John’s 10 Favorite Movies of All Time

John Campea 115 Comments

Ok, a lot of people have been asking me recently for my all time favorite films list. I put up an unsorted rough list about a year ago… but I’ll update it here and try to order them. REMEMBER… this is not my “Best films” of all time list… this is my FAVORITE films of all time. Big difference. So having said that… here we go:

1) Star Wars (all grouped together) – Star Wars was the very first movie my mom ever took me to, and I’ve been in love with it ever since. Yeah… the new prequels have been a let down (I still thought Revenge of the Sith was great), but it doesn’t matter. I love all things Star Wars.

2) The Shawshank Redemption – Pure story telling at it’s absolute BEST. It is the biggest black eye on the Oscars that Forrest Gump won Best Picture over this masterpiece.

3) The Lord of the Rings (all grouped together) – I contend that Return of the King is probably the single greatest achievement in movie history. Every creative and technical art used in movie making done to total perfection.

4) Life Is Beautiful – One of only 2 films in history that made me cry (mock me all you want). This film is just pure emotion of every kind. You find yourself laughing in the midst of the most tragic time of our history. Life is indeed beautiful.

5) The Highlander – This is usually the one most people look at me strange for. It’s hard to capture the pure wonder I felt watching the original Highlander (all the rest sucked total ass).

6) The Godfather – I’m baffled at how many of you have still not seen this flick. Once you do, you’ll open your eyes to just how much this single film has influenced all filmmakers since.

7) The Usual Suspects – Absolutely gripping. Before there was X-Men, Bryan Singer did this flick… one of the best ever. To this day it’s still the best ending of a film I’ve ever seen.

8) Spartacus – Before there was Gladiator… Kirk Douglas was kicking ass and taking names. I think he could still take us.

9) Ben-Hur – Whenever someone says the word “Epic”, this is the movie I instantly think of

10) Bravehart – I know a lot of people don’t like this one… just by the end of this movie, I just always feel more manly. :P

So there you have it guys. My personal and totally subjective top 10 favorite films of all time. Like it? Hate it? What’s your list?

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115 thoughts on “John’s 10 Favorite Movies of All Time”

  1. 1. THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
    2. THE GODFATHER
    3. THE DARK KNIGHT
    4. THE GODFATHER: PART II
    5. THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
    6. PULP FICTION
    7. SCHINDLER’S LIST
    8. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST
    9. STAR WARS: EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
    10. CASABLANCA

  4. Here’s my top 10
    10. The Green Mile
    9. The Last Samurai
    8. Star Wars
    7. The Lord of the Rings
    6. Forrest Gump
    5. Gladiator
    4. El Laberinto del Fauno(Pan’s Labyrinth)
    3. The Godfather
    And for the last two I had a problem. I tried putting one here then one there, flip-flop them. Then I decided to drop #2 and name my number one movies
    1. Braveheart and Titanic

  5. Great list, but I disagree with your placement of Star Wars.
    Here’s my top 10.

    10. Good Will Hunting
    9. Spider-Man 2
    8. Clue
    7. Witness
    6. The Fugitive
    5. Forrest Gump
    4. T2
    3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
    2. V for Vendetta
    1. Bridge to Terabithia (mock me all you want but this is a magnificient movie on all levels. I knew when I walked out of the theatre I had witnessed something very special, and if none of you cried at least once in the movie… YOU’RE DEAD INSIDE! THAT INCLUDES YOU GIOHN!)

    Check out my journal for reasons on why I liked these movies so much.
    Just click on my name!

  7. I dont know why people dont appreciate this movie but
    I thought
    THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK was the best movie ive seen in a min!
    most people do not like it because they never watch the uncut version plus the 15min of extra footage on the DVD…. And I agree with people when they tell me when they watch it on broadcast tv they said it sucked and i thought it did too!
    Vin Diesel is just a straight badasss he has the perfect cool killa look and his chillaxed Anti-hero tactics puts him in the perfect role ever! he is sooo tight in the movie it makes me wish i was that person!

  8. 1. Goodfellas
    2. The Godfather 1&2 (tie)

    Then by Genre

    Action: Die Hard 1

    Adventure: Deliverence, Raiders of the Lost Ark

    Comedy: Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Monty Python & The Holy Grail

    Crime: The Departed, Casino, Mean Streets, Scarface(1983)

    Disaster: Titanic (Not a Great Movie but from the Iceberg to the sinking it was unbelievable).

    Drama:Schindler’s List, Taxi Driver, Shawshank Redemption, To Kill a Mockingbird, Twelve Angry Men(1957), King Kong(1933 & 2005)

    Historical: Ben-Hur

    Music Related: Walk the Line

    Best Remake: The Thing(1982) King Kong(2005)

    Sci-Fi: The Terminator Part 1&2, The Matrix, Predator, Aliens, The Empire Strikes Back

    Fantasy: Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Wizard of Oz

    Sports: Raging Bull

    Horror: The Thing(1982), The Descent, Alien, The Birds, Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween(1978), Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1974)

    Thriller: The Shining, Silence of the Lambs, Cape Fear

    War: Letters From Iwo Jima, Patton, Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers (Miniseries)

    Western: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

    Superhero: Batman Begins, Spiderman 2, X-Men 2, Superman

  9. Zackary: a Hard Candy YES!!! nice list

    John pretty much would match most peeps list give or take 1 0r 2….

    I would add a film irresversible (Monica Bulucci : this movie was hard hitting, violent, brutal Went thro so much while watching this movie…. the rape scene was one of the most intense emontional shocking few minute i have had while watching a movie… and the scene at the begining where a man gets his face smashed in with a fire extinguisher brillant..

