15 Highest-Rated Movies on Letterboxd, Ranked

From the most hardcore cinephiles to the everyday casual movie fans, the film review website Letterboxd has acted as a beacon and a go-to space for everything relating to films. Users can give their own reviews on pretty much every movie ever made and have allowed its users to connect with other film fanatics from around the world. While movie rating sites have existed in the past, such as the case with IMDb, the modern and most social media-driven community of Letterboxd has given their communal opinions a distinct voice compared to other film sites.

Some films get more love and acclaim than others, of course, with Letterboxd users rating some films so highly that they have since become staples of the excellence that cinema has to offer. The highest-rated films on Letterboxd can inspire cinephiles and casual viewers alike to watch something truly remarkable. Each film has surmounted a powerful legacy in worldwide film history in its own special way, with a distinct selection of masterpieces that stands out compared to any other list of the greatest films of all time.

15 ‘La Haine’ (1995)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.5/5

A polarizing and still relevant French thriller on the topic of gang violence and police brutality, La Haine is a destructive force for preservation and humanity wrapped in a sleek and stylish package. The film follows a trio of best friends having just spent the previous night rioting in the suburbs of Paris, waiting around for the news to drop about their friend, who was seriously injured after a confrontation with the police. However, their anxious time of waiting and passing the time finds a way to get more chaotic and high stakes when one of the friends gets their hands on an unlicensed firearm.

La Haine is as ever relevant to the climate and state of the world today as it was when it was first released, brilliantly bringing to life an array of fragmented minds fighting for self-preservation that are eerily mirrored to real-life events. While the film was already a massive critical success when it was first released during the 90s, it has only continued to grow a massive following and appreciation over the years, now touted as one of the greatest French films of all time.

Watch on Criterion

14 ‘Ikiru’ (1952)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.5/5

One of many acclaimed masterpieces to come from legendary director Akira Kurosawa, Ikiru is an emotional powerhouse that tackles self-reflective notions at the end of one’s life. The life-affirming film about death follows the story of Kanji Watanabe (Takashi Shimura), a middle-aged man who has been working the same dreadful and monotonous bureaucratic job for decades, with his worldview being forever changed upon learning that he has cancer. With only a limited time left on this earth, Watanabe begins to spend his time searching for meaning in his life.

Ikiru is a defining chapter when it comes to philosophical themes and self-reflection in the world of cinema, with Kurosawa showing the world exactly the type of masterful and poignant work of art that film can bring to life. Watanabe’s story is far from being necessarily original, but it continues to hit hard for audiences year after year, with the fear of losing out on the joys of life being an ever-present aspect of modern living. However, Ikiru is much more than simply a sad romp at the end of one man’s life, as it picks up into being a joyous film of acceptance, no matter the circumstances.

Watch on Max

13 ‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.5/5

The magnum opus of legendary director Steven Spielberg‘s long and fruitful career, Schindler’s List is a heartbreaking and powerful biography that taps into the pain and terror of the World War II holocaust. The film follows the unbelievable true story of businessman Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) and his role in saving over a thousand Jewish lives from death at the hands of the Nazis by having them work as slaves in his factory during World War II.

Films about the abhorrent nature and inhumane experiences of the holocaust will continue to be an ever-relevant and powerful topic as years go by, yet no film has distinctly tapped into the emotional destruction of the atrocity quite like Schindler’s List. The film finds the pristine, perfect balance between telling a story about its flawed and layered real-life figures with striking black-and-white cinematography and moments that will never fail to conjure tears. It’s a quintessential chapter of modern Western filmmaking for good reason, and will continue to be in the conversation for one of the greatest films of all time for the foreseeable future.

12 ‘City of God’ (2002)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.5/5

One of the greatest international gangster movies of all time, City of God is a high-stakes Brazilian gangster thriller that follows two kids living in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. As they grow up, they find that their paths begin to diverge from one another, with one facing struggles as he attempts to become a photographer while the other attempts to rise through the ranks of the underground crime world to become a kingpin. The film is loosely based on real-life events and shows the explosive growth of organized crime in the area.

While Brazilian filmmaking as a whole is largely overlooked and forgotten by worldwide film fans, City of God was able to break through the cultural barrier with its exceptional action, beautiful story of betrayal and heartbreak, and masterful use of spectacle. The film spans several decades yet is so tight-knit and focused that it never loses track of who or what is most important for the story unfolding, weaving together a mind-blowing experience that every film fan deserves to experience.

Watch on Fubo

11 ‘Yi Yi’ (2000)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.5/5

A compelling family drama from Taiwan and widely considered one of the greatest movies of the 21st century, Yi Yi is a masterclass of showing off the beauty and pure essence that life provides. The film follows a variety of members of a middle-class family living in Taipei as they attempt to reconcile past and present relationships that take a toll on them in their daily lives. While it’s easy to see and describe the film as simply a three-hour-long family drama, it simply does a disservice to just how much depth and beauty is present within this masterpiece.

