My Top 30 Movies (And More)

What better way to get started than to list my own favorite movies. This way you can get a sense of what I love so you can see why I think and feel the way that I do. I've never understood people who say "Oh I could never compare Die Hard to Lion King they are both so different!" False - they're both movies. They have different stories sure, but they're literally two things of the same type and this review site will place ALL movies on the same scale.

A small side note, this list may change in the future as I can get extremely into random movies, new movies may appear or a re-watch may stir things up. I will do my best to keep it updated so check back to see what changes. Now let's get into it.

30. The Rock (1996) - One of the greatest action movies of all time and a unique story of people breaking into prison. The Rock has some electrifying performances from Nic Cage and Sean Connery, a totally fun story, amazingly cheesy action lines and some of the coolest action scenes (epic car chase through the streets of San Francisco and gunfights in Alcatraz). You do not want to miss what is easily Michael Bay's greatest film. Fun facts: Nominated for an Academy Award (Sound Design) and the script was worked on by Quentin Tarantino.

29. Terminator (1984) + T2 (1991) - This is the start of an important feature of my list. I group movies, I find it very difficult to separate my favorite movie series but if I had to, I choose Terminator for the classic feel, better lines and original story but honestly T2 has much better action. If you don't know about these movies with time-traveling murderous robots... do yourself a massive favor and check them out immediately.

28. John Wick Series (2014, 2017, 2019) - These three films are the greatest action series of all time. I dare someone to find a better series of three action movies. Sure the plot is a bit simple but the sheer amount of badass, pulse-pounding, super-graphic action on screen smooths over all faults. John Wick is the story of a man on a quest of violent and bloody revenge and hot damn does it deliver.

27. Wedding Crashers (2005) - This movie about a pair of wedding crashers falling in love helped me make friends in middle school. People would come to my house in 8th grade to watch the scene with all the breasts and I will forever be thankful to this film for helping me to make friends. The movie itself is also absolutely genius and hilarious. Make sure to watch the Unrated Version as it is vastly superior and several of my favorite jokes of all time are in the Unrated Version only.

26. District 9 (2009) - A science fiction tale shot like a documentary about a group of aliens that arrive leaderless in a space ship over South Africa. Deceptively simple and completely brilliant. One of those movies that made me jealous I did not write or create it. Fascinating, exceedingly well-acted and so much fun to watch. A simple but arguably perfect movie.

25. Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018), Spider-Man (2004), Spider-Man Far From Home (2019) - Spider-Man is my favorite superhero, no question. I've loved every Spider-Man movie ever made, even the Andrew Garfield ones. The best Spider-Man movie is Into The Spider-Verse but my favorite is the original Tobey McGuire one. A classic from my childhood and a great version of the webslinger.

24. Braveheart (1995) - The story of a Scottish freedom fighter and the movie that rocked the world when it came out in 1995. It swept the Oscars and justifiably so, it's absolutely amazing. The story is moving and brilliant and the entire thing is shot beautifully. It is just a joy to watch and still holds up 25 years later. Braveheart is set in the late 13th Century and who doesn't love a good period piece? I was so obsessed with this movie growing up it was the inspiration for my first email, IM handle and gamertag.

23. Goodfellas (1990) - The greatest gangster movie of all time. Honestly its not even close. A classic Martin Scorcese gangster movie about the rise and fall of a man in the mob. You don't need to know any more than that. There is a reason everyone talks about this movie, it's freaking brilliant.

22. Snatch (2000) - Goodfellas might be the greatest gangster movie of all time but Snatch is the greatest heist movie of all time. It has gorgeous cinematography, larger-than-life characters, a brilliant plot that is chaotic and complex but still so logical, and Brad Pitt's greatest accent in a film ever. I have shown this movie to a lot of friends and every single one of them has loved it. It is impossible not to have fun watching it.

21. Blade Runner (1982) - An original and classic sci-fi film based on a brilliant Philip K Dick novella: Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep. This movie follows a man named Deckard, played by the always cool Harrison Ford, as he hunts down rogue synthetic humans (robots/AIs) that try to live amidst the regular biological humans. Blade Runner was released in 1982 but it is set in 2019 which makes it extra fun to see where they imagined society would be by now. This film noir flick is absolutely stuffed with rich themes and metaphors all layered over a cerebral sci-fi/action film.

