Okay, let's be real. Asking what is the top 10 best film is like asking what the best flavor of ice cream is. Everyone's got an opinion, and nobody's totally wrong. But after spending more hours in dark rooms with flickering screens than I'd care to admit, I think we can find some common ground. This isn't about my personal favorites—though I'll definitely throw in my two cents—but about films that have consistently blown minds, broken records, and stood the test of time.

I remember the first time I tried to make a list like this. I was arguing with a friend about whether Pulp Fiction was better than The Godfather. We spent hours going in circles. That's when I realized that the question of what is the top 10 best film needs context. Are we talking box office? Critical acclaim? Cultural impact? My answer is: all of the above. So I've mashed up data from places like IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, the American Film Institute, and plain old audience love to create what I think is a pretty balanced list.

Just a heads up: you might disagree with some picks. I certainly do, and I'll tell you where. That's the fun of it.

Why Ranking Films Is Messier Than You Think

Before we dive in, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Any list claiming to name the top 10 best films is inherently flawed. Taste is subjective. A film that changed cinema might be boring to modern audiences. A box office smash might be forgotten in five years. I've tried to balance different factors to make this as fair as possible.

Some people care mostly about storytelling. Others about technical innovation. For this list, I've given weight to films that excel in multiple areas. Lasting influence matters. A film that inspired generations of filmmakers gets extra points. So does a film that still feels fresh decades later.

What about recent films? Can something from the last ten years crack the top 10 best films of all time? It's tough. Time is the ultimate critic. But I've included a couple that I believe have already earned their place.

The Criteria: How We Chose the Top 10 Best Films

To answer what is the top 10 best film, you need a method. I looked at a few key things:

Critical Acclaim: Ratings from trusted sources like Metacritic and awards like Oscars. But awards aren't everything. Some of the best films never won a major prize.

Audience Scores: IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes audience scores. If people love it, that counts for a lot.

Cultural Impact: Did the film change how movies are made? Is it still referenced today? This is subjective, but you know it when you see it.

Longevity: Films that have been loved for decades. A classic that still holds up.

I also gave bonus points for originality. A film that did something first, or did it best.

The Definitive List: Top 10 Best Films Ever Made

Alright, here it is. The moment you've been waiting for. After combing through data and my own brain, here's my take on the top 10 best films. I've put them in a table to make it easy to scan, but remember, the order is debatable. I'll explain each one after.

There you have it. A mix of old and new, Hollywood and world cinema. You might notice some absences. No Star Wars? No The Shawshank Redemption? They're great, but for this list, I wanted to highlight films that represent different aspects of greatness.

Let's break each one down.

The Godfather (1972)

I mean, come on. It's almost too obvious. But you can't talk about what is the top 10 best film without The Godfather. Francis Ford Coppola’s epic isn't just a movie; it's a masterclass in everything. The pacing, the performances, the lighting—it's perfect filmmaking.

Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone is iconic. Al Pacino's transformation from reluctant outsider to ruthless boss is heartbreaking. The wedding scene alone should be studied in film schools.

Why it's top: It balances artistic ambition with crowd-pleasing storytelling. Few films do both so well.

Flaw? Some say it glorifies crime. I think it's more tragic than glamorous.

Citizen Kane (1941)

If you're a film nerd, you probably expected this. Orson Welles reinvented the wheel with this one. Deep focus photography, nonlinear storytelling—it was ahead of its time.

The story of Charles Foster Kane is a sharp look at power and loneliness. Based loosely on William Randolph Hearst, it feels surprisingly modern.

But here's my hot take: it can be a slog. The techniques are brilliant, but the emotional connection isn't as strong as in other films on this list. Still, its influence is undeniable. When people ask what is the top 10 best film, Citizen Kane is often the critic's choice.

Why it's here: It changed cinema forever. You can see its DNA in everything from The Social Network to There Will Be Blood.

Casablanca (1942)

This is the gold standard for romance. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman have unreal chemistry. The dialogue is sharp—“Here's looking at you, kid” is forever etched in our brains.

Set in World War II Morocco, it's also a tense political thriller. The supporting characters are memorable. Claude Rains as Captain Renault steals every scene.

What makes it one of the top 10 best films? It's timeless. The themes of sacrifice and love resonate just as strongly today.

I showed it to my niece recently, and she loved it. That's the sign of a classic.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece is a trip. Literally. From the dawn of man to AI gone rogue, it's ambitious doesn't even cover it.

The visuals are stunning even now. The HAL 9000 sequence is chilling. But let's be honest: the slow pace and abstract ending divide people. I've seen audiences walk out confused.

Why it's on the list: It pushed the boundaries of what film could be. Sci-fi before 2001 and after are two different genres.

If you're wondering what is the top 10 best film for sheer ambition, this is it.

Tokyo Story (1953)

This might be the least flashy film here. Yasujirō Ozu's quiet drama about an aging couple visiting their busy children is heartbreakingly simple.

It's not plot-driven. It's about everyday life—the small disappointments, the unspoken love. The pacing is deliberate. Some might find it boring.

But if you let it, it'll wreck you. It's a profound comment on family and modernity. For me, it's a reminder that films don't need explosions to be powerful.

Why it's included: It represents the best of humanist cinema. A global influence on directors like Wes Anderson and Kelly Reichardt.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Quentin Tarantino's breakout film is a blast. Nonlinear structure, killer dialogue, and a killer soundtrack. It made independent film cool again.

John Travolta dancing. Samuel L. Jackson quoting Ezekiel. The adrenaline shot scene—it's endlessly quotable.

