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

[Eric the Marxist]

#55

Beetlejuice

682 points, 16 lists

"It's showtime!"

Box Office: 74.7M

Rotten Tomatoes: 85%

Metacritic: 70

Awards: 1 Academy Award, 2 BAFTA Award nominations, 3 Saturn Awards and 5 nominations, 1 Hugo Award nomination

 

Its Legacy: Led to Tim Burton directing Batman. One of Burton's most iconic works and major reason his directing career is a long one. Spawned an animated series, video games, a stage musical and an upcoming sequel. The breakout role for Winona Ryder. Made Harry Belafonte's music iconic to 80s kids. Gave Catherine O'Hara a paycheck.

 

Commentary: 

It’s easy to take him for granted these days, but there was a time when Tim Burton ruled the world. Every film he made was iconic. Every film he directed had so many offbeat and bizarre vibes that were memorable and entertaining and hilarious. He was an amazing and accessible gateway drug for so many of us into horror, surrealism, and gothics that influenced and inspired many of us. And one of his best, some would say his absolute best, came from a kooky comedy about a bunch of dead people.

 

Beetlejuice, crafted as a test from WB to see if Burton will get the Batman gig or not, has one of Burton’s weirdest plots out there. It’s a movie that follows a happy couple who gets killed, there’s tons of creepy and weird-looking monsters, there’s a bunch of musical sequences crafted around Harry Belafonte tunes, the titular character of the movie isn’t in the movie until the very end, said character’s name is spelled differently from the movie versus the movie title, and also Beetlegeuse marries a teenage Winona Ryder? That’s...not aged the best.

 

But honestly, it all doesn’t matter. This has some incredible production values, capturing a B movie flair while still clearly having tons of money put behind it, so many iconic and memorable characters, hilarious sequences one after the other, and an incredible balance of laughs, drama, and terror that only Tim Burton at his prime could achieve.

 

It’s honestly a miracle a film this eccentric was made by a major studio and given to a director who only had one hit to his name. It’s even crazier that this became a box office sensation, created a hit stage musical, is still watched every Halloween by millions, and is even getting a likely terrible sequel set to launch next year.

 

You can say a lot about Tim Burton these days, but it’s impossible not to love and respect him. Especially with a classic like this.

[Eric the Marxist]

#54

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

685 points, 12 lists

"Badges? We ain't got no badges. We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges."

 

Box Office: 4.1M

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

Metacritic: 98

Awards: 3 Academy Awards and 1 nomination, 1 BAFTA Award nomination, 3 Golden Globe Awards, 3 National Board of Review Awards, 1 WGA Award and 1 nomination

 

Its Legacy: Considered one of the greatest movies ever made. One of the first Hollywood movies to be shot on location in Mexico. Stanley Kubrick's fourth favorite film ever. Influenced the series Breaking Bad. Ranked #30 on AFI's Top 100 Movies and #38 in the 2007 edition. #67 on AFI's Most Thrilling Movies and #36 for Best Quotes. Referenced in Looney Tunes, UHF, and Blazing Saddles. Inspired the Dead Money expansion pack in Fallout: New Vegas. Gave Walter Huston a paycheck.

 

Commentary: It’s the classic tale as old as time. People get greedy and they become bad. At this point, Saturday morning cartoons feature those kinds of stories and archetypes. But one of the earliest depictions, at least in cinema, is also one of the best to do it.

 

John Huston’s all-time classic follows a trio of men trying to find gold in the Mexico desert. And what follows is one of the most engrossing and emotional films ever made. Not only is the film visually gorgeous and perfectly paced, its insights on corruption and greed are incredible. In particular, how greed can cause members of the working class to go against one another and how finding success and riches can create a scary hoarder mentality. The fear of going back into poverty is just too strong and it hurts everybody.

 

Then of course you have the always amazing Humphrey Bogart, whose character slowly devloves more and more into paranoia as the film progresses. All of this not only made this a huge hit for a country that still had trauma from the Great Depression, but is frankly even more powerful 75 years later. More things change, the more they stay the same.

