Hollywood or the US Cinema generates around 700 movies every year and is the largest cinema in the world, considering the same language movies. Here is a list of top 20 Hollywood movies. This list might change depending on the choices of people.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Marvels' Avengers endgame the 22nd film in Marvel Cinematic Studios and also the highest-grossing movie ever made. It broke many records in Cinematic history and bagged many awards, especially for its animation and visual effects. The grand closure to phase three of MCU, it revolves around how Avengers try to salvage the remaining world after the Infinity War, which showed supervillain Thanos destroying half of the universe. This star-studded action-packed film is the best of all the great superhero flicks brought together.
And did you know, they got the real quantum physicists on board to get the whole time travel plot in the script accurate?
Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Although the movie is based on a British authors creation, consisting entire British main cast and shot at English locations, American film studio, Warner Bros, bought film rights. Hence, it has to appear on the list for greatest Hollywood movies ever made.
The third movie in the fantasy franchise is generally regarded as the best one, maybe because it was the first film in the series to use IMAX technology. It won many awards and several nominations in Oscars.
Some especially like the movie for introducing Sirius Black, godfather to Harry and one of the most loveable characters. And also, Radcliffe's favourite character.
And did you know their father-son relationship wasn't just limited on-screen, Radcliffe adored Gary Oldman and considered him his idol?
Rocky (1976)
Probably the most famous sports drama movie became cornerstone not just for Stallone's career but for the future of the entire genre. It won 3 Oscars in 1977 including Best Picture. It tells the story of an underdog who makes into World heavyweight championship.
Stallone wrote this classic story after being inspired by watching Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner's fight on March 24, 1975.
Titanic (1997)
This epic romance inspired by the real sinking of RMS Titanic was a huge success, critically and commercially. Directed, written, co-produced and even edited by James Cameron, it remained highest-grossing film until his own 'Avatar' surpassed it in 2010.
It won many awards including Golden Globes, Grammy and Academy for its direction, editing, visual effects, costumes and background score. It gave us many iconic scenes and music with its soundtracks being best-selling primarily orchestral soundtrack of all time. One of the scenes being, the famous Kate's nude sketch, which was in real drew by Cameron himself. Now, that's called multitalented.
Avatar (2009)
Another of Cameron's record-breaking Sci-Fi fantasy was the highest-grossing for almost a decade. It has already been set into motion before completion of Titanic in 1996. An amalgamation of the real-life shoot and computer-generated characters left the audience in awe. A story set in future was about how humans were trying to colonize another habitable moon with vegetation, after degrading their planet with a paraplegic marine as one of the hybrids- avatars, at the centre of it.
It was primarily known for its novel motion capture techniques and won many awards for its cinematography, direction and visual effects.
Did you know the various imaginative creatures in the movie, their sounds were borrowed from Jurassic Park?
Inception (2010)
This four academy awards winner is a novel concept about corporate espionage using lucid dreaming. With strong, credible cast (like DiCaprio and Marion Cottilard) and striking visuals, this mind-bending movie is an international phenomenon.
The movie is laden with secretive symbols and elusive connection with hidden meaning as well as its ambiguous ending. One of such- did you notice the French song "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien," used in the movie to signal the end of a dream was sung by famous singer-songwriter Edith Piaf, who was played by Cottilard herself in her biography and won an Oscar for the same.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
More than a beautiful piece of Western fiction, this drama brought to the screen the typical cowboy setting with non-traditional romance. The acting of Gyllenhaal and Ledger is exceptional, and the movie garnered many awards for its screenplay and background score.
It became a huge critical success as well as controversy for being a queer cinema, but the late actor was always dead serious about the theme of the movie and wouldn't have anyone making fun of it.
Dark Night (2008)
The last movie Heath Ledger would do before his untimely death, gained a lot of commercial success and two Oscars, one of them posthumously for him. The second sequel of the trilogy sees Batman trying to save Gotham from mastermind villain, Joker.
It is often considered one of the best superhero movies ever made. Years later it still exists in the mainstream, especially for Ledger's iconic portrayal of Joker. His acting was so intense that it rendered legendary co-actor Michael Caine forget his lines in a scene.
Frozen 2 (2019)
This visual masterpiece of fairytale broke all the records in the area of animation. The sequel of Frozen, this one had more story and depth. The realistic simulation by 80 animators, adorable supporting characters like Olaf and Sven, riveting plot and beautiful songs is what makes it a must-watch movie, no matter your age.
Elsa's horse Nokk took half a year to be created, and a new animation tool was invented to build the wind spirit, Gale.
The silence of the lambs (1991)
The movie is famous for its, one of the most notoriously renowned fictional villains, Hannibal Lecter. The film won almost all top Oscars and probably the only horror movie to have done so. Not just big actors like Sir Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster but even Ted Levine, who plays the scaringly deranged killer Buffalo Bill, gave a commendable performance. And a lesser-known fact, his visceral unnerving dance was included by the actor himself.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
The movie is based on the life of genius mathematician and a Nobel Laureate, John Nash, his professional achievements and struggle with Schizophrenia. Although the writers have changed the original story in many aspects, the movie won a lot of accolades, especially for Crowe's acting.
The many classroom scenes in the movie contain actual equations written by Real Nash.