    If you aint seen it I recommend it!!!

    another personal favorite Leon…

  10. 1) Requiem for a Dream (Just an amazing film. Very gripping)
    2) Donnie Darko (One of the best psychological thrillers out there)
    3) Fight Club (Simply amazing)
    4) American History X (This film touched me on several different levels)
    5) Hard Candy (Best independent film I have EVER seen)
    6) The Blair Witch Project (Hear me out on this. The acting was superb. It was marketed as a documentary, and the acting only supported this marketing technique)
    7) The Edge (Anthony Hopkins is the most amazing actor ever)
    8) The Sixth Sense (One of my favorite thrillers)
    9) Feast (Very original horror/comedy. The style was unique)
    10) The Descent (Why not?)
    11) The Shawshank Redemption (Great film)
    12) The Green Mile (Heart-warming)
    13) Jacob’s Ladder (One of my favorites)
    14) Cruel Intentions (Very disturbing, yet very intriguing)
    15) Babel (Amazing drama. It should have won best picture)
    16) The Departed (Amazing visuals. Superb acting. Extremely confusing plot)
    17) Little Miss Sunshine (Funny and unique)
    18) Igby Goes Down (The Catcher in the Rye on film)
    19) Lucky Number Slevin (Funny and ingenious plot)
    20) Denzel Washington movies (Great actor no matter how bad the movie is)
    21) United 93 (Just kidding with this one. Incredibly boring film)

  11. How can someone forget “A Beautiful Mind” while choosing the top 10 movies of all time!!This movis simply has caught all my praise and i have watched it nearly 10 times.One just cannot compare Russell Crowe’s performance in the mivie, it’s simply fantastic!!The Pink Panther,The Matrix are gr8 movies too!!One cannot ignore Steve Martin in Pink Panther and Keanu Reeves in The Matrix!!Goal! was another gr8 movie and then there’s E.T. and Forrest Gump!!One cannot dany that these flicks are all time favorites!They deserve lot of praise and in my opinion are amongst the best movies i have ever watched!!

  12. Well my list goes like this:

    1.A Beautiful Mind
    2.The Exorcist
    3.Armageddon
    4.Pearl Harbor
    5.Titanic
    6.Silence Of The Lambs
    7.Notting Hill
    8.The Godfather
    9.The Shawshank Redemption
    10.Gladiator
    11.Braveheart

  13. Great choices, John. Although, I must admit I prefer the first three Star Wars movies to the last three. In this particular case I feel that “less is more” with regards to the computer graphic special FX.

    My top 10 list goes a little differently.

    1. The Wizard of Oz…seriously, this movie was lightyears ahead of its time in the FX department and save 2 continuity errors, a near perfect masterpiece.

    2. Gone With the Wind…I know, I know, it’s a “chick-thing”, but, comparing it to other movies based on popular books, this one stands out as great. There was very little lost in the translation, and the casting was perfect.

    3. Sohpie’s Choice…with the obvious exception of the casting of “Stingo”, a perfect film…heartbreaking and enthralling.

    4. The Shawshank Redemtion

    5. The Green Mile

    6. Michael…I absolutley LOVE Travolta in this.

    7. Signs…I still can’t watch this at night by myself…scares the bejeezers out of me! This movie was an absolute suprise and delight to me. What a unique take on the classic “crisis of faith” theme!

    8. Casablanca…what else can I say, play it again, Sam. And again, and again, and again.

    9. Brokeback Mountain…Most guys I know can’t even stand the thought of this movie. However, it broke my heart, it was beautifully written, directed and preformed. Ang Lee took the pains to make what could have gone in an entire other direction a beautiful, tasteful and thoughtful film. This should be required material in every film school on the planet.

    10. Steel Magnolias…I just can’t help it.

    8.

  14. In random order:
    1. The Dark Crystal (I can’t believe this was left out, classic and first movie to have no human actors in it. A first for movie theaters, can’t wait for the sequel to come out next year).

    2. Scarface (CLASSIC and one of the best)

    3. Nightmare on Elm Street Part 1&3 (Should be on everyone’s list)

    4. The Wizard of OZ (Come on people, the first movie to introduce color to movies! Even if you were too young or not even born to remember the effect it had, you can’t deny thi classic. Plus the lion was hilarious!)

    5. Weird Science (Even if you thought it sucked, every guy wish they could make themselves a girl or at least wish they were in the shower scene with Kelly Lebrock imagining what they would have done in place of Gary and Wyatt standing there in shock with their clothes on. I’m sure they wouldn’t be admiring what they made!)

    6. Eddie Murphy’s Delirious & Raw (Stand up genius times 2. Not the typical movie, but it’s not really common for someone to come out with a stand-up comedy movie that has you cracking up throughout the entire show. Not to mention doing it twice!)

    7. Friday (Chris Tucker worked it in that movie and had everyone I know on the floor hollering and made it ok to know that it’s Friday, you ain’t got no job, and you ain’t got shit to do!)

    8. Shrek and all it’s sequels (I find it interesting how this cult classic, yes classic, only gets better one after another

    9. Stephen King’s It (This move was so freaky that a generation of people lost their trust in clowns and were terrified of those lovable and happy people. Now that’s power when you can mess with someone’s mind like that!)

    10. The Mummy & The Mummy Returns (I’m a geek when it comes to egyptian mythology, so I was in heaven when this came out and the writers dd an good job with adding some good satire into the plot.

    There’s more to my list, but these are the ones that come to mind first. Not saying they re my best of all-time, but they are ones that I could watch at any given day no matter how many times I’ve seen it.

  16. This are some of my all time favorites (so far)!

    -The Longest Day
    -One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
    -The Shawshank Redemption
    -Dum & Dumber(don’t know why, but it always makes me laugh)
    -The Meaning of Life
    -The Terminator +sequel
    -A Clockwork Orange
    -North by Northwest
    -Hair(the perfect medicin for hang-overs)
    -Det Sjunde Inseglet(The Seventh Seal)
    -Mononoke-hime
    -The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
    -Groundhog Day
    -Spirited Away
    -The Elephant Man
    -Fucking Åmål(Show Me Love)

  17. My first and only post (but then, that would have to be a this point wouldn’t it?) becasue I was so glad to see Highlander in the list.

