Who knew there was such a thing as a "perfect" movie? Movies are totally subjective, right? When it comes to film preferences, it really is all about personal tastes and interests, but that doesn't necessarily mean there aren't some films out there that enough people have found so good, they're now widely considered perfect movies. In fact, there are movies from nearly every decade and a huge variety of genres that have received perfect ratings from critics. How is the perfection of a movie even determined?
Well, that's tricky to pin down, but Rotten Tomatoes uses its "Tomatometer" system, which is a representation of what percentage of professional critics have given the film a positive review. Believe it or not, a number of films have garnered themselves 100% scores on the Tomatometer, meaning they're pretty much as as close to perfect as it gets when it comes to movies.
Surprisingly, the list isn't just comprised of the old and widely revered classics like 12 Angry Men and The Grapes of Wrath, either. There are movies old and new, documentaries, horror movies, and even animated films that have made the list of perfect movies. There are even some sequels representing! Wanna know more? Keep reading to see 20 of the movies critics consider "perfect."
'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' (1920)
This German silent film hails from the horror genre and is about a mad hypnotist named Dr. Caligari who uses an enslaved sleepwalker to commit murders for him. Between the film being in black and white and the dramatic pantomime performances given by the actors, it somehow manages to be even more chilling than many of today's top horror flicks.
'Frankenstein' (1931)
The original adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, this film is undoubtedly a must-see for any horror movie aficionado. It's of course about Dr. Henry Frankenstein who is working to bring the dead back to life. He eventually succeeds, creating a monster out of dead body parts that he patchworks together.
'The Bride of Frankenstein' (1935)
This classic sequel based on Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein, finds Dr. Frankenstein and the monster he created still alive. Frankenstein is finished with monster-making until his wife is kidnapped by the evil Dr. Pretorious who commissions him to create a companion for his first monster.
'Pinocchio' (1940)
The first and oldest of several animated films with a perfect score from critics is the classic Pinocchio, which of course is about a childless Italian puppetmaker, whose wish for his latest creation to be a "real boy" unexpectedly comes true, setting off an amusing series of events.
'The Maltese Falcon' (1941)
The Maltese Falcon is a movie that is utterly definitive of the film noir genre. It's the mysterious story of a murder that occurs at a San Francisco detective agency, and one detective's mission to protect his newest client and clear his own name as the murders continue.
'Singin' in the Rain' (1952)
The beloved musical Singin' in the Rain, starring Gene Kelly, has apparently managed to capture the hearts of both audiences and critics. The story follows silent film actors as they figure out the transition to "talkies," leaving one performer's lack of talent up for scrutiny.
'Rear Window' (1954)
With so much talent involved, it's no surprise that legendary director Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window — starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly — is so well reviewed. It's the creepy tale of a handicapped photographer who spies on his neighbors and begins to suspect one of murder.
'Mary Poppins' (1964)
The much-loved original Mary Poppins film, starring Julie Andrews — which, of course, is about a magical nanny who brings order and quite a bit of adventure to the home of her charges, the Banks children — is perhaps quite unsurprisingly considered "perfect" by critics.
'Cool Hand Luke' (1967)
Starring Paul Newman, Cool Hand Luke is the well-told story of a Southern criminal forced to work in a chain gang after being arrested and imprisoned. Only Luke, who is revered by his fellow inmates, isn't really having it and manages to escape prison, only to be recaptured again and again.
'The Last Picture Show' (1971)
The Last Picture Show, starring a young Jeff Bridges and Cybill Shepherd, tells the classic coming-of-age tale of a group of high schoolers from a small, struggling Texas town, as they figure out what's next for them in life and love in the face of a community that is essentially falling apart.
'The Terminator' (1984)
Believe it or not, The Terminator, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, in arguably his most defining role, has also been labeled a "perfect" movie. The fast-paced action film — which has since spawned a massive franchise — is about a soldier sent from the future to stop a cyborg assassin from killing a woman in order to prevent her unborn son from saving humanity in the distant future.
'Tampopo' (1985)
Probably one of the least known films on this list, Tampopo is a Japanese comedy about relationships, love, food, and how they are all intertwined. In the movie, a Japanese truck driver makes a stop at a newly opened noodle shop and ends up teaching the owners the best way to make their noodles.
'Toy Story' (1995) & 'Toy Story 2' (1999)
It's not just audiences that think these Disney/Pixar favorites are just the best, critics think they're tops as well. For those who haven't seen them, the Toy Story films are about a group of toys that come to life and vie for their owner's affections and attention, revealing complex truths about relationships and life along the way.
'Before Sunrise' (1995)
Ethan Hawke may mostly star in B-list horror movies and mysteries these days, but his acting chops were on full display back in the '90s when he starred in the romance Before Sunrise. This touching film is about a young American who meets a French student on a train between Budapest and Vienna. They end up spending the day together after disembarking, knowing that despite their connection, they will likely never see each other again.
'Deliver Us From Evil' (2006)
Despite or perhaps because of the upsetting nature of its subject, the documentary, Deliver Us From Evil — about the 1970s child rape scandal involving the Catholic priest Oliver O'Grady — has consistently garnered solid reviews from critics over the years.
'Aruitemo Aruitemo' (2008)
Another Japanese film, Aruitemo Aruitemo, also released under the title Still Walking, is about grown children who return to their family home to participate in a family ritual commemorating the death of an older sibling who drowned years before. Their visit highlights often difficult family dynamics as parents age and their children become firmly planted in adulthood.
'3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets' (2015)
In the 2015 documentary, 3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets, filmmakers delve deep into the story of a Black teenager who was killed by strangers when he stopped at a convenience store with three of his friends to buy soda and gum on Black Friday. The documentary dissects Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, exposing its flaws.
'Paddington 2' (2018)
In the 2017 sequel to the similarly well-rated Paddington, the adorably fuzzy marmalade-loving bear once again managed to charm audiences and critics alike. This time, Paddington lovingly saves up for a special gift for his Aunt Lucy only to have it stolen right from under him.
'Mickey and the Bear' (2019)
In the newest film on our list, teenager Mickey is forced to care for her drug addicted military veteran father and manage their household on her own as she struggles to make a plan for her future when an opportunity to escape her sad life at home presents itself.
