98 Best Drama Movies Of All Time Ranked

Adapted from Stephen King's 1996 novel of the same name, "The Green Mile" combines fantasy and drama to emotional effect. Paul Edgecomb is the warden supervisor of death row at Cold Mountain Penitentiary, which has earned the titular nickname due to the color of the floor the prisoners walk to meet their fate. Joining the inmates is John Coffey, a man of considerable size and stature. His gentle heart endears him to Edgecomb and some of the other correctional officers — with the exception of the sadistic Percy Wetmore, who abuses his power. When Coffey exhibits unexplainable healing abilities and touches the lives of those around him, they begin to question whether he is guilty of the crimes he supposedly committed.

• Starring: Tom Hanks, David Morse, Michael Clarke Duncan

• Director: Frank Darabont

• Year: 1999

• Runtime: 189 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%

"Cinderella Man" is a sporting fairytale based on the life of world heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock. Deep within the Great Depression, Braddock, a retired boxer, toils as a dockworker. Still battling injuries from his boxing career and motivated by the chance to improve life for his family, Braddock is encouraged back into the ring by his former manager, Joe Gould. He earns the titular nickname following a shock upset that sees him go from underdog to genuine contender for the title. "Cinderella Man" is a powerful, hard-hitting, and inspiring rags-to-riches story.

• Starring: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti

• Director: Ron Howard

• Year: 2005

• Runtime: 144 minutes

• Rating: PG-13

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

After losing a lawsuit following a traffic accident that wasn't her fault, struggling single mom Erin Brockovich talks her way into a job with the very firm that failed her. Doggedly determined to make a better life for her three children, Brockovich rubs her colleagues the wrong way. However, her tenacity endears her to the local community, who appreciate her affably no-nonsense approach. When she uncovers a case pertaining to potential water contamination and long-term health effects on the locals, Brockovich fights for justice. Based on the true story of the real-life mom and activist, "Erin Brockovich" is a classic underdog tale with genuine heart and a feisty central performance from Julia Roberts.

• Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart

• Director: Steven Soderbergh

• Year: 2000

• Runtime: 131 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Following the death of his father, car dealer Charlie Babbitt returns home and is shocked to learn he has an older brother, Raymond, who lives in an institution — and that his father left his $3 million fortune to Raymond instead of him. Used to particular routines and rituals, Raymond's world gets turned upside down when Charlie takes him on a cross-country road trip. While initially motivated by money, the immature Charlie gradually learns to accept his brother. Their journey not only helps them learn about each other, but about themselves as well.

• Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino

• Director: Barry Levinson

• Year: 1988

• Runtime: 133 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

This epic biopic charts the life of Howard Hughes, from his work in movies to his career in aviation. To the public, Hughes' trajectory seems to reach for the sky. But behind closed doors, this genius is tormented by his personal demons, which threaten his future success. Focusing on his early years, "The Aviator" is both a love letter to a bygone age of Hollywood filmmaking and a complex character study of a unique man whose eccentricities are now understood as obsessive-compulsive disorder. Scorsese's obvious love of the subject matter and DiCaprio's layered performance make this biographical drama soar.

• Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale

• Director: Martin Scorsese

• Year: 2004

• Runtime: 170 minutes

• Rating: PG-13

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

Featuring an unlikely friendship between a stranded FedEx worker and a volleyball, survival drama "Cast Away" is anchored by a transformative, Oscar-nominated performance from Tom Hanks. After his plane crashes over the Pacific Ocean, systems analyst Chuck Noland must overcome the challenges of being stranded on an uninhabited island. He battles the elements and loneliness, utilizing the washed-up FedEx packages from the plane wreck to his advantage. While he initially hopes to be rescued, Noland's attention soon turns to long-term survival and coping mechanisms — but are they enough to sustain him through years of utter isolation?

