100 All-Time Favorite Movies
February 25, 2008
Happy Academy Awards!
In honor of this auspicious day, I saw Juno in a cut-rate theatre & highly recommend it. Each line is so well written you won’t want to miss a word. As evidenced by the fact that my dear friend Roxanne told two old people in front of us to “Zip it!” in the middle of the movie.
* * * * *
After hours of combing through varied websites, I have finally determined my list of 100 favorite movies. They are not in order, since depending on my mood I would rank them differently nearly ever single day of the year. The top 10 are in bold, the favorite tear-jerkers are in italics.
I particularly enjoy the juxtaposition of Doris Day versus Charles Bronson, both which are listed more than once. Although I think of myself as a chick-flick kind of girl, the list is full of action movies, too. Who knew?
Drumroll, please . . .
1. Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner (Sidney Poitier) - I will love this until the end of time.
2. Brokeback Mountain (Heath Ledger & Jake Gyllenhaal) - This is the rare film I can watch again & again. Both actors were brilliant, the final scene emotionally devastating. Just utter perfection.
3. Terms of Endearment (Debra Winger) - An all time favorite. Shirley Maclaine’s character is more memorable than some of the real people in my life.
4. Men of Honor (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) - One of the best movies ever, it was never given the credit it deserves.
5. Dirty Dancing (Patrick Swayze) - What can I say? I’ve probably seen it 100 times. It’s embarrassing how much I love the duo of Johnny & Baby.
6. The Departed (Leonardo DiCaprio & Mark Wahlberg) - A masterpiece. I never understood the hype over Leo, then suddenly I did.
7. The Bridges of Madison County (Clint Eastwood) - This was both heartbreaking & beautiful. Meryl Streep & Clint Eastwood were perfect together.
8. Harold and Maude (Ruth Gordon) - A piece of genius, magnificent, fantastic black humor. They somehow made a May-December romance seem entirely romantic & reasonable. Harold’s multiple fake suicide scenes are not to be missed. Best musical score of all time by Cat Stevens.
9. The Parent Trap (Hayley Mills) - My favorite since childhood.
10. Best In Show (Christopher Guest) - The characters in this film are some of the funniest ever created.
11. Pride and Prejudice (Kiera Knightley) – Loved it beyond words.
12. Rudy (Sean Astin) – I’m a fan of the sports genre, especially underdogs.
13. Carrie (Sissy Spacek) – My all-time hero.
14. The Last King of Scotland (Forrest Whitaker) – Wow, what a movie.
15. The Birds (Tippi Hedren) – Scariest film of my childhood.
16. Urban Cowboy (Debra Winger/John Travolta) - I love this soundtrack, I love Debra Winger. I am evidently a hick at heart.
17. Hoosiers (Gene Hackman) – This will make you stand up and cheer!
18. Cinderella Man (Russell Crowe) – Combination of underdog plus romance equals perfection.
19. A Perfect World (Clint Eastwood/Kevin Costner) - I freaking love this film. I still could cry if I thought hard enough about the final scene.
20. The Glass Bottom Boat (Doris Day)
21. Gone With The Wind (Clark Gable)
22. Pretty Woman (Richard Gere)
23. Ransom (Mel Gibson)
24. An Officer And A Gentleman (Richard Gere) – He’s just plain hot.
25. The Deer Hunter (Robert DeNiro) – The scene where he’s squatting against the wall in the hotel room is seared in my brain.
26. Jesus Camp (Documentary) - If you haven’t seen it, get it. Scary.
27. Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder) – I’m not sure anything ever touched me as deeply as Charlie finding the golden ticket.
28. The Notebook (Ryan Gosling) - Beautiful!
29. Falling in Love (Robert DeNiro) – Romantic & heart-breaking.
30. Clerks (Kevin Smith) – Black humor at its’ absolute best.
31. Cast Away (Tom Hanks) - He’s just brilliant. A 3-hour movie with a volleyball as your co-star. Incredible.
32. The Executioner’s Song (Tommy Lee Jones)
33. Die Hard (Bruce Willis)
34. The Sixth Sense (Bruce Willis) – One of the best movies ever written, the twist is so unexpected.
35. Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) – I love Clint, I love ass-kicking & payback.
