Founded on April 4, 1923, Warner Bros. turns 100 years old today. The film and entertainment company is a titan of the industry, with perhaps an unmatched library of characters, stories, and content. It’s only fitting that this week’s Top Ten Tuesday is WB-centric, focusing on the top ten films produced by Warner Bros., which has given us some of the most remarkable classic dramas and action-packed blockbusters in history. Of course, there are many worthy candidates to make the top ten, and this list is based on a combination of critical and fan acclaim.
10. The Departed (2006)
Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring an all-star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson, The Departed is a gripping crime drama that follows two men on opposite sides of the law as they try to outsmart each other, with a striking and arresting final act that you won’t forget. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is widely regarded as one of Scorsese’s best films.
9. The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix is a groundbreaking science-fiction film that introduced audiences to a whole new world of possibilities. Starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker who discovers that the world he lives in is a simulated reality controlled by machines, The Matrix pushed the boundaries of visual effects and action filmmaking. The film spawned sequels and has become a cultural phenomenon.
8. Blade Runner (1982)
Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Blade Runner is a sci-fi classic that has influenced countless films and TV shows in the years since its release. Based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, the film is set in a dystopian future where genetically engineered beings known as replicants are used as slave labor on off-world colonies. When a group of replicants escapes and comes to Earth, a former police officer named Rick Deckard (Ford) is brought out of retirement to hunt them down.
7. The Shining (1980)
Based on the bestselling novel by Stephen King, The Shining is a horror piece directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick. Starring Jack Nicholson in one of his most iconic roles, the film tells the story of a family who moves to an isolated hotel for the winter, only to discover that the hotel has a sinister past and a present that is just as terrifying.
Interestingly, another Stephen King adaptation, The Shawshank Redemption (1994), is also part of the Warner Bros. library but was not produced or distributed in theaters by WB. We decided to leave it off the list, but it has a strong top-ten case if you were to include it in the inexact criteria.
6. The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is a 1973 horror film directed by William Friedkin, based on the novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty—and it is still arguably the scariest movie in history. The film tells the story of a young girl named Regan (Linda Blair) who becomes possessed by a demon, and the attempts of two priests (Jason Miller and Max von Sydow) to exorcise the demon from her. The Exorcist was nominated for ten Academy Awards in 1974, including Best Picture, Best Director for Friedkin, and Best Supporting Actor for both Jason Miller and Max von Sydow.
5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Based on the novel by Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a powerful drama that explores the themes of conformity and rebellion. Jack Nicholson delivers one of his best performances—which is obviously saying something—as Randle McMurphy, a charismatic but rebellious patient who clashes with the authoritarian Nurse Ratched (played by Louise Fletcher). The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
4. Inception (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Inception is a mind-bending thriller that challenges the viewer’s perception of reality. The film follows a team of “dream thieves” who enter people’s dreams to steal their secrets. With stunning visuals, a complex plot, and a haunting score by Hans Zimmer, Inception is a masterpiece of modern cinema.
3. Goodfellas (1990)
One of Martin Scorsese’s best works, Goodfellas is a classic crime drama that follows the rise and fall of a group of gangsters in New York City. With iconic performances by Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci, the film is a violent, stylish, and darkly humorous portrayal of the world of organized crime. Goodfellas won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Pesci) and has become a cult hit.
2. Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca has stood the test of time as one of the greatest dramas ever made. Humphrey Bogart stars as Rick Blaine, a cynical American expatriate who runs a nightclub in Casablanca during World War II. When his former lover, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), shows up in Casablanca with her husband, a resistance leader, Rick is forced to confront his past and decide whether to help them escape. The film’s unforgettable characters, iconic dialogue, and emotional performances make it a true cinematic achievement.
1. The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight is not only arguably the best film produced by Warner Bros., but it also has a case for the greatest film of all-time. Christopher Nolan’s crime drama tells the story of Batman (Christian Bale) as he battles against the Joker (Heath Ledger), who is wreaking havoc on Gotham City. As was the case with the other two chapters in the trilogy (both of which deserve honorable mention), the film’s outstanding performances, thrilling action sequences, and deep themes elevate it to a level beyond that of a mere comic book movie. Ledger’s insanely good portrayal of the Joker—widely acclaimed as one of the best performances in history—earned him a posthumous Academy Award.
Warner Bros. has produced some of the greatest films of all time, and this top ten list is a testament to the studio’s incredible legacy. Warner Bros. has consistently pushed the boundaries of cinema and created unforgettable movie-going experiences. With that, these ten movies make the honorable mention due to their distinction and impact:
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Unforgiven (1992)
Batman (1989)
Batman Returns (1992)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
North by Northwest (1959)
All the President’s Men (1976)
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)