72 best movies of all time (and where to stream them right now)
We don't mean to brag, but this is probably the best “best movies of all time” list ever compiled.
When it comes to talking about 'the best movies of all time', we have, of course, included Oscar-winning classics such The Shawshank Redemption and Lost in Translation on our list but rest assured, we've also picked out other movies that are so enjoyable but usually wouldn't make these lists. It would also be a serious crime not to include some classic comedies such as The Truman Show and Crazy Stupid Love. Or some of the best recent female-led performances, such as Anora – starring Mikey Madison – and The Outrun, led by Saoirse Ronan.
We're also going across the film genres here. There are horrors/thrillers, a couple of sci-fi flicks, rom-coms, emotional dramas – literally, everything you can think of. You may not agree with all of our choices, but we can guarantee one thing: if you're stuck on what to watch tonight and need some inspiration, you can find it here.
So you can make your way through the comprehensive list and start your epic filmathon ASAP, we've also included which streaming platforms you can watch each movie on right now. A majority are free to stream with your membership, though some may cost a few pounds to rent on Amazon Prime Video. But, of course, it will be worth it.
In no particular order, here is GLAMOUR's pick of the 66 best movies of all time…
Courtesy Everett CollectionAnora
© 2008 Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.The Dark Knight
© Universal PicturesLost in Translation
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, and drawn from her own experiences (and, rumour has it, her relationship at the time), Lost in Translation tells the story of two lost souls who meet by chance in Tokyo. Bill Murray plays movie star Bob Harris, who is having a midlife crisis while promoting a whiskey brand, while Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) is feeling neglected by and estranged from her partner. Beyond beautiful.
LionsgateReservoir Dogs
A Tarantino classic with a legendary soundtrack. A jewellery heist goes wrong, and the remaining criminals set out to work out which one of them was a police informant. Highlight of the entire movie has to be the torture scene, where Mr Blonde (Michael Madsen) tortures a policeman while Stealers Wheel's Stuck In The Middle With You plays.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Blair Witch Project was super ahead of its time and gave birth to the found video-footage-style films that dominated cinema for years to come. In the movie, three student filmmakers, Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard, hike into the Maryland backwoods to film a documentary about a local myth known as the Blair Witch. Of course, this ends up with terrifying results and left us with nightmares for months.
©StudioCanal Distribution/Courtesy Everett CollectionThe Outrun
This one flew under the radar but is undeniably some of Saoirse Ronan's most beautiful work. Based on a true story, The Outrun tells the tale of Rona, who leaves her life in London behind to return home to the remote Orkney Islands in Scotland after leaving rehab for alcoholism. Using a non-linear timeline, it explores her addiction journey and her ultimate road to recovery.
TM & COPYRIGHT © 2015 BY PARAMOUNT PICTURES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.The Truman Show (1998)
This Jim Carrey starring movie is an absolute classic with its plot centred on an insurance salesman who has been oblivious that his entire life is a television show and his family and friends are all actors. However, he soon begins noticing small things that set him out on the quest for the truth before he ultimately decides to escape.
MGMBones and All (2022)
Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell are incredible in Bones & All, in which they play Maren and Lee, two people brought together by their deepest, darkest secret as they fall in love while travelling through the backroads of America. Dubbed "Titanic, but for weirdos," this movie makes you feel disgusted and engulfed by their all-encompassing love at once.
DisneyNomadland (2021)
An Oscar winner across the board, Chloé Zhao directed Nomadland stars Frances McDormand as a lonely woman in her sixties who embarks on a journey across America while living in her van after losing everything in the Great Recession. A poignant look into the life of solitary, nomadic travel in the United States.
UniversalBoyhood (2014)
Directed by Richard Linklater over the course of twelve years, this movie captures an authentic look at the coming-of-age tale of a young boy (Ellar Coltrane) as he grows up with his parents (Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke) and sister (Lorelei Linklater). Important milestones such as holidays, birthdays, and graduations are captured over this years-long movie, which is an impressive cinematic feat.
Studio CanalMulholland Drive (2001)
Things take an unexpected turn for Betty (Naomi Watts), an inspiring actress who comes across Rita, a dark-haired amnesiac, wandering the streets of Los Angeles in a daze after a car crash. The newfound friends join forces to attempt to find clues related to Rita's car cash and find her true identity.
