20 Highest-Rated Movies on IMDb, Ranked by Votes

While internet popularity can be a fickle and fleeting thing, in the case of IMDb, there are a few top-rated movies that tower above their rivals and stand the test of time. Moviegoers can rate the films they see on the website, and some are cemented as being at the top of their class. Seen by many as the go-to resource for film ratings and opinions, the ten most-voted films are usually, if not some of the best movies of all time. At the very least, IMDb’s top movies are comfortably the internet’s favorite movies and are likely recognizable to most viewers.

As IMDb continues to be a popular resource for those looking for must-see 10-star movies, its ratings and number of voters also constantly change as more viewers flock to the site to share their opinions about their favorite films. For the most-voted movies on the platform, they remain above these shifts, except for some subtle differences in their ranking and number of votes.

20 ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991)

Votes: 1,532,834 | IMDb Rating: 8.6

A cinematic masterpiece and still the first movie many think of when considering psychological horror, The Silence of the Lambs is an award-winning film directed by Jonathan Demme based on Thomas Harris‘ eponymous 1988 novel. It tells the story of a young FBI trainee, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), who asks the imprisoned Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) for help in her pursuit of a serial killer, “Buffalo Bill” (Ted Levine).

Hopkins’ performance as the brilliant psychiatrist and notorious cannibal helps cement the character as a pop culture icon. The timeless film’s cat-and-mouse game between Clarice and Lecter, coupled with Buffalo Bill’s gruesome crimes, creates a suspenseful atmosphere that’s still just as riveting upon a well-deserved rewatch today. The votes on IMDb prove that Silence of the Lambs deserves all the praise it received.

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19 ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ (2013)

Votes: 1,561,759 | IMDb Rating: 8.2

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort‘s career as a stockbroker as outlined in his eponymous 2007 memoir, director Martin Scorsese‘s The Wolf of Wall Street is a renowned dark comedy movie. It revolves around the charismatic stockbroker’s (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) experiences as he rises to financial success after opening his own firm, which engages in fraud and other criminal activities. It also chronicles his epic downfall after his infamy catches the attention of the authorities.

A fantastic movie about excess, the high-energy, darkly comedic exploration of Belfort’s unbridled ambition is wholly original and wildly entertaining. This unapologetic portrayal of the chaotic and hedonistic world of Wall Street in the 1990s has understandably been a point of debate among critics and audiences, but it doesn’t take away from the film’s enduring popularity.

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18 ‘Batman Begins’ (2005)

Votes: 1,564,028 | IMDb Rating: 8.2

Christian Bale‘s Batman is introduced to millions of fans in Christopher Nolan‘s first entry in The Dark Knight trilogy, Batman Begins. The first in the legendary superhero movie trilogy tells the origin story of the legendary DC anti-hero, all the way to his fight against Ra’s al Ghul (Liam Neeson) and the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy), who want nothing more than to see Gotham in shambles.

The 2005 movie would mark an important turn in the superhero genre, proving that blockbusters can be infused with gritty realism and psychological depth, particularly for the iconic character it portrays. Its depiction of Batman’s journey from a traumatized orphan to the caped crusader captures the character’s complexities and inner turmoil with ease, laying the groundwork for what many still consider to be the best film series that depicts the anti-hero.

17 ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009)

Votes: 1,565,763 | IMDb Rating: 8.4

One of Quentin Tarantino‘s most iconic films, Inglourious Basterds is a unique war movie set during World War II that follows a group of American soldiers led by Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), as they embark on a mission to hunt and exterminate Nazis. Another plot running alongside this is Shosanna Dreyfus’ (Mélanie Laurent) plan to assassinate Nazi Germany’s leadership, and the two stories collide in an explosive way.

Tarantino’s movie is a remarkable combination of historical drama, dark humor, and intense action, with its unexpected narrative structure only enhancing the unfolding events. It’s a one-of-a-kind humorous portrayal of what is one of the darkest periods of history. Of course, career-best performances from actors like Christoph Waltz (for his portrayal of the villainous Colonel Hans Landa) add depth and an element of rewatchability to the 2009 film.

16 ‘Gladiator’ (2000)

Votes: 1,603,191 | IMDb Rating: 8.5

Director Ridley Scott‘s Gladiator is a masterwork in the historical drama genre. Starring Russell Crowe as Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius, the film portrays his great fall following a betrayal by the emperor’s overly ambitious son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Instead of accepting defeat, Maximus works his way up in the arena and swears vengeance, fighting against numerous foes to reach the very top and leave an important message for the emperor himself (with many onlookers).

