Making sense of the AFI's 'Top 10 Films in 10 Genres' list

shoeless Joe Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 08:01 AM EST

Some noteworthy sports flicks that have a right to be on the list:

The Natural
Seabiscuit
Million Dollar Baby
Miracle
Brian's Song
Chariots of Fire
The Hustler
Slapshot
Tin Cup
National Velvet
Happy Gilmour - (Hey..if you are going to put Caddyshack as one of the greatest sports movies ever, might as well include Gilmour too for at least a mention as it is on the same level).

kirk maillet Sat, Nov 29, 2008 at 01:16 AM EST

I couldn't BELIEVE how crappy the lighting was 4 the interview spot. I imagine that especially these women must have wanted 2 kill themselves when they watched it. AFI broadcast TV how BAD can U make folks (MOVIE folks) look, ruin their DAY , hurt their careers. Rememeber the studio system U inventory.. the GOOD old days

CJ Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 05:51 PM EST

AFI has already done entire specials on the "Top 100" in the genres of musicals, comedies, and horror/thrillers.

That's why those genres weren't included on this special, because they've been done before.

Mike Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 01:24 PM EST

Obvious Ommissions to me:

Mystery: LA Confidential
Epic: Braveheart, Gladiator
Western: Tombstone, Magnificent Seven (worst omission in the bunch)
SciFi: Matrix

Greg Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 12:37 PM EST

I was disappointed to see "The Ox Bow Incident" was absent from the 10 best Westerns.

travel-gal6979 Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 04:24 PM EST

What about Best Romance movies catagory?
Best Musicals? Best Comedy Movies?

Andy Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 03:40 PM EST

I think that some of the greatest movies didn't fit into some of these genres, so that's why they were left off. But, looking at the genres, how is "Inherit the Wind" not one of the Top 10 Courtroom Movies of all time, but "Kramer vs. Kramer" is? And epics, what about "El Cid". I just bought the DVD and Martin Scorsese calls it one of the greatest Epics of all time, but not AFI. I also agree with another reader that "The Man who Shot Liberty Valance" should have been in the top 10 Westerns. And what about "The Quiet Man", didn't see that anywhere.. It did seem that modern movies got a higher rating than they sometimes deserved. I still do not consider Reds as a Top 10 anything.

100111110 Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 11:07 PM EST

Oops, included Alien in my Horror list, even though I saw it on the Sci Fi list. A case of my fingers thinking on their own...

100111110 Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 10:56 PM EST

Any top movie genre list that doesn't include Casablanca, Superman, Exorcist and Jaws lacks credibility.

People have said that a Horror genre wasn't created because of redundancy with previous AFI lists, but the same can be said about every single one of the genres represented in this top 10 list. In fact, most of the movies in this 10 of 10 list have appeared in various other AFI lists. So redundancy isn't a valid reason for omitting classics like Alien, Psycho, The Shining, The Sixth Sense and the above mentioned Jaws and Exorcist.

Karina Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 09:01 PM EST

Mel, the writer states that romantic comedy needs sparkling dialogue. I must have missed the genre handbook on that. Or maybe the writer is upset that Chaplin called his film a "comedy romance" (it's in the opening credit sequence if I remember right) instead of the other way around. If the genre was screwball comedy it would be understandable this was a wrong choice. I've read some incomprehensible statements on film before but I find this writer's comments to be embarrassing. It's as if the writer has no understanding on what romance or comedy is. It's pathetic.

As for missing romantic comedies (The Awful Truth, Holiday, Bringing Up Baby, His Girl Friday, The Apartment, Manhattan), I'd take any of those over the mediocrities called When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless In Seattle. There's the real joke.

Mel Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 08:38 PM EST

Karina -- I don't know that anyone is knocking City Lights. To me, it's just never seemed like a romantic comedy. To be honest about it, it always seemed better than that sort of label to me.
Wojo -- I did the same thing when the '97 list came out. (I was a bit older than high school, though) My local video store (which has since closed down) had little pocket size copies of the list which I carried in my wallet and had a special "AFI" section, so I spent a good chunk of time working my way through that section. I never saw all 100 since there were a couple movies on the list the video store didn't carry, but I came pretty darn close!

It would be interesting to see AFI do some sort of "foreign" recognition. Yes, I know that it's the AMERICAN Film Institute, but a recognition of the power and influence foreign filmmakers had and continue to have would be a nice gesture and maybe get more people out there seeing great foreign films outside of whatever Jet Li has going on.

Heather Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 07:24 PM EST

I thought quite a few of these lists were very off. To not include "Giant" with Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean on the list of westerns was obsurd. in Courtroom, Mr. Smith goes to washington and Citizen Kane both left out, along with Philadelphia...in sports to leave out the inspirational Rudy. The Miracle Worker, also overlooked...Romantic Comedies, i thought ran very short, Return to me was just fantastic. The Epic's I felt were extremely out of order. agreed they were great pictures but for sure, not in the order they were listed. I would like to know what were the elements they were including in making these lists. Loved the show, though, as always.