But is it one of the top 10 best films? Some argue it's style over substance. I disagree. Under the coolness, it's about redemption and chance.

My take: it's a film that feels alive. Every viewing reveals new details.

Seven Samurai (1954)

Akira Kurosawa's epic is the blueprint for the modern action movie. Farmers hire samurai to protect their village. Simple premise, epic execution.

The battle scenes are chaotic and real. The characters are distinct and memorable. At over three hours, it never drags.

It inspired The Magnificent Seven and countless others. Kurosawa's use of weather—rain and mud—adds to the grit.

Why it's here: It's a perfect ensemble film. Action with heart.

Vertigo (1958)

Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller is a slow burn. James Stewart plays a detective with acrophobia, obsessed with a mysterious woman.

The twist is famous. The visuals—especially the dolly zoom—are iconic. But it's the themes of obsession and identity that stick with you.

Initially, reviews were mixed. Now it's considered Hitchcock's best. I prefer Rear Window, but Vertigo's influence on thrillers is huge.

Flaw: the female character is a bit of a trope. But for its time, it's complex.

Schindler's List (1993)

Steven Spielberg's Holocaust drama is tough to watch. But it's essential. Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, a businessman who saves Jews, is powerful.

The black-and-white cinematography adds to the gravity. The girl in the red coat is a haunting image.

It's not entertainment; it's a memorial. That's why it belongs on this list. Films can be art and history lessons.

Why it's top 10: It handles a difficult subject with respect and artistry.

Parasite (2019)

The newest film here. Bong Joon-ho's dark comedy-thriller about class inequality took the world by storm. It won the Palme d'Or and Best Picture at the Oscars.

The less you know, the better. It shifts genres seamlessly—from comedy to horror to tragedy. The pacing is tight.

Some say it's too soon to call it a classic. I think its impact is already clear. It's a global phenomenon that speaks to universal themes.

Why it makes the cut: It proves that foreign-language films can be blockbusters. A modern masterpiece.

Films That Almost Made the Top 10 Best Films List

This was hard. So many great films didn't make the cut. Here are some honorable mentions that I struggled to leave out.

The Shawshank Redemption: Topped IMDb's list for years. A crowd-pleaser about hope. But for me, it's a bit too tidy.

Star Wars: A New Hope: Changed blockbusters forever. The cultural impact is massive. But the story is simple compared to others here.

Apocalypse Now: A visceral Vietnam War epic. The horror... the horror. It's brilliant, but uneven.

Goodfellas: Scorsese's best? Maybe. The tracking shots, the energy. It's a blast, but it covers similar ground as The Godfather.

In the Mood for Love: Wong Kar-wai's gorgeous romance. The colors, the longing. It's poetic, but less accessible.

What is the top 10 best film without these? Still great, but it shows how many contenders there are.

Different Perspectives: Other Ways to Rank the Top 10 Best Films

Maybe my list isn't your thing. That's cool. Let's look at other angles. What is the top 10 best film by box office? Or by genre?

Top 10 Best Films by Box Office (Adjusted for Inflation)

Money isn't everything, but it shows what people pay to see. Here's a quick list of the highest-grossing films adjusted for inflation.

See? Totally different list. Gone with the Wind is a classic, but Avatar? Great visuals, but the story is thin. Box office doesn't equal quality.

Top 10 Best Films by Genre

If you're into specific genres, the top 10 best films might look different. Here's a taste.

Sci-Fi: Blade Runner, Alien, The Matrix. Mind-bending ideas and cool tech.

Comedy: Some Like It Hot, Annie Hall, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Laughter is subjective, but these are timeless.

Horror: Psycho, The Shining, Get Out. Scares that stick with you.

So when someone asks what is the top 10 best film, you might need to ask: best at what?

Common Questions About the Top 10 Best Films

I get a lot of questions about this topic. Here are some answers based on my research and opinion.

What is the top 10 best film according to IMDb?

IMDb's user-based list is popular. As of now, the top 10 are: 1. The Shawshank Redemption, 2. The Godfather, 3. The Dark Knight, 4. The Godfather Part II, 5. 12 Angry Men, 6. Schindler's List, 7. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 8. Pulp Fiction, 9. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, 10. Fight Club. Notice more recent films and fan favorites. It's a great list, but skewed towards English-language and male-driven stories.

Why are older films often considered better?

They had to rely on storytelling and characters, not CGI. Also, time filters out the mediocre. Only the best survive. But don't ignore new films—technology has expanded what's possible.

Can a comedy be one of the top 10 best films?

Absolutely. Comedy is hard to do well. Films like Dr. Strangelove or Modern Times are masterpieces. But they're often overlooked in serious lists. A shame.

How do I start watching classic films?

Start with accessible ones. Casablanca is a good entry point. Then maybe Psycho. Don't force it—if you're not feeling it, try another. Film is about enjoyment.

What is the top 10 best film for someone new to cinema?

I'd recommend: Jurassic Park (fun and groundbreaking), The Wizard of Oz (timeless), Back to the Future (perfect script), Raiders of the Lost Ark (adventure), E.T. (heart), Toy Story (animation), The Matrix (mind-bending), Die Hard (action), Groundhog Day (comedy), Get Out (modern horror). A mix of eras and styles.

Final Thoughts: The Ever-Evolving Answer to What Is the Top 10 Best Film

At the end of the day, what is the top 10 best film is a question without a definitive answer. My list is a snapshot—a blend of data and personal bias. The beauty of film is that there's always something new to discover.

Maybe in ten years, a film not yet made will top this list. That's exciting.

What do you think? What's your top 10? Hit me up—I love a good debate.

Keep watching, keep arguing. That's what cinema is for.