Warner Brothers PicturesCrazy Rich Asians (2018)
This feel-good comedy sees a professor named Rachel Chu who falls in love and plans to marry her long-time boyfriend, Nick. She travels to Singapore to meet his family before the nuptials, where she learns that his family is extremely wealthy and he is one of the country's most eligible bachelors. She is quickly forced to prove herself amongst a sea of jealous socialites, inquisitive friends and Nick's disapproving mother.
Wild (2014)
Based on Cheryl Strayed's bestselling 2012 memoir of the same name, the adventure drama Wild follows the journey of one woman's 1,100-mile solo hike on America's Pacific Crest Trail. Reese Witherspoon stars as Cheryl, who sets out on the journey of self-discovery following a tough few years.
Crazy Stupid Love (2011)
Who said comedies couldn't be considered as part of the greatest movies of all time list? The 2011 film Crazy Stupid Love had us chuckling with the story of a middle-aged man (Steve Carell) who attempts to rediscover his manhood and learn how to pick up women at bars with the help of handsome Jacob (Ryan Gosling). Hilarious.
Panic Room (2002)
Catch Kristen Stewart in her early acting days, as she plays the diabetic daughter of Jodie Foster's character in the 2002 film Panic Room. In this crime drama, the mother/daughter duo take refuge in their newly purchased home's safe room after three men break in looking for a missing fortune. This movie will leave you on the edge of your seats!
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
In A Beautiful Mind, Russell Crowe stars as the brilliant mathematician John Nash, who begins to develop paranoid schizophrenia, which quickly burdens his wife Alicia (Jennifer Connelly) and his friends. Russell was nominated for an Oscar for this role, while Jennifer actually won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in this beautifully heartbreaking movie.
Don't Say A Word (2001)
Starring the late and great Brittany Murphy, Don't Say A Word follows the story of a psychiatrist, Nathan Conrad (Michael Douglas), whose life is turned upside down when his daughter is abducted. The kidnappers' demand to release her? They want Nathan to break through the PTSD of a young woman who knows a very important and deadly secret.
Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 film Psycho is an absolute classic, starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh. The movie sees a Phoenix secretary who, after embezzling $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel - which is run by a man named Norman Bates, who is dominated by his mother's demands.
Thelma and Louise (1991)
Dubbed a feminist crime drama, Thelma & Lousie centres on the solid friendship between the titular characters (played by Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis) as they attempt to escape law enforcement by hitting the road after committing a crime. Both actresses were nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars for their portrayals. What are friends for, eh?
Scream (1996)
Slasher films do not get more iconic than the 1996 flick, Scream. Following the murder of her mother, a teenage girl (Neve Campbell) and her group of friends are terrorised by a masked killer as part of a deadly game. The movie was a box-office success and spawned a series of equally terrifying sequels (and many Halloween costumes).
Jurassic Park (1993)
Dinosaur lovers, everywhere - it was the 1993 film Jurassic Park that started it all, wasn't it? If you haven't already seen this film (where have you been?!) then allow us to introduce you to the tale of a paleontologist touring an almost complete theme park who is forced to protect two young siblings after the park's cloned dinosaurs accidentally run loose.
United ArchivesThe Graduate (1968)
You know that feeling where you’ve just passed a major milestone, and suddenly you’re just a bit untethered, floating about, unsure what to do next? This film perfectly captures that feeling, chronicling the life of protagonist Benjamin as he kills time at his parents’ home wondering what to do after graduating with a first-class degree – landing himself in a romantic entanglement with the glamorous older woman Mrs Robinson and her equally beautiful daughter. Oh, and then there’s the whole soundtrack created by Simon & Garfunkel for the purpose of the film. Gorgeous.
©LionsgateThe Hunger Games (2012)
Based on Suzanne Collins's 2008 novel of the same name, and starring J-Law herself, this movie follows 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen of District 12 as she volunteers to replace her sister in a tournament that ends only when one participant remains. Pitted against contestants who have trained for this all their life, she has little to rely on, and she is in severe danger as this competition is the ultimate survival of the fittest tournament.
ShutterstockThe Lion King (2019)
In the Pride Lands of Africa, a pride of lions rules over the animal kingdom from Pride Rock. King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi present their newborn son, Simba, to the gathering animals by Rafiki in that iconic ‘circle of life’ scene. As a cub, Simba is forced to leave the Pride Lands after his father Mufasa is murdered by his wicked uncle, Scar. Years later, he returns as a young lion to reclaim his throne.
