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15 movies you need to see that people agree are absolutely perfect

Forget the critics. Redditors rounded up the movies they consider to be a perfect 10/10

Kirsten Acuna
Business Insider
Tuesday 26 December 2017 15:07 GMT
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Mad Max: Fury Road - Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron
Mad Max: Fury Road - Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron

We've all been there. It's a Friday night and once again you're scrolling through Netflix or the television guide trying to find a good movie.

That's where movie fans come in to help. A while back, Reddit user VarrickCarter23 asked the /r/movies subreddit what films they would consider a perfect 10/10 and they received an enormous response.

While some of the films may not shock you — Toy Story, There Will Be Blood — others include great performances you may have overlooked when they were first released in theaters.

The entire list of responses is pretty lengthy, but we've highlighted 15 in here and included the fans' reasonings as to why you should spend time watching these flicks. We encourage you to check out the full list on Reddit here.

1. Her (2013)

Love at first byte: Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with a software package (Scarlett Johansson) in Her (AP)

Synopsis: “A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with an operating system designed to meet his every need.”

“I don't consider it one of the best things ever or anything but I think it's a near flawless piece of film. It just set things up so well that no real plot point would feel forced or out of character. I love the implications, how the year is never specified, or what the rest of the world is like.

“The story is just really really simple, yet you find yourself getting sucked in easily. As someone doing long distance this film connected with me pretty strongly.” — VarrickCarter23

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Synopsis: “When their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a procedure to have each other erased from their memories. But it is only through the process of loss that they discover what they had to begin with.”

“Almost everything is done flawlessly: The acting is superb, the music is good, the plot is engaging, it's funny, its unique, its dramatic, it's depressing, it's lighthearted, it's surprising ... it invokes almost every emotion out of me and it does it with soaring colours, literally.

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“What I really adore is the camera work. The way things disappear out of a scene or a window, or the tricks with lighting, or building giant sets to make it look real, angles and tracking shots ... all of it is masterfully done. Charlie Kaufman did not direct this and he wasn't even the only one who worked on the story but his screenplay just jumps out at you. I think he's one of the best working today and this screenplay solidifies that.” — VarrickCarter23

3. The Thing (1982)

Synopsis: “A research facility in Antarctica comes across an alien force that can become anything it touches with 100% accuracy. The members must now find out who's human and who's not before it's too late.”

“Absolutely perfect horror movie. Interesting premise, awesome characters, incredible special effects, killer soundtrack, perfectly executed tension.” — JendoShabo

4. There Will Be Blood (2007)

Synopsis: “A story of family, religion, hatred, oil, and madness, focusing on a turn-of-the-century prospector in the early days of the business.”

“Single best acting performance in a film for me. He [Daniel Day Lewis] was just mesmerising. If NCFOM [No Country for Old Men] was like looking at a beautifully composed nihilistic painting, TWBB [There Will Be Blood] was more like being enveloped in a milkshake of dread. Delicious.” — bobboooo888

5. Fight Club (1999)

Synopsis: “An insomniac office worker, looking for a way to change his life, crosses paths with a devil-may-care soap maker, forming an underground fight club that evolves into something much, much more.”

“One of the rare instances where the movie is better than the book. I have gone back and watched it trying to find an error or mistake in it, pertaining to the ending, and I can't find one. Fincher really captures [Chuck] Palahniuk's vision in his adaptation. Both movies stand the test of time.” — ff_beer_money

6. The Incredibles (2004)

Fighting force with family: The Incredibles (AP)

Synopsis: “A family of undercover superheroes, while trying to live the quiet suburban life, are forced into action to save the world.”

“I consider it perfect in the fact that there isn't a single thing (whether it be plot, characterization, humour, pacing) that I would have changed. There isn't a single flaw that I personally had with it.” — whatzgood

7. The Godfather: Part II (1974)

Synopsis: “The early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York is portrayed while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.”

