films of all time that has sadly, been forgotten by many people.It deals with the struggle of command at a American bomber base in World War II, with Gregory Peck as its star.
144.) On Golden Pond (1981) Modern classic detailing Henry Fonda as an elderly retired professor, coming to grips with the fact that he's not as young as he wants or used to be.
145.) The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1964) Ridiculed at the time this John Ford classic about Jimmy Stewart's efforts to bring law and order with a book, not a gun. John Wayne and Lee Marvin show him the error of his ways stoking a crisis of conscience.
146.) The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) Classic sequal to the original, with the monster demanding a bride, ably played by Elsa Lanchester.
147.) Judgement At Nuremburg (1961) An all star cast in support of Spencer Tracy who is one of three judges presiding of war crimes trials after World War II.
148.) The Magnificent Seven (1960) Probablt the best western ever at least in my opinion.Seven gunslingers help Mexican townspeople against bandits led by Eli Waalach. A timeless classic.
149.) Spider Man II (2004) The sequal is better than the original.The characters are better and more clearly,poignantly defined.The best of its genre.
150.) Stalag 17 (1953) William Holden won the Oscar for his performance as an American POW in Germany.He's mistaken as a collaborator with the Germans.Highly recommended.
151.) American Beauty (1999) This may best be defined as a mid life crisis for Kevin Spacey's character. Visually stunning,acted and written centered on dysfunctional characters.
152.) Adam's Rib (1949) Many have this rated much much higher. It may be worth of reconsideration. This Tracy/Hepburn/Holliday classic about a woman on trial for shooting her husband.
153.) The Philadelphia Story (1940) Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn & Jimmy Stewart in a great classic comedy.It's all about character as Jimmy tries to win back Kate on the eve of her new wedding day.
154.) From Here To Eternity (1953) This film has lost much of its punch but was considered risque' in its day. Soldiers and their ladies based in Hawaii in the weeks before Pearl Harbor.
155.) Spider Man (2002) The first movie with the webslinger starring Tobey Maguire, who is perfectly cast.It manages to capture the essence of the character, the drama and the comedy.
156.) The Right Stuff (1983) An epic tale of Chuck Yeager and later the original Mercury astronauts and the journey into space. A rousing epic.
157.) Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958) The performances of Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor as well as Burl Ives lift this film.It is a sanitized version of Tennesse Williams stage play about family,sex,and repression.
158.) A Beautiful Mind (2001) Ron Howard's classic account of Princeton economist John Nash and his overcoming mental illness.
159.) The Terminator (1984) This was actually run on a fairly modest budget, but the writing is underrated ans Arnold is pefect.The characters, and their growth is believable.
160.) JAWS (1975) The ending of this classic is so bad it drags the film to this position.The total body, which is outstanding kept it from sinking further.
161.) Sherlock Jr. (1924) Buster Keaton's silent classic with brilliant comic direction.
162.) The Body Snatcher (1945) Boris Karloff as a grave robber, working for local doctor examining bodies.Classic pulp horror.Perhaps Karloff's best film.
163.) Forbidden Planet (1954) Classic retelling of Shakespeare's "The Tempest", only this time in space. Walter Pidgeon, Leslie Nielsen & Robbie the Robot star.
164.) Mrs. Miniver (1942) This wartime classic still has staying power.Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon struggle to survive the blitz.
165.) Lillies of the Field (1963) One of my personal favorites.Sidney Poitier won the Academy Award as a man who helps German nuns in New Mexico build a chapel.
166.) Aliens (1986) The sequal is better than the original. Sigourney Weaver leads a band of marines in what turns out to be a fight for their lives.
167.) A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1945) Elia Kazan directed this classic novel to film.A story of a family struggling to make ends meet.Beautifully told,creative and ultimately optimistic.
168.) Hail, the Conquering Hero (1944) Preston Sturges' comedy classic is his best, but has been almost forgotten.Eddie Bracken is a small town who is 4f, but gets caught up in a story that he was wounded at Guadalcanal.Funny film, a genuine classic.
169.) Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) The sci fi classic still holds up, especially against any number of remakes. The Pod People are invading and Kevin McCarthy desperately tries to stay awake.
