The Greatest Epic Movies Ever Made, According To Ranker
Epic movies can be epic in a variety of ways, from the scale of their stories to the size of their ensemble casts and even their epic running times. The best epic films are those that portray both larger-than-life scenarios and intimate human moments with equal care and attention to detail.
Some epics are in a league of their own, and there are few other comparable films against which to compare and contrast them. However, the vast community of film buffs on Ranker has collectively chimed in to vote on the greatest epic movies ever made, and the cream of the crop rose to the top.
10 The Godfather (1972)
At its core, The Godfather, a film that celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022, is a family drama set in the dangerous world of the New York Italian mafia during the 1940s and '50s. The film itself runs for three hours, spanning 10 turbulent years, covering the changing fortunes of the Corleone crime family. Marlon Brando’s performance as legendary mafia boss and family patriarch Vito Corleone was especially well received.
The Godfather went on to become an instant hit with both audiences and critics alike, becoming the highest-grossing film ever at the time and garnering three coveted Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Brando, and Best Screenplay.
9 Vertigo (1958)
Widely considered Alfred Hitchcock’s best work, Vertigo follows a private investigator haunted by his past as a police detective as he tails a friend’s wife who is acting mysteriously. The film was an innovator in terms of cinematography and camera techniques, including the famous “Vertigo effect” which causes a spinning sensation.
Vertigo was a flop upon its release but has since become considered one of the greatest movies ever made. The film was later selected by the Library of Congress for preservation for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
8 Star Wars (1977)
A trailblazer in terms of special effects and set design, Star Wars can arguably be considered the first true “blockbuster” film, in terms of the hype around its release and immense pop culture impact. The film follows Luke Skywalker as he is guided by a metaphysical power known as "the Force" to help a group of freedom fighters in their life or death struggle against the tyrannical Galactic Empire.
Upon its release, Star Wars was received with as much astonishment as with critical acclaim. Famous film critic, Roger Ebert, described the film as "an out-of-body experience" and compared to likes 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was released almost 10 years prior and had similar special effects.
7 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Probably the “Epic-ist” of Epic movies, Lawrence of Arabia defined the genre in terms of grand scale and larger-than-life cinematography. The film follows British officer, T. E. Lawrence, who aided the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans during World War I. The film’s visual style and unique Super Panavision 70 cinematography of long takes and an ultra-wide aspect ratio.
Lawrence of Arabia went on to win seven Academy Awards including, Best Picture and Best Director. The movie and its epic visual style have since inspired a generation of filmmakers, from Ridley Scott to Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg, who described Lawrence of Arabia as a "miracle".
6 Schindler's List (1993)
Telling the incredible true story of German businessman, Oskar Schindler, who saved thousands of Polish Jews during the Holocaust. Schindler's List is arguably Steven Spielberg’s most heavy-hitting work and stars Liam Neeson in the titular role. The film brought to life the horrors of the Holocaust on the big screen like never before and was shot entirely on location in Krakow, Poland to maintain authenticity.
Schindler's List received universal acclaim upon its release from both audiences and critics alike. The film had a big impact on raising new awareness about the Holocaust and many world leaders were inspired to watch Schindler's List and later meet with Spielberg.
5 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
With its distinctive “twangy” soundtrack, extreme wide shots, and colorful cast of characters, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was the action-packed culmination to Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Western Dollars Trilogy. Famously starring Clint Eastwood as the poncho-clad gunslinger, The Man With No Name, this highly stylized movie was nothing short of epic, with its awesome one-liners, Civil War battle sequences, and climatic final showdown.
4 The Green Mile (1999)
Based on the novel by Stephen King of the same name, The Green Mile stars Tom Hanks as a death row prison guard whose life is touched by one of the prisoners who has a divine gift for healing. Upon its release, famous film critic, Roger Ebert, stated "The film is a shade over three hours long. I appreciated the extra time, which allows us to feel the passage of prison months and years ... it tells a story with a beginning, middle, end, vivid characters, humor, outrage, and emotional release".
3 Apollo 13 (1995)
Following the story of the perilous 1970 journey of NASA's Apollo 13 voyage to the moon, Apollo 13 dramatizes the massive effort to bring the astronauts home after their spacecraft is damaged. The film itself starred Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton and was a commercial success, also earning much praise by critics, being nominated for nine Academy Awards. Apollo 13 was particularly noted for its attention to detail and commitment to authentically portraying space travel and its inherent dangers.
2 Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Bringing the harsh realities of combat to audiences like never before, Saving Private Ryan provided an authentic look at the daring and heroism of allied forces during the Normandy campaign of WWII. The movie follows a group of U.S. Army Rangers as they set out behind enemy lines to rescue the last surviving brother of four.
Saving Private Ryan, Steven Spielberg's greatest war epic, received much acclaim on its release, from both audiences and critics, and went on to win five Oscars. The film was particularly noted for its realism and attention to detail in its battle scenes, especially its now-famous opening sequence of the Omaha Beach assault during D-Day.
1 Forrest Gump (1994)
Arguably Tom Hanks’ best performance, as the titular Forrest Gump, the film follows Gump, a simple man from Alabama, as he bumbles through tumultuous decades of United States history, from 1950s segregation to the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.
Upon its release, Forrest Gump resonated with many Americans, especially those of the Baby boomer generation, as it gave a fresh perspective on their collective history. The film went on to become a box office hit and garnered six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Hanks. Forrest Gump was later selected by the Library of Congress for preservation for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".