# I want to assemble a library of the Top 100 movies- I need your top 10 suggestions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 13, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200 "2003-07-13T18:18:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/1 "2003-07-13T18:18:24Z")
My film watching history is spotty at best, but I have a brand new DVD player and I want to assemble a worthy DVD library so I can be better informed and not be a film 'tard. I don’t want to just use the Academy award lists for reference. What are some lesser known films _really_ worth having? What is _your_ top ten (or greater) list of must have films? All suggestions will be much appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/2 "2003-07-13T18:52:58Z")
\*\*2001 A Space Odyssey Lawrence of Arabia Citizen Kane Gone with the Wind Airplane! Inherit the Wind The Maltese Falcon Educating Rita Forbidden Planet Psycho\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/3 "2003-07-13T19:04:28Z")
It may profit you to visit IMDB’s Top 250 movies. It’s subject to change, being based on the inputs from online users, but it’s far from useless. Anyway, my Top 10 (off the top of my head): The Godfather Collection (all 3 GF’s) Unforgiven The Usual Suspects Raising Arizona A Streetcar Named Desire Rebel Without A Cause Cool Hand Luke Blade Runner Taxi Driver Vertigo (ask me again in a week and it’s apt to have changed) ---
**Author:** ![CyberPundit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@CyberPundit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyberPundit)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/4 "2003-07-13T19:07:12Z")
My all-time top ten list at the moment goes something like this: Third Man Princess Mononoke Casablanca Kind Hearts and Coronets Grave of the Fireflies Brazil Annie Hall Gosford Park His Girl Friday Man for All Seasons All of them are available on DVD. ---
**Author:** ![Wumpus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8c91f0/32.png) [@Wumpus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wumpus)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/5 "2003-07-13T19:15:58Z")
Some of my favorite DVDs: This is Spinal Tap Amelie Memento Special Edition Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition Groundhog Day Bride on the River Kwai (2 disc edition) Being John Malkovich Godfather Collection Who Framed Roger Rabbit Casablanca (new edition of it coming to DVD shortly) ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/6 "2003-07-13T19:40:02Z")
OK, not exactly a top ten, but here are some of my top picks: For bringing together an awesome sountrack with top quality directing, acting and plot: Full Metal Jacket An American Werewolf in London Goodfellas For comedy which I have yet to see bettered, which will having you laughing until you fall on the floor: Trains Planes and Automobiles Stir Crazy Trading Places For tour de force acting and brilliant directing: Raging Bull For horror in a creepier-than-Creep McCreeps kind of way: Ringu Of course there are many other great films which don’t come to mind right now, but I’d say the above would all be in my top 20 of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/7 "2003-07-13T19:42:01Z")
Treasure of The Sierra Madre African Queen Night of The Living Dead Chinatown The Pianist Office Space Fargo Long Runner Lonesome Dove Best In Show ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/8 "2003-07-13T19:43:32Z")
Cabaret Dr. Strangelove The Wild Bunch Bride of Frankenstein Planet of the Apes (original version) Jaws North by Nortwest Invasion of the Bodysnatchers (original) Reservoir Dogs A night at the Opera ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/9 "2003-07-13T19:59:11Z")
Jaws Casablanca Unforgiven The Usual Suspects Pulp Fiction Raiders of the Lost Ark (will be available on DVD in November) Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring Saving Private Ryan LA Confidential Blazing Saddles ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/10 "2003-07-13T19:59:59Z")
\*\*Dr. Zhivago The Producers The Conversation What’s Up Tiger Lily Tom Jones Ben Hur Schindler’s List Some Like it Hot A Hatful of Rain On the Waterfront\*\* ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/11 "2003-07-13T20:02:31Z")
> [@](#): > > For bringing together an awesome sountrack with top quality directing, acting and plot: > > … > An American Werewolf in London > … On preview, this one doesn’t really fit all the criteria, but it does have a kicking soundtrack and awesome special effects (oscar winning), and it still has the ability to scare the crap out of me even today. (plus its a John Landis film which adds kudos point anyway) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Brad\_Pittiful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b3f665/32.png) [@Brad\_Pittiful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brad_Pittiful)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/12 "2003-07-13T20:04:55Z")
