85 Hidden Gem Movies on HBO Max | Rotten Tomatoes

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Blinded By the Light

(Photo by Nick Wall / © New Line Cinema / courtesy Everett Collection)

85 Hidden Gem Movies On HBO Max

When HBO Max entered the streaming wars in 2020, it came armed with a formidable catalogue of films and TV – including, crucially, the films of Studio Ghibli and many of the Criterion Collection’s titles. And you can find many of the very best rated of those films and TV shows in our guides to the best movies on HBO Max and the best TV series on the service.

But what happens when you burn through those top-tier Tomatometer recs, and are still hungry for more? That’s where this guide will come in handy. We’ve scoured the service for some hidden gems – movies that were ahead of their time, have gone too-long under-appreciated, and those old-school favorites we were surprised to find buried under the rubble of HBO Max’s exhaustive collection. Check them out below, grouped by genre.

Found a hidden gem on HBO Max that’s not on our list? Let your fellow fans know in the comments. 

Action and Adventure

#100

The 47 Ronin (1941)

#100
Adjusted Score: -1%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Japanese Lord Asano's (Yoshizaburo Arashi) 47 loyal samurai seek revenge for his forced ritual suicide.... [More]
Starring: Chôjûrô Kawarasaki, Yoshizaburo Arashi, Mantoyo Mimasu
Directed By: Kenji Mizoguchi

#99

Dick Tracy (1990)
61%

#99
Adjusted Score: 65354%
Critics Consensus: Dick Tracy is stylish, unique, and an undeniable technical triumph, but it ultimately struggles to rise above its two-dimensional artificiality.
Synopsis: Hard-boiled detective Dick Tracy (Warren Beatty) is searching for evidence that proves Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice is the city's most... [More]
Starring: Warren Beatty, Madonna, Charlie Korsmo, Glenne Headly
Directed By: Warren Beatty

#98
#98
Adjusted Score: 75795%
Critics Consensus: An entertaining, topical thriller that finds director Tony Scott on solid form and Will Smith confirming his action headliner status.
Synopsis: Corrupt National Security Agency official Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight) has a congressman assassinated to assure the passage of expansive new... [More]
Starring: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Lisa Bonet
Directed By: Tony Scott

#96
#96
Adjusted Score: 55475%
Critics Consensus: A formulaic actioner that's sure to please action fans. Those looking for plot, believability, or character development will have difficulty finding them.
Synopsis: Jet Li plays Liu Jiuan, China's top government agent, who arrives in Paris from Shanghai to carry out a sensitive,... [More]
Starring: Jet Li, Bridget Fonda, Tchéky Karyo, Laurence Ashley
Directed By: Chris Nahon

#95

Lady Snowblood (1973)
100%

#95
Adjusted Score: 100162%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: A girl is born, raised and trained to be an instrument of revenge.... [More]
Starring: Meiko Kaji, Toshio Kurosawa, Masaaki Daimon, Takeo Chii
Directed By: Fujita Toshiya

#94

Miss Bala (2011)
88%

#94
Adjusted Score: 89996%
Critics Consensus: Miss Bala's subject is loaded enough, but the frantic and muscular filmmaking puts this movie in a whole new league.
Synopsis: A young woman dreams of becoming a beauty contest queen in Mexico.... [More]
Starring: Irene Azuela, Miguel Couturier, Noé Hernández, James Russo
Directed By: Gerardo Naranjo

#93

Police Story (1985)
93%

#93
Adjusted Score: 95184%
Critics Consensus: Blending brilliant physical comedy with thrillingly choreographed set pieces, Police Story makes a persuasive case for Jackie Chan as one of the all-time genre greats.
Synopsis: A kung-fu policeman (Jackie Chan) must protect a female witness (Brigitte Lin) from a Hong Kong drug lord for whom... [More]
Starring: Jackie Chan, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Bill Tung
Directed By: Jackie Chan, Chen Chi-Hwa

#92

Speed Racer (2008)
42%

#92
Adjusted Score: 50737%
Critics Consensus: Overloaded with headache-inducing special effects, Speed Racer finds the Wachowskis focused on visual thrills at the expense of a coherent storyline.
Synopsis: Born into a family business of race cars, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is one of the track's hot stars. Sitting... [More]
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman
Directed By: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

#91
#91
Adjusted Score: 73754%
Critics Consensus: Sleek, stylish, and painlessly diverting, The Thomas Crown Affair is a remake of uncommon charm.
Synopsis: Bored billionaire Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan) decides to entertain himself by stealing a Monet from a reputed museum. When Catherine... [More]
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Rene Russo, Denis Leary, Ben Gazzara
Directed By: John McTiernan

