Top10nerScore79.253 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Robin Hardy
WRITERS: Anthony Shaffer
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Harry Waxman
STARRING: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt
GENRE: Mystery, Folk Horror
Police sergeant Neil Howie is called to an island village in search of a missing girl whom the locals claim never existed. Stranger still, however, are the rituals that take place there.
The Wicker Man is a hauntingly atmospheric cult classic, featuring a mesmerizing performance by Woodward and an eerie folk-horror ambiance. Its chilling narrative, symbolic imagery, and unforgettable climax make it an enduring and thought-provoking work of art.
Top10nerScore79.298 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Elio Petri
WRITERS: Elio Petri, Ugo Pirro
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Luigi Kuveiller
STARRING: Gian Maria Volonté, Florinda Bolkan
GENRE: Crime, Satire, Cinema politico Italiano
Rome, Italy. After committing a heinous crime, a senior police officer exposes evidence incriminating him because his moral commitment prevents him from circumventing the law and the social order it protects.
Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion delivers an incisive exploration of power and corruption. With meticulous research, it offers engaging commentary on societal decay, bolstered by Gian Maria Volontè’s captivating performance and Elio Petri’s masterful direction.
Top10nerScore79.381 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
WRITERS: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Michael Ballhaus
STARRING: Margit Carstensen, Hanna Schygulla, Irm Hermann, Katrin Schaake
GENRE: New German Cinema, Melodrama, LGBTQ+
Petra von Kant is a successful fashion designer – arrogant, caustic, and self-satisfied. She mistreats Marlene (her secretary, maid, and co-designer). Enter Karin, a 23-year-old beauty who wants to be a model. Petra falls in love with Karin and invites her to move in.
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant is an immersive exploration of complex female relationships, brilliantly blending theatricality and cinematic aesthetics. Its raw emotion and thought-provoking narrative showcase Fassbinder’s unique storytelling prowess.
Top10nerScore79.518 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Carlos Saura
WRITERS: Carlos Saura
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Teo Escamilla
STARRING: Ana Torrent, Geraldine Chaplin, Mónica Randall
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Coming-of-Age
In Madrid, the orphan sisters Irene, Ana and Maite are raised by their austere aunt Paulina together with their mute and crippled grandmother after the death of their mother and their military father Anselmo. Ana is a melancholic girl, fascinated by death, after seeing her mother having a painful death and her father dead in bed.
Cría cuervos… stands as a compelling exploration of Franco-era Spain, delicately weaving personal and political narratives. Saura’s poignant direction and Chaplin’s remarkable performance combine to create a remarkable psychological drama that resonates deeply with viewers.
Top10nerScore79.587 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Luis Buñuel
WRITERS: Luis Buñuel, Jean-Claude Carrière, Pierre Louÿs
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Edmond Richard
STARRING: Fernando Rey, Carole Bouquet, Ángela Molina
GENRE: Drama, Romance, Black Comedy
After dumping a bucket of water on a beautiful young woman from the window of a train car, wealthy Frenchman Mathieu, regales his fellow passengers with the story of the dysfunctional relationship between himself and the young woman in question, a fiery 19-year-old flamenco dancer named Conchita. What follows is a tale of cruelty, depravity and lies – the very building blocks of love.
That Obscure Object of Desire offers a thought-provoking exploration of desire and human complexity, expertly weaving together surrealist elements with incisive social commentary. Buñuel’s distinct style captivates throughout, leaving viewers pondering its enigmatic beauty.
Top10nerScore79.816 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Michelangelo Antonioni
WRITERS: Mark Peploe, Michelangelo Antonioni, Enrico Sannia
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Luciano Tovoli
STARRING: Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider, Jenny Runacre, Ian Hendry
GENRE: Road Movie, Mystery, Drama
Unable to find the war he’s been asked to cover, a frustrated war correspondent takes the risky path of co-opting the identity of a dead arms-deal acquaintance.
The Passenger is a cinematic triumph, blending enigmatic storytelling with mesmerizing visuals and Nicholson’s remarkable performance. It intricately weaves existential themes into a suspenseful, unconventional narrative that continues to captivate and intrigue audiences.
