What makes a movie truly unforgettable? Is it the storytelling, the cinematography, the acting—or is it something more intangible, like how it makes us feel years after the credits roll? For film lovers around the globe, the answer may lie in the decades that defined their favorite titles. When considering the Top Ranked Movies of All Time by Decade, Everlist.me, a popular platform for user-generated movie rankings, may have the answer — the 1990s reign supreme when it comes to the greatest films of all time.

Everlist.me recently analyzed the top 100 highest-ranked movies of all time—based entirely on votes from its global community—and grouped them by decade. The results were striking: the 1990s led the list with 25 films featured, followed closely by the 2000s with 23. These two decades together account for nearly half of the all-time top 100, solidifying their place as cinematic powerhouses.

One could speculate as to how filmmakers were given more freedom in the 90s and how independent film was very much on the rise during that time period, or one could also extrapolate that the nostalgia of users based on demographics may hark back to their childhood favorites — but no matter what the reasons are, the lists are certainly interesting and worth taking note of.

The 1980s came in third with 19 titles, while the 2010s held a respectable 15 spots. The 1970s—often considered a landmark era for auteur filmmaking—had 11 films in the top tier. Meanwhile, older decades like the 1960s and 1940s saw only a handful of entries (3 and 1 respectively), and the still-developing 2020s era has just 3 so far.

“User-generated data tells a fascinating story about cultural impact,” said Damian Carte, CEO of Everlist.me. “When real people from around the world rank their favorite films, decade trends emerge that reflect not only artistic quality but also emotional connection, nostalgia, and influence.”

And there’s a lot to unpack in what users are voting for. The 1990s delivered modern classics like The Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, Fight Club, and The Matrix—films that not only pushed creative boundaries but also built loyal fanbases that persist today. The 2000s gave us The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Dark Knight, Gladiator, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind—stories that blended scale with soul.

Everlist.me’s list isn’t compiled by critics or studio execs or streaming platform algorithms — it’s shaped by the voices of everyday movie lovers. That authenticity may be what makes it so compelling.

As Carte puts it, “Our rankings aren’t about what’s fashionable at the moment—they’re about what stays with you. What you rewatch. What you quote. What you love.”

So if you’re looking for a guide to some of the greatest movies ever made—or a reason to revisit the magic of ’90s and 2000s cinema—check out Everlist.me and start ranking your own personal favorites.

And who knows? The 2020s still have time to rise…

As the 78th Cannes Film Festival rolls out its red carpet from May 13–24, 2025, the world’s most glamorous celebration of cinema is once again bringing together film legends, rising talent, and international storytellers in a lineup that feels both grounded in tradition and thrillingly fresh. For movie fans and travel buffs alike, Cannes is a destination worth adding to your list.

A Daring and Dynamic Official Selection

This year’s main competition showcases 22 feature films, each offering a distinctive voice. Wes Anderson returns with The Phoenician Scheme, a stylized espionage drama, while Ari Aster’s Eddington blends Western tropes with biting comedy, anchored by stars Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, and Emma Stone.

Julia Ducournau, who won the Palme d’Or in 2021, is back with Alpha, a provocative exploration of human transformation. Richard Linklater debuts in the main competition with Nouvelle Vague, a love letter to the French New Wave. And Carla Simón’s Romería completes her trilogy about rural Spain.

One of the most historic entries comes from Akinola Davies Jr., whose film My Father’s Shadow marks Nigeria’s first-ever inclusion in the Official Selection—an important milestone for African cinema.

Spotlighting First-Time Directors

The Un Certain Regard section is brimming with bold directorial debuts. Scarlett Johansson’s Eleanor the Great tells the story of a grandmother chasing her dreams in New York, while Kristen Stewart adapts Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir The Chronology of Water, a raw portrait of resilience.

British actor Harris Dickinson directs Urchin, a gritty, character-driven film inspired by his volunteer work with London’s homeless community. These entries highlight a growing trend: actors stepping behind the camera to deliver personal, genre-defying stories.

Star Power Returns to the Riviera

This year’s Cannes will not be short on red carpet heat. Tom Cruise is back with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, while Spike Lee screens his latest, Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington.

Robert De Niro will be honored with a lifetime achievement Palme d’Or, celebrating a career that has defined generations of cinema. Jury president Juliette Binoche leads a panel that includes Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong, offering an international perspective on the year’s top contenders.

A Global Lineup

From Iran to Japan, this year’s lineup reflects a deep commitment to stories from around the world. Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident and Sergei Loznitsa’s Two Prosecutors offer complex takes on justice and political morality, while Renoir by Chie Hayakawa bridges cultures through a French-Japanese biopic.

Expanding the Cinematic Experience

Beyond traditional screenings, Cannes 2025 includes an immersive competition of nine entries that experiment with virtual reality and collective storytelling. Meanwhile, the beloved Cinéma de la Plage program continues to deliver beachside screenings of both classics and contemporary gems—turning the Mediterranean coast into a community theater under the stars.

Cannes 2025 isn’t just a showcase—it’s a statement: the world’s stories, from the familiar to the unexpected, belong on screen. And there’s no better stage than the Croisette.

Actor Jon Bernthal is taking center stage in a new way—by bringing professional theater to the heart of Ojai, California. Known for his acclaimed roles in The Punisher and The Bear, Bernthal is launching the Ojai Theater Festival, a project that blends his passion for performance with his love for community.

The festival’s inaugural production is Ironbound, a powerful play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok. Performances are scheduled to take place at the Chaparral Auditorium across two weekends in May. The cast features Marin Ireland, reprising her role from the original off-Broadway production, joined by Bernthal himself and actor Shiloh Fernandez. The production will be directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos.

Jon Bernthal. Photo credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock

Set against the backdrop of working-class America, Ironbound tells the story of a Polish immigrant woman navigating hardship, survival, and identity. It’s a fitting debut for a festival designed to make raw, human stories accessible to a wide audience.

Bernthal, a longtime Ojai resident, is developing the festival in partnership with fellow actors Josh Bitton and Isidora Goreshter. Together, they’re working to ensure the initiative isn’t just about performance—it’s about participation. The festival will feature open rehearsals, behind-the-scenes access, and active involvement from local students in various aspects of production, from tech to set design.

All profits from the performances will go to benefit the Nordhoff High School theater arts department, helping to fund the next generation of creatives.

This festival isn’t just a passion project—it’s a cultural investment in the Ojai community. With plans to grow the program into a recurring artistic fixture, the Ojai Theater Festival is set to become a new cornerstone for live performance on the West Coast.