1972 Hit Ranked ‘Best Movie of All Time’ Became a Timeless Classic
An iconic 1972 movie has been ranked as the best movie of all time, beating out every other film that has ever been made in the history of cinema. Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo's The Godfather is widely considered to be a timeless classic that everyone should see at least once.
Who Ranked The Godfather as The Best Movie of All Time?
Rotten Tomatoes' website features a list of the 300 greatest movies ever made, which evolves continuously. As of March 2026, the list names The Godfather as the Best Movie of All Time. The page featuring the list also details the methodology behind it, which factors in Tomatometer and Popcornmeter scores with other factors, including how many reviews a movie has received.
While there is no denying that some modern viewers may initially struggle with The Godfather's pacing, it is extremely easy to argue that the film ultimately is timeless. One of the film's obvious highlights is its incredibly compelling story that expertly touches on themes like family loyalty, the immigrant struggle, being corrupted by power, and moral compromise, among others. The film also features some of the most legendary acting performances ever captured on film. That is to say nothing about its endlessly quotable lines, unforgettable score, and countless other arguably perfect elements.
Celebrated at the time, The Godfather won many contemporary awards, including Oscars for Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role. The American Film Institute also named it as the second-best film ever made in the United States, ranking it only behind Citizen Kane.
Rotten Tomatoes' Top 25 Best Movies of All Time, as of March 1, 2026:
- 1. The Godfather (1972)
- 2. Seven Samurai (1954)
- 3. Casablanca (1942)
- 4. Rear Window (1954)
- 5. L.A. Confidential (1997)
- 6. On the Waterfront (1954)
- 7. Chinatown (1974)
- 8. Modern Times (1936)
- 9. The Battle of Algiers (1966)
- 10. Schindler's List (1993)
- 11. 12 Angry Men (1957)
- 12. All About Eve (1950)
- 13. Parasite (2019)
- 14. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- 15. Stop Making Sense (1984)
- 16. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
- 17. Toy Story (1995)
- 18. The Third Man (1949)
- 19. Toy Story 2 (1999)
- 20. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
- 21. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
- 22. Godzilla Minus One (2023)
- 23. Cool Hand Luke (1967)
- 24. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
- 25. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)