The Greatest Movies Ever Made Ranked

What is the greatest movie of all-time?

It’s a challenging question every film critic has been forced to answer. It’s challenging picking one film as the greatest movie ever made. Whether its hopeful prisoners, psychotic killers or great gangsters, I’ve seen many unforgettable movies. Given the sheer number of films I have seen, choosing one that stands head and shoulders above the rest is impossible. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films of all-time.

1. The Shawshank Redemption

Hope is something that I’ve often found hard finding. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I began failing classes in school causing sorrow. Unable to cope with the demanding pressure posed by high school studies, I experienced intense anxiety. During a painful time, it was impossible for me to see a bright light at the end of the pitch-black tunnel. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the power of hope allowing people to achieve redemption as powerfully as “The Shawshank Redemption”. Ever since its release in 1994, Frank Darabont’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest movie ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Darabont captured a pair of prisoners forming a long-lasting friendship in a prison facing despair. Darabont has always had an aptitude for demonstrating emotions through voice-over narration, and his strengths as a filmmaker are evident in “The Shawshank Redemption”. For instance, the scene in which Red narrates his harrowing memories of the time when Andy escapes the prison in a dilemma is one of the greatest moments in cinematic history. At the centre of it all are a pair of phenomenal performances by Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, capturing downtrodden prisoners facing despair. Ultimately, what makes “The Shawshank Redemption” the greatest film ever made is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the importance of hope that would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a commemorated classic about hopeless inmates that question whether they should get busy living or get busy dying searching for redemption in a prison which is frightening, it’s a breathtaking reminder that Cinema is a hopeful art-form that is worth celebrating.

2. The Godfather

Gangsters are grand figures which always fascinated my grandfather. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a grandfather admiring gangsters causing damage. An offer he simply couldn’t refuse, he loved talking about gangsters that shaped his worldviews. Through his lifelong love of gangsters, my grandfather inspired me to make film criticism dreams come true. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather admiring gangsters, I adored “The Godfather”. Ever since its release in 1972, Francis Ford Coppola’s film has stood the test of time as the greatest gangster movie ever made. Coppola has always excelled at creating films about criminals, and “The Godfather” showcased his strengths as a director. Coppola used innovative cinematic techniques to create an iconic film that forever changed the gangster genre. For instance, the scene in which Michael Corleone commits his first murder of Sollozzo in a local restaurant is one of the greatest moments in cinematic history. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Marlon Brando, capturing a legendary don that experiences sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The Godfather” a crime classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about the unbreakable bonds between families that would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years after the release of a groundbreaking film about gangsters that made headline news, it remains an offer no movie-buff can refuse.

3. Schindler’s List

The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor with knowledge. Years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He would take great pride in teaching students about a genocide in which his people died. As someone treasuring a teacher that loved to list his thoughts on the Holocaust, I admired “Schindler’s List”. Released in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece offered an engaging depiction of the mass genocide. Drawing from personal experience as a Jew with strong ties to the Holocaust, Spielberg captured the genocide. For instance, the scene in which Oskar Schindler witnesses the girl in the red coat face warfare causing trauma is one of the greatest moments in the history of Cinema. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ralph Fiennes, who embodies a Nazi commander. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” a historical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a poignant message about the genocide which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a mass genocide, it’s a bold reminder that Cinema is a strong art-form that has always left audiences satisfied.

4. Psycho

Serial killers have always scared me. At an early age, I developed fear of serial killers when my housemaid was murdered causing damage. Stabbed to death in the shower, my housekeeper faced psychotic murder. No matter how hard my family tried, we couldn’t move on from the demise of a housekeeper that died. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured psychotic nature of serial killers causing sorrow as powerfully as “Psycho”. Ever since its release in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s movie has stood the test of time as a horror classic. Hitchcock has an aptitude for creating tension through diegetic sounds, and “Psycho” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the iconic scene in which Marion is stabbed to death in the shower causing trauma is one of the greatest moments in the history of Cinema. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Anthony Perkins, who created one of the finest killers in cinematic history. Ultimately, what makes “Psycho” a horror classic is its message. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years following the release of an iconic film about serial killers that are psychotic, it’s a breathtaking reminder about Cinema being a great art-form that is iconic.

