There is perhaps no movie genre more prolific or more full of groundbreaking masterpieces than the drama genre. This is a vast, incredibly expansive category that can cover all the way from action thrillers to grounded arthouse films, but for variety and fairness’ sake, this list will only contain movies that aren’t intensely genre-driven. As such, revolutionary masterpieces like Seven Samurai and the Lord of the Rings trilogy are a topic for another day.
That still leaves not just one, but several of the greatest artistic achievements in the history of cinema as a storytelling medium. These are gems from all throughout history and from all over the world, whether it’s a modern Brazilian masterpiece like City of God or a Golden-Age Hollywood classic like Casablanca. They all deserve to be counted among the best motion pictures in history.
20
‘A Woman Under the Influence’ (1974)
One of the kings of 20th-century indie cinema was John Cassavetes, who frequently collaborated with his actress wife, Gena Rowlands. In A Woman Under the Influence, Cassavetes demonstrates some of the greatest directing of any ’70s indie drama, and Rowlands delivers one of the most gut-wrenching and powerful acting performances in the history of cinema.
Woman Under the Influence is a far-ahead-of-its-time masterpiece about the crushing weight of gendered social expectations.
But aside from being a vehicle for Rowlands’ transformative turn as a woman having a severe mental crisis, Woman Under the Influence is a far-ahead-of-its-time masterpiece about the crushing weight of gendered social expectations, particularly on women and housewives. It’s deeply nuanced and incredibly thought-provoking, and every second of its two-and-a-half-hour runtime is filled with richly detailed character work.
19
‘Paris, Texas’ (1984)
Directed by the legendary German auteur Wim Wenders, Paris, Texas is perhaps his best work. It’s one of the most acclaimed road trip films of all time, a Palme d’Or winner that’s also one of the ’80s cult classics most beloved by cinephiles. It’s definitely a slow-burn, but as one of the most enthralling character study dramas ever made, it’s an absolute must-see for all those who enjoy slow cinema.
A beautiful tale about loss, loneliness, and redemption, lavished in Americana aesthetics that complement both its quiet tone and powerful themes wonderfully, this is nothing short of one of the best movies of the 20th century. It’s a sorrowful, understated drama, one of emotional power so tremendous that it’s unlikely you’ll ever forget it once the credits roll.
18
‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (1975)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is one of only three films (the others being It Happened One Night and The Silence of the Lambs) that have ever won the Big Five Oscars: Picture, Directing, Screenplay, Actor, and Actress. Every single one of those victories was well deserved. Though not at all without a sense of humor, this is one incredibly heavy drama, but it’s worth every tear.
With Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher delivering two of the best movie performances of the ’70s, and director Miloš Forman exploring the story and its themes on authority and mental illness with tons of heart and care, it’s no wonder this is generally regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is no feel-good drama, but it sure is an essential one.
17
‘Do the Right Thing’ (1989)
Speaking of essential dramas must always bring the conversation to Spike Lee and his groundbreaking fourth feature, Do the Right Thing. Vibrant, colorful, and absolutely electrifying, this drama doesn’t bother to hide its scathing social critique and urgent themes with pointless subtleties. It’s loud, it’s fiery, and it’s one of the most complex and nuanced movies of the ’80s—a decade full of complex and nuanced movies.
There are no good guys or bad guys here, nor any easy answers or spoon-fed messages. It’s a masterpiece that’s as thoughtful as it is thought-provoking, elevated by the way Lee plays with structure, pacing, and the camera itself. Never preachy, yet always clear about what it’s trying to say, this is one of the most essential Hollywood movies ever made, and everyone who enjoys film should check it out at least once in their lives.
16
‘City of God’ (2002)
South American cinema in general, and Brazilian cinema in particular, is jam-packed with criminally underrated gems that deserve far more fans than they have—but thankfully for all those who love international cinema, City of God is no underrated gem. Instead, this masterpiece has always received all the praise that it deserves, as proved by the fact that it remains among the 30 highest-rated movies on IMDb, and the 10 highest-rated movies on Letterboxd.
