One of the web’s most popular sites for providing movie ratings is Rotten Tomatoes, which aggregates a percentage score for each particular movie, based on its Fresh versus Rotten review calculator.
However, due to the relative ease of a movie receiving a 100 percent rating after a few reviews, each film listed here has a minimum of 40 ratings, meaning every flick is also Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Here are 30 films that hold a prestigious 100 percent rating.
3½ Minutes, Ten Bullets
2015 ‧ Documentary/Drama ‧ 1h 38m
This hard-hitting documentary investigates the fatal shooting of black teenager Jordan Davis in Florida.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “3 And 1/2 Minutes, 10 Bullets tells a gut-wrenching story in overall gripping fashion—and wisely underplays its outrage, letting the details speak for themselves.”
12 Angry Men
1957 ‧ Drama/Legal drama ‧ 1h 36m
The famous American courtroom drama focuses on a jury deliberating during a U.S. homicide trial.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Sidney Lumet’s feature debut is a superbly written, dramatically effective courtroom thriller that rightfully stands as a modern classic”.
The 400 Blows
1959 ‧ Drama/à clef ‧ 1h 39m
A young boy’s adventures mirror the autobiography of movie director Francois Truffaut’s early life.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “A seminal French New Wave film that offers an honest, sympathetic, and wholly heartbreaking observation of adolescence without trite nostalgia.”
The Adventures of Robin Hood
1938 ‧ Adventure ‧ 1h 39m
When Richard the Lionheart is captured, his scheming brother Prince John attempts to reach the throne, only to be thwarted by Robin Hood.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Errol Flynn thrills as the legendary title character, and the film embodies the type of imaginative family adventure tailor-made for the silver screen.”
Afghan Star
2009 ‧ Documentary/Music ‧ 1h 28m
The early days of pop culture in war-torn Afghanistan is explored through the eyes of four musical artists.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “An enlightening and sobering documentary on Afghanistan’s very own X-Factor.”
The Age of Shadows
2016 ‧ Action/Thriller ‧ 2h 20m
This South Korean period piece narrates the tale of resistance fighters attempting to destroy areas controlled by the Japanese army.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “The Age of Shadows justifies its imposing length with a richly detailed period drama whose sprawling size is matched by strong acting, impressive craft, and narrative depth.”
Anatomy of a Murder
1959 ‧ Mystery/Crime ‧ 2h 41m
James Stewart plays a semi-retired lawyer who accepts the case of a man who murdered a local innkeeper.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “One of cinema’s greatest courtroom dramas, Anatomy of a Murder is tense, thought-provoking, and brilliantly acted, with great performances from James Stewart and George C. Scott.”
Still Walking
2008 ‧ Drama ‧ 1h 55m
After a couple’s eldest son drowns while saving a stranger’s life, a family welcome their surviving children returning home.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Hirokazu Kore-eda’s film may seem modest at first, but this family drama casts a delicate, entrancing spell.”
Au Hasard Balthazar
1966 ‧ Drama/Crime ‧ 1h 36m
A donkey is passed from owner to owner, many of whom treat him poorly in this iconic movie from revered French filmmaker Robert Bresson.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Au Hasard Balthazar uses one animal’s lifelong journey to trace a soberly compelling—and ultimately heartbreaking—outline of the human experience.”
Battleship Potemkin
1926 ‧ Drama/Silent ‧ 1h 22m
This Soviet silent movie depicts a dramatized version of the mutiny of the crew that occurred on the Russian battleship in 1905.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “A technical masterpiece, Battleship Potemkin is Soviet cinema at its finest, and its montage editing techniques remain influential to this day.”
Before Sunrise
1995 ‧ Romance/Indie film ‧ 1h 45m
An American man meets a French woman while holidaying in Europe and the pair decide to enjoy his few remaining hours in the country together.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Thought-provoking and beautifully filmed, Before Sunrise is an intelligent, unabashedly romantic look at modern love, led by marvelously natural performances from Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy.”
Cool Hand Luke
1967 ‧ Drama/Crime ‧ 2h 7m
A group of prison guards devise an ingenious plan to catch a charismatic expert jailbreaker.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Though hampered by Stuart Rosenberg’s direction, Cool Hand Luke is held aloft by a stellar script and one of Paul Newman’s most indelible performances.”
Coup 53
2019 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 59m
This narrates the incredible story about the CIA/MI6 staged coup in Iran that overthrew the country’s Prime Minister.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Rife with the political intrigue promised by its title, Coup 53 is a spellbinding documentary with the heart of a thriller.”
Dawson City: Frozen Time
2016 ‧ Documentary/History ‧ 2 hours
533 reels of film were discovered in Dawson City and this documentary reveals what the archived treasure trove unearthed.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Dawson City: Frozen Time takes a patient look at the past through long-lost film footage that reveals much more than glimpses at life through the camera’s lens.”
