Movies hold a profound significance as one of the most impactful forms of media that individuals engage with. They serve as a source of introspection, prompting us to contemplate life and glean essential lessons. Films inspire action for personal and societal improvement, offering insights into profound emotions such as sacrifice and grief. Throughout history, certain movies have emerged as transformative forces, altering our perspectives on life itself.

Curating a list of the best movies is no small feat, considering the vast pool of approximately 3000 films released globally each year. IMDb’s compilation of top-rated movies serves as a valuable guide, given the millions of ratings contributing to its rankings. Warning: spoilers ahead for those who haven’t seen these films. So, grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and join us as we delve into a discussion of some of the greatest films ever, exploring aspects like entertainment value, critical acclaim, and where to watch them.

Top 10 Best Movies of All Time

1. Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The top-rated film, boasting a remarkable 9.3 rating, delves into the profound theme of hope. The narrative unfolds with Andy Dufresne, portrayed by Tim Robbins, a former banker unjustly convicted of two murders and sentenced to life imprisonment at Shawshank prison. There, he encounters Ellis ‘Red’ Redding, played by Morgan Freeman, and discovers novel ways of navigating the challenges of prison life. The film masterfully portrays the heartwarming friendship that blossoms between Andy and his fellow inmates.

Crafted by the renowned Stephen King, the plot intricately captures the essence of both characters, immersing viewers in the soulful journey of their friendship. The culmination of their stories leads to one of the most powerful and memorable endings in cinematic history.

• Available on HBO MAX

2. Forrest Gump (1994)

This film often escapes attention due to the multitude of great releases in the same year. It intertwines the narrative of a bright and endearing young boy from Alabama with a low IQ, offering a poignant counterpart in the form of a melancholic tale of romance and friendship. Tom Hanks steps into the shoes of Forrest Gump, the central character, as the film delves into pivotal moments in Gump’s life, portraying his journey of navigating numerous challenges with an unwavering belief in the goodness of things to come.

The storyline also introduces Jenny Curran, Gump’s childhood friend and love interest, whose life is intricately entangled with complexities. At the heart of this movie lies a profound message — that love knows no bounds and can blossom between anyone, transcending the various challenges life throws their way.

• Available on Netflix

3. Fight Club (1999)

The cardinal rule of Fight Club is crystal clear: “You do not talk about Fight Club.” So, without delving into spoilers, let’s unravel the narrative. Under the skilful direction of David Fincher, the plot follows an insomniac individual, portrayed by Edward Norton, who grapples with the challenges of both insomnia and cancer. During his journey home, he encounters Tyler Durden (played by Brad Pitt), a soap salesman with a flair for rebellion. Tyler persuades Edward to embark on the creation of an underground fight club.

Brad Pitt masterfully brings the iconic character of Tyler Durden to life, and as the story unfolds, viewers become increasingly captivated by the profound philosophy and psychology that underpins Tyler’s character. This movie promises to keep you on the edge of your seat, culminating in an ending that is sure to leave you in awe.

• Available on Apple TV

4. The Dark Knight (2008)

Comes from an astonishing director Christopher Nolan, It is truly a gift to cinephiles. The Dark Knight follows its prequel Batman Begins (2005). Even if you are not a fan of the superhero genre you will love it, The Story revolves around a psychopath Joker played by the legendary actor Heath Ledger creates havoc in Gotham City and causes Batman to confront everything he believes. Joker, one of the most iconic characters ever made in the history of films, the spectacular conflicts of the moral dilemma between the vengeance of Gotham and Joker is worth watching.

• Available on HBO MAX

5. Inception (2010)

Another masterpiece from Christopher Nolan with a unique plot, imagine how good it would be if we steal without barging into someone else’s house but rather enter into their dreams and steal their ideas. Leonardo Di Caprio as Dom Cobb is a skilled thief who steals ideas of people by entering into their subconscious, but he gets quite an interesting job planting the idea rather than stealing it from someone else’s mind. The stunning visuals of Nolan, Zimmer’s music, and its debatable ending make this movie a must-watch.

• Available on HBO MAX and NETFLIX

6. Source Code (2011)

Source Code is a thrilling sci-fi movie directed by Duncan Jones and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga. Stevens is an army pilot recruited by the United States on a top-secret mission to find a bomber who bombed a Chicago commuter train. He finds himself in the body of an unknown man on the train and is accompanied by her friend Christina Warren played by Michelle Monaghan. He only has 8 minutes to find the man who has the bomb. Colter Stevens is stuck in this time loop unless and until he finds the antagonist. What follows next is a well-written and thought-provoking movie. The biggest reason to see this movie is that the secondary characters also matter along with the protagonist. Which makes this movie unpredictable. Colter Stevens’ interactions with each and every passenger feel completely real, it almost feels like he is interrogating them. Source Code is the most underrated flick on this list.

• Available on Prime Video

7. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Edge of Tomorrow is an unexpected movie, to say the least, it’s full of surprises and with great acting performances by Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. The plot of this film is simple – Live, Die & Repeat. It is set in an apocalyptic future which is marked by the extinction of humans by aliens. Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt are part of the resistance that is tasked with stopping the aliens at all costs. Tom Cruise lives the same day again and again which gives him a chance to improve himself and win the war against the aliens. The aliens vs humans storyline has been explored by many other films like Independence Day and Prometheus but the Tom Cruise starrer captures a unique aspect hence, separating it from all the other films that are out there. The concept of the time loop in this film makes it all the more interesting and it makes the viewers think, “What things will Tom do differently versus the last time he died ?” The film captures the emotion of “uncertainty” very well.

• Available on Netflix and Prime Video

8. Gone Girl (2014)

Starring Rosamund Pike as Amy Dunne & Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, the story is about a happily married couple and suddenly, one day Nick Dunne comes home to find his wife missing. All fingers point toward Amy’s husband Nick. What seemed like a perfect marriage on paper isn’t really perfect in reality and that’s the theme of the movie David Fincher does a phenomenal job of putting that in every viewer’s mind right at the outset. Gone Girl is filled with lies, truths & betrayal. It feels like you’re an onlooker watching the story unfold into a mystery within a mystery. The biggest surprise package of this movie is Pike’s character Amy Dunne. Rosamund Pike did a great job at acting. She felt her character Amy and her insanity and poured it all on the screen.

• Available on Netflix

9. Predestination (2015)

Predestination is a mind-bending sci-fi movie which had audiences awestruck. Ethan Hawke is underappreciated in the movie and his acting is phenomenal. The character of the “Unmarried Mother” played by Sarah Snook is amazing as well. The story is about an agent who works for an agency that stops crimes. The agents travel back in time to stop the criminals before they get the chance to commit the crimes. The story revolves around defeating the antagonist named “Fizzle Bomber” who has been eluding Ethan Hawke’s Agent for a long time. The concept of time travel has been introduced early on in the movie and the movie does not waste any time explaining the basics of time travel. You have to watch this movie a second time to understand what’s happening. It tells us about how one action can have endless possibilities of outcomes.

• Available on Prime Video and Apple TV

10. I Care A Lot (2021)

I Care A Lot is a Netflix film which is based on a really serious topic concerning Legal Guardians whose job is to care for the elderly. But this movie takes a dark turn when it shows a reckless and self-centred legal guardian named Marla Grayson played by actress Rosamund Pike who rips the elderly off of their life savings by proving in court that they are unable to take care of themselves and are placed in a care home. This movie shows how a legal guardian can abuse their authority for money and how emotionally and physically taxing it is for the elderly to be placed in a care home against their wishes. This movie captures realism very well.

• Available on Netflix

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