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The 100 Movies You Should See Before You Die

Unless You Actually Have a Life / Dustin Rowles

Trade News | March 24, 2009 | Comments (174)

Yahoo, which is clearly the most authoritative source on the Internet for movies, has inexplicably put out a list of 100 movies you should see before you die. And while it does include a quite a few movies it’d be a good idea to see simply because they are entertaining, it skews old school. The folks over at Yahoo claimed to count historical and cultural significance, which they allegedly weighed along with the film’s entertainment value, in coming up with the list. It is, to say the least, a safe list, if not a little on the dull side. What’s missing? A ton, I’d argue, because I couldn’t imagine dying without having seen The Dark Knight, Ghostbusters, Say Anything, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Apartment, The Usual Suspects, L.A. Confidential or Back to the Future, among many others.

Anyway, here’s that list. Tick ‘em off: How many have you seen (and for comparison’s sake, see our own 99 Movies that Will Kill You).

12 Angry Men (1957)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
The 400 Blows (1959)
8 ½ (1963)
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
The African Queen (1952)
Alien (1979)
All About Eve (1950)
Annie Hall (1977)
Apocalypse Now (1979)
The Battle of Algiers (1967)
The Bicycle Thief (1948)
Blade Runner (1982)
Blazing Saddles (1974)
Blow Up (1966)
Blue Velvet (1986)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Breathless (1960)
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Bringing Up Baby (1938)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Casablanca (1942)
Chinatown (1974)
Citizen Kane (1941)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Die Hard (1988)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
Double Indemnity (1944)
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Duck Soup (1933)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Enter the Dragon (1973)
The Exorcist (1973)
Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)
The French Connection (1971)
The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather, Part II (1974)
Goldfinger (1964)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1968)
Goodfellas (1990)
The Graduate (1967)
Grand Illusion (1938)
Groundhog Day (1993)
In the Mood For Love (2001)
It Happened One Night (1934)
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Jaws (1975)
King Kong (1933)
The Lady Eve (1941)
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
The Lord of the Rings (2001,2002,2003)
M (1931)
M*A*S*H (1970)
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
The Matrix (1999)
Modern Times (1936)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)
Network (1976)
Nosferatu (1922)
On the Waterfront (1954)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Paths of Glory (1958)
Princess Mononoke (1999)
Psycho (1960)
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Raging Bull (1980)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Raise the Red Lantern (1992)
Rashomon (1951)
Rear Window (1954)
Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Rocky (1976)
Roman Holiday (1953)
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Schindler’s List (1993)
The Searchers (1956)
Seven Samurai (1954)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
The Sound of Music (1965)
Star Wars (1977)
Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
The Third Man (1949)
This is Spinal Tap (1984)
Titanic (1997)
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Toy Story (1995)
The Usual Suspects (1995)
Vertigo (1958)
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
Wild Strawberries (1957)
Wings of Desire (1988)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988)
The World of Apu (1959)


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Comments

45 for me, guess i have a bit of catching up to do!

Posted by: returnofthesmith at March 24, 2009 9:42 AM

I got 75, which I think means that I am 3/4 of the way towards being ready to die.

If I resolve not to watch any more, I will live forever, right?

Posted by: imk at March 24, 2009 9:43 AM

I think I could quite happily croak without ever having seen "Titanic", but unfortunately it's too late for that. Also I'm pretty sure this list was composed by someone wearing adult nappies...

Posted by: Pants at March 24, 2009 9:43 AM

Shawshank is not on the AFI's top 100, which still surprises me.

Hell, this is a good starter for anyone. I imagine a true movie dork couldn't go lower than a Top 300 or Top 500.

Posted by: twig at March 24, 2009 9:43 AM

45 for me as well.

Several of them I won't touch with a 10-foot-pole. Especially Titanic. Ar they insane?

Posted by: FabMax at March 24, 2009 9:47 AM

44 for me, but that does not count the many that i have seen bits and pieces of.

I do have A Hard Day's Night in my tivo queue right now, so I can tie with returnofthesmith.

Oh and it took me a bit to realize that the Third Man was not the Thin Man. I'd add any of the Thin Man movies to the list too.

Posted by: mswas at March 24, 2009 9:48 AM

47. At least yahoo thinks I should live longer. How could they leave out Guess Who is Coming to Dinner or Inherit the Wind, along with those on Dustin's list? I would also add Patton, Cinderella Man, Seabiscuit and The Incredibles.

Posted by: richmac at March 24, 2009 9:50 AM

This list chews gristlescrote. Yeah, them there's some good movies and such, but holy crabcakes... Where's Gummo? Where's Tremors? Where's Big Trouble in Little China? That's the problem with this list - it's too goddam vanilla...

Posted by: Skitz at March 24, 2009 9:50 AM

What? No dig at Lord of the Rings?

Posted by: vikky at March 24, 2009 9:50 AM

Shawshank is not on the AFI's top 100, which still surprises me.

I will use this as a convenient excuse to say:
Hey TK! Watch Shawshank already!

Posted by: branded at March 24, 2009 9:50 AM

I've got 48. Do they really count the Lord of the Rings trilogy as one film? Hmmmm.

Posted by: Kolby at March 24, 2009 9:52 AM

I question some of the films on this list, I don't see Groundhog Day as a life altering experience. And, do you count the Lord of the Ring series as one or three? Anybody? 75 or 77, depending.

