What Makes A Great Movie?

What makes a movie great? It’s a deceptively simple question, yet it has haunted filmmakers, critics, and audiences alike for over a century. As I prepare to embark on a mammoth journey to revisit and reassess all the 100 films featured in Empire’s "Greatest Movies of All Time" list, I find myself grappling with this very question. This is not just an exercise in nostalgia but a celebration of cinema’s enduring magic and an exploration of what allows certain films to transcend their time and place.

Great movies are not bound by genre, budget, or cultural context. They are not always the most technically dazzling or the most popular. Instead, they are films that manage to resonate deeply, creating connections with audiences that endure long after the credits roll. A good movie captivates us in the moment; a great movie stays with us for a lifetime. And as I revisit these 100 films, I’ll be looking at what sets them apart, what makes them endure, and how they still speak to us in 2025.

First and foremost, a great movie tells a compelling story. Storytelling is the foundation of cinema. Whether it’s the tightly wound tension of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho or the sprawling narrative of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, the best films grip us with their narratives. But great storytelling is more than just plot; it’s about characters, themes, and how these elements interact to create meaning. Consider The Shawshank Redemption. On the surface, it’s a prison drama, but dig deeper, and it’s a meditation on hope, friendship, and the human spirit’s capacity to endure. Decades after its release, its emotional resonance remains as potent as ever.

Characters are another cornerstone. Great films give us characters who feel real, who stay with us long after the screen goes dark. They’re not always likeable, but they are always compelling. Think of Marlon Brando’s brooding Vito Corleone in The Godfather or Sigourney Weaver’s indomitable Ellen Ripley in Alien. These are not just performances but fully realised portraits of humanity in all its complexity. Characters like these become our companions, our mirrors, our cautionary tales.

Another hallmark of a great movie is its emotional impact. Whether it’s joy, sorrow, fear, or exhilaration, the best films make us feel deeply. Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List leaves us devastated yet hopeful, while George Lucas’s Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope fills us with wonder and excitement. A film’s ability to elicit genuine emotion is a testament to its power and a significant reason it remains unforgettable.

Technical mastery also plays a vital role. While it’s true that some great films have been made with limited resources, there’s no denying the power of a movie that utilises the full potential of its medium. Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is a prime example. Its groundbreaking visual effects, haunting score, and meticulous direction make it as visually and intellectually stimulating today as it was in 1968. Similarly, the intricate editing and sound design of Christopher Nolan’s Inception draw us into a multi-layered narrative that demands our attention and rewards our investment.

Cultural relevance is another factor that contributes to a film’s greatness. Movies are products of their time, yet the best ones transcend their era to speak to universal truths. Casablanca is a wartime romance, but its themes of sacrifice, love, and resilience make it timeless. Do the Right Thing, Spike Lee’s electrifying exploration of race relations in America, is as urgent and essential today as it was in 1989.

Then there is innovation. Some films redefine what cinema can do, breaking new ground in storytelling, technology, or artistic expression. Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane revolutionised narrative structure and cinematography, while James Cameron’s Avatar pushed the boundaries of visual effects and 3D filmmaking. These movies are not just great; they are milestones that have shaped the evolution of cinema.

Rewatchability is a more subjective but equally important metric. Great movies invite us back again and again, offering something new with each viewing. Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction is a kaleidoscope of interconnected stories, brimming with witty dialogue and iconic moments that reward repeated viewings. Similarly, Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy offers a world so richly imagined that it’s impossible to take it all in during a single sitting.

Ultimately, what makes a movie stand the test of time is its ability to connect with audiences on a human level. Films are mirrors reflecting our joys, fears, and aspirations. They are windows into other lives, cultures, and perspectives. And they are canvases where filmmakers paint their visions of the world and invite us to see it anew. The enduring power of cinema lies in its universality and its ability to evolve with us.

As I look ahead to revisiting these 100 films, I know this journey will be as much about me as it is about the movies. The films we love often reflect where we are in our lives when we watch them. My experience of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as a wide-eyed child was vastly different from my perspective as an adult, but the film’s core themes of love and friendship remain as poignant as ever. Rewatching these movies in 2025, I hope to uncover new layers, see them in a fresh light, and share those insights with you.

Some films on this list are almost universally acclaimed, while others spark heated debates. That’s the beauty of cinema: it’s both deeply personal and widely communal. Not everyone will agree with these choices, and that’s okay, but I'm using this list as I found myself nodding along to each new addition, finding it hard to argue against the inclusion of any of them. My aim is not to cement Empire's choices as an unassailable canon but to celebrate the richness and diversity of the cinematic experience. Through these retrospectives, I hope to make the case for why these films deserve their place on the list and perhaps even inspire you to revisit some of them yourself.

So, what makes a good movie great and a great movie timeless? It’s a mix of storytelling, characters, emotion, technical skill, cultural impact, innovation, and personal connection. But above all, it’s the magic of cinema itself—that ineffable quality that turns flickering images on a screen into something that moves us, changes us, and stays with us. As I prepare to delve into this cinematic treasure trove, I’m reminded of why I fell in love with movies in the first place. They are not just entertainment; they are an art form, a shared dream, a testament to the human spirit.

Over the course of 2025, I’ll be revisiting each of these 100 films, from the sweeping epics to the intimate dramas, the crowd-pleasers to the avant-garde experiments. I’ll be looking at how they have aged, what they still have to say, and why they continue to matter. Some will feel like old friends, while others may surprise me in new ways. But each one, I am confident, will reaffirm the enduring power of great cinema. Let the journey begin.