36. Death Wish (I, II, III, IV & V) (Charles Bronson) – Vigilante extraordinaire.
37. Midnight Express (Billy Hayes) – Brilliant.
38. Death at a Funeral – A black comedy beyond compare. Hysterical.
39. Same Time Next Year (Alan Alda, Ellen Burstyn) – I can’t believe I forgot this one, I love it! “The Last Time I Felt Like This” makes me swoon.
40. Definitely, Maybe (Ryan Reynolds & Isla Fisher) - Loved it from start to finish.
41. The Silence of the Lambs (Anthony Hopkins) – Freaks me out.
42. Jaws (Roy Scheider) – Scary every single time.
43. Annie Hall (Diane Keaton) – I love this chick.
44. The Graduate (Dustin Hoffman)
45. Meet The Parents (Ben Stiller) – Hysterical.
46. Meet The Fockers (Robert DeNiro) – And then they did it again.
47. Scarface (Al Pacino)
48. Mystic River (Sean Penn)
49. Shaun of the Dead (2004) – I had no idea I could love zombie comedy.
50. When A Stranger Calls (Camilla Belle) – I’ve never been more frightened in a theater than when I was watching this movie.
51. Pillow Talk (Doris Day & Rock Hudson) – These two are perfect together.
52. The Sound of Music (Julie Andrews) – They made it over the mountains.
53. Pearl Harbor (Ben Affleck) – Thank God he did something well.
54. Borat (Sacha Baron Cohen) – The balls in the face scene – perfection.
55. Secretary (James Spader) – The hottest sex scene I’ve ever seen. And very weird.
56. The Birdcage (Robin Williams)
57. The Towering Inferno (Paul Newman)
58. Double Jeopardy (Ashley Judd)
59. Conair (Nicolas Cage) – The final scene makes it worth watching.
60. Driving Miss Daisy (Morgan Freeman)
61. To Sir, With Love (Sidney Poitier) – Huge Sidney fan.
62. American Gangster (Denzel Washington & Russell Crowe)
63. Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) - It seems hokey until I watch it again, fall in love again, cry again.
64. The Guardian (Kevin Costner)
65. Love Actually (Hugh Grant)
66. Little Miss Sunshine (Steve Carroll) – All in the character development.
67. Heathers (Winona Ryder)
68. The Prince of Tides (Nick Nolte) - A heart-wrenching story.
69. The Godfather (Al Pacino)
70. Titanic (Leonardo DiCaprio) - I can’t reconcile the final scene. They both could have fit on the float.
71. Legends of the Fall (Brad Pitt) – Really a beautiful film.
72. The People v. Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson) – Completely unexpected.
73. Play Misty for Me (Clint Eastwood)
74. Where The Heart Is (Natalie Portman) – It really doesn’t get any better than having a baby in Wal-Mart.
75. Sex, Lies & Videotape (James Spader)
76. Gone Baby Gone (Casey Affleck) – Do you make the call or not?
77. A Time To Kill (Matthew McConaughey) – Never was there a more sympathetic character than the father in this movie.
78. While You Were Sleeping (Bill Pullman) – One of Sandra Bullock’s best movies. Pullman unexpectedly pulls off the leading man thing really well.
79. The Perfect Storm (Mark Wahlberg) – No fishing boats for me.
80. Home For the Holidays (Holly Hunter) – Dysfunction at its’ best.
81. The Family Stone (Diane Keaton) - Great ensemble of actors, Sarah Jessica Parker plays her role so perfectly.
82. Something’s Gotta Give (Diane Keaton) – Jack Nicholson’s still got it.
83. Caddyshack (Bill Murray)
84. With Six You Get Eggroll (Doris Day) – My favorite Doris.
85. Sleepless in Seattle (Meg Ryan) - I absolutely love this movie.
86. Brian’s Song (James Caan)
87. French Kiss (Kevin Kline) – The chemistry with Meg Ryan is great.
88. Raging Bull (Robert DeNiro)
89. Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood) – Unforgettable.
