30. Booksmart (2019)
Rating: 96%
Directed by Olivia Wilde, Booksmart is a funny coming-of-age story that tells the story of two star students who decide it is time to party. The film follows Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) — two best friends who excel in school, but realize they may have missed out on some of high school’s more exhilarating experiences as they focused on getting good grades. As a result, the girls decide they are going to go all-out the night before graduation. The resulting madness is both exciting and hilarious. For those of you that like movies like Superbad, Booksmart will likely be up your alley.
Image Source: IMDb
29. Roma (2018)
Rating: 95%
Upon its release in 2018, Roma was tapped as a potential ‘Movie of the Year’ due to its talented cast, director, and visual brilliance. The film showcases the life of a woman named Cleo — a maid who works for a married couple and their four children. Set in Mexico City during the 1970s, the film dives into Cleo’s life and how she sees the world. Due to some scandalous decisions within the family, Cleo finds herself on a vacation with the mother and her four kids. For her performance as Cleo, Yalitza Aparicio was nominated for Best Actress at the 2019 Academy Awards. Additionally, Alfonso Cuaron won Oscars for Best Director and Best Cinematography, and Roma was named the Best Foreign Language Film.
Image Source: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
28. Eighth Grade (2018)
Rating: 99%
While most people are familiar with Bo Burnham’s work as a comedian, he truly shines here as the writer and director of Eighth Grade. The star of the movie is Elsie Fisher. Playing Kayla Day, Fisher portrays an eighth grader who is going through her last week of a miserable final year of middle school. Taking experiences from his own teenage life, Burnham does a splendid job developing the character of Kayla. Through social media avenues such as YouTube and Instagram, Kayla portrays a fun, confident life. In reality, however, she is not the same confident teenager she appears to be on the internet. Through clever writing and a very strong performance from Fisher, Eighth Grade shines.
Image Source: IMDb
27. A Quiet Place (2018)
Rating: 96%
If you have ever watched a horror movie in a theater, you are all too familiar with the uneasy feeling that blankets the audience. As you wait for something bad or scary to happen, you can feel the tension and the silence become deafening. But in 2018, A Quiet Place explored the horror genre in a new way. What if your only chance of survival was to never make a sound? Set in a post-apocalyptic world, A Quiet Place follows the lives of Evelyn and Lee Abbott (Emily Blunt, John Krasinski) and their children as they hide from monsters that have ultra-sensitive hearing. It’s hard enough to make zero noise, but what do you do when it is time for your baby to be born? Can an in-labor Evelyn and her family survive the night?
Image Source: IMDb
26. Inside Out (2015)
Rating: 98%
In 2015, Pixar gave us yet another fantastic animated film. Inside Out involves a bevy of familiar stars — including Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Phyllis Smith, and Richard Kind. Each actor portrays an emotion — Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, Disgust — that is within a young girl named Riley. Riley is dealing with the emotions of leaving her hometown in the Midwest as her dad accepts a new job in San Francisco. The movie is touching on many levels, and Pixar once again showcases a beautiful story through special animation. This film is a must-see for people of all ages.
Image Source: IMDb
25. Rebecca (1940)
Rating: 100%
When you hear the name Alfred Hitchcock, films such as Psycho, Rear Window, and Vertigo often come to mind. However, it was his first American film that netted the film icon his only Oscar for Best Picture — Rebecca. Released in 1940, Rebecca is a romantic psychological thriller starring some of film’s biggest stars including Laurence Olivier (Maxim de Winter), Joan Fontaine (Mrs. de Winter), George Sanders (Jack Favell), Judith Anderson, and Gladys Cooper. In this classic Hitchcock tale, Maxim de Winter finds himself alone following the death of his first wife, Rebecca. Despite remarrying, de Winter and everyone around him are still captivated by the memory of Rebecca.
Image Source: IMDb
24. A Star Is Born (2018)
Rating: 90%
“I’m off the deep end, watch as I dive inI’ll never meet the ground.Crash through the surface, where they can’t hurt usWe’re far from the shallow now.”
Directed by/starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born represents the rare occurrence where a remake is a roaring hit. Cooper plays the role of Jack, an aging star who — by his own poor choices — is seeing his career winding down. But along his fall, he meets Ally (Gaga). Ally is a incredible singer, but has struggled to breakthrough in the industry. The chemistry between the two stars is evident and, as a result, A Star Is Born flourishes.
