10 Highest-Rated Movies Of All Time On Letterboxd, Ranked

Published Nov 4, 2026, 9:28 AM EST

​​August is a freelance film writer. She studied journalism and cinema at American University. She is a member of the journalism honor society, Kappa Tau Alpha. August has written for various networks and publications, including PBS, Gargoyle Magazine, TheThings, and Identity Theory Magazine. Before returning to entertainment writing, August worked in the Automotive section of U.S. News & World Report. In her free time, August enjoys watching movies in theaters, watching movies at home, listening to podcasts about movies, reading books about movies, watching video essays on movies, talking about movies, thinking about movies, and doing crosswords.

Following its inception in 2011, Letterboxd has become a leading app for cinephiles. The popular platform allows movie lovers to log and rate films out of five stars. With over 30 million subscribers as of 2026, Letterboxd can help capture the general audience reception of a feature—particularly among film-informed viewers. While no film boasts a unanimous five-star rating across the app, several come close.

The app has expanded beyond just feature films. Concert movies, shorts, documentaries, and TV series are among the highest rated content on Letterboxd—none of which are eligible for this list. The HBO miniseries Band of Brothers (2001) holds the app's highest rating with an average 4.73/5. Radiohead’s live performance of their "InRainbows” album follows suit with another near-perfect 4.73. The Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything (2026), occupies a top spot with a strong 4.69. Finally, shorts including Netflix’s One Piece Fan Letter (2024) also populate the app's top-rated list.

Sorting through the well-loved shorts and TV shows, this ranking focuses on the app’s highest rated fictional feature films. The highest rated films on Letterboxd reflect its cinematically minded subscriber population. The top features are generally groundbreaking works of cinema that place art over entertainment. Several are arduous watches, due to lengthy run times, slow pacing, and weighty subject matter. However, each is a fixture of cinematic history and a must-watch for film buffs.

10 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Frank Darabont’s 1994 adaptation of Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption boasts a 4.60 on Letterboxd. Based on Stephen King's novella, the film follows alleged murderer Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) as he befriends fellow convict "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman).

One of the more mainstream features on Letterboxd’s top-rated list, The Shawshank Redemption is a cherished classic with a near-perfect 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It is critically lauded as well, with an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and seven Academy Award nominations. The Columbia Pictures feature tells a poignant yet timeless tale of both systemic corruption and the strength of the human spirit. Robbins and Freeman deliver vivid performances off a tight screenplay by Darabont.

Though an enduring classic, some aspects of its reputation and content make The Shawshank Redemption harder to watch today.

9 The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959)

Director Masaki Kobayashi’s The Human Condition is a nine-and-a-half-hour trilogy, and one of the greatest achievements in film history. The war epic is an ambitious adaptation of Junpei Gomikawa’s six-part novel, which follows a Japanese man fighting to maintain his humanity during WWII. Film one, No Greater Love, sees Kaji working as a supervisor at a Chinese labor camp, where he witnesses horrifying violence (via AFI).

No Greater Love is a powerful and worthwhile epic in its own right, and the second-highest rated installment in the trilogy. However, it is best appreciated in context with the full collection. It is devastating and evocative, horrifying and beautiful. The first feature in The Human Condition saga has a strong 4.58 user rating on Letterboxd and a 94% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

8 The Human Condition III: A Soldier’s Prayer (1961)

A Soldier’s Prayer is the highest-rated installment in The Human Condition trilogy. It has a near-perfect 4.66 from Letterboxd and a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. In the previous feature, The Road to Eternity, Kaji is forced onto the frontlines. The sequel establishes a final battle that comes to fruition in A Soldier’s Prayer. The concluding film sees Kaji lead his soldiers through a harrowing journey behind enemy lines.

As a whole, The Human Condition demands dedication and emotional strength from its viewers. A Soldier’s Prayer, in a way, rewards that dedication. It offers a grand finale that is as devastating as it is epic. The Human Condition trilogy is relentless and astounding. Those who complete the nine-and-a-half-hour saga will have experienced one of the greatest war stories of all time.

7 Come and See (1985)

Elem Klimov’s 1985 Soviet anti-war film has been described as a living nightmare. Come and See lays bare the horrors of war and the worst of humanity. It follows a young Byelorussian boy (Aleksei Kravchenko) as he joins the Soviet Resistance and faces increasingly traumatic experiences—including his family’s murder.

The film effectively communicates a feeling of complete despair, compelling its viewer to face the dehumanizing horrors of war. Though upsetting, Come and See is a powerful and important masterpiece. Soviet censors took seven years to approve the script and nearly blocked the legendary film (via AFI).