90. Fried Green Tomatoes (Kathy Bates) – The scene in the parking lot.
91. Sudden Impact (Clint Eastwood)
92. Love Story (Ryan O’Neill) - The first movie that made me cry.
93. You’ve Got Mail (Tom Hanks) – Another Meg Ryan. She’s adorable.
94. Sabrina (Harrison Ford) – Both versions are great movies.
95. Sling Blade (Billy Bob Thornton) - This guy is really a genius.
96. Jurassic Park (Jeff Goldblum) – The dinosaurs continue to scare me every time I watch it.
97. Please Don’t Eat The Daisies (Doris Day) – Just for fun.
98. Juno (Ellen Page) – It’s all about the writing.
99. God Grew Tired of Us (Documentary) – Should be required viewing by every American citizen. Tremendous.
100. Christmas Vacation (Chevy Chase) – It’s funny every single time.
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Filed in Favorites, Media, My Life Now, about me
Tags: Favorites, fun, List, movies, My Life Now, Personal, Thoughts, top 100
February 25, 2008 at 8:30 am
Wow, so many of these would be on my favorite list too. But man oh man, When a Stranger Calls. I saw this in a movie theater before I knew better. I have never watched a scary movie since. I will never recover from the fright and that was 100 years ago!
February 25, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Love Doris Day too. I was surprised that no Geraldine Page films were listed. Try and see “The Trip To Bountiful,” “Sweet Bird of Youth” and “Summer and Smoke.” Paul Newman’s “HUD” and Julie Harris in “The Last of Mrs. Lincoln” and “The Member of the Wedding” with Ethel Waters. I’d also suggest, “The Old Settler” with Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen and “The Gin Game” with Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy.
February 25, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Thank you! I’ve never seen any of those movies — I know my knowledge is quite lacking when it comes to anything before 1970 or so. I’ll definitely be renting all your suggestions!
February 25, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Hi,
I’m with you 110% where A Perfect World is concerned. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen it, but I love it and react to it exactly the same way every time.
Take care,
Sandy
February 25, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Hi again,
I agree with you on pretty much all these movies, most of which I have seen.
I’m a huge Kevin Costner fan for a variety of reasons and I just wanted to suggest that you might take a couple of hours and check out
“Dragonfly”.
If you loved “A Perfect World”, whether you have any interest or not in the supernatural, I know I don’t, but go into this movie with an open mind and for the performance and story line, and see what you think.
Enjoy,
Sandy
February 25, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Such a great list! And I thought I was the only one who loved Bud and Cissy!
February 25, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Yes, Bud and Cissy! I was trying to remember his name in the movie last night. You can’t even hear it in your head without a Texas twang attached. And the bitch in that movie was named Pam. I loved this song and the adoring look on Cissy’s face when she was crazy for Bud (lol):
Well, I spent a lifetime lookin’ for you
Singles bars and good time lovers were never true
Playin’ a fools game, hopin’ to win
Tellin’ those sweet lies and losin’ again
Chorus:
I was lookin’ for love in all the wrong places
Lookin’ for love in too many faces
Searchin’ their eyes, lookin’ for traces
Of what I’m dreamin’ of
Hopin’ to find a friend and a lover
I’ll bless the day I discover
Another heart lookin’ for love
And I was alone then, no love in site
I did everything I could to get me through the night
I don’t know where it started or where it might end
I’d turn to a stranger just like a friend
(Chorus)
And you came a knockin’ at my heart’s door
You’re everything I’ve been lookin’ for
There’s no more lookin’ for love
In all the wrong places
Lookin’ for love in too many faces
Searchin’ their eyes
Lookin’ for traces
Of what I’m dreamin’ of
Now that I found a friend and a lover
God bless the day I discovered you
Oh you, lookin’ for love
February 26, 2008 at 7:59 am
That scene where Cissy cleaned up the trailer and the bitch girlfriend took credit for it still burns my biscuits. Probably the test of a good movie- can you still get fired up, grossed out, emotional, cry, laugh, etc.- thinking about a scene a decade or so after watching it. Well you’ve inspired me to start my own list- I’ll post it next week when I done with this daily crafting thing. We’re going to have some overlap- esp. the Doris movies!
February 26, 2008 at 9:23 am
I’m going to have to work the phrase “burns my biscuits” into conversation somehow today. I think it could actually cause me as much joy as the ‘F’ word, potentially.
