What’s the #1 Best Movie of All Time? This List Will Shock You
Here’s a fascinating list of what a number metrics reveal to be the best movie of all time, plus those on the Top 50 list. You will definitely not agree.
“What do you think is the best movie of all time?”
It’s the question I’m asked most, and the one that’s impossible to answer. “It depends on your definition of “best,” I usually reply. Because “favorite movie,” “best movie” and “most memorable movie” all have different answers, but you never know what people are asking. Also it’s impossible for someone who sees and has seen as many movies as I have to pick just one in each of those categories.
So I was fascinated when I came across the following info on Ken Rutkowski’s substack. To create the list, they factored in ratings on leading critic websites, awards and box office returns to come up with the movies that scored highest in each category.
While I’m happy to say I’ve seen every one of those on the list, I’m shocked to see how high some of them scored. C’mon! Parasite at Number 4? Casablanca only at 21? And I can’t believe how many animated films made the list—not that animated films aren’t great, but relatively few people have even heard of Coco or Spirited Away, or can differentiate between the various Toy Stories.
Anyway, you’ll be fascinated by the 50 that made the Best Movie of All Time list, and an interpretation thereof, below:
This infographic presents a detailed ranking and analysis of acclaimed films, comparing various metrics including Academy Award nominations, wins, and audience ratings across multiple platforms.
Key Findings on this list of Best Movie of All Time
Top-Ranked Films
- Parasite – Appears to hold a prominent position in the rankings
- The Godfather – Classic film consistently rated highly across metrics
- Citizen Kane – Another top-tier classic
- Casablanca – Historical masterpiece with strong ratings
Evaluation Criteria
The report uses multiple authoritative sources:
- Rotten Tomatoes – Critics’ consensus scores
- Metacritic – Aggregated critical reviews
- IMDB – User-generated ratings
- Awards Recognition – Including Academy Awards and other major accolades
Rating Categories Observed
The infographic includes visual indicators for:
- Critical reception (pie charts showing score distributions)
- Audience scores
- Award wins and nominations
- Box office performance indicators
- Genre classifications
Notable Patterns
Award Winners
Several films in the list are recognized Oscar winners and nominees, indicating the selection focuses on critically acclaimed and award-winning cinema.
Genre Diversity
The list appears to include:
- Drama films
- Thrillers
- Classic Hollywood productions
- International cinema (notably Parasite)
- Various time periods represented
Score Correlations
Films ranked highly tend to show:
- Strong alignment between critic and audience scores
- Multiple award recognitions
- High ratings across all three major review platforms
Observations
- Classic vs. Modern: The list balances timeless classics with contemporary masterpieces
- International Recognition: Inclusion of non-English language films demonstrates global cinema appreciation
- Consensus Favorites: Top-ranked films generally show agreement across different rating systems
Conclusion
This comprehensive ranking system provides a multi-dimensional view of cinema excellence, considering professional criticism, audience reception, and industry recognition. The methodology appears robust, incorporating diverse perspectives to identify truly exceptional films that have achieved both critical and popular success.
The infographic serves as an excellent reference guide for film enthusiasts seeking the most highly-regarded movies across different eras and styles of filmmaking.
Methods: How The Best Movie of All Time List Was Curated
1. Main Categories Analyzed
- Oscar Nominations – Total Academy Award nominations received
- Oscar Wins – Actual Academy Awards won
- Rotten Tomatoes Scores – Critical and audience ratings
- IMDb Ratings – User-generated ratings
- Metacritic Scores – Aggregated critic reviews
2. Featured Films (Top Rankings)
The full top 100 list includes prominent films such as:
- Parasite – Notable for its historic Best Picture win
- Joker – Strong presence in nominations
- 1917 – Technical achievement recognition
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
- Jojo Rabbit
- The Irishman
- Little Women
- Marriage Story
- Ford v Ferrari
- Knives Out
3. Data Visualization Elements
Pie Chart Section (Top Right)
Shows the distribution of “BEST ANIMATED PICTURE” nominations or wins, displaying:
- Color-coded segments representing different films or studios
- Percentage breakdown of the category
4. Notable Patterns
High-Performing Films:
- Films with multiple Oscar nominations tend to score higher across all platforms
- There’s generally strong correlation between critical acclaim (Rotten Tomatoes/Metacritic) and Oscar recognition
Rating Distribution:
- Most featured films maintain scores above 70% on Rotten Tomatoes
- IMDb ratings typically range from 7.0 to 8.5 for Oscar contenders
- Metacritic scores show more variation, reflecting diverse critical opinions
Insights
- Quality Indicators: Films appearing on this list represent the year’s most critically acclaimed cinema
- Platform Consistency: Top films generally perform well across all rating platforms
- Award Recognition: Oscar nominations correlate strongly with high ratings across all platforms
- Diversity of Content: The list includes various genres from drama to comedy to animated featuresHere’s a fascinating list of what a number metrics reveal to be the best movie of all time, plus those on the Top 50 list. You will definitely not agree.