Deliver Us from Evil
2006 ‧ Documentary/Crime ‧ 1h 41m
This movie relays the shocking tale of convicted pedophile Oliver Grady as a priest in northern California, molested local children, reportedly with the knowledge of his superiors.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Deliver Us From Evil is a superb documentary and a searing look at an institution protecting its leaders at the expense of its followers.
“A profoundly disturbing chronicle of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, the film builds a clear-eyed case against pedophile priest Oliver O’Grady, and the Catholic bureaucracy that protected him.
“The recollections of O’Grady’s victims are nothing short of shocking and heartbreaking.”
Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone
2010 ‧ Documentary/Musical ‧ 1h 47m
The legendary all-black rock band Fishbone’s story is chronicled as they transform to become one of America’s great pioneering groups.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone is an entertaining, heartwarming, and balanced documentary about the influential Los Angeles band.”
Fireworks Wednesday
2006 ‧ Drama/Mystery ‧ 1h 44m
A housewife sends her housekeeper to enjoy free services at a local salon on the proviso she confirms suspicions her husband is having an affair.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Well-written and powerfully acted, Fireworks Wednesday gives audiences an early, assured glimpse of writer-director Asghar Farhadi’s emerging talent.”
Frankenstein
1931 ‧ Horror/Sci-fi ‧ 1h 11m
A scientist decides to build a living being from body parts, before realising he has created a monster.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Still unnerving to this day, Frankenstein adroitly explores the fine line between genius and madness, and features Boris Karloff’s legendary, frightening performance as the monster.”
Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
2014 ‧ Drama ‧ 1h 56m
An Israeli woman begins an epic battle to obtain a divorce from her religious husband.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “On paper, Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem might seem less than thrilling, but on the screen, it delivers two hours of nonstop, tightly wound, brilliantly acted drama.”
The Gold Rush
1925 ‧ Comedy/Silent ‧ 1h 52m
A prospector and a gold seeker take shelter together in a cabin during a snow storm.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “A delightful blend of slapstick humor, poignant emotion, and social commentary, The Gold Rush encapsulates [Charlie] Chaplin’s strengths as a writer, director, and star.”
The Grapes of Wrath
1940 ‧ Drama/Social problem ‧ 2h 9m
A desperate family set off to search for a better life in California and meet dozens of others on the long road westwards.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “A potent drama that is as socially important today as when it was made, The Grapes of Wrath is affecting, moving, and deservedly considered an American classic.”
Honeyland
2019 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 27m
A woman harnesses ancient beekeeping traditions to harvest honey in the North Macedonian countryside.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Honeyland uses life in a remote village to offer an eye-opening perspective on experiences that should resonate even for audiences halfway around the world.”
Ilo Ilo
2013 ‧ Drama/Family ‧ 1h 39m
A couple employs a Filipino live-in maid for household chores and to help look after their child.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Quietly compassionate and rich in detail, Ilo Ilo is a strikingly mature debut from writer-director Anthony Chen.”
Kind Hearts and Coronets
1949 ‧ Comedy/Dark comedy ‧ 1h 46m
A becomes estranged from his aristocratic family after he runs away with an opera singer, triggering an act of revenge.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Performed with chameleonic brio by Alec Guinness, Kind Hearts and Coronets is a triumphant farce.”
The Last Picture Show
1971 ‧ Drama ‧ 1h 58m
A trio of school friends in a Texas town learns about love and life as graduation approaches.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Making excellent use of its period and setting, Peter Bogdanovich’s small-town coming-of-age story is a sad but moving classic filled with impressive performances.”
Last Train Home
2009 ‧ Documentary/Drama ‧ 1h 27m
A husband and wife join the millions of others in China returning home from their city of employment to their home village.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Last Train Home is a haunting, vivid documentary exploring the human toll of China’s economic boom in intimate, unforgettable detail.”
Laura
1944 ‧ Noir/Mystery ‧ 1h 28m
A Manhattan detective investigates the murder of a wealthy advertising executive.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “A psychologically complex portrait of obsession, Laura is also a deliciously well-crafted murder mystery.”
Leave No Trace
2018 ‧ Drama ‧ 1h 59m
A father and his teenage daughter live a peaceful life in the American backwoods until an event changes everything.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Leave No Trace takes an effectively low-key approach to a potentially sensationalistic story—and further benefits from brilliant work by Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie.”
M
1931 ‧ Thriller/Crime ‧ 1h 58m
A serial killer who preys on children becomes the object of an intense police manhunt in Berlin.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “A landmark psychological thriller with arresting images, deep thoughts on modern society, and Peter Lorre in his finest performance.”
The Maltese Falcon
1941 ‧ Noir/Crime ‧ 1h 41m
A detective finds himself stalked by several criminals as he searches for a mysterious statuette.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus states: “Suspenseful, labyrinthine, and brilliantly cast, The Maltese Falcon is one of the most influential noirs – as well as a showcase for Humphrey Bogart at his finest.”
