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Top10nerScore86.520 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Mike Nichols
WRITERS: Buck Henry, Calder Willingham
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robert Surtees
STARRING: Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross, William Daniels, Murray Hamilton
GENRE: Coming-of-Age, Drama, New Hollywood, Romance
Recent college graduate Ben Braddock returns to his parents’ California home and stumbles through a haze of indecision as he navigates life in the real world. He starts an unexpected sexual relationship with the much older wife of his father’s business partner, only to fall for her daughter as well.
The Graduate artfully blends satire and social commentary, capturing the zeitgeist of the ’60s. Mike Nichols skillfully navigates themes of alienation and conformity, while Dustin Hoffman’s breakthrough performance adds a layer of complexity to this iconic coming-of-age tale.
Top10nerScore86.661 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Jean-Luc Godard
WRITERS: Jean-Luc Godard
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Raoul Coutard
STARRING: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg, Daniel Boulanger, Henri-Jacques Huet, Roger Hanin
GENRE: French New Wave, Crime, Romance, Drama
Petty thug Michel panics and impulsively kills a policeman while driving a stolen car. On the lam, he turns to his aspiring journalist girlfriend Patricia, hiding out in her Paris apartment. When Patricia learns that Michel is being investigated for murder, she begins to question her loyalties.
Breathless is a groundbreaking film that revolutionized cinema with its innovative style and energetic pace. Godard’s direction, combined with Belmondo’s charismatic performance, crafts a rebellious and stylish narrative that captures the spirit of the French New Wave.
Top10nerScore86.846 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Agnès Varda
WRITERS: Agnès Varda
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jean Rabier, Alain Levent, Paul Bonis
STARRING: Corinne Marchand, Antoine Bourseiller, Dominique Davray, Dorothée Blanck, Michel Legrand
GENRE: Left Bank, Drama
While she waits for the results of a medical test, French singer Cléo Victoire spends a couple of hours wandering through the streets of Paris. Along the way, she meets up with her lover, goes shopping, visits her model friend Dorothee, and has a brief affair with a passing soldier.
Cléo from 5 to 7 is a cinematic triumph that seamlessly blends existential exploration with innovative storytelling. The film’s real-time narrative, exquisite cinematography, and Marchand’s compelling performance converge to offer an introspective and emotionally resonant experience.
Top10nerScore87.200 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Jean-Pierre Melville
WRITERS: Jean-Pierre Melville
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Pierre Lhomme, Walter Wottitz
STARRING: Lino Ventura, Simone Signoret, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Paul Crauchet
GENRE: War, Period Drama, Drama, Thriller
Betrayed by an informant, Philippe Gerbier finds himself trapped in a torturous Nazi prison camp. Though Gerbier escapes to rejoin the Resistance in occupied Marseilles, France, and exacts his revenge on the informant, he must continue a quiet, seemingly endless battle against the Nazis in an atmosphere of tension, paranoia and distrust.
Army of Shadows is a tour de force in French cinema, a poignant exploration of the complexities of resistance during WWII. Melville’s deft touch, coupled with Léaud’s distinct performance, captures the haunting struggles of individuals navigating the shadows of wartime adversity.
Top10nerScore87.921 / 100
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DIRECTOR: John Ford
WRITERS: Willis Goldbeck, James Warner Bellah, Dorothy M. Johnson
CINEMATOGRAPHY: William H. Clothier
STARRING: John Wayne, James Stewart, Lee Marvin, Vera Miles, Edmond O’Brien, Andy Devine
GENRE: Western, Drama
Questions arise when a Senator returns to a small Western town to attend the funeral of a local man he once saved from a notorious outlaw who spread terror across the town. He reveals the truth behind his ‘good’ deed.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a timeless Western that delves into the myth of the American frontier. Ford’s mastery, paired with stellar performances from Wayne and Stewart, crafts a compelling narrative exploring the complexities of justice, honor, and the power of legend.
