Box Office Theory Forum's Top 100 Warner Bros. Movies

[Eric Prime]

#67

Life of Brian

583 points, 11 lists

"He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy! Now, piss off!"

Box Office: 20.7M

Rotten Tomatoes: 97%

Metacritic: 77

Awards: N/A

 

Its Legacy: Cited as one of the funniest comedies ever made and one of the most blasphemous movies ever made. Picketed and protested upon its initial release. Earned a spin-off book, an oratorio, and numerous parodies. Appeared on numerous "best comedy" and "Best British film" lists by Total Film, Channel 4, The Guardian, BFI, Time Out, and Empire. Gave Eric Idle a paycheck.

 

Commentary: One of the most controversial comedies ever made, this parodic take on the story of Jesus, courtesy of Monty Python, almost feels like a film that shouldn’t have happened. Funding almost dried up until George Harrison of all people saved the day, and numerous religion groups cited this film as a form of blasphemy and the film was banned in numerous countries. Given the highest level of age rating at best in other markets. It’s miraculous, frankly, the similarly-themed Jesus Christ Superstar, which came out around the same time, lasted as long as it did.

 

Yet while some were offended, most were just excited to see another Monty Python feature. And since controversy sells, Life of Brian would become a box office success and almost immediately cited as one of the funniest comedies ever made. Within the satire and silliness that people have always loved about the Monty Python franchise, there’s still a sense of poignancy that does help make this a bit more palatable for those who follow Christianity. In fact, John Cleese has mentioned that many pious individuals have mentioned how much they love the movie and appreciate the film’s jabs at religion and the double standards found within it.

 

Over the decades, Life of Brian is still considered the magnum opus of Monty Python and the film’s controversial subjects and humor still makes this hotly debated and frequently discussed among cinephiles and religious groups. And in many ways, this kind of discussion makes this a cut above most silly comedies and has ensured this is a movie that will always have an important place within the realm of comedy cinema.

[Eric Prime]

#66

Dial M for Murder

599 points, 13 lists

"In stories things usually turn out the way the author wants them to; and in real life they don't... always."

 

Box Office: 6M

Rotten Tomatoes: 89%

Metacritic: 75

Awards: N/A

 

Its Legacy: Hitchcock's final film for WB until The Wrong Man in 1956. The film that killed 3-D. Ranked #48 on AFI's Top 100 Thrills and #9 on AFI's Top 10 Mysteries. Remade as a TV movie, remade in 1998 with Michael Douglas' A Perfect Murder, and remade four times in India. Referenced, recreated, parodied, etc. in shows like 77 Sunset Strip, Frasier, Archer, and more. Gave Grace Kelly a paycheck.

 

Commentary: In the late 40s through the mid 50s, one of the strongest eras of Alfred Hitchcock was his time working at Warner Bros. This is not the last time his name will be brought up, but Dial M for Murder, his last within that string of films beginning with Rope, is certainly one of the strongest. This classic thriller based on the famed stage play is a perfect trifecta of great direction, great writing, and great acting.

 

This is a movie where all the events are laid out to the audience. Which sounds like it would result in a boring movie. But thanks to some fantastic staging and blocking by Hitchcock, as well as a well-devised screenplay that deconstructs the whole narrative and murder mystery, it ultimately doesn’t matter. It’s still suspenseful, as we wonder how our morally dubious protagonist will get out of this. That is, if he gets out of this. Because while he may seem safe, there’s always that underlying drama.

 

This is all executed perfectly by a slew of great performances, like Ray Milland as the man enacting revenge, John Williams (no, not that John Williams) as the inspector who is secretly a few steps ahead, and real-life Disney Princess Grace Kelly as the woman who could possibly be on death row. It’s considered one of Hitchcock’s best, most famous works, being remade and referenced and parodied countless times since its 1954 release. And with it boasting some of the best aspects of Hitchcock as a filmmaker, that will certainly not change any time soon.