Posted by: Lori at March 24, 2009 9:53 AM

52 for me and, quite frankly, I'm embarrassed about some that I had to tick.

Posted by: admin at March 24, 2009 9:53 AM

I'm a little confused with the inclusion of cetain sequals-If you include Alien rather than Aliens you can't put in Terminator 2 instead of Terminator. I think I'd have stuck with the original in both cases.

Posted by: Mrcreosote at March 24, 2009 9:53 AM

TK hasn't seen Shawshank? For serious?

Posted by: Kolby at March 24, 2009 9:53 AM

44, and I can't agree with their list. I'd guess the half I haven't seen contains most of my disagreement.

Posted by: Cindy at March 24, 2009 9:53 AM

Pants:
I don't see why you have to be a senior citizen to appreciate really good old cinema (which describes most of the older films on this list). But I agree with you on one point: Titanic sucked and I would prefer to have my 2.5 hours back before I die.

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 24, 2009 9:53 AM

64. But in all honesty, between my wife Connie and myself, we've probably seen them all. Nosferatu is definitely one of the greats!

Posted by: Conrad (last name withheld) at March 24, 2009 9:53 AM

usual suspects is on the list, dude. what would you bump for those others? this looks like a pretty solid list to me (safe, sure, but i'd have a tough time complaining about it)

Posted by: dg at March 24, 2009 9:53 AM

You are absolutely right PaddyDog, but they do seem to lean awfully heavy on the old stuff. Having said that, I miss Ben Hur on this list!

Posted by: Pants at March 24, 2009 9:59 AM

Fucking Titanic? I'd say this list skews "stupid," as opposed to safe. Maybe that's the same thing. The Matrix makes it, but not The Empire Strikes Back, which is substantially better than Star Wars?

Princess Mononoke? Fucking hell. I'm not saying any of these are bad (well, except Titanic), but Raging Bull (which is great, no question) over Taxi Driver? Give me a small break.

For the record: 78.

Posted by: ted boynton at March 24, 2009 10:01 AM

I get 55, more or less. Some I probably saw ages ago ("Bring Up Baby") but just am not sure, so I didn't count them. Also, I feel asleep in the middle of "Apocalypse Now," so didn't count it.

Didn't look at anyone else's tally before posting. Be interested to see how I rank.

Posted by: bucdaddy at March 24, 2009 10:04 AM

Mrcreosote, I think Terminator 2 can be up there along with Alien, they're both the superior film in the series. Nothing against Terminator, but T2 blows that shit out of the water.

I'm happy to see Princess Mononoke up there instead of Spirited Away, which is way overrated yet is somehow always the go-to "must-see" Miyazaki film.

Posted by: Macafee at March 24, 2009 10:05 AM

79 movies and I gots no Shawshank! Tell me how to do it when times get hard.

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 10:05 AM

Also, I counted "LOTR" as three.

Posted by: bucdaddy at March 24, 2009 10:07 AM

24. Shit, I need to catch up. Except... I don't care that much.

I don't think Titanic should be on there. Sure, historical accuracy attempts and whatnot, but god, the story sucked.

Posted by: lizzieborden at March 24, 2009 10:08 AM

"..between my wife Connie and myself..."

How the hell does that count? WHY WOULD YOU EVEN TYPE THAT?! Fuck, in that case, between me, Wendel and the second grade class at Thomas Jefferson Elementary, we've probably eaten enough paste to fill a 1920's Clawfoot Tub! For that matter, between Perez Hilton, Connie (circa 1994), and Joe Jonas (is he the pretty one - he's the pretty one, right?), there's been more risky, drunken dick flopped around than a Vegas cathouse!

I hate you. It was me who puked in your golf bag last time I was over - not Captain Beefheart - that's why it stunk so bad...

Posted by: Skitz at March 24, 2009 10:09 AM

18... but I'm young with ready YouTube access.

Two significant omissions really stroke my coals: The Princess Bride and Cabaret.

I happen to think La Vita E' Bella should have been on there as well... but what do I know about film? Nothing, apparently.

Posted by: Ling at March 24, 2009 10:10 AM

But if you haven't seen Titanic you won't be able to bitch properly about its hideous shortcomings.

*shrug* They gave me the guy falling from the top of the ship all the way back to the rear propeller with accompanying foley, so I hate them much, much less than say, Matrix sequels.

... and Terminator 2 is quite possibly the best sequel ever made. I'd take this as a list to add to, not play swap out. At some point there aren't movies that are 'better,' just two different flavors of awesome.

Posted by: twig at March 24, 2009 10:12 AM

55. Or 56, if you count the three times I fell asleep while watching "Wings of Desire".

I have never understood the love for "Shawshank". It's entertaining enough, but great film making? Eh.

Posted by: Lee at March 24, 2009 10:12 AM

I got 73. I see my arch-nemesis of film on this list: The Third Man. I find that movie completely undeserving of the credit it sometimes receives. *leers at The Third Man on list*

Posted by: The Wandering Parakeet at March 24, 2009 10:13 AM

35. Hmmmm. I guess SOMEONE won't be dying young after all.

Posted by: The Pink Hulk at March 24, 2009 10:14 AM

With three LOTRs it's 81.

I feel so Pajiban having seen all of Dustin's mini-list! But then, anyone who hadn't would probably get thoroughly rubbished, as they say, around here.

