Choosing the 10 best movies of all time is no easy feat—it’s a bit like picking stars from the sky. With so many genres and over a century of cinematic history, narrowing it down feels almost impossible. But hey, since movie lovers are always on the hunt for that ultimate list, we’ve taken on the challenge! Here’s our curated selection of 10 best movies of all time to help you fall head over heels for the magic of cinema. Let’s dive in and explore the 10 best movies of all time:
10 Best Movies Of All Time
The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
Whenever the two words ‘magic’ and ‘cinema’ make allies in one sentence, The LOTR franchise comes as the most prolific example in film making history. Directed by Peter Jackson, the three films are out and out the greatest production of Hollywood till date. Some might argue Harry Potter or Pirates of the Caribbean, or franchises as such, but what the LOTR represents, they somewhat have failed to put up something like that. For a wannabe filmmaker, LOTR is the perfect example of what grandeur looks like.
The Godfather (1972)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring the all-time great actor Marlon Brando, the first part of The Godfather trilogy is a generational wonder. As a film it demands discussions that very few films have asked earlier. The narrative, the craftsmanship in penning down such a character like Vito Corleone, everything surrounding the lm is nothing but nuance. The production is so perfect that you will end up watching the trilogy.
Citizen Kane (1941)
When Noir films were at their prime, Orson Welles came up with something the filmmaking world was not ready to face. Acted by himself, Orson Welles’s ‘Citizen Kane’ is considered the epitome of visual aesthetics. When the film was first released, it went through a lot of controversies because the critics at that time did not even understand the language of this masterpiece. As we evolved as audiences and critics, Citizen Kane remains as the greatest lm of all time.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Directed by Frank Darabont, this lm brings joy and happiness amidst suering and want for closure. It plays with human psychology in a calm and composed way. It is perhaps the most beautiful movie you will ever watch.
Stream: Netflix
Schindler’s List (1993)
Directed by the one and only Steven Spielberg, the harrowing depiction of Holocaust is never shown in any better version than Schindler’s List. If you want to witness the brutality and kindness of mankind, this movie will help you realise the best versions of them both.
Stream: Prime Video
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
If you are into science fiction movies, you must have seen Stanley Kubrick’s magnum opus, 2001: A Space Odyssey. This lm inspires millions of filmmakers including Christopher Nolan as he gives tribute to Kubrick through the glimpses of ‘Interstellar’ (if you haven’t seen this one, SEE NOW!). This makes it one of the 10 best movies of all time.
Stream/Rent: Prime Video
Memories of Murder (2003)
Everyone loves a good serial-killer story! Director Bong Joon Ho’s craft received worldwide fame right after ‘Parasite’ (2019); however, most of the lm enthusiasts considered Memories of Murder as the parameter of how these kinds of movies need to be made. This lm is widely known as the light bearer of this genre.
Shutter Island (2010)
Since we discussed serial-killers, psychological thrillers also have a huge fan base. This demands the mention of Martin Scorsese’s ‘Shutter Island’. Starring Leonardo DeCaprio and Mark Rualo, this lm’s interplay between complex plot, unpredictable twists and timeless ambiguity, really needs all the attention it has garnered over the past decade. And while you are at it, you can also watch Mr. Nobody, Mulholland Drive, Donnie Darko and get a different taste in psychological thriller movies.
Stream: Prime Video
The Dark Knight (2008)
Christopher Nolan is widely acclaimed for movies like Interstellar, Oppenheimer and Dunkirk. But, how a superhero movie can unite the lm enthusiasts around the world, it is still an answer known to only him. The Dark Knight is perhaps the most loved superhero movie of all time, and you know why? Watch it to find out.
Stream: Netflix
The Wailing (2006)
If you are into horrors, Na Hong-Jin’s The Wailing is a must-watch in terms of its theme and the haunting experience. It is by far the best horror movie I have come across until I watched ‘Exhuma’ (2024). Both films are magnificent horrors and both are currently streaming on Prime Video.
Also read: 2025 Upcoming Bollywood Movies
And there you have it—a list of 10 best movies of all time that celebrates the magic, diversity, and brilliance of cinema. Which one’s your favorite? Let us know!
