The Ultimate Guide to the Best Movies Year by Year
Hello, movie buffs! Are you on the hunt for the crème de la crème of cinema, year by year? You've come to the right place! We've compiled a comprehensive guide to the best movies per year, so you can streamline your watchlist and dive into the finest films from each decade. Let's dive in! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and best movies per year.
The Golden Age of Hollywood (1920s - 1940s)
1939 - Gone with the Wind
Kicking off our list is the granddaddy of them all, Gone with the Wind. This epic romance, set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, swept the 1939 Academy Awards, taking home 10 Oscars, including Best Picture. With its sprawling narrative, unforgettable characters (hello, Scarlett and Rhett!), and groundbreaking visuals, it's an absolute must-watch.
1941 - Citizen Kane
Orson Welles' masterpiece, Citizen Kane, is often hailed as the greatest film ever made. With its innovative storytelling, groundbreaking visuals, and unforgettable performance by Welles himself, it's easy to see why. The film follows the life of Charles Foster Kane, a wealthy newspaper magnate, as he reflects on his life while on his deathbed.
The 1950s - The Birth of the Blockbuster
1954 - Rear Window
Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window is a tense and gripping thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Jimmy Stewart stars as L.B. "Jeff" Jefferies, a wheelchair-bound photographer who spies on his neighbors from his apartment window and becomes entangled in a murder mystery.
1959 - Ben-Hur
This epic historical drama, Ben-Hur, is a sweeping tale of revenge, redemption, and faith. Charlton Heston delivers a powerhouse performance as Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who is betrayed by his adopted brother and becomes a slave. The film features one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history, the chariot race.
The 1960s - New Wave and Counterculture
1964 - Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Stanley Kubrick's dark satire, Dr. Strangelove, is a scathing commentary on the nuclear arms race and Cold War politics. With its sharp wit, memorable performances (Peter Sellers plays three roles!), and iconic one-liners ("You can't fight in here! This is the War Room!"), it's a timeless classic that's as relevant today as it was in 1964.
1968 - 2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey is a visual masterpiece that explores humanity's evolution and our relationship with technology. With its breathtaking special effects, philosophical themes, and iconic soundtrack, it's a film that demands to be seen on the big screen.
The 1970s - New Hollywood
1972 - The Godfather
Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather is a cinematic masterpiece that tells the story of the Corleone family, a powerful mafia dynasty. Marlon Brando delivers an Oscar-winning performance as Vito Corleone, the patriarch who must navigate the challenges of passing his empire to his son, Michael (Al Pacino).
1979 - Apocalypse Now
Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam War epic, Apocalypse Now, is a harrowing and hallucinatory journey down the river into the heart of darkness. Based on Joseph Conrad's novella, Heart of Darkness, the film follows Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) as he navigates the madness of war and the moral ambiguity of his mission.
The 1980s - Blockbusters and Classics
1980 - The Empire Strikes Back
The Star Wars saga's second installment, The Empire Strikes Back, is often hailed as the best film in the franchise. With its iconic plot twists, memorable characters (hello, Yoda and Lando!), and groundbreaking visual effects, it's a must-watch for sci-fi fans and casual viewers alike.
1985 - Back to the Future
Robert Zemeckis' time-traveling classic, Back to the Future, is a beloved comedy-adventure that follows teenager Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) as he accidentally travels back to the 1950s and must ensure his parents fall in love to secure his own existence. With its quotable dialogue, unforgettable characters, and unforgettable soundtrack, it's a film that's sure to make you feel like you're "strange things happen around here."
The 1990s - The Decade of the Blockbuster
1993 - Jurassic Park
Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park is a groundbreaking adventure that brings dinosaurs back to life with stunning visual effects. Based on Michael Crichton's novel, the film follows a group of paleontologists and a mathematician as they visit a theme park populated with cloned dinosaurs and must fight for survival when things go awry.
1999 - The Matrix
The Matrix is a groundbreaking sci-fi action film that blends philosophy, martial arts, and special effects to create a unique cinematic experience. Keanu Reeves stars as Neo, a hacker who learns that reality as he knows it is a simulated reality controlled by sentient machines. With its iconic action sequences, thought-provoking themes, and unforgettable visuals, it's a film that's sure to blow your mind.
The 2000s - The New Millennium
2001 - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy kicks off with The Fellowship of the Ring, a fantasy epic that brings J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel to life. With its sprawling narrative, memorable characters, and groundbreaking visual effects, it's a must-watch for fans of high fantasy and adventure.
2008 - The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight is a gripping and intense superhero film that explores the moral complexities of vigilantism and the thin line between heroism and criminality. Christian Bale returns as Batman, this time facing off against the Joker (Heath Ledger), a chaotic and unpredictable criminal mastermind who seeks to push Gotham City to the brink of chaos.
The 2010s - The Decade of Diversity
2014 - Boyhood
Richard Linklater's Boyhood is a groundbreaking coming-of-age film that was shot over 12 years, following the life of a boy named Mason (Ellar Coltrane) from ages 6 to 18. With its intimate and honest portrayal of growing up, memorable performances, and unique filmmaking approach, it's a film that's sure to leave a lasting impression.
2019 - Parasite
Bong Joon-ho's Parasite is a dark comedy-thriller that explores themes of class struggle and social inequality. The film follows a poor family who ingratiate themselves into the lives of a wealthy family, only to find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and violence. With its sharp wit, memorable performances, and unforgettable twists, it's a film that's sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.
And there you have it, folks! Our comprehensive guide to the best movies per year. Whether you're a cinephile looking to expand your horizons or a casual viewer looking for a great film to watch, we hope this list has something for everyone. So grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and enjoy the show!