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 10:15 AM

38. I'd throw The King and I on there. Why is my beloved Gone With the Wind not on there?

Paddy, I want my 2.5 hours back from Titanic as well.

Posted by: Melody at March 24, 2009 10:15 AM

Oddly enough, 69. Can't imagine why that's a good number for me.

Posted by: khia213 at March 24, 2009 10:15 AM

Macafee, I 've always thought that T2 was fairly overrated. Compare the two big police shootout scenes-the first has Arnold wiping out an entire police station in smoke and chaos, while the second has him kneecapping a group of cops in a scene that is played for laughs. T2 has better effects, but the first has a stronger story.

Posted by: Mrcreosote at March 24, 2009 10:16 AM

What, did a parrot bite you, Mme. ou M. Parakeet? Let it go!

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 10:17 AM

There was a similar list circulating for books one should read. I don't think it's necessary a high-quality thing but, rather, a conversational thing. On that list, "The Da Vinci Code" was among the books. I was, of course, appalled, but I think that the list was more about being conversant in what many other people were reading at a certain point in time. Hence, the inclusion of Fast Times at Ridgemont High on the list. I, for one, think it's a great movie, but it's also an oft-referenced movie that was very controversial in its day.

Posted by: samantha t at March 24, 2009 10:18 AM

49. That's much less than I thought. Although fuck me if I'm going to worry about not having seen Princess Mononoke on my deathbed.

Posted by: Julie at March 24, 2009 10:22 AM

Um, is that "The World of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon"? Does watching The Simpsons count?

Posted by: Odnon at March 24, 2009 10:25 AM

The more you people bitch about it, the more I'll dig my heels in. I'm fucking stubborn like that, even when it goes against all conventional wisdom and common sense.

Posted by: TK at March 24, 2009 10:27 AM

They have a name for people who refuse to see The Shawshank Redemption. That name hasn't been invented yet, but someone, somewhere out there knows damn well what you are Mr. TK, and it surely isn't me. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit in my corner, and make more hollow, toothless threats.

Posted by: Mike R. at March 24, 2009 10:33 AM

Umm...21?

I've had friends accuse me of living under a rock until...sometime in the last five to ten years. Netflix has become my best friend.

Even so, I guarantee I'm going to die without seeing Titanic or ET.

Posted by: Tyburn Blossom at March 24, 2009 10:35 AM

82. I swear to god, I leave the house sometimes. Really.

Beer and snack cakes won't buy themselves... YET.

Posted by: PaleoLithchick at March 24, 2009 10:38 AM

54. Even for a list that skews old schools, there are some odd omissions here.

Posted by: Smokin at March 24, 2009 10:39 AM

I've seen 73 of these. The 74th will not be Shawshank. Why? Because go fuck your mother, that's why.

Posted by: TK at March 24, 2009 10:40 AM

The more you people bitch about it, the more I'll dig my heels in.

They just don't get it, TK. They'll never get it. And they'll never get that I don't give a shit about that movie and that it's not only defiance, I'm just not interested.

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 10:40 AM

TK hasn't seen Shawshank? For serious?

As you can see, it's become a point of pride for him. I can't blame him because I feel the same way about how I'll never read "The Time Traveler's Wife."

Also, a mere 41 for me.

Posted by: branded at March 24, 2009 10:43 AM

66.

Though I counted a couple that I watched in sections (The Graduate) or saw at least two-thirds of (Duck Soup).

Posted by: Seisy at March 24, 2009 10:44 AM

72, with one more from Netflix sitting at home, waiting to be seen.

I disagree in the Princess Mononoke/Spirited Away debate. Love them both, but if I could only pick one, it would be Spirited Away.

I'm VERY glad to see Battle of Algiers on there. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed that movie.

Posted by: Wednesday at March 24, 2009 10:44 AM

What, no Twilight?

Fuck this list.

Posted by: Clee Shay at March 24, 2009 10:46 AM

Off topic, I recently saw a picture of TK from the SXSW debauchery, and hoo boy! Don't let that big grumpy zombie-stomper facade fool you! That is one handsome dude.
I'm going to go tape up a picture of him in my locker now.

Posted by: AdaHaze at March 24, 2009 10:48 AM

At the danger of coming off as "inventively crude" FUCKING E.T.!?!?!?!

Why? It must some sort of misplaced nostalgia trip on your part Rowles. Especially after Spielberg pulled a Lucas and FUCKED. IT. UP.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at March 24, 2009 10:51 AM

There's an entire world of Apu? Currylicious!

Posted by: Sofía at March 24, 2009 10:51 AM

Um, Barbado, you do know that Dustin didn't write this list. That Yahoo did? Did you even read the opening?

Also, on the subject of The Dark Knight - isn't it a little odd that the original Donner Superman isn't on this?

Posted by: I Love Beets at March 24, 2009 10:54 AM

Especially after Spielberg pulled a Lucas and FUCKED. IT. UP.

Him and Drew Barrymore.

Posted by: admin at March 24, 2009 10:56 AM

Rocky? ROCKY?! Bull-fucking-shit. Goddammit, why is the world still trying to insists this trite piece of Angry White Man wish fulfillment is anything but cinematic toilet water? Where did I leave my keys for the fucking MurderTank? I got killin' to do.

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at March 24, 2009 10:56 AM

Well that's a paddlin,' my apologies Herr Rowles.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at March 24, 2009 10:56 AM

TK and Jay, your stubbornness only makes you hotter. I like the ones with a little fight in them. I like to break 'em.