[SchumacherFTW]

8 hours ago, Eric the Hatbox Ghost said:

#67

Life of Brian

583 points, 11 lists

"He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy! Now, piss off!"

Box Office: 20.7M

Rotten Tomatoes: 97%

Metacritic: 77

Awards: N/A

 

Its Legacy: Cited as one of the funniest comedies ever made and one of the most blasphemous movies ever made. Picketed and protested upon its initial release. Earned a spin-off book, an oratorio, and numerous parodies. Appeared on numerous "best comedy" and "Best British film" lists by Total Film, Channel 4, The Guardian, BFI, Time Out, and Empire. Gave Eric Idle a paycheck.

 

Commentary: One of the most controversial comedies ever made, this parodic take on the story of Jesus, courtesy of Monty Python, almost feels like a film that shouldn’t have happened. Funding almost dried up until George Harrison of all people saved the day, and numerous religion groups cited this film as a form of blasphemy and the film was banned in numerous countries. Given the highest level of age rating at best in other markets. It’s miraculous, frankly, the similarly-themed Jesus Christ Superstar, which came out around the same time, lasted as long as it did.

 

Yet while some were offended, most were just excited to see another Monty Python feature. And since controversy sells, Life of Brian would become a box office success and almost immediately cited as one of the funniest comedies ever made. Within the satire and silliness that people have always loved about the Monty Python franchise, there’s still a sense of poignancy that does help make this a bit more palatable for those who follow Christianity. In fact, John Cleese has mentioned that many pious individuals have mentioned how much they love the movie and appreciate the film’s jabs at religion and the double standards found within it.

 

Over the decades, Life of Brian is still considered the magnum opus of Monty Python and the film’s controversial subjects and humor still makes this hotly debated and frequently discussed among cinephiles and religious groups. And in many ways, this kind of discussion makes this a cut above most silly comedies and has ensured this is a movie that will always have an important place within the realm of comedy cinema.

Oh fuck, if I'd known this was Wb it would have been in my top 5

[Eric Prime]

#319 - Police Academy (76 points, 4 lists)

 

#318 - Falling Down (76 points, 3 lists, avg. ranking #66)

 

#317 - The Yakuza (76 points, 3 lists, avg. ranking #61)

 

#316 - The Invisible Guest, You're A Big Boy Now (76 points, 1 list)

 

#315 - The Polar Express (77 points, 3 lists)

 

#314 - The Flight of Dragons (77 points, 1 list)

 

#313 - True Romance (78 points, 6 lists)

 

#312 - The Island (78 points, 3 lists)

 

#311 - Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (79 points, 3 lists)

 

#310 - House of Flying Daggers (79 points, 2 lists)

[Human]

Wait, I am the only one who listed Flight of Dragons.  Apparently I need to praise this movie more often.

[Eric Prime]

#309 - Rush Hour (80 points, 3 lists)

 

#308 - America America (80 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #21)

 

#307 - The Devil's Advocate (80 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #10)

 

#306 - Damn Yankees (81 points, 3 lists)

 

#305 - The Goodbye Girl (82 points, 3 lists)

 

#304 - Sucker Punch (82 points, 2 lists, avg. ranking #37)

 

#303 - Project X (82 points, 2 lists, avg. ranking #29)

 

#302 - Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Johnny Belinda (82 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #19)

 

#301 - Justice League vs. The Fatal Five (82 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #9)

 

#300 - Three Kings (83 points, 3 lists)

[Eric Prime]

#65

A Star is Born (2018)

602 points, 15 lists

"I just wanted to take another look at you."