Karina Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 07:16 PM EST

City Lights is romantic. City Lights is a comedy. Therefore I will take the next logical step and state that it fits into the romantic comedy genre quite easily. The genre was not Romantic Comedy Sound Films. It was Romantic Comedy. Please show some thought when one is posting. Oh and while I would have gone with Annie Hall and Manhattan, City Lights is still one of the most moving films I've seen (the boxing match is a riot).

Sam Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 05:48 PM EST

Beauty and the Beast is not good enough to be on the list. And it didn't save Disney like someone said, The Little Mermaid brought Disney animation back from the dead after 12 years.

Netrunner Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 05:32 PM EST

Blade Runner at number 6? How disappointing. It should of course have been at number 1... And I don't mean just in the SF genre, but overall!

Lynne Callison Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 03:34 PM EST

"The Sixth Sense" definately deserved to be in the Mystery genre.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 02:19 PM EST

Actually, I take back the "brainless pinhead" part of my last comment. I see no reason why I should stoop to the level of name-calling that many "children" on these blogs find so easy to use when trying to sell their arguments. Everything else, I meant.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 02:17 PM EST

To a brainless pinhead who's idea of culture is probably reality TV, Hollywood remakes and sequels, of course what I say comes off as uninteresting. Who could blame you?

I'm here to stay. Be afraid...be very f*****g afraid!!!

GoAway Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 01:41 PM EST

Ah, Eric Friedmann, the Great Contrarian...always has an opinion yet never has anything interesting to say.

d.beane Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 12:37 PM EST

Lord of The Rings ?? Epic scale, grand story, saved New Line ... c'mon.

aaa Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 12:36 PM EST

A couple of points: L.A. Confidential should be on this list somewhere - I guess under MYSTERY. Maybe they should do a new category of 'Cop Movies' or something. The Philadelphia Story should hands down be the #1 Rom-Com of all time.

Emily Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 12:33 PM EST

Bravo did a 100 scariest movies countdown a few years ago (not quite the same as "best horror movies," but comparable i guess) and their top 10 was
10) Wait Until Dark, 9) Night of the Living Dead 8) Carrie 7) Silence of the Lambs 6) The Shining 5) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 4) Psycho 3) The Exorcist 2) Alien 1) Jaws

Rob Grizzly Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 12:30 PM EST

Where are my war films? M*A*S*H

Animation- The Incredibles instead of Shrek. Little Mermaid for Cinderalla (saved animation from dying at the end of the 80s, and has arguably the greatest songs ever written for a cartoon)

Westerns- Plenty of Wayne not enough Eastwood.

Courtroom- we know you love To Kill a Mockingbird. Was it really necessary to dedicate a whole category to this genre just so you could sing it's praise again?

Gangsta- good category, but again, not as "classic" a genre as musical or horror. Shame on you all.

RomComs- Alba, you're so fat! For some reason I thought as a pregnant woman, you'd maintain your figure. Sleepless in Seattle is actually BETTER than most of those movies.

EPIC- Braveheart. Braveheart. Braveheart.

Mystery- good list. No complaints.

SCI FI- Also good list. Minus Close Encounters.

Fantasy- What exactly is your definition of fantasy?

Sports- not enough football. Jerry Maguire? No Rudy? Criminal. And I'd put Rocky over Raging Bull for the win.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 12:13 PM EST

Wojo, I agree about THE HAUNTING (1963). I mean, how much true horror can you expect from a movie that's rated G?

Jane Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 12:08 PM EST

This may have been said before,but a Scifi list and no Close Encounters? Are they blind,deaf and dumb?

bird Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 11:52 AM EST

The AFI special and its various Top Ten lists lost a little credibility with me when they mis-spelled Steven Spielberg's name THREE times during the 3-hr show. It's not SPEILBERG, it's Spielberg. They should be ashamed.

Wojo Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 11:32 AM EST

I'm sorry, Eric. I can't agree. "Rosemary's Baby" was pretty good. When it comes to horror, a major letdown would be the original version of "The Haunting." Maybe if I had the opportunity to see it back in the '60s, I'd give it more credit, but I don't think it holds up today.

Wojo Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 11:26 AM EST

Thanks, guys. I try my best to watch as many "classics" as possible. When AFI made its first list back in '97 or so when I was in high school, I took it upon myself to make watching those films my hobby because I felt like my movie-related cultural knowledge was lacking. Eleven years later that list is now the tip of the iceberg in terms of the stuff I've watched, but I may have never gotten into obsessive movie-watching without that first AFI 100 list. I have no shame in admitting to friends pretty regularly that I've declined offers to actually go out and do stuff on Friday and Saturday nights so that I can watch "My Fair Lady" or "Birth of a Nation" instead. If someone my age asks me what some of my favorite movies are, and I say "The Best Years of Our Lives," it's their loss if they are confused.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 11:05 AM EST

Am I the only one who thinks ROSEMARY'S BABY is a major letdown? I mean, nearly two hours of terror and suspense and in the end, we don't even get to see what the horrific baby looks like. That's a terrible payoff, in my opinion!