Top10nerScore88.165 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Roman Polanski
WRITERS: Roman Polanski
CINEMATOGRAPHY: William A. Fraker
STARRING: Mia Farrow, Ruth Gordon, John Cassavetes, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, Ralph Bellamy
GENRE: Mystery, Psychological Horror, New Hollywood, Psychological Thriller
A young couple moves into an infamous New York apartment building to start a family. Things become frightening as Rosemary begins to suspect her unborn baby isn’t safe around their strange neighbors.
Rosemary’s Baby mesmerizes with its chilling atmosphere and psychological depth. Its slow-burning tension and masterful storytelling keep viewers on the edge of their seats, while Mia Farrow’s haunting performance elevates the film to an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Top10nerScore88.249 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Jacques Becker
WRITERS: Jean Aurel, José Giovanni, Jacques Becker
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ghislain Cloquet
STARRING: Michel Constantin, Jean Keraudy, Marc Michel, Philippe Leroy, Raymond Meunier
GENRE: Prison Film, Drama
Four prison inmates have been hatching a plan to literally dig out of jail when another prisoner, Claude Gaspard, is moved into their cell. They take a risk and share their plan with the newcomer. Over the course of three days, the prisoners and friends break through the concrete floor using a bed post and begin to make their way through the sewer system – yet their escape is anything but assured.
Le Trou captivates with its immersive storytelling and authentic portrayal of a prison break. The film’s gritty realism, skilled direction, and compelling performances fuse seamlessly, offering a gripping cinematic experience that resonates with both suspense and emotional resonance.
Top10nerScore88.444 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Jacques Tati
WRITERS: Jacques Tati, Jacques Lagrange, Art Buchwald
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jean Badal, Andréas Winding
STARRING: Jacques Tati, Barbara Dennek
GENRE: Satire, Slapstick
Clumsy Monsieur Hulot finds himself perplexed by the complexity of a gadget-filled Paris. He attempts to meet with a business contact but soon becomes lost. His roundabout journey parallels that of American tourist Barbara, and as they weave through the urban environment, they intermittently meet.
PlayTime mesmerizes with its audacious visual style and imaginative storytelling. Tati’s masterful direction creates a whimsical world brimming with delightful chaos and subtle wit. A cinematic gem that continues to dazzle with its inventive brilliance and timeless charm.
Top10nerScore88.531 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Jean-Pierre Melville
WRITERS: Jean-Pierre Melville, Georges Pellegrin
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Henri Decaë
STARRING: Alain Delon, François Périer, Nathalie Delon, Cathy Rosier
GENRE: Neo-Noir, Crime, Polar
After carrying out a flawlessly planned hit, Jef Costello, a contract killer with samurai instincts, finds himself caught between a persistent police investigator and a ruthless employer, and not even his armor of fedora and trench coat can protect him.
Le Samouraï is a meticulously crafted noir, praised for its austere style and Alain Delon’s enigmatic performance. Its influence on subsequent crime films is evident, as it seamlessly blends existentialism with taut, minimalist storytelling, solidifying its status as a genre-defining classic.
Top10nerScore89.622 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Akira Kurosawa
WRITERS: Akira Kurosawa, Ryūzō Kikushima
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Kazuo Miyagawa
STARRING: Toshiro Mifune, Eijiro Tono, Tatsuya Nakadai, Isuzu Yamada, Daisuke Kato, Seizaburo Kawazu
GENRE: Chambara, Jidaigeki
A nameless ronin, or samurai with no master, enters a small village in feudal Japan where two rival businessmen are struggling for control of the local gambling trade. Taking the name Sanjuro Kuwabatake, the ronin convinces both silk merchant Tazaemon and sake merchant Tokuemon to hire him as a personal bodyguard, then artfully sets in motion a full-scale gang war between the two ambitious and unscrupulous men.
Yojimbo is a compelling exploration of samurai ethos and moral ambiguity. With intricate character dynamics, sharp cinematography, and a gripping narrative, it remains an influential and enduring example of Japanese cinema’s impact on global storytelling.