[Eric the Marxist]

#229 - Shazam! (146 points, 6 lists)

 

#228 - Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (146 points, 3 lists)

 

#227 - Ocean's Thirteen (149 points, 5 lists)

 

#226 - Purple Rain (149 points, 4 lists)

 

#225 - The Bodyguard (150 points, 4 lists, avg. ranking #63)

 

#224 - Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (150 points, 4 lists, avg. ranking #56)

 

#223 - Them! (153 points, 3 lists)

 

#222 - Happy Feet (154 points, 8 lists)

 

#221 - Days of Wine and Roses (156 points, 4 lists)

 

#220 - Just Mercy (157 points, 4 lists)

[Eric the Marxist]

#219 - The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (157 points, 4 lists)

 

#218 - To Have and Have Not (162 points, 3 lists)

 

#217 - Gran Torino (165 points, 5 lists)

 

#216 - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (166 points, 5 lists)

 

#215 - New Jack City (168 points, 5 lists)

 

#214 - The Wrong Man (170 points, 4 lists)

 

#213 - Blood Diamond (171 points, 5 lists)

 

#212 - Jezebel (171 points, 2 lists)

 

#211 - Swordfish (172 points, 6 lists)

 

#210 - Free Willy (172 points, 5 lists)

[Eric the Marxist]

And because I know some will ask, yes Swordfish came in at #211. It isn't a joke. It isn't me being silly. It isn't me pulling your leg. That was its actual ranking. I know I should have done a rule of three with my Swordfish joke, but I didn't feel like doing the joke again. It is what it is. 🤷‍♂️

[Eric the Marxist]

#209 - Demolition Man (172 points, 4 lists)

 

#208 - The Elephant Man (172 points, 2 lists)

 

#207 - The Cranes Are Flying (178 points, 3 lists)

 

#206 - Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (179 points, 3 lists)

 

#205 - Angels with Dirty Faces (181 points, 3 lists)

 

#204 - Gold Diggers of 1933 (182 points, 4 lists)

 

#203 - Dead Poets Society (183 points, 4 lists)

 

#202 - Local Hero (185 points, 2 lists)

 

#201 - The Sea Hawk (186 points, 4 lists)

 

#200 - The Candidate (189 points, 4 lists)

[Cap]

I see we are at the point in the Misses of “I AM SORRY, EXCUSE ME?”

[Eric the Marxist]

Just now, Cap said:

I see we are at the point in the Misses of “I AM SORRY, EXCUSE ME?”

I know, right? How could Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island not hit #1? What is this world coming to???????????????????????

[WorkingonaName]

Hangover 3, The Mad Maxs, Natural Born Killers and KOTM missing 

 

[Eric the Marxist]

#53

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

704 points, 15 lists

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends."

Box Office: 1.017B

Rotten Tomatoes: 81%

Metacritic: 65

Awards: 3 Academy Award nominations, 7 BAFTA Award nominations, 2 Empire Award nominations, 2 Grammy Award nominations, 1 MTV Movie Award nomination

 

Its Legacy: Kickstarted one of the most successful movie franchises in history. Made TERF Queen J. K. Rowling a billionaire and a household name (sadly). Turned Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson into superstars. Made the book series bigger than ever. Chris Columbus' most successful movie ever. Gave Warwick Davis a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Yep. It’s the very film that started a global phenomenon that is still alive and kicking more than 20 years later, despite its creator being a transphobic asshole. And while it can be hard to acknowledge our enjoyment of the franchise these days, it’s easy to forget just how effective that first movie was. Director Chris Columbus captured the magic and whimsy of that first story, while also making sure there were plenty of darker elements that would gradually become more common as the series progresses.