Kevo Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 10:55 AM EST

For those wondering, here is what AFI's Top Ten Musicals are:

1. Singin' in the Rain
2. West Side Story
3. The Wizard of Oz
4. The Sound of Music
5. Cabaret
6. Mary Poppins
7. A Star Is Born
8. My Fair Lady
9. An American in Paris
10. Meet Me in St. Louis

And here is the Top Ten Thrillers (the closest they came to Horror):
1 Psycho
2 Jaws
3 The Exorcist
4 North by Northwest
5 The Silence of the Lambs
6 Alien
7 The Birds
8 The French Connection
9 Rosemary's Baby
10 Raiders of the Lost Ark

I understand why a musical list was left out but not so sure why they couldn't do Horror - since Raiders, The French Connection, and North by Northwest are not Horror. As it is, they did Top 10 Romantic Comedies when they already did a Top 100 Romances. Oh well.

Teddy Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 10:50 AM EST

As noted by several resonses below, AFI has already done lists for Horror (their 100 Thrillers list), Musical, Romance, etc. A little research would have been nice before the poster started complaining about the lack of lists for these genres.

For the most part, I think defining films as a genre is pointless: most movies span genres and some of the greates movies do not even have one(try putting Citizen Kane or On the Waterfront into a genre). And defining a movie in a genre takes away from the movie's overall theme - to say that Raging Bull is simply a sports movie is missing the point of Raging Bull entirely.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 10:50 AM EST

Elly, if cartoons like GHOST IN THE SHELL and SPIRITED AWAY are the best you can come up with when naming foreign films, then I strongly, strongly suggest you expose yourself to the talents Fedirico Fellinni, Ingmar Bergman, Francois Truffaut and Akira Kurosawa (as examples).

elly Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 10:39 AM EST

dumb question: do the afi picks have to be american-made?

'cause otherwise, i'm wondering where the love is for jet li's sweeping, heartfelt, gorgeous interpretation of the boxer rebellion, Once Upon A Time In China.

as for more recent films, though no one is likely to ever dethrone 2001, Children of Men is a keeper. 2003's Open Range could make the cut, and 2005's Brick was the best of the new mystery/noirs since L.A. Confidential.

And, let's face it. They're stuck in the stone age with their animation category. if foreign films are allowed, Ghost in the Shell, anyone? or anything by Miyazaki? (Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro)

Broadway Baby Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 10:26 AM EST

I know - huge surprise coming from me but a 'musicals' category wouldn't hurt anyone would it? And LA Confidential belongs there somewhere in the mystery category.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 10:20 AM EST

Mel, you have a tough job to do and you have my best wishes! The thought of today's youth appreciating a film like PSYCHO through the likes of Gus Van Sant's 1998 remake simply makes me ill!

Mel Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 09:56 AM EST

Rock on, Wojo! I'm an English teacher, and I have a really hard time getting my students to watch older films. They throw a fit when I put in something that's black and white -- like the original version of The Miracle Worker. They even threw a fit when, during a film appreciation unit, I had them watch Psycho. One student actually said to me, "Where do you keep finding these old movies?" Ummmmm . . . the video store!

Overall, I thought the special was entertaining, although the "epic" category was a bit baffling. I don't think I would ever call Schindler's List an epic film and have to agree with the person who pointed out GWTW's higher status on the "all time" list. City Light's inclusion as the top rom-com also had me scratching my head a bit. Don't get me wrong; it's a gorgeous film. I just never thought of it as a "romantic comedy" along the lines of Philadelphia Story or Annie Hall. It almost defies genre to me.

Ames Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 09:32 AM EST

I think there is a difference btw a real court room drama -- like Inherit the Wind and Anatomy of a Murder -- and movies that contain a courtroom scene -- To Kill a Mockingbird. Same can be said for sports movies. Pride of the Yankees is a bio, not a sports movie. And romantic comedies should've included some musicals, like An American in Paris. Not fair to exclude it b/c there is singing.

Rachel Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 09:23 AM EST

They left off American Beauty? I watched the film for the first time last year, and immediately fell in love with it. As strange as it is, it's so compelling, and no movie has ever done the dysfunctional family better.

Matthew Lingo Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 09:15 AM EST

And which filmmakers working today (save for Spielberg and Scorsese) are ambitious enough and talented enough to knock any of these movies from their perches? Who will dare to try, and who might actually succeed?

PAUL

THOMAS

ANDERSON

Kevin Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 09:13 AM EST

Damn! Forgot Rosemary's Baby! Goodbye Cat People (though I love you). Rosemary's Baby should go in my #5 spot...move everything else down.

