Release Date: 2000

It’s pretty hard to pick a single movie as an all time favorite, but for now, I’m going with Gladiator. This historical drama is full of action and poltical intrigue, but more importantly, it has powerfully emotional story lines.

Release Date: 1997

What can I say, I’m a sucker for the epic romantic historical disaster films.

Release Date: 1994

I love how Forrest is tied to all these significant historical events, but of course, the movie is really about Forrest and his personal journey and relationship with Jenny. This movie has really powerful moments that have stuck with me through the years.

Release Date: 1994

Hard to believe that both Shawshank and Forrest Gump were released in 1994 (along with Pulp Fiction). Andy Dufresne and Ellis Redding’s friendships is one of the best in movie history.

Release Date: 2009

I know a lot of people would disagree with this one, but I just loved Avatar. The visuals were years ahead of its time, and it made Pandora and the Navii come to life in ways that I didn’t think were possible. It’s sequel, The Way of Water (2022) wasn’t nearly as good, but we’ll see how the rest of the series plays out.

Release Date: 2001-2003

I’m gonna go ahead and group these three movies together into a single ranking. While LOTR may not be quite as good as some other movies, I’ve watched and enjoyed it so many times that I thought it was right to put it this high.

Release Date: 1997

The movie that put Matt Damon and Ben Affleck on the map. It’s hard to believe that they wrote and starred in this movie while only in their midtwenties. It’s really powerful, and the performances by Damon and Robin Williams are really, really good.

Release Date: 1999

The Matrix is one of my favorite sci-fi films of all time and I loved it when I saw it in the theaters. The first movie has held up pretty well, but I recently rewatched the 2nd and 3rd movies and could barely get through them.

Release Date: 2013

While some may consider it a pretty weird movie, I found it very touching and romantic. 

Release Date: 1999

Definitely a bit of a cult classic here, and I probably wouldn’t like it as much now as I did back in the day, but it has definitely been one of my favorites throughout the years.

Release Date: 1999

American Beauty should absolutely be categorized as a psychological dark comedy-drama. It has some pretty dark themes, but is a pretty powerfulfilm overall.

Release Date: 2003

The Last Samurai is an absolute fiction, historically speaking, but I think it is really underrated. Han’s Zimmer score was really good, and while Tom Cruise kind of seems like a lunatic, I find him to be an exceptional actor.

Release Date: 2010

I love these mind-being, complicated stories that can sometimes be difficult to follow. I love trying to figure them out as the movie progresses. Christopher Nolan is simply the best.

Release Date: 1998

I find this movie difficult to watch nowadays, but it’s definitely an important film that really projects the horrors of war.

Release Date: 2008

Super entertaining film that has an incredible performance by Heath Ledger.

Release Date: 2004

Admit it, you also loved this Ryan Gosling/Rachel McAdams love story.

Release Date: 2009

I thought this movie was particularly powerful and amusing at the same time. I loved George Clooney and Anna Kendrick’s performances as well.

Release Date: 2014

Another Christopher Nolan film. This one just suits me really well. Sci-fi with great acting and writing.

Release Date: 2019

Parasite is an absolute trip. At first, I just found it to be pretty funny, but then it takes a turn and becomes dark, dramatic, and thrilling. I’ve never seen a movie quite like it.

Release Date: 2000

I’ve watched this movie a bunch of times and it never gets old for me. So good and underrated. I loved Billy Crudup in this movie and wish the guy was in more films.

Release Date: 2006

I think this is Christopher Nolan’s most underrated film. I’ve watched it many times and I find that I’m always noticing something new each time I watch it. 

Release Date: 2001 – 2011

While J.K. Rowling does indeed suck as a person, the Harry Potter films as a whole are really entertaining. It’s hard being a Harry Potter fan nowadays, with J.K. Rowling being such hateful, close-minded person, but Harry Potter is still special to me.

Release Date: 2009

Inglorious Bastards is my favorite Tarantino film. Personally, I’m a big fan of Tarntino and really enjoy his films.

Release Date: 2010

I love the way Aaron Sorkin writes, so when he teamed up with David Fincher to make this film, I knew it would be good. While not a subject I thought would be all that interesting, it still spoke to me. Trent Reznor’s score for the movie is brilliant as well.

Release Date: 1990

While I’m not exactly a huge fan of the gangster genre, this is widely considered to be one of the best films ever made.