25 Highest Rated Movies on IMDb: Ranked by Votes
Discover the highest-rated movies on IMDb, ranked by user votes. See which films audiences love most and why they stand out.
IMDb’s ratings are a go-to for movie lovers worldwide. Unlike critics’ picks, these rankings reflect what real audiences love. The more votes a film gets, the more it represents mass appeal. Below, we’ve listed the 25 highest-rated Hollywood movies on IMDb, ranked by votes, along with why they’re worth your time.
The Top 25 IMDb Movies You Can’t Miss
Here’s the ultimate watchlist for timeless storytelling, unforgettable characters, and cinematic brilliance.
1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994): (IMDb rating: 9.3/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Frank Darabont |
| Written by | Stephen King, Frank Darabont |
| Starring | Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, James Whitmore |
| Genre | Thriller/Crime |
| Running time | 2h 22m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 14 October 1994 (USA) |
Wrongly imprisoned for murder, Andy Dufresne befriends fellow inmate Red and quietly plans his escape over two decades.
While enduring harsh prison life, he uses hope, intelligence, and patience to find freedom and justice, ultimately exposing corruption at Shawshank Prison. It’s a story about resilience, friendship, and redemption.
Why Watch? It’s a soul-stirring tale of hope, friendship, and resilience that stays with you long after the credits roll.
2. The Godfather (1972): (IMDb rating: 9.2/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Francis Ford Coppola |
| Written by | Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo |
| Starring | Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, Diane Keaton |
| Genre | Crime/Drama/Tragedy |
| Running time | 2h 55m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 15 March 1972 (USA) |
A quiet son takes over his family’s powerful crime business after his father is attacked, leading him deeper into a dangerous world of loyalty, betrayal, and violence.
Why Watch? A masterclass in storytelling, with iconic performances and quotes that define cinema.
3. The Dark Knight (2008): (IMDb rating: 9/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Christopher Nolan |
| Written by | Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, David S. Goyer, Bob Kane |
| Starring | Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman |
| Genre | Action/Crime/Drama/Thriller |
| Running time | 2h 32m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | July 18, 2008 (United States) |
Batman fights to save Gotham City from chaos when a clever and dangerous criminal, the Joker, pushes the city into fear, forcing Batman to question his limits and morals.
Why Watch? It’s a gripping, smart superhero film with unforgettable performances, especially Heath Ledger as the Joker.
4. The Godfather Part II (1974): (IMDb rating: 9/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Francis Ford Coppola |
| Written by | Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo |
| Starring | Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, Talia Shire, Morgana King, John Cazale, Marianna Hill, Lee Strasberg |
| Genre | Crime/Drama/Tragedy |
| Running time | 3h 22m |
| Language | English, Sicilian |
| Release date | 20 December 1974 (USA) |
Michael Corleone expands his crime empire while facing betrayal, family struggles, and his father’s past. The story shifts between present power and Vito’s rise in early 1900s America.
Why Watch? Deeper, darker, and richer than the first, it’s a rare sequel that outshines the original.
5. 12 Angry Men (1957): (IMDb rating: 9/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sidney Lumet |
| Written by | Reginald Rose |
| Starring | Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Ed Begley, E. G. Marshall, Jack Warden |
| Genre | Thriller/Crime/Drama |
| Running time | 1h 36m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | April 1957 (USA) |
Twelve jurors must decide if a teenager is guilty of murder. One juror questions the evidence, sparking intense debate that reveals bias, doubt, and the value of reasonable thinking.
Why Watch? A gripping, dialogue-driven drama that exposes human bias and the power of doubt.
6. Schindler’s List (1993): (IMDb rating: 9/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Steven Spielberg |
| Written by | Thomas Keneally, Steven Zaillian |
| Starring | Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagall, Embeth Davidtz |
| Genre | War/Drama |
| Running time | 3h 15m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 4 February 1994 (USA) |
A German businessman saves over a thousand Jewish lives during the Holocaust by employing them in his factory, risking everything to protect them from the Nazis.
Why Watch? A harrowing yet essential story of humanity in the face of evil.
7. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003): (IMDb rating: 9/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Peter Jackson |
| Written by | J.R.R. Tolkien, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson |
| Starring | Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban, John Noble, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm, Sean Bean |
| Genre | Fantasy/Adventure |
| Running time | 3h 21m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 17 December 2003 (USA) |
Frodo and Sam struggle to destroy the One Ring, while Aragorn leads the final battle against Sauron to save Middle-earth.
Why Watch? Epic battles, emotional endings, and a perfect conclusion to a legendary trilogy.
8. Pulp Fiction (1994): (IMDb rating: 8.9/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Quentin Tarantino |
| Written by | Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary |
| Starring | John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, Bruce Willis |
| Genre | Crime/Thriller/Comedy/Action |
| Running time | 2h 34m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 14 October 1994 (USA) |
A hitman duo, a gangster’s wife, a boxer, and petty criminals cross paths in violent, funny, and strange ways in a series of twisted, out-of-order stories in L.A.
Why Watch? Sharp dialogue, dark humor, and a soundtrack that’s pure cool.
9. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001): (IMDb rating: 8.9/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Peter Jackson |
| Written by | J.R.R. Tolkien, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson |
| Starring | Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis |
| Genre | Fantasy/Adventure/Epic/Drama |
| Running time | 2h 58m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 19 December 2001 (USA) |
A young hobbit named Frodo must destroy a powerful ring to stop a dark lord. On the journey, he joins a group of allies and faces danger, magic, and betrayal.
Why Watch? Watch it for epic adventure, unforgettable characters, and stunning world-building.
10. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966): (IMDb rating: 8.8/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Sergio Leone |
| Written by | Sergio Leone, Luciano Vincenzoni, Agenore Incrocci, Furio Scarpelli, Mickey Knox |
| Starring | Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffrè, Antonio Casas, Rada Rassimov, Aldo Sambrell, Enzo Petito, Luigi Pistilli, Livio Lorenzon, Al Mulock, Sergio Mendizábal, Antonio Molino Rojo, Lorenzo Robledo, Mario Brega |
| Genre | Western/Action |
| Running time | 2h 41m |
| Language | English, Italian, Spanish |
| Release date | 23 December 1966 (Italy), 29 December 1967 (USA) |
Three gunslingers, one clever, one ruthless, one mysterious, race across the Wild West to find hidden Confederate gold during the Civil War.
Why Watch? The ultimate spaghetti western, tense, stylish, and with an iconic score.
11. Forrest Gump (1994): (IMDb rating: 8.8/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Robert Zemeckis |
| Written by | Winston Groom, Eric Roth |
| Starring | Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, Sally Field |
| Genre | Comedy/Romance |
| Running time | 2h 22m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 6 July 1994 (USA) |
A kind-hearted man with a low IQ lives an extraordinary life, unknowingly influencing major events in U.S. history while chasing his lifelong love, Jenny.
Why Watch? Heartwarming, funny, and bittersweet, Tom Hanks is at his best.
12. Fight Club (1999): (IMDb rating: 8.8/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | David Fincher |
| Written by | Jim Uhls, Chuck Palahniuk |
| Starring | Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, Meat Loaf Aday, Jared Leto |
| Genre | Action/Crime/Thriller/Comedy |
| Running time | 2h 19m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 15 October 1999 (USA) |
A bored office worker meets a mysterious soap salesman, and together they start an underground fight club that spirals out of control. As things unravel, he faces shocking truths about identity, control, and chaos.
Why Watch? A mind-bending critique of consumerism with a twist you’ll never see coming.
13. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002): (IMDb rating: 8.8/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Peter Jackson |
| Written by | Peter Jackson, J.R.R. Tolkien, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Stephen Sinclair |
| Starring | Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Andy Serkis |
| Genre | Family/Adventure |
| Running time | 2h 59m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 18 December 2002 (USA), 19 December 2002 (New Zealand) |
Frodo and Sam continue their journey to destroy the One Ring, while Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli fight to protect Middle-earth from dark forces. Meanwhile, a massive battle looms at Helm’s Deep.
Why Watch? Middle-earth’s most thrilling battles and the rise of Gollum as a tragic figure.
14. Inception (2010): (IMDb rating: 8.8/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Christopher Nolan |
| Written by | Christopher Nolan |
| Starring | Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Elliot Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Michael Caine |
| Genre | Sci-fi/Action |
| Running time | 2h 28m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | July 16, 2010 (United States and United Kingdom) |
A skilled thief enters people’s dreams to steal secrets but is hired to plant an idea instead. As he dives deeper, reality and dreams blur, risking everything.
Why Watch? A visual marvel with layers of mystery, you’ll want to watch it twice.
15. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980): (IMDb rating: 8.7/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Irvin Kershner |
| Written by | Leigh Brackett, Lawrence Kasdan, George Lucas |
| Starring | Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Frank Oz |
| Genre | Family/Sci-fi |
| Running time | 2h 4m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 21 May 1980 (USA) |
Luke Skywalker trains to become a Jedi while Darth Vader hunts him. Han, Leia, and friends face danger from the Empire. The heroes suffer big losses, and a shocking truth is revealed.
Why Watch? The darkest, deepest Star Wars film with the most iconic twist in cinema.
16. The Matrix (1999): (IMDb rating: 8.7/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski |
| Written by | Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski |
| Starring | Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano |
| Genre | Action/Sci-fi |
| Running time | 2h 16m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 31 March 1999 (USA), April 8, 1999 (Australia) |
A computer hacker named Neo discovers his world is a simulated reality and joins rebels to fight the machines controlling it. He learns to bend the rules of the Matrix and becomes humanity’s last hope.
Why Watch? Groundbreaking action and a mind-blowing concept that questions reality.
17. Goodfellas (1990): (IMDb rating: 8.7/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Martin Scorsese |
| Written by | Martin Scorsese, Nicholas Pileggi |
| Starring | Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino |
| Genre | Crime/Thriller |
| Running time | 2h 26m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 19 September 1990 (USA) |
A young man grows up in the mob, climbing the ranks with violence, money, and betrayal until it all falls apart. Based on a true story of life in the Mafia.