Kevin Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 09:09 AM EST

A Horror Top Ten, US films only:
1: Psycho
2: Bride of Frankenstein
3: The Exorcist
4: Night of the Living Dead
5: The Haunting
6: The Shining
7: Alien (this is more Horror than anything else)
8: Halloween
9: Freaks
10: Cat People

Just Missed: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Evil Dead 2, Nightmare on Elm St.

Other notables: The Thing from Another World as well as it's remake, Poltergeist, The Fly, Night of the Hunter, Scanners, Don't Look Now.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 08:57 AM EST

Wojo, you're a true (and unfortunately, RARE) credit to your generation! Most people your age don't know, nor do they want to know the classics. It's not only sad, but truly pathetic! Some would argue, "Well, it's too way before my time!" That's an unacceptable answer! Mozart is before everyone's time, yet we don't discount him and the legacy of music he created, do we?

Some years ago, I was involved in a conversation with a young man around your age and we were discussing films. CASABLANCA was eventually mentioned and this little man actually asked me, "What's Casablanca?" To put it kindly, I simply froze and excused myself from the conversation, unable to believe what I'd just heard. Frankly, I wanted to take hostages!

Anyway, all that aside, keep the classics alive! Watch movies that DON'T rely on CGI or a sequel number! Good luck!

Wojo Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 08:14 AM EST

People need to stop complaining about how AFI's lists are skewed towards older films. They make it pretty clear that their goal is to get people interested in the classics so that they will still be watched and so these films will be preserved as time goes on. For example, if we all collectively decided that "City Lights" and all other silent films were garbage because we never watched them, then my generation (me being 25) and generations to come wouldn't go to any lengths to keep these films in existence. I would never consider any of their lists to be definitive. Just think of AFI as your annual reminder that "Snow White" still exists in movie format.

Leah Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 08:13 AM EST

Where oh WHERE is Inherit the Wind on the courtroom drama list? The end of that movie (where Drummond puts Brady on the stand)has always given me chills since the first time I watched it in my eighth grade english class. Spencer Tracy and Fredric March are flawless.

AUStarwars Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 07:55 AM EST

Call me a fanboy if you want, but here is the criteria that AFI used:

CRITICAL RECOGNITION
Formal commendation in print, television and digital media.

MAJOR AWARD WINNER

Recognition from competitive events including awards from peer groups, critics, guilds and major film festivals.

POPULARITY OVER TIME

Including success at the box office, television and cable airing, and DVD/VHS sales and rentals.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

A film's mark on the history of moving images through visionary narrative devices, technical innovation, or other ground breaking achievements.

CULTURAL IMPACT
A film's mark on American society in matters of style and substance.

so after all that you are STILL going to tell me that a snorefest like 2001 (which I have studied film, I DO understand the impact) should STILL be above Star Wars?! are you kidding me?

Eric Friedmann Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 07:49 AM EST

Uh-oh! Looks like BLADE RUNNER made no. 6 on the sci-fi genre list. I imagine Marc Bernardin must have something to say about that.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 07:37 AM EST

I'm just seeing the list for the first time today and I'm happy to see that the majority of the films chosen for all genres were classics from the golden age of cinema. AFI has been and continues to be a (more or less) credible source for worthwhile films and their place in cinema history.

However, how is it possible that HORROR was not included as a genre? A bad oversight or was someone at AFI not doing their homework? Well, for what it's worth, here's my pick for the 10 best horror films:

1. Nosferatu (1922)
2. Frankenstein (1931)
3. Psycho (1960)
4. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
5. The Exorcist (1973)
6. Halloween (1978)
7. Friday the 13th (1980)
8. The Shining (1980)
9. The Fog (1980)
10. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

orville Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 07:24 AM EST

I'm not sure why I watch these specials--I'm almost always disappointed. But I want to throw a little love at "Cat Ballou." I've always loved that movie. And remember--Lee Marvin won an Oscar for that movie. But I'll agree that it doesn't belong in the top ten westerns. Top 25 maybe. And while I'm a Trekkie from the word go, I'll agree that they don't belong in a top ten list either--unless it's top ten fanboy movies. I love 'em, but they're not among the greatest movies.

And in what universe is "Jerry Maguire" a sports movie? There's so few actual sports scenes in that movie. The categories leave a lot to be desired. Not so sure that "A Clockwork Orange" is sci-fi either. Not sure what category to put it in though--rather undefinable that one.

Grover Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 07:22 AM EST

About those categories, why no "War" movies? All Quiet on the Western Front, M*A*S*H, Sgt. York, Americanization of Emily, Greatest Years of Our Lives, etc.

And about those Westerns, doesn't anyone remember The Oxbow Incident? If you haven't seen it, you're missing something powerful.

