1 Citizen Kane
Although after its initial release it faded from the spotlight, after World War II Citizen Kane received critical acclaim abroad.
This led to the movie being ‘rediscovered’ by American audiences and eventually achieving the legendary status it enjoys today at the top of many best movies lists.
2 The Godfather
As one of the most respected films ever, The Godfather has repeatedly been recognised as one of the best movies ever made.
Never before had any film taken the insider perspective on a crime family the way it did, and besides having one of the greatest casts, screenplays and directors of all time, it had a significant impact on western culture that has come to be known as the ‘Godfather Effect’.
3 Shawshank Redemption
Although Shawshank Redemption barely covered its budget at the box office, it received very good reviews from critics and eventually became an all time favourite on cable TV and DVD.
4 The Godfather: Part II
Winning six Academy Awards, The Godfather: Part II has been selected for preservation in the US National Film Registry and is widely considered one of the few examples in cinematic history where the sequel was on par with the original.
5 Pulp Fiction
Known for its eclectic dialogue, non-linear story line, and numerous pop culture references, Pulp Fiction was nominated for seven Oscars and won the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film festival in France.
6 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Starring Clint Eastwood, this Italian spaghetti western is the third film in the famous Dollars Trilogy and is well known for its cinematography and film score.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is often considered the most popular western of all time and the best movie in its genre.
7 12 Angry Men
Famous for being filmed almost entirely on one set, 12 Angry Men follows a jury as it attempts to reach a unanimous decision.
It was not until the film came out on television long after its initially disappointing performance at the box office that it achieved its legendary status.
8 Schindler’s List
Based on the novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally, Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List not only won seven Academy Awards, but also went down as one of the greatest films of the century.
In it, Spielberg chronicles the life of Oskar Schindler, a businessman living in World War II Germany who saved the lives of thousands of Jews by offering them employment.
9 The Dark Knight
One of the best movies of the 2000s, Dark Knight was the eleventh highest-grossing film of all time and received critical acclaim for both its powerful acting and haunting story line.
10 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The third film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Return of the King won a groundbreaking 11 Academy Awards, tying Titanic and Ben-Hur for the title of most awards won. It’s also the first and only fantasy film to have ever won the award for Best Picture and managed to establish Lord of the Rings as the highest grossing motion picture trilogy of all time.