Image Source: IMDb
23. Wonder Woman (2017)
Rating: 93%
In her first appearance as Wonder Woman in a standalone film (second appearance in total, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), Gal Gadot shined bright. As a child, a young Diana was trained intensely to one day become an elite Amazonian warrior. And while there were a few flashes of her unique powers, she didn’t truly discover who she was until now. In Wonder Woman, Gadot’s Diana comes across a pilot who crashed into the ocean before her eyes. Played by Chris Pine, the pilot (Steve Trevor) informs Diana of an imminent war in his homeland. Diana believes she can help put an end to the conflict, and along the way learns a lot about herself.
Image Source: IMDb
22. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Rating: 99%
Dating back to 1920, The Cabinet of the Dr. Caligari is often recognized as the first true horror film of all-time. The German film tells the tale of a heinous man named Dr. Caligari. In Caligari’s possession is a special cabinet — one that contains a somnambulist (sleepwalker) named Cesare. Caligari controls Cesare to the point that the sleepwalker commits murders under Caligari’s guidance. Now over 100 years old, the film remains a truly iconic watch and one that influences the genre to this day.
Image Source: IMDb
21. Moonlight (2016)
Rating: 98%
Throughout our lives, we get to know hundreds — if not thousands — of people. However, most of these interactions are brief and don’t result in an intimate friendship. And even when it comes to those close to you, you may not know half of their story. In Moonlight, Oscar winner for Best Picture in 2017, we are exposed to the life journey of Chiron — an African American boy who struggles with his sexuality and abuse. After meeting Chiron as a child, we see him go through his teenage years and into his adult life. Starring Mahershala Ali (Best Supporting Actor winner),Moonlight became the first film with an all-black cast to win Best Picture.
Image Source: IMDb
20. All About Eve (1950)
Rating: 99%
Starring the legendary duo of Bette Davis (two-time Best Actress winner) and Anne Baxter (one-time Best Actress winner), All About Eve is, understandably, a classic film. Davis plays the role of Margo Channing — an aging Broadway star — and Baxter plays Eve Harrington, a die-hard fan of Margo’s. Eve finds herself backstage after one of Margo’s performance in the hopes of meeting her idol. Eve not only meets Margo, but befriends the star and her group of friends. While Eve’s intentions may seem pure at first, not all of Margo’s friends are blinded by her kindness. What is Eve up to?
Image Source: IMDb
19. Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse (2018)
Rating: 97%
Miles Morales, Spider-Man. In 2018, we were introduced to a new kind of Spider-Man. Morales, voiced by Shameik Moore, joined forces with five other people who had spider powers with a common goal — stop the threat and save all realities. In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, there are multiple dimensions where more than one person can wear the Spider-Man mask. This animated take on the iconic web slinger is funny, has a great story, and tons of traditional Spidey action. Some other notable voices in this film include that of Mahershala Ali (Uncle Aaron), Hailee Steinfeld (Gwen Stacy), Nicholas Cage (Spider-Man Noir), Liev Schreiber (Wilson Fisk), Chris Pine (Peter Parker), Zoe Kravitz (Mary Jane), and John Mulaney (Spider-Ham).
Image Source: IMDb
18. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Rating: 97%
“In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper, and a drifter named Max.”
Sounds intense, right? If it’s at all possible, the action in Mad Max: Fury Road never ceases to amaze. Whether you are watching the film for the first time or for the 15th time, it is always an exhilarating ride that will keep you entertained. Charlize Theron plays the role of Furiosa — the woman rebelling against the tyrannical ruler — and Tom Hardy plays Max, the insane drifter who is hellbent on helping Furiosa while also seeking peace of his own following the loss of both his wife and child. Buckle in, you’re in for one hell of a ride.
Image Source: IMDb
17. The Godfather (1972)
Rating: 97%
Arguably the greatest movie of all-time, The Godfather checks in at No. 17 on Rotten Tomatoes‘ scale. Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece is centered around the Corleone family and its organized crime dynasty — and leader, Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). Throughout this epic, we see the Corleones go to battle with other prominent mafia families — all while Don Vito attempts to shift control of the family to his son, Michael (Al Pacino). If you haven’t watched The Godfather, what are you waiting for?
Image Source: IMDb
16. The Irishman (2019)
Rating: 95%
From The Godfather to The Irishman, people sure do love their mafia movies. Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese, The Irishman covers the life and tales of hitman Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) and the secrets he protected as a member of the Bufalino family. In this film, Al Pacino once again teams up with Scorsese — this time playing the role of Jimmy Hoffa. Amidst the many past secrets we are let in on, De Niro’s Sheeran finally elaborates on Hoffa’s disappearance and his role in the legendary mystery. Furthering the cast of all-stars are Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, and Ray Romano.