It’s a well-deserved achievement. With some of the most potent yet sensitive use of shock value ever committed to celluloid, City of God depicts life in the slums of Rio in a way that’s undeniably gut-wrenching, yet impossible to look away from. It’s one of the fastest-paced crime movies of all time, as well as a riveting coming-of-age drama that’s not afraid to be brutal toward the audience, but is never needlessly cruel toward its characters.
15
‘The Passion of Joan of Arc’ (1928)
The era of silent cinema was one filled with some of the greatest and most groundbreaking masterpieces in film history, and one of the biggest is The Passion of Joan of Arc. This French historical epic is a must-see mainly because Renée Jeanne Falconetti delivers in it what might just be the greatest acting performance in movie history, but that’s not all that the film has going for it.
It truly is one of the best silent movies of all time, an absolutely gut-wrenching and beautifully poetic portrayal of the final chapter in the life of one of history’s most enigmatic figures. Director Carl Theodor Dreyer understood framing and blocking better than the vast majority of his contemporaries, and it shows. The Passion of Joan of Arc is one of those masterpieces where every single frame looks like a gorgeous painting.
14
‘Goodfellas’ (1990)
Martin Scorsese has many times been called the greatest filmmaker working today, and as such, it’s no surprise that he’s made several of the most acclaimed movies of all time. The question of what his magnum opus is usually garners many different responses, but there’s one title that’s bound to come up more than most: Goodfellas, one of the greatest gangster epics ever committed to celluloid.
With Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, and Robert De Niro all doing some of the best work of their careers front and center, Goodfellas wouldn’t have needed to do anything else special in order to be memorable. Scorsese always goes the distance, however; and so, his vibrant direction, the enthralling pacing, and the flawlessly written dialogue all make this one of the best movie masterpieces of the ’90s.
13
‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)
Not many directors can claim that their first Best Director Oscar victory, as well as their only Best Picture win, came for what’s truly the best film they’ve ever made. Steven Spielberg can. Though best known for being the father of blockbusters and the mind behind some of the most entertaining movies in Hollywood history, when the director went serious with Schindler’s List, it worked wonders.
This is no box-office-focused popcorn flick. It’s one of the best biopics of all time, as well as one of the greatest war film masterpieces ever made, an emotionally stirring masterpiece unfit for the faint of heart. Everything, from the gorgeous black-and-white cinematography to Thomas Keneally and Steven Zaillian‘s faultless script to John Williams‘ soul-scarring score, works in perfect harmony with every other element to deliver a drama that packs a wallop.
12
‘High and Low’ (1963)
Akira Kurosawa was undoubtedly the greatest, most important, and most internationally influential Japanese filmmaker in history; and there are even those who would go so far as to call him the best filmmaker who has ever lived, period. When one looks at masterpieces as perfectly made as High and Low, it’s hard to disagree.
It’s one of the highest-rated Japanese movies on IMDb, and for good reason. Though he was best-known for his genre work in samurai movies and other action period pieces, Kurosawa wasn’t afraid to step out of that comfort zone, and the result was typically gems like this. Perfectly staged, emotionally intense, and thematically sharp in its exploration of class disparity and social inequality, this is one of the most enthralling procedurals ever made.
11
‘All About Eve’ (1950)
Based on a short story and on a radio drama based on that story, All About Eve is one of the greatest and most iconic films of Hollywood’s Golden Age, a period filled with unforgettable gems. Starring Bette Davis, who delivers one of the greatest acting performances in Hollywood history here, this sophisticated classic is like a fine wine that only keeps getting better with age.
It’s a biting, effortlessly funny satire just as often as it is an admirably mature drama full of pathos, and it works equally well on both levels. It’s thoroughly entertaining and incredibly intelligent, aided by Joseph L. Mankiewicz‘s exceptionally polished directing and writing. It’s a witty, absolutely electrifying tale of Broadway ambition and rivalry with queer undertones that have deservedly made it a cult classic among LGBTQ+ cinephiles.
