Dan Sallitt’s Favorite Films, by International Release Date

Use the menu to navigate to film lists for the 2020s, 2010s, 2000s, 1990s, 1980s, 1970s, 1960s, 1950s, 1940s, 1930s, or 1920s and 1910s.

I made these lists at the request of Theo Panayides for a project of his.  The authority for year of release is the Internet Movie Database, which tries to go by the film’s first public screening; I sometimes override its decisions when I have evidence of its errors, or when the first public screening comes too long after the film’s completion.  Color coding is used to give an idea of how much I like each film, and allows comparison between films in different years. Unranked, uncolored films at the end of some years are a reminder to myself of areas to explore, and may or may not indicate honorable-mention status.

Click to receive notification of site updates.

Recent changes:

5 Apr 2023 to 22 May 2023:

2015 – THE FITS dropped from runners-up
1990 – TOKYO HEAVEN added to runners-up
1989 – HOMEWORK moved up on ten-best list
1986 – THE CUP AND THE LIP moved from ten-best-list to runners-up
1981 – NOBLESSE OBLIGE dropped from runners-up
1977 – BETWEEN THE LINES moved up on ten-best list
1972 – EIGHT FATAL SHOTS added to runners-up
1949 – KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS dropped from runners-up

Click for a history of changes.