Why Watch? Gritty, fast-paced, and brutally honest about the mob life.
18. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975): (IMDb rating: 8.7/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Miloš Forman |
| Written by | Lawrence Hauben, Bo Goldman, Ken Kesey, Dale Wasserman |
| Starring | Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, William Redfield |
| Genre | Drama/Comedy/Action |
| Running time | 2h 13m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 19 November 1975 (USA) |
A rebellious man fakes insanity to escape prison and ends up in a mental hospital, where he clashes with a strict nurse and inspires other patients to stand up for themselves.
Why Watch? Jack Nicholson’s electric performance and a powerful message about freedom.
19. Interstellar (2014): (IMDb rating: 8.7/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Christopher Nolan |
| Written by | Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan |
| Starring | Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Caine |
| Genre | Sci-fi/Adventure |
| Running time | 2h 49m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | November 5, 2014 (United States), November 7, 2014 (United Kingdom) |
A former astronaut joins a mission through a wormhole to find a new home for humanity as Earth dies. He risks everything to save his family and the future.
Why Watch? Stunning visuals, emotional depth, and a cosmic perspective on humanity.
20. Seven Samurai (1954): (IMDb rating: 8.6/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Akira Kurosawa |
| Written by | Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto, Hideo Oguni |
| Starring | Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima, Isao Kimura, Daisuke Katō, Seiji Miyaguchi, Yoshio Inaba, Minoru Chiaki, Kamatari Fujiwara, Kokuten Kōdō, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Eijiro Tono, Jun Tatara, Atsushi Watanabe, Yoshio Kosugi, Bokuzen Hidari, Yukiko Shimazaki |
| Genre | Action/Adventure |
| Running time | 3h 27m |
| Language | Japanese |
| Release date | 26 April 1954 (Japan) |
A poor village hires seven samurai to protect them from bandits. The samurai train the villagers, fight bravely, and form a bond through sacrifice and struggle.
Why Watch? The blueprint for all action ensemble films, timeless and brilliantly crafted.
21. The Silence of the Lambs (1991): (IMDb rating: 8.6/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jonathan Demme |
| Written by | Ted Tally, Thomas Harris |
| Starring | Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine |
| Genre | Horror/Crime |
| Running time | 1h 58m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 14 February 1991 (USA) |
A young FBI trainee seeks help from a brilliant but jailed killer to catch another murderer. Their tense mind games lead to a chilling hunt for the truth.
Why Watch? Hannibal Lecter’s chilling charisma and a cat-and-mouse thriller that never lets go.
22. Saving Private Ryan (1998): (IMDb rating: 8.6/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Steven Spielberg |
| Written by | Robert Rodat |
| Starring | Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Jeremy Davies |
| Genre | War/Action |
| Running time | 2h 49m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | 24 July 1998 (USA) |
A group of U.S. soldiers in World War II is sent on a dangerous mission to find and bring home Private James Ryan, whose brothers have all died in combat.
Why Watch? The opening D-Day scene alone is a visceral, unforgettable war epic.
23. City of God (2002): (IMDb rating: 8.6/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund |
| Written by | Bráulio Mantovani, Paulo Lins |
| Starring | Alexandre Rodrigues, Leandro Firmino Da Hora, Jonathan Haagensen, Phellipe Haagensen, Douglas Silva, Daniel Zettel, Seu Jorge |
| Genre | Crime/Drama |
| Running time | 2h 10m |
| Language | Portuguese |
| Release date | 30 August 2002 (Brazil), 17 January 2003 (United States) |
In the slums of Rio de Janeiro, a boy grows up surrounded by gangs, drugs, and violence, trying to escape while others dive deeper into crime.
Why Watch? Raw, kinetic, and eye-opening, a crime saga that feels painfully real.
24. Life Is Beautiful (1997): (IMDb rating: 8.6/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Roberto Benigni |
| Written by | Roberto Benigni, Vincenzo Cerami |
| Starring | Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi |
| Genre | Comedy/War/Drama/Romance |
| Running time | 1h 56m |
| Language | Italian |
| Release date | 20 December 1997 (Italy) |
A cheerful Italian man uses humor and imagination to protect his young son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp during World War II.
Why Watch? A heartbreakingly beautiful mix of laughter and tears.
25. Gladiator (2000): (IMDb rating: 8.5/10)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ridley Scott |
| Written by | David Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson |
| Starring | Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris |
| Genre | Action/Adventure/Drama/Epic |
| Running time | 2h 35m |
| Language | English |
| Release date | May 5, 2000 (USA), May 12, 2000 (UK) |
A betrayed Roman general becomes a slave and fights as a gladiator, seeking revenge against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family.
Why Watch? Epic battles, Russell Crowe’s grit, and a story of honor against all odds.
Why These Movies Matter
These films aren’t just highly rated, they’ve shaped pop culture, inspired filmmakers, and left audiences in awe for decades.
Whether it’s the emotional punch of Schindler’s List or the thrills of The Dark Knight, each movie offers something unique. Grab popcorn, pick one, and see why millions of fans voted them to the top!
