Summary
- Screen Rant's list of five-star films covers a diverse range of genres, offering some of the best movies of the last few decades.
- The documentaries featured on the list tackle important and pressing issues, providing a real-life touch to the film industry.
- Each film on the list has its own merits and stands out in its own way, showcasing impressive storytelling, performances, and unique perspectives.
When it comes to movies, the quality ranges, but Screen Rant has more than its fair share of five-star films. From mystery thrillers and dramas, to action comedies and animated features, the list offers a diversity of films that cover just about every genre. Receiving a five-star rating is rare, and though opinions may vary on which film on this list is better than the other, this ranking is a gateway to some of the best films of the last few decades.
With so many films having been reviewed, the task of building out the top five seemed insurmountable. All 31 films on the list are worth watching in some form or another, but despite each film’s perfect score, they are not all of the same caliber. Some have aged better than others, but whether it’s the action in The Raid: Redemption or the drama and comedy in The Souvenir: Part II and Up, respectively, the films on this list each have their merits. The fact that they’ve achieved five-star status is impressive on its own.
31 Collapse (2009)
Dir. Chris Smith
Chris Smith’s Collapse is unlike other documentaries in that its focus — on reporter Michael Huppert — is on a prediction that actually happened, and how Huppert foresees so many more economic disasters beyond the 2008 Wall Street crash. It’s a very doomsday-esque documentary that, while breeding fear in its viewers, manages to be an “intense, thought-provoking documentary.”
30 Super Size Me (2004)
Dir. Morgan Spurlock
Super Size Me took the nation by storm upon its release in 2004. Director Morgan Spurlock decided to showcase the US’ reliance on McDonald’s by eating only from the fast food chain’s menu for a month, resulting in health issues. The film has been criticized for not taking into account poverty and its effect on the US population’s turn to fast food, but Spurlock’s film is still remembered for the way its director tackled the premise and the conversations it spurred in the aftermath of its release.
29 United 93 (2006)
Dir. Paul Greengrass
When it comes to real-life tragedies, Hollywood is quick to turn them into movies. It was no different with United 93, a docudrama following the titular flight that avoided hitting its target after its passengers thwarted the hijackers’ attempts. The film, written and directed by Paul Greengrass, has a sense of urgency and leaves one feeling a bit stressed considering the real-life events.
28 Fed Up (2014)
Dir. Stephanie Soechtig
Documentaries are important — they provide a real-life touch to the film industry, as they’re usually focused on pressing and current matters. Director Stephanie Soechtig documents the way in which America’s food industry impacts the population — especially children — and illness thanks to added substances. Soechtig takes a look at industry policy and its effect on people’s eating habits. Katie Couric interviews the film’s subjects, which adds a personal slant to the film.
27 Enemies of Happiness (2006)
Dir. Eva Mulvad
Enemies of Happiness is a documentary that “humanizes the people of Afghanistan,” which is something that is very much needed considering the way they have been presented in Western media since 2001. From director Eva Mulvad, the documentary’s focus on human rights and the struggles facing Malalai Joya’s election campaign is a heartening watching experience.
26 The Stoning Of Soraya M. (2008)
Dir. Cyrus Nowrasteh
Directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, The Stoning of Soraya M. is based on a true story, which makes it all the more difficult to watch. It’s a harrowing drama, one that unfolds with sadness and heartbreak considering the inevitability of the film’s title. Screen Rant’s Vic Holtreman wrote that the film’s events are hard to witness, but necessary.
25 Flipped (2010)
Dir. Rob Reiner
Adapted from the novel by Wendelin Van Draanen, Rob Reiner’s Flipped is sweet and nostalgic. It’s a heartwarming coming-of-age story that Reiner has excelled at in the past, and the film offers a refreshing angle by oscillating between the two main characters’ perspectives of the same moments throughout. It isn’t Reiner’s best film, but it tugs on the heartstrings and is tender enough to be enjoyable.
24 Elf (2003)
Dir. Jon Favreau
Starring Will Ferrell as the titular character, the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the quirky Elf. The Christmas comedy is fun for the whole family, and most of its sense of humor doesn’t get old even two decades later. Ferrell is right at home playing a human who grew up in the North Pole in search for his biological father, and much of the humor stems from his fish-out-of-water reactions. It’s a holiday classic.
23 Justice League: Gods And Monsters (2015)
Dir. Sam Liu
The DCU may be in flux, but DC animation has always had its hidden gems. Justice League: Gods and Monsters is among the best the studio’s animated slate has to offer. It gets to the heart of the noir tale it’s telling, the voice cast is excellent, and the film provides a nice alternate version of the DC Universe, which enhances the story and leaves fans wanting more of it.