#90

U-571 (2000)
68%

#90
Adjusted Score: 72272%
Critics Consensus: Excellent cinematography and an interesting plot accompanied by a talented cast and crew make U-571 a tense thriller.
Synopsis: When a German U-571 submarine with a sophisticated encryption machine onboard is sunk during a World War II battle at... [More]
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel, Jon Bon Jovi
Directed By: Jonathan Mostow

COMEDY 

#89
#89
Adjusted Score: 74667%
Critics Consensus: Sweet and spry, Adventures in Babysitting gets by on its amiable tone.
Synopsis: When plans with her boyfriend fall through, high school senior Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) ends up babysitting the Anderson kids,... [More]
Starring: Elisabeth Shue, Maia Brewton, Keith Coogan, Anthony Rapp
Directed By: Chris Columbus

#88
#88
Adjusted Score: 100374%
Critics Consensus: Exhilarating both stylistically and for its entertaining, moving portrayal of an everyman, American Splendor is a portrait of a true underground original.
Synopsis: Underground comic book writer Harvey Pekar, portrayed by Paul Giamatti but also appearing as himself, is the subject of this... [More]
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Harvey Pekar, Shari Springer Berman, Earl Billings
Directed By: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

#87
#87
Adjusted Score: 102541%
Critics Consensus: Like a life-affirming rock anthem, Blinded by the Light hits familiar chords with confidence and flair, building to a conclusion that leaves audiences cheering for an encore.
Synopsis: Javed is a Pakistani teenager who experiences racial and economic turmoil while living in Luton, England, in 1987. He writes... [More]
Starring: Viveik Kalra, Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon, Kulvinder Ghir
Directed By: Gurinder Chadha

#86
#86
Adjusted Score: 59633%
Critics Consensus: Hawn and Streep are as fabulous as Death Becomes Her's innovative special effects; Zemeckis' satire, on the other hand, is as hollow as the world it mocks.
Synopsis: When a novelist loses her man to a movie star and former friend, she winds up in a psychiatric hospital.... [More]
Starring: Meryl Streep, Bruce Willis, Goldie Hawn, Isabella Rossellini
Directed By: Robert Zemeckis

#84

EDtv (1999)
63%

#84
Adjusted Score: 64708%
Critics Consensus: If it's not as ambitious as The Truman Show in satirizing the voyeuristic nature of television, EdTV is an amiable, witty comedy with fine performances from Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson.
Synopsis: In a desperate attempt to boost ratings, a cable channel decides to document the life of someone on a daily... [More]
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Ellen DeGeneres, Woody Harrelson
Directed By: Ron Howard

#83
#83
Adjusted Score: 91431%
Critics Consensus: Darkly funny, solidly cast, and surprisingly thoughtful, Flirting with Disaster proved David O. Russell's Spanking the Monkey was no fluke.
Synopsis: Adopted as a child, new father Mel Colpin (Ben Stiller) decides he cannot name his son until he knows his... [More]
Starring: Ben Stiller, Patricia Arquette, Téa Leoni, Alan Alda
Directed By: David O. Russell

#81

Last Holiday (2006)
55%

#81
Adjusted Score: 59578%
Critics Consensus: Although Queen Latifah's bountiful life-affirming spirit permeates the film, director Wayne Wang is unable to revive this remake with any real flair.
Synopsis: The discovery that she has a terminal illness prompts introverted saleswoman Georgia Byrd (Queen Latifah) to reflect on what she... [More]
Starring: Queen Latifah, Gérard Depardieu, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton
Directed By: Wayne Wang

#80

Life (1999)
52%

#80
Adjusted Score: 54272%
Critics Consensus: Entertaining if not over-the-top humor from a solid comic duo provides plenty of laughs.
Synopsis: During Prohibition, loudmouth Harlem grifter Ray (Eddie Murphy) and the no-nonsense Claude (Martin Lawrence) team up on a bootlegging mission... [More]
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Obba Babatundé, Ned Beatty
Directed By: Ted Demme

#79
#79
Adjusted Score: 88010%
Critics Consensus: Living in Oblivion dives into the folly of filmmaking with a sharp satire that sends up indie cinema while working as an entertaining independent picture in its own right.
Synopsis: Independent film director Nick Reve (Steve Buscemi) is making his first feature. Everything that can go wrong does: the rebellious... [More]
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, Danielle von Zerneck
Directed By: Tom DiCillo

#78
#78
Adjusted Score: 83789%
Critics Consensus: Miss Pettigrew is a breezy period comedy carried by the strong performances of Amy Adams and Frances McDormand.
Synopsis: It's 1939 and governess Guinevere Pettigrew finds herself out of work and on the bread line. Middle-aged and running out... [More]
Starring: Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Lee Pace, Ciarán Hinds
Directed By: Bharat Nalluri

