These days, it can feel like everyone is a critic.
What sounds like a bop to someone is total garbage to another and a movie that makes someone cry might be a joke to someone else.
So it’s truly magical when fans can come together and agree on something. In this case, it’s which movies, no matter the decade, are a 10/10.
*Shawshank Redemption*
“It takes you through a whirlwind of injustice in our justice system, and still remains to be an uplifting motivating movie. I think this is one of those movies I’d like to rewatch through the different phases in my life.” — Redditor o_omicron
*The Shining*
“All work and no play make Jack a dull boy…”
Whether you’re a horror movie fanatic or just a cinephile with a deep appreciation for film, you can’t help but marvel at the terrifying majesty that is The Shining .
*Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back*
Four little words changed the face of modern cinema forever: “I am your father.”
There are more Star Wars films/spin-off series, etc. than you could shake a stick at. But at the top of the heap, The Empire Strikes Back still holds firm.
*Schindler’s List*
“One of the very few movies that made me sob uncontrollably in the middle of the theatre. No ending to any movie ever tops the emotional impact of that closing scene. Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.” — Redditor Jamesbond10000
*12 Angry Men*
“It took only 3 weeks to make, and had a super low budget. Just goes to show how you can have excellent film without relying on on special effects or huge set pieces. You just need really good writing and actors who know what they’re doing.” — Redditor jasta85
*The Godfather*
“Watched it recently. Other than the story, acting and direction, the score is my absolute favorite. The scenes of Michael wandering Italy… There’s nothing else like that. It’s a vibe.” — Redditor boomracoon
Al Pacino is even still acting to this day!
*Alien*
“I’ve always argued that it’s a flawless movie. The buildup, the tension, the slowly learning about the life cycle of the alien…the plot twist, the fact that the alien is hidden in a lot of scenes and you don’t even notice it. And so much more. It’s an incredible and perfect horror/thriller and everyone should watch it.” — Redditor Varanus-komodoensis
*Aliens*
“Sigourney Weaver gives a fantastic performance from beginning to end. The movie has so many one liners that I repeat to this day with my dad. It’s a tradition that we watch it at least once a year.” — Redditor Vicitiniman
*The Terminator*
“Casting, acting, one liners, action, story, beginning, end, emotion, soundtrack. All on point. With that said, they should have stopped after 2. Everything after […] was straight up garbage.” — Redditor xxhotandspicyxx
Arnold even remade the movie in 2019.
*Pan’s Labyrinth*
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because Pan’s Labyrinth is a fantasy film, that it’s also a kids’ movie. Believe me, it is anything but.
This incredibly violent and often disturbing tale is most definitely a bedtime story for adults.
*Monty Python’s Life of Brian*
“It’s a powerful statement on human nature while being timelessly funny and also contains possibly the best [expletive] joke ever committed to film.” — Redditor vacri
Sadly, its star, Terry Jones, has since passed .
*Groundhog Day*
“I think one of the truly brilliant parts of that movie is that there’s no explanation at all for why this happens to Phil. We can gather for ourselves that he badly needed to be taught a lesson and this is what it took, but how it happened is never explained and it doesn’t matter.” — Redditor sharrrper
*The Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring*
“The depth, vulnerability, and intimacy you make with the Fellowship is what makes this the best of the trilogy. The others are great films, but their scope is much more grandiose (for obvious reasons). Fellowship is the true 10/10.” — Redditor wildguidance
*Silence of the Lambs*
“Every actor gave it their all. Such an ‘absurd’ scenario but their performance gave us all the belief it was actually happening. Emotional but not one of those blatantly crying or laughing films. 10/10.” — Redditor Wearer_of_black
*Goodfellas*
There’s no shortage of mobster movies in Hollywood. In fact, the entire genre has become so oversaturated it can hardly be taken seriously.
But if you were looking to point the finger at the greatest mob movie (that isn’t The Godfather ), then without a doubt it has to be Goodfellas .
*Jurassic Park*
“I saw Jurassic Park for the first time in 2014 or 2015 and honestly could not believe it was over 20 years old… the special effects are so good, so ahead of their time. Definitely one of my favorite movies for the simple fact that I watch it in complete amazement!” — Redditor BLTakenusername
*The Green Mile*
“Watched it for the first time yesterday, I wasn’t prepared for such an emotional rollercoaster. Truly a 10/10 movie.” — Redditor Leoasken72
“The only movie [that’s] made me cry as an adult,” added this Redditor.