• Starring: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Nick Searcy

• Director: Robert Zemeckis

• Year: 2000

• Runtime: 143 minutes

• Rating: PG-13

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

Set at the dawn of the 20th century, "Daughters of the Dust" focuses on the women of the Peazant family, descendants of former slaves living on n island off the coast of South Carolina. As they prepare to move to the mainland, the women face change and uncertainty. The film explores the generational divide between the older community members who want to stay on the island and strive to preserve their language and culture, and the younger women who want to escape from the traditions that bind them. Notable for being the first film from a Black female director to be given nationwide theatrical distribution (via NPR), "Daughters of the Dust" is an exquisite drama that balances heavy themes with dreamlike visuals.

• Starring: Cora Lee Day, Alva Rogers, Adisa Anderson

• Director: Julie Dash

• Year: 1991

• Runtime: 112 minutes

• Rating: PG-13

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

At prestigious all-boys boarding school Welton Academy, a new English teacher changes the lives of his young students. John Keating has a unique way of approaching poetry and literature, which unlocks his students' creative potential. Adopting his mantra to "seize the day," the boys learn to express themselves as individuals and see things from different perspectives. This leads them to explore new opportunities beyond their strict upbringings and the high expectations of the school. Simultaneously tragic and uplifting, "Dead Poets Society" is a powerful drama with pitch-perfect performances from Robin Williams and a young Ethan Hawke.

• Starring: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke

• Director: Peter Weir

• Year: 1989

• Runtime: 128 minutes

• Rating: PG

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%

Inspired by incredible true stories, "Hidden Figures" is a celebration of the crucial — and previously overlooked — work of the Black women who played a key part in the Space Race. Katherine, Dorothy, and Mary are incredibly skilled in their fields, but during a time of segregation based on both race and sex, they face an uphill struggle. Buoyed by their brilliance, they pursue different careers at NASA, using their talents in engineering and computing at a key turning point in history. "Hidden Figures" does an excellent job of highlighting how momentous their achievements are, even before you consider the societal challenges they face.

• Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe

• Director: Theodore Melfi

• Year: 2016

• Runtime: 127 minutes

• Rating: PG

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

When police detective Virgil Tibbs arrives in a small Mississippi town, he is mistakenly arrested on suspicion of murder by the racist police force. After he manages to convince them of his innocence and clear his name, Tibbs faces another fight: He must work with these cops to find the real murderer. Starring the legendary Sidney Poitier, "In the Heat of the Night" is a thought-provoking and compelling drama that balances its suspense and social commentary, effectively portraying the personal and professional struggles Tibbs has to manage in his quest for the truth.

• Starring: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates

• Director: Norman Jewison

• Year: 1967

• Runtime: 109 minutes

• Rating: PG-13

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

"Hotel Rwanda" examines the Rwandan genocide of 1994 through the experience of a hotel manager and his wife. Paul and Tatiana Rusesabagina struggle to protect the refugees under their roof as the violence escalates. Things are further complicated by the fact that Paul is Hutu while Tatiana is Tutsi, which is the division at the center of the ongoing massacre. While this real-life story is certainly dramatized for the purposes of the cinema, it captures deep truths about a terrible chapter in Rwanda's history. An exceptional performance from Don Cheadle takes things to especially dazzling heights.

• Starring: Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo, Joaquin Phoenix

• Director: Terry George

• Year: 2004

• Runtime: 121 minutes

• Rating: PG-13

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

This adaptation of Kemp Powers' stage play (which also happens to be Regina King's feature-length directorial debut) brings together Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Malcolm X, and Sam Cooke in a fictionalized retelling of a real-life meeting that occurred in 1964. Following Ali's victory against Sonny Liston, the men gather in Malcolm X's motel room and discuss their experiences, careers, and aspirations. Given that the film is largely set in one location, the performances are central, and every single actor is at the top of their game. While it plays fast and loose with history, "One Night in Miami" presents an honest portrait of the Black experience seen through the eyes of four very different men.

• Starring: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr.

