The Final Posts | The Top 250+ Films

It took me a while to narrow in on HOW I wanted to wrap up Rath's Reviews in a fun, meaningful way. In the back of my mind, there was always some massive ranking that was going to happen, but I also knew it wouldn't be realistic to rank all near-1,000 films I've covered throughout my New and Retro Reviews. 

Thus, the analyst in me built criteria:

• Any film > 9 Rath Review Score was automatically qualified to make the list (even if I may not agree with that score years/months later!)
• Films < 9 RRS were determined individually and I picked ones that stood out fondly, unknowing where I'd rank them in this massive list
• Retro Reviews and New Reviews are both fair game. Films I've previously seen that have never been reviewed by me are NOT on this list

The majority of this list will happen in batches of 25 because actually ranking 250+ films is very difficult and a bit pointless as there isn't much difference in my opinion of movie #230 vs. #210, for example. However, once we get to the Top 25, we'll actually start ranking the best of the best, in a list that I'm sure will create a lot of reactions and opinions!

While you read, note down which films you disagree with, which ones you'd forgotten about, or any other cool tidbits about a placement you see. Share them with me in the comments or on socials! 

As a final note, the films will be listed as: "Film Name (original RRS)" so you can see what it's original score was upon initial review. Lastly, the films listed in batches of 25 will be alphabetical so don't read too much into their placement. Within these groups I've colored some BLUE so it's easier to distinguish separation between titles

Let's get started!

#251 - 226

Act of Valor (9) // Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (9.5) // Avengers: Age of Ultron (9) // Beasts of No Nation (9) // Elysium (10) // Ender's Game (9) // Iron Man 3 (9.5) // Kong: Skull Island (8.5) // Neighbors (9) // Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (9) // Never Say Never Again (9) // Prometheus (9) // Rock of Ages (9.5) // Savages (9) // Sully (9) // The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (9) // The Fault in Our Stars (9) // The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (9) // The Impossible (9.5) // The Lego Batman Movie (9) // The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (9.5) // The Post (9) // The Spectacular Now (9) // Wild (9.5) // Wind River (9) // Zach Snyder's Justice League (8)

Lasting Image: The Impossible

#225 - 201

Creed (9) // Furious 7 (8.5) // How to Train Your Dragon (9) // Kingsman: The Golden Circle (8.5) // Life of Pi (9) // Malignant (8.5) // Man of Steel (9) // Oblivion (9) // Pacific Rim (9) // Patriots Day (9.5) // Pitch Perfect 2 (9) // Predestination (9) // San Andreas (8.5) // Space Jam (10) // Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (10) // Straight Outta Compton (9) // The Expendables 2 (9) // The Great Gatsby (9.5) // The Harder They Fall (9.5) // The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (10) // The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part II (9) // The Trial of the Chicago 7 (9) // The Woman King (9) // This is the End (9) // Warm Bodies (8.5)

Lasting Image: Furious 7

#200 - 176

21 Jump Street (9.5) // 22 Jump Street (9.5) // A Quiet Place (9.5) // Avatar (8) // Big Hero 6 (9) // Dunkirk (10) // Encanto (9.5) // Eye in the Sky (10) // Free Guy (8.5) // Frozen (9.5) // Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (8.5) // How to Train Your Dragon 2 (9) // Inside Out 2 (8.5) // mother! (8.5) // Poor Things (8.5) // Sausage Party (9) // Se7en (9.5) // Selma (9) // Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (9) // Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (7.5) // The Conjuring 2 (8.5) // The Last Dance (10) // The Revenant (9.5) // The Substance (8) // Wreck-It Ralph (10)

Lasting Image: Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace

#175 - 151

American Fiction (8.5) // Anomalisa (9) // Athena (9) // Baby Driver (9) // Captain Phillips (9) // Challengers (8.5) // Chef (9) // Creed 3 (9) // Da 5 Bloods (9.5) // Deadpool & Wolverine (9) // El Camino (9) // Finding Nemo (10) // Godzilla (8.5) // Godzilla Minus One (8.5) // Moneyball (9) // Nightcrawler (9) // Scream VI (7.5) // Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (9) // Shutter Island (9) // The Edge of Tomorrow (8.5) // The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (9) // The Shape of Water (9) // The Spy Who Loved Me (10) // Won't You Be My Neighbor (9) // Zootopia (9)