Yi Yi is uncontested in its perspective and execution on the themes of the fluidity and acceptance of life, with all things good and bad coming together to create a thoughtful and timeless work of art. While other films have done good jobs at tackling the ever-changing nature and beauty of life, the way that Yi Yi tells its story with an inherent focus on emotional aspects and tenderness has helped it strike a chord with audiences and Letterboxd users worldwide.

Watch on Criterion

10 ‘The Godfather’ (1972)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.6/5

It was inevitable for Francis Ford Coppola‘s legendary film trilogy to show its face on any platform’s top movies – Letterboxd’s Top 100 is no exception. The original Godfather film is regarded as one of the greatest films ever made and an iconic fixture of the gangster genre that has forged its way into the pop culture zeitgeist forever. Coppola’s magnum opus, the film was based on the novel of the same name by Mario Puzo, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside the esteemed director. Following the life of the Corleone family and their patriarch, Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando in what is widely considered his best performance.

The film is considered by many, especially those on Letterboxd, to be one of the greatest and most culturally relevant films ever made. It has since been revered for its unique depiction of the complex psyche and internal conflicts of being a mob boss, as well as the moral degradation of his son. It’s compelling and beautiful, and has become an icon for masterful filmmaking as a whole in the 20th century, so there’s no surprise why it’s so acclaimed.

Watch on Paramount+

9 ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.6/5

The 1994 drama directed by Frank Darabont, The Shawshank Redemption is based on the Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption and follows the story of imprisoned banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) and his friendship with fellow prisoner Ellis Redding (Morgan Freeman). During Dufrense’s painful and long new life in prison for a crime that he claims he never committed, he is forced to adapt and evolve to the whims and nature of prison life, ever methodically planning an escape all the while.

The Shawshank Redemption has become a massive critical and audience fan favorite since its release, with the film having maintained the spot as #1 on IMDb’s greatest movies of all time for over a decade, so it would make sense that similar love applies to Letterboxd. The film has been recognized by many as basing its story in Christian mysticism, with Andy representing a messianic-like figure and his journey to freedom as a metaphor for paradise or heaven. While this interpretation is up to fans, the film still stands as an inspiring story about friendship, perseverance, and the struggles of overcoming harsh authority.

8 ‘Parasite’ (2019)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.6/5

A movie that needs no introduction, Parasite is a black comedy-thriller film directed by master filmmaker Bong Joon-ho that has received international acclaim since its first release back in 2019 due to its searing critique on the ever-widening class divide happening in South Korea and worldwide. The film’s plot follows a struggling, working-class family that schemes their way into working for a very wealthy family and infiltrating their household.

A darling of the film-review website and beyond, Parasite has been adored worldwide due to its cutting humor and incredible suspense that leaves audiences on the edge of their seats, as well as showcasing the underlying class-related rage present in the characters that parallel the real-life feelings shared with its audience. On top of being one of the highest-rated films on the site, Parasite also currently holds the record for being the most-watched movie on Letterboxd with over 3.6 million members having watched the film.

7 ‘The Human Condition III: A Soldier’s Prayer’ (1961)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.6/5

The third film in the legendary Human Condition trilogy, The Human Condition III: A Soldier’s Prayer continues the story of Japanese soldier Kaji, with Japan having just been defeated by the Russians. However, Kaji’s struggle is far from over, as he is forced to lead the last remaining men through the wreckage of Manchuria in order to finally return home to his family. The group faces incredible odds on their painful journey home, as they are forced to sneak across enemy lines as their lives continue to be tested and put on the line.

While many war movies are able to show the horrors and nightmarish depictions of what happens during the actual war itself, A Soldier’s Prayer reaches the part of Kaji’s story where it shows the equally painful aftermath of war. The film is able to build upon and conclude all of the powerful themes and messages from the first two films in the trilogy, creating a satisfying and painful indictment of war and the terror that it provides.Watch on Criterion

6 ‘High and Low’ (1963)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.6/5

A classic thriller that has aged like fine wine, director Akira Kurosawa‘s High and Low is a genre-defining police procedural that revolves around the experiences of a rich executive, Kingo Gondo (Toshiro Mifune). When Gondo receives a call and learns that his son has been kidnapped, things take strange turns when it turns out that it’s actually his chauffeur’s child who was mistakenly abducted instead. Especially for a director whose films rarely explore a modern-day setting, High and Low stands out tremendously compared to Kurosawa’s other films.

A masterclass in building intensity in a methodical manner, Kurosawa’s 1963 film never wastes a second of its two-hour and twenty-three-minute runtime. It also manages to successfully deliver a message about the political and social issues that were relevant at that time in Japan, which is inextricably weaved into its well-written story. While High and Low is often overlooked when compared to Kurosawa’s other masterpieces, the Letterboxd community considers the film by and large to be one of his greatest cinematic achievements.