• Director: Regina King

• Year: 2020

• Runtime: 114 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%

A continuation of the "Rocky" franchise, "Creed" places the aging former champ into the role of mentor and puts Adonis — son of Rocky's rival, Apollo Creed — into the ring. While Adonis grew up without his father, he forever lives in his shadow, carrying the weight of his legacy and fame on his shoulders. Trying to honor this history and carve out his own path, Adonis seeks out retired Rocky Balboa to train him up to face a formidable opponent. Adonis' journey is very much mirrored by the film itself, as "Creed" is intrinsically linked to the series, yet has a fresh, youthful vibrancy. This brings the familiar story up to date for a new generation of fans.

• Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson

• Director: Ryan Coogler

• Year: 2015

• Runtime: 133 minutes

• Rating: PG-13

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

Based on the almost unbelievable true story of Ron Stallworth, "BlacKkKlansman" is a biting social commentary from the legendary Spike Lee. Stallworth is a pioneering Black detective working in 1970s Colorado Springs who infiltrates the local Ku Klux Klan chapter by posing as a prospective member over the phone. Working alongside Flip Zimmerman, a Jewish officer who acts as Stallworth's physical alter-ego, they take the extremist organization down. While "BlacKkKlansman" is firmly rooted in its 1970s setting, it's incredibly relevant to the modern day — a fact demonstrated by its gut-punch ending. Funny and shocking in equal measure with incredible performances from John David Washington and Adam Driver, this film is a must-watch.

• Starring: John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier

• Director: Spike Lee

• Year: 2018

• Runtime: 135 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Musician Jackson Maine has been on the scene a long time, and the heavy drinking and drugs are taking their toll. Things change when he stumbles upon aspiring singer Ally. As they fall deeply in love, they perform and tour together, and soon, Ally's solo career takes off. This story might have been told more than once before, but this version of "A Star is Born" still manages to breathe new life into the tale, largely due to its magnetic performances. Accomplished direction from Bradley Cooper — making his directorial debut — brings vibrancy to the musical numbers, which helps make this generation's "A Star is Born" one to remember.

• Starring: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott

• Director: Bradley Cooper

• Year: 2018

• Runtime: 135 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

A dramatized retelling of historical events, "Judas and the Black Messiah" examines the betrayal and assassination of Black Panther Party chairman Fred Hampton. Tasked with infiltrating Hampton's Illinois chapter, FBI informant William O'Neal is instructed to keep a close eye on their activities and report back. As Hampton's work takes off, the authorities become ever more determined to take him out — and O'Neal becomes more and more conflicted about what he's doing. With assured lead performances from Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield, "Judas and the Black Messiah" is a potent, compelling, and shocking drama.

• Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons

• Director: Shaka King

• Year: 2021

• Runtime: 126 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

A celebrity wrestler in the 1980s, Randy "The Ram" Robinson is now a washed-up former pro, working at a grocery store and appearing in independent exhibition matches. Following a local victory, Randy plans an anniversary match that would see him face the Ayatollah, a formidable former opponent. Randy also strikes up a relationship with Cassidy, a strip club dancer, and tries to reconnect with his daughter — but the lure of the ring proves to be difficult to ignore. A more straightforward story than most Darren Aronofsky films, "The Wrestler" delivers a fresh take on the sports genre, choosing to focus more on the psychological side rather than the physical. Mickey Rourke gives a career-best performance as the benighted Randy.

• Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood

• Director: Darren Aronofsky

• Year: 2008

• Runtime: 109 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%

Taking place over the course of one day, "Before Sunrise" introduces us to Jesse and Celine, who make an instant connection on a European train. While Celine is destined to return to Paris, Jesse persuades her to alight with him in Vienna. Together, they walk around the city and get to know each other. The concept of this exquisite film is straightforward enough; it is the believability of Jesse and Celine's romantic spark that makes it feel so special. We have the privilege of watching them fall for each other in real time. "Before Sunrise" is a film that celebrates the art of conversation, and the simple beauty of two souls connecting as they discuss love, life, and everything in between.

• Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Erni Mangold

• Director: Richard Linklater

• Year: 1995

• Runtime: 101 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

Based on Peter Rock's 2009 novel "My Abandonment," "Leave No Trace" follows Will and Tom, a father and daughter who live in isolation in a nature reserve near Portland, Oregon. Will suffers from severe PTSD, having served in the Iraq War, and the pair rarely makes contact with the outside world, aside from getting supplies. When they're detained by park rangers, they struggle to resettle themselves. Although Will is keen to return to the woods, Tom finds herself considering a different path. "Leave No Trace" is a simple and beautifully told story that explores the long-lasting effects of trauma. Exceptional performances take it to stunning heights of storytelling, particularly from Thomasin McKenzie.

• Starring: Ben Foster, Thomasin McKenzie, Jeff Kober

• Director: Debra Granik

• Year: 2018

• Runtime: 108 minutes

• Rating: PG

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

A stark drama with a pair of unforgettable performances from Gena Rowlands and Peter Falk, "A Woman Under the Influence" explores the toll mental illness can have on a relationship. When Mabel begins to display strange behavior, her husband Nick becomes increasingly concerned for her well-being. Her declining state sees her placed in an institution, leaving Nick to raise their three children. This film is incredibly honest, exposing both the depths of illness Mabel sinks to and Nick's most questionable responses to her struggles. It remains one of the most searing portraits of marriage ever put to the screen.

• Starring: Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk, Katherine Cassavetes

• Director: John Cassavetes

• Year: 1974

• Runtime: 155 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

A young woman named Joy is held captive for years in a tiny room with her son Jack, who has never seen the outside world. Subjected to relentless abuse and determined to make a better life for her son, Joy plots to get them both out. But her captor is tricky, and the world beyond the room offers its own challenges. "Room" is undeniably harrowing, and the first part of the film does make for difficult viewing. However, it evolves into a story about hope and seeing things through a child's eyes. Brie Larson gives a committed, haunting performance, but it is young Jacob Tremblay that steals the spotlight.

• Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen

• Director: Lenny Abrahamson

• Year: 2015

• Runtime: 118 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Chinese-American writer Billi may be based in New York, but she's very close to her grandmother (referred to as Nai Nai), who lives in China. When the family finds out Nai Nai has been diagnosed with terminal cancer — a fact that is kept from the matriarch herself — they travel to China to say their goodbyes under the guise of a fake family wedding. Billi must wrestle with whether keeping this secret from Nai Nai is right or wrong — and what right and wrong even mean in this context. Awkwafina gives the best performance of her career so far as Billi, whose heartfelt struggle is both hilarious, tear-jerking, and absolutely riveting.

• Starring: Awkwafina, Tzi Ma, Diana Lin

• Director: Lulu Wang

• Year: 2019

• Runtime: 100 minutes

• Rating: PG

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Randle McMurphy is a criminal transferred from prison to a mental institution after he pleads insanity. While McMurphy's rebellious spirit whips up the fellow inmates, he meets his match in the formidable Nurse Ratched, a cold-blooded "caregiver" who subjects patients to horrific psychological and physical torture. Based on the novel of the same name by Ken Kesey, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is tragic and unsettling, but also full of liberating comedy. Bleakness and light coexist here, somehow melding into offbeat harmony.

• Starring: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Brad Dourif

• Director: Milos Forman

• Year: 1975

• Runtime: 133 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Adapted from Stephen King's novella, "The Shawshank Redemption" follows the decades-long friendship between two inmates at Shawshank State Penitentiary. Falsely sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife and her lover, Andy Dufresne befriends contraband smuggler Ellis "Red" Redding. After enduring horrific assaults, Andy protects himself by laundering the guards' money, and forges close relationships with other prisoners along the way. Eventually, he sets his sights on getting out for good. While hard-hitting, "The Shawshank Redemption" is a story full of hope, friendship, and atonement, with the trials endured making the poignant ending even more powerful.

• Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton

• Director: Frank Darabont

• Year: 1994

• Runtime: 142 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

Sensitive Theodore earns a living writing heartfelt letters on other people's behalf. Seeking comfort for his loneliness in technology, Theodore downloads a new operating system and befriends the sweet, playful artificial intelligence that comes with it, who's named Samantha. He soon develops feelings for her, despite the fact that she's a piece of software, and eventually plummets into honest-to-goodness love. The beauty of "Her" is in the tender way it treats its subject matter. Theodore is never the laughingstock of the film, and the relationship he has with Samantha is portrayed with respect. "Her" vividly comments on modern relationships and our over-reliance on technology in a satirical yet sweet manner.

• Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson

• Director: Spike Jonze

• Year: 2013

• Runtime: 126 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

Set in East Berlin in 1984, "The Lives of Others" focuses on Gerd Wiesler, a seemingly loyal Stasi officer hired to spy on gregarious playwright Georg Dreyman and his lover Christa-Maria. Wiesler's superior — having fallen for Christa-Maria himself — wants Dreyman out of the picture, and believes Wiesler can find evidence that could put him in prison. As Wiesler becomes absorbed in observing the couple, he grows to like them, and even intervenes to protect them. An accomplished work from first-time director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, "The Lives of Others" tells a deeply personal story against a backdrop of terrifying political power.

• Starring: Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Mühe, Sebastian Koch

• Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck

• Year: 2006

• Runtime: 137 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

Precocious 17-year-old Elio lives an idyllic life in his family's beautiful Italian home, spending the long and lazy summer days reading books and transcribing music. When handsome Oliver, who is working as an intern for Elio's father, arrives, Elio offers to show him around. Soon, a romance begins to blossom. An exquisite and tender film, "Call Me By Your Name" takes a slow-burn approach, establishing the friendship between Elio and Oliver before developing it into something more. There is a bittersweet feeling throughout — summer never lasts quite long enough — which "Call Me By Your Name" builds to devastating effect.

• Starring: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg

• Director: Luca Guadagnino

• Year: 2017

• Runtime: 132 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

Partly based on the 1927 novel "Oil!" by Upton Sinclair, Paul Thomas Anderson's epic American tale explores ideas of greed, faith, and obsession. Daniel Plainview is a hardworking silver miner who lives with his adopted son, H.W. Upon hearing that oil has been found nearby, father and son set out to make their fortune. But as Daniel's power and influence grows, he becomes increasingly corrupt. With incredible performances from Daniel Day-Lewis and Paul Dano, "There Will Be Blood" is a dark, thematically rich, and visually arresting drama that maintains the power to shock and surprise right up to the end.

• Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J. O'Connor

• Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

• Year: 2007

• Runtime: 158 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

Charlie and Nicole are united by their passionate, loving marriage — at first. When things start to fall apart and their paths begin going in different directions, they make the decision to divorce. The process pushes them to their limits as old wounds are reopened, despite their intent to decouple with grace. This isn't the cheeriest subject for a film, but both Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson expertly convey the tensions and heartache that arise when a marriage breaks down. "Marriage Story" is unflinching, but crucially, it presents a balanced point of view that focuses on the complexities of divorce as opposed to who is right or wrong.

• Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Azhy Robertson

• Director: Noah Baumbach

• Year: 2019

• Runtime: 136 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

Unbeknownst to him, Truman Burbank's entire life is a TV show, carefully orchestrated by a team of producers. With his every move broadcast live, Truman is at the mercy of others in every aspect of his existence, including his romantic relationships. Little by little, however, the real world creeps in — and once Truman realizes the truth, nothing will ever be the same. Predating the rise of reality TV, "The Truman Show" is oddly prophetic in the way it depicts our desire to watch people living their everyday lives. While this film still has plenty of classically Carrey comedic moments, there's a tenderness to it as well, which demonstrates his range as an actor.

• Starring: Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Noah Emmerich

• Director: Peter Weir

• Year: 1998

• Runtime: 102 minutes

• Rating: PG

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, this grandiose epic follows the tumultuous love life of spoiled Southern belle Scarlett O'Hara. Torn between her love for the handsome Ashley Wilkes — who is engaged to her cousin — and Rhett Butler, Scarlett's life becomes all the more complicated by the onset of war. Perfectly cast, ambitiously told, and with arguably the greatest parting words in cinema history, "Gone with the Wind" earns its massive reputation. Some elements have not aged well, and will be uncomfortable for modern audiences. But it's hard not to be swept away by the sheer scale of this classic drama.