Top10nerScore79.909 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: René Laloux
WRITERS: Roland Topor, René Laloux
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Boris Baromykin, Lubomír Rejthar
STARRING: Jean Topart, Jean Valmont, Gérard Hernandez, Jennifer Drake, Éric Baugin
GENRE: Science Fiction, Animation, Dystopian, Surrealism, Cutout Animation
On the planet Ygam, the Draags, extremely technologically and spiritually advanced blue humanoids, consider the tiny Oms, human beings descendants of Terra’s inhabitants, as ignorant animals. Those who live in slavery are treated as simple pets and used to entertain Draag children; those who live hidden in the hostile wilderness of the planet are periodically hunted and ruthlessly slaughtered as if they were vermin.
Fantastic Planet is a visually stunning and artistically audacious science fiction classic. Its surreal, otherworldly landscapes and thoughtfully crafted allegory combine to create an immersive cinematic experience that continues to provoke contemplation and admiration.
Top10nerScore80.106 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Werner Herzog
WRITERS: Werner Herzog
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Thomas Mauch
STARRING: Bruno Schleinstein, Eva Mattes, Clemens Scheitz
GENRE: Drama, New German Cinema, Satire
Bruno Stroszek is released from prison and warned to stop drinking. He has few skills and fewer expectations: with a glockenspiel and an accordion, he ekes out a living as a street musician. He befriends Eva, a prostitute down on her luck and they join his neighbor, Scheitz, an elderly eccentric, when he leaves Germany to live in Wisconsin.
Stroszek presents a compelling, deeply human narrative that explores the struggles of its characters against the backdrop of the American dream. Its raw portrayal of disenfranchisement and longing captivates viewers, making it an enduring cinematic work.
Top10nerScore80.289 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Ettore Scola
WRITERS: Ruggero Maccari, Ettore Scola, Maurizio Costanzo
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Pasqualino De Santis
STARRING: Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, John Vernon
GENRE: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
The film is set during the late 1930s: the occasion is the first meeting between Mussolini and Hitler. Left alone in her tenement home when her fascist husband runs off to attend the historic event, Antonietta strikes up a friendship with her neighbor Gabriele. As the day segues into night, Antonietta and Gabriele develop a very special relationship that will radically alter both of their outlooks on life.
An emotional tour de force, A Special Day beautifully captures the poignant intersection of personal and political upheaval. Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni deliver stirring performances, bringing warmth and depth to this unforgettable day of unexpected connection.
Top10nerScore80.701 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Wim Wenders
WRITERS: Wim Wenders, Veith von Fürstenberg
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Robby Müller
STARRING: Rüdiger Vogler, Yella Rottländer, Lisa Kreuzer
GENRE: Road Movie, Drama, New German Cinema
A German journalist is saddled with a nine-year-old girl after encountering her mother at a New York airport.
Alice in the Cities showcases Wenders’ early mastery of storytelling and evokes a poignant sense of wanderlust. The film’s tender exploration of human connection and the beautifully shot road trip sequences make it a timeless classic of the New German Cinema movement.
Top10nerScore80.847 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Ken Russell
WRITERS: Ken Russell
CINEMATOGRAPHY: David Watkin
STARRING: Oliver Reed, Vanessa Redgrave, Dudley Sutton, Max Adrian, Graham Armitage
GENRE: Period Drama
A dramatised historical account of the rise and fall of Urbain Grandier, a 17th-century Roman Catholic priest accused of witchcraft following alleged demonic possessions of sexually repressed nuns.
The Devils stands as a provocative and daring exploration of religious and political themes, beautifully shot with a mesmerizing performance by Oliver Reed. Its unflinching portrayal challenges societal norms and remains a milestone in provocative cinema.
Top10nerScore80.992 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Steven Spielberg
WRITERS: Steven Spielberg, Matthew Robbins, Hal Barwood, Jerry Belson, John Hill
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Vilmos Zsigmond
STARRING: Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, François Truffaut
GENRE: Science Fiction, Mystery, Drama, New Hollywood, Alien Invasion
After an encounter with UFOs, a line worker feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.
With a symphony of wonder and intrigue, Close Encounters of the Third Kind transports audiences into a realm where humanity’s curiosity and imagination meet the unknown. Spielberg’s expertise and mesmerizing visuals evoke a sense of awe that lingers long after the credits roll.
Top10nerScore81.079 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Peter Watkins
WRITERS: Peter Watkins
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Odd-Geir Sæther
STARRING: Geir Westby, Gro Fraas, Kerstii Allum
GENRE: Docudrama, Biopic, Psychological Drama
Edvard Munch’s childhood is overshadowed by death: he suffers the loss of his sister and mother, while enduring serious illness himself, almost dying. At university, Munch discovers his talent as a painter. As he immerses himself in the art world, he becomes part of a cultural revolution lead by the likes of nihilist Hans Jæger.