#77
#77
Adjusted Score: 94089%
Critics Consensus: Lighthearted to a fault, Much Ado About Nothing's giddy energy and intimate charm make for an entertaining romantic comedy -- and a Shakespearean adaptation that's hard to resist.
Synopsis: After a successful campaign against his rebellious brother, Don John (Sean Maher), Don Pedro (Reed Diamond) visits the governor of... [More]
Starring: Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Fran Kranz
Directed By: Joss Whedon

#76

Muriel's Wedding (1994)
81%

#76
Adjusted Score: 83954%
Critics Consensus: Heartfelt and quirky, though at times broad, Muriel's Wedding mixes awkward comedy, oddball Australian characters, and a nostalgia-heavy soundtrack.
Synopsis: Socially awkward Muriel Heslop (Toni Collette) wants nothing more than to get married. Unfortunately, due to her oppressive politician father... [More]
Starring: Toni Collette, Bill Hunter, Rachel Griffiths, Jeanie Drynan
Directed By: P.J. Hogan

#75

Papi chulo (2018)
75%

#75
Adjusted Score: 76981%
Critics Consensus: Papi Chulo is a cross-cultural comedy that mostly avoids the pitfalls of its premise, largely thanks to the chemistry between its well-matched leads.
Synopsis: After a newly-single TV weatherman is put on leave following an on-air meltdown, he directs his energy into home improvement... [More]
Starring: Matt Bomer, Alejandro Patiño, Elena Campbell-Martinez, Wendi McLendon-Covey
Directed By: John Butler

#73

Tampopo (1985)
100%

#73
Adjusted Score: 105057%
Critics Consensus: Thanks to director Juzo Itami's offbeat humor and sharp satirical edge, Tampopo is a funny, sexy, affectionate celebration of food and its broad influence on Japanese culture.
Synopsis: Two Japanese milk-truck drivers (Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ken Watanabe) help a restaurant owner (Nobuko Miyamoto) learn how to cook great noodles.... [More]
Starring: Tsutomu Yamazaki, Nobuko Miyamoto, Ken Watanabe, Kôji Yakusho
Directed By: Juzo Itami

#72
#72
Adjusted Score: 96834%
Critics Consensus: A light, sweet, and thoroughly entertaining debut for director Tom Hanks, That Thing You Do! makes up in charm what it lacks in complexity.
Synopsis: Wily band manager Mr. White helps a small town band achieve big time success when they release a Beatles-style pop... [More]
Starring: Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Johnathon Schaech, Steve Zahn
Directed By: Tom Hanks

#71

Tumbledown (2015)
70%

#71
Adjusted Score: 70931%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: A professor (Jason Sudeikis) collaborates with a grieving widow (Rebecca Hall) to write a biography about her husband, a folk... [More]
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Jason Sudeikis, Dianna Agron, Blythe Danner
Directed By: Sean Mewshaw

#70

Withnail and I (1987)
92%

#70
Adjusted Score: 94837%
Critics Consensus: Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann prove irresistibly hilarious as two misanthropic slackers in Withnail and I, a biting examination of artists living on the fringes of prosperity and good taste.
Synopsis: Two out-of-work actors -- the anxious, luckless Marwood (Paul McGann) and his acerbic, alcoholic friend, Withnail (Richard E. Grant) --... [More]
Starring: Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths, Ralph Brown
Directed By: Bruce Robinson

DOCUMENTARIES

#69

4 Little Girls (1997)
100%

#69
Adjusted Score: 101076%
Critics Consensus: 4 Little Girls finds Spike Lee moving into documentary filmmaking with his signature style intact -- and all the palpable fury the subject requires.
Synopsis: On Sunday, September 15, 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, was bombed by four members of a... [More]
Starring: Maxine McNair, Helen Pegues, Harold McNair
Directed By: Spike Lee

#68

Andre the Giant (2018)
92%

#68
Adjusted Score: 92402%
Critics Consensus: Well-crafted and entertaining, Andre the Giant is a compelling celebration of a wrestling legend.
Synopsis: The story of the "Eighth Wonder of the World" Andre the Giant; the tale of a man whose legend is... [More]
Starring: André the Giant, Robin Wright, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cary Elwes
Directed By: Jason Hehir

#67
#67
Adjusted Score: 93708%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: This documentary by lauded German filmmaker Wim Wenders follows renowned guitarist Ry Cooder and his son, Joachim, as they travel... [More]
Starring: Luis Barzaga, Joachim Cooder, Ry Cooder, Julio Alberto Fernández
Directed By: Wim Wenders

#66
#66
Adjusted Score: 102033%
Critics Consensus: A haunting depiction of a disintegrating family, and a powerful argument on the elusiveness of truth.
Synopsis: The Friedmans seem at first to be a typical family - until one Thanksgiving while they are gathered at home... [More]
Starring: David Friedman, Jesse Friedman, Elaine Friedman
Directed By: Andrew Jarecki

