Entertainment
45 Highest-Rated Movies on IMDb, Ranked by Votes
While internet popularity can be a fickle and fleeting thing, in the case of IMDb, there are a few top-rated movies that tower above their rivals and stand the test of time. Moviegoers can rate the films they see on the website, and some are cemented as being at the top of their class. Seen by many as the go-to resource for film ratings and opinions, the ten most-voted films are usually, if not some of the best movies of all time. At the very least, IMDb’s top movies are comfortably the internet’s favorite movies and are likely recognizable to most viewers.
As IMDb continues to be a popular resource for those looking for must-see 10-star movies, its ratings and number of voters also constantly change as more viewers flock to the site to share their opinions about their favorite films. For the most-voted movies on the platform, they remain above these shifts, except for some subtle differences in their ranking and number of votes.
45
‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (1991)
Votes: 1.3 Million | IMDb Rating: 8.6
Often considered to be one of the all-time greatest sci-fi action movies ever made, Terminator 2: Judgment Day built upon the striking and compelling worldbuilding of the original horror film to create a masterclass of blockbuster action and tension. The film has been consistently celebrated as an icon of sci-fi blockbusters since its release, and is considered one of the few sequels that overwhelmingly surpass the original.
It speaks volumes that in the decades since its release, the overwhelming legacy of the Terminator franchise largely centers around the mastery of this iconic sequel instead of the original film in the franchise. The number of IMDb votes further exemplifies this, with the original Terminator only having 1.0 million votes and massively lagging behind the continued celebration and legacy of this sequel. While it isn’t the most popular James Cameron film on the site, it certainly has left its mark on the world of sci-fi and blockbuster action.
44
‘Kill Bill: Vol. 1’ (2003)
Votes: 1.3 Million | IMDb Rating: 8.2
Quentin Tarantino is arguably the current king of violent cinema, and Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is one of his most stylish and thrillingly violent works. This adrenaline-pumping action flick is one of the fastest-paced movies of all time, following the quest for revenge of the most fascinating character that Uma Thurman has ever played: The mysterious Bride.
Kill Bill was originally envisioned as a single film, but at Harvey Weinstein‘s behest, Tarantino decided to split it into two. As it stands, Vol. 1 is arguably the more entertaining of the two, with Tarantino wearing his influences (from classic samurai films to martial arts B-pictures) out on his sleeve with pride. Funny, lively, and exquisitely over-the-top, it’s one of the biggest classics of the early 2000s. — Diego Pineda Pacheco
43
‘WALL·E’ (2008)
Votes: 1.3 Million | IMDb Rating: 8.4
Pixar pioneered fully computer-animated feature filmmaking, so it’s no surprise that they have made several of the most acclaimed and beloved animated movies in history. One of the most popular is WALL·E, one of the sweetest and most entertaining sci-fi films of the 2000s. Through its romantic tone and its many homages to both classic sci-fi films and romantic movies from Classical Hollywood, it’s both great for kids and a delight for grown-ups.
The fact that the film wasn’t nominated for the Best Picture Oscar feels like a travesty; but, in the end, the court of public opinion is the one that matters most, and WALL·E is one of IMDb users’ favorite—and most watched—animated films ever. Hugely imaginative and emotionally compelling, it’s far and away one of Pixar’s most iconic works. — Diego Pineda Pacheco
42
‘Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’ (2003)
Votes: 1.3 Million | IMDb Rating: 8.1
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl wasn’t the first film based on a theme park ride that Disney made, but it sure was the first significantly successful one. In fact, calling the film simply “successful” would be a bit of an understatement. A critical and audience darling, it’s one of the most magical fantasy adventure films of its era, one of the last great swashbucklers made in Hollywood.
Curse of the Black Pearl is thoroughly entertaining from start to finish, and that’s what has led IMDb reviewers to rate it so highly. Its action set pieces are thrilling, its characters are a ton of morally gray fun, and its tone is surprisingly creepy for what’s ultimately a family film. Johnny Depp‘s Oscar-nominated performance as Captain Jack Sparrow is transcendental, too, and in no small measure one of the reasons why the film has remained so timeless. — Diego Pineda Pacheco
41
‘Léon: The Professional’ (1994)
Votes: 1.3 Million | IMDb Rating: 8.5
Made by Luc Besson, one of the leading exponents of France’s Cinéma Du Look film movement, Léon: The Professional is perhaps the auteur’s most iconic outing. One of the best and most exciting action thrillers of the 1990s, it’s a stylish and deeply moving character drama that lives and dies by the layered and unusual relationship at the core of its narrative: That between the professional assassin Léon (Jean Reno) and the vengeful 12-year-old orphan Mathilda (Natalie Portman).