© Warner BrothersHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
This film adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s books on Harry Potter follows Harry, Ron and Hermoine (teen wizards) and their return to the Wizard School of Hogwarts, just as they learn about Sirius Black (convicted supporter of the dark wizard Lord Voldemort) and his plans to kill Harry. However, when Harry runs into him, he learns that the truth is far from reality.
Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto. In 1985 Texas, free-wheeling cowboy Ron Woodroof (McConaughey) is given 30 days to live when he is diagnosed with Aids – but he refuses to lay down and die. Joining with a band of equally determined sufferers, many of whom he would have shunned before, he sets about sourcing alternative treatments from all over the world, bypassing the system to get medication to those who need it. Dallas Buyers Club earned three Oscars at the 2014 Academy Awards: Best Actor (McConaughey), Best Supporting Actor (Leto) and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Billy Wilder's musical masterpiece frequently tops lists of the best films ever made. When two struggling male musicians witness the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, they go on the run from the mob and disguise themselves as women, joining an all-female band. But complications set in for the cross-dressing pair when one becomes the focus of attention of a rich suitor, and the other falls for another member of the band. It also has one of the best last lines in cinematic history: “Well, nobody's perfect!”
12 Years a Slave (2013)
The true story of Solomon Northup, a free African-American man in 1841, working as a violinist and living with his wife and two children in New York, who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South. 12 Years a Slave was the first film directed and produced by a black filmmaker (Steve McQueen) and also the first to be written by an African-American (John Ridley) to win the Academy Award for 'Best Motion Picture of the Year'. It also earned two other Oscars: for Lupita Nyong'o as 'Best Supporting Actress'; and for Ridley's 'Adapted Screenplay'.
Marriage Story (2019)
Starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Laura Dern, Marriage Story is an insightful, blindsiding story of an imploding marriage and two individuals trying to navigate separation while being parents to their young son. It's a bittersweet heartbreaker that also some laugh-out-loud moments but won't leave a try eye on the sofa. Laura Dern scooped an Oscar for her superb role as razor-sharp divorce lawyer Nora Fanshaw.
Toy Story (1995)
Pixar's first feature is one the animation genre's most treasured films. On the surface it's about some talking toys, but really it's a heartfelt tale of friendship, loyalty, jealousy, self-identity and acceptance. We hope generations of children and adults alike continue watching it for years to come.
Lion (2016)
Adapted from the novel A Long Way Home by Larry Buttrose and Saroo Brierley, and starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara, Lion is the blisteringly heart-wrenching story of an Indian man who was adopted by an Australian family at five years old, after he became stranded in Kolkata thousands of kilometres from home. Now, he is determined to return home and track down his birth family – despite only having distant memories and the use of Google Earth.
The Godfather (1972)
Often hailed as one of the best films of all time, The Godfather is a multi-generational crime epic that tells the story of Don Corleone (Brando), the head of a Mafia family who passes control of his dynasty to his reluctant son Michael (Pacino), who defied his father by joining the Marines in World War II and has just returned a war hero. This Francis Ford Coppola classic won three Academy Awards in 1973 for Best Picture, Best Actor (Brando) and Best Adapted Screenplay. If you haven't yet had the wholly entertaining pleasure of seeing Coppola's mafia movies, prepare yourselves.
Bridesmaids (2011)
Life isn't exactly going to plan for Annie (Kristen Wiig), who's lost her bakery business, moves back in with her mum – and who's best friend has just got engaged, leaving her in fierce competition with a controlling bridesmaid. Also stars Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne and Melissa McCarthy.
No Country For Old Men (2007)
When hunter Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong, he can't resist the temptation to take the two million dollars in cash left behind. He is then pursued by psychopathic killer Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem) while veteran lawman Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) becomes entwined in their chase. A blood-soaked contemporary Western with a gripping and powerful performance from Bardem, which earned him one of the film's four Oscars.
It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
It's A Wonderful Life wasn't a commercial success by any means when it was first released, but now it's a Christmas classic and one of very few films worth revisiting every year (if not more). Businessman George Bailey (James Stewart) thinks of himself as a failure, is perpetually in debt and is contemplating suicide. Until an angel is sent from heaven to show George how different life would have been if he'd never been born.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Notting Hill (1999)
William Thacker (Hugh Grant) is working in his Notting Hill bookshop one day when famous American actress Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) – who is in London working on a film – walks in and wants to buy a book off him. Cue the next scene where he spills juice all down her top and invites her back to his flat to get changed, and the love story blossoms from there. This being a Richard Curtis classic rom-com though, there are inevitable complications, such as the relentless press that won't leave Anna alone.