#65

Dont Look Back (1967)
91%

#65
Adjusted Score: 97207%
Critics Consensus: Don't Look Back leaves the mysteries of Dylan largely intact while offering a gripping verite-style account of a pivotal moment in his incredible career.
Synopsis: In 1965, the iconic troubadour Bob Dylan toured the United Kingdom at the age of 23, and director D.A. Pennebaker... [More]
Starring: Bob Dylan, Albert Grossman, Bob Neuwirth, Joan Baez
Directed By: D.A. Pennebaker

#64

Everything Is Copy (2015)
100%

#64
Adjusted Score: 88725%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Utilizing home movies and interviews with family, friends and colleagues, Jacob Bernstein examines the life and legacy of his mother,... [More]
Starring: Mike Nichols, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep
Directed By: Jacob Bernstein

#63

Grey Gardens (1975)
94%

#63
Adjusted Score: 97479%
Critics Consensus: Edith and Edie Beale are eccentric subjects who offer a generous amount of themselves in Grey Gardens, an inquisitive and nonjudgmental exploration of the isolated socialites' lifestyle.
Synopsis: This film explores the daily lives of two aging, eccentric relatives of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Edie Bouvier Beale and her... [More]
Starring:
Directed By: Ellen Hovde, Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Muffie Meyer

#62

Hoop Dreams (1994)
98%

#62
Adjusted Score: 102025%
Critics Consensus: One of the most critically acclaimed documentaries of all time, Hoop Dreams is a rich, complex, heartbreaking, and ultimately deeply rewarding film that uses high school hoops as a jumping-off point to explore issues of race, class, and education in modern America.
Synopsis: Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes each way from inner-city Chicago to St.... [More]
Starring: Steve James, William Gates, Arthur Agee, Sheila Agee
Directed By: Steve James

#61

I Am Evidence (2017)
100%

#61
Adjusted Score: 87464%
Critics Consensus: Eye-opening and deeply disturbing, I Am Evidence sifts through an egregious amount of evidence to craft a powerful documentary about survivors and a very broken system.
Synopsis: It is estimated that every year, hundreds of thousands of rape kits are left untested in police storage facilities. This... [More]
Starring: Michelle Brettin, Rachel Dissell, Mariska Hargitay, Helena Lazaro
Directed By: Trish Adlesic, Geeta Gandbhir

#60
#60
Adjusted Score: 97987%
Critics Consensus: Raw and rich in decade-spanning detail, Jane Fonda in Five Acts paints a living portrait of one popular culture's most compelling figures.
Synopsis: A look at the life, work, activism and controversies of actress and fitness tycoon Jane Fonda.... [More]
Starring: Jane Fonda, Tom Hayden, Robert Redford, Lily Tomlin
Directed By: Susan Lacy

#59
#59
Adjusted Score: 100906%
Critics Consensus: Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck makes a persuasive case for its subject without resorting to hagiography -- and includes plenty of rare and unreleased footage for fans.
Synopsis: Filmmaker Brett Morgen uses material from the Cobains' personal archives in an in-depth examination of the Nirvana frontman's childhood, music... [More]
Starring: Aaron Burckhard, Don Cobain, Jenny Cobain, Kim Cobain
Directed By: Brett Morgen

#58
#58
Adjusted Score: 96040%
Critics Consensus: Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind offers a poignant -- albeit tantalizingly incomplete -- peek behind the curtain of a brilliant performer's tragically curtailed life and career.
Synopsis: This intimate portrait examines one of the world's most inventive comedians. Told largely through Robin's own voice and using a... [More]
Starring: Lewis Black, Elayne Boosler, Billy Crystal, Pam Dawber
Directed By: Marina Zenovich

DRAMAS

#57

Babette's Feast (1987)
97%

#57
Adjusted Score: 99529%
Critics Consensus: Charming and melancholy, Babette's Feast is a timeless Scandinavian treat that explores the complex relationships between people, beliefs, and what it means to be an artist.
Synopsis: Beautiful but pious sisters Martine (Birgitte Federspiel) and Philippa (Bodil Kjer) grow to spinsterhood under the wrathful eye of their... [More]
Starring: Stéphane Audran, Jean-Philippe Lafont, Jarl Kulle, Gudmar Klöving
Directed By: Gabriel Axel

#56
#56
Adjusted Score: 88063%
Critics Consensus: Breaking the Waves offers a remarkable testament to writer-director Lars von Trier's insight and filmmaking skill -- and announces Emily Watson as a startling talent.
Synopsis: In a small and religious coastal town, a simple, devoutly religious Scottish woman, Bess McNeill (Emily Watson), finds a partner... [More]
Starring: Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård, Katrin Cartlidge, Jean-Marc Barr
Directed By: Lars von Trier