Lasting Image: Captain Phillips

#150-126
12 Years a Slave (8.5) // All Quiet on the Western Front (8.5) // Anatomy of a Fall (9) // Argo (9.5) // Avatar: The Way of Water (8.5) // Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (9) // First Man (9) // Kill Bill: Vol 1 (9) // Late Night with the Devil (9) // Lawrence of Arabia (8.5) // Longlegs (9) // Marriage Story (9) // Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (9) // Nomadland (9.5) // Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (9) // Pitch Perfect (8.5) // Pulp Fiction (9) // Son of Saul (9) // Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (9) // The Batman (8.5) // The Greatest Showman (8) // The Incredibles 2 (9) // The Martian (9) // The Wolf of Wall Street (9) // Wicked (8.5)

Lasting Image: The Wolf of Wall Street

#125-101
Back to the Future Part II (9) // Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (9) // Blindspotting (10) // Deadpool (9) // Django Unchained (9.5) // Everything Everywhere All At Once (9) // Good Will Hunting (10) // Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (9) // Heat (9.5) // Hunt for the Wilderpeople (9.5) // Inside Out (9) // John Wick (8.5) // Judas and the Black Messiah (9) // Little Women (9) // Looper (9) // Prisoners (8.5) // Sound of Metal (9) // The Fablemans (9) // The Green Knight (9) // The Lighthouse (9.5) // The Nice Guys (8.5) // The Northman (9) // The Place Beyond the Pines (9) // War for the Planet of the Apes (9.5) // X-Men: Days of Future Past (9.5)

Lasting Image: Back to the Future Part II

#100-76

Barbie (9) // Civil War (9) // Dune (9) // Get Out (8.5) // Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (9) // Hamilton (9.5) // Joker (9) // Kick-Ass (10) // Midsommar (9) // Mrs. Doubtfire (9) // No Time to Die (8.5) // Parasite (8.5) // Ready Player One (9) // Snowpiercer (9.5) // Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (10) // Tenet (9) // The Banshees of Inisherin (9) // The Big Short (9) // The Dark Knight Rises (10) // The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (10) // The Lego Movie (9.5) // The Shawshank Redemption (9.5) // Us (9) // What We Do in the Shadows (9.5) // Wonder Woman (9)

Lasting Image: Get Out

#75-51

12 Angry Men (10) // 2001: A Space Odyssey (8) // American Sniper (9) // Apocalypse Now (9.5) // Blade Runner 2049 (8.5) // Bottoms (9.5) // Captain America: The Winter Soldier (9.5) // Conclave (9) // Gladiator (10) // Goldeneye (10) // Goldfinger (10) // Gone Girl (9) // It (9.5) // John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (9.5) // Kill Bill: Vol 2 (10) // Logan (9.5) // My Old Ass (9.5) // Soul (10) // Spider-Man: No Way Home (10) // Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (9) // The Godfather Part II (8.5) // The Godfather Part III (9.5) // Thor: Ragnarok (9.5) // Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri (9) // Zodiac (9.5)

Lasting Image: Blade Runner 2049

#50-26

1917 (10) // Alien (10) // Aliens (10) // Dune: Part Two (9.5) // Guardians of the Galaxy (10) // Incendies (9.5) // Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (10) // It Follows (9.5) // John Wick: Chapter 4 (9.5) // Jojo Rabbit (9.5) // Mission: Impossible - Fallout (9.5) // Promising Young Woman (9.5) // Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (9) // RRR (9.5) // Sicario (10) // Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (10) // Terminator 2: Judgment Day (9.5) // The Avengers (10) // The Grand Budapest Hotel (9.5) // The Holdovers (9.5) // The Raid 2 (10) // The Shining (9.5) // There Will Be Blood (9.5) // Tron: Legacy (9) // Whiplash (9)

Lasting Image: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Having fun? Any surprises thus far? Now that we're at the Top 25, I'm going to give each film individual attention as these are truly the best of the best, and some of my favorite films of all time. Let's take a look!

#25-1

#25 - Inglorious Basterds (10) | You've likely seen Quentin Tarantino's films throughout this list; he's one of the best directors in Hollywood. Kicking us off at the #25 spot, I have my favorite film of his, the Nazzzeee huntin', alternate-history of this crazy, fun, and well-written film. Nearly every scene is iconic and the performances - particularly Christoph Waltz - are all-timers.

#24 - The Grey (9) | Originally marketed as just another Liam Neeson actioner, vs. wolves no less! The Grey is far and away Neeson's best film in this realm. It's a well-put together film, as cold as it often looks, but the thing that sticks with me the most about it are its deaths. They're strikingly, and hauntingly realistic. Not gory or all that vicious, but intense in their startling emotional heft and realism. As I've mentioned in other posts throughout Rath's Reviews, this is truly a film that "stuck" with me. 