Can’t wait to see the list! I’m going to obtain all the suggested flicks and have a fantastical movie weekend, where I don’t leave the house. Actually, it may take an entire week (squeal with delight).
February 26, 2008 at 2:13 pm
What about “Shakespeare in Love” (Joseph Feinnes), “Better Off Dead” (John Cusack), “Under the Tuscan Sun” (Diane Whatshername), “Butch Cassidy” (Redford and Newman), “The Sting (same), “Bull Durham” (Kevin Costner), “The Goonies” (Sean Astin), “16 Candles” (Molly Ringwald), “Stardust” (Claire Daines) and “I Am Sam” (Michelle Pfieffer).
February 28, 2008 at 10:20 pm
hey sis, thought i d write, how can you put forrest gump at 63? legends of the fall at 71? all though carrie was good its way to high on your list i think—–so surprised you are such a debra winger fan—i just adore her. Did you know she once was left for dead after a car hit her as a child, but she survived of course. i heard that on paul harvey. departed at #6 is deserving. have you seen FRACTURE great movie. LEO is excellent i am glad you noticed, i did not find BLOOD DIAMOND on your list. the thing about LEO though, has he ever not been killed off in a movie TITANTIC, BLOOD DIAMOND, DEPARTED, and i think there is another great one he was killed off in. perhaps he gets bored and rude during filming and begs to go home so the directors just kill him off. BIRDCAGE, bad movie, c’mon robin williams you can do better than that. life is grand i now have sirrus radio to listen to–love ya
February 28, 2008 at 10:24 pm
oh i forgot to mention, i still am infactuated with that pammy girl who reads your blog. I am sure she d love my british accent and muscled smooth body, maybe i should ask her to attend a democratic gathering with me to see if she d join me. (maybe its true opposites attract)
February 28, 2008 at 10:31 pm
ohhh to PAMAJAMA-i loved urban cowboy, found myself in pasedena tx. on one of my ventures in 1982 and visited GILLEY”S where URBAN COWBOY was filmed (it is closed down now, i think he moved to branson mo) the bar was just like in the movie, but kinda dirty. i drank some lonestar with a friend from Buffalo NY, played pool. picked up a chick and got laid to, had the whole urban cowboy experience, she and i had sex on her downtown balcony. very fun. true story.
February 28, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Scott, oh my God, I am so excited that you responded to a post! Three times! You made my day:D
The thing about the list is that only the top 10 are actually ranked, it would have taken me another two hours to try and rank the rest. Love the Urban Cowboy story. And especially the line about the Democratic gathering!
I’m not completely sold on Birdcage. I was getting a little nutty by the end. I have to check out Fracture and see if I missed it. Can’t really remember if I’ve seen it, but it sounds familiar. At least we’re completely in sync on Debra Winger.
love ya – me
February 29, 2008 at 11:30 am
Brother Scott: what can I say to that pick up line? Even if you’re not a Democrat, I’m thrilled to hear that you’re still the president of my fan club.
March 11, 2008 at 1:48 am
Please note I have added an extra movie, number 101: Midnight Express with Billy Hayes.
June 1, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Since you are obviously a fan of Tom Hanks, I was surprised not to find “The Green Mile” on your list. Oh well. By the way, in “Titanic”, she fails to pull him onto a floating door, not a raft (but I agree with the sentiment). I always chuckle when I think about that scene.
Jack (Leo): “Promise me you’ll never let go”.
Rose (Kate): “I promise”.
…then she lets go and he sinks. Now, obviously he was talking about not letting go of her love for life, but I still found it hilarious in retrospect. I repeat, I chuckle thinking back on that scene, but when I watch the movie (every time), I am too consumed and somber to find humor in it.
Loved your list.
