Published 23 September 2026

Best Movie of All Time: 25 Titles Ranked by Real Fans (Not Critics)

5stars BestMoviesOfAllTime page showing Schindler's List as current leader

Star #1: Schindler's List

The best movie of all time is still open for debate. On 5stars, the current community leader is clear: Schindler's List.

That result looks very different from IMDb-style lists and critic-led lists. The Shawshank Redemption sits lower here at #14. The Dark Knight sits at #21. Meanwhile Schindler's List, 12 Angry Men and Fight Club lead the current community ranking.

Back to the Future is still one of the highest-rated fan favourites in the top 15. But it is not #1. Right now, the leader is Schindler's List.

One question. Multiple lists. Different leaders.

So who decides the best movie of all time?

At 5stars, the answer is the community.

View the live Best Movies of All Time star tag on 5stars.

5stars star tag header showing the current BestMoviesOfAllTime leader

Best Movie of All Time. Fan Ranking.

This list uses live community averages from the BestMoviesOfAllTime star tag on 5stars. Australia view. 50 rankables. Some titles have only 1 rating or 2 ratings so far. That is the point. This is a living, community-built list that moves as more users tag and rate. Not a fixed critic verdict.

Filter by country. View Australia. Switch to My rankings. Track the current leader.

Rate. Tag. Rank. Share.

5stars ranking filters and the top ranking rows

1-5. The Current Leaders

  1. Schindler's List / 5.0 average / 2 ratings / #1 leader
  2. 12 Angry Men / 4.8 average / 1 rating / #2
  3. Fight Club / 4.7 average / 1 rating / #3
  4. Forrest Gump / 4.7 average / 2 ratings / #4
  5. Pulp Fiction / 4.5 average / 1 rating / #5
A 5stars ranking row with average, rating count and rating controls

6-10. Top Movies With Staying Power

  1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring / 4.5 average / 2 ratings / #6
  2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / 4.4 average / 2 ratings / #7
  3. Inception / 4.4 average / 3 ratings / #8
  4. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers / 4.3 average / 2 ratings / #9
  5. The Godfather / 4.2 average / 1 rating / #10

11-15. Essential Audience Picks

  1. Back to the Future / 4.1 average / 2 ratings / #11 / fan favourite
  2. The Godfather Part II / 4.1 average / 1 rating / #12
  3. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly / 4.0 average / 1 rating / #13
  4. The Shawshank Redemption / 3.8 average / 2 ratings / #14
  5. The Empire Strikes Back / 3.6 average / 2 ratings / #15

16-20. High-Rated Favourites

  1. It's a Wonderful Life / 3.6 average / 2 ratings / #16
  2. Life Is Beautiful / 3.4 average / 2 ratings / #17
  3. Alien / 3.4 average / 1 rating / #18
  4. American History X / 3.3 average / 1 rating / #19
  5. Saving Private Ryan / 3.3 average / 2 ratings / #20

21-25. The Next Ranking Challenge

  1. The Dark Knight / 3.2 average / 2 ratings / #21
  2. Casablanca / 3.1 average / 1 rating / #22
  3. Cinema Paradiso / 3.0 average / 1 rating / #23
  4. City of God / 2.9 average / 1 rating / #24
  5. The Green Mile / 2.9 average / 2 ratings / #25

Why Do the Rankings Keep Changing?

Every ranking system measures something different.

Critic-led lists often prioritise:

  • Historical influence.
  • Technical innovation.
  • Direction and cinematography.
  • Cultural importance.
  • Long-term critical consensus.

Audience-led lists often prioritise:

  • Emotional impact.
  • Rewatch value.
  • Memorable characters.
  • Personal connection.
  • Entertainment.
  • Shared viewing experiences.

IMDb and critic lists trend toward fixed canon results. This 5stars ranking does not. It is built from live community averages inside the BestMoviesOfAllTime star tag. Some titles have 1 rating. Some have 2 ratings. Some have 3 ratings. That means the order can move fast as more people participate.

That is also why this list looks different. The Shawshank Redemption sits at #14 here. The Dark Knight sits at #21. Schindler's List, 12 Angry Men and Fight Club lead. Back to the Future holds a strong #11 as one of the highest-rated fan favourites in the top 15.

5stars adds another layer: community star tags.

A film can be tagged as:

  • Star Best Movie of All Time.
  • Star Best Action Movie.
  • Star Best Horror Movie.
  • Star Best Sci-Fi Movie.
  • Star Best Movie Near Me.
  • Star Most Rewatchable Movie.
  • Star Best Movie Ending.

Users can search a title, apply star tags, compare rankings and Post your thoughts. Written opinions add context to the score. A five-star rating shows approval. A short comment shows why.

The unified search experience connects tags, titles, rankings and community opinions in one place. Near me discovery also makes the platform useful beyond global film debates. Search for cinemas, film events, stores, venues and local entertainment options. Find. Compare. Rate.

Open the live list, filter by country and track the current leader.

Who Decides the Best Movie of All Time?

No list has the final answer.

That is the point.

Schindler's List can lead this live 5stars community ranking while IMDb-style favourites and critic-led classics land in very different positions. The Shawshank Redemption can sit at #14. The Dark Knight can sit at #21. 12 Angry Men and Fight Club can rise to the top.

Rankings are not fixed monuments. They are live signals.

Your favourite can move.

Your rating can change the order.

Your comment can change how another user sees a film.

Rate Your Number One

Choose your best movie of all time.

Search the title. Add the BestMoviesOfAllTime star tag. Give it a rating. Post your thoughts. Compare it with the current leader.

See the live 5stars Best Movies of All Time ranking.

View the full live top 50. Filter by country. View Australia. Switch to My rankings.

Then add your vote.

Rate. Rank. Share. Move the list.