The Most Beautiful Movie Ever Made, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the movie you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on May 3, 2024 06:19

Deciding on the most beautiful movie ever made can be a challenge, especially with so many genres and eras to consider. Each film offers its own unique aesthetic appeal, whether through stunning cinematography, meticulous set designs, or innovative use of color and light. This means that what might be the pinnacle of beauty in one viewer's eyes could be entirely different for another, making a collective judgment intriguing yet complex. By participating in ranking the greatest cinematic beauties, viewers contribute to a broader understanding of visual excellence in film. This process not only highlights well-known masterpieces but also gives lesser-known films a chance to shine. Voting lets you share your appreciation for movies that resonate with you, while also seeing how others perceive beauty in cinema.

What Is the Most Beautiful Movie Ever Made?

1

70
votes
Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0

The Tree of Life (2011)

Terrence Malick

Terrence Malick's epic drama film is a visual masterpiece that explores the mysteries of life and the universe. The film's stunning imagery and dreamlike sequences have been praised by critics and audiences alike.
The Tree of Life (2011) is a visually stunning and contemplative film directed by Terrence Malick. The movie explores the origins and meaning of life through the lens of a Texas family in the 1950s. It weaves together the story of Jack O'Brien (played by Sean Penn) as an adult, reflecting on his childhood memories and experiences with his parents (Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain) and two younger brothers. The film incorporates both realistic and surreal elements, including breathtaking imagery of nature, cosmic sequences, and evocative music. It received critical acclaim for its artistic approach and philosophical themes.

Year: 2011

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 139 minutes

Language: English

Country: United States
2

50
votes
Trailer screenshot · Public domain

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

David Lean

David Lean's epic historical drama is a feast for the eyes, with its sweeping desert landscapes and iconic cinematography. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) is an epic historical drama film that tells the story of T.E. Lawrence, a British officer who played a key role in World War I and the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. The film is known for its breathtaking cinematography, sweeping landscapes, and complex character development. It explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the human cost of war.

Release Date: December 10, 1962

Running Time: 216 minutes

Genre: Biography, Drama, History, War

Director: David Lean

Writer: Robert Bolt, Michael Wilson
3

16
votes
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve

Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi sequel is a stunning visual achievement, with its neon-lit cityscapes and breathtaking special effects. The film won two Academy Awards for its cinematography and visual effects.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017) is a visually stunning science fiction film set in a dystopian future. It is a sequel to the original Blade Runner film released in 1982. The movie follows the story of a new blade runner, Officer K, played by Ryan Gosling, who uncovers a long-buried secret which leads him to seek out the former blade runner, Rick Deckard, portrayed by Harrison Ford.

Release Date: October 6, 2017

Running Time: 163 minutes

Production Company: Alcon Entertainment

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Cinematography: Roger Deakins
4

25
votes
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Ang Lee

Ang Lee's martial arts epic is a visual masterpiece that blends action, romance, and fantasy. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is an internationally acclaimed martial arts epic film released in 2000. It tells the story of Li Mu Bai, a legendary Wudang swordsman, and his pursuit of the stolen Green Destiny sword. The film explores themes of love, honor, and the search for personal freedom amidst the backdrop of ancient China.

Release Date: 2000

Director: Ang Lee

Screenplay: James Schamus, Wang Hui Ling, Tsai Kuo Jung

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Runtime: 120 minutes
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Karate movie
5

27
votes
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi classic is a groundbreaking visual and technical achievement, with its stunning special effects and iconic imagery. The film has been praised for its visionary approach to space travel and human evolution.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is a science fiction masterpiece that tells the story of humanity's journey to uncover the mysteries of the universe. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this visually stunning film takes viewers on an epic adventure that spans from prehistoric times to the distant future. With its groundbreaking special effects and thought-provoking narrative, it continues to be hailed as one of the most influential and beautiful films ever made.

Release Year: 1968

Genre: Science Fiction

Runtime: 149 minutes

Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1

Filming Locations: England, Italy, and the United States
6

4
votes
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson's whimsical comedy is a visual delight, with its colorful sets and quirky characters. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) is a whimsical and visually stunning comedy-drama film set in the 20th century. It follows the adventures of Gustave H., the legendary concierge of the fictional Grand Budapest Hotel, and Zero Moustafa, his loyal lobby boy. The film takes place during a time of political turmoil and explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the fading glory of a bygone era.

