When you search for the top 10 best movies spanning a century, most lists zero in on genres or single‑year winners. This roundup, however, takes a broader, decade‑by‑decade approach, weighing box‑office pull, critical acclaim, awards, and cultural impact to crown a standout from each ten‑year slice.
Top 10 Best Films By Decade
10 1920s—Metropolis
The roaring twenties may not scream “cinematic gold” at first glance, yet it birthed groundbreaking works like Battleship Potemkin, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, and Nosferatu. Feature filmmaking was proving its staying power, turning the silent medium into a pure visual storytelling craft that could captivate audiences without a single spoken line.
Emerging as the decade’s crowning achievement, Fritz Lang’s Metropolis dazzles as a lavish expressionist sci‑fi epic. Though it predates synchronized sound, the film compensates with a sprawling, dystopian cityscape that still feels fresh today. Production stretched over 17 arduous months, turning the set into a near‑nightmare for everyone involved.
Lang’s ambition blew past the original budget, ending up roughly two‑and‑a‑half times larger than planned. The movie pioneered visual tricks such as the Schüfftan process—named after visionary VFX wizard Eugen Schüfftan—where mirrors projected actors onto meticulously crafted miniatures, creating awe‑inspiring effects.
Metropolis stumbled at the box office, earning scathing criticism from the likes of H.G. Wells, who dismissed it as “foolishness, cliché, platitude, and muddlement.” Decades later, painstaking restorations rescued the original footage, allowing modern audiences to finally recognize it as one of cinema’s all‑time greats.
9 1930s—The Wizard Of Oz
The 1930s delivered a parade of classics—Duck Soup, King Kong, Bringing Up Baby, M, Gone with the Wind, and City Lights—yet none achieved the universal reach of 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. While the story had already been adapted seven times, none matched Victor Fleming’s Technicolor‑rich musical extravaganza.
When the film premiered, it was already the eighth cinematic rendition of L. Frank Baum’s tale. Earlier stage productions and silent versions were charming, but they couldn’t compete with the vibrant, full‑color spectacle that Fleming orchestrated.
The movie’s daring switch from black‑and‑white to Technicolor mid‑story became a hallmark of cinematic history, showcasing the magical power of color. Even viewers today, many of whom have never experienced a 1930s film, instantly recognize the iconic ruby slippers and the yellow‑brick road.
The Library of Congress has noted that The Wizard of Oz “has been seen by more viewers than any other movie,” underscoring its unparalleled cultural impact and cementing its place as the decade’s most influential picture.
8 1940s—Citizen Kane
The 1940s opened with Charlie Chaplin’s bold The Great Dictator and continued with a slew of masterpieces—Double Indemnity, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The Grapes of Wrath, and Casablanca. Amid this golden era, one film rose above the rest: Orson Welles’s Citizen Kane.
Welles’s fame from narrating The War of the Worlds caught RKO’s eye, prompting the studio to offer him a contract that covered acting, producing, writing, and directing. He seized the chance, and his debut effort became a semi‑autobiographical drama inspired by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.
Released in 1941, the tale of the enigmatic Charles Foster Kane and his elusive “Rosebud” initially flopped financially, failing to recoup its costs. Critics praised its innovation, but audiences stayed away, and the film didn’t earn its legendary status until the mid‑1950s.
Since then, Citizen Kane has topped countless polls, hailed by the American Film Institute, critics, and directors alike as the greatest movie ever made, a testament to its lasting artistic brilliance.
7 1950s—Sunset Blvd.
The 1950s were dominated by titans such as Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, and Ingmar Bergman, producing gems like Some Like It Hot, Singin’ in the Rain, North by Northwest, and Rear Window. Yet the decade’s standout is Billy Wilder’s 1950 noir‑drama Sunset Blvd.
Though you may not have sat through the full feature, you’ve certainly seen snippets—this black‑comedy masterpiece is a staple of film‑school curricula and pop‑culture references alike. The story follows struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis as he becomes entangled with former silent‑film star Norma Desmond.
Wilde’s film is peppered with cameo appearances by silent‑era legends such as Buster Keaton, Anna Q. Nilsson, and H.B. Warner, lending authentic gravitas to the tale of faded fame and desperate ambition.
Sunset Blvd. earned high praise upon release and secured a spot among the all‑time greats. It was among the first selections for preservation by the National Film Registry, underscoring its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.
6 1960s—Psycho
The 1960s ushered in a surge of sci‑fi brilliance with 2001: A Space Odyssey, alongside spaghetti westerns like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and psychological thrillers such as Dr. Strangelove, Lawrence of Arabia, and Rosemary’s Baby. Yet the decade’s crown jewel is Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.