    My one (again favorites-not best)

    1. Conan the Barbarian- life changing movie I saw when I was 9 in the theatre twice in a row.

    2. The Star Wars movies- all of them- especially IV, VI and III

    3. Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan for sooooo mnay reasons- and then some.

    4. Highlander..sinply awesome. i must watch it wheneve rit is one, perfect except for the one video part that seems out of place with the Kraig…..especially after the WONDERFUL video of heathers death. And yes, I am still in shock form the thing called Highlander 2 a.k.a abomination that speaks its name.

    5. Big Trouble in Little China. Because! I cant beleive this hasnt been mentioned already!

    6. Yes, Shawshank Redemption.

    7. Once upon a time in the West.

    8. Jaws 2…yes 2.

    I hadnt seen the 1st one, I was akid and staying at the beach when my parents took me…scared me into a Coma for like 3 minutes. If the 1st one hadnt been made, it would be considered great. ok, maybe just good.

    9. The princess bride– a movie I used to like. Then I loved. Now I adore. I dont know why.

    10. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Underated…a very fun movie that I also saw twice int eh theatre in a row.

    Runners up include;
    The Chronicles of NARNIA (almost replaced 9 and will likely end up in the list one day.)
    Spiderman 2
    The Other Raiders of the Lost Ark films.
    Gremlins.
    The Remains of the Day.
    The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
    Yes, the Godfather
    Steve Martin movies-all of them. Yes. All. Thats right. All of them.
    Somemthing Wicked this way Comes.
    The PATRIOT– better than Braveheart people!!!!!!!!
    The 19702 version of King Kong—just checking if you were paying attention- no it stunk.
    Flash Gordon. Forgive me but it is great.
    The Black Hole- a GREAT great movie! Seriously.
    TRON….not a great movie, but I love it!
    The Sword and the orcerer…though when I bought it and watche dit agin, i now like it in its campiness. But it had a impact on me when i saw it once as akid.
    Superman the Movie
    The Rocky Movies (havent seen 6- didnt care for five much)

    Interested in others opinions on some of these previously unmentioned films.

  18. * Forrest Gump is my all time favorite movie

    i never do lists in particular order

    1. Fight Club
    2. Donnie Darko
    3. True Romance
    4. The Beach
    5. Quills
    6. Cold Mountain
    7. Unbreakable
    8. The Sixth Sense
    9. Cast Away
    10. What Dreams May Come

  19. i agree, life is beautiful is such a gorgeous movie! its so emotional and the main characters positivity is heartwarming. That would definately make my top 10. The only other ones i’ve seen are LOTR and star wars, both make my list too!

  21. My top ten of all time list

    1.The Godfather – The finest film ever made. It expreses the completefeel of rise and fall, power and beautiful acting. Pacino and Brando give some of the best of their careers and the film the most intellegent, clever, masterpiece ever assembled on film.

    2. Casablanca – The second greatest war time film ever, Casablanca is
    beutifully directed, wonderfully acted, and stylishly layed out; Bogart’s performance alone is magnificent.

    3. Jaws – Had such an impact on society, made human beings not want to go into water. A film that has that impact, is not only contstructivly brilliant, but, also breathtaking.

    4. Rocky – A better film in hope and Determination, above the previous three; Rocky is a masterpiece of one man, who from poor upbringing, is chosen for luckiest oppurtunity of all to become Heavy weight champion of the world. Rocky throws non stop punches of the greatest elements of film.

    5. The Silence of the Lambs – Is perhaps the greatest suspense thriller of all time, from beginning to end; From the chase for a serial killer, to advice of capture by a serial killer, to intense grip it provides, The Silence of the Lambs is superb.

    6. Gone with the Wind – The greatest war time set film, Gone with the Wind is a perfect ditation of life during the Civil War and carries beautiful moments, wrapped amongst the chaos.

    7. Halloween – The scariest, purest horror film of all time, that scared theatres into a new horror genre, is a brilliant and well acted example of obsession, tone, and pace. It also claims to have the greatest last 15 minutes of film.

    8. JFK – Is incrediable in every way and should well be in the top 10 for suspicious behavor; It is truly riveting in the core of investigation and revelation. Kevin Costner’s best performance.

    9. The French Connection, is a finely crafted machine, as the search for a drug lord begins, two New York city detectives race against time to capture the boss.

    10. Field of Dreams, which may suprise alot people is not only underrated, but a fine modern achiement in film making that deserves higher mention. Costner and Jones are wonderful.

  22. Geez Louise… I can’t believe that I got through that whole list and didn’t see a single mention of Office Space!!!

    While it isn’t magnificent film making along the lines of The Godfather or LOTR, it certainly belongs on MOST people’s favorite movies list and should be right there near the top. Shame on you!!!

  23. Gretzky is the greatest, no question.. Mario couldnt fight off injuries and Wayne could so he wins..

    My Top Ten are in no order and are as follows:
    -A Beautiful Mind
    -Cinderella Man
    -Gladiator
    -Bad Boys 2
    -Snatch
    -Super Troopers
    -Dumb and Dumber
    -The Last Samari
    -Batman Begins
    -Rush Hour 2

    Why all the bias towards older movies john?.. I think comparing older movies to newer ones is like comparing older boxers to ones in the present, training is more refined and efficient today,and likewise theres just to many ways a director has available to him today to help bring a story to life that other directors didnt have in the past. without a doubt Ali was a great boxer.. but noone can tell me that Tyson wouldn’t completly destroy him..

    I think Spartan is a fantastic movie, but if it were done today it would be a better done(gladiator is a perfect example of that), but I guess techonology has spoiled me. :)

    THIS THEORY DOESNT HOLD UP FOR DRAMA AND STORY MOVIES, but older movies are distracting with their lack of… anything really.. Lord of the Rings wouldnt be the same had it been done in 1950.

  24. NOOOO! You shouldnt of brought sports into this! LOL! I mean if we are talking just stats then yeah its gotta be Gretzky, but I would argue the best NHL player was Mario Lemieux. He didnt play as long as Wayne but showed equal if not more brillance then Wayne on the ice. Everything is up for debate! Bossy is awesome btw! (Im partial to Yzerman myself.)