The cast, which also features Gary Oldman in a deliciously mustache-twirling villain role, is fantastic, but it’s definitely not the only thing that has kept The Professional among IMDb’s Top 50 highest-rated films for years. Besson’s direction is slick, the script is effective through and through, and the action scenes are full of nail-biting tension. It’s the kind of thriller that hijacks viewers’ attentions and doesn’t let go until the credits roll. —Diego Pineda Pacheco
40
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014)
Votes: 1.4 Million | IMDb Rating: 8.0
In the lead-up to the release of Guardians of the Galaxy, the very existence of the film left many audiences confused, as these were easily the most obscure superheroes that Marvel had centered a film around in the MCU so far. However, it didn’t take long before James Gunn’s striking and compelling story of a found family amidst a vast sci-fi world quickly became one of the fan-favorite films of the MCU and an all-time icon of 2010s sci-fi blockbusters.
The film’s signature sense of quirky charm and wit would not only go on to influence and define the subsequent MCU films but would leave a permanent mark on the prospects of action blockbuster filmmaking as a whole, as many modern films still take from the ingenuity and weight of this runaway hit. Even over a decade and two sequels later, the original cinematic outing of the Guardians is still an absolute blast to revisit, helping make it one of the most-watched Marvel films on IMDb.
39
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)
Votes: 1.4 Million | IMDb Rating: 8.4
2018 wasn’t the best year for cinema overall, but it did see the release of a few films that could be called masterpieces, the highest-grossing of which is easily Avengers: Infinity War. It was the biggest and most ambitious crossover event in film history at the time of its release, and to this day, it’s still widely regarded as one of the MCU’s most stunning successes.
The way the film manages to balance so many characters and so many subplots in such a shockingly measured way is admirable, and its ending remains the boldest ending that any superhero film has ever dared to put on film. Grand, exciting, and suspenseful, Infinity War is perhaps its franchise’s most entertaining film, making it a shock to no one that it’s so highly rated on IMDb. —Diego Pineda Pacheco
38
‘The Truman Show’ (1998)
Votes: 1.4 Million | IMDb Rating: 8.2
By the time the ’90s rolled in, Jim Carrey was perceived by the public and critics as a purely comedic actor. The Truman Show changed that. In one of the most inspired casting decisions in modern Hollywood history, Carrey was cast in the highly complex titular role of this dramedy, a surprisingly philosophical sci-fi film dealing with themes of existentialism and modern media.
The Truman Show is one of the best summer blockbusters of the 1990s, anchored by Carrey’s performance, the beautifully nuanced script, and Peter Weir‘s colorful direction. It’s one of the freshest, most original, and most emotionally engaging films in its genre of the modern era, which is exactly why cinephiles on IMDb love it as much as they do. — Diego Pineda Pacheco
37
‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
Votes: 1.4 Million | IMDb Rating: 8.7
Praised by many (including IMDb, it seems) as Martin Scorsese‘s magnum opus, Goodfellas is one of the greatest mob movies ever made. Hugely entertaining and somehow also a greatly effective cautionary tale against the alluring yet devastating nature of money and power, it’s everything that any film in the genre should aspire to be.
Exquisite and highly quotable dialogue that flows like honey; vibrant, sometimes ultra-violent direction by Scorsese; and a powerhouse cast led by Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, and Robert De Niro at the top of their games. Goodfellas is a flawlessly oiled machine where every cog fulfills its function brilliantly, so it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most-watched movies on IMDb. —Diego Pineda Pacheco
36
‘Titanic’ (1997)
Votes: 1.4 Million | IMDb Rating: 8.0
One of the biggest blockbuster successes of all time and a film that completely changed the notions of high-budget blockbuster filmmaking with its masterful blending of top-notch disaster movie production with a gripping central romance, Titanic was an insurmountable icon of 90s culture. The film truly felt inescapable for an era, as it overwhelmed the cultural zeitgeist for an era and had massive influence in the years to come as the go-to example of cinematic blockbuster mastery.
Time has only managed to be kind to the legacy and weight of Titanic, as its earnest and striking execution as a meticulously crafted blockbuster shines that much greater when compared to the array of lazily put together blockbusters with even higher budgets than this once unbelievably expensive film. With it about to reach its 30th anniversary, its legacy and continued appreciation are as strong as ever on IMDb.
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