The IMDB 250, #1 - 50

The IMDB 250, #1 - 50
imdb rankings and ratings change in real time, as people cast their votes.  The ones on this list are as of March 5, 2016.

#1 - #50  •  #51 - #100  •  #101 - #150  •  #151 - #200  •  #201 - #250  •  All Reviews

Last Update: 3/5/16

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994), imdb rating: 9.2

• I've seen it: on original release and in 2010.
• I've reviewed it: "... it is such a... well... average sort of movie. Actually, not even average: above average. Solid. Well-made. But for the life of me, I don't see how there's anything great about it."
• My provisional imdb rating: 7.

2. The Godfather (1972): 9.2

• I've seen it: of course.
• I've reviewed it: "every second of screen time seems beautifully composed and framed down to the smallest detail. The film melds violence and tenderness, florid sentimentality and stern stoicism, the exotic and the quotidian, into an amazingly powerful and intelligent gangster flick. A terrific movie." 
• My provisional imdb rating: 10.

3. The Godfather: Part II (1974): 9.0

• I've seen it: Knowing that there is a school of thought that the sequel surpasses the original, I expected great things.  I was disappointed to find it uneven and muddled.
• My provisional imdb rating: 7.

 4. The Dark Knight (2008): 8.9

• I've seen it: in 2010.
• I've reviewed it: "Knight is badly marred... by a stern air of solemnity and import that is completely unsupported by what is, even for the genre, a dumber-than-usual plot." 
• My provisional imdb rating: 2.

5. Pulp Fiction (1994): 8.9

• I've seen it: any number of times.
• I've reviewed it: "I can't really argue that this is a movie to nurture to the better angels of our nature. But on this rewatching, I once again found Pulp Fiction wildly entertaining."
• My provisional imdb rating: 9.

6. Schindler's List (1993): 8.9

• I've seen it: in its original release.
• I've reviewed it: "a powerful document."

7. 12 Angry Men (1957): 8.9

• I've seen it: at some point!  I believe I liked it.

8. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003): 8.9

• I've think I've seen it: I think Mrs.5000 and I watched all three Lord of the Rings movies in original release, and found them diverting enough.
• My provisional imdb rating: 6.

9. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966): 8.9

• I'm not sure whether I've ever seen it.

10. Fight Club (1999): 8.8

• I've seen it: in original release.  I thought it was pretty good.

11. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001): 8.8

• I've seen it: in original release.  I'm sure about this one (see #9, above).
• My provisional imdb rating: 6.

12. The Empire Strikes Back (1980): 8.7

• I've seen it: in original release, as an 11 year old boy, which is the best way to do it. 
• And: It turned up in a "secret screening" feature on the big screen at my regular movie house.  I lasted through about about 50 minutes.
• My imdb score, being a complicated fusion of it being amazing if you're eleven, it being a beloved touchstone motion picture, and it being, well, kind of puerile: 6.

13. Forrest Gump (1994): 8.7

• I've seen it: in original release.  I kind of liked it.  I confess I'm a little surprised to find it on this list.

14. Inception (2010): 8.7

• I've seen it:in original release, and in April 2015.
• I've reviewed it: "It's got the requisite gunplay, explosions, and computer-generated effects to pack in the crowds, but it also brings an intelligent script, strong acting, and strong art design to the table."
• my imdb score: 7.

15. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002): 8.7

• I've think I've seen it: per #9, above.  But you would think I'd remember the ents.
• My provisional imdb rating: 6.

16. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975): 8.7

• I'm not sure whether I've ever seen it

17. Goodfellas (1990): 8.7

• I've seen it: in the late '90s, and again in 2015.
• I've reviewed it: "It is well acted, well filmed, and put together with loving attention to historical detail. Unfortunately for me, I mostly just find it kind of tiresome"
• my imdb score: 6.

18. The Matrix (1999): 8.7

• I've seen it: in original release, or at least on the big screen.  Entertaining.

19. Seven Samurai (1954): 8.7

• I've seen it: in 2009.
• I've reviewed it: "...a big, sprawling adventure movie, entertaining and pleasant to look at."

20. Star Wars (1977): 8.7

• I've seen it: in original release, as a 9 year old boy, which is the best way to do it.  And several times since, naturally.
• I've reviewed it: "...highly recommended for nine year old boys."
• My provisional imdb rating, based on it being not as good as its sequel, see above #12: 5.

21. City of God (2002): 8.6

• I've seen it: ...but remember nothing about it but the chicken in the opening scene. 

22. Se7en (1995): 8.6

• I've seen it: in original release, and at least once since.  Serial killer movies are generally a blight, except for this one.  This one is outstanding.
• My provisional imdb rating: 8.