    Its probably true that you dont know movies like I know movies, and I dont know movies like you know movies. And your right movies are subjective, thats the whole foundation of debate, these are only our opinions. You think Highlander should be on your 10 best list, I think the opposite, nothing wrong with that. I think we are both on the same page here, I wonder who does see more movies? (not that it is a measure of who is the bigger film buff, subjective also)

    Just for measure I think 2001 is the best film ever. This is your site so we can stick to your top 10. Just curious here did you post a Top 10 for 2005?

  25. Hey John my two cents on your list. HIGHLANDER – A great film. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL – A beutiful heart wrenching film. And the Usual Suspects is just fantastic. Great list.

    For the person who said “Why does everyone seem to love Star Wars, but hate Return of the Jedi?” The answer is those awful, soul sucking EWOKS.

    Now for my Favorite.

    10. Love and Death
    9. The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
    8. Dr. Strangelove
    7. TIE: Animal Crackers, Duck Soup, Horse Feathers and A Night at the Opera.
    6. The General (The Buster Keaton Silent)
    5. Seven Samari
    4. Midnight Cowboy
    3. A Clockwork Orange
    2. A Hard Days Night
    1. Metropolis (Fritz Lang Silent Classic)

  26. I disagree that that someone’s Favorite and Best movies should be the same. The movies that I list as my favorites are usually on that list because they touched me in an emotional way or because I have a nostalgic attachment to them. A movie could be your favorite because it has one small scene that touches you….The rest of the movie might be mediocre but you could still enjoy it based on something in your life that makes it ring true for you. I do think that you should like your “Best Movies”….I don’t get someone who claims that a movie is among the best made but who wouldn’t want to watch it more than once or twice.

  27. Hey DevonRoy,

    I see what you’re saying, but you have to tred very carfully. There is a very good chance I see a lot more movies than you do (or the opposite could be true). Choose your words carefully,

    Also, Highlander was a magnificent story told with a mythology that I say rivals that of any story. It was creative and captured my imagination… like any good film should.

    By saying that my appreciation for this film puts me in a “differnt category” of film fan… well dude… honeslty… that sounds really pretentious (and I’m sure that’s not what you meant to come across as).

    It sounds like you’re saying “John, you don’t know movies like I known movies. And I don’t like Highlander as much as you do… therefor you clearly don’t watch enough films.

    Do you see how that sounds? You’re failing to recognize the subjectivity of film.

    Think of it also in a Sports analogy. Wayne Gretzky is the single greatest professional althele off all time for his sport. That’s not even up for debate. BUT… he was never my favorite player. Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders was. Gretzky was a better player by all measurable standards… but something about Bossy appealed to me more… related to me more… identified with me more. So he became my favorite player to watch, even though Gretzky was “better”.

    Film is not an science… it’s an art. And as in all art, differnt things with strike and impress upon people in different ways. And that’s the most beutiful thing about film.

    You can not tell me that Highlander (or any other film for that matter) doesn’t belong on my list of favorite films. But no other film (not on the top 10) captured my imagination and drew me in like the story of The highlander. If you didn’t have the same experience with it… that’s fine. But I’m sure you’d have something on your list that I could dismiss if I wanted to as being “unworthy”.

    Just some food for thought.

  28. Hey John,

    I was reading your comments about movies being ENTERTAINING, just my thoughts here but, Someone’s favorite movies and someone’s best movies should be the samething. I mean liking a movie and declaring it one of your favorites inspite admitting its flaws seems more like quilty pleasure territory. A film like the Godfather is one of my favorites so therefore I think its one of the best. Making film into something just plainly seen as ENTERTAINMENT is just really frustrating.

    Think about people who go see 2 or 3 movies a year, they might say yeah I liked that movie it was entertaining. Its usually entertaining to them because they never go to the movies therefore they dont see the same boring movies that the industry churns out. (Granted this is generalizing a bit) This type of comment from average movie goers just encourages studios in producing these kinds of movies.

    So when you make a list with movies like Highlander in it I can only speculate that you may fall into the average filmgoer catagory. I know people can have different opinions and semantics aside, Highlander on a best list, even a favorites list?! From one film buff to another I just gotta question…no perhaps challenge you to watch more movies. Thats what having sites like this is all about right?

  29. Here are my favorite and I will give my ten best films:

    Favorites:(Other tha
    1)Casablanca
    2)The Princess Bride
    3)L.A.Confidential
    4)Dark City
    5)Big Fish
    6)Psycho
    7)Chariots of Fire
    8)The Mission
    9)The Seventh Seal
    10)A River Runs through it

    The Best:(depending on my mood any one of these ccould find their way on to my favorites list.

    1)The Rules of the Game
    2)The Seven Samurai
    3)The Seventh Seal
    4)Casablanca
    5)Psycho
    6)The Bicycle Thief
    7)Sullivan’s Travels
    8)Paris, Texas
    9)Contempt
    10)Hoopdreams

  30. here’s mine
    1 outlaw josey wales
    2 star wars ,first two
    3 american graffiti
    4 termanator
    5 alien ,the first one
    6 young frankenstein/ blazzing saddles
    7 the road warrior
    8 raiders of the lost ark
    9 Dr No
    10 ceech and chong’s next movie

  31. Hey again Jason B,

    Fair enough, then I can see why you said what you did, and can appriciate you pointing those issues forward to talk about BEST films, I suppose I must not have read Prophesy’s post properly, but it just find it frustrating when some people have a go at others for their favorite movies, and personal tastes. Some people seem to think they are better than others if they dont enjoy the same movies. I get it all the time when people say, oh how can you like that movie. Well maybe it wasnt the best script, maybe it had flaws, but at the end of the day if the movie is entertaining to ME the viewer, then who the heck cares if you or someone else didnt like it. Im often the only person laughing in a movie cos I find something funny. I can remember going to see Elf, and I was pissing my pants the whole movie, while so many others just didnt really enjoy it. Thats ok, Im not going to bag them for not enjoying it, but thats really my point. *rant over*

    So tell me jason b, whats your top ten “favorite” movies, just out of interest.