 

Box Office: 436.2M

Rotten Tomatoes: 90%

Metacritic: 88

Awards: 1 Academy Award and 7 nominations, 1 BAFTA Award and 6 nominations, 2 Critics Choice Awards and 7 nominations, 1 Golden Globe Award and 4 nominations, 4 Grammy Awards and 3 nominations, 4 National Board of Review Awards

 

Its Legacy: The most financially successful iteration of A Star is Born. The directorial debut of Bradley Cooper. Kickstarted Lady Gaga's movie career. Six million copies of the soundtrack have been sold worldwide. "Shallow" would become one of the highest-selling songs of all time with 10.2 million sales and streams. Lady Gaga became the first woman in history to win an Oscar, BAFTA, Grammy, and Golden Globe in one year because of her contributions to this one movie. The tenth most profitable film of 2018. Gave Sam Elliott a paycheck.

 

Commentary: With four different versions, all spanning from the 1930s to the 2010s, A Star is Born is one of the few movies that people actually like seeing remade time and time again. Every film that comes out is a unique time capsule of the time period. A time capsule of celebrity culture, the evolution of music, and the complexities of gender power dynamics and romantic relationships. This most recent iteration, courtesy of director and star Bradley Cooper, is no exception to this. And to many of you (though not all of you), this is the best of them all.

 

It’s a film with the same plot as all the others. A star on top of the world, struggling with his demons with alcohol, falls in love with a starlet who wishes to have fame. The young woman’s popularity and star rises while the former superstar fades into obscurity, resulting in dangerous shifts in their relationship.with each other, their family, and their vices. But this time, this one focuses on having more complexity and backstory and tragedy, framed under the perspective of Jackson Maine, the star who loses his popularity.

 

This may seem like a bad idea at first glance. Why give more attention to the man when the previous films put the woman in the spotlight? However, it was for the best. It not only allows a stronger relationship between Cooper’s Jackson Maine and Lady Gaga’s Ally, but also showcases how inner demons can hurt yourself and everybody in your life. It creates a stronger relationship between the two that keeps us invested. Plus Cooper makes sure to still give Ally dimension and agency.

 

Even outside of that greater depth, we also have plenty of the same great insights and commentary on the star system that made the other films iconic, phenomenal music, and plenty of heartbreak as we just wish these two could stay together. But alas, we all know that in this story, no matter how much we hope it can change, one star has to go away so another can be born.

 

Of course the question I’m sure many of you have is whether or not this was the highest-ranked version of the story? I can’t say anything just yet, but that answer may--or may not--surprise you.

[Eric Prime]

#64

JFK

608 points, 11 lists

"Back, and to the left... back, and to the left... back, and to the left."

 

Box Office: 205.4M

Rotten Tomatoes: 84%

Metacritic: 72

Awards: 2 Academy Awards and 6 nominations, 2 BAFTA Awards and 2 nominations, 1 Golden Globe Award and 3 nominations, 1 DGA Award nomination

 

Its Legacy: Brought the story of Jim Garrison to the limelight. Became one of the most controversial movies of all time, with tons of editorials and publications denouncing Stone's film. The first of three Oliver Stone films about presidents. Caused the passage of the JFK Act in 1992. Spoofed and parodied in Seinfeld, The Critic, and Family Matters. Gave Laurie Metcalf a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Yet another bold and controversial release from Warner Bros., this absolutely crazy thrill ride, daring to conspire against the Warren Commission and what really happened to John F. Kennedy would ultimately become one of the most politically divisive films to ever come out. Others think Oliver Stone is a crazy person, others think he’s relaying the truth and putting out necessary information into the world. Some say it’s necessary, others think it’s damaging to society. And honestly, this will likely always be the case. The conspiracies that are tied into Kennedy, his assassination, the Warren Commission, and so on, will always be fiercely debated and often through a lot of toxicity.

 

But what is generally agreed upon is that, regardless on how you feel about Stone’s ramblings, that this is a damn good movie. Lush cinematography, dynamic editing and direction, an incredible ensemble cast, and an engrossing story that gets you hooked through the film’s riveting energy and constant twists. And luckily for me, I don’t give too craps about JFK and who killed him, so I can enjoy this movie without any guilt on this promoting conspiracies. Yay!

