Summary

• Screen Rant's list of five-star films covers a diverse range of genres, offering some of the best movies of the last few decades.
• The documentaries featured on the list tackle important and pressing issues, providing a real-life touch to the film industry.
• Each film on the list has its own merits and stands out in its own way, showcasing impressive storytelling, performances, and unique perspectives.

When it comes to movies, the quality ranges, but Screen Rant has more than its fair share of five-star films. From mystery thrillers and dramas, to action comedies and animated features, the list offers a diversity of films that cover just about every genre. Receiving a five-star rating is rare, and though opinions may vary on which film on this list is better than the other, this ranking is a gateway to some of the best films of the last few decades.

With so many films having been reviewed, the task of building out the top five seemed insurmountable. All 31 films on the list are worth watching in some form or another, but despite each film’s perfect score, they are not all of the same caliber. Some have aged better than others, but whether it’s the action in The Raid: Redemption or the drama and comedy in The Souvenir: Part II and Up, respectively, the films on this list each have their merits. The fact that they’ve achieved five-star status is impressive on its own.

31 Collapse (2009)

Dir. Chris Smith

Chris Smith’s Collapse is unlike other documentaries in that its focus — on reporter Michael Huppert — is on a prediction that actually happened, and how Huppert foresees so many more economic disasters beyond the 2008 Wall Street crash. It’s a very doomsday-esque documentary that, while breeding fear in its viewers, manages to be an “intense, thought-provoking documentary.”

30 Super Size Me (2004)

Dir. Morgan Spurlock

Super Size Me took the nation by storm upon its release in 2004. Director Morgan Spurlock decided to showcase the US’ reliance on McDonald’s by eating only from the fast food chain’s menu for a month, resulting in health issues. The film has been criticized for not taking into poverty and its effect on the US population’s turn to fast food, but Spurlock’s film is still ed for the way its director tackled the premise and the conversations it spurred in the aftermath of its release.

29 United 93 (2006)

Dir. Paul Greengrass

When it comes to real-life tragedies, Hollywood is quick to turn them into movies. It was no different with United 93, a docudrama following the titular flight that avoided hitting its target after its engers thwarted the hijackers’ attempts. The film, written and directed by Paul Greengrass, has a sense of urgency and leaves one feeling a bit stressed considering the real-life events.

28 Fed Up (2014)

Dir. Stephanie Soechtig

Documentaries are important — they provide a real-life touch to the film industry, as they’re usually focused on pressing and current matters. Director Stephanie Soechtig documents the way in which America’s food industry impacts the population — especially children — and illness thanks to added substances. Soechtig takes a look at industry policy and its effect on people’s eating habits. Katie Couric interviews the film’s subjects, which adds a personal slant to the film.

27 Enemies of Happiness (2006)

Dir. Eva Mulvad

Enemies of Happiness is a documentary that “humanizes the people of Afghanistan,” which is something that is very much needed considering the way they have been presented in Western media since 2001. From director Eva Mulvad, the documentary’s focus on human rights and the struggles facing Malalai Joya’s election campaign is a heartening watching experience.

26 The Stoning Of Soraya M. (2008)

Dir. Cyrus Nowrasteh

Directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, The Stoning of Soraya M. is based on a true story, which makes it all the more difficult to watch. It’s a harrowing drama, one that unfolds with sadness and heartbreak considering the inevitability of the film’s title. Screen Rant’s Vic Holtreman wrote that the film’s events are hard to witness, but necessary.

25 Flipped (2010)

Dir. Rob Reiner

Adapted from the novel by Wendelin Van Draanen, Rob Reiner’s Flipped is sweet and nostalgic. It’s a heartwarming coming-of-age story that Reiner has excelled at in the past, and the film offers a refreshing angle by oscillating between the two main characters’ perspectives of the same moments throughout. It isn’t Reiner’s best film, but it tugs on the heartstrings and is tender enough to be enjoyable.

24 Elf (2003)

Dir. Jon Favreau

Starring Will Ferrell as the titular character, the holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the quirky Elf. The Christmas comedy is fun for the whole family, and most of its sense of humor doesn’t get old even two decades later. Ferrell is right at home playing a human who grew up in the North Pole in search for his biological father, and much of the humor stems from his fish-out-of-water reactions. It’s a holiday classic.

23 Justice League: Gods And Monsters (2015)

Dir. Sam Liu

The DCU may be in flux, but DC animation has always had its hidden gems. Justice League: Gods and Monsters is among the best the studio’s animated slate has to offer. It gets to the heart of the noir tale it’s telling, the voice cast is excellent, and the film provides a nice alternate version of the DC Universe, which enhances the story and leaves fans wanting more of it.

22 Serenity (2005)

Dir. Joss Whedon

Based on the short-lived series Firefly, Serenity continues the adventures of the titular ship’s crew. The finale of Firefly’s story is simultaneously fun, heartbreaking, and action-packed. Starring Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, and Alan Tudyk, among others, Serenity has witty dialogue, spectacular chemistry between its characters, and an engaging story that keeps fans of the original series hooked until the end.