    Ash

  33. The point of giving you my list is this: Imagine a guy who is a regular listener to the movie blog audio edition whose list is the following. (i.e. I disagree on almost any taste decisions of Campea, but stil love listening to the arguments…):
    In no particular order:
    Barton Fink
    Annie Hall
    A Clockwork Orange
    Jungle Book
    Big Lebowski
    Down By Law
    Brazil
    Pulp Fiction
    Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf
    Sleuth

  34. my list has no order but has something…it gave some kind of feeling when I watched it the first time…here it goes:

    -The Godfather Trilogy
    -Lord of the Rings Trilogy
    -Shawshank Redemption
    -Million Dollar Baby
    -Clockwork Orange
    -Schindler´s List
    -Raging Bull
    -Cinema Paradiso
    -Pulp Fiction
    -The Exorcist

    Altough I can remenber, at least, 20 more, I chose these ones, right now!

  35. My Top 10 Favorites:

    1. Heat (Deniro/Pacino version)
    2. Snatch
    3. The Matrix
    4. Grosse Pointe Blank
    5. The Outlaw Josey Wales
    6. Kill Bill
    7. Terminator 2
    8. Apocalypse Now
    9. The Green Mile
    10. Highlander

  36. Hey Ash….

    I actually agree with you (although I thought it might have been Hanks worst performance). But if you will note that the quote from Prophesy was:

    “but the two BEST films ever put on screen are Saving Private Ryan and Raiders of the Lost Ark”

    If he hadn’t called it one of the two BEST films ever (and only referred to it as his favorite) I wouldn’t have said anything.

    So I guess their was something left to say…

  37. Hey there Jason B

    That might be a valid argument if we were discussing the BEST movies of all time, rather than peoples favourites, but that is just what we are discussing.

    Hence your argument is weak and flawed…

    What if people liked it cos, they loved Hanks’ performance, or they loved the way they were on the edge of their seats and gripping their arm rests for the 1st hour of the movie, or what if they even liked it cos it had a happy ending… hmmm not much else to say now is there…

  39. Prophesy (and others who love Saving Private Ryan):

    Saving Private Ryan is one of the most flawed films of all-time. It was an attempt to create a war movie that asked a tough question but it sold out in the end. It wanted to ask is it worth it to risk the lives of the many to save the few(Ryan)? The problem is that it was constructed in such a way that it gave an easy answer (Hanks who was old died, Ryan who was young lived[mission accomplished!], and Ryan turned out to be a great guy). A better movie would have had everyone but Tom Hanks character die (including Ryan). Then you can ask yourself if it was still worth the effort? If everyone died including Ryan was it still a choice to go after him? We disrespect war when we give easy answers to hard questions.

    For a war movie with some depth watch All Quiet on the Western Front, Gallipoli or Das Boot.

    Saving Private Ryan simply asked the same question that was asked in Star Trek 3:The Search for Spock and answered it in the same way (it should have been more challenging than Star Trek):

    Captain Spock: You came back for me.
    Kirk: You would have done the same for me.
    Captain Spock: Why would you do this?
    Kirk: Because the needs of the one… outweigh the needs of the many.

  42. This is actually quite a difficult thing to do to make a top 10 list, as I am a real movie buff, and have quite a large collection, but here goes (on a side note, this is not a BEST EVER list, just my personal favs, so dont bother wasting your time saying oh boo hoo you like this, and this isnt in there etc…)

    1. LOTR Trilogy
    2. Police Story Trilogy (Jackie Chan)
    3. Shawshank Redemption
    4. The Matrix
    5. Indiana Jones Trilogy
    6. Back to the Future Trilogy
    7. Blues Brothers
    8. Fight Club
    9. Shrek
    10. Happy Gillmore

  43. my top 10 favorite films are:

    The Seven Samurai
    Raiders of the Lost Ark
    The Usual Suspects
    The Matrix
    Lord of the Rings (All grouped together)
    The Three Musketeers (Salkind version)
    The Thing (carpenter remake)
    Layer Cake
    Enter the Dragon
    Tombstone

  44. Liquid Sky??
    Is that the new york underground film about aliens taking over a bunch of punks and what not or is that the anime one about the soap actress being stalked??

    I saw both of those films ages ago and they had a similar name to liquid sky but years of alcohol and drug abuse have turned my already fragile mind to mush….

  46. Saying someones favorite films are stupid and not worthy is like saying someones favorite color is stupid and not worthy.

    Cinema elitists crack me up.

    Its a favorites list you wanker. Everyone has the right ot like different films. No one is beneath you because they dont like the same kind of movies you like.

  47. You are spot on about raiders. I don’t think there is a false note or wrong step in the entire film. It sets out with a goal and achieves it completely. Probably an example of film making at its most perfect. Nothing feels forced…even in the most far fetched of situations that characters find themslevs in throughout the film it never feels impossible…It always comes across as totally possible. The acting by everyone is superb..(especially the nazi saluting monkey) and it truly is one of the greatest films ever made.

    Saving Private Ryan on the other hand I had problems with….wo things ruined it for me…Spoiler warning for anyone who has yet to see it….

    I didn’t like that it was the german who hanks let go being the guy who kills him at the end. Way to manipulative. I know it is a small thing but he had done such a good job and showing us that in war there is now logic…No Rhyme no reason….it is chaos and confusion….and then he pulls that out.

    I really felt like it was a cheap attempt at manipulating us. It was sad enough that his characterwas killed but to have that added “killed by the guy he spared” angle felt fake and phoney.

    And I hated the old man at the end being Ryan. It didn’t have any emotional resonance as he wasn’t on that mission so he didn’t even know all of the guys sent on the mission and he only met hanks right before he died. He can’t have known all of the stuff that happened on their journey. If it had been Ed Burns character it would have worked better for me. Making it Ryan I felt again was manipualtive. It didn;t feel real to me.