Edvard Munch offers an intimate portrayal of the artist’s tumultuous life, capturing his genius with poignant authenticity. The film’s evocative cinematography and haunting score immerse viewers in Munch’s world, leaving a lasting impression of his enduring legacy.
Top10nerScore81.406 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Robert Altman
WRITERS: Robert Altman, Patricia Resnick
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Charles Rosher Jr.
STARRING: Shelley Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Janice Rule, Robert Fortier
GENRE: Psychological Drama, New Hollywood
Two co-workers, one a vain woman and the other an awkward teenager, share an increasingly bizarre relationship after becoming roommates.
Altman’s 3 Women captivates with its surreal narrative and haunting atmosphere. Duvall and Spacek deliver mesmerizing performances, creating a riveting exploration of identity and friendship. This enigmatic journey lingers in the mind, reflecting Altman’s unique vision.
Top10nerScore81.525 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Tobe Hooper
WRITERS: Tobe Hooper, Kim Henkel
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Daniel Pearl
STARRING: Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen, Allen Danziger, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, Paul A. Partain
GENRE: Slasher, Hixploitation, Southern Gothic
When Sally hears that her grandfather’s grave may have been vandalized, she and her paraplegic brother, Franklin, set out with their friends to investigate. After a detour to their family’s old farmhouse, they discover a group of crazed, murderous outcasts living next door. As the group is attacked one by one by the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface, who wears a mask of human skin, the survivors must do everything they can to escape.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre ingeniously crafts terror through gritty realism. Its raw, visceral approach immerses audiences, while its iconic villain and relentless tension set new standards in horror. A landmark in genre filmmaking, leaving an enduring mark on cinema.
Top10nerScore81.610 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: John G. Avildsen
WRITERS: Sylvester Stallone
CINEMATOGRAPHY: James Crabe, Garrett Brown
STARRING: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Burt Young, Burgess Meredith
GENRE: Sports, Drama, New Hollywood, Romance
When world heavyweight boxing champion, Apollo Creed wants to give an unknown fighter a shot at the title as a publicity stunt, his handlers choose palooka Rocky Balboa, an uneducated collector for a Philadelphia loan shark. Rocky teams up with trainer Mickey Goldmill to make the most of this once in a lifetime break.
Rocky triumphs as an underdog tale with heart, packing an emotional punch that resonates beyond the final bell. Stallone’s gritty performance and Avildsen’s direction blend seamlessly, delivering a knockout cinematic experience. A timeless classic that inspires and uplifts.
Top10nerScore81.788 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: John Carpenter
WRITERS: Debra Hill, John Carpenter
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Dean Cundey
STARRING: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Nancy Loomis, P.J. Soles
GENRE: Slasher, Halloween
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween Night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.
Halloween is a seminal horror classic that revolutionized the slasher genre with its chilling suspense, iconic villain, and pioneering cinematography. John Carpenter’s expert direction and Jamie Lee Curtis’s breakout performance make it a timeless thrill ride.
Top10nerScore82.171 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Jean Eustache
WRITERS: Jean Eustache
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Pierre Lhomme
STARRING: Jean-Pierre Léaud, Bernadette Lafont, Françoise Lebrun
GENRE: Drama, Romance
Aimless young Alexandre juggles his relationships with his girlfriend, Marie, and a casual lover named Veronika. Marie becomes increasingly jealous of Alexandre’s fling with Veronika and as the trio continues their unsustainable affair, the emotional stakes get higher, leading to conflict and unhappiness.
The Mother and the Whore intricately explores complex relationships in post-1968 Paris. Jean Eustache’s nuanced direction and raw performances offer an unflinching portrayal, weaving emotional complexity that resonates with the uncertainties of its era.
Top10nerScore82.176 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Bob Fosse
WRITERS: Jay Presson Allen, John Van Druten, Joe Masteroff
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Geoffrey Unsworth
STARRING: Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, Michael York, Helmut Griem, Marisa Berenson
GENRE: Musical, Drama, New Hollywood, Romance
Inside the Kit Kat Club of 1931 Berlin, starry-eyed singer Sally Bowles and an impish emcee sound the clarion call to decadent fun, while outside a certain political party grows into a brutal force.