• Starring: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Hattie McDaniel

• Director: Victor Fleming

• Year: 1939

• Runtime: 222 minutes

• Rating: G

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

Set in Mexico during the early 1970s, this deeply personal film about the life of an indigenous housekeeper is a love letter to Alfonso Cuarón's childhood. Cleo works as a live-in maid for wealthy couple Antonio and Sofia and their four children. When problems arise in Antonio and Sofia's marriage, Cleo grows even closer to the children, and also learns she'll be having a baby of her own. Shot in crisp black and white, "Roma" is one of those rare films where little happens, yet everything is essential. Yalitza Aparicio is a revelation as Cleo, effortlessly demonstrating the breadth of her emotions, from heartache to dramatically selfless displays of love and devotion.

• Starring: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Marco Graf

• Director: Alfonso Cuarón

• Year: 2018

• Runtime: 135 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Following the death of his older brother, janitor Lee Chandler reluctantly packs up his life in Boston to return to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the small fishing village where he grew up. Then he finds out he's been made the guardian of his nephew, Patrick. As well as dealing with this frequently challenging teenager, Lee also has to face his past, including his ex-wife Randi and the tragedy that caused their relationship to break down. "Manchester by the Sea" is a deeply affecting depiction of grief and how difficult it can be to close the wounds of the past. While bleak at times, it is also affirming, with the relationship between Lee and Patrick helping them both to heal from their respective losses.

• Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler

• Director: Kenneth Lonergan

• Year: 2016

• Runtime: 137 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Based on a shocking true story, "Spotlight" focuses on a team of investigative journalists working for The Boston Globe as they uncover accusations of sexual misconduct by Catholic priests. Editor Walter "Robby" Robinson heads up the team, which works tirelessly to find the evidence they need — not just to prove that these crimes happened, but that the church knew they were happening and sought to cover them up. The subject matter is undeniably difficult, but "Spotlight" handles it exceptionally well, sensitively choosing to focus on the grit and determination of the journalists rather than sensationalizing the allegations. "Spotlight" is a pared-back film that demonstrates how a story can speak for itself.

• Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams

• Director: Tom McCarthy

• Year: 2015

• Runtime: 129 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Living on the outskirts of Tokyo, a group of misfits, thieves, and liars are brought together by their shoplifting prowess. Dysfunctional feels like an understatement, but despite their criminal ways, there is deep love and respect between them, and a desire to care for other outcasts. Few directors are able to depict the rich tapestry of human life quite like Hirokazu Koreeda, and "Shoplifters" is a great example of why. While the characters are not always likable, they are very real, and it's hard not to be charmed by their bittersweet family drama.

• Starring: Lily Franky, Sakura Andô, Mayu Matsuoka

• Director: Hirokazu Koreeda

• Year: 2018

• Runtime: 121 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%

Just before the outbreak of the Civil War, free Black man Solomon Northup is kidnapped from his home in New York and sold as a slave in the South. Initially sold to a plantation owner, he is later bought by the cruel and malevolent Edwin Epps. Working on Epps' cotton farm, Solomon meets Patsey, an enslaved woman who is regularly abused by the owner and his wife. "12 Years a Slave" is uncomfortable but essential viewing, offering an unflinching look at the horrific injustice of American slavery.

• Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch

• Director: Steve McQueen

• Year: 2013

• Runtime: 134 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

Unemployed Antonio Ricci sees the potential to turn his family's fortunes around when he finally finds some work. But after he buys back his bicycle from a pawnshop so that he can commute, the bicycle is stolen. Thus, Antonio sets out on a desperate search with his son, Bruno. The beauty of "Bicycle Thieves" is in what it doesn't say, rather than what it does. The bicycle isn't just a method of transport, but hope itself for the struggling family. There is an overwhelming sense of realism to this film, and a palpable, genuine pathos permeating throughout. 