23. The Silence of the Lambs (1991): 8.6

• I've seen it: in original release.
• I've reviewed it: "If you like you a good police procedural, you might love it. But it's not really a must-see."
• My provisional imdb rating: 6

24. It's a Wonderful Life (1946): 8.6

• I've seen it: Haven't we all?
• I've reviewed it: "But having said all that, I will now admit that I also found It's a Wonderful Life pretty delightful."

25. The Usual Suspects (1995): 8.6

• I've seen it: several times.  It is always a real treat.  One of my favorite movies.
• My provisional imdb rating: 9.

26. Life Is Beautiful (1997): 8.6

• I've seen it: In original release.  It is appalling. 
• My provisional imdb rating: 2.

27. Léon: The Professional (1994): 8.6 

• I've seen it: Once in the late 90s, and again in 2015.  It is awfully well-made, within the limitations of its own premise.
• my imdb score: 7.

28. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968): 8.6

• I've seen it: On the big screen, in 2015.
• I've reviewed it: "I thought it was beautiful, confusing, charming, sometimes a bit hokey, occasionally a little disturbing, and thoroughly diverting."
• My imdb rating: 8.

29. Spirited Away (2001): 8.5

• I think I've seen it: but Japanese animated features, though generally good if we're watching them in the United States, tend to blur together a bit for me.

30. Saving Private Ryan (1998): 8.5

• I've seen it: ...and consider it the non plus ultra of the conventional war movie.
• My provisional imdb rating: 8.

31. Interstellar (2014): 8.7

• I've seen it: It's hard to imagine that a movie could be more beautifully crafted from such a dumb script.
• My imdb rating: 5.

32. Casablanca (1942): 8.6

• I've seen it: Haven't we all?
• I've reviewed it: "...the movie engages more than animal reflexes of suspense and release. Add in a certain stylishness, some wit, good pacing, and competent filming, and you've got a product we're still talking about 68[+] years later."
• My provisional imdb rating: 6.

33. American History X (1998): 8.5

• I've never seen it

34. City Lights (1931): 8.5

• I've seen it: ...and I'm surprised to see it so high up on a people's choice list.
• I've reviewed it: "This is an easy film to watch for its technical mastery and as an representative of its period and genre. As an entertainment for today's viewer, however, its silent charms are rather on the thin side."
• My provisional imdb rating: 6.

35. Psycho (1960): 8.5

• I've seen it: a time or two.
• I've reviewed it: "Take away that big surprise, and you're left with an unremarkable plot, albeit one carried along by strong performances and strong direction."
• My provisional imdb rating: 7.

36. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): 8.5

• I've seen it: Any number of times.  It's big, dumb, and entertaining.

37. Rear Window (1954): 8.5

• I've seen it: a time or two.  Hitchcock is always fun.

38. The Intouchables (2011): 8.5

• I've seen it: in 2015, because it is on this list.  It is a charming fairy tale, better made than most comedies, but nothing to write home about either.
• My imdb rating: 7.

39. Modern Times (1936): 8.5

• I don't think I've seen it

40. The Green Mile (1999): 8.5

• I've seen it: at it's initial release.  And my friend's dad is in it!

41. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991): 8.5

• I've seen it: a number of times.  It is, I think, among the best of the science fiction action-adventures. 
• My provisional imdb rating: 8.

42. The Pianist (2002): 8.5

• I haven't seen it: I think people have said The Pianist and I've thought "Oh, The Piano."

43. The Departed (2006): 8.5

• I've seen it: It was pretty good.

44. Back to the Future (1985): 8.5

• I've seen it: in '86.  I remember it as a likable comedy.

45. Whiplash (2014): 8.5

• I've seen it: in 2015.
• I've reviewed it: " Lovely to watch, exciting to listen to, highly engaging, often disturbing, and packed with all sorts of interesting social questions without offering any easy answers.  This is my kinda movie."
• My imdb rating: 9.

46. Memento (2000): 8.5

• I've seen it: at initial release and on DVD in 2015.  It's an excellent puzzle movie. 
• My imdb rating: 8.

47. Gladiator (2000): 8.5

• I've seen it: In initial release.  I thought it was average.  I was surprised when it was nominated for an Oscar, and more so when it won. 
• My provisional imdb rating: 6.

48. Apocalypse Now (1979): 8.5

• I've seen it: a couple of times.
• I've reviewed it: "...a truly great movie..."
• My provisional imdb rating: 8.

49. The Prestige (2006): 8.5

• I haven't seen it.  I've read the book, but didn't know there was a movie adaptation.  I've got it on reserve from the library.  ...or so I wrote in March 2015.  I actually had it out from the library for quite a while, without actually watching it.

50. Dr. Strangelove (1964): 8.5

• I've seen it: Thrice.
• I've reviewed it: " There are very few movies out there that manage to combine the better virtues of the action thriller and the screwball comedy. Hell, off the top of my head, I can only think of one: Dr. Strangelove."
• My provisional imdb rating: 8.