100 Greatest Movies of All Time

It feels almost impossible to be able to pick the greatest film, which is exactly why Rolling Stone called upon you, the readers, to share your valuable opinions on these masterpieces of the cinematic world. Having tabulated over 35,000 votes in the process, we’ve now been left with a list of films that are so great that they could be used as inspiration for generations of filmmakers to come.

There’s bound to be some old favourites, long-forgotten gems, and even some new movies you’re bound to discover for the first time. So, dim the lights, put your feet up, grab some popcorn, and enjoy Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest movies of all time.

Jam-packed with symbolism, intertextuality and late 20th century cultural commentary, there will never be another Forrest Gump. When the film first hit theatres in 1994, it was unleashed to an America still in shock after the World Trade Center bombing the year prior. Depicting the loveable, honest and brave Forrest Gump (everything viewers wanted an American character to be), the film won the best picture Oscar and has earned US$683 million. Those who made it through to the end and didn't weep into their sleeves are a rare breed. And those who can't quote at least one line - from "Run Forrest Run" to "Life was like a box of chocolates..." are even rarer. And that's all I have to say about that.
- POPPY REID

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Back to the Future is a sci-fi film, an adventure flick, and a coming-of-age story all mixed into an experience that's held up remarkably well today. For all the eye-catching time travelling that goes on, the movie tells a surprisingly grounded human story about friendship and the importance of being assertive. But the star of Back to the Future isn't its stellar cast or that now-iconic DeLorean time machine, though both are definitely big factors. That honour belongs to Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale's brilliant script. The duo were somehow able to write a perfectly paced film that builds momentum slowly before paying it all off with that brilliant clock tower climax, all while sprinkling in a dizzying array of narrative tricks and pop-culture jokes that click with audiences of all ages. Time travel may be a major element in Back to the Future but its excellence is timeless.
- ALEXANDER PAN

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They just don't make films quite like Gone with the Wind anymore. Once the highest-earning film ever made (and still is when adjusted for inflation), this epic tale combined the backdrop of the American Civil War to tell a dramatic story about an ill-fated and messy romance. But the true star of Gone With The Wind is undeniably Vivian Leigh's Scarlett O'Hara. Arguably the first example of a cinematic antihero, Scarlett was unlike all cinematic female protagonists before her as she actively butted heads with the established patriarchy at the time and was unapologetic about it. Though Gone with the Wind's glorification of slavery and depictions of race has aged poorly in the decades since, it's hard to deny the powerful impact it had - and still has - on audiences because frankly, my dear, people still give a damn.
- ALEXANDER PAN

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Following up on one of the greatest and most influential films of all time is a daunting task to say the least. But in the case of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, it managed to clear that high benchmark by doubling down on everything. The story is richer, the special effects more dazzling, the action sequences even more audacious, and newly introduced characters are instantly iconic while existing fan favourites are fleshed out further. Top that all off with one of cinema's all time great twist endings and the result is a rare sequel that not only matches its predecessor but arguably surpasses it.
- ALEXANDER PAN

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Just like John Williams' sinister shark theme song made with just two music notes, the appeal of Jaws was in the way in crept up on you. Granted, the unforgettable opening sequence had a few cinema-goers rushing to the exit on release in the summer of 1975, but the shark didn't make its full appearance until 81 minutes in.

A number of bloodied sequences did earn Jaws a reputation of being the most shocking movie to be awarded a PG rating in the US, but like all great creature-features, the villain lived largely in our minds. Lauded as the first summer blockbuster, the US$2.5 million publicity campaign purposely waited for sun-kissed viewers to take reprieve at shopping mall cinemas across America. The chosen release season was cruel when considering the lifetimes of galeophobia it incited, but ultimately genius. Steven Spielberg's cultural phenomenon-turned-cult-classic told the story of a small seaside resort terrorised by a great white shark. It's since been poured over by critics and academics alike - some have even deemed it a parable about corrupt authority figures. When adjusted for inflation, the film’s total worldwide box office is estimated at close to US$2 billion.
- POPPY REID

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When Pulp Fiction debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 1994, the Clint Eastwood-Chaired Cannes Jury gave it the festival’s top prize. By the time it hit theatres later that October, it had already become the Royale With Cheese of the 1990s.