 

But in all seriousness, while the question on whether it’s ethical to watch problematic movies like these will always be up for debate, this will always be in the conversation. Both in its ideas shared and in the fantastic filmmaking on display.

[Eric Prime]

#63

Empire of the Sun

624 points, 17 lists

"P-51! Cadillac of the sky!"

 

Box Office: 66.7M

Rotten Tomatoes: 75%

Metacritic: 62

Awards: 2 National Board of Review Awards, 6 Academy Award nominations, 3 BAFTA wins and 3 nominations, 2 Golden Globe nominations, 1 Grammy Award nomination

 

Its Legacy: Considered one of Spielberg’s most profound works. One of the first films for both Christian Bale and Ben Stiller. Was the influence for Tropic Thunder. Part of a World War II Spielberg trilogy with Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. Gave Joe Pantoliano a paycheck.

 

Commentary: In 1993, Steven Spielberg directed Schindler’s List, his greatest, most important work ever. His masterpiece I would argue. Yet it took a while to actually come out, with Spielberg himself doubting his abilities. And in a way, he would do a practice test before that masterpiece with the 80s film Empire of the Sun.

 

Starring baby Christian Bale in one of his first film roles, this is a powerful loss of innocence tale, about a rich kid who not only learns about the harshness of the world, but loses nearly everything he holds dear. It’s a tough watch, but Spielberg still ensures we have fun moments of sentimentality, peppered with great moments of aircraft and epic scope all throughout the film.

 

It’s not as heavy-hitting nor as big a juggernaut as Schindler or Saving Private Ryan, but this would be a very underrated gem for many Spielberg fans and has gained a bigger following over the decades. From Bale fans, from WWII enthusiasts, from Spielberg buffs, and people who just like a good movie.

[Eric Prime]

#299 - The Letter (83 points, 1 list)

 

#298 - Any Given Sunday (84 points, 2 lists)

 

#297 - The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (85 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #16)

 

#296 - Hereafter (85 points, 1 list, avg. ranking #4)

 

#295 - Body Heat (87 points, 3 lists)

 

#294 - A Stolen Life (87 points, 1 list)

 

#293 - Lethal Weapon 2 (88 points, 3 lists)

 

#292 - Sayonara (88 points, 2 lists)

 

#291 - Watch on the Rhine (89 points, 1 list)

 

#290 - The Mosquito Coast (90 points, 1 list)

[Eric Prime]

#289 - The Last Days of Disco (91 points, 2 lists)

 

#288 - The Hangover Part 3 (92 points, 2 lists)

 

#287 - King Richard (93 points, 3 lists)

 

#286 - Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (93 points, 2 lists)

 

#285 - The Dark Knight Returns Part I (95 points, 1 list)

 

#284 - The Life of Emile Zola (96 points, 1 list)

 

#283 - Calamity Jane (97 points, 2 lists)

 

#282 - A Midsummer Night's Dream (97 points, 1 list)

 

#281 - The Way Back (98 points, 4 lists)

 

#280 - The Mystery of the Wax Museum (98 points, 1 list)

[ListenHunnyUrOver]

I should’ve put Mystery of the Wax Museum on my list. 

[Eric Prime]

#62

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

629 points, 12 lists

"Don't that picture look dusty?"

Box Office: 15M

Rotten Tomatoes: 77%

Metacritic: 68

Awards: 2 Academy Award nominations, 1 Empire Award nomination, 1 Golden Globe Award nomination, 1 National Board of Review Award, 1 Satellite Award and 3 nominations

 

Its Legacy: Ranked in the National Board of Review's Top 10 Movies of 2007. Nominee for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Earned the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. Appeared in numerous best movies of the year lists from critics. Frequently re-released into theaters thanks to the Jesse James Revival fan campaign. Director Andrew Dominik's breakout film. Gave Mary-Louise Parker a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Long before Andrew Dominik embarrassed himself with his awful, terrible, horrible, no good, very bad movie about Marilyn Monroe, he was actually a smart, competent filmmaker. And this is best shown in his most loved and famous work, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford...long title.

