My Top 25 Favorite Films
Let me start by saying this. This list is my Top 25 FAVORITE not the Top 25 BEST movies. Secondly, this is an extremely fluid list. I made a YouTube video ranking my Top 25 about 5 months ago and the list has already changed. Also, just for my own state of mind, I won’t be ranking them from 1-25, I’ll just list them in alphabetical order. (I hold myself to a 'franchise rule’ where I can only include one film from its respective franchise)
12 Angry Men- Talking about the fluidity of this list, I actually had a different film that I just removed for this after seeing it today. The dialogue, character dynamics, and acting is what makes this film, literally because those are the only 3 things it consists of. A wonderful character study that tests the morals and values of the 12 jurors and makes you question what you’d do in the situation presented.
Arthur Christmas- One of many Christmas movies on this list. This is my personal favorite Christmas movie. It’s extremely nostalgic. I think it’s absolutely hilarious and the voice acting of James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, & Imelda Staunton suits the characters so well. If you’ve never watched this movie, I forgive you, but give it a watch this Christmas. It’s a must watch for me every single year.
Avatar: The Way of Water- I was such a hater on the first ‘Avatar,’ but this movie converted me. It has the best visual effects of any film I have personally seen and I think it vastly improved upon the lore of world building of the first. I became much more invested in the younger characters than I ever was in Jake & Neytiri and I am extremely excited for the 3rd film.
Avengers: Endgame- So I said these wouldn’t be ranked 1-25. But this is 1. The ultimate conclusion to the first saga of the MCU, this movie was an epic ending, but can also stand on its own. It has payoff for the 21 prior films and it was the best theater experience I’ve ever had seeing it on opening night.
The Banshees of Inisherin- A little different than ‘Avengers: Endgame.’ I think this may be the best written film I’ve seen because the concept, on paper, is extremely boring, but the dialogue is so good it’s not boring. Also I apologize for the continued use of ‘the best …,’ but keep in mind what this list is. The four leads all gave fantastic performances and I’d also like to acknowledge Jenny the donkey the breakout star. A fantastic movie about friendship.
Barbie- 2023 is featured pretty heavily on this list. How much I can enjoy a movie upon rewatch weighs heavily on my favoritism and the rewatchability of ‘Barbie’ is sky-high. The ensemble is fantastic, looking at you especially Mr. Gosling. The comedy (both verbal and physical) is peak. The sentiment is, well, sentimental. And this is definitely a movie meant to inspire women, but as a man I can find inspiration from it as well. This movie is Kenough.
Can’t Buy Me Love- Perhaps the most obscure film on this list, I honestly have no idea why this movie is here. I just love it. I’ll sum it up in two words. Young McDreamy.
City of God (Cidade de Deus)- I’ve really been trying to grow when it comes to film and foreign films have been one of my greatest hurdles. City of God does not fit into that box. I watched it for the first time in a college film course and was dreading class that week and walked on in awe. I love the use of residents of the local community and I think the pacing is done to perfection.
Coco- My favorite Disney/Pixar movie is an ever changing entry. At the moment it’s ‘Coco.’ The animation is beautiful, the voice acting (specifically Gonzalez, García Bernal, & Bratt) is top notch, and the songs are so catchy. Even by Disney’s standards.
Die Hard- The greatest action movie of all-time. Cool, but not unrealistic, action. A bad*** protagonist, a cunning villain, and a good supporting crew (looking at you Reginald VelJohnson). And yes, it IS a Christmas movie.
Dune Part Two- Recency bias much? You can find my full review under the ‘Reviews’ tab, but I’ll hit some highlights. Every performance was great. It was a stunningly shot film and there were so many scenes that had me in awe. If you get the opportunity to see this film in IMAX, do so.
Elf- What I believe to be the funniest film of all time, this may be the film I’ve seen the most. And it is just as good upon every watch. It is insanely quotable and the physical comedy of Will Ferrell is utterly hilarious.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off- Oh to be a teenager in the 80s. Ferris Bueller himself is just so cool. Like I’d love to be friends with the guy (even though he treats his best friend fairly poorly). Matthew Broderick gives one of my all-time favorite performances. I think every joke from Broderick and the supporting cast hits and it’s just crack-up, hilarious. You’re still here? It’s over! Go to the next entry! Go.