• Starring: Lamberto Maggiorani, Lianella Carell, Enzo Staiola

• Director: Vittorio De Sica

• Year: 1948

• Runtime: 90 minutes

• Rating: G

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%

Screenwriter Joe Gillis has a dangerous liaison with former silent film star Norma Desmond, who is determined to make her show business comeback. The faded actress lives in a lavish Hollywood home, which she fills with people willing to orchestrate the fantasy that she is still as beloved as she once was. Gloria Swanson's gloriously unhinged performance is the highlight of the film, especially as she lures Joe — and the audience — into Norma's increasingly demented world. A parable about fame and its fading, "Sunset Boulevard" is deliciously dark. If you love movies about movies, they rarely get better than this.

• Starring: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim

• Director: Billy Wilder

• Year: 1950

• Runtime: 110 minutes

• Rating: PG

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%

Elderly couple Shukichi and Tomi make the journey from their rural seaside village to their children in Tokyo. Now grown up and with families of their own, these children are separated from their parents by emotional distance that is difficult to overcome. Encompassing the highs and lows of life, "Tokyo Story" explores the difficulties that emerge when familial relationships change. Shukichi and Tomi's children now see them as a burden, and the couple struggles to accept how they have moved on.  An achingly poignant and impressively minimalist film, "Tokyo Story" examines family disintegration in a way that speaks to all audiences.

• Starring: Chishu Ryu, Chieko Higashiyama, Setsuko Hara

• Director: Yasujiro Ozu

• Year: 1953

• Runtime: 136 minutes

• Rating: G

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

"Touch of Evil" is a film rife with murder, kidnapping, and corruption, where you should always expect the unexpected. Following a car bomb detonation close to the Mexico border, an American police captain and a Mexican drug enforcement agent start to investigate. However, it isn't long before suspicions arise about possible corruption and foul play. Welles directs and stars in this film, alongside an A-list cast that includes Charlton Heston, Marlene Dietrich, and Janet Leigh.

• Starring: Charlton Heston, Orson Welles, Janet Leigh

• Director: Orson Welles

• Year: 1958

• Runtime: 111 minutes

• Rating: PG-13

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

Set in 18th century France, "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" follows painter Marianne as she travels to a small island. She's been commissioned to paint a portrait of the aristocratic Héloïse, who is soon to be married to a wealthy Italian man. Unhappy about the impending marriage, Héloïse is reluctant to pose. Marianne is instructed to simply spend time with her and paint the portrait in secret. However, the more time they spend together, the deeper their relationship becomes. With a sparse all-female cast, "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" is a simultaneously minimalistic and lavish romance that is positively brimming with atmosphere.

• Starring: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami

• Director: Céline Sciamma

• Year: 2019

• Runtime: 120 minutes 

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Four years after delivering his landmark science fiction masterpiece "Metropolis," Fritz Lang debuted the harrowing psychological thriller "M." Hans Beckert is a despicable serial killer who preys on young children. When the locals become aware of his heinous crimes, it sparks a manhunt. The race is on between the angry criminal gangs and the law enforcement officers looking to bring him to justice — but who will get to him first? Peter Lorre's incredible performance as Beckert is equal parts unhinged and devious. The terrifying thing is, he's clearly very good at what he does — and perhaps even more disturbingly, he's unable to stop doing it.

• Starring: Peter Lorre, Ellen Widmann, Inge Landgut

• Director: Fritz Lang

• Year: 1931

• Runtime: 111 minutes

• Rating: PG-13

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

This unique coming-of-age film follows a boy named Mason and his family through more than a decade of highs, lows, vacations, arguments, birthdays, first loves, and broken relationships. The film is split into several vignettes, with an almost documentary-like quality to it, favoring a meandering narrative over a traditional arc. This reflects the journey of life and adds a feeling of authenticity. Shot over a course of 12 years — allowing us to see the cast grow up before our very eyes — "Boyhood" is an audacious, moving, and monumental achievement in film.

