10 All-Time Highest-Rated Movies on IMDb

IMDb’s Top Picks: Must-Watch Cinematic Masterpieces
10 All-Time Highest-Rated Movies on IMDb
Written By:
Humpy Adepu
Published on

Relying on movie recommendations from strangers can be a gamble, and one needs a bit of luck to strike gold. Fortunately, IMDb's trusted Top 250 Movies list offers a wealth of exceptional films that have stood the test of time, and are definitely worth watching.

Movies can be a great way to switch off from daily stressors and immerse yourself in a different world, whether it's laughter, suspense, action, or romance.

And what about movies that are top-rated? They’ll give you a chance to experience diverse stories and explore different themes, which may be provoking or just generic; a few might be engaging, and some can make you sit on the edge of your seat.

A top-rated movie means exceptional writing, acting, and compelling characters. Why miss out? 

Here’s a list of high-rated movies on IMDb worth watching: 

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) 

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American prison drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. 

The film tells the story of banker Andy, who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence.

The Shawshank Redemption is the top rated on IMDb with a rating of 9.3/10.

If you are looking for themes like friendship, hope, or the human spirit, this might be your next favourite movie. 

2. The Godfather (1972) 

The Gofather is a 1972 American epic gangster film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo, based on his best-selling 1969 novel. 

This film is the first installment in The Godfather trilogy, chronicling the Corleone family under a patriarch and the transformation of his youngest son from a reluctant family outsider to a ruthless mafia boss.

This film includes various themes like mafia, action, romance, crime, suspense, mystery, and drama. So, if you need a theme-packed movie, this is your chance!

The Godfather is the second top rated on IMDb with a rating of 9.2/10. 

3. The Dark Knight (2008) 

The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan from a screenplay co-written with his brother Jonathan. Based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, it is a sequel to Batman Begins in 2005. 

The plot follows the vigilante Batman, police lieutenant, and district attorney who ally to dismantle organized crime in Gotham City, which later gets derailed by a Joker, an anarchistic mastermind who seeks to test how far Batman will go to save the city from chaos.

If you want to know more about this good superhero, here’s a perfect one!

The Dark Knight is the third top-rated on IMDb with a rating of 9.0/10. 

4. The Godfather: Part II (1974) 

The Godfather: Part II is a 1974 American epic crime film produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, loosely based on the 1969 novel. 

The Godfather: Part II is both a sequel and prequel to the original film. The story is told in parallel, with one part following Michael Corleone as he navigates the family business after an assassination attempt, and the other exploring the backstory of his father, Vito Corleone, from his childhood in Sicily to building the family empire in New York City.

If the Godfather (original series) entertained you, wouldn’t you continue watching it? If yes, here’s the sequel movie.

The Godfather: Part II is the fourth top rated on IMDb with a rating of 9.0/10. 

5. 12 Angry Men (1957) 

12 Angry Men is a 1957 American legal drama film directed by Sidney Lumet in his feature directorial debut, adapted by Reginald Rose from his 1954 teleplay. 

This film tells the story of a teenager charged with murder based on reasonable doubt; disagreement and conflict among the juniors force them to question their morals and values.

Are you looking for a crime movie? Here it is!

12 Angry Men is the fifth top rated on IMDb with a rating of 9.0/10.

6. The Lord of The Rings: The Return of the King (2003) 

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 epic high fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson from a screenplay he wrote with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. It is based on 1955’s The Return of the King. 

Since this film is a sequel to 2002’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, the film is the third and final instalment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the plot continues.

Frodo and Sam follow Gollum toward Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, unaware of Gollum’s intentions to betray the duo to take the ring for himself while their allies join forces against his legions.

This movie highlights emotional depth and visually stunning action sequences; don’t miss out!

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is the sixth top-rated on IMDb with a rating of 9.0/10. 

7. Schindler’s List (1993) 

Schindler’s List is a 1993 American epic historical drama film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Zaillian. 

The film follows Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories during World War II.

It’s about a man who risked everything to save others—a story of courage in the face of unimaginable horrors. Here’s a chance to witness it all!

Schindler’s List is the seventh top-rated on IMDb with a rating of 9.0/10. 

8. Pulp Fiction (1994) 

Pulp Fiction is a 1994 American independent crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino from a story he conceived with Roger Avary. 

It tells four intertwining tales of crime and violence in Los Angeles. The title refers to the pulp magazines and hardboiled crime novels popular during the mid-20th century, known for their graphic violence and punchy dialogue.

You won't know the facts until you’ve seen the fiction, or say, “SAY WHAT AGAIN!”

Pulp Fiction is the eighth top-rated on IMDb with a rating of 8.9/10. 

9. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a 2001 epic high fantasy adventure film, directed by Peter Jackson from a screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Jackson, based on 1954’s The Fellowship of the Ring, the first volume of the novel The Lord of the Rings trilogy. 

The One Ring, lost for centuries, is in the hands of Frodo Baggins, a young Hobbit who inherits the ring and becomes the Ringbearer. His task is to destroy the Ring in the fires of Mount Doom, where it was forged, ensuring civilization's future.

One ring to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them...  A journey begins where fate and destiny intertwine; go watch it now!

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the ninth top-rated on IMDb with a rating of 8.9/10. 

10.  The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is a 1966 Italian epic spaghetti Western movie directed by Sergio Leone. Its screenplay was written by Age and Scarpelli based on a story by Vincenzoni and Leone.

During the Civil War, Joe and Tuco form a partnership in the Southwest. Joe rescues Tuco just as he is being hanged, and Tuco tries to murder Joe. However, they re-team to defeat a criminal and the Union army and find $20,000 buried in the desert. The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the sacrifices made during war.

Don’t miss out on the iconic lines by Tuco, which talk a lot about the film’s gritty, action-packed nature.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is the tenth top-rated on IMDb with a rating of 8.8/10. 

Conclusion

The films topping IMDb show that durability in cinema relies on classic storytelling, talented work across genres, and moving performances. Examples of films like The Shawshank Redemption or The Godfather illustrate how powerful stories with depth can work well. 

Performance and visuals can take films to a whole new level, therefore developing a high level of quality of technical competence, as seen in The Lord of the Rings, assists films in taking viewers on a visual, social, and auditory journey. The deep emotional experience found in many of the films that were most loved had some element of emotional poignancy to take viewers along. 

When films can incorporate artistry, technical capacity, and emotional resonance into their productions, a film can become a universally exceptional piece of cinema loved by many, as respected and suggested by the general masses viewing the topics at hand.

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