Posted by: jM at March 24, 2009 10:57 AM

I was sure Dustin was going to jab at the omission of Harold & Maude, with the "before you die" theme and all. Covered his ass with among many others.

All three LoTR's, two Godfathers (in separate entries, no less) but only the first Toy Story and the second Terminator? Makes no sense.

Posted by: Adere at March 24, 2009 10:58 AM

isn't it a little odd that the original Donner Superman isn't on this?

Yes. Yes, in fact, it is. Plus I've been worried that people don't know who Sarah Douglas is, let alone why she scares me (not as much as Lena Olin, but still).

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 10:58 AM

58 for me and good call on '12 Angry Men'.

Posted by: Fuel at March 24, 2009 11:00 AM

Angry White Man wish fulfillment

Well, he got the shit beat out of him by a black man and lost the fight.

I guess some white guys might have that wish, but probably not a lot.

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 11:00 AM

Wait...no Fight Club???

Posted by: Fuel at March 24, 2009 11:02 AM

81, but I'm old and have been catching up for the past several years with a large front projector.

Posted by: brm at March 24, 2009 11:05 AM

51. any list with vague standards is certain
to incite controversy and energize the movie
nuts who inhabit sites like pajiba. two cents worth ... glaring omissions are " gone with the wind " and " breakfast at tiffany's". as
the classic chick flick ever, regardless of
its perceived quality, " an affair to
remember " should be included and if the
history of film is a consideration, how
can any reasonably long list not include a
fred astaire opus? ok, now i'm back to the comments which i expect will grow geometrically.

Posted by: snake at March 24, 2009 11:06 AM

I counted about 55, but I've seen good chunks of about 10 more--I was just so bored I couldn't make it through. Blade Runner? Why does this keep making lists? I started doing my laundry about halfway through.

Posted by: kelsy at March 24, 2009 11:07 AM

brm, I bet that's what you tell all the ladies...

;)

Posted by: Macafee at March 24, 2009 11:09 AM

Blade Runner? Why does this keep making lists?

The fuck!?

*rummages in pockets for something sharp*

Posted by: admin at March 24, 2009 11:09 AM

Off topic, I recently saw a picture of TK from the SXSW debauchery, and hoo boy!

Yeah, sweater vests are hot.

I'm so going back on the list, aren't I?

Posted by: Kolby at March 24, 2009 11:10 AM

He was also a slow, unathletic and stupid mope who somehow went toe-to-toe with a Muhammad Ali stand-in for 15 rounds when he should have been moping up puke in a junior high locker room.

Ah, don't mind me. Living in Philadelphia would make any thinking person loathe the movie.

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at March 24, 2009 11:11 AM

I'm at 86 including a few partials, and Titanic ain't one of them. I'm missing several of the very oldest ones, and a couple of the newest ones (this will serve as the umpteenth reminder to check out In The Mood For Love), but I endeavored about 15 years ago to churn through as many of the acknowledged greats as I could lay my hands on. By Yahoo's reckoning I guess I did pretty well....

Posted by: sansho1 at March 24, 2009 11:14 AM

Tracer, I've never seen Rocky, and as a contrite Philadelphian I think I'll keep it that way. Fuck the music, fuck Adrian, and fuck the motherfucking art museum steps.

Thaaaaat's right, I SAID IT.

Posted by: Julie at March 24, 2009 11:14 AM

Easy, man, easy! Don't go to jail for Deckard! Her blog doesn't even work, don't kick 'em when they're down!

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 11:14 AM

62. There are some I've seen part of (I didn't count those, obvy). And, like bucdaddy, there are some I may have seen when I was very young, but I don't remember, so I didn't count those either. There are a few I've picked up on DVD (Rashomon, Butch Cassidy, Wild Strawberries)but have not yet had the opportunity to sit down and watch them, but will do so ASAP.

Speaking of bucdaddy... it's almost noon, my friend. Are you ready for me? I'm extra springtime-fresh this week!

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at March 24, 2009 11:19 AM

So much self-loathing in one city cannot be healthy, which the cheesesteaks don't improve, delicious though they may be.

Posted by: branded at March 24, 2009 11:20 AM

Also, no Showgirls? Fuck this list.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at March 24, 2009 11:23 AM

"64. But in all honesty, between my wife Connie and myself, we've probably seen them all. "

Posted by: Conrad (last name withheld)

Die then!

Posted by: The CONRADICATOR at March 24, 2009 11:24 AM

46, which is considerably lower than I had expected. I don't understand leaving out Gone with the Wind. That just seems odd.

Him and Drew Barrymore.
Posted by: admin at March 24, 2009 10:56 AM

I'm not taking the bait, you sad, sad, little man.

Posted by: Lainey at March 24, 2009 11:31 AM

Sigh. 14. What am I even doing on this site?

Can we go with top 100 books? I've definitely read most of those.

Posted by: dsbs at March 24, 2009 11:32 AM

31 or 32, which I feel alright about considering most of these were released before I was born ('89).

Posted by: Joe at March 24, 2009 11:33 AM

Counting LOTR as 1: 88
I'd just as soon die now as watch most of the ones I haven't or to see many including LOTR again. In fact I think I did die several times watching it.
Whenever I see these lists I wonder, have people watched some of these movies lately? Could you possibly think Butch Cassidy a necessary part of life if you had been forced to watch it recently?