The film is full of thunderous spectacles that are the flawlessly choreographed battles between gladiators, perfectly complemented by a powerful score by Hans Zimmer. Crowe’s commanding performance anchors the film, which traces his path to Commodus – and to revenge – in a way that will have viewers rooting for him until the very end. At this point, Gladiator is an essential revenge movie with a dramatic story that benefits from Scott’s direction.

15 ‘Django Unchained’ (2012)

Votes: 1,675,535 | IMDb Rating: 8.5

A fan-favorite Western directed by Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained tells the story of the titular slave (played by Jamie Foxx) who gains his freedom when he encounters a German bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz). The duo embarks on a dangerous journey across the country to look for Django’s wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), who is revealed to have been sold to a cruel plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio).

Widely regarded as one of Quentin Tarantino’s best movies, Django Unchained is a modern masterpiece that is unflinching in its use of irreverent humor and stylistic violence to delve into racism and slavery. With stellar performances from its cast (most notably resulting in DiCaprio’s glass scene) and no shortage of sharp dialogue, it’s easy to see why the offbeat film became mainstream.

14 ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’ (2002)

Votes: 1,766,174 | IMDb Rating: 8.8

It’s hard to call any of director Peter Jackson‘s The Lord of the Rings movies bad, but if fans had to pick the weakest entry in the trilogy, it would probably be The Two Towers. Picking up where the first movie left off, the film follows Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam’s (Sean Astin) increasingly risky journey to Mordor, as well as Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli’s (John Rhys-Davies) literally breathtaking pursuit of the Uruk-hai who have kidnapped the lovable duo Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd).

The epic LotR masterpiece does an excellent job of accomplishing the gargantuan task of bridging the two movies in an exciting enough way that leaves audiences wanting more, but not dissatisfied. One of its many highlights and arguably the best is its dramatic portrayal of the Battle of Helm’s Deep, also called the Battle of the Hornburg, which sees some beloved characters up against impossible odds. Its high number of votes on IMDb is a testament to just how many people likely have this bookmarked as part of their annual marathons of the acclaimed film trilogy.

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13 ‘Se7en’ (1995)

Votes: 1,778,854 | IMDb Rating: 8.6

The twisty crime thriller to end all twisty crime thrillers, director David Fincher‘s Se7en set a new standard and elevated the genre when it first premiered in the late 90s. The legendary film is centered on two detectives, the disillusioned William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and his rookie partner David Mills (Brad Pitt). The detectives are assigned to a bizarre case about a serial killer using the seven deadly sins as inspiration for his gruesome yet meticulous murders.

Famous for its unforgettable twist ending, Se7en gives viewers an enthralling story with brilliantly suspenseful moments that build up to its wild conclusion. It was a surprisingly especially dark entry from Fincher, who established numerous trademarks in this film. Fantastic performances from Freeman and Pitt make the flawless material they have to work with even better. It’s a movie that captured lightning in a bottle, and one that continues to be referenced, discussed, and studied today.

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12 ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

Votes: 1,810,278 | IMDb Rating: 8.4

Set eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, director Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises is the gripping conclusion to his award-winning film trilogy. It depicts Gotham in a state of uncharacteristic peace thanks to the Dent Act, which is unsurprisingly soon disturbed by the iconic villain, Bane (Tom Hardy). Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is forced to come out of retirement one last time to face this new threat, with the help of the reliable Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) and an exciting new ally, Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman (Anne Hathaway).

A great example of a final movie done right, The Dark Knight Rises is a proper send-off for the beloved anti-hero, who’s impossible not to root for at this point. Gotham’s fate hangs in the balance as the caped crusader meets yet another foe. Of course, it’s Tom Hardy’s portrayal of the villainous Bane that manages to outshine heroic attempts from the protagonist, and will forever be associated with this massively successful trilogy.

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11 ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003)

Votes: 1,959,116 | IMDb Rating: 9.0

The closer to Peter Jackson’s trilogy of films adapting J.R.R. Tolkien‘s seminal fantasy novels is blockbuster filmmaking done right. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King provides a satisfying conclusion to the nearly nine hours of story. This film sees Aragorn claim his birthright as the King of Gondor, possibly the most outstanding cavalry charge ever put to film, after an unbelievable struggle. It also includes the final leg of Frodo and Samwise’s grueling journey towards the eventual destruction of the ring and the defeat of the big bad, Sauron.