Top10nerScore90.188 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Federico Fellini
WRITERS: Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, Brunello Rondi, Pier Paolo Pasolini
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Otello Martelli
STARRING: Marcello Mastroianni, Anita Ekberg, Anouk Aimée, Yvonne Furneaux, Magali Noël, Annibale Ninchi, Lex Barker, Jacques Sernas, Nadia Gray, Alain Cuny
GENRE: Drama, Satire
Journalist and man-about-town Marcello struggles to find his place in the world, torn between the allure of Rome’s elite social scene and the stifling domesticity offered by his girlfriend, all the while searching for a way to become a serious writer.
La Dolce Vita is a striking commentary on the decadence of society, skillfully portrayed through the lens of Marcello Mastroianni’s captivating performance. Fellini’s direction weaves a narrative that effortlessly oscillates between the glamorous and the grotesque.
Top10nerScore90.528 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Hiroshi Teshigahara
WRITERS: Kōbō Abe
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Hiroshi Segawa
STARRING: Eiji Okada, Kyoko Kishida
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Japanese New Wave, Psychological Thriller
An amateur entomologist leaves Tokyo to study an unclassified species of beetle found in a vast desert. When he misses his bus back to the city, he is persuaded of spending the night with a young widow in her hut by a sand dune, who is forced to constantly clear the sands that threaten to engulf it.
Woman in the Dunes mesmerizes with its haunting visuals and profound symbolism, immersing viewers in a psychological labyrinth of desire and survival. Teshigahara creates a masterclass in tension and atmosphere, while the cinematography turns sand into an enigmatic character.
Top10nerScore90.839 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Gillo Pontecorvo
WRITERS: Franco Solinas, Gillo Pontecorvo
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Marcello Gatti
STARRING: Brahim Hadjadj, Jean Martin, Yacef Saâdi, Samia Kerbash, Fusia El Kader
GENRE: War, Period Drama, Cinema politico Italiano
Tracing the struggle of the Algerian Front de Liberation Nationale to gain freedom from French colonial rule as seen through the eyes of Ali from his start as a petty thief to his rise to prominence in the organisation and capture by the French in 1957. The film traces the rebels’ struggle and the increasingly extreme measures taken by the French government to quell the revolt.
The Battle of Algiers remains a landmark in cinematic history, hailed for its raw authenticity and groundbreaking portrayal of insurgency. Pontecorvo captures the complexity of conflict with unflinching realism, earning widespread acclaim for its historical significance.
Top10nerScore92.031 / 100
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DIRECTOR: David Lean
WRITERS: Michael Wilson, Robert Bolt
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Freddie Young
STARRING: Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quayle, José Ferrer
GENRE: Biopic, Adventure, War, Period Drama, Epic
The story of British officer T.E. Lawrence’s mission to aid the Arab tribes in their revolt against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. Lawrence becomes a flamboyant, messianic figure in the cause of Arab unity but his psychological instability threatens to undermine his achievements.
Lawrence of Arabia reshaped cinematic landscapes with its sweeping desert vistas and Peter O’Toole’s charismatic portrayal. Lean evokes a sense of vastness, complemented by Maurice Jarre’s evocative score. This epic remains an enduring icon of adventure and self-discovery.
Top10nerScore92.279 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Billy Wilder
WRITERS: Billy Wilder, I. A. L. Diamond
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Joseph LaShelle
STARRING: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Jack Kruschen, Ray Walston, David Lewis
GENRE: Romantic Comedy, Drama
Bud Baxter is a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, until he discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder. He lends out his apartment to the executives as a place to take their mistresses. Although he often has to deal with the aftermath of their visits, one night he’s left with a major problem to solve.
In Wilder’s The Apartment, Lemmon’s portrayal of C.C. Baxter navigates the complexities of corporate life with comedic finesse. While MacLaine’s Fran Kubelik adds depth with her nuanced performance, capturing hearts amidst the bustling backdrop of 1960s New York City.
