The Top Ten Films Most Likely to Appear on Top Ten Film Lists

The Shawshank Redemption

Got to be on the list. Best film ever. I mean, yes, Citizen Kane has the innovation, The Seventh Seal has the profundity, but Shawshank? Dude makes a chess set and escapes from prison so, you know, best film ever.

Even if it wasn’t the best film ever, which some may argue, it’s got to go on the list. It’s been on every top ten film list since it was released. It was even on a few before it released. There are some countries where it’s illegal to have a top ten film list without Shawshank. Probably. I mean, you’d assume so considering how often it crops up.

In fact, it’s so top ten list, it could probably go on top ten lists that aren’t about films. – the top ten things that rhyme with ‘exemption’, the top ten words that sound like a medieval blacksmithing tool, the top ten things that aren’t Radiohead’s OK Computer – they would all work.

The absolute top ten film list GOAT.

The Godfather

Crime and men you say? Brilliant. That’s going on any top ten film list. Nothing they love more than men and crime in the world of top ten film lists and, even though it’s fifty years old, The Godfather remains the most men-y and crime-y of all films. 

Even if it wasn’t all men and crime, it’s got serious Al Pacino before he got all shouty, and Marlon Brando doing some of the finest mumbling acting in movie history. Will be on nearly as many lists as Shawshank.

Parasite

Oh yeah, these film list guys? They watch foreign films. With subtitles and everything. Doesn’t even bother them.

12 Angry Men

A good top ten film list should always feature something in black and white. Dilettantes might go for Raging Bull, but for a top ten film list to be taken seriously, there needs to be a properly authentic black and white film from the olden times.

12 Angry Men is perfect because of the whole men/crime aspect. There’s also the opportunity to toss round facts like there was actually fifteen of them or only one of them was actually angry. Facts like that give the top ten film list real authority.

Groundhog Day

A top ten film list has to have some comedy. It says “yes I watch very, very serious films about men doing crimes but, hey, I’m great fun as well. Call me.”

Groundhog Day is a key top ten film list film because it asks what is the real value of existence when taken out of the context of linear time and has Bill Murray repeatedly stepping in a big puddle.

Fight Club

Oh no! Masculinity is in crisis! This is tremendously important and should go on a top ten film list.

Oppenheimer 

Look at this guy watching new films as well as really old black and white ones. The gamut. This can be swapped out for Bugonia or Hamnet next year.

The Dark Knight

Superhero films are such an integral part of our culture that they demand to be taken as seriously as any great cinematic works. 

No they don’t, obviously. But, men/crime, Christopher Nolan, tragic backstory, long. Perfect for for about number eight on any top ten film list.

The Piano

Okay so, get this, women also direct films. I know, right? But, you know, this is a top ten film list, it’s educational. So, as a tribute to all those little ladies out there who’ve plugged away and tried ever so hard and made an actual movie, we’re going to include a Jane Campion film near the end. You go girl! Women are the best!

Get Out

Film list guys are totally not racist.