This film holds a three-way tie for the most-awarded film in Oscars history, with Ben-Hur and Titanic all sharing the illustrious honor of taking home 11 awards. Perhaps as much an acknowledgment by the academy of the monumental achievement the trilogy as a whole was, The Return of the King also marked one of the rare times in history where the big winner was an epic, crowd-pleasing fantasy film.

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10 ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)

Votes: 1,986,863 | IMDb Rating: 8.9

The task of adapting The Lord of the Rings trilogy that Tolkien spent most of his lifetime developing — and had a massive influence on the genre as a whole — was perhaps rightly seen as one that was, for all intents and purposes, impossible. However, Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema decided to take on the challenge — and it paid off.

Is the beginning of a tale better than the end? The internet certainly seems to think so, as The Fellowship of the Ring places above the conclusion to the trilogy. Why this is so is anyone’s guess — but The Fellowship of the Ring is certainly an excellent, well-made film that does a great job of introducing the characters, their motivations, and the stakes of the story. It sees gorgeous depictions of the Shire, the creation of the Fellowship, and the first hints of the terrible antagonists they’ll be facing along the way (including themselves). Among the three films, it’s the most rewatchable, not just because it came first, but also due to the magical and nostalgic viewing experience it offers.

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9 ‘The Godfather’ (1972)

Votes: 1,992,510 | IMDb Rating: 9.2

Rarely does a film so completely transcend the medium’s limits to become a staple of popular culture, but The Godfather is an odd confluence of factors. A niche Hollywood had thought dead, a young, maverick filmmaker with the vision to revitalize the gangster movie genre, and one of the best casts of all time combine to bring this all-time classic to life.

The Godfather portrays Mario Puzo‘s mob novel on the big screen, depicting the life of the head of a mafia, Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), as well as his reluctant son’s – Michael (Al Pacino) – path to joining him and eventually taking control. It’s mobster drama at its best, portraying the betrayals, violence, and familial conflicts, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at a compelling crime family. It’s tough to find fault with this film — everything from the script to the production design, the cinematography, pacing, action, and acting are all top-notch. The Godfather gave viewers a glimpse into the inner workings of a mafia, which revolutionized an entire genre of filmmaking.

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8 ‘The Matrix’ (1999)

Votes: 2,032,223 | IMDb Rating: 8.7

“What is the Matrix?” is a seemingly simple question, but one that perplexed and intrigued audiences as part of one of the most effective marketing campaigns in history. An odd combination of the height of stunt work, exciting new technologies, and philosophical contemplation of humanity’s relationship with machines combined to make The Matrix a massive hit and a cultural phenomenon. It introduced the world to Keanu Reeves‘ Neo, who could be the one that could save humanity from a grand illusion, at least according to Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne).

This film holds a special place in many people’s hearts, and it’s easy to see why. It changed the way blockbusters were made, introducing the world to bullet-time and revolutionary special effects, not to mention toe Keanu Reeves’ acting chops as an action star. It’s worth noting that it’s still considered the best one in the Matrix franchise, and is still worth watching again today.

7 ‘Interstellar’ (2014)

Votes: 2,061,256 | IMDb Rating: 8.7

Another ambitious film from Nolan, Interstellar is considered one of the best sci-fi movies of all time. Set in a dystopian future where blight is causing the rapid decline of life on earth, the film focuses on a former pilot and now farmer named Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), who finds a secret NASA location and is soon placed in charge of a mission that could be humanity’s last hope. As he leads his team through a wormhole, they don’t expect what they find on the other side.

Interstellar hit every mark, from its stunning visual effects and commendable scientific accuracy to its outstanding performances and surprising emotional depth. Alongside its epic intergalactic story, it tells a more intimate father-daughter narrative that eventually influences Cooper’s mission. Judging by its number of votes, it’s safe to say that it is the movie for sci-fi fans who have likely gotten their dose of space, mind-bending physics, and dystopian settings on more than one rewatch.

6 ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994)

Votes: 2,196,360 | IMDb Rating: 8.9

Pulp Fiction is the film that cemented Quentin Tarantino as a creative force in Hollywood. It uses a non-linear narrative structure to depict a variety of arcs, which include two hitmen who have darkly humorous conversations, an actress who gets in trouble after a fun night out, and a Bonnie-and-Clyde-esque couple who hype themselves up for a robbery.