“Personally the juxtaposition of how Don Corleone came to power and what Michael is doing to continue that power is amazing. The performances from [Robert] DeNiro and [Al] Pacino are legendary and timeless. Throw in the conspiracy to kill Michael and how Michael takes care of it makes for a better plot also. I mean for me personally The Godfather: Part II is my number one and The Godfather is my number two, they are both pretty flawless, I just find part two to be stronger.” — a-bso

8. Vertigo (1958)

(AP) (Paramount Pictures)

Synopsis: “A San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend's wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.”

“It's really slow, but masterfully done. I love how the final shot of the film is similar to the opening scene (without giving anything away). And the mystery was good too, it's paced just right so that it never feels too fast. And you learn info at the appropriate rate.” — VarrickCarter23

9. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)

Synopsis: “Robert Ford, who's idolised Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the reforming gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.”

“If you want to show someone a tour-de-force in acting, this is the movie. I've yet to see anyone top Casey Affleck's performance.” — ParkerZA

10. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)​

Synopsis: “With a plan to exact revenge on a mythical shark that killed his partner, oceanographer Steve Zissou rallies a crew that includes his estranged wife, a journalist, and a man who may or may not be his son.”

“My 10/10 movie is The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. It's such an intricate, complicated character study and even after seeing it more than ten times, every time I watch it I pick up things I didn't see the previous watch. All the characters are so well realised and fit so well together in that world and it culminates in one of the most poignant moments I've ever seen on screen.” — Groosenator2000

11. Synecdoche, New York (2008)​

Synopsis: “A theatre director struggles with his work, and the women in his life, as he creates a life-size replica of New York City inside a warehouse as part of his new play.”

“This film balances everything from humour, suspense, and at times is downright depressing. The reason why this film is 10/10 for me is not only it's grand themes, but also it's most subtle details. For instance, in the opening scenes, we are brought months into the future without realising time is passing without paying close attention to the dates in the newspapers, the times mentioned on the radio, and the dialogue. We realise as the audience that through repetition in daily life, we can forget about time. These small details can be forgotten but definitely add to rewatching the film trying to spot them out. Unlike films like Fight Club that certainly require repeat watching, you may watch this film and not realise the story being told on your first go.

On top of this, Philip Seymour Hoffman provides us with his amazing acting. He is obsessed with death, often thinking that at every turn he will die. For those who haven't seen this film, I highly recommend it.“ — jonymcg

12. Toy Story (1995)​

(AP)

Synopsis: “A cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman figure supplants him as top toy in a boy's room.”

Toy Story's script is one of the strongest ever written, with minor introductions to plot elements and concepts returning at later points, and no unnecessary scenes included. It’s a film that talks to both adults and children in different ways, with a fun adventure and interesting rivalry-turned-friendship, and themes of jealousy, purpose, and parental caring wrapped up within.” — thegimboid

13. Whiplash (2014)​

Synopsis: “A promising young drummer enrols at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realise a student's potential.”

“I know it's only a couple years old but I can watch this movie time and time again and still be amazed. It's got everything I like in a movie. A great story, strong dialogue, well developed characters (including one of the most memorable antagonists in recent films) brought to life by great acting, and even boasts some really excellent cinematography and music. The intensity never really fades even though I've seen it three or four times. I think it will be considered a classic in time.” — noah2461

14. No Country For Old Men (2007)​

Synopsis: “Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and more than two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.”

“From the seamless story telling to the chilling performance from Javier Bardem, this is one of the few movies I believe to truly be flawless. 10/10” — Mbags88

15. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

(AP) (Warner Bros)

Synopsis: ”A woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in post-apocalyptic Australia in search for her home-land with the help of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshipper, and a drifter named Max.“

“I can't put a finger on a single thing I'd change in that movie. Everything just works and clicks into place so meticulously, you'd think Miller had spent his entire life thinking up and planning this movie.” — TheTjums

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