Posted by: Burninator at March 24, 2009 11:38 AM

...most of these were released before I was born ('89).


:::dies a little:::

Posted by: Kolby at March 24, 2009 11:38 AM

I'm not taking the bait, you sad, sad, little man.

I love this website.

Posted by: twig at March 24, 2009 11:40 AM

I'm not taking the bait, you sad, sad, little man.

Twas not bait, I rewatched it recently with the kidlets, she was bad and has not gotten any better.

As to your comment on my stature, it allows me to fit in small tight places which will come in handy when the zombie apocolypse arrives; immediately after the premier of Miss Barrymores next movie.

Posted by: admin at March 24, 2009 11:41 AM

"Could you possibly think Butch Cassidy a necessary part of life if you had been forced to watch it recently?"

Yes. HELL yes. Newman? Redford? Are you fucking insane?

Posted by: I Love Beets at March 24, 2009 11:49 AM

And I'm older than you, Kolby.

Last night I saw a guy karaoke "Nothin But A Good Time" and I realized that that Poison show, the first show I made it to after a few sad misses over the previous two years, was twenty years ago last week.

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 11:52 AM

56. Not too bad. A lot of films I'd consider "must-sees" are blatantly missing, though.

And when the hell ARE they going to release The African Queen on DVD?!

Posted by: vic at March 24, 2009 11:56 AM

I was all ready to suspect this was IMDB's top 100, with maybe a few removed here and there because they would be inappropriate or something, but that doesn't seem to be the case...

Posted by: Eep at March 24, 2009 11:59 AM

84

Posted by: celery at March 24, 2009 12:05 PM

Shouldn't A Clockwork Orange be on this list?

Hell, I can't talk. I've only seen 17 of these. A few I'm ashamed I haven't seen (Schindler's List, Rebel Without a Cause) some I could care less about (Shawshank Redemption, Dr. Strangelove) and a few I'm too piss-scared to see (Alien, The Exorcist)

When Harry Met Sally? Seriously? Talk about overrated junk. The only saving grace in it is Billy Crystal, otherwise it's boring as hell.

Posted by: Brie at March 24, 2009 12:06 PM

The only saving grace in it is Billy Crystal, otherwise it's boring as hell.

Ah, for the good old days, when every time I saw Meg Ryan I wouldn't want to hug her then immediately loosen her face.

Posted by: admin at March 24, 2009 12:25 PM

Don't do it, Julie. Don't let the bastards grind you down. When the want to go genuflect before that damned statue, you mock them. Mock them with all the cruelty you're withered, blackened soul can muster. For they are the weak and the stupid and we shall crush them beneath our boot heels.

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at March 24, 2009 12:29 PM

Jules, I just find it amusing that the city put a statue of a, yanno, fucking fictional character next to the art museum. I mean, there's actual art in there! fuck that noise.

Posted by: lizzieborden at March 24, 2009 12:33 PM

TK you are not alone. Shawshank has almost become a white whale to me. I will never see it in my lifetime, though I have at times actively pursued it.
And branded, Time Traveler's Wife is not nearly as womanly as you would suspect. It's really quite badass. More like science-fiction then chick-lit.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at March 24, 2009 12:37 PM

Time Traveler's Wife isn't as chick-lit as you'd think, mainly because so much of the plot revolves around straight-up fuckin'. I cried at the end of it, then realized that I don't know why I cried because I hated all of the characters. Fucking books.

Posted by: JakesAlterEgo at March 24, 2009 12:42 PM

It's not because it may or may not be chick-lit. I just haven't and don't feel any real motivation to read it now.

Unlike Shawshank, which you should watch right now.

Posted by: branded at March 24, 2009 12:54 PM

76 for me. But as you say, they missed out a lot of good movies.

Posted by: Tarn at March 24, 2009 1:03 PM

If counting LOTR as 1 movie: 47. There are some on the list that I have no desire to see, and some that I think should have been included instead but overall, this was a good reminder of some movies that I have been meaning to watch, but never remember to put on my queue. Now I have a project for this evening!

TK, I totally understand the Shawshank thing. The more people tell me that I have to do something, the less I want to do it. I have never shopped at the Electric Fetus record store in Minneapolis, and I got so tired of the gasps of disbelief from people when they found out that I had never been to "THE FETUS!" that I vowed to never go, no matter what. I feel pretty good about that. :)

Posted by: Lantee at March 24, 2009 1:11 PM

So Rocky isn't even art now, huh?

When Harry Met Sally? Seriously? Talk about overrated junk. The only saving grace in it is Billy Crystal, otherwise it's boring as hell.

I'm gonna turn my back, and close my eyes, and pretend that didn't happen........

Why you gotta stab me in the back, Johnny??? I'm bleedin, man! Shit!

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 1:14 PM

82

I fully-expect Mr. Henry to be at least 95.

Posted by: Henry at March 24, 2009 1:27 PM

And we have Nosferatu waiting on the DVR even as I type.

Posted by: Henry at March 24, 2009 1:28 PM

This list is dead to me. No Gone With the Wind? Are you fucking kidding me?

No. Just no. You don't fucking do that.

Posted by: figgy at March 24, 2009 1:32 PM

I've seen 61, but again, the fact that the TOP BOX OFFICE EARNER IN THE HISTORY OF MOVIES that is indubitably one of the most influential films IN THE FUCKING HISTORY OF THE WORLD is not in there fills me with rage at this fucking list.

