Trying to pick the best movies ever is a near impossible task. There are millions of options to choose from, across dozens of categories, with millions of different tastes. While creating this list, we decided to focus on critical opinions, via Rotten Tomatoes. We also looked at the best box office performers and considered the impact that each film had. (Did we miss your best movie ever? Tell us in the comments!)
There were SO many great films to choose from that we had to break up this list into a few articles. You will see the first 4 categories have only one choice for the best movie ever and then a link to read the rest of our choices. So, scroll through and check out our selections of some of the best movies ever!
We’ve scoured the top sources for The Best Movies Ever across many genres. Scroll through the entire list or use these links to jump to your preferred section:
The Best Horror Movies Ever
If you love scary movies, there are a range of iconic movies to choose from. Let’s look at some of the best horror films.
Alien
Summary
The crew of the Nostromo receives a distress signal from a planet. They decide to investigate it and find their ship under attack from the Xenomorph. When facing off with a powerful alien foe, will then be able to get out alive?
Best Line
“This thing bleeds acid. What will it do when it’s dead?”
Read full feature for the rest of our picks: THE BEST HORROR MOVIES EVER
The Best Christmas Movies Ever
The holidays are one of the best times of the year, allowing all the family to come together. There are dozens of charming movies to put you in the Christmas spirit. Let’s look at some of the best Christmas movies ever for you to watch this year.
Elf
Summary
Buddy is a human who was raised at the North Pole. When he finds this out, he sets out on a mission to find his real father.
Best Line
“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.”
Read full feature for the rest of our picks: THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES EVER
The Best Animated Movies Ever
Animated movies can capture the imagination of both adults and children alike. There are dozens of exceptional animated films to choose from. Let’s look at some of our top picks.
Avatar
Summary
Need content — Buddy is a human who was raised at the North Pole. When he finds this out, he sets out on a mission to find his real father.
Best Line
“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.”
Read full feature for the rest of our picks: THE BEST ANIMATED MOVIES EVER
The Best Romantic Movies Ever
Romantic movies have the power to carry us away into fantasy like none other. Here are some of our picks for the best ever romantic movies.
A Star is Born
Summary
Ally, a struggling musician, falls in love with Jackson, a music superstar. He gives her the confidence to chase her dreams. However, he’s battling alcoholism and drug use and needs her to help him.
Best Line
“I hope it’s ok if I love you forever, Jack.”
Read full feature for the rest of our picks: THE BEST ROMANTIC MOVIES EVER
The Best Adventure Movies Ever
Adventure movies can be a great way to visit new worlds from your lounge room. So, let’s look at some of the best adventure movies ever.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Summary
Indiana Jones joins his father to try and hunt down the Holy Grail. However, Nazis are also trying to get to the Grail.
Best Line
“Don’t call me Junior.”
The Best Kids Movies Ever
Children’s movies have been capturing imaginations for years. Here are some of the best kids movies ever to watch with your kids.
Mary Poppins
Summary
Mary Poppins is a nanny who gets called in to help the Banks family. She takes the children on a series of magical adventures, helping them learn several valuable lessons.
Best Line
“A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Summary
Willy Wonka makes some of the best chocolate on the planet. Though, he’s become a recluse, rarely leaving the factory. One day he announces that he will be releasing a series of Golden Tickets, allowing five lucky children to enter his factory.
Best Line
“Come with me and you’ll be a world of pure imagination.”
Harry Potter Franchise
Summary
Harry Potter is a boy wizard. Studying his craft at the Hogwarts Academy he quickly makes new friends. However, the Dark Lord Voldemort is becoming stronger and Harry is the only person who can stop him.
Best Line
“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That’s who we really are.”
The Best Feminist Movies Ever
If you’re looking for a movie with a strong message, you will love some feminist movies. These movies help empower women around the globe. Let’s look at some of the best feminist movies to choose from.
Wonder Woman
Summary
Princess Diana is a highly trained Amazonian woman. However, when Steve Marshall crashes lands on her island she learns that the world is at war. She sets out to find and destroy Ares, bringing peace to the planet.
Best Line
“I’m willing to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.”
9 to 5
Summary
Three women are trapped working under a horrible male boss. So, they decide that they are going to kidnap him and run the business themselves. However, things start to go wrong when they begin to suspect that they may have accidentally killed him.