Cabaret captivates with its innovative choreography, merging seamlessly with a politically charged narrative. Minnelli’s performance is a tour de force, adding dimension to a film that, through its unique blend of music and socio-political commentary, stands as a cinematic landmark.
Top10nerScore82.274 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: William Friedkin
WRITERS: Ernest Tidyman
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Owen Roizman
STARRING: Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Fernando Rey
GENRE: New Hollywood, Thriller, Crime, Police Procedural
Tough narcotics detective ‘Popeye’ Doyle is in hot pursuit of a suave French drug dealer who may be the key to a huge heroin-smuggling operation.
A riveting, gritty depiction of 1970s New York, The French Connection stands as a seminal piece of cinema. With Hackman’s electrifying performance and Friedkin’s masterful direction, this film’s pulse-pounding action and immersive storytelling make it a timeless classic.
Top10nerScore82.461 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Dario Argento
WRITERS: Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Luciano Tovoli
STARRING: Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, Joan Bennett, Alida Valli
GENRE: Supernatural Horror, Mystery, Gothic
From the moment she arrives in Freiberg, Germany, to attend the prestigious Tanz Academy, American ballet-dancer Suzy Bannion senses that something horribly evil lurks within the walls of the age-old institution.
Suspiria mesmerizes with its vivid cinematography, vibrant colors, and innovative use of sound. The film’s atmospheric tension, coupled with Goblin’s haunting score, creates a uniquely immersive experience, solidifying its status as a groundbreaking work in the horror genre.
Top10nerScore82.552 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Robert Altman
WRITERS: Robert Altman, Brian McKay
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Vilmos Zsigmond
STARRING: Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Rene Auberjonois, William Devane
GENRE: Revisionist Western, New Hollywood, Drama
A gambler and a prostitute become business partners in a remote Old West mining town, and their enterprise thrives until a large corporation arrives on the scene.
In McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Altman’s evocative direction melds with stunning cinematography, crafting a haunting frontier tale. Beatty and Christie deliver nuanced performances, enriching the film’s gritty realism. A timeless gem of 70s cinema, resonating with raw authenticity.
Top10nerScore82.852 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Akira Kurosawa
WRITERS: Akira Kurosawa, Yuriy Nagibin
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Asakazu Nakai, Fyodor Dobronravov, Yuri Gantman
STARRING: Maksim Munzuk, Yuri Solomin, Svetlana Danilchenko
GENRE: Adventure, Biopic, Drama
A military explorer meets and befriends a Goldi man in Russia’s unmapped forests. A deep and abiding bond evolves between the two men, one civilized in the usual sense, the other at home in the glacial Siberian woods.
Dersu Uzala seamlessly integrates Siberian landscapes, conveying the deep bond between the explorer and his guide. Based on Vladimir Arsenyev’s memoirs, Kurosawa’s film exhibits cultural sensitivity, precise direction, and a rich exploration of humanity in nature.
Top10nerScore82.866 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: John Cassavetes
WRITERS: John Cassavetes
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Al Ruban
STARRING: Gena Rowlands, John Cassavetes, Ben Gazzara, Joan Blondell, Paul Stewart, Zohra Lampert
GENRE: Psychological Drama, New Hollywood
Actress Myrtle Gordon is a functioning alcoholic actress who is a few days from the opening night of her latest play, concerning a woman distraught about aging. One night a car kills one of Myrtle’s fans who is chasing her limousine in an attempt to get the star’s attention. Myrtle internalizes the accident and goes on a spiritual quest, but fails to finds the answers she is after. As opening night inches closer and closer, fragile Myrtle must find a way to make the show go on.
Opening Night captures the essence of theatricality with raw authenticity. Gena Rowlands delivers a tour de force performance, immersing viewers in the tumultuous world of stage production. A poignant exploration of aging and identity, it resonates long after the curtains close.
Top10nerScore82.930 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: George A. Romero
WRITERS: George A. Romero
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Michael Gornick
STARRING: Ken Foree, David Emge, Scott H. Reiniger, Gaylen Ross, David Crawford
GENRE: Zombie, Splatter, Horror
During an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter, and his television-executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.
Dawn of the Dead is a pioneering horror film, celebrated for its groundbreaking use of special effects and social commentary. George A. Romero’s vision of a zombie apocalypse remains a cultural touchstone, captivating audiences with its blend of gore and satire.