Top10nerScore92.299 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Federico Fellini
WRITERS: Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, Brunello Rondi
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gianni Di Venanzo
STARRING: Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimée, Sandra Milo, Rossella Falk, Barbara Steele
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Surrealism, Postmodernism
Struggling to find inspiration for his next project, acclaimed director Guido Anselmi wrestles with his dreams, memories and desires in his search for creativity. Blending visions with reality, his artistic crisis leads him down many a strange and twisted paths, as his life unravels around him.
Fellini’s 8½ is a cinematic labyrinth that intricately weaves dreams and reality. With innovative narrative techniques, it delves into the psyche of its protagonist, crafting a surreal exploration of creative struggle and existential contemplation that resonates with timeless complexity.
Top10nerScore92.475 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Andrei Tarkovsky
WRITERS: Andrei Tarkovsky, Andrei Konchalovsky
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Vadim Yusov
STARRING: Anatoly Solonitsyn, Ivan Lapikov, Nikolay Grinko, Nikolai Sergeyev, Irma Raush, Nikolay Burlyaev
GENRE: Period Drama, Biopic, Medieval, Epic, Religious Film
An expansive Russian drama, this film focuses on the life of revered religious icon painter Andrei Rublev. Drifting from place to place in a tumultuous era, the peace-seeking monk eventually gains a reputation for his art. But after Rublev witnesses a brutal battle and unintentionally becomes involved, he takes a vow of silence and spends time away from his work. As he begins to ease his troubled soul, he takes steps towards becoming a painter once again.
Andrei Rublev is a profound exploration of artistic struggle amidst tumultuous medieval Russia, hailed for its haunting imagery and philosophical depth. Tarkovsky’s direction unveils a spiritual odyssey, resonating with timeless themes of creativity and faith.
Top10nerScore92.526 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Akira Kurosawa
WRITERS: Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Ryūzō Kikushima, Eijirô Hisaita
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Asakazu Nakai, Takao Saitō
STARRING: Toshirō Mifune, Tatsuya Nakadai, Kyōko Kagawa, Takashi Shimura, Takeshi Katō, Isao Kimura, Kenjirō Ishiyama
GENRE: Drama, Crime, Police Procedural, Neo-Noir
In the midst of an attempt to take over his company, a powerhouse executive is hit with a huge ransom demand when his servants son is kidnapped. An adaption of Ed McBain’s detective novel King’s Ransom.
Kurosawa’s High and Low captivates with its dynamic storytelling and powerful social commentary. It skillfully intertwines suspense with moral dilemmas, showcasing Toshiro Mifune’s commanding performance. A compelling exploration of class divide and human resilience.
Top10nerScore93.339 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Stanley Kubrick
WRITERS: Stanley Kubrick, Terry Southern, Peter George
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gilbert Taylor
STARRING: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Peter Sellers, Sterling Hayden, Peter Sellers, Keenan Wynn, Slim Pickens, Peter Bull
GENRE: Satire, Black Comedy, War
After the insane General Jack D. Ripper initiates a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, a war room full of politicians, generals and a Russian diplomat all frantically try to stop the nuclear strike.
Critics celebrate Dr. Strangelove for its razor-sharp satire on Cold War paranoia, with Kubrick’s direction hailed as a blend of biting wit and chilling realism. The ensemble cast delivers pitch-perfect performances, making it a timeless classic of dark comedy.
Top10nerScore94.165 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Sergio Leone
WRITERS: Sergio Leone, Dario Argento, Bernardo Bertolucci, Sergio Donati, Mickey Knox
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tonino Delli Colli
STARRING: Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards, Gabriele Ferzetti
GENRE: Spaghetti Western
A widow whose land and life are in danger as the railroad is getting closer and closer to taking them over. A mysterious harmonica player joins forces with a desperado to protect the woman and her land.