20. Gladiator (2000) - One of the most legendary action films of all time. A once powerful general is reduced to a common gladiator only to rise up once again. The acting in this movie is out of this world. It was so good that growing up I actually hated Joaquin Phoenix. Some of the coolest fight scenes ever put on film and an inspirational and moving story.

19. Attack The Block (2011) - If you haven't noticed, I love alien movies. This hidden gem came out of England and tells the story of a group of young street punks surviving a single night in a bad part of London during an alien invasion. It's funny, incredibly entertaining, fantastic action, good lines and the breakout role for John Boyega. Imagine a criminal Goonies squad fending off attacking aliens - it's that amazing, just go check it out.

18. Iron Giant (1999) - My personal favorite kids movie and it's just beautiful beyond words. The animation is gorgeous, the story deeply moving, the art style totally unique and has some excellent jokes and characters. There is nothing this movie does wrong. The story of a boy who discovers a giant alien robot and forges an unlikely friendship. Fun fact: One of Vin Diesel's first roles (5th to be exact).

17. Pulp Fiction (1994) - An absolute master work of cinema. Completely changed the way movies were written and made. Probably the greatest dialogue of any movie ever made. A completely enchanting plot, brilliant storytelling and unforgettable scenes. This movie is one of a kind and I insist that every person go out and see it. Written and directed by the film master himself, Quentin Tarantino. I think it's his best work, with Reservoir Dogs as a close second.

16. The Thing (1982) - My favorite horror movie of all time. A small, isolated Antarctic research station has to defend itself from a monstrously mutative alien. The movie is completely terrifying and a master in tension building. You can almost physically feel the paranoia radiating off the screen in some of the more intense scenes. The creature design and special effects are still amazing and hold up great. Incredibly visceral and raw, the unbelievable creature effects and great acting makes this science-fiction horror a must see for anyone even vaguely intrigued by horror.

15. Alien & Aliens (1979 &1986) - In my opinion this is the greatest pair of movies in the history of cinema. The first is an absolutely terrifying horror film about an alien loose on a space ship. It's brilliant and the sparse script and way it was cast are an absolute inspiration to me. The sequel is a pure action adrenaline joyride where nothing is held back. After the brilliant subtlety of the first film, the hardcore action may seem out of place but it is actually the perfect natural stepping stone and makes for pure movie bliss. Aliens may have the better lines but Alien is still the stronger movie. Fun Fact: Alien was cast by just having gender and racially neutral characters and then finding actors who best suited each role - originally the creators thought that the Captain would be a woman and Ripley would be a man.

14. Lord of The Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) - The second greatest trilogy of all time and the greatest fantasy movies ever made. The story of a group of heroes on a quest to help end the uprising of an evil demigod. The movie is so beautiful and each year I spend 12 hours watching all 3 of the extended editions. Just go watch these - for Frodo. You will thank me when you do.

13. The Matrix (1999) - The greatest sci-fi action movie ever made. The story of a man who discovers the horrific truth about the world around him and then tries to save the human race. Heavily inspired by the William Gibson novel Neuromancer, The Matrix is filled with some of the best action scenes ever filmed and contains one of the most brilliantly unique plots.

12. The Goonies (1985) - The Goonies is the story of a group of kids who go on an adventure to save their home town and is my go-to movie to make me smile. Filled with a dangerous amount of heart, hilarious jokes, sweet characters and a heart-warming story this movie is one of the few with something for everyone. It's a classic for a reason.

11. Saving Private Ryan (1998) - A film that many consider to be the greatest war movie ever made. To me, Saving Private Ryan is the bar to which all other war movies are held. The story of a group of soldiers on a personal mission in WWII. One of the few movies I watch every couple years and it never fails to make me cry or get misty-eyed at several points. Absolutely raw, wonderfully shot, well-acted - just a brilliant piece of film-making.

10. Die Hard (1988) - Die Hard is the single greatest action movie and one of the top five Christmas movies of all time (yes it is a Christmas movie!). The story of an average New York City cop taking down terrorists who are holding a building hostage has burned itself into cinematic legend. I will never get sick of this movie. I watch it once a year at least, generally around Christmas, and it never fails to excite. Fantastic lines, a smart plot, loads of fun, visceral action and an excellent villain - Die Hard has it all and lots more.

9. Ghostbusters (1984) - A classic comedy about a group of amateur ghost hunters and their paranormal battles in New York. This movie has cemented itself as a legendary comedy film and rightfully so. It is constantly hilarious and the jokes never let up. Ghostbusters is full of heart and arguably Bill Murray's finest performance. It's a ridiculously fun flick that delivers on the story and laughs.