#55
#55
Adjusted Score: 96414%
Critics Consensus: Stylish, seductive, and clever, Stephen Frears' adaptation is a wickedly entertaining exploration of sexual politics.
Synopsis: The Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and the Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovich) display the petty jealousies and jaded insouciance... [More]
Starring: Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Swoosie Kurtz
Directed By: Stephen Frears

#54

Desert Hearts (1985)
90%

#54
Adjusted Score: 92188%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: A New York professor (Helen Shaver) divorces her husband and has an affair with another woman (Patricia Charbonneau) in 1959... [More]
Starring: Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau, Audra Lindley, Andra Akers
Directed By: Donna Deitch

#53

The Good Liar (2019)
64%

#53
Adjusted Score: 72157%
Critics Consensus: The Good Liar is less than the sum of its prestigious parts, but Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren keep the proceedings consistently watchable.
Synopsis: Career con artist Roy Courtnay can hardly believe his luck when he meets well-to-do widow Betty McLeish online. As Betty... [More]
Starring: Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen, Russell Tovey, Jim Carter
Directed By: Bill Condon

#52

The Heiresses (2018)
98%

#52
Adjusted Score: 101735%
Critics Consensus: Led by a standout performance from Ana Brun, The Heiresses takes a thoroughly compelling look at lives little explored by mainstream cinema.
Synopsis: A woman who lost her fortune befriends a younger woman.... [More]
Starring: Ana Brun, Margarita Irun, Ana Ivanova, Nilda Gonzalez
Directed By: Marcelo Martinessi

#51
#51
Adjusted Score: 99427%
Critics Consensus: An exquisitely shot showcase for Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung that marks a somber evolution of Wong Kar-wai's chic style, In the Mood for Love is a tantric tease that's liable to break your heart.
Synopsis: In 1962, journalist Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and his wife move into a Hong Kong apartment, but Chow's... [More]
Starring: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Kelly Lai Chen, Rebecca Pan
Directed By: Kar-Wai Wong

#50

Jane Eyre (2011)
85%

#50
Adjusted Score: 91579%
Critics Consensus: Cary Fukunaga directs a fiery and elegant adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel, and Mia Wasikowska delivers possibly the best portrayal of the title character ever.
Synopsis: As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska) is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent... [More]
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Judi Dench
Directed By: Cary Joji Fukunaga

#49
#49
Adjusted Score: 94358%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Amidst a nuclear war, a plane carrying a group of schoolboys crash lands on a deserted island. With no adult... [More]
Starring: James Aubrey, Tom Chapin, Hugh Edwards, Roger Elwin
Directed By: Peter Brook

#48

Loving (2016)
88%

#48
Adjusted Score: 102107%
Critics Consensus: Loving takes an understated approach to telling a painful -- and still relevant -- real-life tale, with sensitive performances breathing additional life into a superlative historical drama.
Synopsis: Interracial couple Richard and Mildred Loving fell in love and were married in 1958. They grew up in Central Point,... [More]
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Marton Csokas, Nick Kroll
Directed By: Jeff Nichols

#47

My Life as a Dog (1985)
100%

#47
Adjusted Score: 102613%
Critics Consensus: A coming-of-age story with uncommon depth and sensitivity, My Life as a Dog is sweet, sincere, and utterly charming.
Synopsis: A boy (Anton Glanzelius), obsessed with comparing himself with those less fortunate, experiences a different life at the home of... [More]
Starring: Anton Glanzelius, Tomas von Brömssen, Melinda Kinnaman, Anki Lidén
Directed By: Lasse Hallström

#45

A Room With a View (1986)
100%

#45
Adjusted Score: 103005%
Critics Consensus: The hard edges of E.M. Foster novel maybe sanded off, but what we get with A Room with a View is an eminently entertaining comedy with an intellectual approach to love.
Synopsis: In this British drama based on the novel by E.M. Forster, Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter), a young Englishwoman, is touring... [More]
Starring: Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Julian Sands, Denholm Elliott
Directed By: James Ivory

FAMILY AND ANIMATION

#43

Anastasia (1997)
84%

#43
Adjusted Score: 87380%
Critics Consensus: Beautiful animation, an affable take on Russian history, and strong voice performances make Anastasia a winning first film from Fox animation studios.
Synopsis: The evil wizard Rasputin (Christopher Lloyd) puts a hex on the royal Romanovs and young Anastasia (Meg Ryan) disappears when... [More]
Starring: Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Christopher Lloyd
Directed By: Don Bluth, Gary Goldman