Image Source: IMDb
15. Get Out (2017)
Rating: 98%
Director/writer Jordan Peele struck gold with his debut film, Get Out. Starring Daniel Kaluuya, the film follows Kaluuya’s Chris and his girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) as they head out for a weekend stay with Rose’s parents. However, Chris is quick to realize that Rose’s family isn’t exactly ‘normal’. Soon, Chris’ fears are realized as it is revealed that there is a sinister side to Rose and her family. This film was just the beginning of what is likely to be a long, successful directorial career for Peele — and it was a great, great start.
Image Source: IMDb
14. BlacKkKlansman (2018)
Rating: 96%
With BlacKkKlansman, Spike Lee added yet another classic to his legendary catalogue of films. Based on actual events, John David Washington plays Ron Stallworth — an African American police officer who manages to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan. Stallworth had some help along the way, as well. Flip Zimmerman, played by Adam Driver, is a Jewish detective who teams with Stallworth to infiltrate and investigate the group. In typical Spike Lee fashion, BlacKkKlansman doesn’t pull any punches and provokes a ton of thought from the audience. Despite the film being set 40 years in the past, it speaks for the current state of America.
Image Source: IMDb
13. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
Rating: 97%
Crazy stunts? Check. Beautiful backdrops? Check. Explosive action? Check. In Mission: Impossible — Fallout, Tom Cruise returns to play Ethan Hunt for the sixth time. This time around, Hunt is dealing with the aftermath of the events of Rogue Nation. It has been two years since Hunt captured Solomon Lane, and now the Syndicate has revamped to form a new organization called the Apostles. Joined in this film by Henry Cavill as August Walker, it is up to Hunt and Walker to stop the Apostles from using the plutonium cores that are a threat to the world. This edition of Mission Impossible will keep you entertained throughout the entire operation.
Image Source: IMDb
12. Lady Bird (2017)
Rating: 99%
Going through your teenage years can be an awkward time for many people, and Christine McPherson was no different. Played by the incredibly talented Saoirse Ronan, Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson is a senior at a Catholic high school in Sacramento, California. Lady Bird highlights McPherson’s experience both in school and at home. The audience joins Lady Bird as she deals with the ups and downs of relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners — as well as big moments that take place at the end of high school like prom and applying for college. The film earned five Oscar nominations — including a Best Actress nomination for Ronan, Best Supporting Actress (Laurie Metcalf), and Best Original Screenplay (Greta Gerwig).
Image Source: IMDb
11. Toy Story 4 (2019)
Rating: 97%
It is up for debate whether Toy Story 4 is the best film the franchise has to offer, but it is the only edition to appear on Rotten Tomatoes‘ Top 100 Movies of All-Time list. Released in 2019, this Pixar classic came out nine years after Toy Story 3. This time around, a few new toys enter the mix and join the adventure alongside Woody — most notably “Forky” and Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves). If this film is indeed the final entry to the Toy Story franchise, it is a fitting end to an era. The story is exciting and funny, but also reflective — managing to pull at the heart strings of those who grew up alongside Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang.
Image Source: IMDb
10. Us (2019)
Rating: 93%
Jordan Peele’s debut film Get Out was great, but his follow-up effort was even better. Released in 2019, Us follows a family of four as their beach vacation turns into a never-ending nightmare. The Wilson family consists of two loving parents and two children. Lupita Nyong’o is incredible in her two-character role as both Adelaide Wilson and Red — her evil doppelgänger. Peele’s sophomore film is a smashing success. The star director managed to create a chilling, original tale. With strong performances from all the main characters buoying the memorable story, Us leaves us begging for more.
Image Source: IMDb
9. Knives Out (2019)
Rating: 97%
Rian Johnson created one of the best movies of 2019. At the most basic level, Knives Out is just another whodunnit murder mystery. However, Johnson’s film put a highly-entertaining and hilarious twist on the genre. Detective Benoit Blanc, played by Daniel Craig, arrives at a mansion to investigate the death of a famous novelist named Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). Craig’s Blanc is not willing to rule out anybody during his investigation, leading to some great suspense throughout the film. With a star-studded cast including the likes of Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, and LaKeith Stanfield, Knives Out excels at every turn.
