25 Best Hollywood Movies of All Time That You Should Watch

What is the number 1 Hollywood movie? What movie has a 100% rating? What is the #1 grossing movie of all time?

Which Hollywood movies one must watch? Whether you are a casual film watcher or a cineliterate buff, all these questions are very common to put across different search engines when you want to watch the best Hollywood movies on weekends or late at night.   

Don’t worry!

In this post, we have included some of the cinema gems that should be unfailingly on your Hollywood movies watchlist.

From comedy, thriller, and fantasy to action and mystery, we have listed top-rated Hollywood movies of all genres. We have also showcased the latest as well as timeless Hollywood classics that should be on your watch bucket list this year to have the best movie date night ever.

Best comedy movies in Hollywood

Who doesn’t love to laugh? Comedy movies are a great way to fire you up and fill your 2 to 3 hrs with a giggle burst. Making funny movies and creating a classic comedy are two completely different things. Funny movies make you laugh in the present but a classic comedy is an absolute treat that lasts even after decades.

A funny movie becomes truly great when it falls in the most vital criteria i.e. durability. If you are in a desperate search for good funny English movies then the following is the list of the most durable and widely appreciated comedy movies of all time. Each of these movies will take you on a hilarious rollercoaster ride.

1. Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

Kung Fu Hustle

Stephen Chow who is the writer, director, and producer of Kung Fu Hustle came with the finest balance of action and comedy in 2004. This movie is about a murderous gang in a poor neighborhood village and a wishful gangster who is on a journey to discover his true self. This movie has to be listed in the top 10 Hollywood movies as it has many segments that will make you laugh. It is also one of the best martial arts movies of all time.

Why is Kung Fu Hustle so good? The best part of this movie is that the storyline, acting, and action sequences are very refined. There are some nice sections that show old Hong Kong and the living style of people at that point in time. The three masters fighting the Axe Gang, in the beginning, have pretty good action scenes.

2. Bad Grandpa (2013)

Bad Grandpa

Bad Grandpa is one of the comedy movies in Hollywood that has hilarious gags and pranks with a heartfelt story. This movie is directed by Tremaine, John Knoxville, and Spike Jonze. It is the second film in the Jackass franchise. It is the first movie that was nominated for an Oscar.

This movie is the story of an 86-year-old man Irving Zisman who takes a trip from Nebraska to North Carolina to take his grandson Billy (8 years old) to his real father. Johnny Knoxville plays the role of naughty grandpa who was so impressively engrossed in the character that the makeup artist Stephen Prouty won an Oscar nomination for it.

3. Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (2021)

Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn

A Romanian comedy plus drama movie, Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn is one of the funniest movies of all time. Produced by Ada Solomon and directed and written by Radu Jude, this movie became the third Romanian movie to win the Golden Bear award in 9 years.

This movie is the story of a school teacher Emi whose entire career and image go at stake after the leakage of a personal sex tape on the internet. The tape is uploaded to a fetish site not other than by her husband Eugen in the film. Some of the scenes and dialog in the movie are rib-tickling. Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn is undoubtedly one of the funniest Hollywood movies to watch with your partner.

4. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians movie is a mix of comedy, drama, and romance. Directed by Jon M. Chu and based on the novel by Kevin Kwan with the same title. This movie underlines the mockery and lifestyle of upper-class Asian people and society. This film highlights the three affluent Chinese families and shows how they undermine people who are not influential and wealthy like them.

This movie shows the backbiting and gossip that begins when Nicolas Young (successor to one of the affluent Asian families) brings his girlfriend Rachel Chu to a wedding. This movie is the best Hollywood movie of all time. It became the highest-grossing romantic comedy movie during its release year.

5. Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Dumb and Dumber

Dumb and Dumber was a massively successful comedy movie. Directed by Peter Farrelly, this film is the first installment in the title franchise. The enormous success of this movie at the box office with $250 million worldwide gave a great push to the careers of the Farrelly brothers.

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are the protagonists in the film. The movie revolves around these two stars who are friends from Rhode Island who begin their journey on a cross-country excursion to Colorado to return the briefcase filled with money to its original owner. When discussing must-watch Hollywood movies, Dum and Dumber is undoubtedly the right pick.

6. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Written by Nia Vardalos and directed by Joel Zwick, My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a romantic comedy. This movie shows the struggle of a Greek woman “Toula” Portokalos who falls in love with a non-greek guy Ian Miller. The problem arises when she faces challenges in adjusting to the family. This movie received abundant positive reviews from critics.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding has several comedy scenes that will make you laugh out loud. This movie got nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. In North America, it struck the box office collection with $241.4 million. This movie is one of the top Hollywood movies that have to be on your comedy film watchlist.

Best Hollywood movies adventure

Since the very beginning, adventure is an essential part of Hollywood movies. Cinematographers now enjoy discovering the wild and going out of movie studios. They are very outward in capturing the haunting beauty in the open.

Such reality-based films highlight the struggle that our ancestors faced. We get to see what it is like breathing in air full of dangers. Here are the best adventure movies in Hollywood that are worth watching.

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7. The Revenant (2015)

The Revenant

This courageous movie is based on the novel ‘The Revenant’ by Michael Punke. In this film, Leonardo De Caprio plays the role of forest guide Hugh Glass who guides Domhnall Gleeson who is Captain Andrew Henry through a hostile region. Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, this movie has got all the essentials that you look for in a good adventure Hollywood movie.

Leonardo De Caprio is seen showcasing tracking, survival, and hunting skills in this film. He seeks vengeance on his mate who deceived him and left him to die. This movie is based on a true story of a frontier and his heroic survival in the middle of the wilderness. This movie is one of the best Hollywood movies of all time.

8. Interstellar (2014)

Interstellar

Produced and directed by Christopher Nolan, interstellar is an epic sci-fi movie that shows a world where the human race and its survival are highly doubtful. Mathew McConaughey who plays cooper in the movie is a former science engineer. People on earth start realizing that their being might end soon because of the devastating sandstorms that destroyed crops, leading to diminished food supplies.

Cooper joins a dangerous NASA mission with a group of other scientists through a wormhole in space. The story of risking his life and the unlikelihood of seeing his children ever again to save the earth is worth watching. If you love a mix of adventure and science fiction, Interstellar is one of the best English movies to watch.

9. Hunt For The Wilderpeople (2016)

Hunt For The Wilderpeople

Directed by Taika Waititi, Hunt For The Wilderpeople is one of the best adventure and drama movies. This movie is based on the novel ‘Wild Pork and Watercress’ by Barry Crump. It is the story of a troubled teenager who is trying to find his place in the mountains with an old man. This movie has a beautiful storyline with a bunch of humorous dialogue.

Julian Dennison plays the role of the teenager Ricky and Sam Neil is seen playing the uncle in the movie. The chemistry and performance of these two protagonists are a pure treat. Hunt For The Wilderpeople is one of the best movies on Netflix. You can take the subscription and watch this movie anytime if you liked the plot.

10. Everest (2015)

Everest

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, Everest is another best adventurous movie that is based on true events. It shows the catastrophic expedition back in 1996 to climb Mount Everest. This movie is based on solid survival with a strong cast, emotional touch, and panic scenes. In this film, two groups get ready to scale the mountain. One group is led by Rob Hall (Jason Clark) and another set of climbers is commanded by Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal).

In their expedition, each group encounters numerous harshest weather conditions, freezing temperatures, blistering winds, and other panicky challenges. This movie shows an epic battle to survive dreadful odds. Everest is one of the best Hollywood movies that should be on your watchlist if you love adventure.

11. Journey to Mysterious Island (2012)

Journey to Mysterious Island

Journey to Mysterious Island is a movie under the direction of Brad Peyton and produced by Tripp Vinson, Beau Flynn, and Charlotte Huggins. This movie is a sequel to Journey to the center of Earth. This movie is one of Dwayne Johnson’s top-rated movies on Netflix. This movie received mixed reviews but made a huge $335 million worldwide which is greater than its predecessor.

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Dwayne Johnson plays Hank Parsons in the movie who partners with (Josh Hutcherson) Sean Anderson on a mission. Sean Anderson wants to find his grandfather who is believed to be missing on a magical island. The whole movie is a mix of adventures and twists and turns that individuals of all ages would enjoy watching.

12. The Lost City of Z (2017)

The Lost City of Z

The Lost City of Z is based on a novel with the same title by David Grann. This movie highlights real events encompassing Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) who is a British explorer. He does countless attempts to find a lost ancient city in the Amazon. He was sent to Brazil and discovered much evidence of a civilization that existed in the region.