As masterful as it is harrowing, Come and See is considered one of the best war films ever made. The film's form—from cinematography to editing— is exquisite. It has a strong 90% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 4.61 on Letterboxd.

6 City of God (2003)

Fernando Meirelles’ City of God tells the engrossing tale of two young men on diverging life paths. In a poverty-stricken area of Rio de Janeiro in the 1970s, Rocket (Phellipe Haagensen) photographs the drug-related violence in his neighborhood while drug lord José "Zé" Pequeno (Douglas Silva) uses Rocket’s photos to increase his own notoriety. The events lead to a turf war and City of God's powerful ending.

The perfectly paced and beautifully shot film moves through a plethora of stories while giving each the dedication it deserves. City of God’s excellent craft and engrossing narrative earned it Academy Award nominations for writing, directing, editing, and cinematography. The drama also has a strong 92% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. Particularly popular among audiences, it has a near-perfect 97% viewer rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4.58 on Letterboxd.

5 The Godfather Part II (1974)

Francis Ford Coppola’s Godfather follow-up is one of the few sequels to surpass the original. Achieving a new level of perfection, The Godfather Part II is one of the best gangster films ever made. It has 11 Academy Award nominations and six wins—including Best Picture.

The 202-minute saga jumps between Vito's early life in the 1910s and Michael's attempts to expand his family's influence in the 1950s. This split narrative depicts Michael in the towering shadow of his father’s legacy. It ambitiously builds on the action of the first film while tying it to a larger context.

The Godfather Part II features grand storytelling, strong filmmaking, and career-defining acting—particularly from Al Pacino and Robert Duvall. Well-loved by viewers, The Godfather sequel boasts a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4.59 on Letterboxd.

4 High and Low (1963)

Seven Samurai director Akira Kurosawa made an exceptional film noir in 1963. Based on Evan Hunter’s novel King’s Ransom, High and Low sees a shoe company executive fall prey to extortion when his driver’s son is mistakenly kidnapped. It is at once a gripping mystery and a poignant critique on 1960s Japanese society (via AFI). Its ability to seamlessly combine a genuine thriller with a biting commentary has been rivaled by few flicks, but brings to mind 2019's Parasite.

High and Low has gone on to influence contemporary American film. The narrative sounds well-suited to a Coen Brothers flick, a la The Big Lebowski. However, High and Low actually inspired a later Spike Lee adaptation—Highest 2 Lowest. Kurosawa's noir boasts a stellar 97% critic score and 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. On Letterboxd, the crime-drama holds a strong 4.61/5.

3 12 Angry Men (1957)

Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men is a triumph, and one of the most well-crafted movies in cinema history. The film sits with a group of New York City jurors during their deliberation in a murder trial. It builds claustrophobic tension through its singular setting without dragging or boring the audience. The contentious conversation and character dynamics alone produce a thrilling drama.

The unique film proves that audiences can be on the edge of their seats even without high-octane stunts or dazzling locations, as long as the script and performances are strong. Each actor in 12 Angry Men delivers a solid showing, but Henry Fonda gives a career-defining performance as the protagonist.

12 Angry Men has a rare 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 10/10 from Screen Rant. The seminal classic resonates with viewers as well, earning a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 4.63 on Letterboxd.

Choose the movie with the higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

2 Harakiri (1964)

Masaki Kobayashi (The Human Condition), directed one of the best and most realistic samurai movies of all time. His feature treats the samurai mentality, lifestyle, and combat with care and realism. The film's introspection on personal will is as gripping as the combat.

Harakiri opens on a samurai (Tatsuya Nakadai) arriving at the gates of Lord Lyi’s manor. The stranger begs to commit hara-kiri, ritual suicide, on the grounds. It is soon revealed that he is not the first to make such a request. Akin to the structure of Rashomon, HaraKiri is framed through storytelling. The characters take care in spinning their tale, savoring the ritual of oral storytelling.

The 1964 feature won the Cannes Film Festival’s Special Jury Prize and boasts a rare 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences give HaraKiri a strong 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 4.68 on Letterboxd.

1 Seven Samurai (1954)

Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai transcends the action genre to become one of the greatest movies ever made. The adventure epic acts as a blueprint for masterful storytelling for all genres. The dynamic filmmaking is ahead of its time, while the narrative ode to the human spirit is ancient and timeless.

Over its three hour and 27 minute runtime, Seven Samurai sees a community of sixteenth-century farmers hire seven samurai to protect them from invading thieves. The feature seamlessly blends action, character dynamics, and philosophy. It is both contemplative and action-packed.

The highly influential feature has earned a perfect 10/10 from Screen Rant and 100% from Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers also appreciate the film's mastery, awarding it a strong 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 4.60 on Letterboxd.