    But the battle scenes are yet to be topped…..and up untuil to those 2 points the film was truly amazing but those 2 things really bugged me a lot and kind of ruined my overall experiance with the film.

  48. I don’t know my exact top 10 but the 2 best films ever put on screen are Saving Private Ryan & Raiders of the Lost Ark.

    Raiders flows so well with perfect action beats. It drips with style and fun.

    Ryan is so well sculpted I could spend the next hour discussing cinematography, dialogue, plot points, realism, raw emotion. When this movie was first screened there were D Day vets that had to have the film stopped during the opening battle because they were overcome with emotion. Nuff said.

  49. and what is so guilty about liking highlander??
    It is fucking awesome…..damn my habit of posting before I read everything and then putting up multiple posts……sorry

  50. to the guy who wrote “I don’t believe in lists”

    this isn;t a debate on creationism or evolution…its a list of films you like…whats not to believe????

    you have no problems commenting on others lists yet won’t list your on….

    People like what they like..why in the fuck should John watch a bunch of films because you deem them worthy??

  51. wow…there are some stuck up clowns around….john your list is rubbish because you didn’t include any french art films. how dare you….and how dare you actually be honest and list the films YOU like regardless of what ios cool and hip…so you like life is beautiful..big deal…its a fine film…I don’t like it myself but i am not going to mock you for it….

    I can’t narrow it down to ten but off the top of my head here are my favorite films in no particular order

    Flash Gordon
    Platoon
    The Big Red One
    Star Wars (original trilogy)
    Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan
    Duck Soup
    The Matador
    Ghostbusters
    The King of Comedy
    Bad Taste
    Revenge of the nerds
    Die Hard
    Lethal Weapon
    Batman Begins
    Mean Streets
    Dawn of the Dead (original)
    Raiders of the Lost Ark
    LOTR Trilogy
    Nightmare on Elm Street
    Halloween
    Taxi Driver

    and I have just added The Matador and Dead Mans Shoes to the list..They are pretty recent but amazing…..

  52. I don’t know if i could get a top ten. But here go’s what i love

    1) The Evil Dead Trilogy
    2) Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind
    3) Lord of The Rings Trilogy
    4) Spider-man
    5) Pirates of the Caribbean
    6) V For Vendetta
    7) Pulp Fiction
    8) Ghostbusters 1
    9) High Fidelity
    10) American Psycho

    Thats the best i can do. To much crap on the brain at the mo!

  54. Since I’m a Geek, here’s my list of the 10 best Super-Hero or Comic book movies of all time:

    1. Batman Begins.
    2. Spiderman
    3. Spiderman II
    4. Unbreakable
    5. The Incredibles
    6. Superman II
    7. Batman
    8. Sin City
    9. Hellboy
    10. X-Men II

    11. ? Spiderman III (I hope)

    The 9 Worst Comic Book/Superhero movies

    1. Captain America
    2. Batman and Robin
    3. Punisher (Dolph Lungren version)
    4. Superman Returns
    5. Batman Forever
    6. Superman IV
    7. The Incredible Hulk
    8. Daredevil
    9. Electra

  55. BegToDiffer-

    Ok, to criticize the FAVORITE (not best) movie lists of others here without volunteering your own is a TOTAL FRIGGIN COP-OUT. It’s reminds me of people who criticize the cars other people drive when they drive a POS Hyundai or broken down VW. Or those who say Angelina Jolie is nothing special to look at when their own girlfriend/wife looks like they fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Or people who don’t have a favorite music group or favorite food or… Ridiculous.

    Rant over. I’m at work now, but will post my favorites list when I get home and can let my DVD/VHS collection stir my memory.

  56. John-

    Why do you spend the majority of your responses on people/posts who “insult” you? (And no, this isn’t one of them). Is your skin really so thin that you take every sarcastic remark or barbed disagreement so personally? Who careth!!

    Top 10… right now. As of today. As of this moment.

    Big Trouble in Little China
    Saving Private Ryan
    Empire Strikes Back
    Alien
    Blackhawk Down
    Collateral
    Gladiator
    King Kong remake
    LOTR Trilogy
    Kung Pow: Enter the Fist

    No particular order. And it will change tomorrow.

    Good day!

  57. Hey John,

    I wasnt insulting you, I like a lot of the movies you listed. I just thought for a best ever list it was a little weak. Are you really including the new trilogy at the number one spot? (granted Episode 3 was good) I guess it was putting The Highlander and The Usual Suspects on your list that made me say that, it makes your top ten look like a guilty pleasure list.

    One thing about the talk backs though, I think its cool you actually respond to people in here, I think this is the second time you have to me.

  58. HA! I knew Jon had a vagina. Real men only cry when they get diagnosed with cancer of the balls. The final scene of the West Wing’s Two Cathedrals (s02e22) is also on the approved weeping list.

    Anyway, my list…

    The Godfather
    Jaws
    Pulp Fiction
    Schindler’s List
    The Sting
    Alien
    Before Sunset
    Star Wars
    The Shawshank Redemption
    Leon

  60. Brave Heart? Try being English and watching that… that will put you off it. Try watching it being an English amateur historian and you will hate it so very much.

  61. BegToDiffer obviously you don’t understand the list John has made. It’s a Favorite’s list not a best list he made that clear, that is also why I hate list but favorite doesn’t mean best.

    One my best movies list titles like “The Godfater” and “Lawerance of Arabia” would show up but ask me for my favorite’s list and you will find “Revenge of The Sith”,”Terminator 2″, and my number one “Independence Day”. That’s right “Independence Day” because I was 8 when it came out and was the first sci-film out side of the original Star Wars films that I had ever seen and for that it is dear to me. Just because “ID4” is my favorite film doesn’t mean I have no taste it just means it had a big impact on how I interpret films and enjoy the movie going experience but still you can give me a David Lean or Coppola film any day of the week and I’ll still be happy.