GamesterZ Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 07:11 AM EST

A couple of points.
The AFI website lists both the definitions they used to categorize each genre (Epic's definition is the one most people wanted to see defined), plus a list of all movies Nominated for the voting process, and many of the suggestions people making are in those lists.
That being said, my thoughts on the lists themselves:
First, Snow White, being made first, should not have been first. Many areas of refinement appeared in later Disney classics.
Happy to see 12 Angry Men and Witness for the Prosecution in the Courtroom list.
Think Epics should have had War Movies genre sperated out (but not movies SET during Wars, like GOTW, Dr. Zhivago, etc.).
Agreed with Gansgter, Courtroom, Sports #1. My others would have been: Epic:GOTW; Sci-Fi:Star Wars; Fantasy:LOTR; Anim: Beauty&The Beast; Western:High Noon; Mystery:Maltese Falcon

Jeff Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 06:54 AM EST

Since they didn't list horror movies, I'll do it for them. Here are the top ten list of horror movies (in my opinion): 10-Rosemary's Baby; 9-The Thing (1982); 8-Halloween (1978); 7-Jaws (Yes, it's a horror movie, too); 6-Les Diaboliques (1955); 5-Frankenstein (original); 4- The Shining ; 3-Alien; 2-The Exorcist, and 1-Psycho.

bud Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 06:28 AM EST

The entire three hours I kept shouting out classic animated films that should have replaced Shrek...SHREK! on the list. So Shrek is better than Lady and The Tramp and Sleeping Freakin Beauty and so many others? I think Jeffrey K. must be on the AFI board.

Mr. Williams Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 05:53 AM EST

Watching the AFI TV Special, I was really surprised that these great films were omitted from the list: "Planet of the Apes" (1968 Version), "Superman The Movie", "Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan", "Run Lola Run", "The Dirty Dozen", and especially, "Dreamgirls".

Mr. Williams Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 05:38 AM EST

For the next American Film Institute CBS Special, the AFI Personnel should allow the passionate EW Readers to submit their favorite top 10 films. New Genre Catagories need to be added; these include Comic Book Movies, Movies based on Classic TV Shows, & Spy Movies.

B. Vincent Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 04:26 AM EST

Yeah, how they couldn't include either best picture winner, "Chariots of Fire" or "Million Dollar Baby" in the top 10 sports films but instead put in "Caddyshack" at #7 in the sports category is beyond me.

Steve Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 04:25 AM EST

You say Spaghetti westerns can't be included because they are not American. What qualifies as American? Made in America? We'll that takes out Lawrence of Arabia, 2001, A clock work Orange and even Star Wars. American director? Hitchcocks out. Perhaps it's made by an American studio? Well that would mean the removal of The Third Man and The Thief of Baghdad out since they were financed by a British studio.

Scott Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 03:52 AM EST

Skewing too old is definitely a problem (and I AM old!) for AFIs list. What about the last five or six movies directed by clint eastwood? His recent boxing movie should replace Raging Bull as #1. Horror & musicals definitely need to be there. Gotta disagree about Sleepless in Seattle. One of the best movies (according to my heart, which is what matters in this category) that I've ever seen. Any film that was made before 99% of all viewers were born shouldn't be on the list, IMHO. But then again, the Chaplin film is one of the very best and still holds up today. AFI has done it again: we are talking about the movies...that's what they want us to do. Go AFI!

Kathy Dudley Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 01:45 AM EST

I really feel Missing from the epic list was Dr. Zhivago and How the West was won. I don't get Schlinder's list and saving Private Ryan as an Epic. Both great movies but not epics. Also missing from Romanic comedies was His Girl Friday , Bringing up Baby and An affair to Remember. After all there were many remakes or tributes to this movie.
Cat Ballalu as a best western??!!
Chariots of fire was best picture and was a sports movie. I wish I knew how this was decided!

Greg Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 01:33 AM EST

To the people that are saying that
Raging Bull was not the most recent movie on this list are not paying attention to the article. He wrote that Raging Bull was the most recent NUMBER ONE movie on the list.

As for movies that should be on the list, the following should be on there:

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Aliens (usually considered better than the original)

American Gangster (I know a lot of people will probably argue with me on that one)

Remember the Titans

Apocolypse Now (under Epics)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Original; under Fantasy)

Um, Casablanca; duh (probably under Epic)

The Princess Bride (either romantic comedy or fantasy)

Braveheart (epic)

Also, I agree that the categories are not right. Where do you put great movies like Psycho or The Shawshank Redemption?

Oh yea, and how is Jerry McGuire a sports movie?

100111110 Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 01:18 AM EST

About the whole Star Trek being absent thing. I'm a huge Star Trek fan myself, but outside of the US Star Trek doesn't even have a fraction of the popularity of Star Wars. So yes, I'm sad that it's not on the list but I can understand the reason why.