8. Fight Club (1999) - One of the first movies I ever became truly obsessed over. A powerful story of young men struggling to find their place in modern society. An incredibly intelligent and electrically energetic piece of film making. People can quickly get wrapped up in their own wrong messages with this film (including my earlier self) but the movie has so much to offer and it is incredibly entertaining and fun the entire time. Recommended viewing for every single person.

7. Hot Rod (2007) - An out of nowhere choice for my 7th favorite film, Hot Rod is a comedic masterpiece from the Lonely Island and is about an amateur stuntman trying to save his step-father. Hot Rod is completely irreverent and absurd all the way through. The movie is loaded with a stacked cast of hilarious comedians (Andy Samburg, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, Chris Parnell and many more) and never lets up with the jokes. The humor isn't for everyone but if you like anything with the Lonely Island then this movie is non-stop laughs and well worth hunting it down to watch. Plus the soundtrack and mise-en-scene (fancy film word for setting, props, lighting, composition, hair & make up, and costuming) are freaking great.

6. 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) - The second greatest comedy ever made and in my opinion the film that kicked off the Golden Age of comedy films that we enjoyed in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The hilarious journey of a 40 year old man trying desperately to lose his virginity and fall in love. Raunchy but still sweet, Steve Carrell puts real heart and soul into the main character and really helps the movie find its place. The jokes are non-stop and always laugh-out-loud funny and I am fairly certain I could quote over half this movie from memory alone. Another movie where checking out the Unrated Version will make for a vastly funnier experience.

5. Jurassic Park (1993) - Here we go, Top 5 and what a legendary way to start. In case you had your head under a rock for the past 27 years, Jurassic Park is the story of a group of people trapped on a dinosaur theme park island - and it's even more amazing than it sounds. The fact that a movie made in 1993 has special effects that not only hold up but still look GREAT is incredible. A movie where every scene makes you gasp or smile. A constant, happy thrill ride through a land before time. I couldn't recommend this movie strongly enough. It has freaking dinosaurs in it! What more could you want?

4. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - The greatest adventure movie ever made. The story of a rugged archaeologist as he fights Nazis and protects local artifacts. The opening scene of Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the best action sequences of all time and it only gets better from there. Featuring fun characters and exotic locales, Indiana Jones is everything you want and more from a hero and an adventure film. With the coolest bad guy kill of all time and an absolutely amazing climax, this movie is worth a watch any time and any day.

3. Star Wars Original Trilogy (1972-1978) - Another group of movies but I just cant help myself, these three movies are truly some of the best films ever made and I can't imagine movie history or my life without them. A classic tale of rebels trying to take down an evil space empire. Are the movies perfect? No, but they are close. Over time the bigger Star Wars fan I become the more little mistakes that I do notice. But somehow that only seems to add to the experience of the original trilogy. Despite their tiny flaws no other movies are able to activate my imagination as easily and whisk me away to a galaxy far far away. George Lucas didn't just create an entire world, he created his own galaxy. If I had to pick just one, Empire Strikes Back is the best but my favorite growing up was always Return of the Jedi. I think I still have to give the advantage to Empire Strikes Back although they are all wonderful. Truly some of the greatest films ever made and I strongly encourage everyone to watch them.

2. The Sandlot (1993) - My second favorite movie of all time and simply one of the best movies ever made. The story of a young boy who moves to a new town and makes a group of friends through the local baseball field as the pack of them get into all sorts of zany adventures. The Sandlot is one of those movie that just oozes nostalgia. Its beautiful and heart-warming - especially to a military brat who was always moving around himself and looking for friends. The movie feels like summer did as a kid, bouncing from one wild adventure to the next. The kids are wonderful actors, the jokes are hysterical, the plot is unique and inspiring - it's just an all around joy to watch. There will never be a day where I don't want to watch The Sandlot.

Now time for the big reveal...

NUMBER ONE...