• Starring: Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke

• Director: Richard Linklater

• Year: 2014

• Runtime: 165 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Told with documentary-esque realism, "The Battle of Algiers" recounts the violent conflict that erupted in 1950s Algeria as rebel groups fought for independence from French rule. The film predominantly focuses on French fighter Colonel Mathieu and Algerian revolutionary leader Ali la Pointe. This multifaceted approach means there isn't a clear protagonist or antagonist, which effectively places the audience right in the heart of the fighting. "The Battle of Algiers" is a stark, bleak example of neorealism that remains one of the greatest war films ever made. It's still just as powerful and effective, more than 50 years after it debuted.

• Starring: Jean Martin, Saadi Yacef, Brahim Haggiag

• Director: Gillo Pontecorvo

• Year: 1966

• Runtime: 120 minutes

• Rating: R

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%

Told in flashbacks, "Lawrence of Arabia" recounts the story of British lieutenant T.E. Lawrence as he embarks on a journey to the Middle East during World War I. He finds Prince Faisal, gains his support, and acts as a go-between for the Arab and British parties in their fight against the Turks. This classic film is full of enduring images — Lawrence astride a camel is particularly memorable — but there's so much more to this sweeping epic than gorgeous aesthetics. This is a grand portrait of a region undergoing massive change, and one man at the intersection of multiple histories.

• Starring: Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn

• Director: David Lean

• Year: 1962

• Runtime: 227 minutes

• Rating: PG

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

The oldest film on this list and one that remains a blueprint for modern filmmakers, "Battleship Potemkin" is rightly hailed as a masterpiece. Fed up with the poor conditions on board the Potemkin, a group of sailors — galvanized by the outspoken Vakulinchuk — lead a revolt against their commanding officers. In the chaos, Vakulinchuk is killed. When his body is returned to Odessa, he becomes a symbol of the revolution, which sees the townspeople rise up against their Tsarist oppressors. Told in five chapters, "Battleship Potemkin" is a fascinating piece of propaganda that's so effective, it was banned in several countries on the grounds that it would encourage mutiny (via The Guardian).

• Starring: Aleksandr Antonov, Vladimir Barskiy, Grigoriy Aleksandrov

• Director: Sergei M. Eisenstein

• Year: 1925

• Runtime: 75 minutes

• Rating: G

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

Backstage after a performance of her latest Broadway play, Margo Channing meets adoring fan and aspiring actress Eve Harrington. Moved by Eve's stories about her poor upbringing, Margo takes her under her wing and hires her as her assistant. However, it isn't long before Eve's true intentions reveal themselves: She's conniving her way into taking Margo's place on the stage. With an assured performance from the incomparable Bette Davis, "All About Eve" is a scathing, witty takedown of the cyclical nature of stardom.

• Starring: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, Celeste Holm

• Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

• Year: 1950

• Runtime: 138 minutes

• Rating: PG

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%

"Citizen Kane" begins with the death of wealthy media tycoon Charles Foster Kane, who utters a single, mysterious word before he expires: "Rosebud." Curious as to what this could mean, reporter Jerry Thompson sets out for answers. As he interviews Kane's friends and associates, he discovers there was far more to this larger-than-life character than was reported in his newspapers. Considered by many to be the greatest film ever made, "Citizen Kane" is a landmark achievement in storytelling, retaining the mystery of the enigmatic man's final words up until the very end.

• Starring: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Ruth Warrick

• Director: Orson Welles

• Year: 1941

• Runtime: 119 minutes

• Rating: PG

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%

After hearing the closing remarks of a murder trial involving an 18-year-old accused of killing his father, the 12 men of the jury must reach a unanimous verdict. If the defendant is found guilty, he'll be sentenced to death. With such high stakes, conflict quickly arises among the men, whose personalities might clash on a good day. Superbly performed by a talented ensemble cast, "12 Angry Men" is undeniably one of the greatest courtroom dramas ever made, and a thrilling debut feature from director Sidney Lumet. Notable for being set almost exclusively in one place, there is a palpable feeling of tension and claustrophobia throughout, resulting in an impactful and unforgettable experience.

• Starring: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley

• Director: Sidney Lumet

• Year: 1957

• Runtime: 96 minutes

• Rating: PG

• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%