#23 - Annihilation (9) | Alex Garland is a butts-in-seats director for me as he often creates cerebral, intense, and beautiful films, largely in the sci-fi realm. Annihilation is a wild story that seeps with weird - much like the book - and confusing elements. However, I've never been able to stop thinking about it. Much like the atmosphere of the film, it burrows deep with searing imagery and moments. It's a mindf**k of a film in the best of ways

#22 - Skyfall (10) | If you know anything about me, you're probably well aware that James Bond - and potentially a couple other spies - are going to make my Top 25 list. Daniel Craig's Bond is the best iteration of the British agent, and Skyfall is a pinnacle of incredible filmmaking in the spy/action genre. As it has aged, I've found it to be anchored in Roger Deakins' jaw-dropping cinematography, which is some of the best in his storied career. Other elements are worth praising, but it's the framing and shots that will stick with you. 

#21 - Mad Max: Fury Road (9.5) | As one of the greatest action powerhouses to release...well...ever, it should be no surprise that this made my Top 25 list. "Beyond impressive" doesn't even really describe how visceral watching Fury Road is and I'm still baffled how all of this practical stunt work was caught on film. Top it off with memorable lore and characters, and you've got a thrill ride that encourages you to wear a seatbelt while you watch.

#20 - Saving Private Ryan (10) | Saving Private Ryan is iconic American cinema. It'll be relevant forever given the subject matter, stars, and director. It's continually intense and draining, but documents the horrors of World War II with potent accuracy. It's an epic, tremendous film about the power of human spirit, camaraderie, and legacy that should serve as a reminder as much as a vehicle for entertainment.

#19 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (10) | The initial trilogy of Indiana Jones films are a blast, but I truly think it's high point is the Last Crusade. The adventure fires on all cylinders, nearly every moment feels iconic, the lore is mysterious and exciting, and the banter between Connery's father figure and Ford offers plenty of humor. It's the perfect blockbuster. 

#18 - Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (10) | I adore the Mission: Impossible series (yes, even M:I-2). It holds a special place in my spy-loving heart and none of those memories may be more exciting than seeing Ghost Protocol with my dad and friends in an IMAX theater. The film sings with inventive action the whole way through, but I'm still mindblown just thinking about the Burj Dubai stuntwork...and that it was Cruise himself doing it. What an exciting film!

#17 - Gravity (10) | Many of the films on this list remind us why it's still a thing to GO to the theater. To see something on a big, loud screen...sometimes an IMAX. Gravity, in IMAX 3D, is an experience I'll remember until my dying day. The opening "one-shot" sequence is mesmerizing; I forgot I was on planet Earth, sitting in a theater. When things get intense, it feels intense. The anxiety, stress, and excitement was real...no different than a roller coaster. And the short-but-sweet film never really lets up, while also giving you a great character story among the chaos. This is the type of theater experience that is an example of why theaters must survive. 

#16 - Drive (10) | Drive is an effortlessly cool film. It's artsy, sure, yet it has some more traditional elements that help it to avoid being too obscure. Ryan Gosling's stoic - and nearly silent - protagonist, awesome car chases and audio editing, shocking moments of violence, a great story, and one hell of an original score + soundtrack. I distinctly remember my first time seeing it thinking, "Damn...this movie oozes cool." And it still does, all these years later. 

#15 - Captain America: Civil War (10) | Certain people may scoff at a Marvel film being on this list; I don't care. The finale of Captain America's trilogy was riveting stuff, and some of the MCU at its finest. Even after all the films since, Civil War is still the best action film in the MCU, which is a high compliment. Moments like the Black Panther chase, and final battle are amazing highs, but really it's that airport sequence that's superhero cinema on steroids. Hero vs. hero, with so many powers combining, and quips being thrown...it's some of my favorite 20 minutes of screentime ever. There's a rich, complex story here too, featuring shocking revelations and making the anticipation for Avengers: Infinity War even greater because of how fractured the group would be entering it. Given the Russos directed this, I see this as "Part I" of their "Avengers" trilogy. 