 

The appeal of Jesse James is twofold. The first and more obvious is how this serves as a character study. Jesse James and Robert Ford, played by Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck, are both very layered individual. James is a hard-stoned criminal, but also a devoted family man. Robert Ford is an outcast who desperately wants to be part of James’ crew and gain notoriety. Is Ford a coward for wanting to take down a criminal? Is James really that terrible a person? Can either crook be redeemed? All of this is explored in this layered storyline.

 

This film also appears under the backdrop of the death of the Wild West. The mythology of these epic figures are losing their luster and the freedom of the open range is disappearing due to the growing societies taking place in their wake. It’s a powerful look into an aspect of the Western that is seldom explored, even in a post-Dances with Wolves era of deconstruction we are still living in.

 

The western has been a staple of WB. Ones that are about deconstructing the mythos and legends of the era and the film genre itself. And this more recent take is one of their strongest and a major reason why we still get these movies even long after the actual Wild West has disappeared for a century.

[Eric Prime]

#61

Cool Hand Luke

630 points, 10 lists

"What we've got here is failure to communicate"

Box Office: 16.2M

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

Metacritic: 92

Awards: 1 Academy Award and 3 nominations, 1 DGA Award nomination, 2 Golden Globe Award nominations,

 

Its Legacy: Solidified Paul Newman as one of the most bankable movie stars. An iconic piece of anti-establishment cinema during the Vietnam War era. One of the few movies to recieve a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Ranked #11 in AFI's Top 100 Movie Quotes, #30 in Movie Heroes, and #71 in Most Insipiring Movies. Inducted into the National Film Registry in 2005. Adapted into a West End play. Inspired the Christian alternative rock band of the same name. Gave George Kennedey a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Paul Newman’s the coolest fucking dude ever. Every role he was in, he understood the assignment and delivered banger performances. One of the best to ever do it. And Cool Hand Luke is a masterclass of acting in what is a very powerful and politically charged piece of anti-establishment cinema.

 

The film is a slam against tyranny, the evils of the prison system, and fighting for what you believe in. Yes, Luke Jackson is still a criminal, but he is surrounded by people who are even worse. Those who use our systems to abuse others and take advantage of their power to do acts worse than the criminals they are imprisoning. Having Luke serve as the cool rebel, the guy who has an unbreakable will, gives us insights onto how we can rebel against our systems.

 

In many ways, it’s a sad look at how we unfairly treat people who deserve better, but also a symbol for how we can rise up against the man. It’s a perfect example of that late 60s rebellion against the man and how we need to push for individuality and determination against tyrannical rule and abuse. A lesson that is not new, but always needed to be re-learned again and again. And this is one of the best to do it.

[Eric Prime]

#60

All the President's Men

636 points, 10 lists

"Nothing's riding on this except the first amendment to the Constitution, freedom of the press, and maybe the future of the country."

Box Office: 70.6M

Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

Metacritic: 84

Awards: 4 Academy Awards and 4 nominations, 10 BAFTA Award nominations, 4 Golden Globe Award nominations, 4 National Board of Review Awards, 

 

Its Legacy: Dramatized the epic story of Woodward, Bernstein, and Watergate, making sure people never forget these events. The best film of 1976 to Gene Siskel. One of seven films to win Best Picture from 3 out of 4 major US film critic groups. #57 on AFI's Best Thrillers, #27 for Best Heroes, #34 for Most Inspiring, and #77 on the Top 100 Movies of All Time (2007 Edition). Saw a documentary based on the movie for Sundance Channel in 2013. Joined the National Film Registry in 2010. Gave Jack Warden a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Well, here’s another anti-establishment movie. One that’s also an important lesson on how cool journalism is and how necessary it is within our society. Tackling how Bernstein and Woodward discovered and revealed the Watergate scandal, it’s a nerve-wracking feature. Yes, we all know what happens. But the tension comes from how the late director Alan J. Pakula puts this drama into perspective.

