Gary Oldman Reveals His Top 10 Greatest Movies of All Time
Gary Oldman recently shared his picks for the 10 greatest films of all time in the latest Sight and Sound magazine decennial poll of the 100 greatest movies ever made.
The legendary actor named a list featuring some of cinema’s most respected directors, including François Truffaut, Federico Fellini, Francis Ford Coppola, Stanley Kubrick, Roberto Rossellini, and John Cassavetes.
Oldman singled out Fellini’s 1963 classic 8 ½, calling it a personal favorite. The film follows Guido Anselmi, played by Marcello Mastroianni, a filmmaker struggling with creative block while attempting to make a new movie.
Known for its dream sequences and surreal storytelling, 8 ½ has been widely praised as a landmark of European cinema. Critics have long celebrated its blend of comedy and drama, and it regularly appears in lists of the greatest films ever made.
Another standout on Oldman’s list is Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love from 2000. Oldman highlights the film’s sensual atmosphere, saying it conveys romance and longing without ever showing explicit content.
The movie tells a story of two neighbors who form a deep emotional connection while navigating temptation and loyalty. Critics often praise Wong Kar-wai’s use of music, lighting, and camera work to create a moody, intimate setting, and it is considered one of the most stylish romantic films in modern cinema.
Oldman’s list also includes François Truffaut’s The 400 Blows (1959), a coming-of-age story that helped define the French New Wave and remains celebrated for its emotional honesty and innovative techniques. Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation (1974) appears as well, lauded for its tense storytelling and Robert Duvall’s subtle performance.
Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove (1964), known for its sharp satire of Cold War politics, and John Cassavetes’ Husbands (1970), a raw exploration of male friendship and aging, also made the cut.
Oldman further highlighted films such as Marcel Carné’s Les Enfants Du Paradis (1945), Roberto Rossellini’s Rome, Open City (1945), Henri-Georges Clouzot’s The Wages of Fear (1953), and Abbas Kiarostami’s The Wind Will Carry Us (1999). Each of these films has received critical acclaim for their storytelling, direction, and lasting influence on cinema.
Oldman told Sight and Sound that his selections reflect both personal admiration and the impact these films have had on global cinema. “These movies are not just classics because they are old; they shaped the way we see stories and characters on screen,” he said.
- The 400 Blows (François Truffaut, 1959)
- 8 ½ (Federico Fellini, 1963)
- The Conversation (Francis Ford Coppola, 1974)
- Dr. Strangelove (Stanley Kubrick, 1964)
- Husbands (John Cassavetes, 1970)
- In the Mood For Love (Wong Kar-wai, 2000)
- Les Enfants Du Paradis (Marcel Carné, 1945)
- Rome, Open City (Roberto Rossellini, 1975)
- The Wages of Fear (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1953)
- The Wind Will Carry Us (Abbas Kiarostami, 1999)
Oldman’s picks remind audiences of the diversity and power of cinema, spanning multiple decades, countries, and styles.
From French New Wave to Italian surrealism, Hollywood suspense to intimate Asian dramas, the list celebrates films that pushed boundaries and inspired generations of filmmakers.
What do you think about Oldman’s list? Are there any films you would add or remove? Share your thoughts in the comments.