1. Superbad (2007) - Superbad. My personal favorite movie of all time and has been since I was in high school and first saw it in 2008. It was the movie that got me into writing and making movies. Immediately after watching it I was obsessed. It became my new favorite movie (previous was Fight Club at the time) and I watched it constantly and researched everything I could about it. I own the official book with interviews and the shooting script. The book and my many repeated viewings of the DVD commentary was where I learned that Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg started writing the movie at 13 and worked on it for years. I thought, 'if they can do it, so can I' and thus my passion for movies grew to untold depths and my dream of writing my own movie was born. For those of you who haven't seen it 50-70 times - Superbad is the story of two high school seniors (plus one McLovin), they are losers and best friends who are trying to get to a party to provide it with alcohol as the last chance to be cool before college and maybe even get with the girls that they like. It's a classic idea but one told phenomenally. The jokes are on point and nonstop, the acting is superb, the characters are hilarious, it's wonderfully shot, the music is out of this world - everything is perfect. If you only see one movie on this list, go see Superbad.

As I reflect back, many of these movie choices were influenced by the few VHS movies I had lying around my house when growing up. 4/5 of my Top 5 movies were on VHS at home. So make sure you give your kid good movies to watch when they are growing up.

Here are some extras that I love but just didn't make the cut.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

THE LEGENDS: Godfather (1972) / The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (1966) / Seven Samurai (1954) - Cant have any list without these movies. Just incredible, each one is a mind-bendingly amazing piece of cinema.

Sicario (2015) - Phenomenal story and pacing, amazing control over tension throughout.

Lion King (1994) - My first movie, fun songs and an instant classic.

Anchorman (2004) - The comedy movie that started my obsession with quoting movies. One of the most legendary comedies of all time and stands the test of time.

1917 (2019) - Might join the ranks as the best war movie ever made. Completely blew me away, hauntingly beautiful and the cinematography alone is staggeringly brilliant.

Weird Science (1986) - A classic and hilarious comedy. My personal favorite John Hughes movie.

Memento (2000) - Absolutely incredible thriller from Christopher Nolan, my favorite of his and the only movie I have ever watched again IMMEDIATELY after finishing the first viewing.

Donnie Darko (2001) - A total mind bender thriller that began my deep love of weird psychological films. Deals with doomsday visions and extra dimensional bunnies.

Midnight Special (2016) - A small sci-fi film featuring some of my favorite actors, Michael Shannon and Adam Driver. A simple tale told incredibly well.

Hereditary (2018) - The best horror to come out in YEARS. Completely scary and contains the only scene that still haunts and terrifies me when I close my eyes. Incredibly shocking and contains some of the best acting of any movie much less horror.

Dazed and Confused (1993) - A definitive coming of age story. There are so many legendary lines and characters it's a miracle this movie came out as cohesive and brilliant as it did.

Shogun Assassin (1980) - An old school samurai movie that was several Japanese films edited together and re-dubbed. Totally absurd with lots of graphic violence but incredibly entertaining.

Borat (2006) - One of the funniest films of all time, cried laughing the first time I saw it. Raunchy as hell but truly hilarious.

The Mist (2007) - Greatest movie ending of all time. Trust me just go watch it.

Slither (2006) - One of my favorite exploitation films. Nothing but violence, jokes and absurdity set against a terrifying alien monster slug invasion - all of it fun beyond words.

True Lies (1994) - One of the best action films ever made, arguably Schwarzenegger at his very best. Unbelievably funny with some of the coolest action scenes of the 90s.

Willow (1988) - A fantasy movie I grew up with and one of the weirdest movies ever made. Quite an interesting movie to watch now but since it was one twenty or so movies I had growing up, it will always hold a special place in my heart. The story is essentially Moses meets Lord of the Rings and the movie has Val Kilmer as an antihero, a village full of little people (not hobbits, actual little people) and Willow's most effective weapon are acorns that turn people to stone - pure entertainment.

Pans Labryinth (2006) - A truly beautiful Spanish film set during the Spanish Civil War, it is the story of a young girl using her fantasies to come to grip with the realities of life and war around her. A movie like none other and something that will stick with you for days after watching.

Cabin In The Woods (2011) - A truly innovative and fun horror film that is scary while simultaneously skewering and praising the horror genre. One of the greatest payoffs in movie history as well.

Reservoir Dogs (1992) - Another Quentin Tarantino film which means you will get some of the best dialogue and a fascinatingly simple and brutal plot.

Superhero Movies In General - Honestly I will watch anything with superheroes in it. I even love to rewatch the dregs like DareDevil (2003) and Batman & Robin (1997) - but Dark Knight (2006) and Infinity War (2017) are the best.

That's it.

Now get out there and start watching some movies.