The entire journey is filled with adventure and challenges that the explorer faces in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This book and movie are based on the true story of a British explorer who got disappeared in the Brazilian jungle in 1925 and was never found. The determination to find the lost ancient city in the Amazon and the challenges that he faces during his journey make this one of the best movies to watch in Hollywood.

Top action movies in Hollywood

The action was part of the movies since the mustache-twirling villains used to hang heroes on tracks. Since then till now, the definition has completely changed. Movies with well-executed action often top the box office charts and leave a mark on the audience’s hearts forever. So, here is the list of top action movies in Hollywood of all time.

13. Top Gun (1986)

Top Gun

Directed by Tony Scott and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson, Top Gun is one of the best Hollywood action movies of all time. This movie is star-studded and visually exciting so every action lover should watch it unfailingly. This movie received mixed reviews from critics but the soundtrack and visual effects used in this film are bang on.

Tom Cruise plays fighter pilot Pete Maverick who enters into combat training school to refine his flying skills. The movie has a strong emotional punch when Maverick loses his friend. You will find numerous breathtaking jet scenes. Top gun is surely one of the top-rated movies of Tom Cruise that is worth watching.

14. The Dark Knight (2008)

The Dark Knight

Ask google—which is the most popular movie? The Dark Knight will come in the top 10 results. Directed by Christopher Nolan and based on the DC comics superhero, this movie takes you on a remarkable thrill ride right from its start to the end. The joker played by the late Heath Ledger was immensely loved worldwide.

The Dark Knight was a blockbuster of its time and one of the best movies ever made. The story is about destroying an organized crime in Gotham city. The use of special effects, actions, scenes, dialog delivery, and much more makes this a must-watch Hollywood action movie of all time. If your partner loves action films then spending a weekend watching this movie can be the best date idea.

15. The Terminator (1984)

The Terminator

The Terminator is another famous English movie that ruled the US box office grossing $78.3 million. This American sci-fi action-packed movie directed by James Cameron is another best Hollywood movies to watch. In this movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the role of the terminator (a cyborg assassin) who is sent back to 1984 from the year 2029 to execute Sarah Connor.

The Library of Congress picked ‘The Terminator’ for preservation in the US National Film Registry. This film is one of the famous Hollywood movies that will take you on an unforgettable action rollercoaster ride. The Terminator can still slay its audience with visual flair and theatrical precision the way it did back in 1984.

16. The Italian Job (2003)

The Italian Job

The Italian Job is one of the English movie names that will strike your mind when we talk about the best Hollywood movies of all time. This movie is one of the best Mark Wahlberg movies which was immensely appreciated for his performance. He plays a criminal mastermind in this movie who seeks revenge for his mentor’s murder and betrayal.

This movie is one of the good English movies to watch for families and teens. The story revolves around a team that gets assembled to accomplish a heist of $35 million in gold bars in Venice, Italy. British Film Institute ranked The Italian job among the best 100 British movies.

17. The Hurt Locker (2008)

The Hurt Locker

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker is one of the best thriller movies in Hollywood. This movie revolves around soldiers who are supposed to fight the most dangerous combat and disarming bombs in Iraq. This movie is based on the experience of screenwriter and journalist Mark Boal who was working with a special bomb unit in real at that point in time.

This movie earned huge appreciation from critics for its direction, screenplay, performance, cinematography, editing, action sequences, and sound design. The Hurt Locker won six Academy Awards for best direction, best picture, and best original screenplay and earned other nine academy award nominations.

18. The Matrix (1999)

The Matrix

Directed and written by the Wachowskis, The Matrix is a sci-fi action movie that is packed with high-end cinematography, visual effects, entertainment, and impressive action sequences. This movie was a huge success at the box office with $460 million. It became the highest-grossing Warner Bros. movie in 1999.

This movie is based on a computer-based dream world to keep some humans under control. Their body is sedated and their brains are spun into a Matrix to enslave them. The striking action sequences and visual effects make this movie one of the best Hollywood movies of all time.

