Over the course of cinema history, a couple of films have been so culturally or aesthetically significant that no one could exhibit mere indifference upon watching them. These films were some of the most thought-provoking and compelling of their respective generations, and therefore critics and audiences had a lot of opinions on them.
One of the best outlets for cinephiles to express their opinions on film is IMDb’s user rating system. Today we’re going to be looking at the ten films that IMDb users have voted on the most, trying to figure out why these films became so popular.
The Godfather (1972) - 1.49 million
An original look into the complex, carefully assembled system that makes the Mafia work, The Godfather was directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It was a major critical and commercial hit upon release, briefly becoming the highest-grossing film of all time, and later winning three Oscars, including Best Picture. In fact, it was (and still is) considered the epitome of quality cinema, and it spawned several tropes that continue to be used in films to this day. With such an influential legacy backing it up, IMDb users were content to give the universally-acclaimed crime drama a hefty 9.2/10 rating.
The Lord of The Rings: The Return of The King (2003) - 1.54 million
The final chapter in Peter Jackson’s fantasy epic trilogy The Lord of the Rings was arguably one of the first major blockbusters to establish geekiness and fandoms as “cool” — and when it won an Oscar for Best Picture, many people had different opinions on whether it was deserving. It’s still very highly rated on IMDb despite some differing opinions, with an 8.9/10, as online reviewers loved the quotable characters, thrilling music, and astounding, creative visuals.
The film also been praised for its well-executed fight scenes, which many rank among the best cinematic battles of all time.
The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - 1.55 million
While some felt the film was a bit stretched and didn’t develop its characters enough, the beginning of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was, like its successors, the recipient of a lot of praise from filmgoers — earning an 8.8/10 on IMDb. The main areas in which the film received praise include visuals, score, cinematography, and acting — and that’s just a few of them. The entire franchise that Fellowship of the Ring began has clearly become one of the most widespread and influential cinematic sagas to date, and that wouldn’t be possible without this near-perfect first chapter.
The Matrix (1999) - 1.56 million
Famed directing duo The Wachowskis used cyberpunk and anime influences to create a dazzling visual spectacle known as The Matrix, which at the time of its release was unlike anything that was being marketed at mainstream Western audiences. It showcases the fact that most of the films on this list are here because, despite the passage of time, they don’t lose the touch that made them such big hits in the first place. They remain influential to a new generation, leading to more people being compelled to give their thoughts.
The Matrix is one of those films, and despite some mediocre sequels, it remains one of cinema’s greatest explorations of the science fiction genre.
Forrest Gump (1994) - 1.67 million
Every single one of the billions of people on Earth right now has a story — and that’s what Robert Zemeckis’ 1994 film Forrest Gump tries to show its audience. Focusing on one man and his life experiences, the film’s simple premise masks its emotional complexity, and various differing opinions have been presented on the film’s symbolism and meaning. That, of course, leads to debate, and debate leads to cultural impact — thus, Forrest Gump is one of the most oft-debated films ever made. It manages to stay fiendishly complicated while also being remarkably simple, depending on what lens you’re viewing the film through, and these elements made it a critical and commercial success, earning it a rating of 8.8/10 on IMDb and a total gross of more than $675 million.
Pulp Fiction (1994) - 1.70 million
Quentin Tarantino’s quintessential crime film Pulp Fiction took on an unconventional narrative style, featuring several interconnected scenes arranged in a non-chronological order. The film’s storytelling oddities gave it a higher degree of worldwide coverage, and the professional-grade masterpiece was loved by critics and audiences alike. It was the recipient of several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Combined, IMDb user reviews gave the mob-themed thriller an average rating of 8.9/10 — very clearly mirroring the worldwide acclaim the film deservedly achieved.
Fight Club (1999) - 1.74 million
When the thriller Fight Club was first released nearly twenty years ago, everyone wanted to talk about it. The film, despite having a somewhat well-known source text, still had some very original moments as well as quite a few fascinating, never-before-seen ideas and views, which were presented through its sympathetic characters and admittedly strange visual style. It was very controversial during the end of the 1990s, with the divide between the film’s fans and its detractors ending in later years as the film became generally accepted as an unsung cinematic achievement, earning more positive reviews than it had before and attaining an 8.8/10 user rating on IMDb.
Inception (2010) - 1.90 million
Famed director Christopher Nolan gave the decade what is arguably one of its finest original films by means of Inception, a movie that packs a clever, original story combined with some immensely creative visuals.
It follows a thief who learns secrets by using revolutionary technology to “share dreams” with his victims, and is tasked with performing the impossible, planting an idea in someone else’s brain. It’s timeless, moving, and incredibly clever as not just a film but also as a work of art. IMDb users gave it a strong 8.8/10 rating.
The Dark Knight (2008) - 2.15 million
If anyone dares to doubt Christopher Nolan’s directing prowess, showing them The Dark Knight and Inception back-to-back is one of the best ways to quell their impudence. Considered by film critics to be one of the greatest superhero films ever created, Nolan’s dark, edgy Batman flick ushered in the more crepuscular vibe DC has used as a formula for success in recent years. With an engaging plot, some of the best action sequences ever filmed, and a well-known and talented ensemble cast, The Dark Knight is definitely not the first film on the list to redefine its genre, but with a rating of 9/10 on IMDb, we don’t think it matters who was first.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - 2.17 million
Despite being overshadowed critically and commercially by other films that came out around the same time — most notably two other films from this list, Pulp Fiction and Forrest Gump — The Shawshank Redemption, a prison drama based on a Stephen King story of the same name, finally got its chance to shine when it became one of 1994’s biggest hits at awards shows, earning seven Academy Award nominations (among other accolades). It later became a surprise cult film, with many filmmakers citing it as an inspiration to their method and style and many review outlets giving it a spot on their lists of the all-time best films ever made. IMDb users gave it a 9.3/10, with many noting its fresh, natural direction, writing, and aesthetic.
