Year Released: 1941 The legendary Orson Welles is the man behind this classic. His 1941 drama/mystery film has been called the “Mona Lisa of all films.” Citizen Kane has been praised by critics all over the globe, and named a “work of genius,” repeatedly, in publications from all four corners of the world.
The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1942. It was nominated for eight more, including Best Director. Unfortunately, John Ford’s How Green My Valley beat it out in that big five category.
Sunset Boulevard
Year Released: 1950
Produced during Hollywood’s Golden Age, Sunset Boulevard tells the story of an aging silent film star who refuses to let her career die. It is often referred to as one of the best movies in film history and holds a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – from 63 reviews.
Critics had nothing but good things to say, with a 4/4 from Roger Ebert, and Scott Mignola from Common Sense Media writing, “the performances do justice to the ruthlessly witty script.” Sunset Boulevard brought home four Golden Globes in 1951 – including the award for Best Picture. That same year, it scored three Academy Awards as well.
Casablanca
Year Released: 1942 Even those who’ve never before seen a single minute of Casablanca have likely heard the famous line, “Here’s looking at you, kid.” But those who haven’t seen it should definitely check it out sometime, considering it is widely known as one of the greatest films of all time.
At the 16th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for a total of eight honors, and wound up receiving three; Best Director, Outstanding Motion Picture, and Best Writing in a Screenplay.
Schindler’s List
Year Released: 1993 Schindler’s List is a historical drama directed by Steven Spielberg and released in the early 90’s. It’s hard to find many “best films” lists that don’t include this movie, which stars Liam Neeson as Schindler himself. It earned a $300 million profit, scoring $322 million at the box office against a $22 million budget.
The film was nominated for twelve Academy Awards, the most nominations of any film on our list, and won seven, including Best Director and Best Picture. In 2004, the Library of Congress preserved it in the National Film Registry. And, a few years later in 2007, the AFI ranked it number eight on their list of the 100 best American films.
12 Angry Men
Year Released: 1957 More than 50 critics have pulled together to give this film a perfect 100% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. They aren’t the only ones who love this 1957 courtroom drama, either. Roger Ebert gives it a 4/4, and 94% of Google users have rated it positively, as well.
The film was written by Reginald Rose and directed by Sidney Lumet. Shot in a single location, it’s known for its minimalistic filmmaking. The year after its release, it won the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written Drama, and several decades later in 1997, it was added to the PGA Hall of Fame.