FUCK YOU, LIST!

Posted by: figgy at March 24, 2009 1:37 PM

Michealangelo. DaVinci. Stallone? No, Rocky is not art.

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at March 24, 2009 1:47 PM

But he's got the Eye of The Tiger TB!

Posted by: admin at March 24, 2009 1:54 PM

46, which means that at this rate, I'll be killed in the military after being drafted to fight in some god awful country like Turkmenistan.

Posted by: George at March 24, 2009 2:00 PM

Nice Kubrick representation, and a pretty solid list overall. I agree with everyone else about Titanic, though. I could have gone without that one.

I think people forget that Stallone was actually something and somebody when he made Rocky. It was after that that he turned into the Stallone as we know him today...

Posted by: kevinff at March 24, 2009 2:02 PM

missing:

The Thing (1982)

Posted by: annoyingmouse at March 24, 2009 2:08 PM

Titanic is THE comedy of the 90s.

Posted by: adam at March 24, 2009 2:10 PM

good call on '12 Angry Men'.

That was the only film in the bunch that I had not seen and felt the need to add to my Netflix queue.

Posted by: imk at March 24, 2009 2:19 PM

Also, the fact that Conan The Barbarian has been omitted is basically a cinematic war crime.

Blood will run in the streets because of this.

Posted by: TK at March 24, 2009 2:36 PM

Is "Gone With The Wind" really an influential film though?

Michealangelo

Who's he?

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 2:44 PM

Jay, you, living in Atlanta, cannot be serious.

Posted by: Melody at March 24, 2009 2:53 PM

I know I've watched 75 of these, but there are at least a dozen that I've watched in the last 5 years but still couldn't tell you the plot or a single character's name. Also I may have fallen asleep during the middle of 'Breathless' but I remember the beginning and end so I think I got the gist.

Posted by: cree83 at March 24, 2009 2:58 PM

I suck, I've only seen 39 of these.

Posted by: chenry at March 24, 2009 3:00 PM

Just today AOL listed the top 10 movies you should own. Number 5 is Mama Mia! No joke, it's right before The Deer Hunter

Posted by: Sharopa at March 24, 2009 3:08 PM

35, but that doesn't include "Titanic" so I'm not a loser. "Bridge over the River Kwai" was suprisingly terrible. "Singing in the Rain" was suprisingly good.

Posted by: frumpiefox at March 24, 2009 3:10 PM

To paraphrase Alec Baldwin in Glenngarry Glenross: "You call yourselves film fans you son of b*tch..."

97
(it may be 98 because I think I did see "Women on the Verge-")

It's a good list generally because if you haven't seen most of these flicks you are seriously missing out. This is a starter kit for anyone who doesn't know much about movies but would like a great place to start. You log these puppies first and then you move on to "Alphaville", "Man Bites Dog", "Ernest Goes To Camp" or whatever other artsy / esoteric / anti-movie films are supposed to be more important. This list is the basics, and yeah, being a humungous film geek I could debate the hundreds of movies not mentioned all day, but they only had a hundred spots. That said here's the ones that are bullsh*t tack ons to give the list credibility with Film Comment snobs and faddish film punks who refuse to see anything without subtitles:

In The Mood For Love (whatever)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (overhyped, over-produced Jackie Chan 70s flick)
Princess Mononoke (pull leese)
Terminator 2 (if you're going with Terminator, it's the first movie only)
Titanic (I don't care how much f#@king money it made, that movie has some of the worst dialogue ever written. "Porky" made a fortune too, so let's skip the box office 'mine's bigger' bit.)

Off the top, more movies that coulda shoulda been listed, maybe, but 100 spots ain't many:
- Pinnochio (best Disney flick ever)
- Shadow Of A Doubt (best Hitchcock possibly)
- Umberto D (if we're throwing classic foreign flicks on here)
- Cinema Paradiso (and skip "In The Mood For Love" for god sake)
- The Pink Panther Strikes Again (the best of the series, over the top in the best way)
- Night Of The Hunter (masterpiece)
- The Apartment
- Taxi Driver (!! are you kidding me this ain't here!!)
- Midnight Cowboy
- Amadeus
- La Strada (instead of the more chic "8 1/2")
- Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (Spielberg may often suck, but this is the best alien film and one of the best sci-fi films ever.)
- City Lights
- Treasure of the Sierra Madre
- The Manchurian Candidate
- Cool Hand Luke
- Gone With The Wind (I agree; that's insane it's not on here.)
*Stopping now before it's too late!

Posted by: Spike Leo at March 24, 2009 3:13 PM

Blood will run in the streets because of this.
Posted by: TK at March 24, 2009 2:36 PM

Why? Did you trip over something again today?

Posted by: Lainey at March 24, 2009 3:15 PM

What? No 'Seventh Seal'? Any list that doesn't have that movie on it is not complete. Ingmar Bergman is a genius, and should be included with greats like Orwell or Scorsese. Also missing: Requiem for a Dream, Braveheart, Momento.

And of course The Goonies.

Posted by: Steef at March 24, 2009 3:18 PM

It absolutely is. Everything from the epic sweep of the story, the characters, the special effects, the images...everything in that movie has been subtly copied by hundreds of films, not to mention the fact that Scarlett O'Hara (love her or hate her) is one of the most important feminist characters of all time. I cannot freakin' believe that this list doesn't have GWTW in it. It would be like not having Citizen Kane on it. And I hate Citizen Kane.