It’s hard to put a finger on precisely what makes this film so good — an all-star cast trading barbs with each other from Tarantino’s whip-smart script and playing with editing conventions to tell a non-linear story are two of the top reasons. But perhaps most of all, Pulp Fiction is just cool. There’s no other word for it. From the stylish hitmen played with panache by Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta to the soundtrack of absolute bangers from start to finish, this film epitomized the mid-90s. It’s one of the most influential American films of the decade.

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5 ‘Forrest Gump’ (1994)

Votes: 2,232,534 | IMDb Rating: 8.8

Known for his crowd-pleasing films, director Robert Zemeckis is at his most crowd-pleasing when he introduces the world to the journey of Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) as he goes from being an impoverished child in Alabama to having an unlikely impact on events that shaped the world in the 20th century. Life is like a box of chocolates for the protagonist, whose stories range from participating in the Vietnam war to working on a shrimp

While undeniably a heartwarming affair and being incredibly acted across the board, particularly in Hanks’ case as the titular character, the film isn’t known for its subtlety. Some of its aspects haven’t aged well, but the 1994 classic hasn’t lost its place in the hearts of many fans. Forrest Gump is undoubtedly very charming, and still holds an important place in pop culture.

4 ‘Fight Club’ (1999)

Votes: 2,295,487 | IMDb Rating: 8.8

David Fincher’s grungy, punk-infused adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk‘s novel of the same name is one of the defining cult classics of the 1990s. Combining psychological thriller, comedy, and fight movie into one tantalizing package, Fight Club is dirty, unapologetic, depressing, and exhilarating all in the same breath — not to mention pulling off one of the best twists in cinema history.

It tells the story of the Narrator (Edward Norton), a man living with insomnia who one day meets an eccentric soap salesman, Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). Together, they start an underground fight club for men with similar pent up rage and frustration about the world – it also comes with a set of important rules. Presenting a nihilistic worldview that many disaffected young people resonate with, Fight Club reflects the youth culture of the 1990s as disillusionment and a sense of hopelessness are the defining traits of the story. Tyler Durden’s powerful words and well-written story left a lasting impression on an entire generation.

3 ‘Inception’ (2010)

Votes: 2,523,037 | IMDb Rating: 8.8

Having proven his ability to make money at the box office, Christopher Nolan was given a large budget and relative creative freedom for his next big hit. Inception was a concept that had been in Nolan’s head since the days of Memento — and a perfect combination of timing, funding, and ideas came together for him to make it in the style that he had always envisioned.

The wild sci-fi film follows the mysterious Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his team as they go on their most ambitious heist yet. The professional thief is used to stealing information from the subconscious, but it’s his first attempt at implanting an idea. In the process, Cobb’s personal demons begins to bleed into the various dreamscapes they walk into, endangering his and his team’s lives. Nolan was able to take this complex plot and combine it with some of the most spectacular visual effects ever seen in film, easily turning Inception into one of the most popular movies of all time.

2 ‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)

Votes: 2,841,487 | IMDb Rating: 9.0

Proving just as adept at adapting existing material as he is at crafting his own unique stories, Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy has stood the test of time. While the other two films form practical bookends for the trilogy, The Dark Knight genuinely stands out. It’s centered on Batman (Christian Bale) as he attempts to clean up Gotham with the support of Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and DA Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). But when a new and dangerous antagonist emerges, the city is plunged into chaos.

Considered by many to not be so much a great superhero film but instead, a sprawling crime epic where the protagonist and antagonist happen to dress in costume, The Dark Knight — elevated by the late great Heath Ledger’s distinct and legendary take on the Joker — is quite simply one of the best blockbusters ever made, and an undeniably brilliant, engaging piece of cinema. It’s rightly never excluded from any discussion of the highest-rated movies of all time and narrowly makes it as one of the 10/10 movies on IMDb.

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1 ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)

Votes: 2,860,257 | IMDb Rating: 9.3

After being put in prison for a crime he says he didn’t commit, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sent to Shawshank — one of the worst prisons in the state. Not the kind of man who is cut out for prison life, Dufrense befriends Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), and the two men bond during their time inside together, maintaining their hope in a place where it appears there’s none to be had.

The closest to a 10/10 as the film with the highest IMDb rating (at 9.3), The Shawshank Redemption is, without a doubt, a triumph. One of the best films ever made about hope and the human spirit, Frank Darabont directs the best-rated movies among his Stephen King adaptations — showing another side to the horror master. Anchored by Freeman and Robbins’ fantastic chemistry, it is a great film that has stood the test of time.

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