ReasonForOurHope

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Sunday Best: Movies of My Life - Updated 2025

  I usually don't participate in Facebook lists (especially since I am not on Facebook), but this one intrigued me.


The challenge is to go through your life and list the best movie from each year of your life.  You can have a tie once per decade.

I found this idea challenging and interesting.  What I found the most interesting is how little interest I had in most of the movies that came out just before I was born, but I have a strong affection for movies from my early childhood.  I wonder if that is common to most people who do this?

Anyway, here is my list.  For the sake of anonymity, I have started my list with the decade of my birth rather than my birth year (maybe).


1970Julius CaesarHeston as Marc Antony is cinematic gold.
1971The Big BossBruce Lee's first starring feature. A bit violent, but you can see the star power
1972The GodfatherAn unquestionable masterpiece that changed cinema.
1973American GraffitiThe influence of this movie is unnoticed but powerful, especially on television
Enter the DragonThe gold standard of modern martial arts movies
1974The Godfather Part IIDarker and a bit overly long, but the best movie of this year
1975JawsA nearly perfect film
1976RockyDespite being sequalized repeatedly, it is still raw and strong
1977Star Wars Episode IV: A New HopeMovie magic.
1978SupermanThe best superhero movie ever.
1979Time After TimeA tense and clever thriller. Malcolm McDowall's best performance
1980Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes BackEven better than the original Star Wars
1981Raiders of the Lost ArkFor the sword fight alone
1982ET: Extra-TerrestrialOne of the most transcendentally child-like films
1983Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the JediThe best of the Star Wars Saga
1984GhostbustersUnrepeatable comedy/action/adventure/horror
1985Back to the FutureExtreme laughs, thrills, and nostalgia all at the same time
1986AliensThe greatest action movie ever made.
1987The UntouchablesBrian DePalma's best film. Powerful.
PredatorManliest movie of the 1980's.
1988Young GunsIt has one of the strongest last lines of any film
1989Indiana Jones and the Last CrusadeThe greatest adventure movie off all time.
1990Presumed InnocentThe best legal drama of all time.
1991Dead AgainThe best thriller of all time.
1992Noises Off!One of the funniest films I have ever seen.
1993Schindler's ListEvery frame, every angle, every cut is genius.
1994The Shawshank RedemptionOverlooked when released, it has stood the test of time.
1995BraveheartEpic in scope, action, and human spirit
1996HamletVisually stunning and enveloping
SwingersA small, indie comedy with confidence and cool
1997TitanicDespite the haters, this is actually a fantastic, moving film.
1998Life is BeautifulA unique film that uplifts with laughs and tears
1999The Green MileSad and profound. It sticks with you long after its over
2000MementoOne of the best films ever made. Unlike anything else.
2001The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingA fantasy with some real gravitas
2002The Lord of the Rings: The Two TowersImproves upon the first
2003The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingOne of the most emotionally satisfying movies.
2004The Passion of the ChristThe greatest film ever made.
2005Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the SithThe best of the prequels.
2006Casino RoyaleThe bond reboot works on so many levels. Best of the Bond films.
2007JunoSimple premise with lots of heart. Sneaks into your heart like a child's laugh.
Lars and the Real GirlA strange movie that should be filthy but is richly innocent
2008The Dark KnightThe best Batman movie ever.
2009UpDevastating, hilarious, and uplifting.
2010InceptionA puzzle wrapped in an enigma
2011Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2The best of this franchise
2012The Avengers*The movie that made the MCU the most successful franchise ever
2013Man of SteelVisually and thematically mature take on Superman
2014Captain America: The Winter SoldierTaught political thriller and action film
InterstellarAmazingly bold in concept and emotion
2015Star Wars Episode VII: The Force AwakensA worth successor to the series that is full for fun and heart.
2016Batman v. Superman: Dawn of JusticeThe most underrated superhero film. An unappreciated masterpiece
2017Logan
A bold and violent end to a character that is as touching as it is melencholy
2018Avengers: Infinity WarLess catharsis than the sequel, but an incredibly tight yet epic story
2019JokerA truly disturbing look at human nature with a great performance.
20201917Gripping war tale told so skillfully
HamiltonA Broadway experience that feels like you are there
2021Spider-Man: No Way HomeA crowd-pleasing epic hero's story.
2022Top Gun: MaverickAnother crowd-pleasing thrill-ride
2023Godzilla: Minus One*Originally, this went to Mission: Impossible - Deadly Reckoning Part 1. But upon repeated viewings and the slight disappointment of The Final Reckoning, Godzilla takes the spot.
2024Deadpool and WolverineFun and funny buddy-action comedy superhero film
2025SupermanExcellent adaptation of the Superman story that leaves you with a smile

*These are changes from what I said at the time where the best movies of the year
*2012 used to be Les Miserables
*2023 use to be Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1.

A few observations on my own list:

-5 movies directed by Steven Spielberg
-4 movies directed by Christopher Nolan
-3 movies directed by Peter Jackson
-3 movies directed by George Lucas
-3 movies directed by Kenneth Branagh
-only 4 movies are comedies (not to be confused with drama-dies)
-only 9 are tragedies (in the sense that they do not have a "happy ending")
-4 of the 9 Star Wars Saga movies are represented
-12 of the movies are superhero films (this counts Joker as well), 6 DC, 6 Marvel.   4 of them are about Superman, 3 have Bruce Wayne as a character
-2 movies based on Shakespeare plays
-4 movies not in English
-only 1 Western
-only 2 Musicals
-only 1 Animated movie
-4 movies involve time travel
-only 4 of the movies have a woman as the lead.
-7 Harrison Ford movies
-19 are sequels/prequels

Thoughts?

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