Forrest Gump- The greatest film ever made. Exceptional writing, direction, cinematography, visual effects, music, comedy, all atop the shoulders of the greatest actor to ever do it. Tom Hanks gives his career performance and is impossible to not love. The ensemble of Sally Field, Gary Sinise, Robin Wright, & Mykelti Williamson are all also fantastic. It covers so many historic events, but never gets crowded or convoluted. Perhaps the only movie I’d ever give an 11/10.
Good Will Hunting- I said ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ may be the best written film I’ve seen, but I’d be happy to say that about ‘Good Will Hunting’ as well. Matt Damon is one of my 2 favorite actors and this is one of his greatest roles. Robin Williams gives one of his best performances as well, and the supporting cast of Minnie Driver, Stellan Skarsgard, and the Affleck Brothers all fit the film perfectly. Anytime I talk about this movie I also have to mention the bar scene where Matt Damon is ‘wicked smart’ and asks that guy if he likes apples is utter perfection.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part Two- I am an absolute sucker for a good ending. And this film wraps up my favorite film series wonderfully. The payoff for the prior films is exactly what it needs to be & it features almost every lovable character from the franchise. I am extremely excited for the upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ tv series, but the films will be extremely hard to beat in my book.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey- I know what any fans of Middle-Earth are thinking. That it is near blasphemy for me to have this over any of the LOTR films. And I will say that all 3 LOTR films are no doubt better films, but when it comes to my personal enjoyment the first entry of ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy takes the cake. I think it adapts the first third of the book extremely well and is definitely a much stronger, funnier answer than the other two films.
Interstellar- A visually stunning, wonderfully directed, and beautifully written story. An extremely original idea that sets it aside from most sci-fi films, the best part of this movie is Matthew McConaughey. He gives his career performance and the best performance that I can think of to not be Oscar-nominated. Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy, John Lithgow, & Casey Affleck also excel. You also get short, but (Inter)stellar, performances from Wes Bentley, David Gyasi, Topher Grace, Matt Damon, & a young Timothée Chalamet. Look at all those names. Wow.
The Martian- If your favorite part of ‘Interstellar’ was Matt Damon being stuck alone on a planet and everyone trying to save him, boy oh boy do I have a movie for you. ‘The Martian’ by Andy Weir is my favorite novel and this is about as faithful of an adaptation as you can get. This movie is what really made me love Matt Damon. Also featuring an impressive supporting line-up of Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Sebastian Stan, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, and Donald Glover this film is an acting master class by Mr. Damon. Also I would like to say that I understand just listing the cast of the movie isn’t the best way to describe it, but I think it really is all you need to hear for some of these films.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation- An absolute classic. The whole cast in this one is great (don’t worry I won’t list them), but obviously the standout is Randy Quaid. Its hard for a movie to get much funnier than this. It has countless iconic moments and is absurdly quotable.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood- Another film where I could just list the cast and that should be enough to convince you to watch. Brad Pitt gives a career performance, Leo DiCaprio is in it, which says enough, and Margot Robbie is also fantastic. Tarantino can be a little hit or miss for me, but when he hits, he really hits, and this is one of those instances.
Oppenheimer- Yes, both halves of the Barbenheimer phenomenon made this list. Originally, I didn’t love this movie, but that was solely because of my theater experience (hot, busy, and snackless). Upon rewatch I was able to realize just how good this movie is. I think it is worthy of all the praise it’s receiving and again, I think the star power of the ensemble is all you should need to want to watch. A stunningly beautiful film for both your eyes and ears.
The Proposal- My #1 rom com, the chemistry on display between Ryan Reyonlds & Sandra Bullock is top tier and the premise is extremely original. I think it’s a sweet, funny movie that is everything it needs to be.
Star Wars: Episode III- Revenge of the Sith- I upset the LOTR fans and now I’ll upset some ‘Star Wars’ films. Yes my favorite is one of the prequels. Get over it dude. The action is peak, it has so many iconic (& meme-able) moments, and I think it perfectly wraps up the Anakin Skywalker story to transition over to Luke.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem- Of all the adaptations of the Ninja Turtles I’ve seen, which is almost all of them, this one best encapsulates the mutant & teenage parts. I think this is one of the most well animated films I’ve seen and is also extremely comical. Plus the nostalgic factor of TMNT for me is HUGE.
