Using AFI’s list of 100 Top Movies, bold the ones you’ve seen, ital ones you’d like to see and add up to three that you think should be on the list.
1. CITIZEN KANE (1941) Brilliant mostly for its cinematic features, the story itself is over-rated in my opinion.
2. CASABLANCA (1942) A real classic – love it still.
3. THE GODFATHER (1972) To me, the epitome of gangster movies which meant for me I no longer had to see any more ganster movies which generally are boring as hell.
4. GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) a movie I was satisfied to see once.
5. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) a movie that was almost as hard to watch as Reds.
6. THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) still afraid of those flying monkeys.
7. THE GRADUATE (1967)
8. ON THE WATERFRONT (1954) The speech with Brando and Malden in the cab is the best part.
9. SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993) Truly touched me.
10. SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1952) Who doesn’t love this one?
11. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) always gets to me.
12. SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950)
13. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (1957) I never really ‘got’ this movie. What was the big deal?
14. SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959) Nothing funnier than Curtis and Lemon in drag.
15. STAR WARS (1977) Once was more than enough to see any of these movies.
16. ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) If you haven’t seen this, you must the dialogue alone is worth watching it.
17. THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951)
18. PSYCHO (1960)
19. CHINATOWN (1974) The sequel The Two Jakes is decent too.
20. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (1975)
21. THE GRAPES OF WRATH (1940) yawn!
22. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968) yawn!
23. THE MALTESE FALCON (1941)
24. RAGING BULL (1980)
25. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
26. DR. STRANGELOVE (1964)
27. BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)
28. APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)
29. MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939) Classic
30. THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (1948)
31. ANNIE HALL (1977)
32. THE GODFATHER PART II (1974)
33. HIGH NOON (1952)
34. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962) I dare you to watch this movie and not feel changed by it.
35. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)
36. MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969) Very sad and tragic I thought.
37. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946)
38. DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944) True Film Noir.
39. DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)
40. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) I was fascinated by the shine in Eva Marie Saint’s hair in this one. How did they do it?
41. WEST SIDE STORY (1961) Urban Romeo and Juliet which has never been improved upon.
42. REAR WINDOW (1954)
43. KING KONG (1933)
44. THE BIRTH OF A NATION (1915)
45. A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951) Blanche Dubois is one of the most unique characters ever written in my opinion.
46. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971) Ugh, hated this
47. TAXI DRIVER (1976)
48. JAWS (1975) One of the best scary movies ever.
49. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)
50. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)
51. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940)
52. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)
53. AMADEUS (1984)
54. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930)
55. THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965)
56. M*A*S*H (1970)
57. THE THIRD MAN (1949)
58. FANTASIA (1940)
59. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955)
60. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
61. VERTIGO (1958)
62. TOOTSIE (1982)
63. STAGECOACH (1939)
64. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977) The mashed potato scene is my favorite.
65. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991) Chianti and fava beans, yummy.
66. NETWORK (1976)
67. THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962) This version was superior to the recent remake.
68. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951)
69. SHANE (1953)
70. THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971)
71. FORREST GUMP (1994)
72. BEN-HUR (1959)
73. WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939)
74. THE GOLD RUSH (1925)
75. DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990) I only remember how I longed for this movie to be over.
76. CITY LIGHTS (1931)
77. AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)
78. ROCKY (1976) Despite all the terrible sequels the original was one of the best movies every made.
79. THE DEER HUNTER (1978)
80. THE WILD BUNCH (1969)
81. MODERN TIMES (1936)
82. GIANT (1956)
83. PLATOON (1986)
84. FARGO (1996)
85. DUCK SOUP (1933)
86. MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1935)
87. FRANKENSTEIN (1931)
88. EASY RIDER (1969)
89. PATTON (1970)
90. THE JAZZ SINGER (1927)
91. MY FAIR LADY (1964)
92. A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951)
93. THE APARTMENT (1960)
94. GOODFELLAS (1990)
95. PULP FICTION (1994) totally over-rated and stupid.
96. THE SEARCHERS (1956)
97. BRINGING UP BABY (1938)
98. UNFORGIVEN (1992) Not bad, but did it really deserve all those oscars?
99. GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER (1967)
100. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942) It was a hoot to see Cagny dancing and singing after all those ganster movies.