The Hurt Locker(2008)
The only Best Picture Oscar winner to be directed by a woman, the Hurt Locker is about an Explosive Disposal Team in the Iraq War and the psychological effect they sustained during their deployment.
The movie was an attempt to show war experience as authentic as possible, with the writer Mark Boal being embedded as a journalist with a US army team in Iraq. The location too was kept nearby the borders of Iraq, at Jordan and Iraqi refugees appearing as extras.
And many people might not know that Renner's bomb disposal outfit was real.
Booksmart (2019)
The beautiful actress Olivia Wilde came up with her first directorial venture last year. And it became one of the best coming-of-age comedies of recent times. It added new fast-paced, fresh sequences to high school best buddies theme. My favourite is soundtracks which sets the perfect tempo for a teenage, overnight rendezvous of best friends, trying to discard their nerd reputation and finally party and enjoy.
The most famous scene of the movie where the two girls try to hijack a pizza delivery car for the address of the party, they do get the address and some women safety tips from the supposed victim. So, the Lido Pizza is an actual Pizza resto and make amazing pizza as suggested Wilde.
Conjuring (2013)
This is a personal favourite, simply because haunting is my dearest genre and this one is the best. This introduces the franchise based on the real-life paranormal investigator couple, Ed and Lorrain Warren. The movie is based on the classic story of a family moving into a new home which turns out to be haunted and how Ed and Lorraine try to rinse the house and family of all the evil. Two best components of the movie were the insight into Lorrain's life and the montage of the real people, the family and others who survived through the ordeal at the end of the film.
Did you know real Lorrain did a small cameo in the film and on a completely unrelated note, some Philippines theatres had appointed priests to bless the audience before showing the movie? Imagine that!
La La Land (2016)
The musical drama won many record-breaking awards at Golden Globes, British Academy Film Award and Oscars for its musicals, cinematography, direction, production design and performances. As you know, it almost won an Oscar for Best Film too!
It's a love story of a pianist and an actress trying to find future and career, its cinematic gem to be treasured for ages.
Will you believe if I tell you, the test screening did not go well and director Chazelle had shut his eyes for most of its screening at Venice Film Festival, he was sure it was a big flop but instead it got a standing ovation!
Les Miserable (2012)
It's a historical musical based on 19th century France. The movie is filled with stellar performances by actors like Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Crowe and basically, is a story of a prisoner trying to take care of an orphan and lead a normal life.
All the singings were recorded live on set and Hathaway for just 13 days of filming lost 25 pounds, and Jackman alternated between drastically gaining and losing weight for their characters. The cast was even banned from having alcohol to keep their vocals perfect.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
The American teen drama film won many awards and commercial success and is a timeless piece. Containing one of the best performances by legendary Robin Williams, the movie led the foray of movies based on inspiring teachers trying to bring the revolution of mindset.
Walt Whitman's lines, 'O Captain! My Captain!' has become a default salutation to the late actor, thanks to this movie. It was his favourite movie even though during the filming of it, he was going through a divorce.
Joker (2019)
Another portrayal of Joker from the world of DC comics is the greatest movie based on a fictional villain. The psychological thriller is famous for the brilliant acting by Joaquin Phoenix for which he won an Oscar. The unnerving scenes of the characters descend into madness and the city's increasing deterioration and moving musical score are profound artistic pieces.
The Joker dance scene on stairs is so famous that the stairs at The Bronx, NY is an actual destination on google maps.
Alice In Wonderland (2010)
What gets this movie a place in this list is a vibrant, edgy visual, quirky characters and colourful performances by names like Johny Depp, Helena Bonham and Anne Hathway. This twisted trip to an imaginary world might not be everyone's cup of tea. Still, it will surely interest all those who like a good mental stimulation with seemingly nonsensical but very insightful dialogues.
Could you have guessed, director Tim Burton had always hated the character of Alice, he found it very annoying. He thus wanted to portray a better version- a quiet internal youngster not comfortable in his skin and trying to make sense of the world.
The Schindler's List (1993) & Before Sunrise (1995)
Last but not the least, we list two movies. Because we just couldn't decide which one to choose, hence both. Both are almost extremely opposite in every aspect, one being a black and white historical drama inspired by the journey of real-life hero Oskar Schindler. He saved 1000's of Jews during the Holocaust.
Another one a bright love story with the simplest plot of two people meeting and walking around in Vienna during the night, sharing their feelings and opinions and eventually falling in love.
Schindlers List won many academy awards and is ranked 8th by American Institue in 100 best American films of all time. By the way, did you know in reality there was more than one list and were called' The List of Life'?
Before Sunrise received a lot of critical praise if not any big award, and there is something utterly soothing about the movie and actor's performance and insightful heart-to-heart that it warms our heart too.
Contrary to prevalent conjecture, the dialogues and movements were completely scripted without any improvisation. Makes us wonder about the actor's and writer's talent…
Conclusion
We have tried to include the finest ones covering the main genres - Action, Adventure, Animation, Biography, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Family, Fantasy, History, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Sport, Thriller, War and Western. There are many equally good ones which were missed simply because of limited space. Feel free to write to us about your favourite ones, and we'll add them to this list.
Co-Author: Shreya Arya
A digital marketing enthusiast with experience in HR and hospital management, Shreya has wide interests ranging from philosophy, psychology to latest trends in automation. She is also a freelance content writer and loves lending beautiful words to ideas and feelings.
