10 Greatest Movies Of All Time According To Roger Ebert

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Roger Ebert, widely considered one of the greatest film critics ever, had a significant impact on what movies people consider essential viewing. Although he recommended many films throughout his career, in 2013, shortly before his death, he narrowed down his all-time favorites to just ten movies for a list published in Sight & Sound.

These films showcase the best of what cinema has to offer, ranging from a silent film from over a century ago to modern, artistic works. Given his deep understanding of what makes movies special, it’s fitting that Ebert’s picks are both sincere and impactful celebrations of the art form.

Aguirre, Wrath Of God (1972)

Renowned film critic Roger Ebert described Werner Herzog’s Aguirre, Wrath of God as a stunning and darkly humorous masterpiece, calling it one of cinema’s most unforgettable and haunting experiences. The film follows the disastrous journey of conquistador Gonzalo Pizarro, using very little dialogue and a simple storyline to create a feeling of inescapable insanity.

As a film fan, I’ve always loved how a movie’s score can really elevate things, and Roger Ebert felt that way too, especially when it came to Werner Herzog’s Aguirre, Wrath of God. He thought the music, created by the band Popol Vuh, was absolutely essential to the film’s impact. Ebert was a huge champion of Herzog’s unique style throughout his career, but he consistently pointed to Aguirre as Herzog’s masterpiece, showering it with praise like few other films.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

United Artists /Courtesy Everett Collection

Roger Ebert, when listing the best films ever made, often pointed to The Godfather as Francis Ford Coppola’s most acclaimed work. But Ebert considered Apocalypse Now, Coppola’s Vietnam War epic, to be his true masterpiece. He described it as a film that “still gives me genuine chills” and hailed it as “the boldest and most ambitious achievement of Coppola’s career.”

As a huge movie fan, I’ve always been blown away by Apocalypse Now. It’s a really incredible take on Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, and it dives deep into some heavy stuff – the dangers of empire, how war can corrupt people, and just the sheer terror of it all. What’s amazing to me is that even though it came out over 45 years ago, it still feels so powerful and relevant, thanks in no small part to the incredible performances from Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando.

Citizen Kane (1941)

For decades, Citizen Kane has been widely considered one of the best movies ever made – a true cinematic achievement. Film critic Roger Ebert strongly agreed, and shortly before his death, he wrote about why the story and impact of Charles Foster Kane continue to resonate with audiences.

Roger Ebert described Citizen Kane as timelessly captivating, thought-provoking, funny, sad, and brilliant, even decades after it first came out. He greatly admired Orson Welles’s innovative approach and revealed he’d watched the film at least 50 times – on various formats like film, videotape, and laserdisc – carefully studying each scene to fully appreciate its artistry.

La Dolce Vita (1960)

Federico Fellini, the famous Italian director of films like Nights of Cabiria and 8½, is particularly remembered by Roger Ebert for La Dolce Vita. Ebert considered it his favorite Fellini film, calling it a deeply personal touchstone. He explained that the movie initially represented a lifestyle he aspired to, then experienced, and ultimately moved beyond.

Ebert felt a strong personal connection to Fellini’s film, believing it mirrored his own life journey. The story follows a journalist in Rome who spends a week pursuing love and pleasure. La Dolce Vita is considered a landmark achievement in Italian cinema and a turning point for European filmmaking.

The General (1926)

I still can’t believe how amazing Buster Keaton’s The General is, even after a century! Roger Ebert was right to include a silent film among his all-time favorites, and he pinpointed this one as Keaton at his very best – it truly is a masterpiece of comedy.

Most people associate silent comedies of the 1920s with Charlie Chaplin, but Buster Keaton actually pioneered many techniques still used in filmmaking today. It’s easy to see why Roger Ebert admired Keaton’s innovative approach and worked to preserve his place in film history, even after the introduction of sound.

Raging Bull (1980)

While many consider Taxi Driver to be Martin Scorsese’s best film, Roger Ebert argued that Raging Bull is his true masterpiece. Ebert described it as Scorsese’s most personal work and called it the most powerful cinematic portrayal of jealousy ever made, comparing it to Scorsese’s version of Shakespeare’s Othello.

Featuring Robert De Niro as boxer Jake LaMotta, this film explores the intense emotions of a man struggling with anger, pride, and envy. It’s a deep look into the complexities of men and the vulnerabilities that can lead to bitterness. Like many great sports movies, the film isn’t really about boxing—it’s about the difficult truths surrounding what it means to be a man.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Stanley Kubrick directed some of the most important films of the 1900s, including the darkly funny Dr. Strangelove and the unforgettable horror film The Shining. However, many consider 2001: A Space Odyssey to be his most visually stunning achievement. Film critic Roger Ebert certainly agreed, calling it a magnificent film “on a cosmic scale.”

Although some viewers found the film’s pace slow, Roger Ebert recognized that 2001: A Space Odyssey was remarkable for its stunning visuals and powerful use of classical music. He believed it was a truly masterful film, full of wonder and enigma.

Tokyo Story (1953)

Roger Ebert noted that the more he experienced life and watched how relationships change with age, the more he appreciated the film Tokyo Story. This classic by Yasujirō Ozu remains relevant because of its gentle and insightful look at aging parents visiting their adult children, offering a profound reflection on the realities of life.

Directors like Wes Anderson clearly studied the work of Yasujiro Ozu, who excelled at letting emotions come through with a simple, minimalist style. Ozu’s film Tokyo Story tells a straightforward story about family – parents and children – and features characters that, as Roger Ebert put it, feel instantly relatable to everyone.

The Tree Of Life (2011)

Roger Ebert shared his top movie picks with Sight & Sound five times—in 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002, and 2012. In his final list, the only movie he added was Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life, replacing Dekalog. Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche, New York was the runner-up for a spot.

Despite initial considerations, The Tree of Life was the one film from the 21st century that Roger Ebert chose for his list. He praised the movie for ambitiously trying to capture the full scope of a human life, successfully conveying both the joys and challenges of existence in a stunning and memorable way.

Vertigo (1958)

Roger Ebert once considered Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious a top film, but he later chose Vertigo as his all-time favorite. Vertigo also topped the 2012 Sight & Sound critics’ poll, proving Ebert wasn’t alone in recognizing the brilliance of this suspenseful and psychologically complex movie.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo is a remarkably thrilling film, notable for James Stewart’s performance as a man driven by intense love and obsession. It masterfully combines all of Hitchcock’s strengths, and many consider it even better than his other famous works like Psycho, Rebecca, and Rear Window.

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2026-02-01 01:12