I have seen 78 out of 100 – wow, even I’m surprised. The three I would add to the list are:
101. THE CAINE MUTINY
102. BODY HEAT
103. WHITE CHRISTMAS
The three I’d remove from the list are:
1. Lawrence of Arabia
2. The Godfather Part II
3. Grapes of Wrath
What are your picks?
WC
Anita Rodgers Mystery Writer 
You really should see “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Not exactly a “feel good” movie, but it’s one I wanted to see a second, even third, time.
Lolly, the only reason i didn’t see it is because I saw the play version 2-3 times and loved that so much that I didn’t want to take a chance of ruining it. Does that make sense?
WC
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I must also add that one of my favorite movies didn’t get any acclaim at all, that I know of. But I’ve actually gone so far as to buy the thing. “Old Gringo” with Jane Fonda, Jimmy Smits, and Gregory Peck. Peck gives a performance deserving of an Oscar. It’s one that you have to watch more than once to understand everything. It’s just wonderful!
Really Lolly? I don’t I ever knew anyone who saw that movie. The title seemed weird to me. But now that you are recommending I will try to check it out. I always liked Gregory Peck. Thanks.
WC
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I would add Scarface, The Magificant Seven, and Shenandoah (The scene where Stewart’s boy is killed and the speech that Stewart gives the Union soldier is a moving movie classic.) I have seen 92 of the 100 flicks. But I am an old movie junkie.
Oh yeah, Shenandoah – great flick. Scarface scared me too much – never saw Magnificent. I too am an old movie junkie. Nothing better than old movies, a roaring fire and your favorite libation and snacks.
WC
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2. CASABLANCA (1942) I know this is a classic but i was kind of bored, but i was much younger when i saw it, so maybe that’s why.
4. GONE WITH THE WIND (1939) Again, bored-my friend REALLY loves this movie.
6. THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) own copy
7. THE GRADUATE (1967)
9. SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993) Truly touched me. Also OWN COPY-LOVED THIS MOVIE.
11. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) see every X-Mas.
14. SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959) Nothing funnier than Curtis and Lemon in drag.
15. STAR WARS (1977) Love all original Star Wars, now the current three-ehhh….
16. ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) Pretty sure i saw this one, can’t remember??
18. PSYCHO (1960)
25. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
27. BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)
28. APOCALYPSE NOW (1979) Great Movie!!
39. DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)
40. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) Ok, this was the other one I LIKED, couldn’t remember the name….
42. REAR WINDOW (1954)
43. KING KONG (1933)
45. A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951) Tried to watch this (when younger) was bored, didn’t watch in full
46. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971) Ugh, hated this
48. JAWS (1975) Water-Scary….
49. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)
50. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)
51. THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940) I think i saw this?
52. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953)
53. AMADEUS (1984)
55. THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965) Really don’t like musicals….
56. M*A*S*H (1970)
58. FANTASIA (1940)
60. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
61. VERTIGO (1958)
62. TOOTSIE (1982)
64. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977) This movie didn’t rock my boat, but it was ok.
65. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991) LOVED IT!!
67. THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962) SO SO SO AGREE, 1st one was the BEST!!
71. FORREST GUMP (1994)
73. WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939)
75. DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990) I really like it…
77. AMERICAN GRAFFITI (1973)
78. ROCKY (1976) Despite all the terrible sequels the original was one of the best movies every made.
79. THE DEER HUNTER (1978)
82. GIANT (1956) Saw part of it…
85. DUCK SOUP (1933) bits & pieces
87. FRANKENSTEIN (1931)
90. THE JAZZ SINGER (1927) saw the re-make
91. MY FAIR LADY (1964)
93. THE APARTMENT (1960) This one sounds really familiar, but i’m not sure….
95. PULP FICTION (1994) totally over-rated and stupid. YES YES & YES-ONLY GOT THROUGH THE 1st half hour…..
97. BRINGING UP BABY (1938)
98. UNFORGIVEN (1992)
99. GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER (1967)
(ADD IN) Life is Beautiful: GREAT MOVIE
it’s a movie made in Italian, so you will need to make sure you have the American dubbed version or subtitles if your into that!! It’s about the holocaust and the struggles of a father trying to keep the truth from his small son (i think he’s like 5 or 6), making him think that the whole thing is a “game”, it’s a truly touching movie.
l/y
FC
Yeah Life is Beautiful was a great movie but I don’t think I could ever watch it again. The ending just broke my heart too much. Some movies are like that for me. I’m not willing face the sadness again. Weird, huh?
