The Most Famous Movie Critic, Ranked

Choose the movie critic you think is the most famous!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 26, 2024 07:10
In the world of cinema, knowing who to trust for insightful, reliable movie reviews can greatly enhance your viewing experience. With myriad voices offering their take, distinguishing the most credible and resonant opinions can be challenging. A ranked list of famous movie critics is therefore invaluable, aiding film enthusiasts in identifying which critics align best with their cinematic tastes. This dynamic ranking, fueled by your votes, reflects which critics are currently resonating the most with moviegoers. Every vote is a step towards fine-tuning this living reflection of preference and trust in movie criticism. Whether you're looking for the most meticulous dissection of film technique or prefer a critic who entertains as they evaluate, this ranking will guide you to the reviewers whose insights could elevate your movie experience.

Who Is the Most Famous Movie Critic?

  1. 1
    72
    votes
    One of the most influential and respected film critics of all time, Ebert wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times for over 45 years and was the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. He also co-hosted the popular television show, Siskel & Ebert, which brought film criticism into the mainstream.
    Roger Ebert in other rankings
  2. 2
    31
    votes
    Pauline Kael
    Rollins Maxwell · Public domain
    Known for her provocative and often controversial reviews, Kael wrote for The New Yorker from 1968 to 1991 and was considered one of the most influential film critics of her time. She championed directors like Martin Scorsese and Brian De Palma and helped shape the way we think about cinema today.
    Pauline Kael in other rankings
  3. 3
    13
    votes
    Gene Siskel
    Maartenschrijft · CC BY 3.0
    Along with Roger Ebert, Siskel co-hosted the popular television show, Siskel & Ebert, and was a film critic for the Chicago Tribune. He was known for his insightful commentary and his ability to bring a critical eye to even the most popular movies.
  4. 4
    9
    votes
    A respected film historian and critic, Maltin has been writing about movies for over 50 years. He is best known for his annual movie guide, which has become a go-to reference for film fans around the world. He has also appeared on numerous television shows and hosted his own movie review show, Hot Ticket.
    Leonard Maltin in other rankings
  5. 5
    12
    votes
    A leading figure in the development of auteur theory, Sarris was a film critic for the Village Voice for over 30 years. He championed the work of directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Howard Hawks, and John Ford and helped elevate film criticism to a serious and respected art form.
  6. 6
    7
    votes
    Known for his acerbic wit and biting commentary, Reed has been a film critic for over 50 years. He has written for publications like The New York Observer and The New York Times and is a regular contributor to the television show, The Today Show.
  7. 7
    12
    votes
    A film critic for The New York Times for over 30 years, Canby was known for his thoughtful and nuanced reviews. He championed independent cinema and foreign films and was respected by both his colleagues and the film industry itself.
  8. 8
    4
    votes
    David Denby
    Michael Bednarek · CC BY-SA 4.0
    A film critic for The New Yorker since 1998, Denby is known for his insightful and incisive commentary. He has written extensively on the work of directors like Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese and has helped shape the way we think about film in the 21st century.
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    A long-time film critic for the Los Angeles Times, Turan is known for his thoughtful and insightful reviews. He has written numerous books on film and has appeared on various television shows, including the popular radio program, Fresh Air.
    Kenneth Turan in other rankings
  10. 10
    11
    votes
    A film critic for The New York Times for over 20 years, Maslin is known for her clear and concise writing style. She has written extensively on popular movies as well as independent and foreign films and is respected for her ability to bring a critical eye to even the most mainstream movies.

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About this ranking

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

Statistics

  • 2055 views
  • 174 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

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

More information on most famous movie critic

Movie critics play a vital role in the film industry, helping people decide which films are worth watching and which ones are not. Over the years, many movie critics have become household names due to their insightful opinions and engaging personalities. But who among them can claim to be the most famous movie critic of all time? To answer this question, we have compiled a list of some of the most prominent movie critics in history, including Roger Ebert, Pauline Kael, Gene Siskel, Leonard Maltin, and many others. Each of these critics has left an indelible mark on the film world, influencing the way we think about movies and shaping the discourse around cinema. While there is no definitive answer to the question of who is the most famous movie critic, we believe that exploring the legacies of these iconic figures can help us appreciate the art of film criticism and its impact on our culture. So whether you are a seasoned cinephile or a casual moviegoer, we invite you to join us in celebrating the work of these remarkable critics and the films they have championed over the years.

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