Eternally quotable, melodramatic, vivacious, and subversively funny, Quentin Tarantino’s cinemania collage was an adrenaline-shot-to-the-heart. The movie followed Tarantino’s debut Reservoir Dogs, released the year prior. With just two films under his belt, it cemented his signature style, which was critically unpacked in boardrooms, dorm rooms and bedrooms for years to come.

Made for just US$8 million and grossing US$213 million, Pulp Fiction was a commercial hit released during a purple patch for American cinema. Up against Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Shawshank Redemption and Forrest Gump at the Oscars the following year, the movie may have lost out to Tom Hanks' heart-string magnet, but its cool-factor was already off the charts. The only person more enviable than anyone who helped make the film, are those who get to watch it for the first time.
- POPPY REID

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There's probably no other film in existence that utilises its epic three-hour runtime quite as effectively or as efficiently as The Godfather. The film examines the dehumanising influence of capitalism in America yet it can also be viewed as a story about a dysfunctional family or a tragic tale of a man who tries so hard to not become his father but ultimately fails. As thematically and narratively rich as The Godfather is, it's the actors who elevate the film from great to all-time classic. With the likes of Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, and James Caan delivering career-best performances, the film featured arguably the most talented cast in cinematic history. When Michael Corleone becomes the new don at the film's bittersweet climax and the credits start to roll, it's hard to believe that three hours could fly by so quickly.
- ALEXANDER PAN

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What more is there to say about George Lucas' 1977 sci-fi adventure masterpiece? From going overbudget to a concept that seemed like utter nonsense on paper, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope instead became one of the most successful and influential films of all-time. Not only did it change filmmaking with its groundbreaking special effects, it left behind a cultural footprint that's yet to be matched by any other film. With a story that's epic in scope and rich in adventure, not to mention the abundance of iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader, A New Hope is gave audiences something they didn't ask for and left them forever wanting more.
- ALEXANDER PAN

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James Cameron's brilliantly written and directed epic saga about the 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic is so perfectly pieced together that inner romantics saw it as one of the greatest love stories ever told, while cinephiles regaled over its innovation and complexity. Credit must be given to Cameron for pushing out the already lengthy filming process and the budget (by $91 million mind you) in order to make the record-breaking sensation. Grossing $2 billion worldwide and featuring the unparalleled pairing of Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio, Titanic remains a daring time capsule. The attention to detail is only matched by the action-filled execution, and with a spellbinding conclusion that acts as a momentary bandaid after Jack's heartbreaking death, this film was something audience's had never experienced before.
- POPPY REID

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The Stephen King novel adaptation has been receiving rave reviews since its debut 1994 - even the world’s most famous former prisoner Nelson Mandela said he loved it. But the film wasn't always thought of as the cinematic masterpiece it is today. While initial reviews were largely favourable, it had a rough start at the box office. Financially, the film bombed, earning less than US$1 million on its opening weekend. But the tide changed in 1997 when cable network TNT acquired the rights to air the film as much as it wanted, which it did.

Now, it is one of the most celebrated cinema sign-post moments; it tops most 'favourite movies' lists and almost 2,000 Rolling Stone Australia readers voted it in for this specific list, all in the space of just over a week.

Shawshank Redemption is a film about truth and honesty, all portrayed and narrated by some of Hollywood's finest (Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman and Bob Gunton). The film offers thrill without action, romance without one sex scene, and the story of male friendship without a gun fight. Its timeless nature gave it an endless lifespan, setting the bar for a generation of filmmakers to follow.
- POPPY REID

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100 Greatest Movies of All Time

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