# What Is Your Absolute Single Favorite Movie? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 23, 2019, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092 "2019-08-23T07:24:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/101 "2019-08-25T04:29:54Z")
Did I miss it? Why hasn’t anybody said “The Princess Bride”? It’s got “fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…” ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/102 "2019-08-25T05:15:04Z")
I’d find it hard to narrow it down even to a “Top 10”, and so much depends on one’s particular mood and preferences of the moment. And as much as I appreciate fine intellectual filmmaking, two great pieces of entertainment just in terms of pure movie-making craftsmanship that are right up there in my “most-rewatched” category are _Jurassic Park_ and _Titanic_, the latter perhaps influenced by the fact that I’ve had a fascination with the subject since long before the wreck was even found, the former of course by the enduring fascination with dinosaurs. _Titanic_’s corny storyline is technically more than made up for by the painstaking attention to historical detail and terrific special effects. I seem to rewatch them every time I have some advance in my movie-watching technology, most recently in 1080p Blu-Ray with a new TV and my older but still terrific sound system. Next stop: 4K versions and a 4K projection system. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/103 "2019-08-25T05:45:36Z")
Lots of incredibly great movies mentioned already, but my all-time favorite movie is David Lynch’s debut, _Eraserhead_. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/104 "2019-08-25T07:19:49Z")
_Casablanca_ ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/105 "2019-08-25T07:45:52Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > I have to admit that my taste runs to older horror and I am a major fan of the “lost world” type films and stop-motion. This is all to explain that for me it’s > **DINOSAURUS!** > > At least right now. Last winter I would have probably said “Cannibal: The Musical” > [@pullin](#): > > \*Blade Runner \*(version with Ford’s narration, if it matters) I like you two. We should go down to the quarry and project old movies on the wall there. Maybe, [“The 7th Voyage of Sinbad”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiTSyZbIjAg) to start. I have a soft spot for the Harryhousen movies of the 50’s & 60’s. Used to see them on weekend nights during the summer at the local Boy’s Club. In good weather we’d sit around the basketball court. In bad, the gym. They’d project them on the wall, old Godzilla movies, Three Stooges & Our Gang shorts, and the like. Man, I can’t pick just one. Once upon a time, I would have said, “Blade Runner.” Later, “Local Hero.” I think certain movies mean more to you depending on when you see them, and what your life is like at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Eclipse\_Chaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@Eclipse\_Chaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eclipse_Chaser)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/106 "2019-08-25T12:42:56Z")
Groundhog Day. Because it’s about redemption. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/107 "2019-08-25T14:04:42Z")
Bullitt What is ostensibly an action movie is actually a blend of late 60s American action/detective film with a contemporary modern Euro twist (thanks to Peter Yates and Philip D’Antoni). The city of San Francisco is the real star. Few if any sets were used. Excellent character acting…Robert Duvall, Simon Oakland, Jackie Bisset, Don Gordan and Norman Fell. And the absolutely on point score by Lalo Schiffrin. I never tire of it. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/108 "2019-08-25T14:08:29Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Good to hear, I wouldn’t have replied if you said the remake, but I would be wondering if you had a serious head injury. 😃 > > Arthur is a very good movie, I still use Hobson’s “I’ll alert the media.” from time to time, though no one seems to know it anymore. Its the perfect comedy/tragedy accentuated by the tragic death of its writer/director Steve Gordon at only 44. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/109 "2019-08-25T14:09:30Z")
Contact with Jodie Foster ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/110 "2019-08-25T14:25:08Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Bullitt > > What is ostensibly an action movie is actually a blend of late 60s American action/detective film with a contemporary modern Euro twist (thanks to Peter Yates and Philip D’Antoni). The city of San Francisco is the real star. Few if any sets were used. Excellent character acting…Robert Duvall, Simon Oakland, Jackie Bisset, Don Gordan and Norman Fell. And the absolutely on point score by Lalo Schiffrin. I never tire of it. Glad to see the love being shown for _Bullitt_; so much more than the famous car chase, and it’s certainly high on my all-time list. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/111 "2019-08-25T14:25:34Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > I cannot choose an absolute favorite single movie. Thank og a number of my faves have already been listed. Allowing me to mention “the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” Yes, most of my favorite movies have been mentioned too. And thanks for changing my #1 from “Maltese Falcon” to “TGTBTU”. Maybe. It’s very hard not to vote for Tuco. Also hard to vote against Sidney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. Maybe we could get TCM to do a “Best of the Dope” festival? BTW got to agree with **Ukulele Ike** about Victor Buono. Creepiest ever. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/112 "2019-08-25T15:23:06Z")
This a tough one. I was going to say [Once Upon a Time in the West](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_Upon_a_Time_in_the_West), since it’s my favorite western and I _love_ westerns. But I’ve seen it so many times that it’s beginning to wear on me. And then I thought [The Big Lebowski](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Lebowski) might be my favorite. It’s definitely the funniest, IMO. After thinking about it a bit more, I suppose my all-time favorite has to be [Harold and Maude](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_and_Maude). Not only is it hilarious, but there’s just something magical about it. Perhaps it’s the time period (1971). I think I could watch it a thousand time and never get bored of it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/113 "2019-08-25T21:08:13Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > If you ask me today, _ **The Martian** _ is probably the film I will not turn off and watch anytime it is on. My husband and I saw _The Martian_ in 3D, on our wedding day. So it has special significance for us. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/114 "2019-08-25T21:31:45Z")
2001 A Space Odyssey. I’ve seen it 50 times at least, perhaps 100. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/115 "2019-08-25T21:42:16Z")
So many good ones and so cool that I’ve seen most of them mentioned and under different circumstance I could endorse any one of them … BUT, since 1979 my favorite movie is and has been _ **The Warriors.** _ I’ve seen it probably fifty times, easy. I’ve owned it on VHS, DVD, Blu-Ray, Director’s Cut, I’ve got the PS2 game of the movie and at one time I had the soundtrack on vinyl. It’s been a while since I’ve watched it but I could probably still recite the entire movie as it plays. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/116 "2019-08-25T23:24:29Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Good to hear, I wouldn’t have replied if you said the remake, but I would be wondering if you had a serious head injury. 😃 > > Arthur is a very good movie, I still use Hobson’s “I’ll alert the media.” from time to time, though no one seems to know it anymore. My brother and I say that to each other all the time! You are not alone. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/117 "2019-08-26T01:45:08Z")
Casablanca and Airplane! But the OP specified a single movie, so I’ll split the difference and go with Star Wars. And when I say “Star Wars” you better know exactly which episode I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/118 "2019-08-26T03:23:29Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > And when I say “Star Wars” you better know exactly which episode I’m talking about. “Cover me, pawkins!” ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/119 "2019-08-26T09:22:17Z")
_The Sting,_ for the casting, the wardrobe, the backlot and the wonderfully implausible plot. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092/120 "2019-08-26T09:56:57Z")
> [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](#): > > _Casablanca_, the only movie I’ve seen 20 times. Definitely the best, though I’ve watched it only 19 times. (Of course I, just like Richard Blaine turns out to be, am a sentimentalist. Some with very different taste might watch _Casablanca_ and be left wondering what the attraction is.) Just like Marilyn Monroe is the sexiest movie star ever. Albert Einstein is the smartest scientist since Isaac Newton. so _Casablanca_ is the greatest film ever. is one of those trite-seeming clichés _that happen to be true_. Type “Why is Casablanca great?” into Youtube and get several hits of film experts explaining the great skills that went into telling this perfect story perfectly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-absolute-single-favorite-movie/839092.md?page=7)