120 Essential Films Recommended by Mark Kermode
120 titles
- 101
MidsommarMovie · 2019 · 147m · Horror, Drama, MysteryA group of friends journeys to Sweden for a summer anthropology program, centered around a rare, ninety-year festival in the secluded hometown of one of them. What starts as an idyllic getaway in a land of perpetual daylight slowly descends into a terrifying ordeal. The enigmatic locals lure the friends into their unsettling festival traditions, transforming their dream vacation into a horrifying nightmare.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.2 - 102
The Lion KingMovie · 2019 · 118m · Adventure, Drama, FamilySimba loves his father, King Mufasa, and believes he's destined to be king himself. But his birth isn't welcomed by everyone in the kingdom. Mufasa's brother, Scar, who should have been king, has his own plans. A struggle for control of Pride Rock leads to betrayal, sadness, and conflict, forcing Simba to flee. With the help of two new friends, Simba must learn to become the leader he's meant to be and reclaim his rightful place.IMDb 6.8TMDB 7.1 - 103
Little WomenMovie · 2019 · 135m · Drama, Romance, HistoryIn post-Civil War America, four sisters navigate the complexities of growing up.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.9 - 104
The NightingaleMovie · 2018 · 136m · Drama, Thriller, WesternIn 1825, Clare, a 21-year-old Irish convict, pursues a British soldier across the harsh Tasmanian landscape. She seeks revenge for a devastating attack on her family. To achieve her goal, she hires an Aboriginal tracker, a man haunted by violence in his own history.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.1 - 105
Ibiza: The Silent MovieMovie · 2019 · 100mThis film offers a captivating visual and audio exploration of Ibiza's bohemian history over the past two thousand years. It showcases Temple's distinctive aesthetic and features a soundtrack compiled by Fatboy Slim, including his popular songs "RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW" and "EAT SLEEP RAVE REPEAT," alongside notable tracks from artists like Ultra Nate, Cream, Brian Eno, The Dandy Warhols, and The Sex Pistols.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.7 - 106
1917Movie · 2019 · 119m · War, History, DramaDuring World War I, two young British soldiers undertake a dangerous mission across enemy lines. Their task: deliver a crucial message that could prevent a devastating attack targeting hundreds of their comrades.IMDb 8.2TMDB 8.0 - 107
Portrait of a Lady on FireMovie · 2019 · 121m · Drama, Romance, HistoryIn late 18th-century Brittany, a female painter living in isolation is commissioned to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.IMDb 8.0TMDB 8.1 - 108
HustlersMovie · 2019 · 110m · Drama, Comedy, CrimeA group of resourceful ex-strippers team up to get revenge on the wealthy clients they once served in a Wall Street nightclub.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.5 - 109
Just MercyMovie · 2019 · 137m · Drama, Crime, HistoryThis is the powerful true story of Bryan Stevenson, a Harvard-educated lawyer who travels to Alabama to help those who have been failed by the justice system. He takes on cases involving the wrongly accused, most notably Walter McMillian, who is sentenced to death despite clear evidence of his innocence. Stevenson works relentlessly to fight for McMillian, facing a system that is working against them.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.9 - 110
The Dead CenterMovie · 2019 · 93m · Thriller, Horror, MysteryA man with no identity awakens in a morgue and ends up in a psychiatric hospital. A dedicated doctor and a curious medical examiner begin to investigate him, gradually uncovering disturbing secrets that lead them to a far more terrifying reality than they initially anticipated.IMDb 5.8TMDB 5.8 - 111
Don't Look UpMovie · 2021 · 138m · Comedy, Science FictionTwo astronomers embark on a media tour to alert humanity about a planet-destroying comet on a collision course with Earth. The global reaction, however, is largely indifferent.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1 - 112
Judas and the Black MessiahMovie · 2021 · 126m · Drama, HistoryFBI Agent Mitchell and J. Edgar Hoover task Bill O'Neal with infiltrating the Black Panthers. As Fred Hampton rises to prominence and develops a relationship with a fellow revolutionary, O'Neal struggles with his loyalty.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.3 - 113
Blinded by the LightMovie · 2019 · 117m · Drama, ComedySet in 1987 Britain under Margaret Thatcher, the film follows a teenager as he discovers how to navigate life, connect with his family, and discover his own identity through the music of Bruce Springsteen.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.9 - 114
Ordinary LoveMovie · 2019 · 92m · Drama, RomanceThis film offers a poignant portrayal of a middle-aged couple navigating life after a wife receives a breast cancer diagnosis.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.8 - 115
Bohemian RhapsodyMovie · 2018 · 135m · Music, DramaIn 1970, singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, and bassist John Deacon form the rock band Queen, quickly achieving widespread popularity with their hit songs. However, as Mercury's personal life becomes increasingly chaotic, the band confronts its most significant obstacle: navigating success and excess while striving to remain united.IMDb 7.9TMDB 8.0 - 116
First CowMovie · 2020 · 122m · Drama, WesternIn the 1820s, a quiet, skilled cook journeys to Oregon Territory. There, he encounters a Chinese immigrant with similar ambitions. The two form an unlikely partnership, embarking on a risky plan: to steal milk from the prized Jersey cow of a wealthy landowner – a first and only such act in the territory.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1 - 117
Dolemite Is My NameMovie · 2019 · 118m · Drama, Comedy, HistoryThis is the story of Rudy Ray Moore, the man who brought the unforgettable character of Dolemite to life on the big screen in the 1970s.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 118
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-VerseMovie · 2018 · 117m · Animation, Action, AdventureMiles Morales, a Brooklyn teenager balancing school and family life, is suddenly bitten by a radioactive spider and gains incredible powers, mirroring those of Spider-Man. As Miles grapples with these newfound abilities, he uncovers a super collider built by Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk. The device inadvertently pulls individuals from other Spider-Man universes into his world.IMDb 8.4TMDB 8.4 - 119
CruellaMovie · 2021 · 134m · Comedy, Crime, AdventureSet in 1970s London during the punk rock explosion, a young, ambitious designer named Estella seeks recognition for her unique creations. She forms a bond with two young thieves who share her love of mischief, and together they carve out an existence on the city's streets. Estella's distinctive style eventually attracts the attention of Baroness von Hellman, a legendary and formidable fashion icon. Their connection triggers a series of events and disclosures that push Estella to embrace her darker impulses, ultimately transforming her into the rebellious, stylish, and vengeful Cruella.IMDb 7.3TMDB 8.0 - 120
KimiMovie · 2022 · 89m · Thriller, Mystery, CrimeA tech worker who suffers from agoraphobia stumbles upon recorded proof of a violent crime. When she attempts to report it, she faces obstruction. Determined to seek justice, she is forced to confront her greatest fear: leaving her apartment.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.2