June 19, 2008 at 2:56 am
HI… yeah, i agree. SHould see i am sam (sean penn) and moulin rouge (nicole kidman).. I love these. Pls check them out. They really are great! =)
July 8, 2008 at 3:36 am
Carrie is one of the many classic films that I like. Every time the radio plays ‘I Never Dreamed Someone Like You Could Love Someone Like Me,’ the scenes in Carrie’s prom night come flashing back:)
December 6, 2008 at 7:25 pm
i liked the list but i felt like it was missing some movies like sha shank redemtion and good wil hunting
February 9, 2009 at 7:10 am
I loved your list. I adore Doris Day movies. I’d add the Mission to my list. It awed, inspired and made me cry. I’d also add Pride and Prejudice 1995. It’s was so authenic and like the book; one of the best adaptions ever. Then there is Thank You for Smoking. How can a movie be so wrong and yet so right? I felt guilty laughing. Winged Migration is a documentary, but I promise it will make you feel like you can fly. Shrek, who would have thought an ogre would be such a wonderful leading man in an animated love story? Last, I’d add the Changeling. Under the radar movie but when I saw it in one of those great old theatres … it scared the daylights out of me. No blood or special effects, just plain old suspense that builds … George C. Scott might have helped a little =-)
Hey, thanks for the comment! I love hearing of other movies to check out & these are some I haven’t seen. The Changeling especially sounds great. We love turning off the lights and scaring the crap out of ourselves around here. I know I haven’t seen Winged Migration or the Mission. Is it possible I’ve missed Pride & Prejudice. I have to go check . . . thanks again!
February 26, 2009 at 1:35 am
dudee… u completely forgot forest gump.. greatest movie of all time. probably should be in top ten.. im ashamed of u..but ur other ones are good..
February 26, 2009 at 1:39 am
ohh wait number 63 forest gump.. nvm i love you.. have u ever seen the movie contact? with jodie foster. neways its pretty good def worth top 100
I”m pretty sure I saw Contact, since I’m a Jodie Foster freak. I’ll have to take a second look.
I love you, too:) Thank goodness you found Forrest Gump on the list, cause I was freaked by the idea that I might have overlooked it.
February 26, 2009 at 8:00 pm
how can you have Godfather 69?! That is the best movie of all time. I can see top 5 or ten, but 69. yikes
Read the intro part and you’ll see that the movies are not put in any kind of numerical order of importance or favorites — I really couldn’t rank the ones I love the most — but I still don’t think Godfather would be #1. My explanation woul d simply be — I”m a chick! The fact that it’s on the same list with “The Parent Trap” is crazy enough:)
March 24, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I see Men of Honor with Cuba Gooding jr. but my fav of his had to be Radio. He and Ed Harris are wonderful in that movie. I agree with most of your movies but Death Wish series? ummmm …maybe the first one …wayyyyyyyyy down the list LOL. And good for you for having the action flicks ConAir , The Fifth Element and The Sixth Sense alongside movies like Pajama Game and The Glass Bottom Boat!
Nice Job on this list!
and btw, I loved The Birdcage, great acting by all!
Keeping adding!
April 9, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Men of Honor? Ahead of Jaws, The Deer Hunter, Gone With the Wind and Hoosiers? Pearl Harbor! One of the worst films ever made ahead of The Godfather and Forrest Gump? This list lost all credibility for me based on those selections.
You didn’t read what it said about the list not being in order. Plus, Men of Honor is fantastic.
So you lost all credibility, based on those 2 facts. FU.
April 21, 2009 at 11:17 am
why would you support queer movies….
I just don’t know, Big Daddy. Something about the gay boys is hot:) LOL
May 18, 2009 at 10:34 am
Thanks so much for the great list of favorite movies! We have a lot in common and now I have some new ones I’ve gotta see.
Enjoy the day, Donna
July 24, 2009 at 11:42 pm
no Boondock saints / Heaven and earth / Brazil?
August 9, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I enjoyed reading your list very much.
I liked Brokeback Mountain too,but they mumbled the lines so badly, I had to keep replaying and still didn’t get it all.
Thank goodness for TIVO.
Re: Secretary with James Spader-never saw it, but I thought The Big Easy with Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin had a heck of a sexy scene. “Look out for the gator,baby.”
I also love all those Boston movies, The Departed, Gone Baby Gone, and Mystic River too. They seem so real.
(I thought Alec Baldwin was great in The Departed).
Mary Poppins and anything with Hayley Mills were childhood favorites, and The Wizard of Oz of course.
If you enjoy Alan Alda, another one of my favorites is ‘The Four Seasons’ with Rita Moreno. Always funny.
A fellow ‘Pam’