Image Source: IMDb
8. Casablanca (1942)
Rating: 99%
One cannot talk about the history of film without mentioning Casablanca. Directed by Michael Curtiz, Casablanca was the recipient of three Oscars following its release in 1942. In addition to Curtiz winning Best Director, the film was deemed Best Picture, and also won the Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay. The legendary Humphrey Bogart plays Rick Blaine — an expatriate who runs a cafe/nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco. Blaine’s business becomes a place where refugees come to in hopes of escaping to America. One day, however, things take a dramatic turn when Blaine’s former lover shows up with her new husband. Will Blaine help them escape to America…or will they be left to fend for themselves?
Image Source: IMDb
7. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Rating: 94%
How will the Avengers recover from Thanos’ destruction in Avengers: Infinity War? That was the question everybody was asking in advance of Endgame. With one snap of his fingers, Thanos had wiped out half of the world’s population — and disintegrated more than a few Avengers. This film is all about dealing with the aftermath of Thanos’ actions. What can the Avengers possibly do — if anything — to save the world and reverse Thanos’ destruction? The conclusion to “The Infinity Saga” was equal parts exciting and emotional. Who do you think will come out on top, Thanos or the Avengers?
Image Source: IMDb
6. Parasite (2019)
Rating: 98%
Parasite is one of the best films of the past 15 years. Bong Joon Ho’s 2019 thriller became the first foreign language film to win Best Picture, and also claimed three additional Oscars. The film explores the issue of class discrimination — as well as other social themes — to great effect. The audience is exposed to the lifestyles of two main families, and how their worlds collide. The Kims — a hard-working, lower class family — and the Parks, an incredibly wealthy unit. While Parasite has a few unnerving moments, Joon Ho’s film is a truly groundbreaking project that deserves all the praise it has received and more.
Image Source: IMDb
5. Citizen Kane (1941)
Rating: 99%
In any discussion about the greatest films of all-time, Citizen Kane is likely to be brought up. Directed by Orson Welles, the film explores the concept of the American Dream. As the film begins, the audience witnesses an old man utter his final word, “Rosebud.” From that moment on, reporters do their best to decipher the meaning of ‘Rosebud’ — spoken by Charles Foster Kane, a famous publishing tycoon. Throughout the film, we are shown snippets of Kane’s incredible life. But at the root of it all, is the desire to find out what ‘Rosebud’ truly means.
Image Source: IMDb
4. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Rating: 99%
No movie had a bigger impact on the transition to the use of color in film than The Wizard of Oz. Before this all-timer debuted in 1939, studios were hesitant to produce technicolor films — instead opting for the familiar black-and-white style. By now, we are all familiar with The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy’s journey to Oz, the evil Wicked Witch of the West, the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Toto — there are too many memorable aspects of the film to list. The Wizard of Oz is iconic for a reason.
Image Source: IMDb
3. Black Panther (2018)
Rating: 96%
Black Panther was already a fan favorite upon its release in 2018, but following the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman the film is even more special. Boseman’s portrayal of T’Challa/Black Panther was mesmerizing and powerful in the moment, and even more so now. It is truly hard to quantify the impact Boseman had on people around the world — not only through his role as Black Panther, but as a world class human. As a film, Black Panther is one of the greatest superhero films of all-time. In addition to the late Boseman, Michael B. Jordan (Killmonger) and Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia) — among others — thrive in their roles. Wakanda Forever.
Image Source: IMDb
2. Modern Times (1936)
Rating: 98%
“The Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.”
Quite the tagline, Modern Times. The director, writer, and star of this 1936 slapstick comedy is Charlie Chaplin. In what would be Chaplin’s final ‘silent’ film, the Little Tramp is working at an advanced factory — where he is completely flummoxed by the complex machines. Numerous mistakes at the factory results in Chaplin being sent to jail, but when he is released he must find a way to thrive. In typical Chaplin fashion, this old school film will have you laughing constantly.
Image Source: IMDb
1. It Happened One Night (1934)
Rating: 99%
It Happened One Night is not ranked No. 1 by accident. The 1934 film was loved at the time of its release and remains a beloved movie more than 85 years later. It is undoubtedly the greatest romantic comedy in history of film, and contains all of its main players at their peaks. Clark Gable won his first and only Oscar for Best Actor (also nominated for Gone with the Wind and Mutiny on the Bounty), Claudette Colbert won Best Actress (nominated for two other roles), and Frank Capra was named Best Director for the first time (three total wins). This is a film that you absolutely must see during your lifetime.
Image Source: IMDb