#42
#42
Adjusted Score: 68553%
Critics Consensus: Not quite as good as the original and has some dark subject material that might not be appropriate for children.
Synopsis: When Babe accidentally puts farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) in traction, the debtors come looking for their payments. In order to... [More]
Starring: Magda Szubanski, James Cromwell, Mary Stein, Mickey Rooney
Directed By: George Miller

#41
#41
Adjusted Score: 91192%
Critics Consensus: Bridge to Terabithia is a faithful adaptation of a beloved children's novel and a powerful portrayal of love, loss, and imagination through children's eyes.
Synopsis: The life of Jesse (Josh Hutcherson), an adolescent, changes when he befriends Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb), the class outsider. The children... [More]
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel, Robert Patrick
Directed By: Gabor Csupo

#39

Flicka (2006)
54%

#39
Adjusted Score: 56585%
Critics Consensus: The rebellious protagonist will rally girls and children, but adults may find Flicka saddled with thin characters, over-the-top dialogue, and a plot that wanders into the countryside and never comes back.
Synopsis: In modern-day Wyoming, teenager Katy McLaughlin (Alison Lohman) dreams of working on and, one day, taking over her father's ranch.... [More]
Starring: Alison Lohman, Tim McGraw, Maria Bello, Ryan Kwanten
Directed By: Michael Mayer

#38

Flushed Away (2006)
73%

#38
Adjusted Score: 78308%
Critics Consensus: Clever and appealing for both children and adults, Flushed Away marks a successful entry into digital animated features for Aardman Animations.
Synopsis: After an ignoble landing in Ratropolis, a pampered rodent (Hugh Jackman) enlists the help of a sewer scavenger (Kate Winslet)... [More]
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Jean Reno, Bill Nighy
Directed By: David Bowers, Sam Fell

#37
#37
Adjusted Score: 90878%
Critics Consensus: Gentle and nostalgic, From Up on Poppy Hill is one of Studio Ghibli's sweeter efforts -- and if it doesn't push the boundaries of the genre, it remains as engagingly lovely as Ghibli fans have come to expect.
Synopsis: Yokohama teens try to save their school's clubhouse from being demolished.... [More]
Starring: Masami Nagasawa, Jun'ichi Okada, Keiko Takeshita, Yuriko Ishida
Directed By: Goro Miyazaki

#35
#35
Adjusted Score: 66191%
Critics Consensus: Modern visuals and an old fasioned storyline make this family adventure/comedy a fast-paced, kitschy ride.
Synopsis: During an expedition to Iceland, professor Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser), his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) and their guide, Hannah (Anita... [More]
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem, Seth Meyers
Directed By: Eric Brevig

#34
#34
Adjusted Score: 99779%
Critics Consensus: The Kid Who Would Be King recalls classic all-ages adventures -- and repurposes a timeless legend -- for a thoroughly enjoyable new addition to the family movie canon.
Synopsis: Old-school magic meets the modern world when young Alex stumbles upon the mythical sword Excalibur. He soon unites his friends... [More]
Starring: Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Rebecca Ferguson, Patrick Stewart, Dean Chaumoo
Directed By: Joe Cornish

#33
#33
Adjusted Score: 73443%
Critics Consensus: Elevated by a well-cast Sophia Lillis, Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase leads audiences into a genially entertaining new take on the venerable character.
Synopsis: Modern, smart, and independent, Nancy Drew reluctantly befriends Helen, the local mean girl, and together they investigate the haunting of... [More]
Starring: Sophia Lillis, Linda Lavin, Sam Trammell, Andrea Anders
Directed By: Katt Shea

#32

Only Yesterday (1991)
100%

#32
Adjusted Score: 104942%
Critics Consensus: Only Yesterday's long-delayed U.S. debut fills a frustrating gap for American Ghibli fans while offering further proof of the studio's incredibly consistent commitment to quality.
Synopsis: A put-upon 27-year-old Japanese office worker travels to the countryside and reminisces about her childhood in Tokyo and what life... [More]
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Dev Patel, Ashley Eckstein, Alison Fernandez
Directed By: Isao Takahata

#30
#30
Adjusted Score: 81267%
Critics Consensus: A sort of Avengers for the elementary school set, Rise of the Guardians is wonderfully animated and briskly paced, but it's only so-so in the storytelling department.
Synopsis: Generation after generation, immortal Guardians like Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) and the Tooth Fairy (Isla... [More]
Starring: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Jude Law, Isla Fisher
Directed By: Peter Ramsey

#28

Sky High (2005)
73%

#28
Adjusted Score: 77493%
Critics Consensus: This highly derivative superhero coming-of-age flick is moderately entertaining, family-friendly fluff.
Synopsis: At a school in the sky where teens learn how to be superheroes, Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) lands in a... [More]
Starring: Michael Angarano, Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston, Danielle Panabaker
Directed By: Mike Mitchell