  62. Good list John. Here’s mine, I didn’t rank them just listed them:

    1. Yojimbo
    2. Rio Bravo
    3. Pride and Prejudice (1995)
    4. Bride and prejudice
    5. Serenity
    6. Southpark: Bigger, Longer Uncut
    7. The Incredibles
    8. Citizen Cane
    9. Patton
    10. Dogma

  63. I don’t believe in lists personally. Sure, they are fun to make, but to pick just ten from all the greats out there. . .

    Here’s an idea for your blog — how about a weekly/monthly feature called “John watches a great film he never heard of”. I’ll suggest a film, you watch it, and then tell us all what you think. I guarantee you’ll like >65% of them. No robots, no long underwear heroes, no talking pies or animals, just great, quality filmmaking — in a wide range of genres.

    Remember what Nietzsche said – “that which does not kill us makes us stronger”.

  64. 1. Ram-Jaane (god-knows) – indian gangster flick
    2. Usual Suspects
    3. Good Will Hunting
    4. Kal Ho Naa Ho (Bollywood Flick translates: Tomorrow May Not Be)
    5. Shawshank Redemption

    6-10 (no specific order)
    Batman Begins
    Fight Club – mischief mayhem soap .. nuff said
    Chaplin – truly under rated flick – inspiring
    Groundhog Day – do not bore, watching this over n over n over
    Sleepers

  65. 1. Star Wars (All)
    2. Almost Famous (Untitled cut)
    3. Seven Samurai
    4. Lord of the Rings (all)
    5. Pulp Fiction
    6. Rear Window
    7. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    8. Blade Runner
    9. Casablanca
    10. 2001: A Space Odessey

    Good list, John. I think Shawshank is the most overrated good film I’ve ever seen, though.

  66. BegToDifer,

    Oh great… another person who… if you don’t share their tastes… label you and say YOU don’t have taste. Wow… must make you feel good to think that highly of yourself.

    So where is your list?

  67. DevonRoy said: “I think you need to watch more movies…”

    You know what John, he’s right.

    It’s interesting, looking at your list as well as the lists of your minions. Not a single French film to be found, and only a scant few Japanese, German or Italian films.

    But to the point at hand — no self-respecting film lover would ever incude Life is Beautiful on a top ten of all time list. That is, unless your exposure to foreign film is severely limited.

    Henrik’s comment: “so many fanboys so few bullets” — is so damn spot on.

    No wonder cinema is a dying art. Vivre la médiocrité!

  69. Some great movies here. Going by the list of favorites not best. I’ve listed the movies I could watch over and over and not get sick of.

    1. Raiders of the Lost Ark (My all time favorite film)
    2. Seven Samurai (3 hours and I never get bored)
    3. Predator (Get to the choppa!!)
    4. Aliens (To think that I was too scared to watch this as a kid)
    5. Spider-man 2 (exeeds the original. My favorite comic book movie)6. When Harry Met Sally (so well written)
    7. A History of Violence (this flick should have gotten more attention. Brilliant filmmaking by David Cronenberg.)
    8. Fight Club (I love that re-watching this film is a whole new experience)
    9. Singles (This thing comes on cable all the time and I can’t help but watch it)
    10. Groundhog Day (Bill Murry at his best)

  70. my real list
    1.shawshank redemption
    2.the man who would be king
    3.close encounters
    4.raiders of the lost ark
    5.green mile
    6.back to the future trilogy
    7.all 3 lord of the rings
    8.event horizon
    9.pulp fiction
    10.lock stock and 2 smoking barrels

  71. MY TOP 10 FAVORITES

    1. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
    2. Terminator 2
    3. The Usal Suspects
    4. Scareface
    5. 2001 Space Odessey
    6. Beetlejuice
    7. Pulp Fiction
    8. City of God
    9. Heat
    10.Crash

  73. Ok heres my strange top 10

    1) American Beauty
    2) Lord of the Rings (collectively)
    3) Back to the Future 1&2
    4) Star Wars (4,5,6 only)
    5) Schindler’s List
    6) Crimson Tide
    7) Ghostbusters
    8) Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country
    9) School of Rock
    10) Crank (seriously even though its new, ive NEVER had this much perverted fun watching a movie before)

  74. Since it’s favorite movies and not best movies:
    Star Wars (Original Trilogy)
    LOTR (Trilogy)
    Braveheart
    Gladiator
    Dumb and Dumber
    Tommy Boy
    Shawshank Redemption
    The Godfather I & II
    Heat
    Tombstone

  76. Haha nice list carl, maybe we need to start coming up with “worst 10 of all time” lists.
    Anyways, my two cents (fav movies, not best movies):
    1) Original Star Wars trilogy
    2) The Matrix
    3) Saving Private Ryan
    4) Black Hawk Down
    5) Gladiator
    6) Braveheart
    7) Donnie Darko
    8) Pulp Fiction
    9) Scarface
    10) Sin City

  84. here’s mine

    1.Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind
    2.The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
    3.Fight Club
    4.Aliens
    5.Empire Strikes Back
    6.Jaws
    7.Clerks
    8.Back to the Future
    9.Halloween
    10.Once Upon a Time in the West

    honorables:Batman Begins, Superman, King Kong(1933),Raiders of the Lost Ark, Army of Darkness, Jurassic Park, Spiderman 2, Psycho, The Birds, North by Northwest

  85. Tough to really pick a top ten, but here’s a few that would battle to get in…….

    Better Off Dead
    Spiderman (either 1 or 2)
    Sixteen Candles
    X2
    LOTR’s trilogy
    Saving Private Ryan
    One Crazy Summer
    Indiana Jones
    The Lion, Witch & Wardrobe
    Revenge of the Nerds

  86. Why does everyone seem to love Star Wars, but hate Return of the Jedi? Maybe I was too young when I fell in love with the original trilogy, but I loved RotJ and only semi-liked ESB.