Best Line
“I’ve killed the boss. You think they’re not going to fire me for a thing like that?”
Suffragette
Summary
Maud Watts is an underappreciated mother and working woman. Sick of facing discrimination and being told that she has no right to vote, she decides to take control. She joins the Suffragette movement to fight for women’s rights, despite facing tough opposition.
Best Line
“All my life I’ve done what men told me. Well, I can’t have that anymore.”
The Best Drama Movies Ever
Drama films can be used to delve deeply into issues and providing fresh perspectives. Let’s look at some of the best drama movies of all time.
12 Angry Men
Summary
When a man is accused of murder, the jury hears the case and gathers to deliberate. One man believes that he’s innocent, while the rest think he’s guilty. They will need to work together to come to a unanimous decision.
Best Line
“This is somebody’s life. We can’t decide in five minutes”
Argo
Summary
Six Americans are being held in Tehran. When diplomatic channels fail to negotiate their release, a team creates a cunning plan. Under the guise of filming a movie, they send in an extraction specialist to help bring the Americans home.
Best Line
“There are suicide missions with better odds than this.”
The Best 80’s Movies Ever
The 80s were a great time for movies, producing several enduring blockbusters. These films are still watched and enjoyed by audiences today. Let’s look at some of the best 80’s movies ever.
Top Gun
Summary
Maverick is a pilot training at the Top Gun Academy. He’ll need to push his plane to the limit to prove that he’s the best in the class.
Best Line
“I feel the need. The need for speed.”
Die Hard
Summary
John McClain is a cop who is trapped in a building that’s been taken over by ruthless terrorist Hans Gruber. To save the hostages, he’ll need to fight the terrorists from the inside.
Best Line
“Yippee-Ki-Yay Mother F…..”
Lethal Weapon
Summary
After his wife died, Martin Riggs becomes reckless and self-destructive. To stop this behavior, he’s paired with by-the-book, Roger Murtaugh. Together, they uncover a drug-smuggling ring and work to bring the criminals to justice.
Best Line
“I don’t make things difficult, that’s the way they get all by themselves.”
The Best 90’s Movies Ever
The 90s were a great period for film. These movies are known for mixing heart and action. Let’s look at some of the best 90s movies ever.
The Matrix
Summary
Neo is a computer programmer who finds out the world he knows is a simulation. He needs to find a way to break free.
Best Line
“Red pill or blue pill.”
Men in Black
Summary
A government agency is tasked with protecting the planet from alien threats.
Best Line
“Elvis isn’t dead, he just went home.”
(Bonus – watch the music video from the movie by Will Smith: “Men in Black“)
Forrest Gump
Summary
This film tells the life story of Forrest Gump. Though he has a low IQ he sees some of the most important moments in US history and falls in love with Jenny, his childhood friend.
Best Line
“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
The Best Foreign Movies Ever
Countries from all around the world produce excellent films. However, most of the attention is focused on those produced by Hollywood studios. If you want to explore the broader world of film, here are some of the best options.
IP Man
Summary
Wing Fu master, Ip Man, is one of the most respected martial artists in his village. However, during the war, the Japanese arrive with their brand of fighting. Everyone looks to Ip Man to give them hope and prove that Chinese martial arts are superior.
Best Line
“I wish to fight 10 men.”
Howl’s Moving Castle
Summary
Howl is a wizard who lives in a spectacular flying castle. He meets Sophie, a young girl working at her father’s hat shop and they become friends. But when a witch puts a curse on Sophie, causing her to age prematurely, Howl must try to reverse it before it’s too late.
Best Line
“I’m not going away. I’m going to help you break the spell you’re under.”
Seven Samurai
Summary
When a Japanese village is under attack, the townspeople decide to hire seven Samurai to protect them. To prepare, they need to train the villagers in martial arts. Their skills will be put to the test when the town is attacked by 40 bandits.
Best Line
“Danger always strikes when everything seems fine.”
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Summary
Don Lope de Aguirre is a conquistador, searching for the city of gold. On the quest, he gains control of the group. However, as they travel deeper into the Amazonian jungle, he sinks further into madness.
Best Line
“I am the Wrath of God. The earth will see me and tremble.”
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