Entertainment value is an important aspect of cinema,as there is certainly a significant portion of the audience that seek out new films purely for a sense of escapism. While there are obviously works of true artistry that are intended toprovoke more psychological questions,whether a film is able to sustain the interest of audience members of all ages is a critical reason why it may stand the test of time.
Films that are entertaining don’t have to be without artistic merit, as it is often cinema that is both complex and accessible that ends up standing the test of time. While some may claim that the film industry has lost its ability to entertain afterthe fall of the “Golden Age of Hollywood,”there have certainly been some modern classics that have proven those assumptions to be untrue. Here are the ten most entertaining movies of all-time, ranked.
10‘Goldfinger’ (1964)
Directed by Guy Hamilton
Goldfingeris often cited as thedefinitive entry in the James Bond series,as it identified many of the core elements of the series that would become iconic. The lavish opening musical numbers, cheeky humor, eccentric villains, exotic locations, cool gadgets, and subtle winks at the audience all had their origins inGoldfinger.
Much ofGoldfingersucceeds because of the undeniable charisma of Sean Connery, who proves once again that he was born to playIan Fleming’s 007 character. While Connery certainly did great work in the previous films,Dr. NoandFrom Russia With Love,Goldfingeris the film in which he best embodied the mix of spontaneity and smugness that made Bond one of the most beloved screen heroes of all-time. The film’s action was groundbreaking and still holds up today, even when compared to some of the more modern iterations of the same franchise.
Goldfinger
Watch on Prime Video
9‘North by Northwest’ (1959)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
North by Northwestis by far the most entertaining film that Alfred Hitchcock ever directed, even if classics likeVertigoorRear Windoware more influential within arthouse cinema. Despite having a very twisty plot that constantly changes the stakes of the story,North by Northwestsucceeds because of the very basic idea of an ordinary man caught up in extraordinary circumstances.
Cary Grant’s movie star charisma added a lot toNorth by Northwest, as he was able to show areluctant side to a very compelling hero.What’s most impressive is that Hitchcock is so relentless in his pacing that the viewer almost never is given the opportunity to slow down and catch their breath; the terrific final chase and brawl at Mount Rushmore embodies the best that action cinema can be, and certainly spawned countless imitators in the subsequent decades.
North By Northwest
A New York City advertising executive goes on the run after being mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and falls for a woman whose loyalties he begins to doubt.
Watch on Tubi
8’The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
Directed by Victor Fleming
The Wizard of Ozis a vibrant, beautiful embodiment of the “Golden Age of Hollywood”that was so striking in its visuals that many have assumed thatit was actually the first color film.The musical genre is certainly not for everyone, butThe Wizard of Ozmanaged to incorporate some truly iconic songs with a sweeping adventure story that anyone who’d ever dreamed of a better life can relate to.
The Wizard of Ozis a far more complex film than it gets credit for, as it contains some deep themes about the influence of power and the corruptive nature of media. While it has spawned several sequels, prequels, and the popular musicalWicked(which already has a two-part film adaptation), the original version ofThe Wizard of Ozis a film that can be shown to audiences of all ages to show them what the magic of the movies looks like.
The Wizard of Oz
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Directed by Sergio Leone
The Good, The Bad, and the Uglyis perhaps themost iconic Western of all-time, asSergio Leonewas highly influential within the rise of the “Spaghetti Western” movement that became popular in Italy in the 1960s.The Good, The Bad, and the Uglyis technically a continuation of the larger “The Man With No Name” trilogy that began withA Fistful of DollarsandA Few Dollars More, but it is still a standalone story that is compelling in its own right.
The Good, The Bad, and the Uglyfeatures one of the most iconic movie heroes of all-time, asClint Eastwood’s performance as the drifter known only as “Blondie” became the basis for countless dark, brooding anti-heroes in the subsequent decades. The film also added a lot of entertainment value thanks to the score byEnnio Morricone, which somehow managed to make each scene more exciting.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Watch on MGM+
6‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Raiders of the Lost Arkwas a terrific throwback to the classic era of Hollywood adventure moviesthat combined the practical brilliance ofSteven Spielbergas a director, the creative worldbuilding ofGeorge Lucasas a writer, and the unparalleled star power ofHarrison Fordin the role that he is most often associated with, despite having a career that is filled with all-time great performances.
Raiders of the Lost Arkis one of the most relentless movies ever made, as it does not take any time to slow down from the moment that Indy begins running away from a boulder during the opening chase in Peru. Nonetheless,Raiders of the Lost Arkis also a film that is able to tug at the viewers’ heartstringsthanks to the fantastic romantic chemistrybetween Ford andKaren Allen,who co-starred as Marion Ravenwood.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
In 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.
5‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952)
Directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly
Singin’ in the Rainis perhaps the most beloved musical of all-time, but it is also a great film about the history of Hollywood productions. The rousing musicaltells the story of how Hollywood evolvedfrom the silent era of the “talkies” to the industry that existed at the time, which included all the joys that Technicolor could provide.
The dancing and music inSingin’ in the Rainis simply the best, as it was produced and released in an era in which these sorts of elaborate sequences could not be made any way other than practically.Gene Kellyhad many iconic roles in classics likeIt’s Always Fair WeatherandAn American In Paris, but the image of him joyfully dancing in the rain is often cited as one of the most striking moments in the history of cinema.
Singin' in the Rain
4‘Die Hard’ (1988)
Directed by John McTiernan
Die Hardis oftenseen as the definitive action film, as it set up a brilliant template that would be endlessly ripped off by imitators for decades. Although it is a film in which nearly every line has become iconic,Die Hardsucceeds because it has a very simple story that is easy to follow. John McClane is a lonely man who is in the midst of a divorce, and his feelings of discontent were ones that audiences could relate to thanks to the terrific performance byBruce Willisin the role he was born to play.
Die Hardfeatures one of the greatest movie villains of all-time, and it is very impressive that Hans Gruber was the first character thatAlan Rickmanever played in a movie. While it is a great film to revisit during the holiday season,Die Hardis always entertaining at any point in the year.
New York City policeman John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife (Bonnie Bedelia) and two daughters on Christmas Eve. He joins her at a holiday party in the headquarters of the Japanese-owned business she works for. But the festivities are interrupted by a group of terrorists who take over the exclusive high-rise, and everyone in it. Very soon McClane realizes that there’s no one to save the hostages – but him.
3‘The Big Lebowski’ (1998)
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
The Big Lebowskiflippedthe noir genre on its headfor a rousing, spiritual, and uncompromisingly funny adventure that showed how truly unparalleledJoelandEthan Coenwere when it comes to pure creativity. Every line inThe Big Lebowskiis brilliant, and there are countless latent details hidden within the background that some massive fans may not have picked upon until they had already watched the film several times.
The Big Lebowskiwould not be nearly as successful if it did not star Jeff Bridges, whose performance as “The Dude” would even go on to inspire its own religion. While Bridges is undeniably the standout, the film also includes amazing supporting performances fromSam Elliott, John Turturro, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Steve Buscemi,andJohn Goodman. Even those that have not seen it are likely aware of lines like “that’s just like, your opinion, man.”
The Big Lebowski
Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.
Watch on The Criterion Channel
2‘Ghostbusters’ (1984)
Directed by Ivan Reitman
Ghostbustersis an odd film that cannot be characterized by just one genre, as it combines an action-adventure storyline with some genuinely creepy moments, great chemistry between an amazing cast, and some subtle satire about the realities of starting a business. As unusual as it was to imagine thatBill Murray, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd,andErnie Hudsonwould be at the center of a genre movie,Ghostbustersis a filmthat became an iconic blockbusterbecause it threw the rulebook out the window.
Every aspect ofGhostbustershas held up very well, as the practical creature effects and legendary theme song have become entwined with popular culture history. While opinions range drastically on whether any of the subsequent sequels or reboots were able to do the franchise justice, the originalGhostbustersis the rare work of populist entertainment that is without any flaws.
Ghostbusters
Three parapsychologists forced out of their university funding set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.
Rent on Amazon
1‘Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope’ (1977)
Directed by George Lucas
Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hopeembodies everything that audiences go to the movies for, as it combines a rousing coming-of-age story about a young hero finding his place, an exciting series of highly imaginative locations, a grandiose mythology where every moment has depth, some of the greatest characters in the history of cinema, and the sheer power of seeing good vanquish evil.
TheStar Warsfranchise is arguably the most important within the history of cinema, but the first installment is still the most accessible story, as it centers around Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) learning about the ways of the force as he joins the Rebel Alliance. Iconic moments like theDeath Startrench run are still just as riveting today as they were in 1977, and it is impossible to finish watching the film and not immediately start hummingJohn Williams’ iconic theme song.
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
A farm boy from a desert planet becomes an unlikely hero in the fight against the oppressive Galactic Empire. Guided by a former Jedi Knight and alongside a rebellious princess, a smuggler, and his co-pilot, he embarks on a mission to destroy the Death Star, a massive space station capable of annihilating entire planets. As he learns about the mystical Force, he discovers his destiny and the true strength within himself.