*Apocalypse Now*
If you’re one of the few who hasn’t seen Apocalypse Now , I can almost guarantee you’ve heard someone quote “the horror…” at least once in your life.
This film is considered by many to be Francis Ford Coppola’s opus.
*Pulp Fiction*
This is an incredibly unpopular opinion, but Pulp Fiction was never my favorite Tarantino film. I was always more partial to Reservoir Dogs .
That’s not to say that Pulp Fiction isn’t a 10/10 film, because it is. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.
*The Deer Hunter*
You’ve heard the term “slow burn” in film before, I presume? Well, The Deer Hunter is a slow burn wrapped in a turtle race .
The director’s cut is over four hours long, and well worth the watch for those who understand the value of character development.
*Rocky*
If you’re someone who loves a great underdog story, they don’t get much better than Rocky .
Arguably one of the greatest sports movies to have ever been made, Rocky remains to this day a staple fixture of our collective pop culture.
*The Prestige*
“Every time I watch it I find something new. The story is great, and the moral concepts they touch on are explained very well, and leave[s] the last bit of ‘is this right or wrong?’ up to the audience.” — Redditor SspellPierce
*Memento*
Are you still scratching your head and wondering what the hell you just saw in Tenet ? Then why not cool off and take things back to where they all began with Memento ?
Christopher Nolan’s breakout film may just be his best ever.
*Back To The Future*
“It has everything: fun story and excitement, perfect pacing, great performances, iconic moments and scenes, accessible to children and adults, a great score. It’s just perfect.” — Redditor deleted
“The screenplay is perfection. Not a line in that film is wasted,” added another .
*Almost Famous*
Have you ever wondered what it means to love music? If so, then you absolutely have to watch Almost Famous .
This movie changed my life, as it did for the lives of countless others. On behalf of all of us, I’d like to say “thank you” to Cameron Crowe.
*Rear Window*
I know the term “must-watch” gets thrown around a lot.
But If you’re someone who’s looking to better understand the history of filmmaking, to be able to articulate the evocative emotions that come from watching a great film, then you simply must add Rear Window to your list.
*Toy Story*
Toy Story not only changed the lives of an entire generation of movie-goers, it also changed the paradigm of animated feature films forever.
Even though Toy Story was released more than 25 years ago, it’s still as timeless as it ever was.
*The Good, the Bad and the Ugly*
“The cinematography, the characters and the music are all among the best that ever was. I seriously think there are more iconic characters in this movie than […] in every movie made in the 80’s together. And musically… it may be number one.” — Redditor hemmendorff
*The Big Lebowski*
I’m fairly certain that I’ve let my disdain for the Coen brothers be known several times over by this point.
But even I have to admit that The Big Lebowski is one of the greatest comedic films of all time. The internet seems to agree.
*Ghostbusters*
“That movie is AMAZING. The special effects, jokes, acting/cast, nostalgic 80’s vibe, the lore – it’s impeccable. No movie slaps harder than Ghostbusters (1984).” — Redditor bloodfields
There have been reboots of the film, but nothing can touch the original.
*The Usual Suspects*
What more proof do you need of a film’s merit than an Oscar statue? Kevin Spacey absolutely floored audiences with his performance and took home the gold for Best Supporting Actor.
This film is easily one of the great crime capers of the ’90s.
*Mean Girls*
“I’d give Mean Girls 10/10 for the fact that for many years it has brought women together through its quotable lines.” — Redditor
“Mean Girls is absolutely a 10/10. The entire movie is quotable and perfect and hilarious,” added another .
*The Matrix*
When you go back and watch The Matrix , nothing looks dated. It doesn’t seem cheesy or out of sync, quite the opposite.
This movie was decades ahead of its time and we still can’t seem to get enough, even more than 20 years later.
*The Road to El Dorado*
“I could go on for /hours/ about this film, everything about it is amazing and I love it with all of my soul!!!! It’s brilliant.” — Redditor mmmmmmild_discomfort
“Perfect comedy, action, bromance, and music!” added another .
*Taxi Driver*
I can’t say with certainty which film has been quoted the most by viewing audiences over the decades.
But if I had to make a guess, I would confidently say that Taxi Driver would have to be in the top five. Say it with me now: “are you talkin’ to me?!”