Jimzale Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 12:55 AM EST

The purpose of the AFI lists is to promote discussion about the movies. Yes, they're maddening and sometimes predictable, but that's part of the fun. Watching the show made me want to revisit some of the classic films brought up, and started arguments about the relative merits of Shrek vs Finding Nemo, or whether To Kill a Mockingbird and Jerry McGuire were in the right categories. But I did think using the themes from The Magnificent Seven and Chariots of Fire and not having them in the top 10 was a bit disingenuous.

viewer Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 12:44 AM EST

where's dr zhivago for best epic? what's with all the war movies included there? they belong in a war genre, not epic.

where's the matrix for sci fi?

toy story and shrek over finding nemo? i think most people will disagree there.

most of those romantic comedies don't seem right. they look heavy on romance, not comedy. city lights? roman holiday? i'd rather they put my best friend's wedding, bringing up baby.

it's a wonderful life is absolutely GREAT, but it's a holiday movie. most people don't think of it as fantasy. same with miracle on 34th st.

pulp fiction is a gangster movie? bonnie and clyde were gangsters?

this list does seem pretty old. would be nice to see a fresh update where they recognize more modern movies.

Christine Kinder Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 11:40 PM EST

Jerry Maguire is a sports movie? That's like saying Hoosiers is a movie about owls and should be on the "Endangered Species" movie genre. Frank Capra made great movies but "You Can't Take It With You" is much, much better than "It Happened One Night." And the Matrix is not on the sci-fi list? And Memento is not listed either?? Obviously the AFI people are all old and need younger voters.

Christine Kinder Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 11:31 PM EST

The voting board of the AFI must still be sore over Mel Gibson. Being that they couldn't see past his comments and give him credit, where credit is due, for one or more of his excellent films as: Braveheart, Apacalypto, The Passion of the Christ. Even the Patriot was a great film, and he only starred in it.

Roberta Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 11:11 PM EST

Gary- AFI did 100 lists for both Horror movies and Musicals...go check those out if you want the rankings, thats why they weren't included last night.

Miss B Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 10:40 PM EST

I agree with most of the comments on here, alot of these films are in categories that they should NOT be in. I don't mind that some movies are mentioned over and over again in these lists (I get it, To Kill A Mockingbird is one of the greatest films EVER, can we move on now?) but something different should be done. I can only hope that there is a summer where the AFI does a list like AFI's 100 most underappreciated movies. Or something where they are forced to pick different movies.

Sonny Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 10:34 PM EST

How is Brave heart not on the epic list.
Why is the no adventure genre.
and is Road to Perdition to recent to make the Gangster list? or was there to many tom hanks movies already. ooh theres AFI's next genre tom hanks movies!

Emily Pray Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 10:32 PM EST

I didn't watch the show, but after reading the lists I agree with everyone about "Beauty and the Beast", I also think it's a crime that they separate the LOTR movies- all three should be listed as one grand epic. I've watched them back to back to back (extended editions) andit is the most epic movie of our time. How it couldn't rate the list is beyond me.

CineKarine Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 10:29 PM EST

Weird categories (and choices!)for sure, but they were trying to put the emphasis on genres not already covered by previous lists I guess.
Surprised by some reactions - how can anyone actually expect recent films to make the lists when their purpose is (arguably) to celebrate films that stand the test of time? How can films made less than 20 years ago even qualify as timeless? I am in my early 30s and frankly I thought there were way too many recent titles included!
We all have our tastes, but I was surprised not to see Rio Bravo in the western list, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington in courtroom dramas (it IS a riveting comedy-drama) and was puzzled by the desastrous rom com list - Sleepless in Seattle and Pretty Woman cannot hold a candle to the best of Capra, Sturges or Wilder.
I hope more genres are saluted next year. Or better yet, a list of unheralded treasures, old and new, that have NOT been on previous lists. So many superb films have been neglected!

Secondrink Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:24 PM EST

wow, I'm not even going to read that repulsive AFI list because I might snap if I do. Just going over what they didn't include makes me a little pissy. Ugh. AFI is great and all, but seriously, they need some fresh blood up in there.

kim in kentucky Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:21 PM EST

Jerry McGuire -- but no SEABISCUIT or MILLION DOLLAR BABY??? And I LOVE Pulp Fiction, but it does not belong in the Gangster genre.

mark Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:10 PM EST

I watch a lot of westerns and this is my top 10 10/ MAG SEVEN 9/BIG COUNTRY/8 JOSIE WALES/7 STAGECOACH 6/RED RIVER 5/THE GUNFIGHTER/4 LIBERTY VALANCE/3 SHANE 2/HIGH NOON /1 THE SEARCHERS

Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:09 PM EST

A fantasy category without the Princess Bride?

Melanie Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 09:07 PM EST

I was amazed that Cleopatra was not included on the epic list. It did win an oscar after all and at the time was one of the most expensive films ever made. And yes where was Casablanca!?

Meier Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 08:45 PM EST

(vomiting)... (more vomiting)... (very heavy a la Team America: World Police vomiting)... ugh!... (wipes mouth) Jerry Maguire made the sports list! (runs away to vomit some more)

Georgena Clayton Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 08:25 PM EST

Where's Dr Zhivago? ghc

joey Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 08:18 PM EST

"Mrs. Doubtfire" is NOT a romantic comedy! Ouch. It's in the unmentioned "Tedious Wannabe Comedy".