#14 - Top Gun: Maverick (9) | The only reason my score for this legacy sequel isn't a 10, is because myself - and my friends - were so shocked with how good it was that you're almost hedging your bets that you're overexcited. Several viewings later and I can confirm: Top Gun: Maverick is one hell of a f**king movie. What it captures on film is unparalleled, technically mind blowing, and simultaneously edge-of-your seat exciting and sucked-into-your-seat-from-G-forces intense. I enjoyed how the story evolved the overall narrative and established memorable characters, but the flight sequences (and their cinematography, editing, music, etc.) in IMAX are something on a different level. It's no wonder Cruise waited until after Covid for this to hit actual theaters; it's a thrill ride overflowing with entertainment value.

#13 - Ex Machina (9.5) | Another Alex Garland mindf**k of a film and also another example of a movie that has never left my mind. Particularly in today's world where AI is at the cusp of seemingly quarterly breakthroughs, Ex Machina really pushes it's audience to say: "Ok, so if these beings will be truly sentient, then aren't they human?" It brings up so many dilemmas around ownership, interaction, relationships, and more, that this small thriller thinks much bigger than you anticipate.

#12 - Arrival (9) | One of Denis Villeneuve's many fantastic films, Arrival is like nothing you've really seen before. An alien first-contact story that's grounded in some sort of reality and with a focus on linguistics, one may think it could be boring. It's anything but, and certain scenes - like the above "first meeting" are some of the best I've ever seen. Arrival culminates with a twist that's as emotionally impactful as it is shocking, leaving you with a lot to think about after you leave the theater. 

#11 - Kingsman: The Secret Service (9) | It's probably no surprise that I love Kingsman, a lot. It's a near-perfect mash-up of James Bond style spy work (complete with Bond style villains), all layered with hyper-violence (I mean...that church scene...) and R-rated humor. It's a film that knows how to have fun and how to entertain, making it effortlessly re-watchable. At times, it feels like a film made just for me. 

#10 - Titanic (10) | Perhaps some are surprised with this high of a ranking, but truthfully, you shouldn't be. Titanic is the most romantic and passionate film I've ever seen, but beyond that, it's an iconic adventure. James Cameron crafted a film that stands the test of time in nearly every way, providing us two young leads with ridiculous chemistry, over 3 hours of memorable scenes upon the tragic ship, and a disaster flick that is one of the best ever crafted. Along with James Horner's score that is one of the best - and most emotional - ever, Titanic deserves its flowers. 

#9 - The Godfather (10) | The Godfather trilogy was a missed blemish on my resume for a long time. Finally, I rectified that by watching the them over the course of a few months. The whole thing is pretty fantastic (yes, even Part III), but it's really the original film that wowed me. It plays as if no time has passed. The performances, script, story, cinematography, editing...everything feels timeless. The story is layered and captivating and there's a reason some will refer to it as "the best movie of all time". At #9 on my list, it's not far off. 

#8 - Oppenheimer (10) | Call it recency bias if you want, but three viewings of this film have only entrenched my opinion on it: it's cinematic perfection. Thanks to Christopher Nolan's vision (you're about to hear a lot more on that...), the character study of the Father of the Atomic Bomb is completely riveting across its entire 3 hour runtime, almost breathlessly so. The breathless part I attribute to Ludwig Goransson's original score which is one of the best ever produced. But there's other praise to be had for an A-list cast all turning in their top-tier work - particularly Cillian Murphy - and the use of time hops to connect key periods of Oppenheimer's life to one another. It's incredible. 

#7 - Casino Royale (10) | Casino Royale is the best Bond film of the storied franchise, was a springboard for Daniel Craig's more rugged and brutal version, and features some of the best action sequences ever, including that jaw-dropping opening parkour chase. Beyond that, it's a film that has aged immensely well, and I've found myself staunchly claiming it's this good to be on a list like this. And at spot #007, no less. Eva Green and Mads Mikkelsen round out a superb cast, both making a lasting mark on the franchise. I remember general audiences were impressed when this first released, but I'm not quite sure we grasped how good it was until more time had passed. It's the quintessential spy actioner. 

#6 - Avengers: Infinity War (9.5) & Avengers: Endgame (10) | Earlier, you heard me refer to Civil War as the "start" of the Russo's MCU trilogy. If that's true, I largely consider Infinity War and Endgame as Part II and III...often viewing them as one, massive Shakespearean epic. Hey, these are my rankings so I can do what I want! Scoff all you want, but the MCU at its peak was doing something that had never been done before. I can't remember the last time I went to the movies with the stakes feeling so high. And both Infinity War and Endgame delivered in spades. The superhero action was jaw dropping, there were plenty of quips and well timed humor, and our cast was the largest ever assembled in history. But you know what kept me breathless and glued to the screen? The story. I was hanging on every word, every scene, as we learned about how the Avengers would attempt to beat Thanos...or lose to him. This was peak, butts-in-seats cinema.