 

And really, it’s the fantasy that captivates us all. To be in a magical world where we can be free from the drama of the real world, take part in a place full of magic and mystery, and meet fantastical creatures and figures our imaginations can only dream of. Columbus understood that and gave us a movie franchise that made us laugh, cry, and be inspired. Inspire our own stories, inspire our own ideas, and inspire us to become better than the evils in our world. And without this movie, we wouldn’t have had such a beloved movie franchise, have had so many iconic actors who have formed their own strong careers, and, frankly, a great place like Box Office Theory.

 

Please donate to the Human Rights Campaign. Trans rights are human rights. https://www.hrc.org/

[Eric the Marxist]

#52

The Adventures of Robin Hood

723 points, 10 lists

"It's injustice I hate, not the Normans."

Box Office: 4M

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

Metacritic: 97

Awards: 3 Academy Awards and 1 nomination

 

Its Legacy: Considered the greatest Robin Hood adaptation, one of the greatest family films, and one of the greatest films of all time. Boasts a rare 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The benchmark for all future Robin Hood adaptations. Solidified the dream team of Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. Errol Flynn's most iconic role. Spoofed by the Looney Tunes and Mel Brooks. Inspired Prince of Persia, Star Wars, and Disney's Tangled. #84 in Channel 4's Best Films of All Time, #100 on AFI's Top 100 Thrills, #18 for Top 100 Heroes, and #11 for Top 100 Film Scores. Joined the National Film Registry in 1995. Gave Basil Rathbone a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Let’s be real here. Michael Curtiz and Errol Flynn are the best of the best when it comes to Robin Hood. Some of us are likely fond of the Disney movie with that sexy fox. Some of us probably dug Prince of Thieves back in the 90s. You’re probably a sicko who thinks the Mel Brooks parody is the best there's ever been. But honestly, Robin Hood as a movie character peaked in 1938. Your faves could never.

 

Here we have a masterclass of director and actor. Flynn was already known for being an utterly suave and charming swashbuckling hero, while Curtiz was a master at pacing, storytelling, and art direction. So these two taking one of the most iconic literary characters ever? You have a recipe for an amazing adventure chock full of great action, lavish sets, and utterly astounding Technicolor cinematography that makes this one of the most lush and beautiful movies ever made.

 

You add on a great supporting cast featuring Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, and Claude Rains, as well as tons of that classic swashbuckling charm and adventure, and you have one of the greatest adventure movies and greatest family movies ever made. And while they will continue to make Robin Hood movies long after we are all dead, you can’t beat the classics.

[Eric the Marxist]

#51

A Star is Born

726 points, 14 lists

"Hello, everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine."

 

Box Office: 6M

Rotten Tomatoes: 98%

Metacritic: 89

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

 

Its Legacy: The most iconic iteration of A Star is Born. Judy Garland's famed comeback vehicle after leaving MGM. Garland's Best Actress snub oft-considered one of the worst in Academy history. Would see a restoration featuring all available deleted footage in 1983. #43 on AFI's Top 100 Passions, #7 on AFI's Top 25 Musicals, and #11 on AFI's Top 100 Movie Songs. Joined the National Film Registry in 2000. Gave Jack Carson a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Yep. Bradley Cooper found dead in a ditch. George Cukor reigns supreme. And you all voted for it even though 5 minutes of the movie are just still photos. The hell is wrong with y’all?

 

Okay, I’m just being silly here. Trust me, I get it. Cukor’s film is an utterly dazzling melodrama that contains incredible music, groundbreaking cinematography (CinemaScope was the fucking best y’all), and the incredible story of a rising star and a falling star we all know and love and cry over, with jabs and slams at the Hollywood system and how easily it can chew and spit out its incredible performers and stars.

 

James Mason is of course in top form as Norman Maine, but this isn’t his movie. This is the Judy Garland show. And as a Garland fan, my favorite actor of all time in fact, this is her best work yet. Easily her second-most iconic work, this shows Garland’s incredible skills as a musical performer. Her voice, her dances, her mannerisms, her expressions. It’s all wonderful. And her emotionally devastating moments through this film not only hits just on her tears and voice delivery (impossible not to cry during certain moments with her), but are even more tragic from a metatextual perspective. Judy Garland, during this time, was Norman Maine. Somebody who was struggling with her life and her mental health and the abuse she had gone through. Somebody who Hollywood chewed up and spat out. 

