By Tom Fish
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Movie reviews are as influential as word of mouth recommendations when it comes to deciding which film to watch next.
One of the web's most popular sites for providing movie ratings is Rotten Tomatoes, which aggregates a percentage score for each particular movie, based on its Fresh versus Rotten review calculator.
However, due to the relative ease of a movie receiving a 100 percent rating after a few reviews, each film listed here has a minimum of 40 ratings, meaning every flick is also Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Here are 30 films that hold a prestigious 100 percent rating.
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3½ Minutes, Ten Bullets
2015 ‧ Documentary/Drama ‧ 1h 38m
...
This hard-hitting documentary investigates the fatal shooting of black teenager Jordan Davis in Florida.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "3 And 1/2 Minutes, 10 Bullets tells a gut-wrenching story in overall gripping fashion—and wisely underplays its outrage, letting the details speak for themselves."
12 Angry Men
1957 ‧ Drama/Legal drama ‧ 1h 36m
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The famous American courtroom drama focuses on a jury deliberating during a U.S. homicide trial.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Sidney Lumet's feature debut is a superbly written, dramatically effective courtroom thriller that rightfully stands as a modern classic".
The 400 Blows
1959 ‧ Drama/à clef ‧ 1h 39m
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A young boy's adventures mirror the autobiography of movie director Francois Truffaut's early life.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "A seminal French New Wave film that offers an honest, sympathetic, and wholly heartbreaking observation of adolescence without trite nostalgia."
The Adventures of Robin Hood
1938 ‧ Adventure ‧ 1h 39m
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When Richard the Lionheart is captured, his scheming brother Prince John attempts to reach the throne, only to be thwarted by Robin Hood.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Errol Flynn thrills as the legendary title character, and the film embodies the type of imaginative family adventure tailor-made for the silver screen."
Afghan Star
2009 ‧ Documentary/Music ‧ 1h 28m
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The early days of pop culture in war-torn Afghanistan is explored through the eyes of four musical artists.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "An enlightening and sobering documentary on Afghanistan's very own X-Factor."
The Age of Shadows
2016 ‧ Action/Thriller ‧ 2h 20m
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This South Korean period piece narrates the tale of resistance fighters attempting to destroy areas controlled by the Japanese army.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "The Age of Shadows justifies its imposing length with a richly detailed period drama whose sprawling size is matched by strong acting, impressive craft, and narrative depth."
Anatomy of a Murder
1959 ‧ Mystery/Crime ‧ 2h 41m
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James Stewart plays a semi-retired lawyer who accepts the case of a man who murdered a local innkeeper.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "One of cinema's greatest courtroom dramas, Anatomy of a Murder is tense, thought-provoking, and brilliantly acted, with great performances from James Stewart and George C. Scott."
Still Walking
2008 ‧ Drama ‧ 1h 55m
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After a couple's eldest son drowns while saving a stranger's life, a family welcome their surviving children returning home.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Hirokazu Kore-eda's film may seem modest at first, but this family drama casts a delicate, entrancing spell."
Au Hasard Balthazar
1966 ‧ Drama/Crime ‧ 1h 36m
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A donkey is passed from owner to owner, many of whom treat him poorly in this iconic movie from revered French filmmaker Robert Bresson.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Au Hasard Balthazar uses one animal's lifelong journey to trace a soberly compelling—and ultimately heartbreaking—outline of the human experience."
Battleship Potemkin
1926 ‧ Drama/Silent ‧ 1h 22m
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This Soviet silent movie depicts a dramatized version of the mutiny of the crew that occurred on the Russian battleship in 1905.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "A technical masterpiece, Battleship Potemkin is Soviet cinema at its finest, and its montage editing techniques remain influential to this day."
Before Sunrise
1995 ‧ Romance/Indie film ‧ 1h 45m
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An American man meets a French woman while holidaying in Europe and the pair decide to enjoy his few remaining hours in the country together.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Thought-provoking and beautifully filmed, Before Sunrise is an intelligent, unabashedly romantic look at modern love, led by marvelously natural performances from Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy."
Cool Hand Luke
1967 ‧ Drama/Crime ‧ 2h 7m
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A group of prison guards devise an ingenious plan to catch a charismatic expert jailbreaker.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Though hampered by Stuart Rosenberg's direction, Cool Hand Luke is held aloft by a stellar script and one of Paul Newman's most indelible performances."
Coup 53
2019 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 59m
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This narrates the incredible story about the CIA/MI6 staged coup in Iran that overthrew the country's Prime Minister.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Rife with the political intrigue promised by its title, Coup 53 is a spellbinding documentary with the heart of a thriller."
Dawson City: Frozen Time
2016 ‧ Documentary/History ‧ 2 hours
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533 reels of film were discovered in Dawson City and this documentary reveals what the archived treasure trove unearthed.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Dawson City: Frozen Time takes a patient look at the past through long-lost film footage that reveals much more than glimpses at life through the camera's lens."