22 Serenity (2005)
Dir. Joss Whedon
Based on the short-lived series Firefly, Serenity continues the adventures of the titular ship’s crew. The finale of Firefly’s story is simultaneously fun, heartbreaking, and action-packed. Starring Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, and Alan Tudyk, among others, Serenity has witty dialogue, spectacular chemistry between its characters, and an engaging story that keeps fans of the original series hooked until the end.
21 RED (2010)
Dir. Robert Schwentke
Starring Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, and Bruce Willis, Robert Schwentke’s RED is an intense action comedy that sees the CIA’s former top agents become targets. The film’s cast is obviously exceptional, but what makes RED a standout is its ability to be silly and serious at once. It’s a wildly fun film with some top-notch action set pieces. Schwentke, along with writers Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber, don’t hold back.
20 Gran Torino (2008)
Dir. Clint Eastwood
Not everything in Gran Torino ages as well as some of the other films on this list, but Clint Eastwood’s drama certainly has its moments. Occasionally moving, the film made an impression on its audience and critics upon release, its combination of humor and some powerful character work elevating its story.
19 Kung Fu Hustle (2004)
Dir. Stephen Chow
Directed by Stephen Chow, Kung Fu Hustle is an imaginative action comedy with plenty of excellent martial arts fight sequences. The film is genuinely funny, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously as it shifts between grisly deaths to dance scenes. It’s best to go into the film (if one hasn’t seen it already) with as little information as possible. Kung Fu Hustle has a lot of charm and excitement going for it.
18 Collateral (2004)
Dir. Michael Mann
Michael Mann’s slow-building mystery crime thriller works on multiple levels. Collateral allows the audience to get to know the characters as it escalates the intensity and action sequences. This gives the film multiple layers, and enhances the story, which could have easily been by-the-numbers. Tom Cruise plays a pragmatic villain opposite Jamie Foxx’s unlucky cab driver, and the actors’ performances make Collateral all the more impressive.
17 Up (2009)
Dir. Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
There’s no doubt that Pixar’s Up tugs at the heartstrings. From the animation’s heartbreaking opening montage, which is elevated by Michael Giacchino’s gorgeous score, to the gentle way it tells the story of Carl and Russell’s blossoming friendship, Up is one of Pixar’s most memorable films. The film — about never being too old to fulfill a dream or go on a new adventure — is warm, lighthearted, and fun while packing an emotional punch.
16 The Raid: Redemption (2011)
Dir. Gareth Evans
The Raid: Redemption was touted as one of the best action flicks in a decade when it was released in 2011; Screen Rant called it the best action movie after Die Hard. Written and directed by Gareth Evans, The Raid: Redemption provides slick, thrilling action, with the camera working in tandem with the fight choreography to really enhance the sequences. The film has a lot of energy, and it never lets up, moving at a brisk pace that elevates the excitement.
15 Hugo (2011)
Dir. Martin Scorsese
Unlike most Martin Scorsese films, Hugo is a family-friendly watch. Tender and lovely, Hugo is just as much about the love of movies as it is about the title character. Scorsese expertly crafts a narrative that is part mystery, part ode to filmmaker Georges Méliès. It’s a heartwarming tale that brings so much joy and magic to the screen.
14 Hot Fuzz (2007)
Dir. Edgar Wright
The second film in Edgar Wright’s Three Flavors Cornetto trilogy, Hot Fuzz is perhaps the most popular of the three. Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Martin Freeman, Hot Fuzz is an action comedy that leans into its physical humor. It’s over-the-top in all the best ways. There are moments when Hot Fuzz is completely outrageous, and then at others it’s quietly absurd. Whatever the case, the film never loses its sense of humor or momentum, and Pegg and Frost are especially great in it.
13 The Bourne Identity (2002)
Dir. Doug Liman
Starring Matt Damon, The Bourne Identity is a taut thriller. It’s focused, action-packed, and intense the entire way through. Based on Robert Ludlum’s novel, the mystery is elevated because Damon’s Jason Bourne is at odds with his own identity and director Doug Liman maintains a tightly-paced momentum that has an excellent buildup and finale. It’s not always easy to carry a mystery thriller on one’s own, but Damon does a great job of doing just that. The Bourne Identity’s action is lean, exciting, and death-defying enough to fuel the film’s adrenaline.
12 The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
Dir. Paul Greengrass
With a 92 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Bourne Ultimatum is a compelling spy thriller that really ramps up the adventures of Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne. The quality of a third film in any franchise typically decreases, but The Bourne Ultimatum brings adrenaline-fueled momentum to its peak with great action scenes and a clever plot that enhances everything about the film.