Posted by: figgy at March 24, 2009 3:21 PM

Fact: Conan the Barbarian is my dad's favorite movie. Absolute top of the list for him. He'd like you, TK.

Posted by: figgy at March 24, 2009 3:23 PM

12 Angry Men

Ugh

I literally just finished printing a five page paper about this movie and am going to take it to class. Don't get me wrong, it was a great movie, but I'm past it.

BTW - Any list that doesn't have the funniest comedy ever - Young Frankenstein - is a bullshit list.

I've never seen Titanic, never will and feel all the better than you are for it.

Posted by: Rubble44 at March 24, 2009 3:28 PM

figgy: It absolutely is. Everything from the epic sweep of the story, the characters, the special effects, the images...everything in that movie has been subtly copied by hundreds of films, not to mention the fact that Scarlett O'Hara....

But...there's no Scarlett O'Hara in "The Goonies"....

Posted by: frumpiefox at March 24, 2009 3:31 PM

Confession: I've never seen The Goonies.

The fact that there's no Scarlett in it makes me not want to see it even more. So there.

Posted by: figgy at March 24, 2009 3:37 PM

72 with a few more partials

shit i'd drop:

Bladerunner (1982)
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1968)
Groundhog Day (1993)
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
The Lord of the Rings (2001,2002,2003)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
The Searchers (1956)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
The Sound of Music (1965)
Star Wars (1977)
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
Titanic (1997)
The Usual Suspects (1995)
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)

not everything on there is stuff i don't like, or even love, such as Groundhog Day, which is a personal favorite of mine, but it doesn't deserve a spot over A Fish Called Wanda, nor would I choose Holy Grail over Life of Brian.

Likewise, tGtBatU is a good movie, but Once Upon a Time in the West is Leone's best western (and possibly best film).

so 14 drops ... 14 adds:

Bladerunner (director's cut)
Le Cercle Rouge
Taxi Driver
Unforgiven
Once Upon a Time in the West
Princess Bride
Life of Brian
Young Frankenstein
A Fish Called Wanda
Delicatessen
The Incredibles
Fantasia
A Christmas Story
Empire Strikes Back
Hoop Dreams

Posted by: Soylent Green is Sheeple at March 24, 2009 3:43 PM

98 indeed. Mr. Henry/Spike Leo is the man.

Posted by: Henry at March 24, 2009 3:52 PM

I've seen all but 3. And "Shawshank" is on the "revised" 10 years anniversary AFI list.

Posted by: Bassel at March 24, 2009 3:56 PM

you, living in Atlanta, cannot be serious.

I mean influencing other films, other than, like, "Titanic".

Haw haw!

Blade Runner is TWO WORDS. I mean, fuck, it's right there! Did you copy, paste and then delete the space? WHAT THE FUCKING SHIT, MAN????

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 3:58 PM

Oh, man. I've only seen 3 of the movies on this list.

Posted by: RA at March 24, 2009 4:04 PM

34. At this rate, I should live forever.

Posted by: rlr260 at March 24, 2009 4:10 PM

Blade Runner is TWO WORDS. I mean, fuck, it's right there! Did you copy, paste and then delete the space? WHAT THE FUCKING SHIT, MAN????

heh. if i had know it would paroxysms of outrage, i would have done it on purpose.

nevertheless, being found guilty, i sentence myself to re-watching the "WorkPrint Cut" again.

mmm ... brier patch.

Posted by: Soylent Green is Sheeple at March 24, 2009 4:19 PM

44. Which is more than I thought. Although if there was more classics I might have a higher number. I'm gonna jump on the "Fuck you Yahoo" bandwagon for leaving off Gone With The Wind and The Thin Man.

Posted by: Jeni at March 24, 2009 4:19 PM

figgy I've never seen Goonies either, much to the dismay of pretty much all my
friends.

Posted by: Jeni at March 24, 2009 4:24 PM

brier

Smartass.

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 4:37 PM

64. I didn't count ones I've seen most of or have seen all of but never from start to finish. Add another 10 if I can count those.

By the way, Dustin, too bad your stubborn refusal to see one of the greatest films in history (Lawrence Of Arabia) will forever keep you from completing this list, huh?

Posted by: DarthCorleone at March 24, 2009 4:58 PM

Spike Leo>> Props to you for mentioning Umberto D. I like that one even better than The Bicycle Thief.

Posted by: DarthCorleone at March 24, 2009 5:01 PM

Smartass.

i've seen things you people wouldn't believe ...

Posted by: Soylent Green is Sheeple at March 24, 2009 5:12 PM

By the way, Dustin, too bad your stubborn refusal to see one of the greatest films in history (Lawrence Of Arabia) will forever keep you from completing this list, huh?

forget about it Darth, it's Chinatown.

Posted by: Soylent Green is Sheeple at March 24, 2009 5:13 PM

Right? Umberto D rocks.

Did I just read this? Dustin refuses to see "Lawrence of f#@king Arabia"!?! DUUUUUDE!!


Put down the keyboard, Dustin.
Nothing is Written!

Posted by: Spike Leo at March 24, 2009 5:57 PM

Are you saying you didn't deliberately misspell "briar"?

Posted by: Jay at March 24, 2009 6:10 PM

All but 5. Guess I still have 5 things to live for.

Posted by: sheshakes at March 24, 2009 7:26 PM

Are you saying you didn't deliberately misspell "briar"?