 

Seeing her play somebody who is just starting out, rising as the person who got her there life falls apart, knowing she could suffer that same fate...it’s awful. But also necessary. A call to remind us that what we see in the movies can happen in real life if we don’t pay attention. And sadly, we still have got a long way to go, despite this movie being almost 70 years old. The Cooper movie may be what today’s generations grab onto, but this is and always will be the best. Because like I said, you can’t beat the classics.

[Eric the Marxist]

#199 - The Public Enemy, Klute (194 points, 4 lists, avg. ranking #48)

 

#198 - In the Heights (198 points, 6 lists)

 

#197 - The Devils (200 points, 3 lists)

 

#196 - Chariots of Fire (201 points, 4 lists)

 

#195 - Aquaman (207 points, 5 lists)

 

#194 - Space Jam (208 points, 5 lists)

 

#193 - National Lampoon's Vacation (210 points, 7 lists)

 

#192 - Scooby-Doo (2002) (210 lists, 6 lists)

 

#191 - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (210 points, 4 lists)

 

#190 - Yankee Doodle Dandy (210 points, 3 lists)

[Eric the Marxist]

#189 - Mystic River (215 points, 6 lists)

 

#188 - Kong: Skull Island (225 points, 7 lists)

 

#187 - Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (225 points, 5 lists)

 

#186 - Superman II (226 points, 8 lists)

 

#185 - Interview with the Vampire (227 points, 7 lists)

 

#184 - Contagion (228 points, 8 lists)

 

#183 - Now, Voyager (228 points, 4 lists)

 

#182 - Man of Steel (229 points, 6 lists)

 

#181 - Good Night, and Good Luck (230 points, 4 lists)

 

#180 - The Lost Boys (231 points, 7 lists)

[Eric the Marxist]

#179 - THX 1138 (231 points, 4 lists)

 

#178 - Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (RIP) (232 points, 7 lists)

 

#177 - Constantine (232 points, 5 lists)

 

#176 - I Am Legend (235 points, 4 lists)

 

#175 - You've Got Mail (237 points, 4 lists)

 

#174 - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (241 points, 6 lists)

 

#173 - Godzilla vs. Kong (249 points, 8 lists)

 

#172 - Crazy, Stupid, Love. (250 points, 8 lists)

 

#171 - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (251 points, 6 lists)

 

#170 - The Matrix Resurrections (252 points, 8 lists)

[TalismanRing]

On 8/6/2023 at 10:15 AM, Eric the Turtle said:

#52

The Adventures of Robin Hood

723 points, 10 lists

"It's injustice I hate, not the Normans."

Box Office: 4M

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%

Metacritic: 97

Awards: 3 Academy Awards and 1 nomination

 

Its Legacy: Considered the greatest Robin Hood adaptation, one of the greatest family films, and one of the greatest films of all time. Boasts a rare 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The benchmark for all future Robin Hood adaptations. Solidified the dream team of Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. Errol Flynn's most iconic role. Spoofed by the Looney Tunes and Mel Brooks. Inspired Prince of Persia, Star Wars, and Disney's Tangled. #84 in Channel 4's Best Films of All Time, #100 on AFI's Top 100 Thrills, #18 for Top 100 Heroes, and #11 for Top 100 Film Scores. Joined the National Film Registry in 1995. Gave Basil Rathbone a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Let’s be real here. Michael Curtiz and Errol Flynn are the best of the best when it comes to Robin Hood. Some of us are likely fond of the Disney movie with that sexy fox. Some of us probably dug Prince of Thieves back in the 90s. You’re probably a sicko who thinks the Mel Brooks parody is the best there's ever been. But honestly, Robin Hood as a movie character peaked in 1938. Your faves could never.