WC
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Of the movies I’ve seen on the list, most were hyped over too much. I don’t think M*A*S*H or Fantasia should have been on there, though.
P.S., I do the mashed potatoes thing from Close Encounters of the Third Kind whenever possible.
I agree with you about Fantasia – totally over-hyped – but I do think MASH deserved to be on the list. And maybe the list seems a bit over-hyped because these are classic and archetypal films that are used as examples for most film students and most were quite innovative during the time period in which they were made.
And I’d love to watch you do the mashed potatoes scene – that would be great fun.
WC
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To Kill a Mockingbird– Oh, the final court scene is some amazing acting. That movie is beautiful. The book is even better.
Yeah, isn’t it amazing? You know there are two other movies that have amazing courtroom scenes (at least I think so) one is The Fountainhead, where Roarke, the hero of the story discusses an artist’s right to his own art – it can blow your socks off. The other one is from a rather obscure old movie with Charles Laughton and Maureen O’Hara called “This Country is Mine” where a milquetoast (Laughton) goes from being a joke to a hero, during Nazi-occupied France. He makes a speech in court, as he is on trial for treason by the Nazis – that is just incredible. It is worth watching the entire movie just for that speech. I lost my copy of the movie ages ago, and need to find a replacement if there are any out there.
WC
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Oh yeah, ‘Life is Beautiful’ is a great movie. I gotta say ‘The Godfathers’ are I think what they are, they are good but not a rewatch. ‘Goodfellas’ is actually better than the Godfathers I think. I don’t watch these types movies that much anymore; I was forced to watch not only this trilogy but the Star Wars as well. And I have to say that in 2005, I thought one of the best movies that came out that year was the final Star Wars, when they make Anakin (sp?) Darth Vader was timeless. That or perhaps I had just been waiting to see the conclusion. And as far as Rocky goes, that was painful for me to get through, I make fun of it all the time, “ADRIENNE!”. I thought it was supposed to be about fighting but instead it was the love story of two numnuts. Finally, I’d like to say that ‘Dances with Wolves’ was one of the worst movies ever made along with ‘Vertical Limit’, ‘Pootie Tang’, that one where Matthew McConehey was a dragon, and ‘About Smicht’.
This was fun, thanks Writer Chick!!! You’re awesome!
Hey Kimmy! Glad you were able to get all that off your chest. And ditto on Dances with Wolves – shoulda been called dancin around in circles and I don’t speak the language. Ugh on the Star Wars sequels – couldn’t even sit thru them. I LOVE the ADRIENNE thing in Rocky. Can’t help, I really do.
WC
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Hi WC,
I’ve seen 92 of those, and would take at least half off the list. Of course, AFI, whatever that is, obviously are not qualified to judge anything since the left off Animal House.
the Grit
Howdy Grit!
AFI stands for the American Film Institute – they are supposed to be an authority on such matters. But yeah, some of them should definitely be removed from the list. LOL – not sure Animal House is in my top 100 films but it was funny as hell.
WC
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I’ve seen 97 of 100. I really have to get a life, don’t I? 😉
~Ms CP
Naw, why bother with that at this stage? More movies I say! 😆
WC
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Ahhh! Something for me to do today! 🙂 Mine will be up shortly!
And so, up it went. 😉
WC
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Loved To Kill A Mockingbird and West Side Story. And it looks like I tend to agree with you and like most original movies over the re-makes. Can’t Hollywood find new ideas? Sheesh. The movies make plenty of money so they should be able to afford to get better ideas!
You know, I blame the spate of how-to books, especially on writing. There are millions of them (okay, maybe thousands) and most of them don’t seem to be worth very much. There are a few that a truly helpful. But for some reason, there has been an attack on the art of writing and attempts to reduce it down to formulas and predictable plots. Which explains all the bad movies if you ask me.
WC
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I do think you have some good points there. Too many books and movies are following somebody’s ideal recipe or formula. It’s funny because I see that a lot in Disney movies. And it is sad because I think there are so many great movies (and books) that had their own independent formula and that were not only great movies (or books) but were successful as well. We need to stop (inadvertently or otherwise) the stifling of independent thinking or we lose progress.
Well you’re right of course. But books and movies have whole industries behind them – they are businesses and all businesses drop to the bottom line. So, they are constantly looking at what worked and then repackaging it. Sad, but true.
WC
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