Gravity (2013)
This heart-pounding sci-fi thriller sees astronauts Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) stranded in deep space after their shuttle is destroyed during a spacewalk. The only thing they have is each other, tied together and spiralling out into the abyss – and running out of their oxygen supply.
Moonlight (2016)
Barry Jenkins's Moonlight a complex, breathtaking coming-of-age triptych following a young gay black man from Miami as he grows from a boy, to a teen, to a young man and struggles to find himself. It's a masterpiece about identity, sexuality, masculinity, race, friendship, pain and enduring love that we need now more than ever.
The Terminator (1984)
One of the most successful and influential science fiction movies ever made, The Terminator was James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger's breakthrough film. In a post-apocalyptic 2029, Schwarzenegger is a cyborg assassin sent back to 1984 to kill a woman whose unborn son will be John Connor, who will lead the human rebels against the machines that have taken over the Earth.
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Will Ferrell is Ron Burgundy in this laugh-out-loud, highly quotable, entirely ridiculous comedy hit from Adam McKay. Ron is the highest-rated newsman in San Diego, along with his all-male (and equally useless) team at Channel 4 News, but his popularity is threatened when a talented female journalist, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), is hired as a news anchor.
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
A huge hit from Marvel Studios, Guardians of the Galaxy sees a group of intergalactic misfits – led by space adventurer Peter Quill – pull together to stop an evil and powerful villain from destroying the universe. Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper and Dave Bautista.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting follows 20-year-old South Boston janitor Will Hunting who has a genius-level IQ and solves the most challenging mathematical problems. After assaulting a police officer, Will must seek treatment from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), who helps him realise there's more to himself than he thinks.
Ex Machina (2014)
Ex Machina follows Caleb Smith (Domhnall Gleeson), a young coder at a tech company who participates in a ground-breaking experiment, where he must investigate the human qualities of Ava (Alicia Vikander), a remarkably advanced robot. This psychological, cerebral film picked up the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects at the 2016 Oscars.
Spotlight (2015)
Based on a true story, in 2001 the editor of The Boston Globe, Martin Baron, assigns a team of journalists to investigate child molestation accusations against a local priest. Editor Walter "Robby" Robinson (Michael Keaton), reporters Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Matt Carroll (Brian d'Arcy James) and Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams) begin a mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.
This film won the 'Best Motion Picture of the Year' Oscar in 2016, as well as the Academy Award for 'Best Writing, Original Screenplay'.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Shawshank is commonly credited as being one of the best movies of all time. Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover – but only he knows he's innocent. The film tells the story of his friendship with fellow prisoner Red (Morgan Freeman) over a number of years.
Mean Girls (2004)
Perhaps the most quotable feel-good flick of all time? Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) falls in with the shallow clique of 'Plastics' at her new school, but chaos ensues when she falls for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of lead Plastic Regina George (Rachel McAdams). With Tina Fey behind the screenplay, you know you're guaranteed many LOLs.
Django Unchained (2012)
A Tarantino classic set in 1858 and following freed slave Django (Jamie Foxx) who teams up with a charismatic and brilliant bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) to hunt the South's most dangerous criminals. Their work takes them to the plantation owned by the malicious Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), where Django's long-lost wife (Kerry Washington) is still a slave.
The Revenant (2015)
The film that finally earned Leo an Oscar! Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is severely injured after a bear attack while exploring the unchartered wilderness in 1823, and left for dead by his own hunting team. The legendary frontiersman must use skills to survive in the harsh and unforgiving landscape, while seeking vengeance on the man who betrayed him.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The culmination of the epic Peter Jackson trilogy based on the J.R.R. Tolkien classic, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the final battle for Middle-Earth. Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's evil army as hobbits Frodo and Sam reach Mordor to destroy the One Ring. The film picked up an astonishing 11 Oscars in 2004.
Rear Window (1954)
An Alfred Hitchcock classic, The story of a recuperating news photographer who believes he has witnessed a murder. Confined to a wheelchair after an accident, he spends his time watching the occupants of neighbouring apartments through a telephoto lens and binoculars and becomes convinced that a murder has taken place.
Fargo (1996)
Set in Minnesota in 1987, Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) is so desperate for money that he hires two men to kidnap his own wife, so that he can collect the ransom from her wealthy father, paying the thugs and alleviating his own debt. Their scheme falls apart due to the henchmen shooting a state trooper, plus the persistent work of policewoman Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand). A Coen Brothers classic.