Best mystery movies in Hollywood

Mystery movies will always have a significant place in each film lover’s heart. Such films are not only exciting to watch but also leave you guessing after their end. So, here is the list of the best mystery movies:

19. The Girl on the Train (2016)

The Girl on the Train

If you ask us—what are some amazing recent Hollywood movies to watch? Then the answer is ‘The Girl on the Train. Directed by Tate Taylor, this movie is a psychological thriller that has to be on your watchlist of mystery movies. This movie was a huge box office success which made big $173 million worldwide. Although the movie received mixed reviews, this performance by Emily Blunt received critical praise.

This movie revolves around an alcoholic divorcee woman who gets involved in an investigation of a missing person. This involvement brings her entire life upside down. The mystery, the storyline, and the performances make this movie the best Hollywood movie of all time.

20. Rear Window (1954)

Rear Window

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the Rear Window is one of the best mystery thriller Hollywood movies that are worth watching. This movie revolves around wheelchaired photographer L.B. Jeff (James Stewart) who lives in his Manhattan apartment. He starts looking at his neighborhood to stay calm and kill time but suspects the murder of a woman.  

The story is very gripping from start to end. This movie has a remarkable set design and camerawork. Rear Window received a lot of appreciation for its storyline and performance.

21. Memento (2004)

Memento

Directed and written by Christopher Nolan, Memento is one of the best psychological thriller Hollywood movies of all time. This movie revolves around a man Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) who suffers from short-term memory loss. He wants to track down the people who attacked, raped, and killed his wife. The story is very intriguing as he uses tattoos, notes, and polaroid photos to search for the culprits.

This movie made $40 million at the box office and was selected for National Film Registry preservation. The performance of Guy Pearce in the movie is truly moving.

22. Oldboy (2003)

Oldboy

Directed and co-written by Park Chan-wook, Oldboy is a Korean thriller movie that is truly visual fascination. This is the story of Oh Dae-su who comes out of the cell after completing 15 years of imprisonment due to mysterious reasons.

This movie is a blend of vengeance, romance, and action that will definitely touch your heart. Oldboy earned the Grand Prix award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. This movie is one of the best Hollywood movies of all time.

Best Hollywood movies drama

One thing which is common in drama movies is the deep emotional response from the audience end. If you love drama then the following drama films have to be on your watchlist.

23. The God Father (1972)

The God Father

Based on the best-selling crime novel by Mario Puzo ‘The Godfather’ is another best Hollywood movies of all time. This movie is the first installment of ‘The Godfather Trilogy. This movie is the story of Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) who is the Mafia of a crime dynasty. The story shows a master balance between crime business and family life.

Al Pacino and Marlon Brando gave award-winning performances in this film which took their career to next level. “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse”—this dialogue became a saying after the movie’s release. If you ask Google, what is the No.1 best movie in drama? You will get ‘God Father’ in the results for sure.

24. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption

Directed and written by Frank Darabont, The Shawshank Redemption is another best Hollywood movies in drama. This movie is the story of  Andy Dufresne who is sentenced to two consecutive life tenures in jail for murdering his wife. His strength and ability to fight the brutality in prison earned him the respect of his fellow convicts.

Even after decades of its release, this movie is still not shaded from its popularity. We asked many movie buffs ’Which one is the best Hollywood movie? The maximum of them said ‘The Shawshank Redemption.

25. Citizen Kane (1941)

Citizen Kane

Directed, produced, and starring Orson Welles, Citizen Kane is one of the greatest movies ever made. This movie earned nine different academy award nominations and won one for best writing. This is a story of Charles Foster Kane’s (Welles) legacy who is a publishing tycoon ‘Rosebud’.

This film is fantastically photographed and is one of the best Hollywood movies of all time. The camera work and innovative lighting of this movie are commendable. Citizen Kane is regarded as a landmark work in the history of American cinemas.

Parting Thoughts

No soul exists who doesn’t love watching a good movie. A classic movie creates an unforgettable experience, big laughs, raises overwhelming emotions, and whatnot. All the aforementioned Hollywood films are the best movies of all time and the finest gem in their genre.

Now grab your share of popcorn or your favorite Starbucks drink, pick any of these best Hollywood movies, and treat yourself to pulse-pounding suspense, massive laughter, or an action-packed roller coaster ride.

This was our list of the top 25 Hollywood movies of all time. Please share which are the best Hollywood movies with good stories according to you. We would love to include them in our blog.

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