5. Goodfellas

Martin Scorsese is a legendary filmmaker that my cousin has always loved dearly. I remember forming strong bonds with a cousin that admired the famous filmmaker. He often spoke fondly about a filmmaker that shaped his identity. He adored all the movies made by Martin Scorsese, but “Goodfellas” was always his favourite. Ever since its release in 1990, “Goodfellas” has stood the test of time as one of the greatest gangster movies ever made. Scorsese has always had an aptitude for capturing the lives of gangsters, and “Goodfellas” showcased his strengths as a director.  For instance, the iconic Copacabana scene in which viewers are introduced to gangsters in a nightclub in one tracking shot is one of the best moments in the history of Cinema. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ray Liotta, who embodies a gangster experiencing trauma. Ultimately, what makes “Goodfellas” a crime classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about community which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Henry Hill’s desire to become a gangster, it’s a bold reminder of why Cinema is an art-form that audiences treasure.

6. The Dark Knight

The Joker is a legendary comic-book villain that my brother always loved dearly. I remember a brother that adored the comic-book character. He grew up to embrace a villain holding a special place in his heart that left smiles on his face. As someone treasuring bright memories of a brother that adored the Joker, I loved “The Dark Knight”. Released in 2008, Christopher Nolan’s movie forever changed the comic-book genre. Nolan showcased his skills as a commemorated filmmaker by honouring a legendary comic-book character. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Heath Ledger, who proved how great of an actor he once was before he tragically passed away. As strong as the Joker’s desire to leave a smile on the face, it’s a breathtaking reminder about Cinema being a commemorated art-form that audiences embrace.

7. Forrest Gump

Intellectual disability shaped my identity. At an early age, I was diagnosed with Autism causing damage. I remember finding it hard to cope with a disorder impacting my future. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured disability as powerfully as “Forrest Gump”. Released in 1994, Robert Zemeckis’ movie has become a classic audiences adore. Zemeckis effectively used voice-over narration to capture the life of a disabled veteran. Assisted by Tom Hanks who is excellent in the lead role, Zemeckis honoured a legendary book. Ultimately, what makes “Forrest Gump” an all-time classic is its humanity. The film offered a sensitive depiction of intellectual disability way ahead of its time. As precious as Forrest Gump’s box of chocolate, it remains a delicious reminder about the power of Cinema being an art-form which audiences appreciate.

8. Good Will Hunting

Therapists have impacted my identity. At an early age, I formed bonds with a therapist delivering a message. When I was diagnosed with anxiety, I began seeing a psychologist offering therapy. His wisdom gave my life greater direction. As someone treasuring fond memories of a therapist I fond inspiring, I loved “Good Will Hunting”. Released in 1997, Gus Van Sant’s Oscar-winning movie depicted therapists with wise personalities. Gus Van Sant used realistic dialogue to capture interactions between therapists and youth. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Robin Williams, who reminds us how great of an actor he once was before his heartbreaking passing. As strong as Will Hunting’s desire to find life direction, it’s a great reminder of Cinema being a commemorated art-form that is worthy of celebration.

9. Jaws

Sharks are terrifying creatures that have always scared me. Ever since I was a young child, I’ve always been afraid of sharks with jaws that are wild. At an early age, I became terrified of waters that posed damage. This lifelong fear of sharks began when I first watched “Jaws”. Ever since its release in 1975, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as a jaw-dropping classic. Spielberg used innovative cinematic techniques to capture sharks evoking terror. Ultimately, what makes “Jaws” one of my favourite films of all-time is its tension. Spielberg used innovative techniques to capture sharks causing destruction. Nearly 40 years after the release of an iconic classic about sharks with sharp jaws seeking to break laws, it’s a powerful reminder about a film that changed the world which deserves a loud round of applause.

10. Titanic

When it comes to the most tragic events in history, it’s worth discussing the Titanic. The R.M.S. Titanic was the largest passenger ship in the world that was believed to be unsinkable. However, in 1912, the ship sank as a result of striking icebergs. In 1997, James Cameron captured the tragic sinking of the ship in his film “Titanic”. Cameron captured a historic disaster through practical effects that are fantastic. At the centre of it all are a pair of bold performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, capturing lovers facing despair. Although its legacy is tarnished by historical inaccuracy, “Titanic” remains a classic. Centuries after the tragic sinking of the Titanic, it’s a terrific reminder of an art-form that had a gigantic impact on my life which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of becoming a film critic.