Top US Films of All Time

America may have released a staggering amount of movies throughout history, but only a small number of these films have staying power, and continue to be watched and talked about to this day. From classic dramas to crime thrillers, these are some of the top US films of all time.

Citizen Kane (1941)
Written, directed and produced by Orson Welles, Citizen Kane is considered by many critics to be the greatest film ever to be made. Welles was given a huge amount of creative freedom with this movie, and its success is perhaps due to the fact that so much of it came from such an artistic genius. With a number of incredible performances, as well as creative cinematography and narrative structure, Citizen Kane is considered to be extremely innovative and ahead of its time. The movie features Welles playing the role of Charles Foster Kane, with the movie depicting his life in the publishing world, as well as his subsequent pursuit of power. Although the film was not a commercial success at the box office, largely due to its delayed release and limited distribution, it received unanimous praise from critics and special editions are still being released today.

Marlon Brando wax statue

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The Godfather (1972)
Unlike Citizen Kane, The Godfather was the box office leader for the year that it was released, and is regarded by many to be one of the greatest films in world cinema. The film stars Al Pacino and Marlon Brando as the leaders of the fictional New York Corleone crime family, and every role in the movie has been so perfectly cast that you simply cannot imagine anybody else playing those characters. The movie resonates with many due to the way in which it focuses on immigrant life, bringing the gangster theme into it in an extremely clever way. The cinematography is also widely revered, as is the overall moral message that the movie conveys.

Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca, an American romantic melodrama, finds its way onto so many different top ten film lists, and while it may not have done spectacularly well when first released, it earned its reputation over time. The movie stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and, set during the second world war, depicts a love triangle in which both men are vying for the love of the same woman. While the film may focus on something quite inconsequential when compared to the war going on in the background, it is full of loaded political messages that give viewers a fantastic insight into the military situation at that time. The dialogue boasts several memorable lines, and the musical score is full of suspense, adding a rich element to the film. Whether you enjoy a romantic movie plot or not, Casablanca’s charm is sure to steal your heart.

Not only are these movies the top US films of all time, but they are also considered to be some of the greatest films in the world. Each of these movies have had a huge impact on its viewers, and, with such strong staying power, they are likely to continue having an influence on generations to come.