 

This is the most important news that needs to be shared and we need that truth out there. Come hell or high water. It’s the one movie where the sounds of a typewriter leave just as impact as the sound of a shotgun. We see not only the pressure between these two men, portrayed perfectly by Al Pacino and Dustin Hoffman, but even how easily the media was in favor of Nixon, manipulated by his statements. It’s a film that asks its viewers to not believe everything you read and that the free press is the most crucial aspect of our lives and must give the right information to people. Give people what they want to know, and we lead to lies and misinformation. Give people what they need to know, and we are all better for it.

 

And well...recent events have made that message more important than ever. Wish I could say this movie was dated and of its time; like I said, gotta tell you what you need to know.

[DAR]

Only 60?

[SchumacherFTW]

6 hours ago, Eric the Hatbox Ghost said:

#61

Cool Hand Luke

630 points, 10 lists

"What we've got here is failure to communicate"

Box Office: 16.2M

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

Metacritic: 92

Awards: 1 Academy Award and 3 nominations, 1 DGA Award nomination, 2 Golden Globe Award nominations,

 

Its Legacy: Solidified Paul Newman as one of the most bankable movie stars. An iconic piece of anti-establishment cinema during the Vietnam War era. One of the few movies to recieve a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Ranked #11 in AFI's Top 100 Movie Quotes, #30 in Movie Heroes, and #71 in Most Insipiring Movies. Inducted into the National Film Registry in 2005. Adapted into a West End play. Inspired the Christian alternative rock band of the same name. Gave George Kennedey a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Paul Newman’s the coolest fucking dude ever. Every role he was in, he understood the assignment and delivered banger performances. One of the best to ever do it. And Cool Hand Luke is a masterclass of acting in what is a very powerful and politically charged piece of anti-establishment cinema.

 

The film is a slam against tyranny, the evils of the prison system, and fighting for what you believe in. Yes, Luke Jackson is still a criminal, but he is surrounded by people who are even worse. Those who use our systems to abuse others and take advantage of their power to do acts worse than the criminals they are imprisoning. Having Luke serve as the cool rebel, the guy who has an unbreakable will, gives us insights onto how we can rebel against our systems.

 

In many ways, it’s a sad look at how we unfairly treat people who deserve better, but also a symbol for how we can rise up against the man. It’s a perfect example of that late 60s rebellion against the man and how we need to push for individuality and determination against tyrannical rule and abuse. A lesson that is not new, but always needed to be re-learned again and again. And this is one of the best to do it.

I really should get around to watching this already

[TalismanRing]

@Eric the Hatbox Ghost  We see not only the pressure between these two men, portrayed perfectly by Al Pacino and Dustin Hoffman,

 

Just slipped that in to make sure we're reading these?   

 

And yes, way too low. 

[Ipickthiswhiterose]

Calamity Jane that low?

 

Geez.

 

I knew I was an island with The Mosquito Coast but peak Golden Age musical with a peak force of nature Doris Day? Banger after banger? Atmosphere and visuals as far as you can see?

[Eric Prime]

40 minutes ago, TalismanRing said:

@Eric the Hatbox Ghost  We see not only the pressure between these two men, portrayed perfectly by Al Pacino and Dustin Hoffman,

 

Just slipped that in to make sure we're reading these?   

 

And yes, way too low. 

When you work at Target 8 hours a day every day, your brain goes through relapses like these. I’ll fix this later lol

11 minutes ago, Ipickthiswhiterose said:

Calamity Jane that low?

 

Geez.

 

I knew I was an island with The Mosquito Coast but peak Golden Age musical with a peak force of nature Doris Day? Banger after banger? Atmosphere and visuals as far as you can see?

I mean I voted for it! Love the hell out of that movie. Guess it’s just too gay for people to handle