 

Here we have a masterclass of director and actor. Flynn was already known for being an utterly suave and charming swashbuckling hero, while Curtiz was a master at pacing, storytelling, and art direction. So these two taking one of the most iconic literary characters ever? You have a recipe for an amazing adventure chock full of great action, lavish sets, and utterly astounding Technicolor cinematography that makes this one of the most lush and beautiful movies ever made.

 

You add on a great supporting cast featuring Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, and Claude Rains, as well as tons of that classic swashbuckling charm and adventure, and you have one of the greatest adventure movies and greatest family movies ever made. And while they will continue to make Robin Hood movies long after we are all dead, you can’t beat the classics.

 

 

Maid Marian: Why, you speak treason

 

Robin Hood:  Fluently

 

 😘

 

It truly is the best.  #1 on my list.

 

 

Edited August 7, 2023 by TalismanRing

[Eric the Marxist]

#50

A Streetcar Named Desire

742 points, 13 lists

"Hey, STELLA!"

Box Office: 8M

Rotten Tomatoes: 97%

Metacritic: 97

Awards: 4 Academy Awards and 8 nominations, 1 BAFTA Award and 1 nomination, 1 Golden Globe Award and 2 nominations

 

Its Legacy: Marlon Brando's grand debut to cinema. Vivien Leigh's second Oscar win. Marlon Brando's first of four consecutive Oscar nominations. The first of four films to win 3 out of 4 acting Oscars. First Warner Bros. movie to win four Oscars since 1936's Anthony Adverse. One of Akira Kurosawa's all time favorites. Popularized the original Tennessee Williams play. #45 on AFI's Top 100 Movies and #47 on the 2007 edition. Features two entries in AFI's Top 100 Quotes. Joined the National Film Registry in 1999. Gave Karl Malden a paycheck.

 

Commentary: If there’s anything people know about this movie for today, it’s Marlon Brando’s performance as the physically and emotionally abusive Stanley Kowalski. And I mean...yeah, it’s obvious why if you’ve seen the movie. He’s a terrifying threat, his brutish personality and appearance is well-defined, he does well portraying such a patronizing, pigheaded asshole, and his tank top outfit is iconic.

 

Yet for me, when I think about this Elia Kazan classic, I’m more drawn towards Vivien Leigh and her phenomenal work as Blanche DuBois. An insecure, mentally ill woman who craves validation and comfort, yet must deal with the abuse of her family and the world itself for not understanding what she's going through. 

 

It's utterly devastating and depressingly relatable. The fear of being judged and hated for your mistakes and past life, having to hide under a mask that makes you seem better than what you really are. And Leigh handles all of this with incredible delivery and expression. She is helped by her great chemistry with Brando. Yet Kazan knew that these are the two most important performances to nail down. And with him being such a talent, again my favorite director, he perfectly captures Tennesee Williams’ words into a story that is beautiful, heartbreaking, yet also triumphant, even if that last part was due to Hays Code silliness.

 

It’s a powerful story of abuse and toxic masculinity done to absolute perfection.

[Eric the Marxist]

#49

The Searchers

746 points, 14 lists

"Let's go home, Debbie."

 

Box Office: 3.75M

Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

Metacritic: 94

Awards: 1 Golden Globe Award, 1 DGA Award nomination

 

Its Legacy: Considered one of the greatest and most influential films ever created. The greatest Western of all time by the American Film Institute and Entertainment Weekly. Ranked #7 on Sight & Sound's 2012 list of Greatest Films of All Time. Ranked #10 on Cahiers du Cinema's Greatest Films of All Time. #4 on Jean-Luc Godard's favorite Hollywood sound movies. The first major film to have a making-of documentary. Influenced filmmakers like David Lean, Sam Peckinpah, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, John Milius, Paul Schrader, Wim Wenders, Vince Gilligan, and George Lucas. Inspired a Buddy Holly song. Joined the National Film Registry in 1989. Gave Natalie Wood a paycheck.