Dave Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 08:16 PM EST

One hundred of the greatest movies of all time and no Casablanca??? Making the grade, of course, are "Big", "Bull Durham" and "Cat Ballou." No offense to "Big" and "Bull Durham" (fine movies), but no Casablanca? Please...

Sheila Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 08:00 PM EST

Some of the categories were right on the money - Best Western, Best Epic, Best Fantasy ... BUT Best Romantic Comedy was ludicrous - where were all the classic Romantic Comedies of the 30s and 40s - The Awful Truth, Ninochka, His Girl Friday, The Lady Eve ... and in the Best Mystery - The Third Man should have been 1 or 2 - Vertigo - give me a break - where was Shadow of a Doubt (Hitchcock's favorite of all his films) and where was Rebecca (it did win best picture academy award) ... and in the Best Courtroom Drama (strange genre if you ask me) - where was Inherit the Wind ?

SilentComedians.com Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 07:34 PM EST

I'm very happy with the inclusion of one of Charlie Chaplin's masterpieces"City Lights". This article sounds foolish when it says "the essence of romantic comedy is sparkling dialog". It is nonsense like this that turns people off to silent films. The most magical moment I every spent in a theatre was watching City Lights with my wife accompanied by an orchestra.
Kai - You and your husband should give Chaplin's City Lights a view. It's a beautiful, funny and romantic movie. It is also light years ahead of all the junk that passes for comedy today.

SilentComedians.com

SilentComedians.com Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 07:33 PM EST

I'm very happy with the inclusion of one of Charlie Chaplin's masterpieces"City Lights". This article sounds foolish when it says "the essence of romantic comedy is sparkling dialog". It is nonsense like this that turns people off to silent films. The most magical moment I every spent in a theatre was watching City Lights with my wife accompanied by an orchestra.
Kai - You and your husband should give Chaplin's City Lights a view. It's a beautiful, funny and romantic movie. It is also light years ahead of all the junk that passes for comedy today.

x302 Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 07:07 PM EST

Where is "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" ?????
No Blazing Saddles?
No Wrath of Kahn?
All the others listed here-I think AFI got a few wrong...

Laurie Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 07:04 PM EST

The slot for Field of Dreams is one of the few things the AFI got right. Baseball is the scenery in Field of Dreams. It's not about winning the big game, it's not about a plucky underdog earning a spot on the team. It's about a son and a father and it's about faith and redemption and making dreams come true.

Doc Graham can't go back, SOB SOB SOB.

The animation list is an absolute nightmare. Romantic comedies is not much better. Really, they seriously must do it on purpose, because if their lists made sense, then maybe no one would talk about them at all.

Amy Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 06:56 PM EST

Any greatest films list that don't include Casablanca are clearly flawed, in my opinion.

b Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 06:11 PM EST

I'm sure the reason that horror was not included was because they've already done "100 Years...100 Thrills" which is mostly comprised of horror movies, so they thought it would be redundant.

http://www.filmsite.org/afi100thrillers.html

And yes, they've already done a musical list as well.

Greg Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:47 PM EST

Everyone needs to stop accusing the author of being wrong. He said "the most recent NUMBER ONE movie on the list is Raging Bull."

Give the author more credit than to make a stupid error like that.

Joy Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:45 PM EST

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention one thing. Brad Bird must have had a hissy fit last night. He said in an interview that ANIMATION is NOT a movie genre, it's an ART FORM. Ha!

EW should interview him and ask for his reaction. I'd love to hear what he has to say now.

Joy Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:42 PM EST

Beauty and The Beast was the first (and still the only) animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and it is not number 1 on the list? To this day, that movie is one of only two (the other being the original Rocky) where, after it was over, EVERYONE in the theater stood up to applaud for about 5 minutes. If that is not a great movie, then I don't know what is!

The Incredibles should have been #2. The movie trascends its animation. It is arguable the best superhero movie made, and to that you can add comedy. I always laugh out loud when I watch it!

How can It Happened One Night not be the best romantic comedy of all time? It is one of only TWO movies who have won Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress at the Oscars (the other one being Silence of The Lambs). DUH!

Gosh, there are so many mistakes on those Top Ten lists that it makes me sad for the AFI.

Next time, they should try polling the moviegoers and publish THAT list!

Brie Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:40 PM EST

I got madder and madder as that special went on. It started with Animation. There's no argument that Snow White is Number 1, but given AFI's admitted jury process: judging based on Critical Review, Awards, Popularity Over Time, Historical Significance and Cultural Impact, there's no way that Beauty and the Beast and Toy Story are 7 and 6, respectively. Beauty and the Beast changed modern animation- it is (and unfortunately will probably be the only) animated movie nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. It blended computer and traditional animation, it was the critical height of the Disney Renaissance. And do I even need to mention all the facets of Toy Story's significance- it is the Snow White of the now dominant computer animation genre. I'd put them at 2 and 3, but definitely not below Fantasia and The Lion King.