170.) Woman of the Year (1942) The dialogue is crisp, the character, one refined, one unrefined conflict at every turn.
171.) South Pacific (1958) Rodger's and Hammerstein's classic musical, based on Herman Wouk's novel. All the necessary components are here; love,war,bigotry,sacrifice, and death.
172.) The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) Michael Rennie comes to Earth to tell humanity to gets its act together or else.Classic.
173.) She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1948) John Wane plays a soon to be retired cavalry officer, looking for one last chance to make a difference.
174.) The War of the Worlds (1954) Only the ending keeps this from going higher.The effects hold up brilliantly and is genuinely scary movie.
175.) Sweet Smell of Success (1957) This cookie's not to everyone's liking, but its strong characterizations make it appealing. Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis are at their best, as sleazy as it is.
176.) Oklahoma! (1955) The movie based on Rodger's and Hammerstein musical play is beautifully realized. Shirley Jones & Gordon McCrae star.
177.) Alien (1979) Based on a b movie from the fifties, this too sci fi horror to a new level.The crew tries to take out a murderous creature on board.
178.) Peeping Tom (1960) Simply put, this is one of the most disturbing films you'll ever watch. A study in not just murder but terror as the murderer films the act.
179.) The King and I (1956) This is notable for making Yul Brynner a star.Otherwise as good as this Rodger's and Hammerstein musical is, it's overrated enough to fall this far.
180.) In the Heat of the Night (1967) This film packs a wallop, but was much more relevant in its day. It's first rate acting and drama, but third rate murder mystery.
181.) The Sixth Sense (1999) This may move up signifigantly, but right now this is just fine.Great acting,plot and of course ending.
182.) Ball of Fire (1941) Classic comedy about stuffed shirt, nerdy Gary Cooper falling for mob moll Barbara Stanwyck.
183.) The Exorcist (1973) Frank and frightening horror movie dealing with demonic possession.
184.) The Man Who Would Be King (1975) John Huston's depiction of the Rudyard Kipling story.Star Sean Connery and Michael Caine as British soldiers trying to find fame and fortune in Kafiristan.
185.) Rashoman (1951) Akira Kurasawa's original story of crime seen from four different perspectives.
186.) The Bad and the Beautiful (1951) Great story of Kirk Douglas's rise and fall as a Hollywood Producer.
187.) King Kong (1933) The original is the best in its simple glory.This may move higher.
188.) Christmas Carol (1951) The best adaptation of the Dickens classic starring Alistair Sim.
189.) Duck Soup (1933) This Marx Brothers' classic still as funny and highly recommended as Groucho becomes Prime Minister.
190.) A Walk In the Sun (1945) Dana Andrews stars in this underrated war movie about American soldiers trying to capture a cottage in a field from German soldiers.
191.) The Music Man (1962) Robert Preston & Shirley Jones's personality make this one more timeless classic. Preston is trying to con the townsfolk and Jones is on the trail.
192.) Winchester 73 (1951) A gritty, real western years ahead of the trend. Jimmy Stewart tracks down the man who killed his father.Not as mundane as it sounds.
193.) Jurassic Park (1992) Spielberg's adapts Crighton novel and poses the question once again, how far can or should science extend?
194.) Lady For a Day (1933) Frank Capra captures Damon Runyon brilliantly as Apple Annie is transformed into a lady for her daughter she hasn't seen in years.
195.) Moonstruck (1987) This brilliant modern comedy dealing with love passion and family eccentricity.
196.) The Usual Suspects (1995) Brilliant writing, great acting do overcome some holes in the premise. Who is Kaiser Soze?
197.) Oliver! (1968) Musical remake of Oliver Twist captures the setting in a way altogether unexpected.
198.) The Big Carnival (1951) Kirk Douglas is a tabloid reporter taking advantage of a man's trapped in a mine to tragic effect.
199.) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1978) As great as this is in many respects, it simply isn't believable enough to rate higher.
200.) Fiddler On the Roof (1973) Classic filming of the stage musical about Jewish farmers in Czarist Russia.