"brier" is actually a variant spelling, but yeah, that was the point (since it's "briar" for Br'er rabbit).

just being bored.

i will now return to my "punishment".

Posted by: Soylent Green is Sheeple at March 24, 2009 8:20 PM

79, but I'm old.

Posted by: James S at March 24, 2009 8:53 PM

Also, no Showgirls? Fuck this list.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at March 24, 2009 11:23 AM
---
You get FIVE hours next Tuesday!

Posted by: bucdaddy at March 25, 2009 1:35 AM

48, if you count Lord Of The Rings as one film.

Terminator 2, but no Terminator? Wuh? Stupid list. Dustin's (shorter) list is more to my liking.

Posted by: Grafty at March 25, 2009 7:24 AM

84 (counting LOTR as one). This is mainly because I tasked myself with seeing the AFI top 100 last year. I'm impressed Yahoo included Almodovar.

Posted by: sleater at March 25, 2009 12:52 PM

I've seen 71 of them. I can thank my parents who loved old movies for having seen that many.

Posted by: wandereraz at March 25, 2009 1:50 PM

Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo

Posted by: bucslim at March 25, 2009 10:34 PM

I'm only 17 and I've seen all of these. I am somewhat of a movie buff though...

Posted by: Aaron at March 31, 2009 5:28 PM

Who says Yahoo is the know-it-all when it comes to movies? Certainly not me! Yeah, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a really good movie. But not a certified "Gotta See It Before I Die" kinda flick.
And There were several of my favorites that were conspicuously missing. But I don't consider myself to be the world's greatest movie critic either.

Posted by: Larry at April 2, 2009 2:46 PM

82. And everyone should check out The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. Classic.

Posted by: fisharegood at April 2, 2009 2:52 PM

shopped

Posted by: . at April 2, 2009 3:45 PM

YOU BASTARD!!! how in heaven's name do you dare not to put tron on the list?!??!?!? It is as EPIC as a 10 hour blowjob (i actually got one while watching it)

Posted by: adam at April 2, 2009 4:08 PM

Where is Gone with the wind the greatest motion picture ever made and where is Glory anothe great film that was edged out by driving Ms Daisy_

Posted by: Rick at April 2, 2009 6:16 PM

I've seen 95.

I can see why Titanic was on there. It was the biggest moneymaker of all time. The only one that surprised me was Fast Times At Ridgemont High. I mean, it's a good movie but there were a million flicks like that in the eighties. I personally prefer 16 Candles but wouldn't put it on this list. Yeah, it introduced the world to Sean Penn and had that great topless scene but other than that, it's just a movie. Ferris was better too.

Posted by: sherlockzz at April 3, 2009 6:31 PM

And if you're talking culturally significant, then The Jazz Singer and (unfortunately) Saturday Night Fever should be on there.

I know I saw Princess Monoke but can't recall why I didn't like it. I think because there was no Princess in it, correct?

Posted by: sherlockzz at April 3, 2009 6:34 PM

I seriously got SIX!!!

Posted by: Holly at April 4, 2009 12:34 AM

I got 69 so a few to watch yet I guess. A couple like Princess Monoke I've never heard of.

Posted by: Mik at April 4, 2009 7:39 PM

96, but I'm older than you and grew up in movie theaters.

Posted by: radioman at April 5, 2009 12:01 AM

What about "Imitation of Life", the last 10 mins of which are probably the most heart wrenching ever in the history of film. This movie was made in 1959.If it doesn't touch your soul , you don't have one.

Posted by: Ken Thompson at April 5, 2009 12:30 AM

This list definitely need "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosencrantz_and_Guildenstern_Are_Dead

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100519/

Posted by: GFYM at April 5, 2009 8:51 AM

kongzombie@gmail.com

Posted by: kongzombie@gmail.com at April 5, 2009 2:54 PM

How the heck did "My neighbor Totoro" and "Kiki's delivery service" and "Howl's moving castle" not get on here?! Those are like the best Miazaki films ever! Princess Mononoke was a good one, and Titanic is a really good movie, although I would have seen the Exorcist before Chuckie....buuuh i hate that little doll murderer...anyway, I have seen a total of....15...lol I'm not too much of a movie geek but I have seen "The Goonies", and I think the Terminator Trilogy should be have made it on here...

Totoro

Posted by: Totoro at April 5, 2009 5:46 PM

add predator

Posted by: bob at April 5, 2009 8:14 PM

Fargo and the Big Lewbowski.
Why is there no love for the Coen Brothers?

Posted by: tom at April 5, 2009 10:37 PM

I would say "Papillon" with Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen need to be mentioned. What about "Little Big Man" with Dustin Hoffman as well. Both are excellent movies.

Posted by: Scott at April 6, 2009 11:30 AM

I posted a commente here but it was never published !!!

Long live democracy

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Posted by: frank at April 9, 2009 8:28 PM

Why the hell is Fight Club not up there?!

Posted by: L O S E R___x at April 10, 2009 3:05 PM

I have seen 4 of these. Why is lotr counted as one, whereas godfather is counted as 3.

Posted by: alf at April 11, 2009 12:33 PM

Seen them all 'cept groundhog day and aliens...
Do I need to go get life now?

Posted by: minnie ruth at May 4, 2009 8:24 PM

How can titanic be on both lists?

Posted by: Marc at May 10, 2009 6:29 PM