Watch on Max

5 ‘The Godfather: Part II’ (1974)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.6/5

The Godfather: Part II certainly has its fair share of love on Letterboxd. The sequel to arguably the most notable film of the 20th century, The Godfather: Part II had the unenviable task of living up to the expectations following its predecessor, but it managed to prevail and be equally as incredible. The film once again follows the Corleone family, this time witnessing two parallel stories that include the history of Vito Corleone’s life and rise to power, as well as the life of his youngest son, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), as he attempts to protect the family business.

The film, while widely mixed during its first release, has since received critical acclaim due to the incredible performance by Pacino as well as its incredible cinematography, making it a tour de force of the great potential of cinematic storytelling. It will forever be an endless debate whether the original Godfather or Part II is the better film, and while the difference is incredibly slim, Letterboxd decisively has Part II above the original, a testament to just how well this film delivered on its incredible expectations.

4 ‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.6/5

A staple of classic Japanese cinema as well as the best film by well-respected filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, Seven Samurai is a samurai epic-drama that follows the story of desperate, struggling farmers who hire a group of masterless samurai to protect their crops and fight against the bandits that return to wreak havoc on their small village. Kurosawa’s filmography as a whole has been greatly admired and revered by the Letterboxd community, with Seven Samurai being his highest-rated film as well as one of the highest-rated movies on Letterboxd.

Often regarded as not only one of the best films ever made, it’s also one of the most referenced as it has inspired numerous works of art ranging from anime to other films. It’s loved not only for its action and captivating story, but also for the profound ways Kurosawa is able to depict a realistic portrayal of human nature in a sensitive and heartfelt way. The film will continue to be one of the most iconic and beloved films of all time, with Letterboxd only being the latest example of the love and appreciation towards Kurosawa’s magnum opus.

3 ’12 Angry Men’ (1957)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.6/5

Directed by Sidney Lumet and based on the 1954 teleplay of the same name, 12 Angry Men is a 1957 courtroom drama film that follows a jury of 12 men who deliberate on the fate of a teenager accused of murdering his own father. The film takes place almost entirely within the jury room and gives no names to the men, only distinguishable by their varying personalities and debates on the case. Despite this,12 Angry Men‘s simplistic premise combined with its powerful performances and pitch-perfect pacing has made it a cornerstone experience in film history.

The film has since been considered a classic of cinema as well as a formidable, powerful, and thrilling drama that has become the blueprint of what great dialogue, acting, and narrative should look like. The movie’s excellence and rising stakes, despite taking place in a singular room, with characters who are only referred to by individual numbers, have made it both incredibly approachable as well as infinitely rewatchable. Letterboxd is far from the only film community to recognize the film’s greatness, as it is easily considered by many to be one of the greatest of all time.

2 ‘Come and See’ (1985)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.6/5

Widely regarded as the most harrowing and realistic depiction of human warfare in cinematic history, Come and See is a 1985 war epic directed by Elem Klimov that follows the mental, spiritual, and physical deterioration of a young boy attempting to survive and resist Nazi invasion of his home in Belarus. The film’s bleak and unrelenting depiction of World War II has made it one of the most defining and powerful films of this dark era in history, with the Letterboxd community being unable to deny its mastery.

Hard to watch and even harder to watch again, Come and See is a harrowing, heart-wrenching story of the reality of war and the psychological effects it has on those unlucky enough to live through it. It truly is one of the best anti-war films of all time, but its unflinching depiction of human conflict and its destruction of the human spirit is hard to endure more than once. While the film is certainly hard to recommend to the average person, the hard-hitting lovers of difficult and artistic filmmaking in the Letterboxd community have fallen in love with this tragic tale.

1 ‘Harakiri’ (1962)

Letterboxd Rating: 4.7/5

A film directed by legendary filmmaker Masaki Kobayashi, Harakiri is a 1962 drama set during the Edo period in historical Japan about a samurai who requests to perform the ritual act of seppuku, before describing the events to an audience of fellow samurai in order to explain his reasoning for suicide. It is widely considered by many, of course including those on Letterboxd, to be one of the best samurai films ever made.

Japanese filmmaking has always been a favorite of the Letterboxd community, yet the undeniable mastery on display in Kobayashi’s magnum opus has made it the highest-rated movie on Letterboxd. Filled with brutal scenes of gory fight sequences, Harakiri is a visually stunning masterpiece that explores the complexity of morality and the human condition through a beautifully constructed narrative and an equally as incredible performance by Tatsuya Nakadai as the film’s troubled protagonist.

Watch on Criterion

NEXT: The Lowest-Rated Films on Letterboxd