 

Commentary: Yes indeed. The Western to end all Westerns. The pinnacle of the entire genre. The film that redefined what a Western could and should be. The film that subverted the tropes of the genre while laying the groundwork for today’s more modern Western releases. The greatest film John Ford ever created, the film that influenced everything from Lawrence of Arabia to Star Wars, the film that is the reason John Wayne is still a household name.

 

It’s of course visually gorgeous and full of heart-pounding action, but it’s the subtleties in its themes and ideas that make this so resonant. Despite being a product of the 1950s, this is a film that serves as both a celebration and a slam against the concept and history of the Western. Within the usual “savage natives” archetypes is a unique scenario where, in fact, the most savage one of all is our brave white hero. Ethan Edwards’ determination to rescue his daughter leads to him becoming more brutal towards the Native Americans and, in a way, being the true villain of the story

 

Ford hypes up Edwards under this heroic image that slowly withers away as the film goes on. It’s a slam against the racism of these movies and the period itself, leading to one of the most iconic final images in cinematic history. The kind of final image that is still studied, analyzed, and discussed decades later.

 

It’s the one film that is the reason a supposedly dead genre keeps on coming back again and again stronger than before. Without this, there's no Unforgiven, no 3:10 to Yuma, no True Grit by the Coens, no nothing.

[Eric the Marxist]

#48

L.A. Confidential

786 points, 15 lists

"Go back to Jersey, sonny. This is the City of the Angels, and you haven't got any wings."

Box Office: 126.2M

Rotten Tomatoes: 99%

Metacritic: 90

Awards: 2 Academy Awards and 7 nominations, 2 BAFTA Film Awards and 10 nominations, 1 Golden Globe Award and 4 nominations, 

 

Its Legacy: One of three films to sweep the "Big Four" critics awards circles. Considered the best film set in Los Angeles according to the Los Angeles Times. A contender for the Palme D'Or. Made Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe, then unknowns, into household names. Popularized the James Ellroy novel. Joined the National Film Registry in 2015. Gave David Straithairn a paycheck.

 

Commentary: This famed throwback to the days of classic film noir, this 1997 classic is an absolute perfect package. A fantastic screenplay that masterfully adapts the dense novel written by James Ellroy, what made the film so effective were its three main characters, all of whom fit a specific archetype of a classic noir story. Guy Pearce as Shotgun Ed, the straight arrow cop who just wants to climb up the ladder. Russell Crowe as Bud, the enforcer who is all about action first. Kevin Spacey as Hollywood Jack, the guy who is both a technical advisor on TV shows and is desperate for that celebrity fame. All three do exemplary work in a story that contains tons of double-crossing and high-intensity drama, while also being a gorgeous love letter to old-school Los Angeles.

 

Add on Kim Basinger as the always necessary femme fatale, where she won an Academy Award, and we have one of 1997’s best films. A movie that was both a tribute to great noirs of old, while also serving as its own unique and wonderful beast. It made Guy Pearce and Russell Crowe huge movie stars, continued Kevin Spacey’s unfortunate rise in popularity, and a cornerstone of Los Angeles-set cinema. And while we sadly never got that proposed sequel that would have starred Chadwick Boseman (true story, look it up), we still got one all-timer we can all cherish.

[Eric the Marxist]

#169 - Elvis (257 points, 7 lists)

 

#168 - Troy (258 points, 5 lists)

 

#167 - Magic Mike XXL (259 points, 6 lists)

 

#166 - The Animatrix (266 points, 4 lists)

 

#165 - Captain Blood (267 points, 5 lists)

 

#164 - Giant (269 points, 6 lists)

 

#163 - Letters from Iwo Jima (270 points, 7 lists)

 

#162 - I Am A Fugitive From A Chain Gang (271 points, 5 lists)

 

#161 - The Conjuring 2 (274 points, 8 lists)

 

#160 - The Lego Batman Movie (277 points, 10 lists)