#27

Time Bandits (1981)
91%

#27
Adjusted Score: 95867%
Critics Consensus: Time Bandits is a remarkable time-travel fantasy from Terry Gilliam, who utilizes fantastic set design and homemade special effects to create a vivid, original universe.
Synopsis: Young history buff Kevin (Craig Warnock) can scarcely believe it when six dwarfs emerge from his closet one night. Former... [More]
Starring: John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Katherine Helmond
Directed By: Terry Gilliam

Horror, Thrillers, and Sci-Fi

#26
#26
Adjusted Score: 94926%
Critics Consensus: Carnival of Souls offers delightfully chilling proof that when it comes to telling an effective horror story, less can often be much, much more.
Synopsis: Mary Henry ends up the sole survivor of a fatal car accident through mysterious circumstances. Trying to put the incident... [More]
Starring: Candace Hilligoss, Frances Feist, Sidney Berger, Stan Levitt
Directed By: Herk Harvey

#25

Cat People (1982)
64%

#25
Adjusted Score: 69553%
Critics Consensus: Paul Schrader's kinky reimagining of Cat People may prove too grisly and lurid for some audiences, but its provocative style and Natassja Kinski's hypnotic performance should please viewers who like a little gasoline with their fire.
Synopsis: In this sensual and violent horror tale, Irena Gallier (Nastassia Kinski) has a dark family secret, one that resurfaces dramatically... [More]
Starring: Nastassja Kinski, Malcolm McDowell, John Heard, Annette O'Toole
Directed By: Paul Schrader

#24

Cronos (1993)
90%

#24
Adjusted Score: 95172%
Critics Consensus: Guillermo del Toro's unique feature debut is not only gory and stylish, but also charming and intelligent.
Synopsis: Antique dealer Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi) stumbles across Cronos, a 400-year-old scarab that, when it latches onto him, grants him... [More]
Starring: Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman, Claudio Brook, Margarita Isabel
Directed By: Guillermo del Toro

#23

Deep Blue Sea (1999)
60%

#23
Adjusted Score: 65488%
Critics Consensus: Deep Blue Sea is no Jaws, but action fans seeking some toothy action can certainly do -- and almost certainly have done -- far worse for B-movie thrills.
Synopsis: On an island research facility, Dr. Susan McAlester (Saffron Burrows) is harvesting the brain tissue of DNA-altered sharks as a... [More]
Starring: Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, Samuel L. Jackson, Jacqueline McKenzie
Directed By: Renny Harlin

#22

The Frighteners (1996)
67%

#22
Adjusted Score: 69403%
Critics Consensus: Boasting top-notch special effects and exuberant direction from Peter Jackson, The Frighteners is visually striking but tonally uneven.
Synopsis: Once an architect, Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) now passes himself off as an exorcist of evil spirits. To bolster... [More]
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, John Astin
Directed By: Peter Jackson

#21

The Hitcher (1986)
64%

#21
Adjusted Score: 67464%
Critics Consensus: Its journey is never quite as revelatory as it could be, but The Hitcher stands as a white-knuckle vision of horror, bolstered by Rutger Hauer's menacing performance.
Synopsis: While transporting a car from Chicago to San Diego, Jim Halsey (C. Thomas Howell) picks up a hitchhiker named John... [More]
Starring: Rutger Hauer, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey DeMunn
Directed By: Robert Harmon

#20

Insomnia (2002)
92%

#20
Adjusted Score: 98870%
Critics Consensus: Driven by Al Pacino and Robin Williams' performances, Insomnia is a smart and riveting psychological drama.
Synopsis: From acclaimed director Chris Nolan ("Memento") comes the story of a veteran police detective (Al Pacino) who is sent to... [More]
Starring: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank, Maura Tierney
Directed By: Christopher Nolan

#16

The Others (2001)
84%

#16
Adjusted Score: 90102%
Critics Consensus: The Others is a spooky thriller that reminds us that a movie doesn't need expensive special effects to be creepy.
Synopsis: Grace (Nicole Kidman), the devoutly religious mother of Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley), moves her family to the... [More]
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Alakina Mann, James Bentley
Directed By: Alejandro Amenábar

#15

Ricochet (1991)
74%

#15
Adjusted Score: 74880%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: After tracking down and arresting Earl Talbot Blake (John Lithgow), a psychotic hit man, rookie Los Angeles police officer Nick... [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, John Lithgow, Ice-T, Kevin Pollak
Directed By: Russell Mulcahy

#14
#14
Adjusted Score: 91898%
Critics Consensus: With Matt Damon's unsettling performance offering a darkly twisted counterpoint to Anthony Minghella's glossy direction, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a suspense thriller that lingers.
Synopsis: To be young and carefree amid the blue waters and idyllic landscape of sun-drenched Italy in the late 1950s; that's... [More]
Starring: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett
Directed By: Anthony Minghella