Once Upon a Time in the West, has earned acclaim for its breathtaking visuals, Morricone’s iconic score, and a gripping narrative transcending traditional Western tropes. Leone masterfully blends character depth with a visually stunning portrayal of the American frontier.
Top10nerScore94.287 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Ingmar Bergman
WRITERS: Ingmar Bergman
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sven Nykvist
STARRING: Bibi Andersson, Liv Ullmann
GENRE: Psychological Drama
A young nurse, Alma, is put in charge of Elisabeth Vogler: an actress who is seemingly healthy in all respects, but will not talk. As they spend time together, Alma speaks to Elisabeth constantly, never receiving any answer. Alma eventually confesses her secrets to a seemingly sympathetic Elisabeth and finds that her own personality is being submerged into Elisabeth’s persona.
Bergman’s Persona is a haunting exploration of identity and connection, meticulously crafted with stark visuals and a mesmerizing dual performance by Ullmann and Andersson. Critics acclaim its profound psychological depth and influence on cinematic storytelling.
Top10nerScore94.780 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Masaki Kobayashi
WRITERS: Shinobu Hashimoto
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Yoshio Miyajima
STARRING: Tatsuya Nakadai, Rentaro Mikuni, Akira Ishihama, Shima Iwashita, Tetsuro Tamba, Yoshio Inaba, Kei Satō
GENRE: Jidaigeki
In 17th Century feudal Japan, master-less samurai Hanshirō Tsugumo requests to commit harakiri at the manor of Lord Iyi, but he is dissuaded when he is told the story of another soldier who made the same request.
Harakiri resonates as a profound exploration of honor and sacrifice in feudal Japan. Its meticulous attention to historical detail and nuanced portrayal of samurai ethics captivates audiences, showcasing Kobayashi’s keen narrative prowess and stark visual style.
Top10nerScore95.319 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Alfred Hitchcock
WRITERS: Joseph Stefano
CINEMATOGRAPHY: John L. Russell
STARRING: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Horror
Marion, frustrated with her job and her lover, decides to follow a sudden impulse to steal $40,000 and leave town. She stops for the night at the ramshackle Bates Motel and meets the proprietor Norman Bates, a young man with an interest in taxidermy and a difficult relationship with his mother.
Psycho evolutionized horror with its psychological depth and Hitchcock’s deft direction. Janet Leigh’s iconic shower scene remains a cultural touchstone, while Anthony Perkins’ portrayal of Norman Bates continues to intrigue audiences with its nuanced complexity.
Top10nerScore96.481 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Stanley Kubrick
WRITERS: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Geoffrey Unsworth
STARRING: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, Douglas Rain, William Sylvester
GENRE: Science Fiction, Space Exploration
Humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar surface and sets off to find its origins with the help of HAL 9000, the world’s most advanced super computer.
2001: A Space Odyssey revolutionizes cinema with its groundbreaking visuals, innovative storytelling, and scientific accuracy. A mesmerizing journey through space and time, the film captivates audiences with its philosophical exploration and remains a timeless classic.
Top10nerScore96.961 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Sergio Leone
WRITERS: Sergio Leone, Luciano Vincenzoni, Agenore Incrocci, Furio Scarpelli, Mickey Knox
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tonino Delli Colli
STARRING: Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Eli Wallach, Aldo Giuffrè, Luigi Pistilli, Rada Rassimov
GENRE: Spaghetti Western
While the Civil War rages on between the Union and the Confederacy, three men – a quiet gunslinger, a ruthless hitman, and a Mexican bandit – comb the American Southwest in search of a strongbox containing $200,000 in stolen gold.
A masterpiece of epic proportions, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is praised for its colossal scope, Ennio Morricone’s unforgettable score, and revolutionary cinematography. Leone’s expertise and the iconic trio of Eastwood, Van Cleef, and Wallach make it an enduring icon of cinema, affirming its status as…
The Best Film of the 1960s
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