#5 - La La Land (9.5) | I had the special pleasure to see La La Land at the Denver Film Festival with Emma Stone and director, Damien Chazelle, present. That alone makes it memorable, yet even without that added glamour, La La Land is a special film. The more I've watched it throughout the years, the more I realize two things. 1) This movie will stand the test of time, undoubtedly. When I'm on the longer side of 70 years old and we talk about the "oldies" and movie stars of the past, La La Land will be a prime example. 2) Perhaps more than any other film on this list, La La Land is a vision. It feels like it bleeds directly onto your screen from Chazelle's mind and we're all the better for it. Perhaps the best part of rewatching it however? The music - dear GOD - the music is uplifting, catchy, and iconic. What a hell of a muscial. 

#4 - Interstellar (8.5) | It took me reading the science behind Interstellar to truly appreciate it as I was overwhelmed and baffled initially, but talk about a film that has aged with time and additional viewings. Truthfully, of all the films in my Top 5, I get a little emotional thinking about the impact Interstellar has had on my thinking. It played huge roles in influencing my own science fiction story, Infinitude, but beyond that...the sheer scope of Interstellar is daunting. Depressing in some ways, but hopeful, admirable, and inspiring in others. Each time I rewatch it (and as I arguably get more emotional as I age), it hits me harder. How small we all are, but how it really could all come down to one person, and his love for his daughter, to save everything. I'm sure Hans Zimmer's masterpiece original score is a driving force behind that too, and I'd be remiss to not pause and praise the music he created for Interstellar as historically monumental. Zimmer is the greatest composer of our era, and Interstellar is his best work. 

#3 - The Dark Knight (10) | As I move up this list, I realize my Top 5 (potentially even my Top 10) are interchangeable depending on the day. We're splitting hairs with how great these movies are, which...isn't that exciting? But I digress...there's never really been a film quite like The Dark Knight. It was ahead of its time and thrusted us all into the semi-realistic, brutal Gotham of Christopher Nolan's mind. Everything about the film is entertainment at its finest, and to this day it's still the best superhero flick and effortlessly rewatchable. The anchor, however, is Heath Ledger's Joker in what's the singular best performance ever captured. 5, 10, 20 viewings later and I'm still hanging on every word of his as if it's that first trip seeing it in IMAX. It's a piece of storytelling that will survive long after our generations.

#2 - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (10), The Two Towers (10), & The Return of the King (10) | SO SUE ME that I combined these three into a single placement, but it's the best way I could think of to have these sit collectively so high on my list. And I've found over the years that ranking them is impossible, dependent on my mood of the day. I could be craving the pure adventure of Fellowship, the raw battles of Two Towers, or the epic fantasy of Return of the King. This is the quintessential "best" trilogy, if there ever was one. Much like we study art from past civilizations, one has to believe this will be studied as one of ours. I won't even begin listing all the things that work in these films, but instead just summarize it as: everything. 

#1 - Inception (10) |  Did you expect any other director to be in this spot? Inception is a film that changed moviegoing for me. Already a movie buff, in a lot of ways it felt like the 1-2 punch of The Dark Knight and Inception opened my eyes to how much a movie could make you think, and how much a movie could stick with you after seeing it. It's an intricately woven spy/heist/sci-fi/family drama story that is dialed in on how to expertly lay out the rules of the world and turn up the stakes based on those rules. It holds your attention from start to finish, often at a breathless pace, and culminates in perhaps the best final frame that's seared into everyone's minds: did the spinning top tip? Inception is a lot of things and has a lot of key ingredients (did I mention Hans Zimmer's other masterpiece, "Time"?), and it's Christopher Nolan who was the chef that blended them perfectly. With any Top list as massive as this, your ranking can fluctuate over time, but Inception has had a firm grip on my #1 spot for many years now, even with utterly phenomenal films beneath it, threatening its throne. 

So there's my complete list of the BEST 250+ films that Rath's Reviews has ever covered. My real-life list mirrors this closely with some glaring omissions (e.g. I love The Departed, it would rank high with me, but I never Retro Reviewed it). 

What does your list look like? What're your reactions to my Top 5? Top 10? Top 25? Share them here, on socials, or in person! And if there's a film in my Top 10 (or even 25 really) that you haven't seen, then that's your homework :-)