Release Date: 7 March 2014

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Running Time: 99 minutes

Language: English

Country of Origin: United States, Germany
7

14
votes
Amélie (2001)

Jean-Pierre Jeunet's romantic comedy is a charming visual feast, with its whimsical Parisian setting and playful cinematography. The film has been praised for its quirky characters and imaginative storytelling.
Amélie (2001) is a whimsical French romantic comedy directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The film tells the story of Amélie Poulain, a young woman who leads a sheltered life in Paris but finds joy in helping others and embarking on various adventures. With its visually stunning cinematography and imaginative storytelling, Amélie has been widely regarded as one of the most beautiful movies ever made.

Genre: Romantic comedy

Language: French

Release Date: 2001

Running Time: 122 minutes

Country: France
8

3
votes
Hero (2002)

Zhang Yimou's martial arts epic is a stunning visual spectacle, with its vibrant colors and breathtaking action sequences. The film won the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 2003 Academy Awards.
Hero (2002) is a visually stunning martial arts film that tells the story of a nameless warrior who is summoned to the palace of the King of Qin to recount how he eliminated three legendary assassins. The film explores themes of loyalty, honor, and sacrifice through its intricate storyline and breathtaking action sequences.

Release Date: 2002

Director: Zhang Yimou

Writer: Feng Li, Bin Wang, Zhang Yimou

Starring: Jet Li, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Maggie Cheung

Genre: Action, Drama, History
9

8
votes
Michelangelo · Public domain

The Fall (2006)

Tarsem Singh

Tarsem Singh's fantasy adventure is a visual masterpiece, with its stunning locations and elaborate costumes. The film has been praised for its imaginative storytelling and breathtaking visuals.
The Fall (2006) is a visually stunning film directed by Tarsem Singh. It tells the story of a stuntman named Roy who shares an extraordinary tale with a young girl named Alexandria while they are both recovering in a hospital. The film expertly blends reality and fantasy as the narrative unfolds within the extravagant and imaginative world created by Roy's storytelling. With breathtaking cinematography and mesmerizing visuals, The Fall has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful films ever made.

Release Year: 2006

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

Runtime: 117 minutes

Language: English

Country: United States, India
10

3
votes
The Revenant (2015)

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Alejandro G. Iñárritu's epic survival drama is a visual tour de force, with its stunning landscapes and immersive cinematography. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Cinematography.
The Revenant (2015) is a visually stunning epic adventure film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. It tells the gripping tale of Hugh Glass, a fur trapper in the early 19th century, who is left for dead by his companions after a vicious bear attack. Driven by vengeance, Glass must navigate the harsh wilderness and overcome countless obstacles to survive and seek retribution.

Release Year: 2015

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Western

Running Time: 156 minutes

Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson

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Ranking factors for beautiful movie

Cinematography

The visual presentation of the film, including the choice of camera angles, lighting, framing, and composition, contributes significantly to its beauty. Stunning and well-thought-out cinematography can elevate a movie's visual appeal.
Production design

The design of sets, locations, costumes, and props plays a crucial role in creating the movie's world. Attention to detail, creativity, and consistency in production design can greatly enhance a film's beauty.
Color palette

The use of color in a movie can evoke specific emotions and create a visual mood that complements the story. A well-chosen color palette can impact a movie's visual appeal.
Visual effects

In some movies, visual effects are an important aspect of creating a visually stunning experience. The quality and integration of visual effects can contribute to a movie's beauty.
Direction

A skilled director can bring out the best in the cinematography, production design, and other visual elements to create a beautiful movie. The way scenes are staged, shot, and edited can significantly contribute to a film's overall beauty.
Story and themes

While not strictly visual, the story and themes of a movie can contribute to its beauty in the way they resonate with the audience, evoke emotions, and provide a deeper meaning to the visual elements.
Music and sound design

A movie's soundtrack and sound design can play a crucial role in enhancing the visual appeal. Music and sound can complement the visuals and elevate the emotional experience of the movie.
Acting

The performances of the actors can contribute to a film's beauty by adding depth and authenticity to the visual elements and engaging the viewer emotionally.
Originality

A truly beautiful movie often brings something new and fresh to the table, either in terms of visuals, story, or technique. This innovation can make a movie stand out as a unique and beautiful work of art.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful movie ever made. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Film is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

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215 votes
10 ranked items

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A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Film once every 24 hours. The rank of each Film is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful movie ever made

Movies have been a source of entertainment and inspiration for audiences all over the world for decades. From classic black and white films to modern blockbusters, the art of filmmaking has evolved and grown in countless ways. One aspect that has always captured the hearts of moviegoers is the beauty of the films themselves. Whether it be stunning landscapes, intricate costumes, or captivating performances, a movie's visual appeal can be just as important as its storyline. In this article, we explore the question of what is the most beautiful movie ever made and delve into some of the most visually stunning films in cinematic history.