Psycho stands as a masterclass in suspense, redefining the thriller genre with its razor‑sharp storytelling and iconic shower scene. It quickly eclipsed Hitchcock’s earlier works to become his most celebrated film, often outranking classics like Rear Window and North by Northwest.
The film turned a modest $800,000 budget into a $32 million box‑office juggernaut, cementing its status as a commercial triumph. It’s widely regarded as the first true slasher film, laying the groundwork for countless horror successors.
Psycho’s influence ripples through every major thriller and slasher movie released after 1960, securing its place as a cornerstone of cinematic terror.
5 1970s—The Godfather
The 1970s delivered a staggering array of unforgettable movies—Star Wars, Annie Hall, Alien, Apocalypse Now, and A Clockwork Orange—yet the decade’s definitive masterpiece is Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather.
If you ever made it through film school without watching this saga, you likely missed a cornerstone of modern cinema. The film chronicles the Corleone family’s rise from 1945 to 1955, spotlighting Michael Corleone’s evolution into the new Don.
The Godfather blends violence, romance, and intricate character work, earning universal acclaim. Marlon Brando’s legendary performance revitalized his career, leading to roles in Apocalypse Now, Superman: The Movie, and Last Tango in Paris.
Its cultural imprint is massive; the movie is consistently listed among the greatest ever made and remains the benchmark for gangster cinema. Its sequel, released the same decade, built on this foundation, but the original remains the true trailblazer.
4 1980s—Raiders Of The Lost Ark
The 1980s gifted audiences with The Empire Strikes Back, Labyrinth, Beetlejuice, The Princess Bride, and The Goonies. While the decade brimmed with fantasy, sci‑fi, and comedy, Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark claims the top spot.
Harrison Ford’s charismatic Indiana Jones—an archaeology professor‑by‑day, Nazi‑fighting adventurer‑by‑night—delivers a perfect blend of romance, action, and humor, turning a simple treasure‑hunt plot into pure cinematic joy.
The 1981 release became an instant blockbuster, inspiring imitators like Romancing the Stone and influencing later adventure epics such as The Mummy. Its impact reverberated through the following decade and remains a cultural touchstone.
Raiders sparked a beloved franchise, spawning two successful sequels and a fourth that, while less acclaimed, kept the legend alive. A fifth installment is slated for release in 2022, proving the adventure’s enduring appeal.
3 1990s—The Shawshank Redemption
The 1990s churned out powerhouses like Pulp Fiction, Schindler’s List, Forrest Gump, Fight Club, and The Silence of the Lambs. Yet among this rich tapestry, The Shawshank Redemption reigns supreme.
Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novella follows Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongfully convicted of murder, as he navigates life behind bars and forms a deep friendship with fellow inmate Red.
Darabont masterfully balances hope and despair, delivering a shocking escape that catches both the warden and audience off‑guard. The film’s storytelling brilliance shines despite its initial theatrical flop.While the movie barely recouped its budget in cinemas, it amassed award nominations, enjoyed a resurgence through re‑releases, and ultimately thrived in the home‑video market. Today, it’s a staple of television line‑ups and a beloved ’90s classic.
2 2000s—Spirited Away
The 2000s introduced the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Iron Man, tug‑filled emotions in Up, and Peter Jackson’s epic Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Amidst this wave, Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away stands out as the decade’s crowning achievement.
The enchanting tale follows Chihiro (Sen) as she works in a witch’s bathhouse after Yubaba transforms her parents into pigs. Determined to rescue them, Chihiro must navigate a surreal spirit world steeped in Japanese Shinto folklore.
Every frame of Spirited Away is a living painting—Miyazaki’s signature meticulous artistry ensures no moment is wasted. The film’s visual splendor, combined with a hauntingly beautiful score, earned it the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Its universal appeal and masterful storytelling have cemented Spirited Away as a timeless masterpiece, captivating audiences worldwide and solidifying Miyazaki’s legacy.
1 2010s—Boyhood
When you think of the 2010s, blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame, Get Out, The Social Network, and The Grand Budapest Hotel might spring to mind. Yet the decade’s most distinctive film is Richard Linklater’s quietly revolutionary Boyhood.
Linklater committed to a twelve‑year shooting schedule, coaxing Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, and Ellar Coltrane to return annually and film their characters’ natural aging. The result is a genuine coming‑of‑age saga that follows Mason from age six to eighteen.
Each yearly segment may feel modest on its own, but together they weave a compelling portrait of growing up in Texas, capturing the subtle shifts of family dynamics, friendships, and personal aspirations.
In an era dominated by superhero spectacles and high‑octane action, Boyhood’s intimate, patient storytelling resonated with critics and audiences alike, earning accolades and solidifying its place as the top film of the decade.
Top 10 Remakes Better Than The Original Movies