Yeah, and the Fantasy and Romantic Comedy genres were screwed up as well. Plus, why were 8 of the 10 genres dramas related? Where's the fair share for comedy?

Melinda65 Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:34 PM EST

Richard LeComte, now I want to see that special. LOL

I was surprised that A League of Their Own and Rudy weren't included with the Sports movies, Close Encounters and Star Trek weren't in Sci-Fi (and 2001 was--talk about one of the most overrated movies ever) and that Doctor Zhivago wasn't included as an Epic movie. What's more epic than the Bolshevik Revolution?

Bethann Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:28 PM EST

I think the reason they chose different genres was that they've done the 100 best comedies, thrillers, songs, etc. Hopefully they will revisit those lists in the upcoming years.
I was confused as to "Jerry Maguire" being included in the sports genre. I know that it was about a sports agent and a football player, but I think a random poll would tell you that most people would comsider it a romance. I would've liked to see the incredibly underrated "Miracle" in it's place.
I was also wondering how "Gone With the Wind" -which I believe was ranked #2 in last year's 100 best movies- ended up as #4 in the Epics category. How is a movie that is overall one of the top movies of all time only #4 in its genre?
I also agree with the woefully inaccurate Romantic Comedies category. I too think that dialogue is one of the most important aspects of the genre.
And this countdown each year DOES skew old. It's almost like why should anyone try making a great movie anymore? It's impossible.

will Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:27 PM EST

What about the first Star Wars on the scfi list? Musicial is a very important genre in movies. Musicials help built and define Hollywood. If you had scfi, did you really need fantasy?

fecalito Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:26 PM EST

Great that "The Usual Suspects" made it! I also think "Memento" is deserving. ["House of Games" 1987 with Joe Mantagne as lead actor and director was too much a sleeper, but still GREAT! Name the fantastic lead actress that played the psychiatrist and win a prize... Rent this one now!]

Did I miss "Gone with the Wind"??? Or "Dr. Zhivago"?

And romantic comedies without both "Tootsie" and "Mrs. Doubtfire"? Unthinkable!!

Sam Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:25 PM EST

(deep sigh) I don't even know where to begin with all the complaints I have. Because I have limited space I will just name a few. Let me start by saying that I hated the majority of the genre classifications. In addition, most of the movies did not belong under their assigned genres. But the majority of my frustration is directed towards most of the picks. The Gangster genre included the silly Scarface movie but left out The Departed (or Infernal Affairs), Casino, and Heat? Sci-Fi had Terminator 2 and not the original? The Courtroom Drama left out Primal Fear, The Firm, Presumed Innocent, and Philadelphia? I feel like the AFI just threw some movies together to make a show. It's all disappointing.

CindyPsych Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:20 PM EST

Aw, come on. Cat Ballou is a great movie. I've seen it a dozen times and love it every time. It's the only western I really liked on that list.

Pamela Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:06 PM EST

Maybe next year's AFI special will be "Oops, the movies we forgot: The Ten Greatest Films in Ten Other Genres"?! We can only hope that not covering musicals, horror etc is but a mere oversight on the way to compling more lists for everyone to get annoyed about in future. For me, the omission of Close Encounters in Sci-Fi has to be the most glaring. And I am with Wildecat on The Two Towers being the strongest of the LOTR films to consider for the Fantasy list, though it seems Epic in proportion, to me.

Richard LeComte Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 05:02 PM EST

I think they missed a lot of genres. For example:
*Ensemble war movies with lots of actors who went on to be big on television.
*Bald cowboy/robot movies.
*Don Knotts films.
*Animals making incredible journeys to reunite with their owners and/or children who love them.
*Gay-subtext films.
*Crusading journalist films.
*Really bad 1960s-70s musicals.
*Films in which vermin take over the world and/or some psycho guy who lives in a basement.

fredric Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 04:54 PM EST

The author of the article mentions Raging Bull as the most recent number one movie on the list, not of all movies on the list.

Although they don't easily fit into the genres listed, I'd put Shawshank Redemption and Silence of the Lambs as recent movies that would certainly be at the top of my list.

dan jones Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 04:52 PM EST

To the illiterates on this talkback who keep pointing out there are more recent movies than Raging Bull on the list, go read the article AGAIN. It says "The most recent No. 1 movie in any of the AFI's chosen genres is 1980's Raging Bull...".

Sarah A Wed, Jun 18, 2008 at 04:50 PM EST

I was a little sad to see Tim Burton was completely shut out of the Fantasy genre. Edward Scissorhands is such a beautiful piece of filmmaking, and Burton has been working magic for the fantasy genre for almost two decades now. They could have atleast included him over the incredibly depressing Miracle on 34th Street.