#13

Teeth (2007)
80%

#13
Adjusted Score: 82133%
Critics Consensus: Smart, original, and horrifically funny, Teeth puts a fresh feminist spin on horror movie tropes.
Synopsis: Dawn (Jess Weixler) is an active member of her high-school chastity club but, when she meets Tobey (Hale Appleman), nature... [More]
Starring: Jess Weixler, John Hensley, Josh Pais, Hale Appleman
Directed By: Mitchell Lichtenstein

Musicals and Music Films

#11

Bessie (2015)
91%

#11
Adjusted Score: 91670%
Critics Consensus: Strong performances, led by Queen Latifah, overpower a middling script in the entertaining and informative Bessie.
Synopsis: Blues singer Bessie Smith (Queen Latifah) rises to fame in the 1920s to become a musical legend.... [More]
Starring: Queen Latifah, Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps
Directed By: Dee Rees

#9
#9
Adjusted Score: 45377%
Critics Consensus: The music is the only saving grace in this predictable and eager-to-please comedy.
Synopsis: Advertising executive Darrin Hill (Cuba Gooding Jr.) loses his job and his girlfriend after his many lies about his background... [More]
Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Beyoncé, Melba Moore, Mike Epps
Directed By: Jonathan Lynn

#7
#7
Adjusted Score: 110397%
Critics Consensus: A Hard Day's Night, despite its age, is still a delight to watch and has proven itself to be a rock-and-roll movie classic.
Synopsis: The Beatles in their feature film debut, one of the greatest rock-and-roll comedy adventures ever. The film has a fully... [More]
Starring: The Beatles, Wilfrid Brambell, Norman Rossington, John Junkin
Directed By: Richard Lester

#6
#6
Adjusted Score: 95803%
Critics Consensus: Hedwig and the Angry Inch may very well be the next Rocky Horror midnight movie. It not only knows how to rock, but Hedwig's story has an emotional poignancy.
Synopsis: A German emigrant living in a trailer in Kansas is the victim of a botched sex-change operation. Adapted from the... [More]
Starring: John Cameron Mitchell, Michael Pitt, Miriam Shor, Stephen Trask
Directed By: John Cameron Mitchell

#5

Her Smell (2018)
84%

#5
Adjusted Score: 91067%
Critics Consensus: Held together by a gripping lead performance from Elisabeth Moss, Her Smell is challenging and admittedly uneven, but ultimately worth the effort.
Synopsis: Becky Something is a talented but self-destructive musician who seems determined to alienate everyone around her -- even at the... [More]
Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Agyness Deyn, Cara Delevingne, Dan Stevens
Directed By: Alex Ross Perry

#4
#4
Adjusted Score: 96181%
Critics Consensus: Remixing Roger Corman's B-movie by way of the Off-Broadway musical, Little Shop of Horrors offers camp, horror and catchy tunes in equal measure -- plus some inspired cameos by the likes of Steve Martin and Bill Murray.
Synopsis: Meek flower shop assistant Seymour (Rick Moranis) pines for co-worker Audrey (Ellen Greene). During a total eclipse, he discovers an... [More]
Starring: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, Vincent Gardenia
Directed By: Frank Oz

#3

Ray (2004)
79%

#3
Adjusted Score: 85675%
Critics Consensus: An engrossing and energetic portrait of a great musician's achievements and foibles, Ray is anchored by Jamie Foxx's stunning performance as Ray Charles.
Synopsis: Legendary soul musician Ray Charles is portrayed by Jamie Foxx in this Oscar-winning biopic. Young Ray watches his 7-year-old brother... [More]
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Regina King, Clifton Powell
Directed By: Taylor Hackford

#2
#2
Adjusted Score: 104654%
Critics Consensus: Jacques Demy elevates the basic drama of everyday life into a soaring opera full of bittersweet passion and playful charm, featuring a timeless performance from Catherine Deneuve.
Synopsis: Geneviève (Catherine Deneuve), a beautiful young Frenchwoman who works at a small-town boutique selling umbrellas, falls for dashing mechanic Guy... [More]
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon, Marc Michel
Directed By: Jacques Demy

#1

Xanadu (1980)
30%

#1
Adjusted Score: 34019%
Critics Consensus: Not even spandex and over-the-top musical numbers can save Xanadu from questionable acting, unimpressive effects, and a story unencumbered by logic.
Synopsis: Struggling artist Sonny Malone (Michael Beck) is trapped in a dull job painting album covers. He is instantly attracted to... [More]
Starring: Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, Michael Beck, James Sloyan
Directed By: Robert Greenwald

Thumbnail image: Nick Wall / © New Line Cinema, Everett Collection, Laurie Sparham / ©Focus Features