Hidden Figures (2016)
Three female African-American mathematicians played a pivotal role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program, launching astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Not only were they the brains behind one of the most significant operations in history, they also had to cope with racial and gender discrimination in the workplace.
Fight Club (1999)
The David Fincher classic, starring Brad Pitt and based on Chuck Palahniuk's novel, follows a depressed, white-collared insomniac who forms an underground fight club with Tyler, a careless soap salesman, but their partnership is challenged when Marla (Helena Bonham Carter) catches Tyler's attention.
Vertigo (1958)
Although it was dismissed when it was first released, Vertigo is now hailed as one of Hitchcock's best films. It tells the tale of former detective Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart) who suffers a fear of heights and is hired to prevent an old friend's wife from committing suicide – but he becomes infatuated with her.
Forrest Gump (1994)
An Alabama man with an IQ of 75 recounts the early years of his remarkable life, which took place during some of the most memorable events of the second half of the 20th century, including the Kennedy and Johnson presidencies, the Vietnam War and Watergate. All the while, he never gives up hope of being reunited with his childhood sweetheart, Jenny. One of Tom Hanks' best movies.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is part of the FBI's training academy investigating a serial killer nicknamed Buffalo Bill. Clarice ventures into a maximum-security mental asylum to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) – a psychiatrist serving life behind bars for murder and cannibalism – in the hope he can shine some light on the case. The film picked up five Oscars and perfectly bridges the gap between sharp psychological thriller and bloody, murderous, hide-behind-your-hands horror. It still manages to make us jump no matter how many times we've seen it
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Frances 'Baby' Houseman' (Jennifer Grey) is spending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family where she falls head over heels in love with the camp's dance instructor, Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). When Johnny's dance partner, Penny (Cynthia Rhodes), finds herself pregnant after a fling with one of the waiters, Baby volunteers to take her place. But convinced Johnny is nothing but low-life scum, Baby's dad refuses. We came for the romance (read: topless Patrick Swayze), we stayed for the absolutely banging soundtrack.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
A new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students learn to break out of their shells and pursue their dreams.
Titanic (1997)
When it hit the big screen, this three-hour action-packed romance set against the true story ill-fated maiden voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic, propelled Winslet and DiCaprio to international stardom. The story follows 17-year-old society girl Rose who is set to be married. When she boards the Titanic, she meets Jack Dawson, an artist, and falls in love with him - before an iceberg hits…
Everett Collection / Everett CollectionThe Godfather Part II (1974)
Yes, The Godfather I is one of the most heralded films of all time, but The Godfather II is God (father) tier. It's generally considered by film buffs as the best movie of the trilogy, thanks to its technical brilliance and stellar performances.
Rex FeaturesPulp Fiction (1994)
Royale with cheese, anyone? John Travolta stars opposite Uma Thurman in maybe one of Quentin Tarantino's best films, Pulp Fiction, a movie that has given way to several pop culture references. It follows the lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits, whose lives intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.
©Universal/Courtesy Everett CollectionSchindler's List (1993)
One of the most raw and heartbreaking tales of all time, Schindler's List tells the story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a successful and narcissistic German businessman, who slowly starts worrying about the safety of his Jewish workforce after being confronted with their persecution in Poland during World War II. It so successfully captured the horror and emotion of the time that it won an Academy Award for Best Picture.
Agata Grzybowska/UniversalHamnet (2026)
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal star in this heartbreaking film that delves into the life of William Shakespeare; specifically, the writing of one of his most famous plays, the tragedy Hamlet, inspired by the life and death of his son, Hamnet. We challenge you not to cry.
Courtesy Everett CollectionParasite (2019)
Rarely have the issues of class and wealth disparity been interrogated better than in this Bong Joon Ho-directed film, Parasite. It follows the struggling Kim family who spot an opportunity when the son starts working for the wealthy Park family in their swanky, million-pound home. Soon, all of them find a way to work within the same household, ‘leaching’ from the family (hence the name) until everything unravels. Thrilling and hilarious viewing.
The Social Network (2010)
Following Facebook's origin story, from small-scale, misogynistic ‘hotness’ rating website to unavoidable global behemoth, The Social Network is a biography of Mark Zuckerberg's rise to fame, excellently acted by Jessie Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, and, randomly, Justin Timberlake.
