Cinema has a special place in the hearts of movie-goers and cinephiles alike. From the grandiose and splashy Hollywood epics to the smaller, more intimate independent films from around the world, the magic and wonder of the movie-going experience has captured the attention and affection of audiences for over a century. Cinematic excellence is all about the very best that cinema has to offer; it’s about celebrating the works of artistry, immersiveness, and emotion that only movies can deliver.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the finest and most successful movies of all time by looking at some of their awards, accolades, and the impact they had on their respective genres. From classic thrillers to groundbreaking art-house dramas, these are the best movies of all time.
Best Movies Ever by Genre Scary Movies
Horror films are a staple of not just the movie-going experience, but of our everyday lives, and they’ve inspired countless generations of filmmakers to scare, shock, and terrify audiences. Some of the best horror movies of all time include:
• The Exorcist (1973) – Directed by William Friedkin and starring Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair and Max Von Sydow, The Exorcist is widely considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time. With its shocking, nightmarish scenes and brilliant performances, the film scared and startled audiences, and is widely considered one of the benchmark scariest and most effective horror movies ever made.
• The Shining (1980) – Stanley Kubrick’s take on Stephen King’s horror novel is a classic of both the genre and cinema in general. Starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duval, The Shining is a chilling and unforgettable journey into madness, filled with stunningly surreal and nightmarish imagery and tensely suspenseful sequences.
• Halloween (1978) – Directed by John Carpenter and starring Donald Pleasance and Jamie Lee Curtis, Halloween was the first true “slasher” film, and is widely cited as one of the most influential and successful horror movies ever made.
Action Movies
Action movies are some of the most technically demanding and thrilling movies ever made, combining intense scenes of explosions, fights, and car chases with stories of adventure and heroism. Here are some of the best action movies ever made:
• Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) – Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford, Raiders of the Lost Arc was the first film in the iconic Indiana Jones series, and is one of the most successful and influential action movies of all time. With its thrilling set-pieces and humorous dialogue, the film is an exhilarating ride from start to finish.
• Die Hard (1988) – Starring Bruce Willis, Die Hard is a classic of the action genre and is often considered one of the greatest action movies ever made. It’s a tense and gripping story of one man’s struggle to save his wife and thwart a group of terrorists, and is filled with intense shoot-outs and nail-biting suspense.
• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) – Directed by George Miller and starring Tom Hardy, Mad Max: Fury Road was one of the most acclaimed action movies of its time. An explosion of color and energy, the film is a car-chase masterpiece, featuring some of the most intense and thrilling action sequences ever put to film.
Family Movies
Family movies have been a huge part of movie culture for over a century, and these beloved classics are practically part of the fabric of American cinema. Here are some of the most beloved family movies ever made:
• The Wizard of Oz (1939) – Directed by Victor Fleming and starring Judy Garland, The Wizard of Oz is a classic family movie and one of the most iconic and successful movies ever made. Full of memorable moments, unforgettable songs and gorgeous imagery, the film is a timeless work of art.
• E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – Steven Spielberg’s classic coming-of-age story about a young boy and his alien friend is a timeless classic beloved the world over. Filled with emotion and warmth, the film is an ode to childhood, friendship and family.
• Toy Story (1995) – The first film in the beloved Pixar franchise is a modern classic, and one of the most beloved family movies ever made. With its lovable characters, witty dialogue, and heartwarming story, Toy Story is an instant classic.
Romantic Movies
From the sweeping epic grandeur of Casablanca and Gone With the Wind to the intimate intensity of Annie Hall and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, some of the greatest movies of all time have been romantic movies. Some of the most acclaimed romantic movies of all time include:
• Casablanca (1942) – Directed by Michael Curtiz, Casablanca is an enduring classic and one of the most acclaimed romantic movies of all time. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, it’s a story of undying love and of letting go, and one of the most iconic and successful movies of all time.
• Annie Hall (1977) – Directed and co-written by Woody Allen, Annie Hall is an intimate and brilliantly written romantic comedy. Starring Diane Keaton and Allen, the film is a sophisticated and insightful look at the end of a relationship, and is widely considered one of the best romantic comedies of all time.
• Brokeback Mountain (2005) – Directed by Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain is a groundbreaking and deeply emotional drama, telling the story of the forbidden romance between two cowboys. Starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, it’s an emotionally raw and intensely powerful story of love, loss and consequence.
Best Movies Of All Time by Awards Academy Awards
The Academy Awards are the most prestigious awards in all of cinema, and they honor the best in cinema each and every year. Here are some of the greatest movies of all time to have won the Academy Award for Best Picture:
• The Godfather (1972) – A timeless classic from director Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather is an epic gangster drama about a family tensions, tragedy and the nature of power, and it swept the 1973 Academy Awards, winning Best Picture and five other awards.
• The French Connection (1971) – Directed by William Friedkin and starring Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, The French Connection is a gritty, intense drama about two detectives’ attempt to bring down a drug-trafficking ring. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1972.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) – Directed by Peter Jackson, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was the final installment of the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, and it went on to sweep the 2004 Academy Awards, winning every single award it was nominated for, including Best Picture.
Golden Globe Awards
The Golden Globes honor some of the best movies and performances each year, and here are some of the outstanding movies to have won Best Picture (Drama) at the Golden Globe Awards:
• The Revenant (2015) – Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and starring Leonardo Di Caprio, The Revenant is a gripping survival story set against the world’s most stunningly beautiful landscapes. It won the Best Picture (Drama) award at the 74th Golden Globe Awards.
• Birdman (2014) – Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and starring Michael Keaton, Birdman is an intense and thrilling exploration of success, fame and the power of the creative spirit. It won the Best Picture (Drama) award at the 72nd Golden Globe Awards.
• 12 Years a Slave (2013) – Directed by Steve McQueen and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave is an emotionally powerful and devastatingly real story about slavery and freedom. It won the Best Picture (Drama) award at the 71st Golden Globe Awards.
Cinematic excellence is not just about awards and accolades, but about the power of the cinematic experience. Movies have the unique ability to move and inspire us in ways that no other form of art can; they make us laugh, cry, and move us to think about the best and worst in us. From the larger-than-life epics to the intimate, personal stories, cinema has an enduring power that can withstand the test of time. These are some of the best and most successful movies of all time, and they will continue to entertain and intrigue audiences for generations to come.