Deliver Us from Evil
2006 ‧ Documentary/Crime ‧ 1h 41m
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This movie relays the shocking tale of convicted pedophile Oliver Grady as a priest in northern California, molested local children, reportedly with the knowledge of his superiors.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Deliver Us From Evil is a superb documentary and a searing look at an institution protecting its leaders at the expense of its followers.
"A profoundly disturbing chronicle of a wolf in sheep's clothing, the film builds a clear-eyed case against pedophile priest Oliver O'Grady, and the Catholic bureaucracy that protected him.
"The recollections of O'Grady's victims are nothing short of shocking and heartbreaking."
Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone
2010 ‧ Documentary/Musical ‧ 1h 47m
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The legendary all-black rock band Fishbone's story is chronicled as they transform to become one of America's great pioneering groups.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone is an entertaining, heartwarming, and balanced documentary about the influential Los Angeles band."
Fireworks Wednesday
2006 ‧ Drama/Mystery ‧ 1h 44m
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A housewife sends her housekeeper to enjoy free services at a local salon on the proviso she confirms suspicions her husband is having an affair.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Well-written and powerfully acted, Fireworks Wednesday gives audiences an early, assured glimpse of writer-director Asghar Farhadi's emerging talent."
Frankenstein
1931 ‧ Horror/Sci-fi ‧ 1h 11m
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A scientist decides to build a living being from body parts, before realising he has created a monster.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Still unnerving to this day, Frankenstein adroitly explores the fine line between genius and madness, and features Boris Karloff's legendary, frightening performance as the monster."
Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
2014 ‧ Drama ‧ 1h 56m
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An Israeli woman begins an epic battle to obtain a divorce from her religious husband.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "On paper, Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem might seem less than thrilling, but on the screen, it delivers two hours of nonstop, tightly wound, brilliantly acted drama."
The Gold Rush
1925 ‧ Comedy/Silent ‧ 1h 52m
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A prospector and a gold seeker take shelter together in a cabin during a snow storm.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "A delightful blend of slapstick humor, poignant emotion, and social commentary, The Gold Rush encapsulates [Charlie] Chaplin's strengths as a writer, director, and star."
The Grapes of Wrath
1940 ‧ Drama/Social problem ‧ 2h 9m
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A desperate family set off to search for a better life in California and meet dozens of others on the long road westwards.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "A potent drama that is as socially important today as when it was made, The Grapes of Wrath is affecting, moving, and deservedly considered an American classic."
Honeyland
2019 ‧ Documentary ‧ 1h 27m
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A woman harnesses ancient beekeeping traditions to harvest honey in the North Macedonian countryside.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Honeyland uses life in a remote village to offer an eye-opening perspective on experiences that should resonate even for audiences halfway around the world."
Ilo Ilo
2013 ‧ Drama/Family ‧ 1h 39m
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A couple employs a Filipino live-in maid for household chores and to help look after their child.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Quietly compassionate and rich in detail, Ilo Ilo is a strikingly mature debut from writer-director Anthony Chen."
Kind Hearts and Coronets
1949 ‧ Comedy/Dark comedy ‧ 1h 46m
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A becomes estranged from his aristocratic family after he runs away with an opera singer, triggering an act of revenge.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Performed with chameleonic brio by Alec Guinness, Kind Hearts and Coronets is a triumphant farce."
The Last Picture Show
1971 ‧ Drama ‧ 1h 58m
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A trio of school friends in a Texas town learns about love and life as graduation approaches.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Making excellent use of its period and setting, Peter Bogdanovich's small-town coming-of-age story is a sad but moving classic filled with impressive performances."
Last Train Home
2009 ‧ Documentary/Drama ‧ 1h 27m
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A husband and wife join the millions of others in China returning home from their city of employment to their home village.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Last Train Home is a haunting, vivid documentary exploring the human toll of China's economic boom in intimate, unforgettable detail."
Laura
1944 ‧ Noir/Mystery ‧ 1h 28m
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A Manhattan detective investigates the murder of a wealthy advertising executive.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "A psychologically complex portrait of obsession, Laura is also a deliciously well-crafted murder mystery."
Leave No Trace
2018 ‧ Drama ‧ 1h 59m
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A father and his teenage daughter live a peaceful life in the American backwoods until an event changes everything.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Leave No Trace takes an effectively low-key approach to a potentially sensationalistic story—and further benefits from brilliant work by Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie."
M
1931 ‧ Thriller/Crime ‧ 1h 58m
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A serial killer who preys on children becomes the object of an intense police manhunt in Berlin.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "A landmark psychological thriller with arresting images, deep thoughts on modern society, and Peter Lorre in his finest performance."
The Maltese Falcon
1941 ‧ Noir/Crime ‧ 1h 41m
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A detective finds himself stalked by several criminals as he searches for a mysterious statuette.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics' consensus states: "Suspenseful, labyrinthine, and brilliantly cast, The Maltese Falcon is one of the most influential noirs -- as well as a showcase for Humphrey Bogart at his finest."
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