Blues Brothers Stripes Jaws Mad Max 1 Caddyshack Easy Money Office Space Fast Times at Ridgemont High Trading Places Dumb & Dumber ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/13 "2003-07-13T20:07:38Z")
It’s a tough list to write, but my top ten (for the moment, and taking into account what’s currently worth getting on DVD) is something like this- Heathers Reservoir Dogs Badlands Memento Requiem for a Dream The Purple Rose of Cairo Welcome to the Dollhouse Goodfellas The Princess Bride Ghost World ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/14 "2003-07-13T20:52:10Z")
My personal favorite 100 films: [http://www.dcfilmsociety.org/rv\_wendell100.htm](http://www.dcfilmsociety.org/rv_wendell100.htm) A list which I’ve compiled which is a consensus list of what many people consider to be the top 200 films: [http://www.dcfilmsociety.org/rv\_wendell200.htm](http://www.dcfilmsociety.org/rv_wendell200.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/15 "2003-07-13T21:23:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wendell Wagner \* > \*\*My personal favorite 100 films: > > [http://www.dcfilmsociety.org/rv\_wendell100.htm](http://www.dcfilmsociety.org/rv_wendell100.htm) > > A list which I’ve compiled which is a consensus list of what many people consider to be the top 200 films: > > [http://www.dcfilmsociety.org/rv\_wendell200.htm](http://www.dcfilmsociety.org/rv_wendell200.htm) \*\* Very impressive work! Since you’ve worked on this with great care, I hope you can give an educated opinion on how IMDB’s user-based Top 250 tallies with your tastes/preferences. My own view is that IMDB’s list is skewed to recent films and possibly even to a younger audience, since (let’s face it) the younger demographic is likely more internet savvy than older groups. One thing I have seen on the IMDB list(s) (it is dynamic and needs revisiting often) is that movies that Ebert slams or has in his under-2-star category have made it to the Top 250 with no sweat. In general, I like that aspect of the IMDB list, since those that I value (and Ebert doesn’t) are right up there. The reverse is also true. Some of these films just don’t age well, as discussed in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=192185). ---
**Author:** ![DK2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aca169/32.png) [@DK2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DK2)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/16 "2003-07-14T01:11:36Z")
Taxi Driver Apocalypse Now Once Upon A Time In America A Clockwork Orange The Last Temptation of Christ Raging Bull The Elephant Man Requiem For A Dream Jacob’s Ladder Batman Returns ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/17 "2003-07-14T01:26:11Z")
If you’re willing to include foreign films, you might consider three fabulous old French movies: 1. The Grand Illusion 2. Children of Paradise 3. The Rules Of The Game Grand Illusion is my vote for the best movie ever. Children of Paradise is a unique and wonderful film. The Rule of the Game is what Gosford Park is a pale replica of, in a way. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/18 "2003-07-14T01:55:22Z")
Recently saw Akira Kurosawa’s _Seven Samurai_, & highly recommend this film. It is in Japanese with English subtitles. [http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/kurosawa/sevensamurai/](http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/kurosawa/sevensamurai/) ---
**Author:** ![CyberPundit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@CyberPundit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyberPundit)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/19 "2003-07-14T01:57:54Z")
“The Rule of the Game is what Gosford Park is a pale replica of, in a way.” I have seen Rules of the Game and I wasn’t terribly impressed. When I saw Gosford Park (a few years later) I thought that it was reminiscent of Rules of the Game but so much better on many levels: better acting, a more intricate storyline and a richer visual recreation of the era (of course they had much better cinematographic technology ). I didn’t like Grand Illusion that much either so I guess we just have different tastes. I am looking forward to watching Children of Paradise though. ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200/20 "2003-07-14T02:03:22Z")
Shawshank Redemption The Godfather The Godfather II American History X Dr. Strangelove Requiem For A Dream Pulp Fiction The Usual Suspects 25th Hour Abre los Ojos [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-assemble-a-library-of-the-top-100-movies-i-need-your-top-10-suggestions/188200.md?page=2)