    Now that I’m older, I do like ESB more, but RotJ has a special place in my heart as my all time favorite Star Wars movie… so why does everyone else not seem to like it?

  90. um how about sin city.. its so fucking outgoing and differant. One of the movies you see somthing different every time. btw is the mailbag coming out tonight?

    Brian

  92. I like your list John and I can’t say I disliked any of your choices. My favourite movies change constantly but this is pretty much the “core” group that I watch regularly, in as much of an order as I can get them…

    1)Lord of the Rings (trilogy)
    2)The Matrix
    3)Interview with a Vampire
    4)American History X
    5)Casino
    6)Se7en
    7)The Dead Poets Society
    8)The Great Escape
    9)Cube
    10)The Little Mermaid (MY childhood movie…can’t wait to the DVD release)

  93. A strong list although you can never justify the inclusion of Highlander to me. Still it’s your list and not mine so that’s your right. My list is as follows;

    1. The Lord of the Rings (Simply in a class by itself)
    2. The Godfather (Until LotR came along it was #1 for 30 years)
    3. Saving Private Ryan (Simply an awesome experience)
    4. JFK (I am surprised that this film hasn’t had a comeback)
    5. Apocalypse Now (A master class in shoot from the hip filmmaking)
    6. Field of Dreams (I love baseball and my dad. It makes me misty)
    7. Titanic (Despite the love story, this is an epic to die for)
    8. The Sting (Incredible style, story and entertainment value)
    9. Das Boot (Gut wrenching war flck with incredible direction)
    10. Moulin Rouge (Guilty pleasure that reminds me of my Bohemian heart. It just yanks at my heartstrings)

  94. I love list posts here are mine in no order.

    Evil Dead trilogy
    All six Star Wars
    Batman Begins
    American Psyhcho
    Resevoir Dogs
    Donnie Darko
    The Butterfyl Effect
    All Smith Movies
    Spider-man 1+2
    Blade Trinity

  95. I guess I’ll pitch in my top ten, even though nobody really gives a shit :D…

    1. Jaws
    2. Cinema Paradiso
    3. Zulu
    4. Don’t Look Now
    5. The Wicker Man
    6. The Killer
    7. Psycho
    8. The Wild Bunch
    9. Where Eagles Dare
    10. Vertigo

    It kills me to miss out movies like Shawshank, the Godfather, Bridge on the River Kwai and the Indy trilogy but oh well…

  96. This is the closest I can come top a top 10, but if you were to ask me again, it would probably have changed already.

    1. Apocalypse Now
    2. The Empire Strikes Back
    3. Citizen Kane
    4. North by Northwest
    5. The Godfather
    6. Minority Report
    7. Jurassic Park
    8. Pulp Fiction
    9. Dr. Strangelove
    10. City of God

  97. In no particular order

    Aliens
    Braveheart
    Saving Private Ryan
    Beetlejuice
    Se7en
    Terminator 1 + 2
    Raiders of the Lost Ark
    Star Wars – OT
    The Matrix
    Shawshank Redemption

    I cant put them in order, they all mean too much

  99. My top 10 in no order.

    1. Seven Samurai
    2. Fight Club
    3. Empire of the Sun
    4. Batman Begins
    5. Transformers The Movie (I was 4 when it came out. This represents my childhood.)
    6. Battle Royale
    7. The Sting
    8. The City of Lost Children
    9. It’s a Wonderful Life (bag me all you want. I liked it.)
    10. Empire Strikes Back (I liked the other 2, but this was my favourite.)

  100. Wait, wait. I have a list, too!

    1. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
    2. Apocalypse Now
    3. The Big Lebowski
    4. Die Hard
    5. Cool Hand Luke
    6. Memento
    7. Annie Hall
    8. Aliens
    9. Fight Club
    10. Almost Famous

    Okay, let’s argue! My list is great, whereas all of your lists are inferior! I think that’s how it’s done.

  101. Glaring ommissions..
    The Good the Bad and The Ugly, Raging Bull , Dog Day Afternoon, Resevoir Dogs, City of God, Unforgiven ….

    Return of the King was the most overated movie ever… it pains me that you do not see this… your a sap … a hack.

    Great site though.. i come here everyday!

  104. Great List John! All the movies mentioned are good to great movies! Some of my all time favorites! No. 5 Highlander is a fun movie but an interesting choice for a top 10 all time.

    My list includes ( Never deifinitive, always involving but staying consistent ):

    1. Godfather ( I & II only )
    2. Star Wars (The original Trilogy only)
    3. Apocalypse Now
    4. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    5. Back to the Future
    6. The Great Escape
    7. Rear Window
    8. Blade Runner
    9. The Sting
    10. Local Hero

  105. Here’s mine…

    1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    2. Star Wars: ESB
    3. Batman Begins
    4. Se7en
    5. 12 Monkeys
    6. Aladdin
    7. Beetlejuice
    8. Toy Story
    9. JFK
    10. Beverly Hills Cop

  111. That is a pretty good list, and has sparked my idea for the AE question.

    Anyway, here’s my top ten, no order.

    Outlaw Josey Wales
    Blade Runner [all versions]
    Empire Strikes Back [pre SE]
    Lawrence Of Arabia
    Shiri
    Escape From New York
    Manhunter
    Bridge On The River Kwai
    Princess Bride
    Repo Man

  112. It’s too hard to make a TOP-list but I had to pick just one movie, it has to be Empire Strikes Back. There’s no way around it, it’s still my favorite movie after all these years.

  113. That’s not bad at all. Unique, at least.

    My list, I’ll only give a top 5, as I have not revelaed to the world my full one yet.

    1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
    2. The Empire Strikes Back
    3. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
    4. Once Upon a Time in the West
    5. Blade Runner

  114. Nice list. I agree with your statement about the Godfather – if you haven’t seen it, you need to. One of the single greatest achievements in film. A masterpiece.

    I love Highlander. Highlander 2 is one of the films that made me cry, because they wouldn’t give me my money back.

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