Top 10 Movies That Got a 100% Score on Rotten Tomatoes

Remember that movie “The Walk” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt? It was pretty good, but it has nothing on “Man on Wire.” This film is a documentary about Philippe Petit’s famous walk between the Twin Towers in 1974, told through footage, present day interviews, and re-enactments. The movie was an immediate hit upon its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, winning the Grand Jury Prize for World Cinema Documentary. It was received just as well upon its theatrical release, scoring 100% on Rotten Tomatoes from a whopping 157 reviews, with the consensus being that it was a highly suspenseful movie, despite its obvious conclusion. The greatest stories are often the true ones.

“La Haine” is a French crime film that follows the lives of three friends growing up in the housing projects of Paris. Its premise is relatively simple, but it’s in the execution where “La Haine” truly shines. It received a standing ovation and the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival and enjoys a 100% rating from 17 reviews. The themes presented in the movie were brutally honest, and it was so impactful for the country of France that its Prime Minister scheduled a mandatory viewing of the movie for his cabinet. We’d call that a success.

Who knew that a movie taking place in one setting could be so captivating? “12 Angry Men” mostly takes place in a single room, as the titular twelve men form a jury and must decide the fate of a defendant on trial. The writer, director, and actors all do what they can with their limited setting, and what results is a highly suspenseful and surprisingly emotional tale about guilt, prejudices, and the difficulties of the American justice system. It enjoys a 100% rating from 49 reviews, with everyone agreeing that it is an undeniable classic.

“The Third Man” certainly makes for bleak viewing, but it’s all in the name of art. The movie follows Joseph Cotten’s Holly Martins as he investigates the mysterious death of his friend in post-World War II Vienna. The movie is a film noir, and as such, utilizes many dark and experimental aspects of filmmaking, including stark black and white photography, highly damaged characters, seedy locations, and odd camera angles. Aside from its technical wizardry, the movie also contains two timeless performances from Cotten and Orson Welles. It retains a perfect score from 77 reviews, with a mind-blowing average rating of 9.3/10.

The Terminator himself makes an appearance on this list, as the movie has a 100% rating from 57 reviews, with an average rating of 8.8/10. Upon its release in 1984, critics immediately fell in love with the fun and dreadfully dark movie, as, like most of James Cameron’s work, it contained a touching story amidst spectacular filmmaking. It also made a worldwide star out of Arnold Schwarzenegger, as his performance as the titular cyborg was both haunting and mesmerizing to behold. And we know what you’re thinking: what about “Terminator 2?” It’s close, and currently sits at 93%, with five rotten reviews.

Another oldie but goodie, “The 400 Blows” is a French film which follows a rebellious teenager who is beautifully and realistically portrayed by Jean-Pierre Léaud. Upon its release, “The 400 Blows” was showered with accolades, including the Best Director award and a Palme d'Or nomination at the Cannes Film Festival. It is often considered to be a favorite of various filmmakers, including Akira Kurosawa, and it enjoys a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 54 reviews. Critics seem to agree that it is one of the most authentic and true-to-life depictions of adolescence in film, and it is now widely regarded as a classic of the French New Wave movement.

“Toy Story” was not only hilarious and heartfelt, but it was also one of the most innovative movies in cinematic history. While Disney was still using the hand-drawn animation style, in came Pixar, the new kid on the block, and they all but reinvented the animated movie. Suddenly everyone, including robotics researchers, wanted their hands on the technology used for the movie, and the world of animation was never the same. Due to its enormously influential status, the film sits at 100% with 78 reviews. And, in a startling Hollywood rarity, its sequel ALSO sits at 100% with 163 reviews! Now that’s something you don’t see every day.

“Seven Samurai” is arguably one of the greatest movies of all time, and it is easily one of the most influential. The story is set in 1586 and follows the titular seven samurai as they protect a small village from a group of bandits. If this sounds familiar, it’s because the story has been retold countless times, from the Western “The Magnificent Seven,” to the science fiction “Battle Beyond the Stars,” to the anime “Samurai 7.” Its wide-reaching influence has secured it a spot on the coveted Rotten Tomatoes’ 100% list, as all 57 critics agree that its action sequences, characters, and story make it a masterpiece of cinema.

1954 really was a great year for film, wasn’t it? Along with “Seven Samurai,” Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece “Rear Window” was released, a movie about an injured and apartment-bound man who begins to believe that his neighbor is a murderer. The movie stars the equally fantastic James Stewart and Grace Kelly, and its use of pacing to build tension proves why Hitchcock is considered to be the master of suspense! Both “Rear Window” and “North by Northwest” enjoy 100% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, but its “Rear Window” which is (arguably) Hitchcock’s masterpiece.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Before Sunrise” (1995)


“Stalker” (1979)


“Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)

Yeah, yeah, we know, you’re sick to death of hearing about “Citizen Kane,” but there’s a reason why it’s so beloved. While the movie may not seem like much today, that’s because it all but created movies as we know them. Many aspects of its filmmaking were enormously influential, including its editing, use of music, and cinematography, and it changed the ways in which movies were filmed and viewed. Due to its influence, it has attained a 100% rating from 75 reviews, with critics praising its creative storytelling techniques and noting its place in cinematic history.